Explore Seattle in One Day: The Best of the City

Seattle is often the first stop for travelers heading to Washington’s National Parks, making it the perfect destination to explore at the start or end of your trip. With its stunning sights and delicious food scene, Seattle has something for everyone. Keep reading to discover the best of the city in just one day!

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Where to Stay in Seattle

I stayed at Belltown Inn and found it to be the perfect location for walking to all the spots on this list. It was a solid choice for a night’s stay, nothing fancy, but comfortable and convenient.

Breakfast at Biscuit Bitch

Start off your day with breakfast at Biscuit Bitch. I’m convinced they have the best biscuit sandwiches in the city. They have two locations: Pikes Place and Belltown. I visited the one located in Belltown, and it’s important to note there is no indoor seating. However if you’re lucky you can snag a table they have out front. The Pikes Place location does have limited indoor seating. 

On their menu you’ll find a variety of biscuit sandwiches and smothered biscuits. You can’t go wrong with either choice. If you’re a coffee lover, you HAVE to try the orange infused white chocolate mocha. I crave it now and can’t find one over here on the east coast. 

Tip: Place your order online because wait times can be up to 30 minutes. You’ll receive a text when your order is ready. 

The Space Needle

If it’s your first time in Seattle visiting the Space Needle is a must! You’ll want to buy your ticket in advance so you can reserve a time. You’ll still wait in line for the elevator, but atleast you can skip the ticket lines.

Enjoy the views of the city, bay and, on a clear day, Mount Rainier! Grab a cup of coffee on the top floor, then head down to the second floor to check out the new rotating glass floor. 

The Chihuly Garden and Glass

Just a short walk from the Space Needle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass. The glass gardens are unlike anything I’ve ever seen! You’ll come across a variety of hand-blown glass sculptures, each one unique and full of vibrant color.

Once you reach the outdoor section, there is a perfect photo opportunity with the gardens and the Space Needle towering in the background.

Tip: If you plan on visiting the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, purchase your tickets together here!

Pike Place Market

After exploring the Chihuly Garden and Glass, head over to Pike Place Market for lunch and some shopping. Pike Place Market is the oldest continuous farmer’s market in the country. I recommend setting aside a few hours to spend here because there is so much to explore!

You’ll find a wide range of food options, from fresh pasta and seafood to famous chowder, ice cream, sweets, and much more. The market also features vendors selling flowers, jewelry, clothes, soaps, and unique souvenirs.

Be sure to stop by the Pike Place Fish Market to watch the workers throw 3 feet fish around. People gather to watch the “show” and take videos, it’s a pretty cool experience. 

If you’re a Starbucks fan, stop by the original Starbucks store just across the street. Be prepared for long lines, though, so try to arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Enjoy Fresh Seafood for Dinner

You can’t leave Seattle without eating some fresh seafood first. There are plenty of options at Pike Place, or around Seattle if you feel like venturing out. We ate at Pike Fish Bar, this hole in the wall near the bubble gum wall. The vibe was very relaxed with self seating. The shrimp and chips were delicious and the oysters were so fresh my partner wanted to go back later that night.

If you’re looking for a good seafood restaurant outside of Pike Place, The Walrus and the Carpenter and Taylor’s Shellfish Oyster Bar are two more good options.

Activities in Seattle

If you have extra time in Seattle consider checking out a few other activities Seattle has to offer:

• Museum of Pop Culture– a must-visit for music, film, and gaming fans. This museum is known for its immersive exhibits covering everything from rock music and sci-fi to horror films and indie video games
• Amazon Sphere– the Sphere garden is open to the public for free the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. The Spheres feature a variety of plant species and waterfalls making it feel like a mini rainforest in the middle of the city.
• Gas Works Park– located on the site of a former coal gasification plant, it is one of Seattle’s most unique and scenic spots, offering stunning views of the city skyline across Lake Union
• Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour– If you are a foodie, consider taking a food tour. This one allows you to try food from 9 different vendors in Pike Place Market.

Getting Around Seattle

If you’re up for it, you can definitely walk between all the locations listed here, that’s what we opted to do. From Biscuit Bitch(the Belltown location) its only a half a mile to the Space Needle. The Space Needle and the The Chihuly Garden and Glass are located minutes apart. And the Chihuly Garden and Glass to Pike Place Market is a little farther, its a one mile walk and will take around 20 minutes.

You can obviously opt to take Ubers or even rent a car, though I don’t feel that’s necessary for a day stay. Parking can also be hard to find so I recommend either walking or Ubering.