Seattle Attractions - a 3-day Itinerary
Seattle is known as the Emerald City and it is the jewel of the Pacific Northwest. It is surrounded by both, the water and the mountains, and its natural beauty awes locals and visitors alike. I’ve lived in this city for 20 years and to this day I am enchanted by its charm. If you happen to be in Seattle, especially on a nice day, you will likely feel equally amazed at how lovely it is.
Here are some of the Seattle attractions and a sample itinerary for three days in Seattle.
Day 1: Visit the most important Seattle attractions: the Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center
One of the better-known Seattle attractions is the Pike Place Market. The market is located in the heart of the city and is a vibrant collection of shops, restaurants, and vendors selling vegetables, seafood, and flowers. There are several levels to the market, so check them all out. It’s certainly a pleasure to stroll through the area checking out the different shops. A major attraction is seeing the flying fish tossed around by the fish mongers by the statue of the pig. You will easily spot it as there is always a crowd of spectators there. Not surprisingly, you will also see a long line in front of the original Starbucks. I recommend Le Panier, the French bakery, instead.
Another fun thing to do at the market is to check out the Post Alley. Generally, the casual restaurants here are a great place for lunch. The Pike Place Chowder is an award -winning venue for clam chowder, and if you are not into clam chowder, they also have delicious salmon chowder that won’t disappoint.
If you’re in the mood for a beer, check out a great brewery in the new addition to the market – the Old Stove Brewery. Particularly on a sunny day, you will have gorgeous views of the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier. It’s a happening place, so be prepared for a lot of other people enjoying a beer and the views with you.
Once you’ve checked out the Pike Place Market, head east to the downtown area. Seattle certainly has a pretty cool downtown business district with lots of stores, restaurants, and coffee shops. A few blocks south, on 1st Avenue, you can visit the Seattle Art Museum. It houses a global art collection and frequently has special exhibitions. When you visit on the first Thursday of the month, the museum will be free.
From the Westlake Center building, take the monorail to the Seattle Center.
The Seattle Center houses a number of attractions. The Space Needle, which is the most iconic landmark in Seattle is certainly the biggest one. It dates back to the 1962 World’s Fair which put Seattle on the map. The Space Needle is 605 ft tall and was, at one time, the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. It has a recently renovated observation deck with glass floors and 360 degree unobstructed views. It offers panoramic views of the Seattle topography, with water and mountains surrounding the city on all sides. Though not cheap, a visit to the Space Needle is certainly worth the price. A ticket allows you to return in the evening to see the city skyline by night. I absolutely recommend it.
Another lovely attraction in the Seattle Center is the International Fountain. You can sit on a bench or the grassy lawn surrounding the fountain and watch the water dance to the music. It’s a very popular spot for families with kids, especially in the summer.
Another site worth visiting in the Seattle Center is the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. While the glass exhibits inside the museum are amazing, so is the outdoor garden. You can get a combo ticket for the Chihuly Museum and the Space Needle if you plan to visit both attractions. It will certainly save you some money.
A few other attractions in the Seattle Center include the Pacific Science Center with its IMAX theater as well as the Museum of Pop Culture, which showcases the music history of the local artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana.
Finally, The Key Arena, currently under construction, is the house to the Seattle Storm and will become the future home of the new Seattle NHL team.
While there are several options for dinner in the Armory, you can walk a few blocks west of the Key Arena to a little neighborhood called Queen Anne and enjoy a very nice dinner or a drink.
Day 2: Visit Pioneer Square and stroll along the Seattle Waterfront all the way to the Olympic Sculpture Park
Pioneer Square is the historic area of the city. Many of the pretty red-brick buildings were built following the Great Fire of 1899. The area boasts a number of art galleries, unique shops, and a variety of restaurants and bars. In the heart of Pioneer Square you will find a beautiful totem pole and a fountain with the face of Chief Sealth. Other attractions include the Seattle Underground Tour that will take you on a guided tour of the early days of Seattle. Another popular attraction is the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. It’s a truly interesting place that details the history of the gold rush in Alaska and the role Seattle played. It’s a free museum certainly worth an hour of your time.
