Things to Do in Seattle
Space Needle
Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle gives 360 views of Seattle, the Puget Sound, and on a clear day the Olympic and Cascade mountains (including a great view of Mount Rainier). One of the most iconic tourist spots in the city.
Pike Place Market
We'll walk here from our apartment in the warmer months and buy produce and flowers. It is a must-do for anyone visiting the city. It's not far from the Edgewater and there's a fantastic newly completed pedestrian overpass that connects the market to the waterfront.
Take a Ferry!
We LOVE the ferries and if your visiting schedule allows, you have to take one. The easiest one is the ferry from Colman Dock (the downtown terminal) to Bainbridge Island. The ferry takes you to Winslow, which is a great little town on Bainbridge Island. It's like a Hallmark movie over there. You can walk on or drive your car onto the ferries here.
Gas Works Park
This park is located on the north shore of Lake Union and has an incredible view of downtown, iconic Seattle houseboats, and seaplanes landing and taking off from the lake. The paint scene in 10 Things I Hate About You was filmed here!
Washington Park Arboretum
A gorgeous and massive park with gardens and walking paths and access to the channel and Lake Washington. April might be a little early for some flowers to bloom here, but this place is gorgeous and located right in the city.
Take a Walk on the Elliott Bay Trail
We'll walk to this waterfront trail from our apartment and enjoy the water and boats. The trail is under construction but should be nearly done by the time of the wedding, so it'll be extra beautiful when you're here (hopefully).
Explore the Neighborhoods of Seattle
Seattle truly has such a diverse range of neighborhoods that you have to check out while you're here. We live in Lower Queen Anne (also called Uptown). We really recommend checking out our neighborhood, Queen Anne, Ballard, Wallingford, and Fremont!
Mercer Street Books - Lower Queen Anne
A used bookstore one block from our apartment and one of the best bookstores in the city! It has new and great quality books for half off. We call when you go in and find the exact book you were looking for that the Mercer Street gods have smiled on you.
The Golden Olive - Lower Queen Anne
Sydney's favorite restaurant in our neighborhood. Try the chicken fries!
Dos Chamucos Taqueria - Lower Queen Anne
Max's favorite restaurant in our neighborhood. Try the taquitos!
The Traveling Goat - Lower Queen Anne
Local bar that has trivia and drag bingo on alternating Mondays. Great food and drinks, and really friendly staff! Try their French 75 and mozzarella sticks.
Blue Highway Games - Queen Anne
Our favorite board game store in the city and just up the hill from our apartment! They have a great selection and a used game section upstairs.
Kerry Park - Queen Anne
One of the most iconic views you can get in the city, Kerry Park showcases downtown Seattle with the stunning Mt. Rainier (on a clear day). This park is uses in many shots of Gray's Anatomy!
Golden Gardens Park - Ballard
On the shores of the Puget Sound and overlooking the Olympic Mountains to the west, we usually go here to watch the sunset and look for seals!
Ballard Locks Fish Ladder - Ballard
Located at the Ballard Locks, where boats travel from the Puget Sound to the channel that connects the Sound to Lake Washington. You can enter the salmon viewing room and watch fish climb up the fish ladders for free! There's also a beautiful park here.
Fremont Troll - Fremont
A huge troll sculpture underneath one of the bridges in the heart of the city. It's the uncle to the Kraken's mascot Buoy. You can climb up it and learn more about Fremont, the neighborhood it's locate in.
Catch a Sporting Event
We love going to the games around here. Try the Torrent (women's hockey) or Kraken (men's hockey - we go to a ton of games because we live by the arena), or any team that's in season right now!
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Rec Area
Under an hour from Seattle, we go birding out here all the time. Pick any of the pull offs to get out and take in the mountains. There's some amazing hikes. We recommend the Oxbow Lake Loop trail and the Garfield Mountain trail!
North Bend
This town is near Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Rec Area. Its a smaller mountain/ski town but has some great food and great views of the Cascade Mountains! Twin Peaks was filmed here!
Visit a National Park
Mt Rainier National Park is about 2.5 hours from Seattle. This national park is one of the favorites that we've visited. Seeing the mountain (14,000+ ft!!) up close is unlike anything. Olympic National Park is a bit of a drive but absolutely worth it. You can hit snow-capped mountains, temperate old-growth rain forests, and signature Pacific Northwest beaches all in one day. Really an awesome place. North Cascades National Park is also here but we have yet to go!