Things To Do

Pike Place Market

Visit the iconic Seattle farmer’s market with amazing restaurants, local vendors, flowers, coffee, and more! If you’ve never visited, we highly recommend stopping in! There are lots of little alleys, buildings, and levels at the market, so make sure to take your time wandering around. Pop up to 1st Avenue for even more shops and restaurants. You can even check out these fun market scavenger hunts: https://watsonadventures.com/location/seattle/pike-place-market/ TIP: The most convenient parking lot near here is located at 1531 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101. If you're going on a weekend, get there right when it opens, it gets extremely packed.

Space Needle & Chihuly Garden and Glass

When you think Seattle, you automatically think of...the Space Needle! You will get a great view of the city and surrounding area and can stop by the famous Chihuly Glass Museum afterwards, located just steps away. You may also want to consider a CityPass if you're planning to partake in some of the other popular tourist attractions in the city!

Miner’s Landing Pier 57 Seattle

Great spot to visit for local shops, restaurants, and activities! You will find the Great Wheel here, as well as the departure location for Argosy Cruises and the ferries. Looking for some fresh seafood? Stop into the Crab Pot!

Puget Sound Express

Go whale watching! Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with a half-day, guaranteed whale watching tour (or your next trip is free!) See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the beautiful wildlife in the Salish Sea, departing from Edmonds – just about 30 minutes North of our wedding venue. Remember, our beautiful whales need their space, so you won’t be cruising right next to them, but just seeing them from a safe viewing distance is enough to take your breath away! $135 per adult.

Seattle Seaplanes Charter Flights

Seattle Seaplanes is a great way to see Seattle. Extended scenic flights, romantic dinner flights to neighboring islands, and private charters are all available. Book your flight today and discover the northwest in a seaplane!

Pioneer Square

Visit the oldest part of the city where you’ll find lots of historic buildings, shops, and restaurants! You can also go on the Seattle Underground tour (or a ghost tour!) where you’ll get to learn about the history of the city while exploring some underground tunnels. Restaurant recommendations: Casco Antiguo for churros and margs, Altstadt for beer and soft pretzels, Damn the Weather for drinks and snacks, or Salumi for sandwiches!

Smith Tower Tour

In 1914, Smith Tower became the first skyscraper in Seattle and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. For more than one hundred years, it has remained a cultural icon of the city, offering breathtaking, panoramic views and spectacular architectural beauty. Today, it features a unique visitor experience including a ground-floor gathering place with gifts, souvenirs, and treats; historical exhibits telling tales through time; and an Observatory with an open-air observation deck, 360-degree views of Seattle and beyond, and a speakeasy-style bar where you can enjoy a locally-inspired menu of shareable plates and classic cocktails.

Washington Park Arboretum UW Botanic Gardens

The University of Washington is beautiful to explore, in general, but for even more outdoor beauty, visit the botanic gardens!

Point Ruston

This is an up and coming shopping area in Tacoma with lots to explore! Take a walk along the waterfront, get some ice cream, then do some window shopping at local boutiques. Afterwards, keep on driving toward Point Defiance for a beautiful scenic drive.

Point Defiance Park

Just a quick drive from Point Ruston, visit Point Defiance to explore trails, Owen Beach, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, botanical gardens, and more! If the tide is out, go to Owen Beach and take a walk all the way down to the left until you get to the point. It's a bit of a walk, but you will see some amazing tide pools and cliffs.

Discovery Park

If you're looking for a relatively easy hike to a beautiful beach with a lighthouse, just minutes from the city...Discovery Park is the place for you! Great place to get in a walk and take in some scenery without having to go too far. Tip: Park in the South Parking Lot off of W. Emerson Street. If it's full, there is plenty of street parking in the neighborhoods just outside of the parking lot.

Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is about 40 minutes from Seattle! If you're able to make the drive, this hike has a short, paved trail - perfect for beginners. Stop into The Attic at Salish Lodge afterwards to re-fuel with some yummy food and drinks!

Alki Beach

Alki is one of the very first places we visited in Seattle and is still one of our favorite spots! Take a walk along the beach, get a drink and a bite to eat at the many restaurants, and enjoy bonfires on the beach at night. Unfortunately, the West Seattle Bridge has been closed for construction since 2020, so getting to Alki Beach from the North or East is not an easy feat. To avoid a long detour drive, your best bet is to catch the Seattle Water Taxi from Pier 50 in Downtown Seattle to West Seattle. It will pop you out right in the parking lot of Marination Ma Kai! If you’re staying South (Burien, Kent, Federal Way, Seatac, Tukwila, Des Moines, etc.), it will be much easier to drive to, but be sure to use Google Maps and follow the detour signs.

Mount Rainier National Park

If you’re going to be in town for a while and have time to visit Mt. Rainier National Park, you wont regret it! We recommend heading to Paradise, where you’ll find lots of trailheads all from the same parking lot. Just a tip: get out there as early as you possibly can (10am or earlier), as parking is very limited and it is a popular spot.

Agua Verde Paddle Club

Spend the day kayaking on beautiful Lake Union with a view of the Seattle skyline, paddle through beautiful houseboat communities, and grab a bite to eat at the Agua Verde Mexican cafe afterwards!

