We went to Seattle on our first Stadium Tour, and it was a jam-packed 3-day weekend! There was so much to see and do, and we took advantage of all the city had to offer!
Tips for Planning a Weekend in Seattle
- Buy a CityPASS! When doing my research and planning for the trip, I picked several places and activities to do, and it turns out the City Pass includes Admission to most of them – and at a discounted rate! The passes are valid for 9 consecutive days in case you want to spend more time exploring the area.
- There is no need for a car in Seattle! Seattle is a very walkable city, but it’s also very hilly, so choose your hotel based on how much you want to walk uphill! The closer to the water, the fewer hills you’ll have to climb unless you are moving away from the water.
- If you don’t want to walk, Seattle has excellent public transportation! We took the train from the airport, and the monorail to several attractions.
- We had a “city” weekend and spent most of our time in the downtown area, but because of its location between the Olympic and Cascade mountains, Seattle has fantastic hiking. If you’re not a hiker, there are plenty of beautiful, less strenuous nature walks as well! The Washington Trails Association is a great resource to use.
Things to Do in Seattle
1. Take a Harbor Cruise:
Included in the CityPASS, the Argosy Harbor Cruise is a one-hour narrated cruise with amazing views of the Seattle skyline and the Olympic and Cascade mountains, and interesting information about the city’s neighborhoods and shipping industry. It’s a nice way to get oriented to the city, and offers great photo opportunities!
Olympic Mountains 
Century Link Field
2. Watch the otters play at the Seattle Aquarium
Another CityPASS inclusion, the Seattle Aquarium allows visitors to view the sea life of the Pacific Northwest, play in a touch pool, and learn about seals and otters! The Aquarium is a great place for kids, but the adults will have just as much fun!
3. Learn Seattle history on the Seattle Underground Tour
The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 destroyed the heart of Seattle, the city rebuilt on top of its old buildings, and created the Underground in current Pioneer Square. The structures vary a lot, but there clearly was a city underneath the current streets. Even though it may not be instagram-worthy, the tour itself is full of interesting Seattle history, and the guides are hilarious! They’re also very knowledgeable about the city, and always good for a restaurant or bar recommendation. After your tour, visit the Smith Tower observatory for more great views of the city.
4. Compose your own music at the Museum of Pop Culture
The Museum of Pop Culture (or MoPOP) is THE place to learn more about Seattle’s music legacy, like the rise of Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Beyond the Seattle music scene, the museum has fantastic, interactive exhibits that allow visitors to create and play their own music. There is also a fun video game interactive exhibit, a fashion design exhibition, and an entire hall dedicated to science fiction and fantasy. MoPOP is another option on the CityPASS.
5. Marvel at the sculptures in the Chihuly Garden and Glass
Located next to the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass is a beautiful garden and art exhibit that showcases the avant garde glasswork of Tacoma, Washington native, Dale Chihuly. Use your CityPASS to spend an hour or so wandering around the unique and gorgeous art installation, and marveling at the craftsmanship of these large hand-blown glass pieces.
6. Visit the top of The Space Needle
The Space Needle is the most recognizable building in the Seattle skyline, and the views from it are fantastic! Use your CityPASS for a timed entry to view all of Seattle during the day, then come back again at night for FREE to see the beautiful sunset behind the mountains. The Space Needle has so many great ways to see the beauty of Seattle, from an open-air observation deck to The Loupe, a revolving glass floor. When you return in the evening, be sure to have a drink at Atmos Wine Bar and watch the sunset!
7. Catch a Fish at Pike Place Market
The Pike Place Market is home to some iconic vendors and stores. Grab a coffee at the 1st and Pike Starbucks, the first Starbucks ever, and spend time wandering through the market and shopping from the many produce, flower, and home goods vendors.
1st and Pike – the First Starbucks opened in Seattle in 1971 
Scarves for sale in Pike Place Market
Of course, no visit to Pike Place Market is complete without a stop at the Famous Pike Place Fish Market! If you’ve never heard of the Fish! Philosophy, be sure to check it out before you go to Seattle, and ask the Famous Fish Guys about it – they are more than happy to tell you! When we went, the Copper River Salmon had just arrived, so we shipped one to my parents as an anniversary present. My hubby even got to (attempt to) catch it as they threw it across the market!
Hubby caught that fish! 
Fish at the Famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle
There are lots of restaurants and shops in the area to grab a bite. I recommend stopping in at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese to taste some delicious cheese that you can watch them make, and to taste their self-proclaimed World’s Best Mac ‘n’ Cheese (and it may very well be!). My beer-loving family would say that a stop at the Pike Brewing Company for a tour (with samples, of course!) and a visit to the Microbrewery Museum can’t be missed!
8. Test Your Flying Skills at The Museum of Flight
My bro-in-law is an aerospace engineer, and this museum was heaven for him. He wasn’t the only one having fun though – we all had a great time! Learn about anything and everything having to do with flight, from commercial airlines to military helicopters to the space shuttle. There are add-on experiences, so be sure to visit the website to plan a trip. It’s easy for the whole family to spend the entire day at the museum. Tip: Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free! This museum is the only destination on my list that is not downtown, but it is accessible by bus. We drove, and visited the museum on our way down to Portland!
9. Catch a Baseball, Football, or Soccer Game!
They don’t raise the 12 flag in Seattle for nothing! Seattle has a great sports culture, so make the time to catch a game while you are in town! The Seattle Sounders have the best MLS fan experience that I have witnessed so far, and Seahawks fans are passionate and loud! T-Mobile Park (formerly Safeco Field) is a gorgeous ballpark to catch a Mariners game, and the retractable roof means never having to contend with Seattle rain during a game. Or, head down to Tacoma to see Megan Rapinoe and the Reign FC play in the National Women’s Soccer League.
