Seattle is a great city to spend a weekend in! There are lots to see and do, and if you base yourself in the downtown area, there are several major sights that are all in easy distance from one another. I would recommend going in the summer or fall months and seeing a few ‘must-see’ spots for the Seattle experience.
Here are my top 3 things to see in Seattle:
Pike Place Market
The super-popular Pike Place Market is located on the Seattle waterfront overlooking Elliott Bay, and a great place to start your Seattle experience. The Market is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers’ markets in the United States, first opening August 17, 1907. The market and surrounding neighbourhood are both filled with vibrant merchants, vendors, artisans, restaurants and shopping. It’s a great place to spend a few hours, and you can even visit the first Starbucks directly in front of the Market, for a mid-day latte.
Space Needle
Another can’t-miss Seattle experience is going up the Space Needle, the iconic observation tower that overlooks the downtown and Bay area. It was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, which drew over 2.3 million visitors. Today it’s a great way to get a 360-degree view of the downtown Seattle skyline, as well as the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Elliott Bay. There is also a restaurant at the top and numerous restaurants and museums in the surrounding area. It’s a great spot to spend a few hours.
Underground Tour
Seattle has an amazing history, and a great way to experience it is by starting underneath the surface. After the Great Fire of 1889, the city was re-built ontop the old ruins an entire floor higher. Take the Underground Tour through the subterranean original city in a 75-minute guided walk that begins beneath Doc Maynard’s Public House, then into historic Pioneer Square, Seattle’s birthplace and more. It’s a really unique and humorous way to learn more about the city.
