July 15, 2015

8 min read

Why Washington? This state is great for au pairs!

There is no shortage of au pair love for our state of Washington, located in the top western corner of the USA. Besides being the home of Starbucks, an obvious au pair favorite, there are lots of reasons our au pairs love living in Washington.

WA Images (clockwise from top left) all submitted by French au pair Elisabeth Hurel (@allofmytrains): Hanging out on Second Beach; the very first Starbucks, located in Seattle; Watmough Bay; Multnomah Falls; Seattle skyline; hiking Rattlesnake Ledge; Seattle sunset; Pike Place Market.

REASONS AU PAIRS LOVE WASHINGTON (WA):

Breathtaking Views
"I love Washington because it has the most amazing views I have ever seen in my life. Every day, you have the opportunity to see the sunrise and sunset, and that's pretty amazing."
— Angelica Pena, au pair from Colombia

Coffee Culture
"In Seattle, you can find Starbucks and other coffee shops on every corner, which is part of the fun of the city."
— Marie Calbera, au pair from France

A City to Remember
"Seattle is the town that breaks my heart every time I have to leave. The amazing people, the vibe, the awesome ice cream at Molly Moon's, breakfast at Sunflour Cafe, the beautiful skyline, and the great friends I've met there make it worth the rainy winters."
— Julia Kjellberg, au pair from Sweden

Spectacular Sunsets
"Washington, especially the Seattle area, has the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. Almost every night, I can't believe how amazing it looks."
— Lara Grabe, au pair from Germany

Sports Spirit
"The Super Bowl is a big event in the USA, and the Seahawks (Seattle's football team) have been in the finals in recent years. You can imagine the excitement of being in the Super Bowl final. Go Seahawks! Come visit Washington—you’ll love it!"
— Maria Camila Tobon, au pair from Colombia

Delicious Food
"About the food, just one word: marvelous. One of the traditional dishes is salmon. I love salmon, and I’ve had the best salmon of my life in Washington. I’m even looking forward to going back just to have another piece... De-li-cious."
— Elisabeth Hurel, au pair from France

Outdoor Adventures
"Living in Washington made me realize I’m an outdoorsy person. I found so much joy in hiking lush green forests or kayaking at the San Juan Islands. If you're lucky, you might even see some dolphins!"
— Victoria Hovergren, au pair from Sweden

Warm Hospitality
"Everyone I met, whether at the grocery store, Starbucks, or one of my host mom's friends, put so much effort into having a chat with me. They loved hearing about where I was from and what I was doing there. It made me feel so welcome."
— Madelaene Carr, au pair from Australia

Travel Opportunities
"The possibilities to travel are great—just a few hours’ drive to Canada or Oregon and a little more than an hour’s flight to California."
— Céline Besson, au pair from France

The Evergreen State
"Washington isn’t called ‘The Evergreen State’ for nothing—it’s the greenest place I’ve ever been. Camping at Olympic National Park was incredible, with its rich forests, huge trees, and fascinating plants. The beaches, especially at sunset, are breathtaking."
— Annika Sailer, au pair from Germany

COA106639-AngelicaPena (1) Colombian au pair Angelica Pena and her friends atop Rattlesnake Ledge in Washington state.

Most Beautiful Sites to See in Washington (WA)

  • Mount Rainier – A stunning landmark and a must-see for nature lovers.

  • Sunset at Gas Works Park – The colors over Lake Union are unforgettable.

  • The View from Rattlesnake Ledge – A rewarding hike with breathtaking scenery.

  • Fireworks on the 4th of July at Gas Works Park – A vibrant and patriotic celebration.

  • Snoqualmie Falls in Winter – Witness its beauty as it starts to freeze.

  • Alki Beach in the Early Evening – Perfect for enjoying the colors of Seattle's skyline.


Best Places to Get Coffee or a Meal in Washington (WA)

  • Starbucks – The quintessential Seattle coffee experience.

  • Ivar's Fish Bar – Enjoy delicious seafood with a view.

  • Storyville Coffee – A cozy spot for coffee lovers.

  • Cactus Restaurant – Known for its flavorful dishes.

  • Red Robin – A great place to grab a classic burger.

  • Serendipity Cafe and Lounge – Perfect for a casual meal.

