Seattle is one of my favorite cities in America. Filled with amazing food, iconic sites, and beautiful landscapes, it is a must-visit stop in the Pacific Northwest.
The city of Seattle holds a special place in my family’s hearts. When my parents first moved to America from the UK in the 1980s, they lived in Seattle and have always talked so highly of the city and Washington state.
When I was growing up as a baby ballerina, I went to Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) for four summers in a row for their summer intensive. The program was five weeks long and I went from the ages of 12-15.
Seattle was the perfect city for someone of that age. I felt so comfortable walking around with my friends, even at 12 years old. Our ballet studios were located right next to the Space Needle in the Seattle Center, which was a stunning location. I truly cherish my summers that I spent there and the memories
that I made.
Seattle is an iconic city, becoming the setting for hit movies and TV shows like Sleepless in Seattle, Grey’s Anatomy, and 10 Things I Hate About You. There is so much to do and to see, that 48 hours probably won't be enough time for everything on this list. I would want a full week to really get into the city. But take what interests you from my personal recommendations of Seattle, and make your own itinerary to best suit your trip!
What to see:
Space Needle
The Space Needle is an iconic landmark that was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and is probably the most recognized feature of Seattle.
My favorite part of the Space Needle was the revolving restaurant that gave you a full 360° view of Seattle while you ate your meal. It was such a fun place to go get lunch or dinner, and was something we always made sure we had a reservation for before visiting in the summers. You were also given complimentary access to the observation decks. Sadly, the restaurant was closed in 2017, and in 2019, a new 21+ restaurant and bar was opened called The Loupe Lounge.
It looks like an interesting menu, but it does seem quite over complicated and that they're trying too hard to have different ingredients and cocktails. The other thing I don’t like is that it is only open from the fall to the spring, having closed on April 29th this year. That seems so silly to me, to be closed during the summer during the height of the tourism season.
The Space Needle’s observation deck gives you a great view of Seattle, offering both an indoor and outdoor vantage point; perfect for those of you who are afraid of heights and don’t like being outside when you’re high up!
You have to book a ticket to go up the Space Needle, with a specific time to arrive. Be warned that the lines can get a bit crazy if you’re there on a busy day, so don't expect to just walk in for your time slot. I always recommend getting there early. The elevators also have glass panels to see out of, so again, if you’re afraid of heights, keep your eyes closed in the elevators. It takes less than a minute to get up to the top, so you won’t be in the elevator for very long.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Chihuly Garden and Glass is a beautiful art museum at the base of the Space Needle. It is full of stunning blown glass works by American artist, Dale Chihuly. General admission tickets to the museum can range from $26-$39. Although it is a bit on the pricier side, it is well worth it!
There are two main areas to the museum: an indoor exhibition space and an outdoor garden where the glass works are incorporated into nature. Each room and glass sculpture is unique, full of different colors, shapes, sizes, and designs.
My favorite Chihuly sculptures within the museum were the glass ceiling room, the colorful boats, the red and yellow sculpture in the glasshouse, and the yellow curled sculpture in the garden.
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is a famous farmers market located on Elliot Bay in downtown Seattle. To get to Pike Place from the Seattle Center, simply take the Monorail at the base of the Space Needle and once you’re downtown, head southwest about four blocks.
There is so much to see and do at Pike Place; it is an endless maze of food and shops. While you’re there, definitely go to the famous fish mongers and watch them throw the fish to each other. It is a Pike Place staple! I also love a walk around the different jewelry stalls. My sister and I bought matching silver rings there, and I wore mine every day for almost 10 years before it disappeared off my finger one day. I was absolutely heartbroken, but when I returned to Seattle on my most recent trip, the stall was still there and I picked up a new one!
There is plenty to do around Pike Place Market as well, including the Gum Wall, the Original Starbucks, the Beecher’s Cheese shop, and more. Definitely have a good nose around. You don't want to miss out on any of these gems. Be prepared to eat good food and spend money on souvenirs!
Seattle Center and International Fountain
Many of the places on this list are located at the Seattle Center, including the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Bite of Seattle. It is a beautiful area to walk around, filled with plenty of sites, food spots, and places to relax in the sunshine.
One of the best parts of the Seattle Center is the International Fountain. On a hot summers day, you may find yourself in a swimsuit running between bursts of water as it puts on a fun, musical water show. Look out for rainbows that reflect off the water in the sun!
