Located on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle reminds me a bit of our current home city, Auckland. Both are surrounded by water, mountains/forests, and green park lands. The nearby evergreen forests in Washington are massive, thus giving Seattle the nickname of “Emerald City.” To hit the highlights, we have created a Seattle itinerary.
A view of Seattle with Mount Rainier in the distance, as seen from the Space Needle
We had a Seattle CityPASS. It provided us with both quick and easy access to several Seattle highlights as well as 50% savings over the total cost of these activities, had we paid for them each individually.
My recommended Seattle itinerary, sorted by geographic proximity:
- Full day along the waterfront (Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, Argosy Cruises, Seattle Great Wheel, and dinner at Ivers)
- Full day at Seattle Center (Seattle Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, EMP Museum, and dinner at Collections)
- Half day at Museum of Flight
Seattle Itinerary Day 1: Along the Seattle Waterfront
1. The Seattle Aquarium: Home to the marine life of Puget Sound and around the world, the Seattle Aquarium’s mission is “Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.” Hands-on opportunities for children, and plenty to see for adults. The Seattle Aquarium is a featured destination of the Seattle CityPASS.
Located in the Life on Edge section of Seattle Aquarium, these moon jellyfish looked luminescent as the colours in the tube changed.
Sea otters are amongst the three types of marine mammals a the Seattle Aquarium, the other two being Northern Fur Seals and Harbour Seals.
2. Pike Place Market: A favourite destination amongst tourists and locals, Pike Place Market is one of the country’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s markets as well as being a community resource for low-income families. See my complete review: Pike Place Market: Where to Catch Fish in Seattle.
The iconic entrance to the Pike Place Market.
3. Argosy Cruises: Avid sailors, we love to view a city from the water. However, the weather was quite cold and misty. This is the only Seattle CityPASS activity that we skipped, yet the pass was still a good deal.
An Argosy Cruise boat used for Puget Sound Harbor Cruises.
4. The Seattle Great Wheel: Boasting breath-taking views of Puget Sound from 200 feet above the water, we opted to skip the Great Wheel on the cloudy day that we visited.
The Seattle Great Wheel features climate controlled gondolas.
5. Waterfront walk and dinner at Ivar’s Acres of Clams: Located on Pier 54, the building and views are half the fun. It’s an icon, a classic Seattle restaurant that’s been around since 1938, yet still, serves mouthwatering meals.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Ivar’s and the view.
Seattle Itinerary Day 2: Seattle Center
6. Seattle Space Needle: Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it was considered a space-age wonder. Don’t miss my views from the top of the Seattle Space Needle. The Seattle CityPASS includes both a day and nighttime entry.
Seattle Space Needle
7. Chihuly Garden and Glass: Featuring the vivid colours and fluid shapes of the glass creations of Dale Chihuly, this is one of my personal top two destinations on this Seattle itinerary (the other being the Museum of Flight). More of my photos are at Chihuly Garden and Glass, A Vibrant Must See in Seattle. The Seattle CityPASS offers the option of Chihuly Garden and Glass or Pacific Science Center.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
8. EMP Museum: If pop culture, science fiction, or rock music are your thing, EMP Museum is the perfect museum. Beginning next month (July 2016) New Zealand’s World of Wearable Art (WOW) will make its North American premiere at EMP. The Seattle CityPASS offers the option of EMP Museum or Woodland Park Zoo.
My niece having a bit of fun at EMP Museum
This monster Shadowbox was popular with both kids and adults.
9. Collections Cafe: The delicious food is almost secondary to Dale Chihuly’s 28 collections that are hanging on the walls, shelves, and ceiling, or embedded into the table tops. Aside from the glass art that made him famous, Chihuly collected things like pocket knives, inkwells, string holders, tin toys, and more. You can even make a reservation on-line.
The accordions hanging from the ceiling are one of 28 collections found at Collections Cafe.
Seattle Itinerary Day 3 (half day): at the Museum of Flight
10. Museum of Flight: Taking you through flight history from the earliest planes through the space age, the Museum of Flight has it all. It is one of my two favourite Seattle itinerary destinations (the other being Chihuly Garden and Glass). See more at Museum of Flight Connects Aircraft with History.
History is easily seen through the aircraft filling the initial room of the Museum of Flight.
*Still want more? Check out Lonely Planet USA travel guide.
Wondering where to stay?
If comfort, location, or ambience are important to you, I would recommend the centrally located Hotel Monaco. It’s a Kimpton Property, and it was a perfect choice for us. Here is why: No Sleepless Seattle Nights at Hotel Monaco. Check for current prices –>Booking.com or at Agoda
Have you been to the Emerald City? Would you make any changes to this Seattle itinerary?
