An Overview of Things To Do:
🤳 Snap a pic of the iconic Space Needle or take a journey to the top!
🏪 Visit Pike Place Market
🍬 Contribute a chew to the Gum Wall in Post Alley
🎡 Take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel
🏞️ Take a stroll through Olympic Sculpture Park
☕️ Visit the original Starbucks or a Starbucks Roastery Reserve
🏛️ Take a gander through a museum like MoPop, Chihuly, or MOHAI
🛩️ Visit the Museum of Flight
🌳 Enjoy an urban rainforest at the Amazon Spheres
🌅 Catch the sunset over Lake Union at Gasworks Park
🗿 Say hello to the Fremont Troll
🏔️ Catch an incredible view of Mount Rainier
🚣 Get on the water - try out paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing & more
🍔 Try some classic Seattle cuisine from Dick's burgers to Ivar's
🏟️ Catch a game - Mariners, Sounders, Seahawks, Storm & more!
🚁 Get a Birdseye view of the city and take a Seaplane tour
⛴️ Take a ferry or water taxi
📍 Classic Sites
Pike Place Market
@maddiefromcincinnati
Tends to be very busy on weekends so plan to go slow. You can find an assortment of goodies from produce to flowers to jewelry and beyond. Everything is locally sourced and produced - take time to chat with the vendors to learn more about Pike Place's history!
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The Seattle Great Wheel
@maddiefromcincinnati
Whether you just want to look or you want to head up for a ride, I definitely recommend heading down to Pier 57 to catch a view of the Great Wheel. Another Great option is the Wings of Wonder attraction next door!
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Space Needle
@maddiefromcincinnati
Get tickets and go to the top of the Space Needle to experience the glass floors and rotating roof to get 360 views of Seattle. You can also just hangout in Seattle Center and lay beneath the Needle with a picnic for an awesome experience as well!
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Olympic Sculpture Park
@maddiefromcincinnati
This is a great spot to go for a walk! You'll find yourself landing here if you are at Pike Place Market or Pier 57 and walking toward the Space Needle. You can enjoy green park areas, art and sculptures, lush gardens, and rocky beaches. Great spot to take a stroll, have a picnic, or cut through from Belltown to Queen Anne.
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Kerry Park
@maddiefromcincinnati
Kerry Park is known to have one of the most spectacular city-scape views of Seattle. I definitely recommend bringing a snack and hanging out for awhile. Oh and when you're done, Grey's Anatomy fans can find Meredith Grey's house is just around the corner at 303 Comstock Street (be respectful, folks live here!).
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Fremont Troll
@maddiefromcincinnati
A silly pitstop through Fremont comes with quite an artistic story. Say hello to the beloved Fremont Troll!
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Gas Works Park
@maddiefromcincinnati
Gasworks Park is honestly the perfect place to chill out and have a picnic. This gorgeous setting is featured in "10 Things I Hate About You" as well as can be seen in the background of "Sleepless in Seattle". It has a gorgeous view of Lake Union with the Space Needle in the background and usually has some talented folks busking near the water's edge. In the summer, you can even catch free yoga in the park every Thursday!
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The Spheres
@maddiefromcincinnati
The spheres are a feature of Amazon's urban workplace and are open to the public for touring two Saturday's a month! Even if you don't have a chance to go inside, I recommend catching them if you're walking through South Lake Union.
Inside the spheres beyond the urban rainforest is also a set of restaurants by the Sea Creatures Restaurant Group, including Deep Dive Speakeasy Bar, Willmott's Ghost restaurant, and General Porpoise donut and coffee shop.
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Seattle Public Library
@maddiefromcincinnati
The Seattle Public Library is GORGEOUS architecturally. It has some really fun and unique concepts on the different floors and I definitely recommend stopping by to explore. If you're traveling while working remote, this is a great quiet spot to post up as well!
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Mount Rainier
@maddiefromcincinnati
There's a ton of different ways to see Mount Rainier - from city view points to taking a hike! I absolutely loved my experience riding the gondolas to the top to catch a unique view of the mountain: https://visitrainier.com/scenic-gondola-rides-2/
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🍽️ Classic Bites
Ivars Fish Bar
@maddiefromcincinnati
Ivars is a staple in Washington! Fish and chips is an absolute classic. You can find an Ivars just about anywhere but I personally recommend hitting the one on Pier 57 and enjoying the view of the Puget Sound.
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Dick's Drive-In
@maddiefromcincinnati
Dick's Drive In is another absolute classic in Seattle known for their quick, delicious burgers, fries, and shakes. The best part is - it's greasy and cheap! The deluxe and a chocolate shake is my go-to. Much like Ivars, you can find one of these in just about any neighborhood!
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🌭 Try A Seattle Dog
I'm a firm believer that every city is required to have a staple hot dog dressing combination that is instantly classic to that place. In Seattle... get yourself a hot dog with cream cheese, grilled onions, and add jalapeños for an extra kick. The best time and place to get one of these gems? After a night out in Cap Hill or at a Mariner's game. It's better than it sounds, I promise!