I spent most of my time in Seattle at the Seattle Center, as the PNB Studios are located just a two minute walk from the fountain. I can't think of a better place to have at your backdoor.
Bite of Seattle
The Bite of Seattle is a summer food festival that has been around since the 1980s. The festival takes over the Seattle Center, filling it with stalls from local chefs, restaurants and delicious food, as well as live music and entertainment.
After we had finished classes on the Saturday of The Bite each summer, we would all go out to get lunch and hang out in the sun. My highlight was the stand that sold chocolate covered strawberries on a stick. I would get the plain milk chocolate stick, but there were also dark and white chocolate combos, different sprinkles and toppings, and marshmallows and banana additions. I was also tricked into eating elk and alligator jerky by my roommate when I was 13, and I have to admit, they did taste good... sorry.
Fremont Troll
The Fremont Troll can be found in the Seattle neighborhood of Fremont. It is located at North 36th Street and Troll Avenue, underneath the Aurora Bridge and the E Line. The Fremont area is on the upper side of Lake Union, north of Queen Anne Hill.
The Fremont Troll is an art installation from the 1990s, and was the result of an art competition run by the Fremont Arts Council, who wanted something created under the bridge. I personally think it was a really fun addition!
The troll itself is free to visit. It is just a spot to check out quickly, maybe snap a photo, and carry on, but it is an impressive spot all the same! Fremont also has lots of shops and restaurants to potter around for a nice morning or afternoon.
Mount Rainier
If you’re hoping to get out of the city for a bit and explore the Pacific Northwest, look no further than Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier is an active volcano in the Cascade Range, and is the highest volcanic peak in the United States. You are able to climb Mount Rainier, though it is a long hike and definitely requires some experience.
My parents and I loved to visit Mount Rainier National Park on our trips, exploring the wildlife and going to lookout points. It is about a two hour drive from Seattle, so you will need a car to visit. If intense hiking isn’t your thing, there are many other lighter trails that give you beautiful views of the mountain range around you.
Seattle is one of those amazingly lucky cities that has the perfect balance of living by both the mountains and the water. It’s a dream come true for an outdoorsy person!
What to eat:
MOD
MOD Pizza, or Made of Demand Pizza, is one of my favorite pizza chains and has locations across Seattle. They have a location inside the Armory at the Seattle Center, near the PNB studios. On their menu, they have three different size options: the Mini, the MOD, and the Mega. The Mini was a perfect personal pizza portion for lunch, divided into four small quarters when cut.
My favorite thing from MOD, however, is the chocolate milkshake. I think it’s my favorite milkshake I’ve ever had; I always compare every milkshake I have to this one! They line the cup with chocolate syrup and the milkshake is like a thick soft serve ice cream. It’s absolutely delicious!
Original Starbucks
Starbucks, the iconic global coffee chain, originally started in Pike Place Market in March of 1971. The first store is still there today, with hundreds, if not thousands, of people visiting everyday.
Inside, the menu is no different than a modern-day Starbucks, but there are special mugs and memorabilia that can’t be found anywhere else.
I have only ever seen the outside of the store, as I have never felt the need to stand on the giant line for a drink I could get at one of the other 133 Starbucks locations in Seattle, but for some it is a must. For those coffee aficionados out there, who feel brave enough to face the crowds, this might be the stop for you.
Beecher’s Cheese
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is delicious. When I am able to get my hands on it, it is one of my top choices for a sharp cheddar cheese.
Their main store/café location is at Pike Place Market, but they have more in and around Seattle and at various airports around the US. You can also buy their classic Flagship Cheddar at Trader Joe's. At the Pike Place location, you are able to see the cheese makers at work, with the machinery churning the fresh curds.
In the Beecher’s cafés, they are known for their mac & cheese and their grilled cheese, with numerous different options to satisfy everyone’s cravings. Sadly, my favorite item is no longer on the menu - the Dungeness Crab grilled cheese. Every time I visit, I look at the menu with the hope that it has returned, but alas, not yet. Instead, I love to get the tomato soup and the Flagship grilled cheese.
Cupcake Royale
Cupcake Royale was founded in 2003 as Seattle’s first cupcake bakery and café. I didn’t discover it until my last summer at PNB, but I definitely made up for lost time and had a lot of delicious cupcakes in those five weeks.