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Disclaimer: We are frequently provided with a complimentary entry or other benefits. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
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Well, I’ve done three of those things. Some of the others weren’t there when I visited. Guess I need a return trip.
We haven’t visited them all either, thanks to the weather.
You forgot the bike paths! Seattle has some of the best urban cycling paths we have done.
Good call, I hope people read the comments too. Hotel Monaco even offered guests bicycles to borrow.
What a view of Seattle with Mount Rainier in the distance. This was just beautiful. WE have had a heck of a time on this vacation. I hope that some day I can have such a vacation. Thank you for taking us with you Rhonda.
Cruisin Paul
Thanks Paul. I don’t really think of most travel as vacation, it’s more of a lifestyle for us. Would be nice if we were always on vacation.
No I haven’t been to Seattle, but I almost accidentally drove here when I got lost travelling from Whistler to Vancouver once! I think Seattle has a lot to offer and I would definitely enjoy visiting here. 🙂
LOL – that would be quite a bit out of the way, and a bit of a pain to cross customs twice.
The aquarium looks like my sort of hangout and so funny to see the otters, they look so happy 🙂
The otters are so cute. Too bad the glass was too dirty to get a really good shot. The puffins were even more adorable, but even dirty glass – fine for seeing through, just not great for photos.
I love Seattle and the whole Pacific Northwest, really. I’m bummed I didn’t think to go to the Aquarium since there are so many of my favorite animals, sea otters. Oh well, next time! Definitely agree with your recommendation of Chihuly Garden and Glass and I would also add the Fremont Troll if you can get out there!
I agree, I really love the Pacific Northwest. There is lots more to come as we drove down to San Francisco along the stunning Oregon Coast.
Very beautiful and exciting attractions.I’d love to visit Seattle one day!
I hope you get there, it is an awesome city.
You have a great summary here. My favorite Seattle restaurant was Ivar’s Salmon House (used to be called Ivar’s Indian Salmon House; all the employees were Native Americans) on Lake Union. What a view! Ivar died while we lived in the Seattle area. He left Ivar’s Indian Salmon House to the University of Washington Business Dept. It wasn’t quite as good without Ivar in charge. He was a real character.
Thanks Janie. Ivar’s Salmon House is the same Ivar but a different location.
I think many of these attractions were not there yet when we lived in the area. We enjoyed the Underground Tour downtown. I’m not sure if it’s still there. WE did enjoy a dinner at Ivar’s but on Lake Washington. We had delicious salmon. I think the location where we ate is gone. Nice to know that Ivar’s isn’t. Did they have salmon where you ate? Or just clams? I’d like to go back sometime and see the Space Needle. It was there when we were, but we just did a lot of other things instead.
I loved Seattle and hope I get back. Reading the comments here there are a few highlights we missed, and the Underground tour will go on the list, as well as Ivar’s Salmon House. Our menu was pretty comprehensive seafood. Actually, I don’t think any of the three of us had clams.
Seattle looks great – thanks for this useful resource #wkendtravelinspiration
Thanks Katy
Looks like the weather could have been better, but you still did lots of wonderful things. How fun.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
We really didn’t let the weather spoil our fun. We never do.
That aquariumlooks fantastic- next time we are up we will definitely go there! Cheers!
It’s a pretty good one, especially if you are into conservation.
We’ve only been to Seattle once. Of course, we had to go to Pike Place Market and the Seattle Space Needle. Those are iconic must-see places. If I remember correctly, we also ate at Ivar’s. But one of the most memorable things we did was to take the Seattle Underground Tour. It was absolutely fascinating to see the old city buried beneath the new. I think our trip was before the advent of the CityPASS, or at least we didn’t know about it. Next time around, we’ll take advantage of that.
I would add Chihuly Garden and Glass to your short must see list. Also, I will add the underground tour to my next visit.
It looks like so many great things to do. I’m amazed those are real jelly fish in that arched aquarium. The otters are adorable, and I love the idea of “acres” of clams. Yummy! Thanks for sharing everything with us! 🙂
The moon jellies were so cool, and yes very real. Seattle is an amazing town.
If Auckland is a lot like Seattle, I definitely need to add Auckland to my travel plans. I adored visiting Seattle and the whole north west coast will always hold a special place in my heart for it’s beauty and outdoor pursuits!
The entire Northwest coast reminded me of New Zealand, more than anywhere else we have been (except maybe Ireland).
