An Insider's Guide to the Seattle Experience

• Pike Place Market

A defining Seattle icon since 1907. It's referred to as “the soul of Seattle,” the Market spans nine historic acres overlooking the downtown Seattle waterfront. Grab a coffee at the Original Starbucks.

• Can Can

Seattle's award-winning and highly entertaining cabaret dinner theater extravaganza, located within the Pike Place Market. It serves French Pacific-Northwest-inspired cuisine, divine desserts and craft cocktails.

• The Seattle Waterfront

Spend time exploring, walking, whale watching, shopping, taking pictures and eating. Catch the last ride of the day on the Seattle Great Wheel. Take a glide on the Wings over Washington aerial adventure, which is currently the most state-of-the-art flying theater in the world.

• The Seattle Aquarium

Showcasing six major habitats: Window on Washington Waters, Life on the Edge, Pacific Coral Reef, Birds & Shores, the Underwater Dome and Marine Mammals.

This is a fun way to discover more about the amazing Puget Sound and our world's oceans.

• The Space Needle

One of the most photographed and recognizable landmarks in the world. The Space Needle was built as a cultural main attraction for the 1962 World Fair, representing the Age of Space theme. Impressive floor-to-ceiling glass views and an upper-level outdoor observation deck with open-air glass walls.

• Chihuly Garden and Glass

Spectacular sculptures created by renowned Pacific Northwest artist, Dale Chihuly. 8 galleries and 3 "drawing walls," the Glasshouse (picture a greenhouse, but with glass-blown flowers) and the Garden, which features Chihuly's work intertwined with lush landscaping.

• Mount Rainier National Park

Surrounded by lush forests, alpine meadows, a glacial landscape, a 14,410-foot-tall Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano and the tallest mountain in the Cascade Range is the centerpiece of the national park. Five developed areas are open to explore, including walking trails, lakes and viewpoints.

• Museum of Pop Culture

Exhibits at the Museum of Pop Culture such as "Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses" and "Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-1970" are awesome and comprehensive looks at two iconic music masters, while the "Guitar Gallery" chronicles the history of the instrument and the musicians who played them.

Day trip

• Woodinville Wine Country

Woodinville’s wineries, restaurants, hotels, breweries, shops and more are arranged across four distinct districts in the beautiful Sammamish River Valley.

Brunch

• Lowell's

Serving the public for nearly 100 years with three floors of scenic views and fresh seafood daily.

• Fat's Chicken & Waffles

Shrimp and grits, biscuit sandwiches, pimento BLT, and old-school small-square waffles

Lunch

• Dough Zone Dumpling House

Serious about their dumplings! The Q bao pork buns are fantastic, as well are their noodles.

• Serious Pie

Oval pizzas, crackling, puffed crusts topped with Northwest-friendly combos like potatoes, rosemary, and pecorino

• The Boat

A dinghy-shaped building serving a single dish that they have mastered, and are famous for. Com ga mam toi, is a garlic-crusted half chicken, fried until crisp and sticky with fish sauce.

• Matt's in the Market

A local institution for a reason, tucked up on the second floor of Pike Place Market.

Dinner

The Pink Door

Aerial performers dangling from the ceiling and Italian food that’s been consistently stellar for over 30 years.

• Sushi Kashiba

The highest standard of Japanese cuisine that sushi lovers have come to expect from which the Seattle Times calls the “Sushi Sensei” of Seattle.

• Archipelago

Pacific Northwest cuisine through progressive Filipino American flavors.

• The Walrus And The Carpenter

The best place to shoot back oysters as well as small plates.

• Le Pichet

A pathologically good Parisian bistro beside Pike Place Market serving entrees like duck leg confit, steak frites and whole roasted chicken for dinner.