Seattle was my first solo trip! And I absolutely loved it - there was so much to offer and endless things to see and do. I was so lucky with the weather too, I didn’t get any rain in a city notorious for it. Definitely take a rain jacket if you head up there though! I spent a weekend in Seattle during my summer working in California; it was a good amount of time but I definitely packed everything in, so if you can afford to spend 3 days there that would be ideal.
Seattle from Kerry Park at sunset (look closely to see Mt Rainier in the background!)
Budget
Hostels in the city centre will cost you between $50 and $100 per night, and this is definitely the cheapest accommodation you’ll find. For budget hotels outside of the centre, expect to pay around $150 per night, but I wouldn’t recommend heading too far north as it starts to get unsafe, especially at night. Hotels will cost you upwards of $300 a night in the downtown area. However, most of the things to see in Seattle are free! Excluding accommodation, I would recommend budgeting between $30 and $40 per day for food and activities.
The Seattle seafront
Logistics
The Seattle Tacoma Airport is located about 25 minutes from downtown Seattle, and the best way to get between the two is using an Uber or Lyft. Your driver will pick you up from the parking garage outside from the arrivals area. Pre-book one if you can, especially if you’re arriving late on a Friday (or any) night as I did, as prices go up fast.
If you can, stay in the downtown area. I stayed north of downtown and I would not recommend it at all - it had nothing much to do and it was not the safest area.
Bainbridge Island
As with most cities in the US, the walking infrastructure in Seattle is not very well established, especially outside of downtown, so you’ll find it much easier to explore with a car. However, I managed my whole wekend without one, although this was challenging. I walked 32,000 steps my first day, and 41,000 on my second. I really enjoy walking, and think it allows you to see so much. I found myself in some beautiful neighbourhoods and enjoyed incredible seafront trails. I did also find myself walking on the side of a motorway bridge, which wasn’t so pleasant, but thank goodness for concrete barriers! Needless to say I was pretty tired by the end of the weekend but it was so worth it and I saved a lot of money in the process.
The Best Things to do in Seattle
Pike Place Market
This infamous market is on every Seattle to-do list, but it is definitely worth the hype. There are so many stands selling everything from vegetables, cookies, and donuts, to handmade crafts, chocolate flavoured pasta, and local honey. They even had a dried fruit stall which sold spicy dried mango, which was insanely good. The hotspot is at the fish stall, where the fishmongers put on a show by throwing huge fish to each other whenever they get an order. It’s a lot of fun to watch. There are so many food options here, so I’d recommend it for lunch, and you can eat it overlooking the sea.
Pike Place Market
The famous Pike Place Fish stall
You’ll also find the gum wall in a tunnel underneath the market. The stairs to get down there are near the fish stall, and a little sign will confirm it for you. It’s a bit of a weird experience as you can still smell the fruity flavours of some of the gum on the wall, but it’s fun nonetheless.
The Gum Wall
Seattle Public Library
Not far from Pike Place Market is the Seattle Public Library. This building has such unique architecture and the inside is just as impressive. You can walk around and head to the top to have a view down to the bottom floor. There is a little shop in one corner where they were selling used books for $1, it would have been rude not to buy one!
Seattle Public Library
The Space Needle
The landmark of the Seattle skyline will also give you the best views. I started my weekend by going up this, and loved it. You will need to book tickets online in advance, and they cost around $38. Even though it was a little cloudy the day I went up, I would definitely say it was worth it. The circular section actually rotates, and you can stand on the glass floor as it does, which is really cool.
From the top of the Space Needle
Kerry Park
Kerry Park, which is more of a little area of grass, will give you the best skyline views of Seattle. If you’re lucky and it’s a clear day, you will be able to see Mt Rainier in the distance, which is absolutely stunning. I would recommend heading here for sunset, but it does get busy up there, so be prepared.
The Space Needle
Bainbridge Island
Visiting this island was probably the best thing I did in Seattle. I took a ferry from the harbour to Bainbridge Island, which cost only $9 for the return trip. Just the views from the ferry are enough, and I even saw Mt Rainier in the distance; it looked like it was floating in the sky, which was absolutely incredible. You can walk around in the little town on the island and explore some of the local shops and cafés. I found a very cute little ice cream stand called Emma and Otto’s, which had delicious ice cream, and I enjoyed it while listening to some live music from a local band. The vibes were immaculate. You can also head down to the seafront and walk out onto the docks to see the boats and the forests. If you have more time, take a walk along the coast as it is so stunning. I can’t recommend this island enough for an afternoon out of the city.
From the ferry to Bainbridge Island
The best ice cream!
Discovery Park and the West Point Lighthouse
I walked through the depths of Discovery Park not really knowing where I was going, but heading in the general direction of the lighthouse. It was an amazing forest and you get small peeks at the ocean through the trees every now and then. Eventually, I reached the coast and found a little beach next to the West Point Lighthouse. It was full of people walking their dogs and just enjoying the afternoon, and I got lucky enough to see Mt Rainier floating in the distance.
West Point Lighthouse
The beach at the West Point Lighthouse (and Mt Rainier!)
Ballard Locks and the Ballard Farmers’ Market
I had heard of the Ballard Locks when planning my trip, but my Uber driver told me that on Sundays, there is a huge farmers' market in Ballard. I was so happy I went! There was an incredible selection of foods, local farmers’ produce, and handmade goods. It had a great atmosphere and was in a really cool neighbourhood of the city filled with coffee shops and restaurants, so I would highly recommend checking it out even if you aren’t visiting on a Sunday. It’s definitely a younger neighbourhood and a lot of fun.
The entrance to the Ballard Farmers' Market
I headed to the Ballard Locks from the market, after a delicious falafel wrap and a homemade vegan chocolate chip cookie (yum). I waited a good half an hour before I saw any movement from the locks, and there isn’t really any schedule for the locks opening and closing. Your best bet is to ask the operators. Honestly, the locks were not overly impressive, and I would say the attraction is slightly overrated, but the fish ladder is quite cool to see - it allows fish to keep swimming in the river even with the gates closed.
A part of the Ballard Locks
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park is a really cool place to walk around. It is full of old, rusted gas pipes and machinery and is set right on the waterfront, so you can also get some great views of the city from there.
Gas Works Park
Fremont Troll
You will likely have heard of the troll under the bridge in Seattle. It is essentially a giant statue of a troll hidden under a bridge. In my opinion, it was a bit underwhelming, bit it is worth a stop if you’re nearby. I walked from Gas Works Park and it was on the way to the Ballard Farmers Market.
The Fremont Troll
My Itinerary
Here is how planned out my weekend in Seattle to see as much as I could in as little time as possible (in order of places listed):
Saturday
Kerry Park
Space Needle
Pike Place Market
Seattle Public Library
Bainbridge Island
Back to Kerry Park for sunset!
Produce at Pike Place Market
Sunday Gas Works Park
Fremont Troll
Ballard Farmers' Market
Ballard Locks
Discovery Park and the West Point Lighthouse
Bainbridge Island Waterfront
Seattle exceeded all of my expectations and I loved exploring the city. It has a perfect mix of urban and nature, and reminded me a lot of Vancouver and the west coast of Canada. I guess they are pretty close! I will definitely be back for a visit to the city and to Mt Rainier National Park which is not far at all.
The sunset on my flight back to San Diego (tip: if you get a window seat on the left side of the plane, you'll see Mt Rainier out the window as you take off!)
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