I visited Seattle in May when the weather was mild and yes, it did rain. Still, I loved Seattle and I crafted a 3-day Seattle itinerary to help you love Seattle too.
A good 3-day itinerary for Seattle must include a visit to the top things Seattle is famous for; the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest surrounding the city, soaring architecture, coffee, quirky food markets, eclectic neighborhoods and flying fish. Flying fish?…read on.
Is three days in Seattle enough?
Three days in Seattle is enough time to hit the must-visit Seattle attractions. Of course, you could do it in two or even one day, but you’d miss lots of the coolest things to see in Seattle.
When is the best time to visit Seattle?
You could say anytime is a good time to visit Seattle. The city has an excellent cultural scene; museums, symphony, theater and high-end restaurants that are accessible year-round. However, Seattle does have wide weather ranges that must be taken into consideration.
September to October is the ideal time to visit Seattle. Summer is the high season with more expensive hotels. Winter can be seriously cold with average temperatures in the mid 30°F (-1.1°C). April has the Skagit Tulip Festival which is definitely worth visiting.
Is it expensive to visit Seattle?
Like any city, Seattle can be as expensive or cheap as you want. The city boasts fine restaurants, but also has a vibrant food truck scene. Hotels offer rooms in a wide range of prices, and there are also hostels, Airbnbs and budget hotels (see accommodation options below.)
What is special about Seattle?
The city is the headquarters of many top tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft. That’s just one of the reasons Seattle enjoyed a population growth rate of over 20% in the last decade. This makes it one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
The metropolitan area of Seattle is home to over 4 million Seattleites making it the 15th largest city in the U.S.
A LITTLE BIT OF SEATTLE HISTORY
Originally inhabited by local Suquamish and Duwamish native American tribes, the city was named in honor of one of the tribal leaders, Chief Si’ahl.
Non-native Americans began arriving in numbers in the mid 1800s although the official incorporation date is 1889. Around this time is when the city established the lumber trade, the Seattle’s first commercial industry.
The city has certainly witnessed booms and busts in its history. The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 destroyed much of the city, but it rose majestically from the ashes to begin resembling the city we see today.
The Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 resulted in over 100,000 hopefuls rushing to the area in search of gold. Seattle supplied them with clothing, equipment and transportation to the gold prospecting area and reaped the economic benefits.
When the gold fever died down Seattle entered a slump only revived by a shipbuilding boom in the early 1900s driven by WWI. The city enjoyed a brief renaissance until the Great Depression put an end to it.
World War II brought renewed prosperity with the establishment of Boeing airplane plant and headquarters, but the economy slumped in the ’70s and early ’80s due in large part to the oil crisis.
At around this time Microsoft moved its headquarters to Seattle and other tech firms followed. Add to that the entertainment industry’s contribution to Seattle PR with movies like “Sleepless in Seattle” and the popular sitcom, “Frasier,” and Seattle blossomed.
Economic dips like the dot.com bust and the Great Recession notwithstanding, Seattle continues to boom
HOW TO GET AROUND SEATTLE
Do you need a car in Seattle?
You do not need a car in Seattle if you are going to stay in the city.
Seattle is very easy to get around. The city has ample transportation options connecting every part of the city and beyond.
Link Light Rail connects Seattle downtown to the Seattle airport. It makes trips from Angle Lake Station to the University of Washington through downtown Seattle making 14 stops along the way. Fare starts at $1.00.
It takes about 35 minutes to go from the airport to downtown Seattle.
The King County Metro Transit provides bus service in downtown Seattle and outlying neighborhoods in King County and beyond. Adult fares start at $2.75.
Seattle streetcar lines connects the South Lake Union neighborhood to Seattle’s bustling downtown area along 9 stops. It crosses Lake Union’s beautiful waterfront park.
Finally, there is the iconic Seattle Monorail that connects Westlake Center in downtown to Seattle Center. Westlake is a central connection point. Kinda like the “Times Square” of the Seattle transport system.
To save time and money traveling around Seattle, make sure to get an Orca card if you will spend many days there. If you’ll only be in Seattle for 2 to 3 days, it won’t be worth the cost as transportation is very inexpensive.
You can use these transit passes streetcars, light rail, buses, and more. They cannot be used on ferries. Cards cost $5; load an all-day regional transit pass onto an ORCA card for $8. Transit pass value covers $3.50 per ride.
Another way to save money on attractions depending on what you want to see is the Seattle CityPass.
So, do you need a car in Seattle? Nope, local transportation definitely has you covered.
