Writing
Lisa Kuhn is the creator of and travel writer for iLiveWhereIam.com, her travel site featuring US and international travel.
Her travel writing experience includes authoring Matador Network’s Seattle Guides, which takes a look at this Pacific Northwest city’s neighborhoods, eateries, accommodations, festivals, and more.
Going more in-depth with Seattle, she wrote, photographed, and designed her Seattle Visual Travel Guide eBook (download preview – 11MB) which takes you into nine of Seattle’s unique neighborhoods. She covers top sights, museums, shopping, parks, when to visit, where to stay, and how to get around. See it all with her 225 photos included in the ebook.
In 2015, she was shortlisted in the top 25 of 3,000 entries for World Nomads and Lonely Planet’s travel writing competition.
That same year, she also contributed video for a documentary about Argentina for dbate.de (Spiegel.tv).
Writing Portfolio
Genre: Travel
Day Trips from Seattle
As seen in Matador Network
Having time in the city is a wonderful thing, but you won’t get the full perspective of what the Pacific Northwest is all about if you stay inside its limits. Not far from Seattle, there’s an astounding amount of beauty to explore. Waterfalls, ferry rides, scenic drives, and a 14,000-foot snow-capped mountain are all within a couple hours drive from the big city. When visiting Seattle, be sure to plan a day trip outside the city to see what else this corner of Washington state has to offer.
Essential Seattle: Day One
As seen in Matador Network
Continue exploring Pike Place Market, Seattle’s oldest public market. Started in 1907, it was under threat of demolition in the early 1970s but was saved by local activists. Wander through its corridors and take in the morning sights of the market getting ready for the day. Fresh flowers, produce, and seafood are brought in every morning. After watching the fishmongers toss huge fish long distances, look out the windows for a view of the waterfront and Elliott Bay.
Neighborhoods in Seattle
As seen in Matador Network
Many of Seattle’s top attractions can be seen along a two-mile stretch, through five of its neighborhoods. Second Avenue takes you from the Space Needle in Lower Queen Anne; through Belltown and downtown with their restaurants, bars, music venues, and Pike Place Market; and into the historic core of Seattle in Pioneer Square and the Chinatown-International District. Here’s everything you need to know about Seattle’s most popular neighborhoods.
Nature and Parks in Seattle
As see in Matador Network
Scattered throughout Seattle are many delightful parks, most of which offer incredible mountain or water views. Some are fronted by Puget Sound or by one of the area’s many lakes and waterways. Keep an eye out for where you can rent a paddleboard, kayak, or pedal boat to make your park visit even more enjoyable. You’ll find plenty of biking and walking paths as well. When the sun does come out in Seattle, you’ll have many options to choose from as to where to soak it up.
Events and Festivals in Seattle
As seen in Matador Network
When the sun comes out, Seattle is awash with music festivals, parades, street fairs, and food and beer festivals, many of which are free or inexpensive. Northwest Folklife takes over the Seattle Center over Memorial Day weekend, bringing 250,000 guests to its grounds. The Seattle Street Food Festival is the city’s largest gathering of local and chain restaurants with nearly 100 vendors to choose from. If you are visiting Seattle here are some events and festivals not to miss.
Where to Eat in Seattle
As see in Matador Network
Inside the main building of Pike Place Market, Lowell’s has been a Seattle institution since 1957. With three floors of dining tables, the restaurant offers incredible views of the waterfront, Puget Sound, and West Seattle. Fresh seafood from Pike Place Market makes its way into many of the dishes. Options include the world famous Dungeness crab omelet, Lowell’s famous hand breaded Alaskan cod fish and chips, and grilled fresh wild king salmon filet.
Art and Culture in Seattle
As seen in Matador Network
Since its early days of grunge, Seattle has grown to attract a following that expects to be impressed by the edgy creative power of the city — and they’re never disappointed. Dozens of museums and galleries dot the city. Countless displays of unique, modern architecture pushing the boundaries of gravity and form are found in its streets. There are iconic theaters dating as far back as the early 1900s and beloved local clubs that have been cranking out music for 80 years.
Bars and Nightlife in Seattle
As see in Matador Network
The Central dates back to 1892 and is one of Seattle’s oldest saloons. It’s also where bands like Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Alice in Chains played in the early days of grunge. The Central continues its music tradition with new bands rocking out most nights of the week. Inside, you can tip back drinks at the long dark wood bar. A full kitchen serves up burgers, pesto chicken sandwiches, BBQ pulled pork, and cobb and caesar salads. There’s a food happy hour from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.
How to Visit McCloud River’s Three Waterfalls
As seen in iLiveWhereIam.com
In the far north of California, you can relish three breathtaking waterfalls along the McCloud River near the historic mountain town of McCloud in Siskiyou County. Easily accessed along Highway 89, this favorite destination is just five miles east of McCloud and a short 20-mile jaunt from the more touristy Mount Shasta City along Interstate 5.
GENRE: HUMAN RIGHTS
For Refugees, it’s the end of ‘The Jungle’ in Calais, France
As seen in iLiveWhereIam.com
In Calais, the term The Jungle is used to describe the chaos and instability of the migrant camp that affects some 7,000 migrant people who have fled their homelands and are running for their lives due to the life-threatening circumstances in their regions.
Originally built on a rubbish site, refugees set up camp with makeshift items, tents, and trailers to form some type of dwelling for themselves. Over time, they managed to open restaurants, shops, and even schools to build some kind of semblance of normalcy. They were even able to build a Mosque and Christian Church from items donated by local communities. These efforts are about to be destroyed by the French authorities.
GENRE: NARRATIVE
Beyond Words: Gratitude and Understanding Between Strangers
As seen in iLiveWhereIam.com
If you listen hard enough through your soul, you will understand the words that fail your ears.
I have no recollection of her face, where exactly I was going that day, or even the train station we were in, but our brief encounter in Paris more than 20 years ago taught me lessons of gratitude and understanding that I will never forget.