What to do in Seattle – A Travel Guide to Culture, Food, and Nature
Sara Revoir spends 3 intense days in the Northwestern coffee mecca of the US to give One Planet Journey readers a deep travel guide on what to do in Seattle. Through intentional and immersive exploration, amplified by local recommendations, she tours iconic landmarks, food markets, cultural hotspots, and natural wonders such as Bainbridge Island where biking and wine tasting make for an exciting day out.
Seattle, Washington, is a vibrant city located in the American coastal region of the Pacific Northwest. Renowned for its coffee, outdoor activities, and thriving arts scene, the city feels urban yet close to nature, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush forests, overlooking the sparkling Puget Sound. Seattle is laid-back and personable but boasts world-class attractions, for example, Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the Seattle Art Museum. Plus, it is only a stone’s throw from incredible landscapes like Bainbridge Island and striking Mount Rainier.
I’m headed to Seattle with my mom, an intrepid traveller and lover of detailed itineraries like myself. Although we’ve travelled together for some time, this is our first trip as just the two of us, without my siblings or dad, to bond and celebrate an upcoming birthday. Our visit only spans a long weekend, but our intentional planning and recommendations from locals ensure an immersive journey. We’re determined to eat well (and local), hit the highlights, and also venture off the tourist path to explore lesser-known gems. In three days, you, too, can experience deep travel in Seattle with this weekend guide for culture, food, and nature in the enchanting Pacific Northwest.
Friday: Seattle’s Greatest Attractions
Morning: The Perfect Cup of Joe
The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its vibrant coffee culture. And it’s easy to see why. Seattle’s hallmark cloudy skies and cold winters will make anyone want to cosy up with a steaming cup of liquid energy. Seattle does coffee well. As one of the most affordable places among major American cities to enjoy the beverage, it boasts an impressive arsenal of coffee houses and local coffee carts, not to mention being the birthplace of the ubiquitous Starbucks.
I begin my Friday morning with a pilgrimage to the mecca, Seattle’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill. Opened in 2014 as the first of its kind, it is a coffee emporium, dedicated to showcasing how to make and craft coffee. The space is elegant and modern, with sleek wooden and leather furniture placed throughout for visitors to marvel at the shiny copper tanks and stainless steel machinery, from bean to beverage. I order at the oval bar, manned by expert baristas wearing branded canvas aprons, and peruse the exclusive menu. When my buzzer vibrates, I trade it for a flaky chocolate-filled cornetto, my recommendation for bakery items, and a foamy toffee nut bianco latte.
For those more interested in supporting local businesses, you can’t go more than a block without stumbling upon a coffee shop. No matter your taste, you’re guaranteed to find somewhere that satisfies your palette and ethos in Seattle.
Afternoon: Flying Fish at Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is a Seattle hallmark and the city’s most popular attraction, drawing in visitors with its iconic red neon sign and clock. The market opened its doors in 1907 and has exploded since then. It is now housed in a multilevel building overlooking the Seattle waterfront. I snap a quick photo of the sign, proudly proclaiming “Public Market Centre,” and head into the fray of market-goers.
As I approach, a crowd has already formed around the stall for the Fish Market, where large tables laden with ice display the latest catch. Onlookers watch in delight as lively fishmongers clad in orange overalls toss massive (slippery) salmon and halibut through the air to their associates, their cries ringing across the hall. These antics have earned this little market an international reputation, as the showmanship of its workers draws crowds daily to marvel at the fish slinging.
I continue to the west side of the market, past stalls selling fresh oysters, artisan soaps, jewellery, and raw honey, until floral blooms perfume the air. The western hall of Pike Place bathes in yellows, pinks, purples, reds, and greens. Buckets of paper-wrapped flowers spread their scent, waiting to be taken home by market-goers. I handpick a multi-coloured bouquet laden with pink dahlias and purple larkspur with a massive sunflower at its centre and happily pay my $10 to the florist.
Quirky Sights at Pike Place Market
Pike Place is a treasure trove, sprinkled with hidden gems like the Giant Shoe Museum. This small exhibit on the lower level has antique peepholes that allow viewers a glimpse of the giant footwear for under a dollar. Nearby is the Market Magic Shop. The old-school store is complete with a ZOLTAR fortune teller machine and magic tricks to please amateurs and professionals. The market’s resident mascot, Rachel the Pig, is also a must-see. This swine-shaped bronze sculpture functions as a piggy bank. Drop some bills or coins in the slot for money to support local charities.
Once out, I wind around the front entrance and down the ramp to catch one of Seattle’s most bizarre attractions. Post Alley, an iconic pedestrian backstreet and home to the infamous Gum Wall bisects Pike Place Market. Equally fascinating and disgusting, visitors have adorned the red brick walls east of the main market entry with colourful wads of chewing gum.
