Seattle Travelers Recommend

Seattle enchants visitors with top restaurants and attractions, including the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, and the city is equally well-situated for forays into the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and for exploration of one of Puget Sound’s many islands. Here are a few ways to spend three days in and around Seattle.

Day 1: Explore Downtown

Seattle’s downtown is home to its most recognizable sites, including Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. Spend a full day here allows you to explore all of historic Pike Place Market’s nooks and crannies and shop for souvenirs. Then, take in the views atop the Space Needle, recently renovated to include a glass floor peering down the structure’s stem. Next, take a tour of the Seattle Underground, in the Gold Rush-era Pioneer Square district. You journey down one level below the streets to learn about the city’s colorful past. Or, take a few laps on the Great Wheel, the city’s waterfront Ferris wheel. Finally, save time to visit the Chinatown-International District, once home to Bruce Lee. The neighborhood is packed with restaurants serving dim sum, banh mi, sushi, and much more. 

Day 2: Get to Know the Neighborhoods

Kick off your day with a scenic flight over Seattle for a bird’s-eye view of the landscape, taking in the hilly terrain, views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, Mount Rainier, and Seattle’s many waterways and nearby islands. Then, head to the Fremont neighborhood, a quirky collection of shops and restaurants. Visit the Fremont Troll, a massive statue under the Aurora Bridge, and keep an eye out for Rapunzel’s blonde locks flowing from the bridgekeeper’s tower on Fremont Bridge. Don’t miss Gas Works Park, which overlooks Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. End your day with a tour of Capitol Hill, known for its thriving LGBTQ community. Consider a food tour of the neighborhood to get a taste for the neighborhood’s culture and food.

Day 3: Go to the Mountains

Seattle is surrounded by two mountain ranges, the Cascades and the Olympics. On clear days, these peaks are visible just beyond the skyline. It’s tough to pick just one place to visit among all these spires, but you can’t go wrong with Mount Rainier National Park, which protects Washington’s tallest mountain. The 14,400-foot peak—an active volcano—is covered in glaciers, viewable from many vantage points in the park. There are plenty of alpine meadows to explore, plus alpine lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife such as elk and marmots to spot.

With two days in Seattle, you have time to explore the city’s downtown core—with notable sites such as Pike Place Market and the Space Needle—and see some of the charming neighborhoods that give the Emerald City its character. Here are a few ways to maximize two days in Seattle.

Day 1: See the Downtown Sights

**Morning:**Get to know Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s major attractions. The historic market is packed with restaurants, independent shops, cafes, craft stalls, and fresh-from-the-farm produce. Shop for souvenirs such as local chocolate-covered cherries, beef jerky, honey, jewelry, and art. 

**Afternoon:**Learn of Seattle’s quirky past via a subterranean tour of Seattle’s Underground. These tours take place in historic Pioneer Square, the city’s Gold Rush-era neighborhood. Journey one level below the streets to learn the city’s colorful past. Hop-on hop-off tours are a great option for this time of day.

**Night:**Downtown Seattle is full of attractions, and by evening many of them are less crowded. You might visit the Space Needle for a view of the city at sunset, ride the Great Wheel at the waterfront, or get to know Chinatown and Pioneer Square.

Day 2: Explore Seattle’s Neighborhoods

**Morning:**Start your day with a scenic flight over Seattle, where you can get a bird’s-eye view. From the air, take in the hilly terrain, plus enjoy views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, Mount Rainier, and Seattle’s many waterways and nearby islands. This is a great way to kick off your day.

**Afternoon:**Tour the Chinatown-International District, a thriving neighborhood built by Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Vietnamese immigrants. See it through the eyes of Bruce Lee, the neighborhood’s famous former resident. Or, expand your culinary horizons on a food tour—visiting restaurants from multiple cultures.

**Night:**Seattle’s nightlife largely centers around Capitol Hill, which is also the hub of the city’s LGBTQ community. A food tour of the neighborhood introduces you to its culture, while bringing you to some of the area’s most exciting restaurants. Instead of having dinner at just one restaurant, sampling dishes from multiple restaurants for a complete meal.

