Downtown Bainbridge is a cute little town and a great place to explore if you arrive early on Friday or are looking for something else to do on Saturday. The town is a short walk from the ferry terminal and includes several shops, a small art museum, some wine tasting rooms, a brewery and restaurants.
For panoramic views of Seattle, the sound, and surrounding mountains, there is no better place than the Columbia Tower on a clear day. Skip the lines at the Space Needle and check out these views instead (but if you want to check the Space Needle off your bucket list, look into the Seattle CityPASS to get discounted tickets to some of the city's best attractions).
Gorgeous glass sculptures by the famed Chihuly, located in the heart of the Seattle Center. **If you're interested in visiting this attraction and other Seattle classics, including the Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture, consider getting the Seattle CityPASS (https://www.citypass.com/seattle) to save money.
Our favorite museum in Seattle.
A fun, funky park on the northern shores of Lake Union with cool views of Seattle. Close to the heart of Fremont, which is a fun area to explore.
A Seattle must-see, if only to say you've done it. This bustling market is full of vendors and levels of little shops. While you're here, grab some cheese at Beechers, sip a beer and enjoy the view at Old Stove Brewery, and marvel at all the fresh flowers.
Our go-to hang out spot with friends. They've got a huge garden patio in the back that's fun for just hanging out. There are tons of other great breweries within walking distance, too (Obec, Stoup, Reuben's, Lucky Envelope, Populuxe, etc.)
This is the Starbucks to visit in Seattle. Located in the bustling, free-spirited Capitol Hill neighborhood, this is great spot to grab an artisanal brew.
Rent a kayak and explore the house boats along the shores of Lake Union!
Although we haven't been, this museum comes highly recommended by the Father of the Bride, Mr. Frank Ball. For those really interested in planes, we'd also suggest the Boeing Factory Tour up in Everett.
Want to see some planes being made? Check out the Boeing Factory Tour up at the factory in Everett, about 30 minutes north of Seattle.
A very popular, 7.2 mile day hike about an hour's drive outside the city. It can get quite crowded on weekends, but is perfect during the week or if you're willing to be patient. This was the hike that convinced Christine Seattle was the place to be. If you're looking for other hiking recommendations, check out the Washington Trails Association website (www.wta.org) to filter on the distance, elevation, type of scenery, etc!
If you're into oysters, this is the place to go. Shuck your own or have them shucked fresh for you, and enjoy with a crisp bottle of wine while looking out over the oyster farms from the picnic tables. To extend the adventure, take a hike up Oyster Dome trail (5 miles round trip) across the street. They also have restaurants in the Seattle area if you'd like to experience the oysters without the drive.
About 2 hours south of Seattle lies Mount Rainier National Park. There are some great hiking options from Paradise and Sunrise. This can be done as a long day trip from Seattle.
If you've got a few extra days, the San Juan Islands are an amazing place to check out - choose from San Juan, Lopez, or Orcas Island. You'll need to drive up to Anacortes and catch a ferry over to the islands (reservations highly recommended). Once you're there, enjoy the town of Friday Harbor (San Juan Island) and check out an orca watching expedition, or head to Moran State Park and climb up Mount Constitution before puttering in Eastsound (Orcas Island).
Another great addition to your itinerary if you have a few extra days in the area. ONP is ~3-5 hours from Seattle, depending on which area of the park you're headed to. Highlights include the beaches, Crescent Lake, Hurricane Ridge, and the Ho Rainforest.