You may know Seattle as the home of Starbucks and Space Needle, but The Emerald City has so much more to offer. From unique museums and architecture to amazing food and public parks, Seattle has something for everyone to enjoy. This 3-day itinerary will highlight all of the must-see spots for your weekend trip to Seattle, so read on!
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Table of Contents
How do I get to Seattle?
Downtown Seattle is conveniently located about 20 minutes north of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, making it an easy destination to fly into. Seattle is a very easy city to navigate without a car thanks to their extensive public transportation system.
While neighborhoods within Seattle may be a bit scattered, you can easily take the Link Light Rail, King County Metro Transit public buses, or Seattle Streetcars to different parts of town and then walk around from there. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are also very popular, so you won’t have to worry about not being able to find a ride.
If you want to rent a car, I recommend using Discover Cars to find the best deal on rentals in Seattle!
What is the best time to visit Seattle?
Summer and early fall are the best times to visit Seattle to avoid excessive raininess and overcast skies. Though Seattle is known for constant rain and cloud cover, summers in the city are actually quite pleasant, with plenty of warm, sunny days.
If you choose to visit Seattle earlier in the year, from March to April, you will also get a chance to see the iconic cherry blossoms at the University of Washington. Winter is not a great time to visit the city because you are more likely to experience cold and rainy weather which can be unpleasant for sightseeing.
Where should I stay in Seattle?
Booking.comSeattle has a lot of unique neighborhoods that may appeal to visitors for different reasons. Staying downtown will put you near a lot of popular destinations that are very walkable. The Hyatt Regency Seattle and The Charter Hotel Seattle are very polished and comfortable, and both are conveniently located in the heart of the city.
If you want to be close to downtown but have the feeling of a little separation, I recommend checking out South Lake Union. Citizen M is a great lodging option in South Lake Union for those who want a sleek, modern stay.
Capitol Hill is another popular area to stay in thanks to its plentiful number of bars, cafes, and shops. Capitol Hill is a lot more laidback and quirky than downtown Seattle and is a good home base if you like unique stores and architecture. I’d recommend finding an apartment or guesthouse available to rent on Airbnb.
Tip! Be sure to check out the Seattle City Pass before visiting to see how to save up to 46% on 5 different Seattle Attractions!
Sample 3-Day Seattle Itinerary
Day 1 in Seattle:
Morning:
Start your day with a visit to the Olympic Sculpture Park, a free public park located right downtown. The park is home to 9 acres of sculptures, walking trails, and views of the water. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some sealife, like otters or whales, as you walk around! Olympic Sculpture Park is open from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.
Afternoon
The Ballard Locks are an awesome experience that’s quite unique to Seattle, as they connect the Puget Sound to Lake Union and Lake Washington, allowing boats to pass. It’s fascinating to watch the water rise and drop to allow water vessels as small as a kayak and as big as a 750’ boat pass through! The Locks also feature a fish ladder which gives visitors an awesome opportunity to catch a glimpse of salmon. The grounds are free to visit and also feature the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden, a beautiful outdoor escape.
Evening
Head up to the Space Needle for a jaw-dropping sunset experience. You’ll have completely unobstructed views of Seattle, the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. The view from the top is simply breathtaking, and one of the best places in the city to enjoy the sunset. You can experience the Space Needle through general admission tickets or, if you’re over 21 and looking to splurge, by booking a reservation for the Loupe Lounge, a revolving cocktail bar located at the top of the structure.
Psst: If you only have 24 hours in Seattle, check out this post instead!
Day 2 in Seattle:
Morning
For a relaxing start to the day, grab a cup of coffee and head over to Elliott Bay Book Company, a well-known bookstore in Capitol Hill. The store itself is quite large, with two stories of books covering a wide range of topics. Elliott Bay Book Company has been in operation since 1973 and is a great opportunity to support a small, Seattle-founded business.
Afternoon
A trip to Seattle wouldn’t be complete with a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPop. MoPop is a museum like no other, featuring exhibits on movies, music, and pop culture movements. Lovers of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and rock and roll will love MoPop’s variety of exhibits and experiences. The MoPop building itself also features some impressive architecture that makes for a one-of-a-kind experience from start to finish.
Evening
The Seattle Great Wheel, a large ferris wheel located right on the water, is an awesome spot to take in the Seattle skyline at night. Truthfully, the ferris wheel is a great experience no matter what time of day you visit. However, taking a ride on the wheel at night will give you some spectacular views of the city lights.