Set on the Puget Sound, Seattle is a thriving metropolis, full of cultural and outdoor recreational opportunities. Mountains serve as a backdrop to the Emerald City’s high-rise buildings, and there’s rich culture around every corner. Read on for the best way to spend a day in Seattle.

Morning: Tour Pike Place Market

Start your day off with a tour of Pike Place Market, a sprawling collection of food stalls, restaurants, and independent shops. Tours often involve sampling food at several different stops throughout the market, and guides weave in discussions of the market’s history. Scenes from Sleepless in Seattle were filmed here, and coffee giant Starbucks still runs its original cafe within the Pike Place Market campus. Your morning might involve dining on fresh French pastries, shopping for souvenirs, taking in views of Elliott Bay, and sampling the season’s best produce.

Afternoon: Get to Know Downtown

Downtown Seattle is home to several other worthwhile attractions beyond Pike Place Market. A hop-on hop-off tour is a great way to access these. You can explore the waterfront and its numerous piers, visit the Space Needle, try dim sum in Chinatown, check out the quirky Seattle Central Library, and discover other parks and viewpoints via bus. Thrillseekers should save time for a ride on the Great Wheel. The waterfront Ferris wheel complete with gondola-style compartments shows off views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay. On clear days, mountains rise to the east and west.

Night: Set Sail

No trip to Seattle is complete without a waterborne experience. Several tour companies offer cruises, and some are scheduled around sunset. Your day might end with a cocktail sail on Elliott Bay, where you can take in views of islands and the downtown skyline as the sun sets behind the craggy Olympic Mountains. You might spot wildlife such as orcas, seals, and otters. Or, end things with a nightcap and cruise on Lake Washington to see Seattle’s rolling hills and nearby Cascade Mountains. Keep an eye out for bald eagles as the city lights up the night.

While Seattle has much to offer visitors on land, there are many worthwhile experiences to be had offshore, as well. To help beef up your Emerald City itinerary, here are the best ways to get out on the water in Seattle. 

1. Go whale watching.

Thanks to its proximity to the San Juan Islands in salmon-rich Puget Sound, Seattle is a popular destination for whale watching. You’ll be able to spot gray, humpback, and minke whales, as well as orcas, sea lions, seals, porpoises, and seabirds.

2. Ride the ferry.

Washington State has one of the largest ferry systems in the United States, making it a breeze to get from Seattle to the San Juan Islands, Blake Island (the birthplace of Chief Seattle), gallery-filled Bainbridge Island, or Victoria on Canada’s Vancouver Island.

3. Embark on a whitewater rafting adventure.

Seattle’s surrounding rivers boast whitewater rapids prime for an adrenaline-fueled adventure. First-timers and families can tackle the easy waves of the Wenatchee River or Upper Skagit River, while those looking for a bigger thrill can brave the Class 3 and 4 rapids of the Sauk River. The Skykomish River, meanwhile, offers the most challenging rapids in the state.

4. Set sail.

From Lake Union to the Puget Sound, Seattle offers excellent sailing. Hop aboard a sailboat with a professional captain for a hands-on lesson, where you’ll learn the basics of navigating a small vessel. During the tutorial, soak in views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains.

5. Enjoy a sightseeing harbor cruise.

Take in the Seattle skyline, including Mount Rainier and the Space Needle, during a narrated cruise through Seattle Harbor and Elliott Bay. Alternatively, see the Ballard Locks, another of the city’s top attractions, aboard an entertaining, educational tour of the ship canal.

With its prime coastal location, Seattle is known for being a seafood hot spot—locals and visitors alike relish feasts of salmon, oysters, and other fresh-from-the-sea delights. Rounding out the city’s foodie scene are chefs, bakers, brewers, and other gourmands with multicultural backgrounds. Here’s how to ensure a memorable culinary experience in Seattle.