Whidbey Island

Whidbey Island is about an hour and a half to 2 hour drive North of Seattle, but you won’t regret it! Drive up I-5 then drive back down the island, taking the ferry back to the mainland on your way home and stop off at all of the little towns, farm stands, and more! Our favorite area is Deception Pass State Park. You’ll will have beautiful views of the wide open water and San Juan Islands in the distance, can soak up some sun on the beach, and explore the tide pools at low tide! There are also a few short hikes nearby if you park at Bowman Bay Boat Launch.

Bainbridge Island

You can’t come to Seattle and not experience a ferry. Drive on board the Bainbridge Ferry from Downtown Seattle and go check out a different area with even more trails, shoreline, shops, and restaurants!

Hot Tub Boats

Yes...you can rent a boat with a hot tub on it and cruise around Lake Union. We haven’t had the chance to do this yet, but it is definitely on our list!

Franklin Falls Trailhead

For those of you looking to get some beautiful scenic views, Franklin Falls isn’t too far of a drive and offers a relatively easy hike to a beautiful waterfall. It can be a bit busy in the summertime, so if you’ll be here on a week day, we recommend going then.

Poo Poo Point Trailhead

This is another great hiking option that is just about 30-40 minutes from Downtown Seattle at Tiger Mountain. Round trip, it is about 7 miles with some hefty elevation gain. So if you’re looking for a good workout, this hike is for you! At the top, you can often see paragliders sailing off the edge of the mountain!

Pacific Ocean

Want to visit the Pacific Ocean? You’ll be just over two hours away! Take your pick from either Westport or Ocean Shores, which will be the closest seaside towns to explore.

Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park rises above the North shore of Lake Union. This park was formerly a productive gasification plant, which converted superheated coal and crude oil into synthetic gas. It has since been turned into public park with great views of the city and the water.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery

Visit Washington’s oldest winery, celebrating over 50 years of winemaking! Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the few premium wineries in the world with two state-of-the-art wineries, one for red and one for white. While in Woodinville, do a quick search for other wineries and tasting rooms! You’ll have many to choose from. This is just under an hour from the Downtown Seattle area, depending on traffic.

Ghostfish Brewing Company

The brewery that forever changed Alex's life! Ghostfish is a 100% gluten free brewery and restaurant. After 16+ years, Alex has finally found beer that won't kill him! Great place to grab some yummy, allergy friendly bar food, or even brunch!

The Nest Rooftop Bar

Want some absolutely stunning views of the Puget Sound? Head up to the Nest, a swanky rooftop bar located on the top floor of the Thompson Hotel, just steps away from the Pike Place Market. Oh, did we mention that this is where Alex proposed?!

Red Star Taco Bar

This is our favorite Mexican restaurant, so of course, we highly recommend stopping in! This secret gem has some of the best margarita slushies you'll ever have, perfect for a hot summer day. Alex will argue that peach is the best, while Mackenzie suggests raspberry or mango.

Salty's on Alki Beach

This may be Alex’s place of work...but Mackenzie discovered it long before him and has been going to brunch here for years! Swing in on Saturday or Sunday for an extravagant brunch buffet and a stunning view of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound. When I say extravagant I mean crab legs, chocolate fountains, oysters, omelets, carved meats, Belgian waffles, and so much more! (I had to stop because I was drooling). Staying downtown? Your best bet is to catch the Seattle Water Taxi from Pier 50 in Downtown Seattle to West Seattle. It will pop you out right in the parking lot of Marination Ma Kai, just a short walk up the street from Salty’s. Staying further south? There is another location on Redondo Beach that is just as delicious!

The Dining Room at Salish Lodge

If you’re okay with driving about 40 min towards the mountains, or if you’re already planning a visit to Snoqualmie Falls, we highly recommend The Dining Room at Salish Lodge for breakfast/brunch! It’s a bit on the pricey side, but worth every penny for the views, the large portions, and the yummy food! Be sure to make a reservation in advance! Free valet parking available.

The Attic at Salish Lodge

This is a cozy, casual bar above the Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls. Great option to grab some food after a hike to the falls or for a romantic dinner out while overlooking the falls at night! Be sure to check hours, as this spot sometimes opens a little later in the day.

Marination Ma Kai

Soak up some sun with a view of Seattle’s skyline while eating Hawaiian food! Tacos, kimchi fried rice, sliders, outdoor seating...what else could you want?! Staying downtown? Your best bet is to catch the Seattle Water Taxi from Pier 50 in Downtown Seattle to West Seattle. It will pop you out right in the parking lot of Marination Ma Kai!

Lowell's Restaurant

If you're looking for a unique Seattle experience for breakfast or lunch, Lowell's is the place for you! This restaurant is right within the main stretch of Pike Place Market with three levels of dining offering beautiful views of the Puget Sound, the Great Wheel, and all that Seattle has to offer. TIP: Try and get there early for breakfast and make sure you request to dine in.

Casco Antiguo

Best scratch margaritas and churros in the city!

The Pink Door

Looking for a romantic date night out? The Pink Door is an elegant and eccentric burlesque themed Italian restaurant tucked away in Post Alley at the Pike Place Market. Be sure to make a reservation in advance!

The Mountaineering Club

Ivar's Salmon House

Little Water Cantina

Speakeasy Scene

Seattle has several speakeasy style bars that are definitely worth checking out! Click here to explore some of the most notable ones!