The Perfect 3-Day Visit to Seattle
As an East Coast girl, I don’t get out to the West Coast as much as I’d like. But I do love a visit to Seattle, whether solo or with friends. Keep reading for my itinerary for the perfect 3-day visit to Seattle.
Where to Stay
When I choose where to stay, my main criteria is usually location, which is why I stay in the downtown area during my visits to Seattle. It is the best option to get everywhere I want to go fast.
Downtown
The Paramount Hotel: $$. A wonderful hotel, with all my boxes checked. Great staff, quiet rooms, ideal location. On the higher end of my mid-range budget, but I would say worth it if splitting a room.
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA: $. A more affordable option, more centrally located downtown. More bare-bones, but worthwhile to save some money.
Day 1: Pike Place Market and Sunset Views
My first order of business is going to the #1 spot on any Seattle bucket list, Pike Place Market. It’s iconic for a reason, with so many vendors and stores to check out. Depending on the time of day you visit, you can get any food, a great glass of wine, gorgeous flowers, all your groceries for the week, used books, souvenirs, and anything else you can think of. Some of my favorites include:
- Truffle Queen: the best truffle salt ever, plus other truffle products. They also have free wine tastings.
- Totem Smokehouse Smoke Salmon: yummy salmon jerky in great flavors like garlic pepper and spicy maple.
- Pike Place Urban Garden: a quiet patio garden tucked beside the Maximilian Restaurant.
- White Heron Cellars: hidden gem wine bar with great views and a spot to rest before continuing to explore.
Kerry Park
After Pike Place, it’s time to explore farther away. I love a good skyline view and a sunset, and the best place to get both in Seattle is Kerry Park. This is in the Queen Anne neighborhood, so if you have time, it’s an area worth exploring beyond the park.
On a clear day, you can see Mt. Rainier in the background, making this a spectacular photo spot.
Day 2: Museums and Baseball
Seattle has some wonderful museums. Two that I’ve loved while visiting are the Chihuly Museum and the Museum of Pop Culture.
Chihuly Garden and Glass: $35-$45 general admission
If you aren’t familiar with Dale Chihuly, he’s a famous American glass artist who has exhibits across the country and was born in Tacoma, WA. His Seattle museum showcases some of his work over the last 40 years, plus a greenhouse, garden, and theater.
Museum of Pop Culture: $39.95 regular ticket
If you love pop culture as much as I do, add the Museum of Pop Culture to your Seattle itinerary. This museum had exhibits on video games, music, movies, TV shows, and photography. The highlights for me were the fantasy, horror, and sci-fi exhibits, as well as the special photography exhibit.
Seattle Mariners Game
If you have followed my other posts, like my Pittsburgh Day Trip post, you’ll know I am visiting every MLB ballpark. So if you enjoy baseball like me, or sports in general, add T-Mobile Park to your list. Home of the Seattle Mariners, this park has great views, a fun atmosphere, and is easily accessible by the Link light rail.
Day 3: Bainbridge Island
On the last day of my visit to Seattle, I wanted to enjoy the water and get away from the downtown area, so a ferry ride was in order. The ferry costs $11 one way and takes about an hour, but the day on the island is a great little escape.
The best ways to fill this day trip are to explore the main street, stop by the different tasting rooms for some delicious Washington wine, and wander along the scenic trails.
Bonus: Mount Rainier National Park
I will always recommend visiting a nearby national park, if you have the time or means. Seattle has 3 national parks “nearby.” But for a short visit to Seattle, Mount Rainier is the only one that is somewhat feasible. It is a 2-hour drive away and can be visited on a long day trip.
Some tips for a Mount Rainier day trip include:
- Check the weather, but also prepare for anything. It is very unpredictable, and you may not even see the mountain at all.
- Prepare for bear and other wildlife sightings.
- Do your research on trails that fit your fitness level and time, and of course, enjoy the park!
If you are visiting Seattle soon either solo, with friends, a significant other, or with family, I hope this itinerary helps make your planning a bit easier!
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