🏛️ Museums
Museum of Pop Culture
@maddiefromcincinnati
Located in the heart of the Seattle Center, MoPop is a classic museum with lots of fun, exciting and interactive exhibits!
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Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
@maddiefromcincinnati
MOHAI is an interesting spot because it's right on the water of South Lake Union so perfect to hang out and watch the boats, have a picnic, and get a little museum time in. MOHAI focuses on the history and evolution of Seattle which is incredibly interesting.
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The Museum of Flight
@maddiefromcincinnati
Another major staple in Seattle is Boeing and the aerospace industry. The museum of flight takes you through the history and engineering of planes and is a really unique experience. I caught a Candlelight Symphony here and it was an incredible backdrop!
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Chihuly Garden and Glass
@maddiefromcincinnati
Chihuly is a Seattle staple and must see - especially if you're already finding yourself in Seattle Center checking out the space needle. The glass is featured all over the city but the garden and glass museum features some truly beautiful pieces.
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Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
@maddiefromcincinnati
Burke is located in the heart of University District and has multiple levels of interactive exhibits.
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Pacific Science Center
@maddiefromcincinnati
The Pacific Science center is a good museum for all ages and has a lot of fun elements. They also do after hour happy hours which is a ton of fun for adults only vibes.
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⛵️ Activities
🚣♀️ Get on the water
🐳 Whale watching
🧑🌾 Farmers Markets
🎵 Concerts big and small
🎈 Hot Air Balloon tours
🎨 Try an artistic activity
ON THE WATER
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IN THE SKY
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GET ARTSY
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Seattle Artist League Art School
@maddiefromcincinnati
I've taken wheel throwing classes here but it's a fun way to shake up your normal routine and try something new. If you're staying for awhile, they have longer form classes that allow you to take advantage of open studio hours. If you're here for a short time, it's a great 1-off artsy experience for drawing, hand building clay, or wheel throwing!
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FARMERS MARKETS
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MUSIC & THEATER
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OTHER
The Ballard Locks
@maddiefromcincinnati
Nestled in the middle of Ballard's neighborhood is a gorgeous little park where you can see ships pass through the locks. There's also an informational center to learn about the salmon migration and you might even see a seal/sea lion!
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🏞️ Parks
• Golden Gardens (Ballard)
• Greenlake Park (Greenlake)
• Gasworks Park (Fremont)
• Kerry Park (Queen Anne)
• Terry Pettus Park & Lynn Street Mini Park (Eastlake)
• Seward Park (Columbia City)
• Newcastle Beach Park (Newcastle/Bellevue)
• Seattle Center (Belltown)
• Japanese Garden & Washington Park Arboretum (Cap Hill)
• Volunteer Park (Cap Hill)
• Ballard Locks (Ballard)
• Discovery Park (Magnolia)
• Meydenbauer Bay Park (Bellevue)
📫 Know the Neighborhoods
While there are SO many gorgeous neighborhoods in the Greater Seattle region...here are the key ones you'll hear about on your stay:
DOWNTOWN
• Capital Hill
• Belltown
• Queen Anne
• Pioneer Square
• International District
• South Lake Union
• Ballard
• Greenlake
• Fremont
• University District (UDistrict)
EAST SIDE
• Bellevue
• Kirkland
SOUTH
• Tacoma
• Kent
Since this is a city central-focused guide, let's talk about those downtown neighborhoods...
Capitol Hill
@maddiefromcincinnati
Very LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood with TONS of different food and drink options. If you're looking for a fun night out, this is definitely where I'd recommend going!
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Pioneer Square
@maddiefromcincinnati
Pioneer Square is a classic neighborhood central to Seattle, however, it is not the friendliest neighborhood so beware! This area is central to the market and stadiums.
There's a lot of homelessness, drugs, and crime in this area so please stay alert and be responsible if you have to go through this area at night.
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Seattle Chinatown-International District
@maddiefromcincinnati
International District is a lot like Pioneer Square - it holds a lot of beauty and history but can also be a bit sketchy.
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Queen Anne
@maddiefromcincinnati
Queen Anne is a nice little neighborhood split into two: 1 upper Queen Anne where you'll find Kerry Park and some gorgeous houses with amazing views, and Lower Queen Anne (also called Uptown) that intersects with Seattle Center and Climate Pledge Arena - host of many concerts and events!
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South Lake Union
@maddiefromcincinnati
South Lake Union is a tech hub - home of Amazon and Google headquarters and lots of skyscrapers. Don't be scared off by the city central vibe, there's so much to do here and it's perfectly nestled right on the water. Definitely a lot of good eats in the area and easy to walk around!
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Ballard
@maddiefromcincinnati
Ballard is one of the sweetest little neighborhoods that has so much going on, from great food to great shops to an incredible year-round farmer's market. It's super walkable, very green, and the perfect blend of city and suburbs. Golden Gardens is a city beach just around the corner and is the best place for sand volleyball or a sunset picnic.
