Seattle is an amazing Northwest city located amongst snow peaked mountains, sparkling water of the Puget Sound, & evergreen trees at every turn. There is always so much to see and do in the Seattle (if you missed my complete travel guide see here), but these are the top 5 things not to miss!
1 | Space Needle:
You can’t visit Seattle without seeing the space needle (in some capacity). Whether it’s catching glimpses of the needle from street level or taking the ride to the top, the Space Needle is a must-do! Going to the top of the Space Needle was on my bucket list since before we lived in Seattle (see this post for more information on the space needle). With the recent renovations, going to the top was a complete joy and made the experience even more spectacular! It now has floor to ceiling glass, an outdoor viewing area, & clear glass floors. It is worth riding to the top & enjoying the panoramic views of the city, mountains, & sound.
2 | Public Market @ Pike Place:
Pike Place is one of the oldest running markets in the country and it’s perfect to explore whether you are looking to buy seafood or not. When you enter the market, there are 2 things you must do: 1) Take a picture with the market mascot (a pig) and 2) stop and watch the fishmongers throw local salmon to each other. After you spend some time enjoying this and ogling at all the amazing seafood, head through the market and even downstairs to the lower levels where you can get your fortune read, pick up crafts, eat at local restaurants, or even explore a comic store.
3 | Chihuly Glass Museum:
Right near the Space Needle is the Chihuly Glass Museum. It is home to eight different galleries featuring Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures and an outside glass garden. It is a colorful exhibition of twisted glass and has spectacular views of the space needle on the grounds. They also have live demonstrations of glass blowing daily.
4 | Seattle’s Underground:
Located near Pioneer Square, Seattle’s underground is a network of passage-ways and basements from the mid-19th century. Following the Great Fire in the late 1800s where most of the Seattle was destroyed, tours of the underground offer a glimpse into some of the first rebuilt areas and how the city rebuilt on top of itself. This is a don’t miss experience to not only experience the underground, but to learn more about the history of the city.
5 | Seattle Aquarium & Piers:
Walking along the waterfront are various piers with restaurants, souvenir shops, & the aquarium. Take a couple hours to explore the water front area and be sure to visit the aquarium. It highlights the local wildlife and there are numerous reef pools to interact with local Seattle wildlife.
6 (bonus!)| Ferry Ride:
Seattle is home to one of the nations most extensive ferry system. This makes it easy to take day trips to neighboring islands, including Bainbridge Island (which was a fun day trip!). If you don’t have a full day to spare, you can hop on a roundtrip route and enjoy the amazing city views of the Seattle Skyline from the water.
Also visit: 24 hours Seattle (part 1) and 24 hours Seattle (part 2)