DAY ONE OF YOUR 3-DAY SEATTLE ITINERARY- DOWNTOWN
I believe the best way to start a 3-day itinerary for Seattle, or any new city, is with a city tour.
This lets you get the lay of the land quickly, so you’ll know the best things to see and do in Seattle. You learn about the city’s history and iconic places from knowledgeable guides. You’ll also see which places appeal to you most so you can return to explore them more in depth.
We reserved with Tours Northwest and were thrilled with our choice. The tour bus picked us up at our hotel and took us on a three-hour Seattle sightseeing tour. We visited Pike Place Market, Chinatown and the International District, the waterfront and so much more.
I liked that the tour showed us some cool Seattle neighborhoods like Fremont with its naked cyclists, a statue of Vladimir Lenin (go figure) and the famous Freemont troll under a bridge.
The story with the troll under the bridge is that criminal elements were congregating under the bridge to deal drugs. The city considered ways to stop them from meeting there and decided to create a tourist attraction, the troll, right at that spot to attract tourists. And what self-respecting criminal wants to hang out at a location where tourists are happily clicking away with their cameras? It worked!
Our tour guide was knowledgeable and gave us lots of fun backstories of places we visited. Did you know that two of the world’s richest men live just a few blocks from each other in the Seattle suburb of Medina?
One of the best things to do in Seattle is to take a tour with Northwest Tours. At the end of the tour, they drop you off at your hotel again or at another nearby location where you can continue your Seattle sightseeing.
Seattle Art Museum “SAM“
“SAM” was a joy. The Seattle Art Museum is one of a trio of extraordinary institutions including the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park.
The collections “Sam” exhibits come from all corners of the earth. They display modern, contemporary as well as classic art. Special emphasis is placed on native American, particularly the Pacific Northwest, exhibits. The museum has a cute gift shop and a pleasant cafeteria on the first floor.
Sky View Observatory / Columbia Center
This formidable skyscraper is the tallest in the state of Washington. The views are extraordinary. Take the elevator to the 73rd floor and linger in the surprisingly uncrowded viewing area.
There is even a cafe/bar where you can get a drink and wander around while you see over the much shorter Space Needle and other Seattle landmarks. Try to check the weather and visit on a clear day.
When you enter you can get your hand stamped and return later for the spectacular sunset view.
Make sure you know the opening hours. Sometimes the Sky View Observatory is only open on weekends and hours can be seasonal. Check the schedule for opening times before you head out or you might arrive and find it closed.
Underground Seattle
Much of downtown Seattle was burned down in the 1889 fire. When the city rebuilt, some streets were raised, and the original streets remained underground. Now, a couple of local companies, Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour and Beneath the Streets Underground History Tour give tours of Seattle’s underground.
I really enjoy those types of history tours, but I thought it was a bit pricy for what you get. You can safely skip this attraction and not miss much.
DAY TWO OF YOUR 3-DAY ITINERARY FOR SEATTLE – DOWNTOWN
Pioneer Square
Known as the district where Seattle was founded in the mid -19th century, this is the most historic section of Seattle. Here is where you find the Klondike Gold Rush National Park, the Smith Tower, The Waterfall Garden and other interesting attractions
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Located in a period building as old as the collection it displays, this small but very interesting museum tells the story of when Seattle caught Gold Rush Fever in the late 1890s. Seattle citizens, including the mayor, left their jobs and headed north to pan for gold and make their fortunes.
The photographs reveal a fascinating time in the nation’s history. If you’re interested in Seattle history, this is a must-see. Admission is free!
Waterfall Garden Park
Another free Seattle attraction in the Pioneer Square area is the Waterfall Garden Park. This lush little respite from urban Seattle is a great place for a picnic.
It is a beautifully landscaped enclosed area with picnic tables surrounded by Gingko trees and a spectacular waterfall. Use this restful park for a pleasant break before you continue on your 3-day itinerary for Seattle.
The Smith Tower
When this building was completed n 1914, it was the tallest structure outside Manhattan. The title was continuously diluted over the decades until 1962 when its last remaining title, that of tallest building in Seattle, was taken away by the arrival of the Space Needle.
It is still worth a visit for the spectacular view from the small observation deck on the 35th floor.
Chinatown and International District
Seattle’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in the country. Today this interesting ethnic melting pot is s blend of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino and other South Asian groups sharing their cultures with the many visitors who come to savor the various authentic ethnic cuisines.
