Seattle is such a beautiful city and you really do get the best of both worlds when you visit. It’s a vibrant city that is also surrounded by beautiful mountains, lakes, forests, and parklands. So, if you can’t decide between a trip to a bustling urban landscape or a peaceful area filled with natural beauty, why not head to Seattle for a weekend?
There is a lot to see and do in Seattle so getting it all done in one weekend is never going to be possible. But that just means that you can come back again! If you only have a few days, these are some of the best things to do in Seattle.
Visit Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is one of the most popular destinations in Seattle for locals and tourists alike. It’s one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the US and it’s a great day out. If you are a food lover, you’ll have a great time browsing all of the fresh produce and watching the traditional fishmongers and butchers doing their things. You can do some great tours of the market where a chef will take you around and show you the highlights, explaining some of the history along the way. The best part is, you’ll get lots of free samples on the way around.
Hit The Water
Seattle is perfectly placed next to the water, and while you’re there, you should definitely get out on a boat if you can. There are some great places located on Puget Sound where you can get sailing lessons in Seattle if you’ve never done it before. Alternatively, you could hire a boat with a captain to take you out for the day so you can enjoy the water. It’s such a beautiful city and viewing it from the water gives you a whole new perspective on it.
Ride The Seattle Great Wheel
If you want some more beautiful views of Puget Sound, getting up high is the best way to do it. The Seattle Great Wheel is a giant wheel with viewing platforms that is running from 11am to 9pm daily. As long as it’s not cloudy, you’ll get some amazing views and it’s great fun being so high above the city.
Check Out The Nightlife
Seattle has a vibrant and varied nightlife so whatever your tastes, you will be able to find something you like. There are some great jazz bars and cocktail spots as well as some dive bars if you want something a bit rough around the edges. You can even find some amazing party spots right on the water if you want an experience that is unique to Seattle. Wherever you go, you’re bound to have a great time and there are plenty of affordable places so if you’re doing the trip on a budget, you can still find places to go out.
Seattle is such an amazing place and you’ll find something new to do every time you visit. But if it’s your first time, these are the highlights you should hit.
*Post contributed by Dave Nelson, a peer travel writer who lives in the Pacific Northwest.*
