10 Great Things to Do in Seattle

There’s so Much to See in Seattle

I’ve been to Seattle twice and both times I loved it. There is so much to do and explore. The first time I went, my husband and I were celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. A few years later, my husband was working for Amazon, and lived in Seattle for 12 months, which is when I returned to visit him. 

1. Splurge at the Four Seasons

Seattle has a lot of construction and new buildings popping up all the time. It’s definitely a growing city and there are a lot of options between Airbnb and hotels.

The first time we went, we stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel. We don’t normally go that fancy, but we wanted to indulge for our first year wedding anniversary. Our room had waterfront views of Elliott Bay and the hotel surprised us with champagne and a platter of cheese, fruit and chocolate when we arrived. There is also a rooftop infinity pool, which offers incredible views. The problem with staying at a place that nice is that it sets the bar really high for future vacations!

2. Keep a Tight Budget and Still be Comfortable

The second time we went to Seattle, we stayed at La Quinta, over by Denny Park. La Quinta is a 3-star hotel, so it was obviously not as luxurious as the Four Seasons Hotel, but it was still a great experience. It was clean and the staff were friendly. There was a small gym that I used a few times and breakfast was complimentary. For a budget friendly option, it was very comfortable.

3. CityPASS is a Great Way to See the Highlights

There is so much to do in Seattle. The first time we went, we bought the CityPASS, which gets you in to five big attractions for one flat rate. We ended up only having time for three things on the list, so we broke even. Had we done four or five, we would have saved, but we didn’t lose any money by purchasing the pass.

4. Take a Cruise Around the Harbor

One day, we went on the Argosy Cruise Harbor Tour. For $31 per adult, you get a 60 minute ride around Elliott Bay. There is a tour guide who points out the various sights and shares some interesting tidbits about Seattle’s history. I really enjoyed seeing the skyline from a unique perspective, and we had great weather too!

5. The Chihuly Museum is a Must See

We also checked out the Chihuly Museum, which in my opinion is the best thing to do in Seattle. Dale Chihuly is a Seattle-based glass blower and he is incredibly talented. I loved that museum and was captivated by all of the vibrant colors.

6. Stop by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center was another fantastic spot. It was very moving and a lot of pieces in the exhibit were interactive. We really enjoyed our time there, and it’s free!

7. See Otters and Octopus at the Aquarium

We stopped by the aquarium, which was pretty cool. We watched otters swim around and saw a giant octopus. It was a fairly small aquarium, but it was clean, the staff were friendly and we saw some pretty cool animals. Be sure to walk around the Waterfront Park area, where the aquarium is located.

8. Watch a Game at Century Link 

 

We were also very luck to be able to get inside CenturyLink Field for a free event for all Amazon employees and their families. Amazon hosts an annual summer party and we certainly enjoyed our time there with free food and drinks and lots of entertainment.

9. There are So Many Incredible Food Options

Fine Dining and Sommeliers

RN74 is an upscale eatery focused on French food. They also have an extensive wine list and a sommelier on-site to help you decide. It’s a pricey spot, but one that we treated ourselves to for our wedding anniversary. If the menu seems too expensive, just stop in for a drink or dessert. It has a really great ambiance. Elliott’s Oyster House is waterfront and has a lot of outdoor seating. We had incredible seafood there with killer views! Forge Lounge was one of the most memorable bars we stopped in to. I got a cocktail with lavender flowers sprinkled on top. It was a bit off the beaten path, but it was nice to see a new neighborhood and relax at a less crowded spot.

And it goes without saying, spend time at Pike Place! The fresh flowers, fish and fruit provide an unforgettable sight. It’s so lively and exciting. Definitely go hungry.

I hope this post helps you figure out what to do in Seattle and where to start if you’ve never been before. Seattle is so unique. I would suggest going for at least three days and be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes.

Seattle is a Truly Special Place

I’ve been lucky enough to have been to Seattle a few times and I hope to go back again. It’s such a cool, easily walkable city with a plethora of museums, breweries, restaurants, and parks! Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my posts on Waseca, Stillwater, and Pine City!