Day 3 in Seattle:
Morning
A visit to Gas Works Park is a great way to kick off day 3 of your Seattle trip. Gas Works Park consists of a former, historic gas plant located right on Lake Union that was converted into a public park in 1975. The structures are amazing to explore, and the park itself will give you awesome views of Lake Union and downtown Seattle beyond. Gas Works Park is a great spot for a walk, picnic, or even some kite-flying!
Afternoon
Discovery Park is a gorgeous, 500+ acre park in the heart of Seattle that’s perfect for an afternoon hike or walk. The park has several trail options that will take you through forests, meadows, and along sandy beaches. You’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped into another world as you explore the park. Lighthouse Loop Trail is an awesome option as it leads you to the picture-perfect West Point Lighthouse.
Evening
For your last night in Seattle, it’s only fitting to visit the iconic Pike Place Market. The market is a great place to do some shopping as there are tons of vendors selling everything from art, jewelry, candy, books, and so much more. Make sure you stick around long enough to watch the famous fish-throwing that happens among the fishmongers as well!
After you do some shopping, grab dinner at one of the many restaurants located in and around the market, and take in the beautiful waterfront views. As a bonus, the original Starbucks is located directly across the street from Pike Place Market! Stop in for a cup of coffee and make sure to snag some pictures, of course.
Tip! If looking for a more guided experience, check out the Pike Place Market Chef’s Tour with stops (and samples) at 9 different stops!
Traveling with your pup? Check out this Dog-friendly Guide to Seattle!
Other things to do in Seattle
- Take a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park – $30/vehicle, plan to arrive early as the park gets very crowded in the summer months
- Visit the Fremont Troll (free!)
- Enjoy the architecture of the Seattle Public Library (free!)
- Wander through the Seattle Aquarium – $28.95 for adults 13+, $20.45 for kids 4-12, and free for kids 3 and under
- Explore the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit – $32 for adults 13-64, $27 for seniors 65+, and $19 for kids 5-12
- Do some shopping at the REI Seattle Flagship Store, a massive outdoor store that even features an indoor climbing wall (currently unavailable for use, but still cool to see – the store itself is free!)
- Complete a fun self-guided scavenger hunt around the city. 5 different hunts to choose from!
Tip! Want to save money on 5 Seattle Attractions?! Be sure to check out the Seattle City Pass for the best deal!
Other tips to know before visiting Seattle
Even if the forecast looks clear, make sure you come prepared with rain gear! Seattle locals don’t often carry umbrellas, so a good rain jacket and boots will do you just fine. Have a backup plan if you do not feel like braving the rain for the outdoor activities.
One Weekend in Seattle Packing List:
Even though you are only in Seattle for one weekend, it is best to arrive prepared to avoid having to waste time by running to the store for forgotten items. Below you will find everything (okay…maybe not everything) you will need for 3 days in Seattle!
- Comfy walking shoes (for your walking tours or amusement parks. I wear my keens EVERYWHERE. Not only are they great hiking shoes, they are great for keeping your feet cool in the Austin heat. No socks needed 🙂
- Travel-sized toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face wash, deodorant…you know all your daily essentials). This is a perfect travel case that meets TSA regulations!
- All the clothes (this one is going to be a personal choice as to how much to bring). I am typically good with three nice dinner outfits, my favorite joggers, a comfy shirt, some athletic shorts, and a swimsuit cover-up.
- Makeup and hair supplies
- ID and any other travel documents or itineraries needed.
- Phone charger
- Kindle or current reading book
- Any needed medications
- Airplane snacks and water bottle (bring an empty bottle along to save plastic and money at the airport and on your daily adventures)
- Sunglasses! (I always forget this one)
- Andddd of course your camera! A gopro would be fun for these adventures!
3-day Seattle Itinerary Recap:
- Day 1: Olympic Sculpture Park, Ballard Locks, Space Needle, and Loupe Lounge
- Day 2: Elliot Bay Book Company, Museum of Pop Culture, and Seattle Great Wheel
- Day 3: Gas Works Park, Discovery Park, and Pike Place Market
One Weekend In Seattle Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Seattle that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Seattle itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Seattle!
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in Seattle” Itinerary?
Tip! Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more USA weekend getaways and dog-friendly adventures!
Want an easier way to plan your Weekend Trips?! Click the picture below to download your FREE Weekend Getaway Planner!
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