Curator’s statement
Seattle in the summer is a tourist’s dream. With perfect sunny and cool weather, and long days where the sun doesn’t set until 10 pm, you can get a great feel for the city and see it all in just a few days if you plan your trip right!
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Things to do in Seattle
Pike Place Market, photo by Beni DiVasta
Whale watching: Whale watching in Seattle during the summer is a fantastic opportunity to see orca whales! There are plenty of tour options around Seattle that are easily accessible to get to and give you a great chance to see orcas.
Cruise Harbor Boat Tour: This tour was great to do at sunset and get amazing views of the Seattle skyline and learn more about the city.
Chihuly Garden and Glass: Located right near the Space Needle, this museum is a can’t miss! The glass sculptures are so large, colorful, and immersive that you will forget where you are.
Space Needle: Of course, the Space Needle needs to be on your list! Pro tip: When you buy a ticket, you can get admission to the Needle twice in 24 hours. So if you go first thing in the morning to beat the crowds, you can go again for a night city view and have a drink to finish your day!
Pike Place Market: Another obvious stop in Seattle, but it’s well worth it. It’s much quieter in the mornings if you want to beat the crowds, so grab a coffee and donut and explore!
The Seattle Great Wheel: If you’re a sucker for city views, then definitely do the Great Wheel as well as the Space Needle! Great views of the harbor and skyline here as well.
Seattle Aquarium: This aquarium was great and featured a lot of marine life from the Pacific Northwest.
Museum of Pop Culture: This museum covers all different types of pop culture and was really fun to walk around. I especially liked that they heavily featured Seattle natives like Jimmy Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.
Day tour to Mt. Rainier: The last thing on my list to do in Seattle is get out of Seattle and go to Mt. Rainier National Park! It’s truly stunning to go out there and is definitely doable in a day, although if you have the time, it would be well worth it to spend a night or two out there as well.
Places to eat & drink in Seattle
Photo by Beni DiVasta
Daily Dozen Donuts: A popular donut spot in Pike Place, the line was long but it moved fast and was totally worth it!
Seattle Dumpling Co.: Right outside of Pike Place Market is a great lunch spot for dumpling lovers!
Starbucks Roastery: If you’re a fan of Starbucks, the roastery is worth the trip. You can see how the coffee is made and they even have special new menu items that they test out there.
The Fisherman’s Restaurant: Located on the waterfront by the Great Wheel, because while you’re on the coast, you must have seafood!
The 5 Point Cafe: Their motto is “We cheat tourists-n-drunks since 1929”. One point for honesty and one point for their amazing burgers.
Need to know
Seattle is a stunning city with so much to do, you could easily spend a full week exploring and still not see every neighborhood of the city. However, with this guide and some proper itinerary planning, you can get a good feel for the city and check everything off your list in just a few days.
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Seattle page.