1 With Nature: Chelsea Ma From NYC To Seattle

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Blog post + images by: @Chelsea.Ma

On a recent staycation in New York City, my boyfriend Eli, who currently resides in Seattle, and I had the opportunity to spend a night at the lovely 1 Hotel Central Park. It’s been about a year since I’ve made the cross country move to the Big Apple from Seattle, and while I truly love NYC, there is still a piece of my heart that belongs to Seattle. One of the realizations I had when moving to New York City was that the city really is a “concrete jungle.”

Seattle is known as the Emerald City, named for the lush evergreen forests that surround it. The urban and natural worlds are a little less demarcated in Seattle and that connection to nature was something I didn’t realize I was missing until recently. When I arrived at 1 Hotels I felt right at home. Nature is at the heart of everything the brand does. From the ivy exterior to the views of Central Park, 1 Hotels works to bring the outside in.

This nostalgia for home and appreciate for nature is something that stayed with me even after leaving the hotel. As photographers and Seattleites at heart, Eli and I have pulled some of the most Instagrammed spots in Seattle to celebrate our picturesque hometown in the Pacific Northwest.

Lake Diablo:

Easily the most popular spot in Washington to catch views of both mountains and lakes – but without a arduous hike. Set on a high vantage point, the Lake Diablo Lookout gives you stellar views of the lake below. If you look hard enough, you can spot the bald eagle that lives down by the lake, perched  on a tall evergreen.

Rattlesnake Ledge:

Considered by most to be an easy hike, this trail can lead to some insane views of the valley below if experienced during cooler weather. 2 miles up and 2 miles down, this entry level hike takes views to the next level. The pay off is amazing and if you catch this hike on a gloomy day, you’ll literally be above the clouds!

Pike Place Market:

One of the most iconic markets in the Pacific Northwest is the Pike Place Market. The massive sign at the entrance is very photogenic, and it’s typical to see plenty of photographers and tourists snapping photos of this iconic place. The Pike Place Market also includes some of the best food and fresh flowers that are perfect for photos! Not to mention, Pike Place is the home of Starbucks!

Our stay at 1 Hotel Central Park reawakened our appreciation for nature. The hotel was our oasis, providing us with a daily dose of greenery in this concrete jungle I now call home.  

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Chelsea is a Seattle raised photographer/design student currently living in New York City pursuing her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Chelsea is passionate about sustainable design particularly in the fashion industry, and loves nature and spontaneous adventures. 

You can follow her on her trip back to the Pacific Northwest this summer on Instagram here! 

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