Weekend Guide: Seattle

Year-Round Attractions:

Pike Place Market

Seattle’s original farmer’s market, Pike Place has been open since 1907 and is the place you can watch and even participate in the famous fish toss. There is so much to see and eat here. Note that the market closes early at 4pm, so don’t leave this stop until the end of your day.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

A beautiful garden and museum showcasing the colorful work of Dale Chihuly, located right next to the Space Needle so you can see both!

Museum of Pop Culture

If you’re visiting Seattle Center to see the Space Needle and Chihuly, stop by my personal favorite Seattle Museum- the MoPOP! This museum has some of the most unique exhibits I’ve ever seen targeting movie and music lovers.

Museum of Flight

One of the largest air and space collections in the US, I always hear rave reviews when people spend time at the Museum of Flight. This museum is located outside the downtown area, so you’ll need to arrange transportation or rent a car.

Seattle Sports

Seattle is very serious about our sports teams. If you happen to visit when there is a game in town, I highly recommend snagging tickets to see the Kraken, Seahawks, Sounders or Mariners.

Summer Additions:

City Parks

Seattle boasts some stellar views of both the city skyline, lake and bay views and two mountain ranges. Check out Kerry Park for the ultimate skyline view, Gasworks park for views of both Lake Union and the downtown skyline and Golden Gardens for gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains (and some beach volleyball if that’s your thing!)

Head to the Mountains

There is wonderful hiking accessible within a quick 1-2 hour drive of Seattle. While you can access a lot of these trails most of the year, if you want to stay warm and (maybe) dry, I recommend checking them out July-September.

Snoqualmie Falls

One of the most popular scenic attractions as it’s only 35 min from Seattle. You can check out the falls from a variety of viewpoints or hike the 1.4-mile out-and-back trail to see it all.

Lake 22

About an hour and fifteen minutes outside of Seattle, this hike combines the best of mountains, thick forests and ends with a walk around a peaceful alpine lake. It’s moderate in difficulty at 5.4 miles round trip and 1400 ft of elevation gain.

Deception Pass

One hour and a half north of Seattle, Deception Pass State Park is a bit more of a drive but well worth the trip as it offers some truly incredible and film-worthy views. Deception Pass is a narrow strait with an iconic bridge, and Deception Pass State Park has beaches, trails, picnic areas and is a very family-friendly place to spend the day. My personal favorite hike is Lighthouse Point, and I highly recommend Rosario beach.

Summit Lake

About two hours drive from Seattle, Summit Lake is a very popular summer trail as it offers amazing bang for your buck views of both alpine lakes and Mount Rainier. If you visit during peak summer, you’ll walk through wildflowers and likely spot some wildlife. The view from the top is truly one of a kind. The hike is six miles round trip and 1300 feet of elevation gain.

Woodinville

Did you know that Seattle has its very own mini wine country just 20 minutes away? Whether you’re in town as a couple, a friends weekend or here for a special occasion, a day in Woodinville is a wine lover's dream. Woodinville is home to a huge collection of tasting rooms for wine makers all over Washington and Oregon. While the tasting rooms are open year-round, a summer day allows you to sip the latest rose release from a beautiful patio instead of indoors.

Day Trips:

Olympic National Park

If you want more wilderness than you can get near Seattle, a day in Olympic National Park has just about everything you could dream of. From the glaciers on Mt. Olympus to the Hoh Rainforest to Rialto Beach, if you have access to a car and don’t mind a scenic drive, then I highly recommend heading out to the Olympic Peninsula. If you’re a Twilight fan, then don’t forget to stop by Forks.

Leavenworth

A Bavarian-style village nestled in the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is ultra charming year-round. In the winter, it's near snowshoeing and skiing, then stop in town for a biergarten to warm up in. In the summer, you can walk the waterfront park or hike in the mountains nearby and then still stop in town for a biergarten to cool down in! If you want to stay overnight I highly recommend the stunning Posthotel Leavenworth.

Year-Round Eats:

M Bar

A rooftop bar overlooking Lake Union that has both indoor and outdoor seating.

RockCreek Seafood and Spirits

Seattle is known for great seafood and RockCreek is one of my favorite places to take visiting guests. Located in the Fremont neighborhood, they offer several local Northwest seafood staples.

Musang

Filipino restaurant in Beacon Hill, which is on the south side of Downtown. Make sure you make a reservation as their dining room is small but well worth the planning!

Rhein Haus Seattle

Indoor Biergarten with Bocce and Brats! A great place to spend an afternoon if it's raining and you need something to do with a group.

Drag Brunch at Julia’s on Broadway

Seattle’s longest-running drag dinner theater cabaret offers a great Throwback Brunch. Perfect for birthdays, bachelorette parties or just a great way to start your day in Capitol Hill.

Ray’s Boathouse

Elegant waterfront fine dining, Ray’s is a great place to celebrate a special occasion or just spend a date night taking in a stunning sunset.

Cocktail Spots:

Percy’s & Co.

Percy’s is in the heart of Ballard and is a great place to start a night out with a unique cocktail list and decor. My personal favorite on their cocktail list is the “awakened one”.

Love Beats Pagne

The first time I visited Love Beats Pagne, I loved it so much I joined their wine club. It’s now a staple visit when I have friends in town as it has a laid-back atmosphere and an amazing list of bubbles. Located in SODO next to the San Juan Seltzery and several other wonderful tasting rooms, I recommend visiting Love Beats Pagne to kick off an afternoon of wine tasting or as a lovely stop pre-dinner.

Unicorn

If you’re looking for a truly Seattle nightlife experience, you have to visit Unicorn, a carnival-themed bar in Capitol Hill. If you’re celebrating something special, make sure to ask about their Unicorn Helmets.

Summer Additions:

Westward

Waterfront restaurant on the north side of Lake Union (near Gasworks Park) they offer beachside seating that is the ultimate summer vibe known for their menu of local oysters.

Old Stove Brewing Co Pike Place

Located on the back side of Pike Place Market, Old Stove is a great place to take a break from browsing the market to grab a bite and a pint of one of their 24 craft beers made on-site.