Let’s plan one day in Seattle together! It’ll be a full day of adventure, iconic views, hidden gems, and unique places.
Photo by Stephen Plopper on Unsplash
If you’re looking for an incredible city to spend a full day adventuring in, check out Seattle! It has plenty of iconic landmarks that you can hit in only one day, like Pike Place Market and the waterfront. But Seattle is much more than that, and we invite you to go with an open mind and overall, just have the best day ever.
Once you set foot in Seattle, you’ll have too much to do to deal with a slow internet connection. To avoid it, try Yoho Mobile’s free eSIMs! You won’t want to be back to the costly roaming fees, and to save even more money, use our promo code YOHO12 for 12% off!
Is one Day in Seattle enough?
Well, you won’t have time for a deep dive into the city, but you can still experience a lot in just one day. It’s actually plenty of time to make a quick visit, cover the main landmarks, and get a taste of this beautiful place. Don’t worry, you’ll want to come back later.
What to know before you go
You only have one day in Seattle, so let’s make sure you have a basic knowledge of the city and what to expect there.
-
Bad Weather: Seattle has a reputation for rain, and unfortunately for the travelers, even during the hottest months, they can be surprised by a quick drizzle. So, try to stay flexible with your planning!
-
Parking is a Pain: And traffic too. If you decide to rent a car, you’ve been warned! And especially during rush hours and in the areas near the tourist spots. You’ll want to leave the popular places for the early morning and the late afternoon.
-
Hilly Terrain: The city is beautiful, but it’s also full of hills, which means steep streets with uneven sidewalks. Better travel light so you don’t get tired too quickly.
One Day in Seattle
Let’s start our day in Seattle with panoramic views of the city in the early hours of the morning. This activity is completely optional, as not all travelers will make it so early to Seattle, or don’t like waking up that early. The best place for this adventure is the Volunteer Park Water Tower. The entrance is free, and the park opens every day from 6 am. From the parking, you’ll have to climb up 107 steps, but it’s so worth it. Up there, you have a 360-degree view of the whole city, and to enjoy the experience to the max, arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise, so you can get a good spot and admire the changing colors of the sky.
Choose a museum to visit!
To shake things up a bit, we won’t tell you which museum to visit in the morning; instead, here are three great suggestions that you can match to your interests and your mood in the moment.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
If you’re feeling bold and want to see an interactive museum that’s focused on music, movies, sci-fi, video games, and pop culture, you have to come to the MoPOP! It has a lot of interesting exhibits that will feel nostalgic if you were alive during those decades. But if you’re not into pop culture, it might seem too niche and overhyped.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
This is for the creative people! You might not have heard about Dale Chihuly, but you’ll surely love to see the incredible pieces he made and his expositions in the Chihuly Garden and Glass. The museum is great for photos, be it the indoor galleries or the outdoor garden. On top of that, it’s easily covered in under an hour, so it’s perfect for a schedule as packed as yours.
Photo by Sunira Moses on Unsplash
Pacific Science Center
Now, one for the science lovers! It has a lot of interactive exhibits, a planetarium, IMAX theaters, and even a butterfly house in the Pacific Science Center. It’s an incredible place for children, but adults are also welcome, especially during special events.
Walk from Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park to the Secret Stairs
You’ve done quite the walk in the museum of your choice, but let’s go out and enjoy the beautiful time outside (hopefully), and get a better look at Seattle up close. To start your walk, we chose the Olympic Sculpture Park, a large and beautiful outdoor museum featuring modern and contemporary sculptures. Among the most famous statues to see is “Wake”, a towering steel structure that creates a dynamic visual experience, and “eye benches”, which are either artistic or creepy; these eye-shaped benches are great for taking a small rest.
From there, you continue to Myrtle Edwards Park and Waterfront Park. It’s a lovely path that takes you through various public art installations, and you even have a chance to catch a glimpse of local wildlife. Finally, you’ll arrive at Seattle’s Secret Staircases. These staircases are remnants of Seattle’s early trolley system, a great way to explore the city’s hidden history. And there’s not only one set of stairs, but multiple ones you can find, the longest one having a whopping 388 steps!
