Surrounded by mountains and evergreen forests, Seattle is not only Washington State’s largest city, but one of the top travel destinations of the west coast. Keep reading to learn about 6 Awesome Things You Must Do When Visiting Seattle!
6. Get Coffee at Pioneer Square
Once the center of the city, the neighborhood of Pioneer Square centers around a small triangular plaza in the southeast corner of downtown Seattle. The area around the plaza is littered with cute coffee shops and trendy bars. One such coffee establishment is Caffe D’arte, a place my fiancé and I enjoyed on our tour of the area. Aside from excellent coffee, Pioneer Square is also home to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park as well as the place where visitors can become immersed with Seattle’s “underground.” After The Great Seattle Fire destroyed much of the area in 1889, officials decided to raise the street level and build on top of the ruins below. Visitors can now enjoy part of this unique subterranean world via “Bill Speidle’s Underground Tour,” a 75 minute guided experience said to be full of history and humor.
Some final notes on Pioneer Square. It is quickly accessible from Pike Place Market or Pier 55 via a 10-15 minute walk or (way more enjoyable) Uber scooter ride. You likely will not spend much time here (unless you’re doing the underground tour) but it’s worth a quick stop when nearby. Last but not least, the area is home to a sizable homeless community. The area was crowded with other tourists when my fiancé and I went together and we had no issues, however I would not recommend this area for walking around at night.
5. Watch a Seattle Sporting Event
Seattle has become a popular hub for all things sports. Fielding teams in nearly every major league, locals and visitors alike can have their fill of professional sports in this city year round. On the men’s side, catching a Mariners (baseball) game is a great way to experience the competitive nature of the Seattle faithful: and typically for a reasonable price as well. Playing home games at T-Mobile Park, the Mariners games are also conveniently located approximately 1 mile outside downtown.
For something more unique, try catching the Sounders (soccer) when they are in town. They play at Lumen Field just outside the downtown area as well. Particularly worth a mention is the rivalry between the Seattle Sounders and the nearby Portland Timbers. It is said to be one of the fiercest rivalries in the MLS and this game should not be missed should the opportunity arise. On the women’s side, the WNBA doesn’t get much better than the Seattle Storm. Tied for the most titles by any team in the league, the Storm provide entertainment and excellence to rival any team around.
4. Visit Pike Place Market
Not only is Pike Place Market the most popular site in Seattle, but it is also one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world! This public market is a mecca for locally sourced artisan and specialty foods as well as a home to unique craft and retail shops of innumerable variety. Walking through the different levels and past the various stands provides visitors with a unique perspective on the diversity and culture of the city. Nowhere is this culture more apparent than at the Pike Place Fish Market. Standing as a pillar of the community, the Pike Place Fish Market is found right inside the main entrance beneath the famous public market sign. This fish market is not only known for esteemed fresh seafood, but also for its internationally acclaimed “throwing of the fish.” We were told they throw the fish if you tip, buy a fish, or buy them a beer. We bought them a beer lol.
Although the culinary selections seem endless, for casual eats and good brews, I’d recommend The Pike Brewing Company. This popular haunt has a large locally sourced menu with seasonal beers, guided brewery tours, and even a small beer museum. Before leaving Pike Place Market, consider a quick stop at “The Gum Wall” located right next door. This morbid attraction is worth a visit for at least the honor of contributing to the masterpiece.
3. Eat Crab and Enjoy the Pier
No trip to Seattle is complete without tasting some of the finest seafood in the US. Of Seattle’s many offerings, the Crab Pot Seattle is consistently rated one of the top places to get crab in the pacific northwest. Located on Pier 57 along Seattle’s waterfront, the Crab Pot conveniently is a short walk from the Aquarium, various harbor tours, Pioneer Square, and Pike Place Market. Many of the entrees are literally poured onto the table and enjoyed family style, making this restaurant a fun and delectable stop on your next visit.
Aside from the tremendous seafood offerings, Pier 57 is an interesting place in its own right. A large well renovated building, houses various dining options, Miner’s Landing amusement center, a gift shop, the iconic Seattle ferris wheel, as well as several other attractions. After leaving Pier 57, continue your tour up and down Alaskan Way (the road along the waterfront) to visit the countless other attractions along Seattle’s walkable waterfront. 20 separate piers provide a host of different offerings ranging from food, brews, arcades and gift shops, to outdoor public spaces just for sitting back and relaxing. One of the most enjoyable outdoor hangouts can be found at Pier 62. This space is complete with a space for various outdoor group classes, a miniature soccer turf, giant yard games, and beautiful views of Elliott Bay.
2. Tour the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum is a unique art exhibit housing the works of Dale Chihuly, widely considered one of the most talented and well known glass artists in history. You do not need to be an art connoisseur to appreciate the beauty and awe this exhibition evokes. Best known for large-scale sculpture, the works of Chilhuy are both massive and impressive.
You should expect to take 2-3 hours walking through the Garden, the Glasshouse, and the Interior exhibits. The 100-foot-long installation in the glasshouse is particularly photogenic, and is one of largest suspended structures Chilhuly ever created. Prior to leaving the exhibit, I would recommend taking a seat in the small movie theater near the gift shop. Several separate film reels on the life and works of Chihuly play on a continuous loop, and provide fascinating context and background to the pieces displayed in the museum. Last note: the Chihuly Museum is located right at the base of the Space Needle. Joint tickets for the museum and space needle can be purchased online here or at kiosks available in the grounds just outside the museum.
1. Experience the Space Needle
Rising 605-feet (184) above the Chihuly Museum below, the Space Needle is an icon of Seattle and a must do for anyone traveling to the Emerald City (nickname given to Seattle because of its year round greenery). Originally constructed as a showcase for the Seattle World Fair in 1962, the Space Needle was once the tallest building in all the western USA. Now a popular tourist attraction, a ticket to the Space Needle provides access to the Atmos Cafe and Wine Bar, various 360 observation areas, and the famed Loupe Lounge, a full restaurant perched on the world’s first and only revolving glass floor
I’d recommend timing your Space Needle adventure to begin before sunset. A 41 second elevator takes visitors to the main 520ft observation deck. Here you can grab a Space Needle IPA and enjoy panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, and the downtown Seattle skyline, all as you watch the sun set behind the Olympic Mountains beyond Puget Sound. As the sun descends and the sky darkens, the skyline comes alive with a beauty and energy unto itself. If you are blessed with a clear day, the views you will have from the Space Needle are sure to be some of the most memorable of your trip!
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