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University District
@maddiefromcincinnati
University district got its namesake as its home to the University of Washington campus - a stunning campus by the way! It's a great area for some unique eats (especially cafes and bagels) as well as great shopping. If you're in town in the fall, 10/10 recommend hitting up a UW Huskies football game!
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🚗 Transportation
Seattle is home to the world's longest floating bridge, called Rosellini Bridge, which carries Washington State Route 520 across Lake Washington from Seattle to its eastern suburbs. This is a toll bridge but coming and going it offers a beautiful view of Lake Washington.
There are lots of ways to travel around Seattle and I recommend trying out the public transport. The Lightrail (also called the Link) 1 Line will get you to and from some of the top Seattle neighborhoods, including the best spots for sites, activities and shopping, such as Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill, U District, and even goes all the way to the airport. If you're central toward Seattle Center, the monorail can take you to Westlake center where you can easily catch the link.
• Link / Lightrail
• Monorail
• Water Taxi
• Ferry
• Bus
• Lime Scooters
🛍️ Somewhere to Shop
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📌 Additional Notes, Thoughts & Things To Know
Maddie's Top 10 Eats:
Not gonna lie...there is so much incredible food throughout Seattle it's next to impossible to create a quick, comprehensive list of recommendations on where to eat.
Nishino
@maddiefromcincinnati
Nishino is home to some of the best authentic sushi in the city in my opinion. I have only had the most incredible experiences, from the staff to the food, everything is lovely.
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DERU
@maddiefromcincinnati
There's not a single thing on this menu that I wouldn't recommend. Everything is fresh and beyond delicious. My mouth waters just thinking about Deru. It's a bit tucked away in downtown Kirkland on the eastside but it's totally worth the journey - SO good!
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Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge
@maddiefromcincinnati
Very delicious creole food, perfect for brunch or a cute dinner spot. Great place to check out if you're going to the Space Needle or before an event at Climate Pledge.
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Tamari Bar
@maddiefromcincinnati
Tamari Bar is a modern izakaya restaurant that specializes in street food and boy is it good. I've had everything from the ramen to the sushi and a fabulous bao bun and everything has been so delicious. Located in Cap Hill it lends itself to a fun and funky vibe. Definitely recommend!
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Harry's Fine Foods
@maddiefromcincinnati
Harry's is a great spot for any meal of the day because all of their dishes pair great with a classic cocktail menu. I've mostly been for brunch but there's nothing on the menu I wouldn't recommend - everything is fresh and delicious and the atmosphere is stunning!
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The Walrus and the Carpenter
@maddiefromcincinnati
The Walrus and the Carpenter is one of the Sea Creatures Restaurant Group's stunning locations. It is nestled next to its sister bar, The Barnacle. I recommend making a reservation and stopping by the Barnacle first for a drink and app before having some of the best oysters and freshest dishes at Walrus!
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La Fontana Siciliana
@maddiefromcincinnati
This place is an escape. It's this quaint little romantic setting tucked away in the middle of downtown. It feels like eating in grandma's backyard as much as it feels like a fine dining atmosphere. The food is delicious as well!
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Smith Tower
@maddiefromcincinnati
I'll admit it, I don't go here for the food as much as I do the cocktails and the experience. The 360 city view is lovely and the drinks are incredible. It's aesthetic and makes you feel a little fancy.
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Bake Shop
@maddiefromcincinnati
Bake Shop is my neighborhood cafe and I'm obsessed. I'm a sucker for fresh bread and a good latte. I love the ham and pesto sandwich and the salted espresso chocolate chip cookies SO much! Definitely recommend checking this place out, maybe grabbing a loaf and a bottle of wine, or posting up here for a workday!
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Within Pike Place Market:
There is SO much to do and see at the market! I recommend starting at the fish market and working your way through the market on the first floor, looping back by heading outside on the brick road, and then going downstairs before meandering out to where the market finds the piers. Definitely recommend grabbing yourself a bouquet of flowers and some Washington cherries while you're in the market!
🐟 Watch the classic Fish Throwing at the market
🍬 Gum Wall
🍨 Hellenika's for the best gelato
☕️ Original Starbucks location
🍿 Cobb's gourmet popcorn
🍻 Grab a pint at Old Stove Brewing
A Little Bit Beyond the City:
As a city-dweller myself, I love spending most of my time in the heart of the city, eating and drinking everything in sight but the real beauty of Washington state lies both within and beyond Seattle. If you have access to a car, I highly recommend some of the following spots:
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That's All For Now...
I hope you enjoy your time in Seattle!
💛 If you're looking for a more in-depth guide on bites & neighborhoods, consider checking out my other guides! (soon to come - feel free to reach out for custom itineraries as well!)
💖 If you found this free tourist guide helpful, consider leaving a tip! Always appreciated!
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