Lunch at Pike Place
But enough walking for now. It’s time to grab a bite, and for that, what better place than Pike Place Market? It has an interesting history, as it was founded in 1907, when the local farmers and fishers realized that they could skip the middleman and sell the produce to the clients themselves if they had a place to do it. Now it’s still a pretty popular place, and we’ll be looking for cheap and delicious food options for lunch.
For example, let’s say that you have 20 dollars and want to see what you can eat with that. You can try the clam chowder with sourdough bread in Post Alley, or the “world’s best” mac & cheese in Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. As a plus, if you have a few dollars to spare after your food, you can get a nice cup of coffee or some dessert.
Photo by Ben Dutton on Unsplash
Three Ways to Spend Your Afternoon
Because our itinerary for one day in Seattle can’t be a one-size-fits-all, we have prepared another little section with three options to fill out your afternoon.
Visit Alki Beach
It’s a bit farther away from the route we’ve been on, but it’s a nice place to visit. And the best way you can cover the 2.5-mile stretch of the beach is by renting a scooter! Even if you’re not a very confident driver, the route is paved and the electric scooters don’t go that fast. Perfect for enjoying the sunny day and the ocean breeze.
Seattle Central Library
If you’re a bookworm looking for an interesting place full of books, you have to spend a few hours at the Seattle Central Library. This is not only a place to read and investigate, but a striking glass-and-steel architectural landmark, where you can take a breather and enjoy the panoramic views from the upper floors.
Photo by Sylvia Yang on Unsplash
Amazon Spheres Free Viewing Area
This is quite a unique place, as it serves as an Amazon employee workspace, but they also house over 40,000 plants from around the world. The Amazon Spheres have a free viewing area, which locals call the Understory, and an exhibition space for the public. It has become a symbol of Seattle’s tech boom, but also of its emphasis on green thinking and experimental architecture.
Photo by Adrian Celaya on Unsplash
Evening Escape: Bainbridge Island Sunset Ferry
Let’s finish your wonderful day in Seattle with views of the full city in the late hours of the evening. It’s actually one of the most picturesque and affordable experiences in the Seattle area. It’s only 35 minutes, so you can technically add it in any moment of your day, but there’s something magical about seeing the buildings and parks bathed in the golden light. It’s a perfect spot for photographers, but everyone can enjoy the peaceful ride after such a long day.
Photo by Aaron Dowd on Unsplash
Just like you had multiple options for lunch, you have plenty of places to choose from to end your day with a nice dinner. If you want an upscale, iconic, and romantic dinner with city views, Canlis is perfect for you. It’s perched above Lake Union, so the views are incredible. The food is excellent, with signature dishes like the wagyu steak tartare, the black cod, and the soufflé.
For a more cozy and informal experience, there’s The Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard. It’s the perfect place to enjoy Seattle’s obsession with seafood, and do as the original walrus and carpenter and eat lots of local oysters.
Overlooked FAQs about Seattle
Why does Seattle feel so quiet sometimes?
Many travelers have noted that Seattle is quieter than many other American cities. It’s sometimes called the “Seattle freeze”, and yes, the people are not exactly chatty, but they are friendly.
Do I need to worry about the rain?
Not really. As we already said, Seattle has a lot of rain, but usually it’s only a light drizzle. Even locals don’t carry umbrellas with them, just waterproof jackets.
Can I see whales from Seattle?
Yes, but only sometimes. Most usually, this will be orcas or gray whales, especially if you’re in a coastal park or on a ferry. But there are dedicated whale-watching tours in nearby cities like Anacortes.
Why are there so many cranes and constructions?
Seattle is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.! Which means that it can change a lot between visits if you’re a frequent visitor. Also, remember that there are very large tech companies in Seattle, like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
Final Thoughts
Spending one day in Seattle is a great adventure that will leave you wanting more! There are still many highlights to visit, and even more hidden gems to look for. You’ve been up from the crack of dawn until the night, wandering historic streets, tracing the city’s roots, and exploring the newest branches, so you surely are tired by now. Why not spend a day more in Seattle?