Seattle in 3 Days

Get ready for an epic trip where you’ll experience the highlights of Seattle in 3 days! We’re about to dive into the coolest neighborhoods, iconic sights, and breathtaking landscapes that make this city shine. From sipping artisanal coffee to strolling along the water’s edge, you’ll be ready to soak up the vibes and uncover the must-see gems. Let’s make the most of your time and discover the best of Seattle.

Coffee & Snacks

Start your day in downtown Seattle by grabbing a coffee at the original Starbucks located in Pike Place Market. Or if waiting in that long line doesn’t sound like a good time, I absolutely loved my coffee nearby at Ghost Alley Espresso. It’s a cute little walk-up coffee shop nearby. Then grab a snack at the original  Piroshky Piroshky Bakery for a unique Eastern European style turnover sandwich. They have new additions to their menu all the time, but their apple roll was amazing.

Gum Wall

After getting your caffeine fix and snack, head over to the Gum Wall, a local attraction where visitors can stick their gum to a brick wall. It may sound gross, but it’s a unique sight to see and a fun picture backdrop.

Space Needle

Next, visit the iconic Space Needle, which offers stunning panoramic views of the city. I loved hopping on the Seattle Monorail at the Westlake Center for a fun and easy ride straight to the Space Needle. Then, once you’re their you can take the elevator to the top and see the city from a whole new perspective. Or even admiring it from the gardens below is a worthwhile experience.

Chihuly Garden

After taking in the views, head over to the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, which showcases the incredible glasswork of artist Dale Chihuly. These sculptures are extraordinary and so unique, and one of the top museums you should see in Seattle. This stop will take between 30 minutes to an hour on average to see everything since it is smaller.

Olympic Sculpture Park

For lunch, walk a few blocks over to The 5-Point Cafe, a legendary retro diner with all the best comfort food options. This diner opened in 1929, and has been a city favorite ever since. After lunch, take a stroll down towards the water and through the Olympic Sculpture Park, which features large-scale sculptures and stunning views of the Puget Sound.

Capitol Hill

End your day by exploring the nightlife in Capitol Hill. It’s a quick Uber trip there, and completely worth checking out.

Book Your Tickets

First things first, reserve your tickets online for the a Seattle Underground Tour. We were able to go and buy them in person, but the availability was limited because we procrastinated. So learn from my mistakes and book ahead!

Coffee Break

With plenty of time ahead of your tour time, take an electric scooter/bike or walk to Pioneer Park. Grab a coffee and baked good at the delicious Cherry Street Coffee House nearby to wait for your tour to begin.

Seattle Underground Tour

This Underground Tour is so unique and one of my favorite experiences from Seattle. You’ll learn so much about the city’s history and get to explore a whole different side of the city.

Chinatown

Next, head over to Seattle Chinatown to explore the diverse shops and food options. We were craving Dim Sum and stopped by a few different restaurants before finally deciding on Purple Dot. They had a lot of room and a great menu of options.

Nightlife

Head back to Pioneer Square in the evening to enjoy some of the top dining and bar options in Seattle.

Pike Place Market

For your final day, there is now better place to start than at Pike Place Market. Spend the mornings really exploring all that the market has to offer, and grab some snacks along the way. You may even catch a glimpse of the famous fish market tossing, which has turned into a whole show that is fun to watch.

Also, don’t forget to go out on the top deck to get great view of the city.

Waterfront Shops & Fun

Next make your way to the Seattle waterfront. There are so many cool shops and activities here, so stop and checkout anything that catches your eye. Like taking a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel, exploring Pier 55, or visiting the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop.

This is a really fun area to get your souvenirs and just get lost. Like we found these fun unicorn chalk drawings through the city that led to a cool shop and where we got a cute sticker. So random, but such a weirdly great time.

Seattle CityPass

However, if you have the Seattle CityPass and want to make the most of it read our Fun Things to Do in Seattle article, where I break down the best way to get the most out of your Seattle CityPass

In the evening, grab some drinks or dinner along the waterfront to soak in the beautiful views on your last evening in the city. I ended up putting my name down for a dinner at The Pink Door, and then grabbing a beer on the patio at Kell’s Irish Restaurant nearby, which was perfect.

The Pink Door has some of the best drinks and food I had on the trip. Plus, their patio has beautiful ocean views.

Seattle has a wide range of accommodation options to fit any budget. If you’re looking for a luxurious stay, with stunning views of the city and top-notch amenities. Or a more budget-friendly option, that offers a trendy and affordable option. Here are our top picks:

Seattle is a foodie’s paradise, with a wide range of restaurants and bars to choose from. For coffee, try one of the many local roasters in the area, such as Seattle Coffee Works or Victrola Coffee Roasters. For the most award-winning clam chowder head to Pike Place Chowder (but prepare for a very long line!). For a unique dining experience, try Canlis, which offers stunning views of the city and incredible fine dining.

Seattle has a great public transportation system, including buses, light rail, and ferries. The King County Metro Transit system is easy to use and affordable, with a range of ticket options to fit any budget. If you prefer to drive, Seattle has a range of car rental options available, as well as ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft.

Seattle can be overwhelming, so here are some tips to help you make the most out of your trip. Wear comfortable shoes, as Seattle is a very walkable city. Bring a rain jacket, as Seattle is known for its rainy weather. Take advantage of happy hour specials at local bars and restaurants. And most importantly, be open to trying new things and exploring all that Seattle has to offer.