Things To Do
Pike Place Market
The famous Pike Place is one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the United States. A great spot to walk around and take in the tastes and smells of local food. Be sure to also check out the flower and craft vendors too... One of our favorite spots is the Pink Door (reservations recommended). You will be able to see the fish being thrown at the main Pike Place Fish Market. A great spot for lunch or a beer is Old Stove Brewing Co. Other spots we love: Mee Sum Pastry, Le Panier, and Piroshky Piroshky... Pro tip: Don't waste your time waiting for coffee at the original Starbucks.
Seattle Center
This park was originally built for the 1962 World's Fair and hosts the Space Needle, Chihuly Glass Garden, and Museum of Pop. Chihuly is definitely worth it! You can also ride the monorail to/from downtown (the system is modeled after the one at Disney World). Either way, be sure to give this area a stop.
Lake Union
Rent a kayak, paddle board, or just go watch the seaplanes take off and land. This lake has a waterfront trail around its entirety. A great spot to relax is Gas Works Park (a place highlighting the remnants of the only remaining coal gasification plant) and is located on the north end of the lake. Be sure to check the website below for even more ideas.
Kerry Park
One of the best views of Seattle... also one of the most popular parks. Go here at sunset for the best glimpse of Mt. Rainier, Elliott Bay, and the skyline.
Seafair
As luck would have it, we chose to get married during Seafair. This is Seattle's largest summer festival. The fleet week portion is held on Seattle's waterfront during the week, but the majority of the action will be on Lake Washington on both the Saturday and Sunday after the wedding. There's a jet boat race, an air show, and the best part, the Blue Angels perform. Click the link below for more info.
Ballard
Ballard is a fantastic and vibrant neighborhood. This is the area near the ceremony/reception and is just north of downtown. Plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants. Be sure to check out the Ballard Locks. There is a small botanical garden there and you might be lucky enough to see some wildlife on the salmon ladder or watch some seals or sea lions hanging out. The National Nordic Museum has great exhibits on the area’s rich Scandinavian heritage. Fun fact: This area holds the vast majority of the Alaska commercial fishing fleet (i.e. 'Deadliest Catch').
Cruise or Ferry Ride
With Seattle being surrounded by water, one of the best ways to check it out is via a cruise or ferry... Argosy is one of the companies that operates vessels in both Elliott Bay and Lake Union. If you'd rather escape the city, take a Washington State Ferry (the largest ferry operator in the United States) over to Bainbridge Island. Fares are cheap if you walk on and downtown Bainbridge is walkable from the ferry terminal.
The Museum of Flight
The largest private air and space museum in the world. Check out where Boeing started and the aircraft they developed. Plenty to see if you are a museum buff.
Underground Tour
After the Great Fire in 1889 destroyed some 25 square blocks of mostly wooden buildings in the heart of Seattle, it was decided that all new construction must be of stone or brick masonry. The city built upon the old structures, filled in the space between the old buildings, and paved over the fill to raise the streets, making them one story higher than the old sidewalks that still ran alongside the original buildings... You can walk these sidewalks and see the buildings that were 'raised' one floor. A great activity for a really hot or rainy day.
Mount Rainier National Park
One of the three National Parks closest to Seattle, this place offers breathtaking views and spectacular trails. About a two hour drive from Seattle, both visitor centers at Paradise and Sunrise are great starting points for day hikes or a way to get closer to the mountain. We recommend getting there early as the parking lots at the top can fill up. One of the best hikes is the Skyline Trail Loop (6-miles, medium difficulty). Another option from Sunrise is the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail via Sourdough Ridge (6-miles, medium difficulty). Or if you want to avoid Paradise and Sunrise, hit up the amazing firetower at the top of Tolmie Peak (6-miles, medium difficulty).
Olympic National Park
Another great National Park not too far from Seattle. This one will require a ferry ride or you can opt to drive around the Sound. Olympic is one of the most diverse parks in the country. Mountainous alpine areas, beautiful coastlines, lush rainforests, and spectacular lakes. It's definitely a place best viewed over a day or two... If you do venture out there, make sure to do some research. Unfortunately, due to a recent fire, the Hurricane Ridge area is closed. We'd recommend Lake Crescent. It's picturesque and you can swing by the Lodge and enjoy the view while having a beer on the porch. If you have the time, the beaches along the coasts are huge and have great views of the Pacific. If you want to avoid the crowds, head to the Staircase area... Again this is a park you will want to make sure you arrive early at.
Whidbey Island
An island situated at the entrance to Puget Sound. You can take a short ferry or drive around. One of our favorite hikes is Ebeys Landing. It's a solid hike that starts on a bluff and drops down to a beach (6 miles, easy difficulty). Great views of the Olympics, Cascades, and Admiralty Inlet... Deception Pass is on the north side of the island. You can find some small coastal hikes or rugged beaches to relax at. It's Washington’s most-visited state park and can be quite crowded in the summer... Coupeville is a quaint little town with some craft stores and restaurants, if you'd rather enjoy some shopping and food. Website below has a full list of things to do on the island.
San Juan Islands
One of our favorite places in the PNW. These islands are known for idyllic landscapes, gorgeous state parks, biking, and just an overall relaxing way of life...Orcas and Lopez Island are the most populous and host the majority of lodging, dining options, and tourism activities. Rosario Resort & Spa is one of the spots we love on Orcas. If you make it to San Juan Island, definitely stop at Westcott Bay Shellfish for oysters and venture over to Roche Harbor for a drink. Lopez (also known as 'Slow-Pez') is a quiet place great for biking around and escaping city life...Traveling to the San Juan's requires planning! Hotels or vacation rentals fill up fast, and if you plan to drive onto the Islands, a ferry reservation is required. You can also take a floatplane right from Lake Union to Friday Harbor or Roche Harbor.
Vancouver
One of the best Canadian cities. You can take the train or drive up. Tons of bars and restaurants. Do your research. Make reservations. Go to Stanley Park and Granville Island Public Market.
Victoria
A bit further away, but a unique destination nonetheless. A very European city with some great history and delicious restaurants. Take a bus to the Butchart Gardens (ask Auntie Nancy about this one) and enjoy high tea there or at the Fairmont Empress downtown. You can take a ferry directly to Victoria from downtown Seattle, travel by floatplane, or take the car ferry from Port Angeles.