Here is where you’ll find the huge Uwajimaya market, where you can buy Asian cooking ingredients. A large part of the area is pedestrianized so you can wander around exploring the shops and restaurants with no traffic!
DAY 3 OF YOUR 3-DAY ITINERARY FOR SEATTLE- UPTOWN
Pike Place Market
There is nothing quite like Seattle’s Pike Place Market. This was by far my most interesting attraction. I absolutely loved wandering around this market!
I think one of the reasons I fell in love with this place is that we booked a chef-led food tour with Eat Seattle Tours. Our tour leader, Sean, took us all over Pike Place Market where we sampled and snacked our way through about a dozen stores.
We had pizza, chocolate, chowder, BBQ, salmon, yogurt, lavender coffee (yes, that’s a thing!) truffles, caramel and more! Chef Sean had detailed explanations and backstories of all the places.
Booking a food tour with Eat Seattle Tours is one of the best things to do in Seattle. This tour was seriously good value and is a must on any 3-day Seattle itinerary.
Begun in 1907 as a farmers’ market, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the United Staes. A group of multi-floor, seemingly haphazardly interlocking buildings form this market facing Puget Sound.
Today there are about 100 vendors offering everything from vintage clothing to old posters. Get lost in the labyrinth of alleys, corners and arcades that form this ancient market.
And here is where the flying fish you read about in the intro comes in. There is a fish vendor in Pike Place that has employees give fish to each other by means of throwing it. Over time this fish-throwing routine developed into a popular Seattle tourist attraction.
Some of Seattle’s best restaurants -most notably seafood – are located here. Colorful local characters and amateur musicians help create a festive atmosphere for the visitors.
Spending time at Pike Place Market is a must on any 3-day itinerary for Seattle. You can spend a full Seattle weekend getaway wandering around Pike Place Market and not see it all. Definitely one of the coolest places to visit in Seattle.
Explore the Seattle Waterfront
Similar to other great U.S. cities like New York City, Boston, San Francisco or Miami, Seattle is a place that really maximized its proximity to the water by creating a cool waterfront. You’ll find many attractions on the Seattle Waterfront including the Seattle Great Wheel at the end of Pier 57 just steps from the Seattle Aquarium at Pier 59.
The Wheel is the tallest on the west coast with 42 climate-controlled gondolas. This is not your mothers Ferris Wheel, and you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy it.
Visiting the Seattle Waterfront is a must-do in Seattle.
Seattle Center
This 74-acre civic, arts and family gathering point is where you’ll find the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Glass Museum and more. It’s also where I had my first Seattle hot dog (read about it in the “where to eat in Seattle section.”
Space Needle
The iconic Space Needle was built for the 1962 Seattle World Fair. It has been recently revamped in celebration of its 60th anniversary. and a visit there is quite the experience. Have a cocktail in the Loupe Lounge, billed as the world’s only revolving glass floor.
Experience the tilting glass benches that lean over the city. Allow yourself to be thoroughly thrilled by walking on the all-transparent glass floor and the open-air deck. Oh, and did I mention the views?
Hours vary depending on the season so check before going. Arrive via the monorail if you can, just to tick that iconic box. Admission fees can add up so check to see if a Seattle City Pass, that combines Seattle attractions for a reduced cost, makes sense for you. It can save you over 40%.
Museum of Pop Culture MOPOP
Founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2000, the nonprofit museum is all about popular culture. The amazing building was designed by architect, Frank Gehry and the outside, with its unusual colors and flamboyant designs is as interesting as the interior.
Collections and exhibits cover popular culture including science fiction, horror, fantasy and music from literature to cinema.
You may want to consider a CityPass or a combo ticket to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden to bring the admission price down. It is a lot cheaper than getting three individual admissions. An Argosy Cruise Tour of Puget Sound is also part of the Seattle City Pass.
Chihuly Glass Museum
This remarkable museum of works of art in glass is stunning. It features 8 different galleries, a glasshouse – which is a large solarium with enclosed glass artwork, a theater showing videos of the glass blowing process and gardens with glass artwork artistically displayed.
If you’ve never seen the work of Washington State native Dale Chihuly, this is the place to see it.
WHERE TO STAY IN SEATTLE
We stayed at the Kimpton Monaco and loved everything about it. The hotel is beautifully appointed, centrally located and has a cool vibe.
Other accommodation options in Seattle include:
High End hotels in Seattle
Midrange accommodations in Seattle
Budget hotels and hostels in Seattle
The red waypoints on the map are the attractions to see on day 1 and 2 and the purple waypoints are the ones to see on the third day of your 3-day Seattle itinerary.
