Seattle is a gorgeous city to visit. Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and nicknamed the Emerald City thanks to its damp green surroundings and evergreen trees, Seattle makes a wonderful place both for city exploring or enjoying a variety of outdoor pursuits. Once you’ve booked a hotel in Seattle, follow the advice below for creating the ultimate day in Seattle.
Start the day off by grabbing breakfast and coffee at Pike Place Market. Not only is Pike Place Market an attraction in itself but it happens to be right across the street from the original Starbucks–which makes it a great place to grab a hot drink. Since 1907, Pike Place Market has been attracting locals and tourists alike thanks to its year-round farmers market, flower stalls, and handicrafts. Alternatively, take a bus to Bakery Nouveau for the most delicious double-baked chocolate croissants on the planet.
Afterwards, take a walk to the Olympic Sculpture Park and enjoy over nine acres of world-class sculptures such as Alexander Calder’s “Eagle”, which was created from six tons of red-painted steel. Aside from the amazing sculptures, you’ll also find jaw-dropping views of the city, harbor, and mountains. Another famous sculpture can be found under the Fremont bridge but you’ll have to take a bus there to see what it is.
Next, jump on a ferry for a scenic trip around Puget Sound. There are definitely some luxurious options for visiting the mystical surroundings but the ferries make it easy and cheap. Simply jump on the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry for a lovely 35-minute ride and you might even see massive Mount Rainier if the clouds open up. Once you arrive to the little town of Winslow, take a break and taste some of the local dishes at various restaurants before boarding the ferry for scenic city-views on your way back to Seattle.
Next, it’s time to move indoors and check out the Museum of History and Industry. Although the name certainly isn’t attractive, but it’s quite possibly the best museum in the city. Re-created in 2012, the museum boasts all-new galleries and multimedia displays and is located in beautiful Lake Union Park. You’ll learn about life in Seattle and Puget Sound as well as their maritime past and cutting-edge culture. When you feel you’ve learned enough, step outside and watch the many float planes take off and land while admiring the gorgeous views.
As sunset approaches, make your way over to the iconic Space Needle for stunning views of the city during both day and night. Not only will you get a great view, you can also take some time to explore Seattle Center, which includes the Pacific Science Center, a food court, and theatres. If you’re hungry, you can enjoy the views while chowing down at Skycity restaurant.
Although Seattle is a great city for short visits, there are plenty of things to do on longer visits as well. If you’ve got more than one day, make sure to take time and experience some outdoor pursuits such as Mount Rainier National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Park.
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Photo by Veronika Patrashko via Trover.com
This article was written as part of the Hipmunk City Love project. As a paid writer for Hipmunk, I’ve written about many of the world’s top cities.