Many travelers first experience Seattle at the beginning or end of an Alaska cruise. Surrounded by water and towering mountain peaks, the city is one of the most beautiful in the country. Most first-time visitors vow to come back and spend more time exploring the city.
Some of the most successful businesses in America got their start here, including Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon.com, and Boeing. Rock stars from Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain have called Seattle home. Today, Seattle is a high-tech hub with a lively arts-and-culture scene and plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors.
Everything you’ve heard about the weather is true. Although the city doesn’t get as much rainfall as Miami, it’s gray and cloudy here much of the time. Your best bet is to come in summer, although May and September can be beautiful. If you enjoy music and performing arts, Folklife festival over Memorial Day weekend and Bumbershoot over Labor Day are fun events.
1. Go Downtown – The downtown area is compact and easy to get around. You can walk to most of the major attractions or take advantage of the efficient bus system. As you’d expect, there’s a coffee shop on every corner, and a cozy pub with Northwest microbrews is never far away. There are enough things to do in Seattle to keep you entertained for a week.
2. Visit Pikes Place Market – Seattle’s top attraction is the Pike Place Market. Built in 1909, it’s the oldest continually operating market in America. During the summer, musicians and buskers entertain the crowds, and the stalls are bursting with fruits, vegetables, and fresh flowers. Don’t miss the flying salmon at Pike Place Fish, and if you’re in the market at lunchtime, order anything with Dungeness crab.
Located right on the waterfront at Pier 59, the Seattle Aquarium has a wide variety of ocean life from the Puget Sound. The aquarium’s otters are favorites.
3. See Chihuly Glass & Gardens – If you’ve admired the work of internationally renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, Chihuly Glass and Gardens is a must-do. In fact, it’s one of the best things to do in Seattle. You can take the monorail from Westlake Center to the garden, located just below the Space Needle, which you can see from almost anywhere in town. Eight individual galleries showcase Chihuly’s magnificent glass sculptures. On a sunny day, the glasshouse is truly dazzling.
4. Explore the Museum of Pop Culture – Rock and roll fans shouldn’t miss the Museum of Pop Culture. The ultra-modern complex was designed by architect Frank Geary and founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Originally known as the Experience Music Project, the museum features exhibits on music, science fiction, fantasy, and more.
5. Ride a Ferry to Bainbridge Island – On a beautiful day, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon in Seattle than riding a Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island. During the 35-minute crossing, go out onto the deck, where the views of Mount Rainier to the south, the Cascade Range to the west, and the Olympics to the east will take your breath away. It’s the most fun you can have for less than $10.
6. Check out the Seattle Art Museum – Art lovers will enjoy the Seattle Art Museum, which has two campuses — one downtown and one on Capitol Hill, Seattle’s gay neighborhood. Those who want to shop for art should head to Pioneer Square, Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Dozens of galleries feature the work of top local and national artists. If you’re a history buff, take Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour to learn about the early days of Seattle.
7. Visit the Museum of Flight – Aviation played a major role in the city’s growth and the Museum of Flight has more than 150 historic planes, lunar modules, and other air and spacecraft. For something completely different, make reservations in advance to do the Boeing Factory Tour. You’ll see jets being assembled in the world’s largest building.
If you’re a baseball fan, you’ll enjoy taking in a Mariners’ game at Safeco Field. The retractable roof means you’ll stay dry, rain or shine. For those planning a trip down the coast, consider purchasing Dodgers Tickets to catch a game in Los Angeles and continue your exploration of America’s favorite pastime
8. Meet the Seattle Locals – Finally, if you’d like to go off-the-beaten-path and have a unique experience in Seattle, consider hanging out with the locals. You can use an APP like Citysurfing.com to meet locals that will show you around; invite you to join fun activities; and even offer to teach you arts, crafts, language lessons and more! You can use Citysurfing to find and book a local city pal or if you prefer, you can also book a traditional tour guide. Having a local guide is a great way to experience a new city without having to figure out how to do it all on your own.
With the colorful Pike Place Market, a world-class aquarium, spectacular scenery, and a wide variety of museums, galleries, festivals, and friendly locals, Seattle is well worth a return visit. Enjoy your trip!