Must-Try Dishes

Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle is a non-negotiable stop—simply a must—where you can sample smoked salmon, hot doughnuts, crab cakes, and cheese all in one place, plus grab a cup of coffee from the original Starbucks. Oyster lovers won’t want to miss dining at the Walrus and the Carpenter, while pizza aficionados should head to Serious Pie for artisanal pizza with house-made charcuterie. For something sweet, visit Dahlia Bakery for the triple coconut cream pie, a beloved creation by James Beard Award winner Tom Douglas. Purple Café and Wine Bar is a great place to end the day, with their extensive list of regional and international wines, and a selection of beer from local breweries such as Holy Mountain and Pike Brewing.

Must-Do Experiences

• Explore Pike Place Market with a chef tour guide for the best insights into the seafood and other goods for sale.

• Book an early-access Pike Place Market tour to get inside before the crowds.

• Experience a piece of the Pacific Northwest’s beer culture on a Seattle brewery tour.

• Go beyond Starbucks on a walking tour of local coffee roasters and cafés.

• Learn how to make and plate sushi with a sushi-rolling class.

Seattle’s family-friendly museums cater to kids of all ages, including the young at heart, whether your focus is on the arts and sciences or your interests range from aviation to popular culture. Book admission tickets, combine attractions with a Seattle City Pass, or go sightseeing with a guide. Here are our top recommendations.

Seattle Children’s Museum

Rainy days in Seattle are well-spent at this museum geared toward young children from 10 months to 10 years of age. Kids can get messy with painting and clay at the Imagination Studio, build in the Construction Zone, explore the world at the Global Village, explore STEM-based activities in Cog City, and much more. Visit the Seattle Children’s Museum on a family-oriented tour of Seattle. 

Pacific Science Center

Budding scientists will enjoy exhibits where they can conduct their own experiments under the guidance of real-life researchers. From tropical butterflies to robotic dinosaurs to marine life, there’s much to learn about at this complex, which includes two IMAX theaters, a laser dome, and a planetarium. Top off your visit with a stop at the nearby Space Needle.

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop)

Formerly named the EMP (Experience Music Project), the Frank Gehry–designed museum at Seattle Center boasts a whimsical exterior constructed of colorful, curved metal. Special and traveling exhibits on pop culture topics—from comic book superheroes and the Star Trek TV series to Seattle garage bands the likes of Nirvana and Pearl Jam—will delight children, teens, and adults alike.

The Museum of Flight

Anyone with an interest in aviation or space exploration will find plenty here to satisfy their curiosity. The Museum of Flight’s claim to fame is being the largest private air-and-space museum in the world. Little ones can wave from the cockpit of a Boeing 737, get up close to a full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer, and watch a 3D film to learn more about the past and future of flying. 

Museum of Glass (Tacoma)

This family-friendly venue is located in Tacoma, about a 30-minute drive from Seattle. Discover the interactive process of making glass art during a live demonstration at the Hot Shop; marvel at glassworks in the traveling exhibits and permanent collections; and visit the Education Studio to try your hand at glassmaking. Glass-fusing workshops are available on-site for burgeoning young artists.

Nestled near the foothills of the Cascades and just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, Woodinville wine country is home to a handful of Washington's top wineries. Here’s how to enjoy a day of wine tasting and stunning Pacific Northwest scenery—and be back in the city in time for dinner.

Highlights

• Woodinville wine country is just 20 (32 kilometers) northeast of Seattle, roughly 30 minutes away by road. With guided wine tours, there’s no need to rent a car or appoint a designated driver, so you can sip bold Pacific Northwest reds and crisp whites without worry.

• Visiting boutique wineries such as Hollywood Hills Vineyards, JM Cellars, and Airfield Estates gives you the chance to taste varietals you would have a hard time finding elsewhere, plus learn about them from wine producers themselves.

• Choose a tour with lunch, snacks, or tasting fees included for a convenient experience, or choose one without those perks if you prefer flexibility in what you purchase.

• Other attractions and activities in Woodinville include breweries, distilleries, biking, and shopping.