Not far from the Klondike museum, you will see a picturesque white building, the Smith Tower, which was Seattle’s first skyscraper. Take the original elevator to the observatory for wonderful views of the city.
From there, walk west towards the water and you will get to the Seattle waterfront.
Several Seattle attractions are located here. Even if you decide not to participate in any of them, the waterfront is just a cool place to walk along. You will have spectacular views of both Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountains, especially on a sunny day. Because the waterfront is lined with souvenir shops and restaurants, there will be plenty of opportunities for a snack, a coffee or some ice cream.
On the south end of the waterfront, you will walk past the WA ferry terminal. From here, you can take a ferry to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. A little bit to the north, you will find a stop for the water taxi. If you want to go to West Seattle, you can catch the water taxi right there. As you walk north, you will soon walk upon Ivar’s, indeed, a great fish and chips place. Next, you will come upon Ye Old Curiosity Shop – a well known Seattle attraction with an impressive collection of natural oddities like a 2 headed calf, four legged hen, and several mummies. Further down the street you’ll find a terminal for Argosy Cruises from where you can take a narrated boat tour around the Elliot Bay. It is certainly a great way to learn about the history of Seattle. I highly recommend the cruise.
Afterwards, walk towards the Great Wheel and if you are up for more views, this time from above, by all means, enjoy the ride. It’s a smaller version of the London Eye but if you like Ferris wheels, you will certainly like this one too.
Next, head to the Seattle Aquarium, a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. Although the aquarium is not big, it has a great representation of species from the Pacific Northwest, most notably the Giant Pacific Octopus. In fact, if you’re there at noon or 4 pm, you will get a chance to see the octopus being fed. Don’t be surprised, however, if the octopus is asleep and does not participate in the meal. That was surely our experience. In addition to the octopus, you will see playful sea otters and pretty cool tide pools. The aquarium is pricey but if you have the City Pass, you should absolutely go.
If you are in Seattle on a weekend between May and October, chances are you will see a huge cruise ship at Pier 66. It is one of two terminals from where you can take a cruise to Alaska.
Further south, you will see the Olympic Sculpture Park (free) and Myrtle Edwards Park. The Olympic Sculpture park is a wonderful outdoor area with interesting sculptures and amazing views of the city, the Space Needle, the Olympic Mountains, the water, and Mt. Rainier. Particularly on a nice day, it’s a great place to relax and take in the views. When you’re done, you can continue north through Myrtle Edwards Park, a local park with pedestrian and bike trails along the water.
To head back downtown, you can either walk east towards the Seattle Center and take the monorail or you can walk to 3rd Ave and take a bus. Otherwise, walk back or jump on one of the lime or red bikes that are laying around the park and ride back along the waterfront. You’ll be able to see the views of Mt. Rainier and the city now.
Day 3. Visit Ballard with the Ballard Locks and check out the Troll in Fremont
Seattle has wonderfully distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and atmosphere. Ballard and Fremont are just a few of them. Before you visit the Ballard Locks, spend some time walking the streets of Ballard. There are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants here, so it might be a good idea to take it a bit slower today after 2 full days of exploring Seattle attractions. Basically, Ballard was home to the Scandinavian community and today you can visit the National Nordic Museum while here.
Not far from the Ballard Locks is a very nice beach park- Golden Gardens. This is a fun place to watch the sunset but it does get very busy, especially on summer days. If your schedule allows, check it out.
Eventually, make your way to Fremont, a hip neighborhood in Seattle. Make sure to see the Troll, an iconic Fremont sculpture underneath the Aurora bridge. This is surely a great neighborhood for a drink or dinner. If you’re there on a Sunday, visit their Sunday market along the canal. You’ll find a lot of arts and crafts stands, but also food trucks with a variety of food options.
Obviously, Seattle has many other attractions and interesting neighborhoods worth visiting but you’d need more than three days.
If you have visited Seattle, let me know what other attractions you would recommend for a 3 day visit.
Have I seen it all? ??? :P….