The Gum Wall came to be in the 1990s when artists and patrons at the nearby Unexpected Productions improv club stuck their chewed-up gum to the walls after performances. Since then, the tradition has lived on. Visitors peel the metallic wrapping off sticks of Trident and Orbit, eager to leave their mark and add a sticky mouthful to Seattle’s iconic Gum Wall.
Evening: Chihuly Gardens and sunset at the Space Needle
Together with mom, I walk across town towards Chihuly Garden and Glass, another of Seattle’s best-loved attractions. The museum features the wonky and wild creations of Dale Chihuly, an American artist renowned for his towering glass sculptures. Inside, we experience a world of ornate and colourful art. We marvel at massive spires of twirling rainbow tubes, an otherworldly landscape of giant dancing rods and neon spheres, and a room bathed in multicoloured light from ruffled glass plates above a plexiglass ceiling.
The work is whimsical and engaging, featuring motifs from the sea and outer space that impart the creative innovation of Chihuly. The museum culminates at the radiant Glasshouse, whose transparent walls and ceiling provide excellent views of the Space Needle with a mesmerising, snaking red and yellow glass sculpture hanging overhead.
Seattle Space Needle in Sight
A garden, where Chihuly’s creations coexist harmoniously among living trees and flowers, surrounds the Glasshouse. Leaving the world of glass in utter fascination, we stop by The Bar for a drink. Adjacent to the museum, the atmosphere is funky and chic, with fanned accordions suspended from the ceiling and wall art with some of Chihuly’s original drawings. We sit at the thick wooden bar top and sip on craft cocktails before walking next door to visit Seattle’s most recognisable landmark.
The Space Needle opened in 1962, collaborating with that year’s World’s Fair. We’ve opted to go at sunset. The golden hour has already begun as we hop in line for the elevator ride to the top. 41 seconds and 160 metres later, we’re at the tower’s observation deck, to stare at the view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. We try not to photobomb selfies and family photos, while soaking in the panoramic vistas. Lights twinkle as the sky soon takes on a dusky pink, bringing the perfect end to an action-packed day.
Saturday: Bainbridge Island
Morning: Breakfast and Coastal Views
On Saturday, it’s time to venture across the Puget Sound to explore one of Seattle’s best day trips, Bainbridge Island. The birthplace of pickleball and several excellent wine labels, Bainbridge Island, is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle. Daytrippers can catch the ferry from Pier 52 on the Seattle Waterfront. Boats depart hourly and you purchase tickets ($9.85 for adults) online with the option to add on a vehicle.
On the upper observation deck, the ocean breeze whips across our faces as we gaze at the breathtaking vistas. The sprawling Seattle skyline, punctuated by the saucer-shaped Space Needle, shrinks in the distance, swallowed by the sparkling views of the Puget Sound. After a beautiful (and brisk) 35-minute ferry ride, we arrive at the Bainbridge Island terminal and head for the nearby Bike Barn.
E-biking on Bainbridge Island
If you’re not bringing a car across (we didn’t), renting a bike is the perfect way to explore Bainbridge. Bike Barn offers classic and electric varieties, ranging from $42 to $95 respectively for the day. We arrive in time for the shop’s 10:00 am opening and the amicable staff quickly provided us with helmets, bicycles, and a map. Plus enough suggestions and insider tips to last until our return at 6:00 pm.
We begin our bike adventure in the direction of Pleasant Beach on the island’s southern coast, flying down winding roads under the shade of the towering Douglas firs that populate the island. 25 minutes later, we stop for breakfast at The Marketplace. This farmhouse-style cafe is homey and spacious, serving up a mean cappuccino and sandwiches to warm our bellies on the chilly autumn morning.
After a while, we head across the street to a quaint Italian bakery, Pane d’Amore, to pick up some gluten-free pastries before setting off again. As we cycle along Pleasant Beach Drive, the seaside panoramas offer scenes from nature. On dark pebbled beaches accented by the glittering turquoise Puget Sound, we see sleek cormorants dipping and diving from the air to catch fish flitting below the surface. We squint in the distance, hoping to spot the tail of a migrating whale.
Afternoon: Wine Tasting Galore
Bainbridge Island is home to a collection of scenic vineyards and tasting rooms oozing Pacific Northwest charm. Our first stop is at Bainbridge Vineyards, where we pass rows of grapevine trellises until we arrive at the tasting area.
Patrons sit around tables scattered across the yard, sipping on wine flights and soaking in the warming sun rays. We take our carafes and glasses to a nearby table backed by verdant coniferous trees to get started. The flight includes the estate’s Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Siegerrebe, and we sip away under the lovely autumn sun. Together we reminisce over past wine tastings, from sampling Tuscan reds to the perfect Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley.