It’s always interesting to see how other people see places you’ve been to. You did much more than we have done during our visits there, and there are definitely new things since we’ve last been, like the Chihuly exhibits. maybe it’s time to return….
LOL – we didn’t have kids with us on this trip. My niece is in her 20s, another adult. It’s easier to do a lot more.
It seems that sunshine in Seattle is a hit and miss! I’d love to visit though. I’m sure it’s even more beautiful in real life, although your pictures look great. Those sea otters look so cute!
Honestly, I loved the Pacific Northwest. If we ever moved back to the states I am pretty sure that is where we will end up.
I love, love this itinerary! I have used the CityPass on other cities and it is a great way to get to see the biggest attractions while still saving money. Can’t wait to visit Seattle.
Seattle is an awesome city. So much more to do than can possibly be covered in a weekend.
Rhonda, We love Seattle. We go often, because my youngest daughter teaches in Tacoma. I have not yet been to the EMP….next time!
To be honest, we probably wouldn’t have gone to EMP had we not had the CityPASS. I always think that’s part of the fun of a city pass, it has places you really want to visit, and others too.
No, I haven’t been. I think I’d do the space needle first:) #the weekly postcard
I would let the weather dictate my first choice in Seattle 🙂
I love the Sea Otters, they are so adorable
mollyxxx
Agreed. Adorable, the puffins too but I couldn’t get a decent photo as they splashed up the glass.
So many things to do in Seattle – which I only know as a wet city 🙂 Looks like there is still plenty to do even if it is raining.
It is a bit of a wet city, and that effected our choices, but we still found plenty to do.
Seattle is one of my favorite cities.. And those sea otters, so cute!
Agreed. I was so pleased to get a halfway decent shot of the otters.
I don’t know if it works for everyone, but thank you for the sea otters pic, there’s just something about them that puts a smile on my face and gives me the warm fuzzies 😉
Otters and puffins make me smile too.
I heard a lot of Seattle and I’d like to visit. Your guide will be of great help. My favorite would be the Aquarium.
Seattle is a really wonderful city.
Fascinating post into the sights of Seattle! I’ve heard lots of good things about the Pacific Northwest but to be honest this is the first time I’ve actually read anything in detail about it. I’d definitely visit the aquarium, and the otters cracked me up (because I just watched Finding Dory – if you have, you’ll know what I mean!). It’s also intriguing how many cities have the same giant ferris wheel concept – London Eye, Singapore Flyer, Seattle Great Wheel, and many more elsewhere, I’m sure. The people behind these things need to get more creative =P
Thanks Michelle. I am focusing and trying to be more useful in my writing, glad it is coming across. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but otters already make me smile. And, agree on those wheels. We also saw one being built in Las Vegas, and one in Toulouse, France.
Rob misses visiting Seattle, and says it’s been far too long since he’s been there. Ann is now smacking Rob for not taking her there already. #TravelBloggerProblems… 😉 That’s a great itinerary! I also like visiting Post Alley the area around Pike Place Market, including Starbucks #1. Such a great city!
LOL – I love your comment in Third person, and I hope that Ann wins this battle.
Oh, she will! Nicely enough, it’s a win-win situation. 🙂
LOL.
Seattle looks very gloomy but at the same time beautiful. I’ve seen so much rain in Seattle from the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Lol. Pike Place looks like my kind of area to go to while there.
I have never seen Grey’s Anatomy, but it was a bit gloomy for the days we were there, yet it is such a wonderful city, I overlooked it.
We visited many of these places when we were in Seattle many years ago but not all of them. I don’t recall the Chihuly Gardens or the Great Wheel being on my radar, so I wonder if those have been added since I was last there. It’s definitely a city that I enjoyed and wouldn’t mind doing a return visit. By the way, I was just thinking today that I am so glad your health is much improved and that you’re able to fly again.
I hope you get a chance to get back and visit Chihuly Garden and Glass, it is really special. And thank, I hope the remission sticks.
Seattle has been on my bucket list for a long time. it looks like a beautiful city. I would love to visit that Acquarium!!!
Seattle was really fun, but in truth, the highlight was spending the weekend with my niece.
Love this! I grew up about 20-30 minutes from Seattle and went there often on field trips. I moved away after high school and never really got to enjoy the city as an adult, so I make sure to find new things to do in the city whenever I visit my family! I’ll be there next month and will finally go to the top of the Space Needle and hopefully the Chihuly museum as well. Thanks for the lovely post! It really sums up all of the popular sightseeing highlights.
Thanks Beth. It’s funny how we don’t do the things in our own city. I think we lived in Auckland for about 10 years before we ever went up in the Sky Tower.