Snoqualmie Falls and Woodinville Wineries Combo Tours

Take advantage of Seattle’s proximity to fantastic wine and gorgeous scenery on a private combo tour to Woodinville and the 268-foot (82-meter) Snoqualmie Falls, set just 25 miles (41 kilometers) away. (Fans of the TV show Twin Peaks will recognize the falls from the show’s opening credits.) As one of Washington state’s most popular natural attractions, Snoqualmie Falls is often combined with Woodinville winery tours for an enhanced day trip of Pacific Northwest delights. Some tours also leave time for a stop in Issaquah to nibble gourmet chocolate treats at a local confectioner.

In Seattle, both the journey and the destination are high points when taking a ferry to get to islands and towns around Puget Sound. Here are some ideas both near and far to visit for a day or a weekend trip from Seattle—scenic views included.

Bainbridge Island

West of Seattle across Elliott Bay, Bainbridge Island is an enviable place to live in the Seattle area, as well as a popular day trip destination. After the 35-minute ferry ride, you have natural, cultural, and historical attractions to choose from, including walking trails, wineries, art galleries, the Bainbridge Island Brewing Company, a historical museum, the Suquamish Museum & Cultural Center, and a marina prime for biking and kayaking.

Bremerton

Just southwest of Bainbridge Island and a 1-hour ferry ride from Seattle, Bremerton sits on Sinclair Inlet on the Kitsap Peninsula. The town is home to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, a US National Historic Landmark District, as well as the Puget Sound Navy Museum. Other things to do include strolling along the boardwalk and through the Arts District and visiting the USS Turner Joy destroyer ship or the Valentinetti Puppet Museum.

Vashon Island

Further south, Vashon Island is a relaxing respite from city life, known for its quiet atmosphere. After slowing down to island time, browse local shops, get a caffeine fix at Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie, or visit Point Robinson Park to check out its lighthouse, wooded walking trails, and views of Mt. Rainier. Biking is very big here, so bring one with you on the ferry to get around like the locals do.

Victoria, British Columbia

The capital of British Columbia, Victoria sits on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island, just across the Canadian border. The 2-hour-and-45-minute ferry ride takes you to downtown Victoria, home of the historical architecture that gives the city its beloved old-world charm, namely the Fairmont Empress, a luxury hotel dating back to 1908. Other attractions include Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum, whale-watching tours, and the Butchart Gardens.

Things to Know

• Washington State Ferries operates all of the above routes except the ride to Victoria, which takes place on the Clipper.

• Seattle has two ferry terminals—the Seattle terminal downtown and the Fauntleroy terminal in West Seattle—so make sure to pay attention when booking your ticket.

• There is no ferry service from Seattle to the San Juan Islands; ferries to Friday Harbor, Orcas Island, and other San Juan Islands destinations leave from Anacortes, which is about two hours north of Seattle.

Victoria, British Columbia’s proud and preened capital city, makes a perfect day trip from Seattle. Take the scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound to discover the Garden City’s lush parks and British-style architecture. Here are some tips to help plan your Victoria excursion from Seattle.

Top Things to Do in Victoria

• Tour Butchart Gardens, a 54-acre (22-hectare) National Historic Site of Canada that features a stunning collection of flowers and Japanese-style gardens

• Visit the neo-baroque British Columbia Parliament Buildings, home to the region’s provincial government

• Head to the city’s Inner Harbour, a waterfront area populated in the warmer months by an eclectic range of street musicians and entertainers

• Stroll along the highly-walkable streets of Downtown Victoria, an area that boasts a wealth of eateries, coffee shops, and cultural attractions

Taking the Ferry Between Seattle and Victoria

One of the most popular ways to get to Victoria from Seattle is by ferry. Many Victoria-bound travelers opt for the Victoria Clipper, a high-speed catamaran that features onboard amenities like comfortable seating, a duty-free gift shop, and a variety of food and drink options.

Things to Know

• Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island

• The ferry trip from Seattle to Victoria typically takes just under three hours

• Victoria is known for its mild climate, with rainy winters and cool summers

• Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes to take advantage of Victoria’s pedestrian-friendly downtown

• Biking is an extremely popular Victoria activity, and the city offers numerous bike paths and stores offering rentals