Next, down the road, is Eleven Winery. A cordial sommelier mans the funky tasting room, and pours our first glass, directing us to the garage-style outdoor seating. Eleven is chic yet laid-back, and you can’t help but feel comfortable, with oak barrels for tables and vintage bicycles hanging from the walls.
As we head up the northern coast, once again shrouded by giant Douglas firs, the scenery opens up to a sandy coastline. Massive pieces of driftwood, whose bleached limbs shine in the sunlight, cover the beach at Fay Bainbridge State Park. The sea has polished them smooth. We hope in vain to catch the gentle giants said to migrate through the sound, before hightailing it back for our return time.
Evening: Shopping and dinner at the Agate Café
“Wow, you’ve been gone all day. Did you see the entire island?”
We respond jokingly that we almost have, before depositing our helmets and bikes at the racks. We head to the centre of town, which follows Winslow Way East, a pin-straight stretch of road lined by various shops and restaurants. First, we stop at the Bainbridge Apothecary and Tea Shop to browse Earl Grey and Oolong blends, followed by reading back covers at Eagle Harbor Book Co. Next we look at pickleball paraphernalia, trying to find the perfect shirt for my dad, who’s recently taken to the sport.
After the storefronts shut their doors for the evening, we moved along Winslow Way East to the Agate Café. This swanky little bistro is warm and intimate, serving up killer cocktails and innovative cuisine. We go for scallops on a swath of corn puree and grilled halloumi over roasted asparagus and chickpeas. For dessert, we select a delectably salty caramel mousse. Pleasantly full, we return to the terminal in time to watch the sun slip beyond the horizon. Once on board the boat, the sky bathes in oranges and pinks, as the glittering Seattle skyline comes back into view.
Sunday: Fresh Produce and Art
Morning: The Ballard Farmers Market
We start our Sunday with an obligatory coffee and then scour the downtown streets for two rental bikes. It’s a 30-minute ride to the Ballard Farmers Market. We zip past tranquil Lake Union and urban Salmon Bay, enjoying the crisp air and beautiful landscape.
The Ballard Farmers Market is open year-round, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm every Sunday. It boasts local produce and goods from vendors around Washington state. Teeming with people, we eye up the gloriously fresh fruits and vegetables, mouth-watering pastries, coffee carts and food trucks.
Afternoon: Volunteer Park and the Seattle Asian Art Museum
Later, we cycle east toward the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park. It’s a lush green space with walking paths, and tall deciduous trees now rusty with orange autumn leaves. There is also a small conservatory, an enchanting glass-enclosed greenhouse. The building divides into five smaller houses that hold tropical foliage, cacti, bromeliads, and a rotating exhibit of seasonal plants.
There is a $6 entrance fee, so a pro-tip is to have a credit card or $1 bills ready. Giant palm fronds sweep the glass ceiling, their trunks dripping with deep emerald pothos and philodendrons, while flashy red anthuriums sprinkle the green backdrop. A room over, large barrel cacti rest under the fleshy blue-grey leaves of agave plants. Various smaller succulents lay scattered across the arid soil.
From the tranquil greenhouses, we continue to the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM). Opened in 1994, it’s housed in a historic 1933 Art Deco building with a sandstone facade and an ornate glass entryway. The museum has an extensive collection of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian art. The galleries come organised by theme rather than geography. In the rooms, visitors journey through the intercultural connections of art while exploring spirituality, nature, identity, and more.
Get tickets for $17.99, or $14.99 if you book online. My favourite section is Color in Clay, a corridor featuring a long glass case expertly curated with ceramic objects. Here, 8th-century Chinese figurines sit flawlessly beside 12th-century blue and white Persian plates. One of the museum’s most striking pieces, Some/One by Korean artist Do Ho Suh, is an expansive armoured robe sculpture. It’s made up of military dog tags to represent how individual soldiers comprise a collective strength.
Seattle – A Eclectic Mix for both Tourists and Deep Travellers
Leaving the museum, we reminisce on the weekend’s adventures, comparing touristy and under-the-radar experiences. From the tourist crowds of Pike Place to the local vibes of the Ballard Farmers Market. Views from the Space Needle to chilly vistas on the Bainbridge Island ferry. Or a Starbucks latte for a local cold brew. And this is the beauty of Seattle, it’s eclectic. Elegant yet laid back, hipster but mainstream, dreary but radiant. This city has character and culture and belongs on every itinerary for an authentic and immersive experience in the captivating Pacific Northwest.
Have you been to Seattle? What recommendations would you add to this travel guide? Let us know in the comment section! Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from travel guides, sustainable tourism and luxury travel tips, insightful interviews, and inspirational places to visit. One Planet Journey – The World’s First Deep Travel Magazine.
