I was pleasantly surprised by the Pacific Northwest's plentitude of oat milk and kind people.
Seattle, the largest metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest, has a bit of a reputation for being a millennial magnet. Maybe it's the coffee or live music scene, or perhaps its proximity to lush, green forests that make for a perfect day trip out of the city. Whatever the reason, the city has a youthful and inclusive feel upon arrival. And the abundance of alternative milk options doesn't hurt, either. Catch up, East Coast!
Seriously though, it doesn't take much Googling to discover that Seattle has a lot to offer to visitors of all ages. First-time travelers should, at minimum, spend a weekend to discover the best of what the city has to offer - from art museums, local shopping, to breathtaking overlooks. This is a brief introduction to some of the city's must-sees.
Space Needle
The Space Needle stands out in Seattle's skyline from Kerry Park.
Not unlike the Eiffel Tower's origins, the Space Needle was originally built for a World's Fair. The year was 1962, and the fair's theme was "The Age of Space". The needle's now retro-yet-futuristic design was a symbol of humanity's aspirations to venture far beyond our atmosphere.
It's easily Seattle's most recognizable landmark and the place to go for an incredible 360-degree city view. Unfortunately, rain and fog often limit visibility at the top, so check the weather before booking your ticket.
On clear days, you can see Mount Rainier, the highest volcanic peak in the continental US, in the distance. And yes, it's an active volcano! Fortunately, there have not been any eruptions in a long time, and a potential future one likely wouldn't destroy downtown Seattle... just the suburbs.
Mount Rainier, an active volcano, can be seen on clear days from the top of the Space Needle.
When you arrive, a speedy elevator will launch you to the top, where you can grab a drink and enjoy the view from inside, or head out to the 360-degree outdoor observation deck and take photos between the protective glass panels. Then, head down a level and sit on the revolving glass floor for a unique, albeit slightly unsettling view straight down.
Address: 400 Broad St, Seattle
Hours & Cost: Opening times are dependent upon when you go, as are ticket prices. It's a little bit cheaper to go in the morning or the evening as opposed to getting an afternoon ticket. Still, when I visited in November, the sunset was so early that I bought an afternoon ticket so I could be up there for the 'regular' daytime views and watch the sunset sink the city into the night. Check the official website for updated hours and prices.
Note that tickets often sell out during busy periods, so you may want to book in advance online.
Pike Place Market
Shop for flowers, handmade gifts, souvenirs, and food.
At Pike Place Market, you can buy: action figures, fish, postcards, soap, t-shirts, fresh produce, glass figurines, hand-knitted toys, geodes, whole octopi, photo prints, used books, dried flowers, more fish, old maps, spices, clothing, and more. Its outdoor stalls and indoor shops are impossibly eclectic and surprisingly fun to poke around in. The market is made up of a few separate buildings, and in combination there's a total of 10 floors! If you're looking for something specific I'd recommend crawling through the market's interactive map to see what's where. This is one of my favorite things to do in Seattle because there's always something new.
Old Seattle Paperworks sells vintage maps, newspapers, and magazines on the Down Under Level 4 of the indoor market.
Stop and smell everything at Moon Valley Organics, located in an outdoor stall in the market.
One of my favorite memories from my first visit to the market was stumbling upon a fish stall in which three of the guys working there were singing and THROWING a fish between themselves, weaving through (now stopped) passers-by and putting on quite the show. These fish-throwing seafood vendors are one of the biggest attractions at the market, and I walked right into it completely unaware. If you want to try your luck, the stall is called Pike Place Fish Market on the ground floor. I wish I'd gotten a video!
Fresh seafood is plentyful at Pike Place Market, as is the smell of... well, fish.
The Pike Brewing Co. is one of the many hidden gems on the lower levels of the market.
Each time I visit I always manage to stumble upon something new. It wasn't until my second trip to Seattle that I realized how many lower levels there were. I missed most of the market on my first visit by not venturing down the stairs, deeper into this maze of a market. I'd recommend carving out a decent chunk of time to really explore the market if you plan on seeing everything.
Address: Pike Place Market, 85 Pike St, Seattle
Hours: 9am to 5pm daily, though some vendors pack up early.
The First Starbucks
The very first Starbucks opened in 1971 at 1912 Pike Place in Seattle, Washington.
In 1971, amongst the bustling stalls of the famed Pike Place Market, a small coffee shop named Starbucks opened its doors for the first time, destined to become an international coffee empire of over 20,000 stores. The premiere Starbucks cleverly clings to its past, keeping its original look from the 70s. If you visit, take special note of the original "Starbucks Coffee Tea Spices" sign, the wooden floors, light fixtures, and counters - they're all as they were when the store first opened.
Only a handful of people can enter the modest-sized coffee shop at once, but fortunately, those waiting outside are entertained by friendly and welcoming staff. While in line, you may also be treated with a free sample of one of their many different coffee varieties.
Address: 1912 Pike Place, Seattle
The Gum Wall
I couldn't bring myself to touch it, but visitors are welcome to add to the attraction!
