At the risk of sounding like another millennial obsessed with plants, Swansons Nursery in the Crown Hill neighborhood of Seattle is one of my all-time favorite places to visit. So much more than a simple garden store, walking onto their 5-acre property feels like stepping into a mythical, and heavenly green, world.

The number of plants and trees Swansons carries is remarkable, and simply browsing can feel like a visit to a botanical zoo. The staff are also all extremely knowledgeable and helpful, from finding specific plants to answering complex gardening questions.

Beyond the flora and fauna, Swansons has a gift shop and café, the latter being the perfect stop for a caffeine pick-me-up and delicious snack. Shaded by palm, fig and banana trees and nestled besides a koi pond, the ambiance couldn’t be any more relaxing.

HOLIDAY PRO-TIP: Whether you have kids or not, Swansons is the ideal place to visit in November and December, when they transform into a Christmas village. Decked out with Christmas trees, Santa photos, a massive model train set and live reindeer (yep, their names are Dasher & Comet), you’re quickly transported to the North Pole.