THINGS TO DO

Downtown Seattle Tourist Attractions

Pike Place Market: Seattle classic. Sometimes kitschy, but there's also a lot of amazing vendors and food options. Explore all the levels!

• You can drive, but we would recommend public transit or walking if you are staying downtown. Do NOT drive on Pike Place itself, you will be sad. 

Space Needle: A very cool 360 degree view of the city, albeit a bit pricey for what it is. (If you have limited time or budget, consider skipping it!)

• Take the LightRail to Westlake and then take the Monorail to Seattle Center. 

Seattle Aquarium: It's small but great if you really like aquariums (which we do). 

• Located on the waterfront very close to Pike Place. 

Kayaking on Lake Union: Great views of the city and you can go right up to the houseboats. Sea planes will take off and land right on the water with you!

• We've rented from Moss Bay and Northwest Outdoor Center. 

OUR FAVORITE DAY TRIPS

Take a Ferry to Bainbridge Island: 

This is where we got engaged! ❤️ Bainbridge is a charming little island just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle full of beaches, gardens, and shops. A car is not needed for much of the main area of Bainbridge (just walk on the ferry!), but can be nice to have if you want to see more beaches/gardens/areas of Bainbridge.

Some favorite Bainbridge stops:

• Bainbridge Island Museum of Art & Bainbridge Island Museum (closed Mon/Tues) – Both tiny gems and free to enter!

• Blackbird Bakery is great, as are basically any of the many local bookstores, craft stores, etc. in Winslow.

• Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is touching. If you're interested in Japanese American history, definitely visit Bainbridge Island Museum as well. 

• Any of the many beaches along Bainbridge with a view of Seattle!

Go Wine and/or Whiskey Tasting in Woodinville!

Located about 30–40 minutes northeast of Seattle, Woodinville is a good spot for tasting rooms, distilleries, and food. 

• Chateau Ste. Michelle – Washington’s most iconic winery with beautiful grounds and tastings.

• Woodinville Whiskey Co. – Craft whiskey with tastings and distillery tours.

Drive the North Cascade Highway (SR 20)

This is one of the most stunning places Sarah has ever been. You can stop and hike, or just plan to pull the car over and stare. Even more magical at sunset. Takes about 2.5–3 hours to drive, so this is more of a long day trip. Could be combined in a loop with Leavenworth. Highlights include:

• Diablo Lake Overlook – Beautiful turquoise water, especially vibrant on sunny days.

• Rainy Lake – An easy 2-mile round-trip walk to a beautiful glacial lake.

• Washington Pass Overlook – A quick pull-off with incredible views of Liberty Bell.

Our Favorite Hikes

Seattleites are avid hikers -- if the weather is good, arrive before 8am on the weekend if you want to park in the lot. Please read up on trail conditions and be prepared if you head into the mountains as many trails may still be covered in snow even in late June. If you want to suffer more than our below recommendations, check out Mailbox Peak (Old Trail) or the Enchantments Traverse. 

Discovery Park and Lighthouse Loop Trail - 4.4 mi, 469 ft

• Seattle’s largest city park and a great close-to-town hike. On clear days, you'll get stunning views of Puget Sound and the Olympics. More of a hike than a walk, but beginner-friendly (you don't have to go the full 4.4 miles to get great views, it's mostly just a big park so choose your own path!) No pass required.

Chain Lakes Loop - 6.2 mi, 1794 ft (Day Use Fee)

• Slightly shorter but still beautiful lake hike located up north near Mount Baker. 

Bridal Veil Falls and Lunch Rock via Lake Serene - 7.6 mi, 2723 ft (Northwest Forest Pass)

• Gorgeous hike near Stevens Pass with a lake at the finish! Near Index, WA, around an 80 min drive from Seattle. 

Colchuck Lake via Stuart Lake - 8.7 mi, 2342 ft (Northwest Forest Pass or Fee)

• One of Connor and Sarah's favorite hikes in Seattle! Stunning glacial lake you can swim in. Be prepared for rough but safe roads to the parking lot. Allow 3 hours from Seattle for the unpaved roads at the end. Located in Leavenworth if you choose to camp or spend the night in town. 

Mt Rainier Skyline Trail - 5.6 mi, 1778 ft 

• It's a bit early in the season for Mt Rainier, July/August is ideal, but Skyline Trail is Connor's all time favorite hike in Seattle. Before going, CHECK RECENT REVIEWS ON ALLTRAILS or trail condition reports to be sure it is not completely covered in snow and is safe to hike. When we've gone, it's been full of beautiful views, wildflowers, waterfalls, and meadows with lots of marmots and wildlife too. Simply incredible. You MUST arrive early or you will not be able to park. Recommended to arrive before 8AM, ideally before or around 7AM (also double-check Mt. Rainier's Timed Reservation Entry policies, this area didn't need one in 2025, but might need one in 2026!)

Take a Ferry to Olympic National Park, which is also full of incredible hiking and camping, such as Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge or camping on Rialto Beach (permit required!)

Seattle has endless hiking, camping, and backpacking, so search around if none of the above are catching your interest but you still want to get outside!

Our Favorite Parks

Washington Arboretum and Japanese Garden - This is a beautiful place for a long walk! Everything will be blooming. Stop by Mt. Bagel (opens 9am, closed Sunday/Monday) for grab-and-go breakfast, the salt bagels are life-changing. 

Bike From Gasworks Park to Magnusson Park - Both of these parks are lovely spots to hang out. Gasworks is a quick stop with great views of Lake Union (good for picnics/sunbathing), while Magnusson has more walking trails and views of Lake Washington. If you're feeling active, rent a bike and bike the Burke-Gilman trail between them (there are breweries and food spots in between!). Alternatively, hang out at Gasworks and then go to one of Fremont's many bakeries, breweries, or restaurants!

Seward Park - Seattle's oldest park. There are some lovely forested areas for walking. 

Kerry Park - Located in Queen Anne. No walking, just a viewpoint of the city with Mount Rainier in the background on clear days. Popular with tourists, so it may be crowded!

Volunteer Park - Near the Arboretum, and has lots of lawn space. The Asian Art Museum and Conservatory are lovely. 

Discovery Park: More of a hike than a walk, to the northwest of the city. There are many things to explore! 

Cougar Mountain Regional Park - In between Issaquah and Seattle. Lots of options for hiking or trail running. 

Our Favorite Museums

Chihuly Museum - Showcases glass art from Dale Chihuly. Unique to Seattle, and you get the most beautiful view of the Space Needle from inside. Located in the Seattle Center. 

Seattle Asian Art Museum - Great collection, not too busy, and in the middle of Volunteer Park!