Gum covering a window of a shop outside Pike Place Market.
Right outside Pike Place Market is one of the most unique attractions in Seattle: The Gum Wall. It started in the 90s when patrons and performers at Unexpected Productions Improv would stick their gum on the wall outside the venue. Since then, it's become a city-wide effort to cover more and more brick in Post Alley.
I couldn't bring myself to touch this collaborative work, but you're welcome to add to the wall with your gum if you'd like!
To access the wall, take the ramp to the left of the market's iconic "Public Market Center" clock sign. Once at the bottom, turn left into Post Alley, and viola!
Address: The Gum Wall, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle
Waterfront Park
The Seattle Great Wheel is situated at the end of Pier 57 along Alaskan Way.
While Waterfront Park transforms into a stunning new space by 2025, Alaskan Way's sidewalks remain open, inviting pedestrians to explore the diverse shops and eateries. The word park is a bit misleading, instead, think lively boardwalk. Starting from the Seattle Aquarium, work your way down to Miner's Landing on Pier 57 for amusement rides, including the Great Seattle Wheel, and stop at an eatery overlooking the water to sample some freshly caught seafood. For souvenirs, don't miss The Seattle Shop at 56 (on Pier 56) and Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on Pier 54.
The many signs and statues along Waterfront Park were one of my favorite features!
Seafood is the food to try in Seattle.
Address: Waterfront Park, 1401 Alaskan Wy, Seattle
Water Taxi to West Seattle
The water taxi, on its way to take me back to Pier 50 in Downtown Seattle.
While in the area, consider walking down to Pier 50 to take the water taxi to West Seattle for a breathtaking skyline view. Before visiting Seattle, I thought ferries and water taxis were the same thing. Wrong! Ferries are massive and can carry cars (and people) across the water. Water taxis transport people only and are much smaller.
Follow the signs for King County Water Taxis on Pier 50 (NOT Washington State Ferries) and use your ORCA card or pay with a credit card to get a round-trip ticket at one of the ticket kiosks just inside the covered waiting area. There are several different lines for water taxis on Pier 50; make sure you see the sign and get in line for West Seattle. There are lots of employees buzzing around if you need help.
The trip is only about 10-15 minutes, but it offers magnificent views of the Seattle skyline as you motor away. You can take pictures from the outdoor deck or tuck in from the wind and see it from indoors.
An epic skyline view from the rocky edge of the harbor in West Seattle.
When you arrive in West Seattle, hang a right to take photos of the skyline or head left to grab a bite at Salty's On Alki Beach. If you're already down that way, make sure to stop at Jack Block Park for more harbor and skyline views.
Address: Pier 50 Seattle Dock
Check ticket prices and the current sailing schedule for the West Seattle-Seattle route to plan your departure and return.
Kerry Park
The Space Needle as seen from Kerry Park.
Kerry Park offers an equally incredible, if not better, vantage point to see the skyline with the Space Needle front and center.
That said, it's worth cautioning you that some of Seattle's roads are so steep that it feels like jumping would make you fall down the hill. So to get there, I recommend taking a bus that drops you off equal to or north of the park, since anything south will mean trekking up a bitterly steep incline. As you may have guessed, I learned this the hard way.
The park is no more than a tiny strip with a few benches, but people don't go for the green space! From Kerry Park, you can look out over Elliott Bay, the snowcapped mountains in the distance, and of course, downtown Seattle. If you have a camera with a zoom lens, this is probably the best place to get photos of the Space Needle.
Address: Kerry Park, 211 W Highland Dr, Seattle
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Chihuly Garden and Glass is named after Dale Chihuly, a famous glass artist born in Tacoma, Washington in 1941. He studied glassmaking in grad school, spearheaded the Rhode Island School of Design's glass program, and worked in a Venetian glass factory while on a Fulbright Fellowship. His pieces are displayed in over 200 museums worldwide.
The gallery has interior displays and several large-scale works in the exterior garden which touts a beautiful view of the Space Needle.
Address: Chihuly Garden and Glass, 305 Harrison St, Seattle
Hours & Cost: Check the website for updated prices and hours. Joint tickets to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass are available.
Frye Art Museum
I'm not too particular about art museums; I tend to like them all. But when deciding between the Seattle Art Museum and the Frye Art Museum, the latter is certainly my preference. Simply put, the ticket price of the Seattle Art Museum has ultimately deterred me on two separate visits now.
Fortunately, there is work of equivalent value to be found (for free) in the intimate setting of the Frye Art Museum, home to 19th and 20th-century paintings by American and European artists. There are also rotating temporary exhibitions, sometimes from more modern painters. This museum is an excellent stop on a rainy day!
Address: Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave, Seattle
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday open 11am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Cost: Free (and free parking).
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of all the things to do in Seattle, but they're arguably some of the best for first-timers in the city. If you end up having an extra day to explore, consider hiking in one of Seattle's nearby forests. Washington is known for its greenery. Hiking in the Pacific Northwest is still on my list, so please let me know in the comments if you've done it before!
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