Is a visit to the Emerald City on your travel wish list? From grunge music and flannels to scenic coastal views and its famed reputation as “The Gateway to Alaska,” Seattle, Washington is a vibrant U.S. destination that’s absolutely worthy of a visit. Whether you find yourself getting ready to board a cruise bound for The Last Frontier or are simply looking to check out a new domestic metropolis, travelers will find a weekend escape to this thriving coffee capital city is a worthy endeavor. Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up a few of the top things to do in Seattle to help you begin your 72-hour journey in what might just be your new favorite city in the Pacific Northwest.
Day 1: The Space Needle and More
Choose Your Fuel
The first day in a new destination is always something of a whirlwind — new sights, new sounds, new people, oh my! With so many exciting adventures on the horizon, it can be overwhelming deciding how to kick off your vacation, which is why we recommend making any big decisions on a full stomach. Luckily for travelers, Seattle has no shortage of selection when it comes to amazing restaurants, coffee shops and bars. And while it might be tempting to make a beeline for the famous Pike Place Market, we recommend grabbing a bite by the Space Needle, the city’s most well-known attraction, instead.
As for foodie hotspots in the area, travelers on TripAdvisor can’t say enough good things about places like Tilikum Place Cafe, Zeeks Pizza - Belltown, Rocco’s, Petra Bistro and Shiro’s, while java lovers will want to hit up Citizen Coffee, Chaco Coffee & Tea or Street Bean Coffee Roasters for a five-star cup of espresso. In the mood for something that screams “PNW?” I can personally recommend The 5 Point Cafe for its moody ambience, sassy signage and neon signage. Pair this with The 5 Point Cafe’s boozy offerings and comprehensive menu packed with tasty comfort foods, and visitors are in for a tasty time.
Check Out the Space Needle
After filling up on a meal and your beverage of choice — whether it be coffee, spirits or a glass of classic H2O — it’s time to head to the Space Needle, a 605-foot tower made from concrete, glass and reinforced steel that has become synonymous with Seattle. The most recognizable structure in the city’s skyline, visitors to the Space Needle can marvel at the impressive building from below or catch a rush of adrenaline when they board an elevator bound for the tippy top where portions of the floor’s viewing platform are made almost entirely of glass.
Take a Spin on the Seattle Center Monorail
Just next door to the Space Needle is the Seattle Center Monorail, one of the fastest ways to travel between Seattle Center and downtown. At just $4 per one-way ticket, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more convenient and affordable way to get from point A to point B when exploring some of the top spots in the city including Westlake Center where you can spend your hard-earned cash at beloved stores like Sephora, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, CHANEL, UNIQLO and more.
Visit Chihuly Garden and Glass
When you’ve shopped, but aren’t quite ready to drop, reboard the monorail to head to Chihuly Garden and Glass, a fabulous exhibit dedicated to displaying the works of Dale Chihuly located right next to the Space Needle. While the gift shop is free to explore, a ticket is needed to marvel at the larger-than-life glass sculptures that await inside including the Instagrammable Glasshouse Sculpture and lesser-known works like Northwest Room, Mille Fiori, Winter Brilliance and more.
Day 2: Waterfalls and Waterfronts
Half-Day Guided Waterfall Tour
Begin your second day bright and early when you opt to get outside with a half-day guided waterfall tour. Home to no shortage of natural wonders, Washington is a fantastic state to visit for fans of the outdoors, and Seattle acts as the perfect starting point for tours bound for nearby attractions like Twin Falls and Snoqualmie Falls. Situated about an hour and a half outside the city, a visit to these scenic spots will take travelers through old-growth forests, across mountain-fed rivers and into charming alpine communities like North Bend, Washington home to Twede’s Cafe, an old-school diner featured in fan favorite TV series “Twin Peaks.”
Grab a Bite at Pike Place Market
By the time you get back from your forest excursion, you’ll be ready for a hearty lunch. Luckily, Pike Place Market, with its abundance of restaurants and eateries proves to be just the ticket. From fresh seafood and produce to traditional baked goods and fare from around the globe, even the pickiest of eaters are sure to find something that strikes their fancy when strolling the famed markets’ seemingly endless collection of stalls. The definition of supporting local businesses, Pike Place Market is committed to working with regional farmers, fishers and families, with many of the businesses calling the market home for decades.
Hit Up the Gum Wall
A work of living, sticky art, The Gum Wall — located on the southern end of Pike Place Market’s Post Alley — is one of the grimier attractions Seattle has to offer, but beloved nonetheless. Dating to the 1990s, The Gum Wall began when visitors and performers at Unexpected Productions — the market’s improv theater — began sticking their used gum on the wall. Since then, the tradition has continued, evolving into a gooey corridor lined by millions, if not billions, of pieces of gently used chewing gum. It’s colorful and a little fragrant, and while some might consider the tradition gross, you do have to admit The Gum Wall is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Forgot to throw a pack of chewing gum in your carry-on? Gumballs are readily available onsite in the alley.
Visit the Waterfront
Continuing south down Post Alley, you’ll find walking to Seattle’s award-winning waterfront is a breeze when you turn onto Union Street and take the pedestrian bridge to Alaskan Way. From here, visitors can browse clothing and gift shops, take a spin on The Seattle Great Wheel, check out the Seattle Aquarium or spend a few minutes enjoying Waterfront Park or Pier 58. The waterfront is also the spot where you can board a guided harbor tour or hop on a Seattle fast ferry to explore nearby communities across Puget Sound including Bremerton, Kitsap and Chimacum.
Day 3: More Food and (Underground) Fun
Drink Coffee
You can’t visit one of the world’s coffee capitals without starting your day with a hot, or iced, cup of joe. Seattle Coffee Works, Ghost Alley Espresso, Storyville, Moore Coffee Shop, Seattle Coffee Works, Pike Street Coffee, Starbucks and Victrola Coffee Roasters are all great options for a java fix close to — or within — Pike Place Market. Alternatively, if you’re down to venture around town in search of the ultimate caffeine fix, places like Cardoon, Ancient Gate Coffee, Lighthouse Roasters, URL Coffee, Third Culture Coffee and Monorail Espresso are lauded as some of the best spots in the city.
Guided Tour of Pike Place Market
We know what you’re thinking, another day at Pike Place Market? To which we say, “yup!” Spanning nine-acres and multiple stories high, Pike Place Market is surprisingly massive. As such, it can be difficult to locate and experience all the goodness it has within during your first visit. Besides, with creative busker performances, an abundance of artist stalls and shops galore, you’ll be eager to come back and explore — this time with the help of a local guide. That’s right, a quick Google search will reveal a handful of Pike Place Market food and history tours led by folks eager to share their valuable insights with visitors. From sharing the story of how Pike Place Market became Seattle’s original farmers market to delicious samples from some of the best vendors to-date, you’ll see, hear and taste it all when you spend a few hours with an expert.
Join an Underground Tour
The best way to wrap up a whirlwind adventure in the Emerald City? Heading beneath the surface, of course. Home to a unique system of subterranean tunnels, visitors will find a guided underground tour is a fun and informative way to spend a few hours learning about Seattle’s intriguing history. And while there are many tours available for visitors to choose from, Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour dates to 1954, making it one of the longest-running ways to explore what lurks just beneath the bustling city streets.
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