WHAT FOOD IS SEATTLE FAMOUS FOR AND WHERE TO EAT IT
Oysters and seafood
Elliott’s Oyster House on the Seattle Waterfront is legendary for oysters and other seafood. A couple of doors down is Ivar’s Acres of Clams, another Seattle seafood institution with branches in other locations. They also have Ivar’s Salmon House and Ivar’s Seafood Bar.
Another amazing seafood restaurant is Chinook’s at Salmon Bay about 20 minutes north of Seattle. This location is the site of the “Most Dangerous Catch” show. It is the home of the North Pacific fishing fleet and houses over 700 commercial fishing vessels.
Whatever you eat at Chinook’s was fished out of the water a few feet away from you, like, 20 minutes ago. The service is impeccable, the ambiance delightful and the food amazing.
All three of these restaurants were delightful and reasonably priced for what they offer. This is definitely where to eat in Seattle.
Sushi
Here is a nice collection of sushi restaurants in Seattle from people who know their stuff.
The Seattle Dog
New York City has its native Nathan’s hot dogs. Chicago has its hotdog with spicy peppers on poppyseed buns and Seattle has its Seattle dog. Take a bun, slather it with cream cheese…hear me out…add a hotdog…hear me out…smother it with onions and enjoy.
The ingredients that go into a Seattle dog sound like something you scrounged together from left over ingredients that you needed to clean out from your fridge before a trip. Nevertheless, it works! The Seattle dog is a winner in my book!
Coffee
Seattle is the country’s number one coffee culture city. So much so that this is where the first Starbucks appeared in 1971 at Pike Place Market. Stop by and photograph the “ancient” sign and original logo.
Pho
Seattle has a large Vietnamese population. Vietnamese cuisine has been my favorite ethnic food for years. I love the smell and taste of the fresh herbs, like cilantro, tossed into the broth.
When I saw that pho (pronounced fuh), a delicious aromatic Vietnamese soup dish, was a Seattle staple, I knew I would love it. There are many pho shops in Seattle but according to the Seattle Times, these are the best pho restaurants in Seattle.
Desserts
The “official” (tongue-in-cheek) Seattle dessert is the Nanaimo bar. This delectably decadent dessert consists of three layers: a honey-sweetened graham cracker base; custard icing in the middle; and a layer of chocolate and cream ganache on top.
Despite being a Seattle tradition, it was invented in Canada in the town of Nanaimo, hence the name.
There are tons of other dessert options in this city that takes its sweets very seriously.
DAY TRIPS FROM SEATTLE
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
U.S. citizens remember to bring your passport because the sparkling coastal city of Vancouver, Canada is just 2 and 1/2 hours away! Check out the coolest places in Vancouver then head for the border.
The Skagit Tulip Festival
If you’re in Seattle in April, don’t miss the Skagit Tulip Festival. About two hours north of Seattle. This colorful festival offers more tulips than anywhere else in the world except Holland.
La Conner
This charming little town of about 1000 inhabitants is very near Skagit. The town is often referred to as the “perfect Seattle weekend getaway.”
It has charming inns and day spas, cute shops on its main street, restaurants galore, interesting museums, wineries, seasonal events and more. There is always something happening in Le Conner.
Bainbridge Island
Just a half hour ferry ride from the Seattle waterfront is pretty Bainbridge Island. Getting to Bainbridge Island is almost as much fun as being there. We took a ferry from the Seattle waterfront and enjoyed the ride and views of Puget Sound. A ferry ride on Puget Sound is really a must-do in Seattle.
Once on the island there is a wide range of things to do like wandering the many shops and restaurants on Winslow Street, the main drag. The Island boasts several museums and the Bloedel Reserve (see both the estate and gardens),
Hikers and nature lovers will appreciate the many hikes in the well-maintained Grand Forest with its lovely trails. This is a wonderful respite from busy, bustling Seattle.
Mount Ranier
One of the most must-see attractions Seattle is Mount Ranier. Tours Northwest, the same company we did the 3-hour Seattle city tour also does a 10-hour tour to Mount Ranier from Seattle. Highly recommended with a very professional and efficient tour company. Find a way to pack this in after a 3-day Seattle itinerary.
What have I missed on this epic 3-day itinerary for Seattle? Let us know in the comments what you would add or delete. And don’t forget to stock up on guidebooks and a little Seattle insight to maximize your visit. Here are a couple of suggestions.
I was sponsored at some attractions in Seattle but, as usual, my opinions are my own.
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