  • Molly Moon's – The best homemade ice cream you’ll ever taste.

  • The Cheesecake Factory – A favorite for desserts and hearty meals.

  • Sunflour Cafe and Bakery – Ideal for a delightful breakfast.

  • Menchie’s – Treat yourself to refreshing frozen yogurt.


Great Events in Washington (WA) You Won’t Want to Miss

  • Concerts at the Gorge Amphitheatre – World-class performances in a breathtaking venue.

  • The Polar Bear Plunge (January 1st) – A chilly but exhilarating tradition.

  • Life in Color Festival – A vibrant and energetic event.

  • The Fremont Parade – A quirky and fun-filled celebration.

  • The Blue Angels Air Show on Lake Washington – A spectacular aerial display.

  • Seafair Weekend in Seattle – Filled with parades, hydroplane races, and more.

  • Super Bowl Finals – An electric atmosphere for sports fans.

  • Sounders FC Games – Catch the excitement of professional soccer.

  • The Tulip Festival Around Mount Vernon – A colorful display of natural beauty.


Fun Classes to Take in Washington (WA)

  • Art and Circus Classes

    • Drawing classes at Gage Academy of Art

    • Circus classes at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA)

  • Language and Communication Classes

    • Speaking, communication, and pronunciation classes at Lake Washington Institute

    • TOEFL preparation, French, and broadcasting at Bellevue College

    • ESL classes at Edmonds Community College

    • ESL, American Sign Language, and informal English at Seattle Community Colleges

  • Creative and Hobby Classes

    • Expressive watercolor, dance, ceramics, and photography at local colleges

    • “Finding Yourself” workshops for personal growth

YouAreHereWAPerfect Ways to Spend a Day in Washington (WA)

  • Morning Coffee and a Firepit Evening
    "A good coffee in the morning at Storyville or Starbucks, some shopping in the morning, a nice hike in the mountains in the afternoon, and a great, chill night with all the neighbors by the firepit."
    — Elisabeth Hurel, au pair from France

  • From Breakfast to Stargazing
    "I would start the perfect day off with a delicious breakfast with lots of pancakes at a hip restaurant in Capitol Hill with my friends. Then we would take our car and drive east into the state of Washington. The weather would be gorgeous, so we would stop and enjoy Mount Rainier and then continue driving, being awed by the surroundings changing into a more desert-like environment. We would arrive at the Gorge Amphitheater to watch our favorite band play at the most gorgeous outdoor venue. We would dance and sing into the early hours, wishing that the day would never end. At last, we would fall asleep on the camping grounds under the starry sky."
    — Victoria Hovergren, au pair from Sweden

  • City Walks and Island Picnics
    "Visit Seattle and walk in Pike Place Market with a hot coffee in my hands. Afterwards, take the car to Mercer Island, where I will enjoy the evening, including the sunset at a park with a picnic and friends!"
    — Ann-Kathrin Kinkel, au pair from Germany

  • Coffee, Markets, and the Beach
    "Get a coffee at one of the probably 400 Starbucks stores downtown, stroll around Pike Place Market, get some awesome mini doughnuts, and hang out at Alki Beach in the afternoon."
    — Nicole Abt, au pair from Switzerland


Why Au Pairs Love Washington (WA)

  • Welcoming and Kind People
    "I really enjoyed getting to know the people living in Washington—all very fun, laid-back, and always happy to help. I remember one time when I was pretty upset while riding one of the ferries—realizing my time there would end soon—and a woman randomly came up to me, gave me a hug, and said everything was going to be okay. Another time, when I was getting on the bus, the driver thanked me for bringing my smile. And when I was new to the area and stopped to look at a map, about ten cars pulled over to help me find my way. Things like these still bring a smile to my face and made me a much more open person. Washington's people are just generally happy—and that helps a lot in making you feel at home right away."
    — Annika Sailer, au pair from Germany

  • Discovering a Love for the Outdoors
    "Living in Washington made me realize that I am an outdoorsy person and have the most joy in activities you do outside. Like going for a hike in the lush green forests or going kayaking at the San Juan Islands. If you're lucky enough, you might even see some dolphins!"
    — Victoria Hovergren, au pair from Sweden