One Day in Seattle: How to Spend 24 Hours in the Emerald City
With so much to do in an iconic city like Seattle, it can feel pretty daunting when you think about what you want to do and see in such a short time frame.
Luckily, this one day in Seattle guide is chock-full of amazing attractions and activities so you’ll be able to pick and choose some of the best things to do in the city without feeling like you missed anything. Who knows, you can even take notes for your next trip to the Emerald City!
Ready to see all that you can accomplish in just 1 day? Let’s dive right into our epic 24 hours in Seattle guide!
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Table of Contents
One Day Itinerary in Seattle Quick Itinerary
If you are short on time, here’s a quick overview of how to spend one perfect day in Seattle. All the details for each stop are below!
- Sunrise: Check out the sunrise at Kerry Park
- 10:00-1:00: Explore Pike Place Market
- 1:30-4:30: Wander around some of the most popular parks, like Discovery Park or Gas Works Park
- 4:30-6:00: Enjoy a delicious Italian dinner at The Pink Door
- 7:00-8:00: Check out the iconic Space Needle
- 8:00-?: End your trip with a nightcap at the Canon Bar
24 Hours in Seattle Detailed Itinerary
Here’s the ultimate one day itinerary for Seattle with all the deets. From sunrise to sunset, get ready for an epic adventure!
Sunrise
If you’re looking for a stunning place to catch a Seattle sunrise, you can’t go wrong with Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park. It’s best to secure a spot early, but you’ll be able to catch a great view of the sun peaking of the clouds, and rising over the Space Needle!
Morning
You can’t spend a day in Seattle without checking out the iconic Pike Place Market! The market is open daily with the hours being 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the different shops and restaurants within the market.
From the fish throwing to the exhibits that include original artwork and handmade crafts, there’s a lot to take in.
If you’re looking for a spot to grab some coffee, you should definitely check out the original Starbucks, but be prepared to wait in a long line!
If you’re looking for other places to get caffeinated, check out Ghost Alley Espresso or Storyville Coffee.
Afternoon
There’s a lot to explore around Pike Place, so if you find yourself there during lunchtime you can grab a quick bite at a variety of places. One of the stand-out places is Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, where you can get a taste of the “World’s Best Mac and Cheese.”
You can also get a taste of the fresh seafood, and grab a cup of the classic clam chowder to warm yourself up!
After you’re done exploring the Pike Place area, you can check out some of the famous parks in the area, like Discovery Park or Gas Works Park. At Gas Works Park you’ll see the remnants of the sole remaining coal gasification plant in the United States. This is also a great spot to take pictures of the city skyline.
Evening
If you’re looking for a great place for dinner, look no further than The Pink Door! This is one of the most popular restaurants in the city, and for good reason! With a variety of delicious Italian cuisine that features burlesque and trapeze shows — you’ll definitely have a great experience.
Sunset/Nightlife
Before the sun sets, try squeezing in some time to visit the Space Needle! The observation deck is open from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. This is a great opportunity to not only visit one of the most iconic landmarks in the U.S., but also gives you great views of the city, Mt. Rainier, ferries, and boats from Elliott Bay Marina.
If you’re looking for a fun nightcap, definitely check out the unique Canon Bar located at 928 12th Ave. This is an intimate bar that offers a wide variety of unique handcrafted cocktails, and with over 5,000 bottles of spirits in-house, you’ll have a lot to choose from!
Other Things To Do in Seattle
If you need more ideas on what to do during your 24 hours in Seattle, you can’t go wrong with some of these suggestions! And, if you have more time to spend in the Emerald City, be sure to check out this 3-day guide to Seattle.
- Coffee fans can explore the Starbucks Reserve Roastery
- Get spooky and book a Seattle Ghost Tour
- Check out more foodie highlights on a Pike Place Food Tour
- Grab a sweet treat at Salt and Straw Ice Cream
- Take a ride on the Great Wheel
- Get your artsy vibes on at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
- Check out Seattle from the water on a Harbor Cruise
Psst: Make sure to check out the Seattle City Pass before your visit to see if it can save you any money!
More Seattle Restaurant Recommendations
Just in case you need more food inspiration, here are some more delicious eateries that are around the Seattle area!
Breakfast
- Rachel’s Bagels & Burritos: A great spot for bagels or breakfast burritos.
- Morsel: The perfect spot for some great coffee and craft biscuit sandwiches.
- Saint Bread: Gourmet pastries with a unique ambiance.
- Glo’s: This is a great place for those looking for a traditional breakfast joint.
Lunch
- Musang: Delicious classic Filipino dishes with a modern twist.
- Un Bien: A casual spot with amazing Caribbean-inspired sandwiches.
- Local Tide: For those looking for a quick spot to grab some seafood.
Dinner
- Shaker + Spear: A standout place that offers fresh local ingredients and fresh seafood.
- Goldfinch Tavern: An upscale restaurant that offers local shellfish, steaks, and classic appetizers.
- 13 Coins Seattle: This is a lively spot that has a wide variety of food and live music.
Know Before You Go: How to Plan The Perfect 1 Day in Seattle
Here are some helpful tips that you can use while planning your trip to Seattle!
- Bring shoes with good traction! With the rainy weather and a lot of hills, it’s best to bring shoes that can withstand this type of climate.
- Light layers. Even if you do go during a time when it’s sunny, you’ll probably still find yourself getting a little chilly, so it’s best to bring layers.
- Waterproof items. You’ll also want to make sure you’re as waterproof as possible, since the weather is quite unpredictable, you don’t want to be soggy during your trip!
How to Get to Seattle
If you’re visiting Seattle, you’ll most likely be flying into the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. The airport is south of the city, so it will probably take about 20 minutes by car or around 30 minutes by light rail, which leaves directly from the parking garage.
Getting Around Seattle
Even though the city is quite large, it’s surprisingly walkable. Since you’re only spending 24 hours in the city it’s also worth considering taking a ride-share service to your desired destination.
The city also has a pretty decent public transit service with the King County Metro Transit. As far as fares go, all trips within Seattle city limits are a flat $2.75 fee.
Best Time to Visit Seattle
Many suggest that the best time to visit Seattle is within the “shoulder seasons” — so anything between April-to-May or September-to-October. I will say, I went in December, and while it was pretty chilly and rainy, a lot of the attractions were not that crowded and we were able to accomplish a lot during a short amount of time due to lack of crowds.
Where to Stay in Seattle
Here are some good hotel options to consider for your upcoming trip to Seattle!
- Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown ($): A great budget-friendly option that has a wonderful view of the Space Needle.
- The Sound Hotel Seattle Belltown ($$): A moderately priced hotel that is located in the heart of downtown Seattle.
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront ($$$): For those looking for a great view of the water and the Great Wheel.
One Day in Seattle Recap & Map
As you can see, there’s a ton to do in Seattle! So much so that you’ll want to come back for more, maybe next time you can even plan for a three day getaway or you can plan to bring your dog along on your next Seattle adventure!
We hope that you find this itinerary helpful and useful during your upcoming travels, and helps inspire future trips to the Emerald City as well. Happy planning!
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