I am a very big icing person, loving heavy amounts on my cupcakes, so Cupcake Royale is my dream sweet treat. They have lots of delicious flavors, and have vegan and gluten-free options as well, which are just as good as the normal cupcakes! I would often have to go for the Gluten Free Chocolate as they were so busy and would run out of flavors.
My favorite selection would have to be The Kate, Red Velvet, Triple Threat, and Dance Party.
Dick’s Drive-In
I must admit, when I first heard the name of Dick’s Drive-In at 12 years old, I had a very immature giggle. On Friday nights at the PNB summer intensive, we would sign up for runs to Dick’s and it was so much fun. The last night of the summer intensive, when there was no set bedtime, we would sign up to go at one or two o’clock in the morning, which was thrilling as an early teen.
I would always get a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake. It is simple fast food, but very effective in its classic and delicious recipes. Also a major plus is that it’s very affordable as well!
As it’s a drive-in, patrons just park in front, order at the till, and then take their food away with them or eat in their cars. Even at two in the morning, it is a hot spot for people craving a late night meal.
Bacco Cafe
Bacco Cafe was one of the first places that I went out to eat at my first time in Seattle. Located just up the hill from Pike Place Market, Bacco is the perfect breakfast spot.
They are known for their fresh squeezed juices, and actually converted me into liking juice again. After a traumatic experience with some warm Tropicana on a hot summer's day when I was about seven, I never touched the stuff. But the fresh OJ at Bacco… life changing. I do feel a bit snobby when I say I only like freshly squeezed juice, but the taste just can’t be beat.
To eat, I would definitely recommend the Dungeness Crab Benedict. Like the sandwich at Beecher’s Cheese, Dungeness Crab is amazing in Seattle, and a must-have (as is any seafood). It is a fun twist on an Eggs Royale, and the rich crab pairs so well with the creamy hollandaise sauce.
Huckleberry chocolates
Whenever I am in the Pacific Northwest, I have to get my hands on huckleberry chocolates. To me, it is a delicacy, and it is so hard to find them anywhere else. I have only found them once elsewhere, at a small shop on top of a mountain in Colorado, but otherwise they are a special, rare treat.
Huckleberries are sweet, purple berries that are almost a cross between blueberries and cranberries. My favorite way to have huckleberries are in cordial form, with either milk or dark chocolate. Huckleberry cordials are small chocolates filled with huckleberry syrup and they’ll come in either a purple or pink wrapping. I’ve also had the chocolate bar version, filled with the syrup, and it is equally as delectable.
Where to stay:
The Maxwell Hotel
The Maxwell Hotel is located across from the Pacific Northwest Ballet studios. Sitting near the heart of the Seattle Center, it is in a perfect location for tourists who want to have easy access to a number of locations from this itinerary.
The hotel is very colorful and comfortable, with clean and spacious rooms. I stayed by myself and found it a very pleasant experience. I had just turned 21 less than a week prior, so I took full advantage of my official legal status and had a drink and dinner in the bar.
The food at the hotel was really good! At the time, they had a build-your-own mac & cheese option, using the Flagship cheddar from Beecher’s, and it was some of the best mac & cheese I’ve ever had. I added grilled chicken, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and roasted red peppers to mine, and topped it with toasted breadcrumbs. It was rich and creamy, and had a really good flavor profile that melded so well together. I also had the loaded tater tots as a cheeky side dish my second night there, and those were super yummy as well, covered in nacho cheese, crispy bacon, and jalapeños.
The Maxwell Hotel is part of Staypineapple - a collection of boutique hotels around the US. It is located at 300 Roy Street, Seattle, WA 98109-4114.
DoubleTree at the airport
If you are looking to stay somewhere closer to the airport, the DoubleTree by Hilton is a great option! When I would fly to Seattle with my mom for my summer intensives, as we were flying from New York, we would get in quite late and stay here our first night before driving into downtown the following morning.
Every time we arrived to check in, we were given a warm chocolate chip cookie. This was such a delicious little treat after a long flight across America. But be warned, the cookies do contain walnuts, so for anyone with a tree nut allergy, do not eat them!
This hotel also has an onsite restaurant, so for any travelers getting in late, you don’t have to worry about trying to find a place for dinner in the dark.
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