Spring time brings warmer weather, longer days, and new blossoms to the greenery, awakening our senses to the more pleasant days ahead. At the University of Washington in Seattle, this could not have been more true with the annual blooming of Cherry Blossom trees located on the Quad. There are 29 Yoshino cherry trees located here and a dozen other varieties of blooming trees on campus. The cherry trees are estimated at about 90 years old and were planted in their current location in 1962. Beautiful and fleeting they are often seen as a metaphor for life itself. Please be aware though that they are kept beautiful by looking at them only; refrain from touching when they return in 2026!

After viewing the trees we went to a Latino and queer owned coffee shop called Bonito Cafe y Mercadito. Definitely give the Iced Horchata Chai a try, it was delicious. Their Puerquito Sandwiches are also amazing and so cute (pig shaped)!

From there we headed to Ballard (also in Seattle) to a shop called Venue which is both a gallery and a gift store. We weren’t really there to shop though—we actually came to see the famed art vending machine, or Art-o-mat as it’s called! Made from an old cigarette vending machine, possibly built in Winston-Salem, NC, it takes a special coin to operate (purchasable at the register for $5). Insert your coin, make your selection, pull a lever, and viola! A piece of artwork pops out! Yours to take home and display or share with friends.

So many fun ways to enjoy Seattle in the Spring!