There’s no shortage of things to do in this PNW metropolis. We created the perfect itinerary for your Seattle weekend trip that combines the top attractions with some hidden gems away from the crowds!
Whether you’re visiting from out of state, or passing through on a PNW road trip, Seattle makes for an incredible weekend getaway.
The combination of ocean to the west coupled with mountains looming in the east makes the city a particular draw for nature lovers. And the food, music and art scene gives urbanites a reason to keep coming back.
We should know… We’ve visited Seattle on countless occasions.
Why trust us to help plan your Seattle weekend getaway?
We called Washington state home for the better part of a year, and have made many trips to Seattle where we packed our weekends full of fun (and usually cheap!) things to do.
Since moving to Bend, Oregon in 2019, we’ve been up to visit Seattle on numerous occasions and continue to explore all the city’s nooks and crannies.
Combining all of our experience exploring Seattle, we’ve created what we think is the perfect 3-day Seattle itinerary for first-time visitors. You’ll experience a mix of Seattle’s iconic attractions and local treasures.
So pack your rain jacket, embrace the city’s laid-back vibe, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend!
Seattle Weekend Guide
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- More or less time
- More things to do in Seattle
- Day trips from Seattle
- Seattle travel guide
- Where to stay in Seattle
- More Washington travel resources
Day 1: Iconic Seattle sights
- Pike Place Public Market
- Optional: Food Tour
- Post Alley Gum Wall
- Space Needle & Chihuly Garden
- Best view of Seattle at Kerry Park
- Cabaret Show at The Pink Door
- Handcrafted cocktails at Seattle’s “Secret Bars”
Morning
Start your morning at Pike Place Market, Seattle’s famous market (arguably the most famous in America!) and an iconic symbol of the city.
Arrive early to watch fishmongers toss salmon and grab a coffee from the original Starbucks (just prepare for a line). Stroll through the market’s eclectic shops full of fresh seafood, local crafts, and mouthwatering eats.
Best stops at Pike Place Market
- Be sure to make it to the Beecher’s Cheese shop, where you can sample this famously delicious cheese or anything your dairy-loving heart desires.
- Oprah loves the mac ‘n cheese here, so you probably want to give it a whirl!
- Pike Place Chowder serves up a tasty bowl of creamy seafood goodness.
- For a pick-me-up, stop at Rachel’s Ginger Beer for a famously fun drink!
- Piroshky Piroshky is a small Russian bakery that is famous in the area.
Just around the corner from Pike Place, you’ll wander into the quirky and colorful Post Alley Gum Wall. Bring with you a pack of bubble gum for a cute photo op and try to guess how many pieces are actually on the wall: Hundreds? Thousands? (I’m kinda bad at estimations.)
Chef-guided food tour of Pike Place Market (optional)
If you want to sample the best of the best in Pike Place, tour this market in the company of a trained chef!
Along with your expert in all things food, you’ll stop at 9 different artisanal vendors and sample the flavors of the PNW.
Here’s what guests are saying:
“Loved this experience with Eric as it included a wide variety of great food, a bit of Seattle history and interesting information about the market. As a long time Seattle resident I learned a lot about the market I didn’t know. Highly recommend!”
-Beth, February 2023
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon visiting some more of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks in the Seattle Center.
The Space Needle is without a doubt the most iconic man-made feature of Seattle. The futuristic design resembles a flying saucer perched on the top of a needle point and offers panoramic views of the city.
Seattle Space Needle
- Cost: $35- $42.50 per person (ages 13-64)
- $29-$37 per person (ages 65+)
- $26-$32 per person (ages 5-12)
- Hours: 10am to 9pm (Friday)
- 9am – 9:30pm (Saturday)
- 9am – 8:30pm (Sunday)
- 10 am opening on weekdays – closing hours vary
- Google Maps Location
- Official website
Our personal opinion: Personally, we’d recommend skipping going to the top of the Space Needle, and instead heading to the Smith Tower Observatory, where you can enjoy a handcrafted cocktail with a view for just $19 general admission!
Next, feast your eyes on the mesmerizing glass art in Chihuly Garden & Glass. The famous artist, Dale Chihuly was born in Tacoma, Washington and this long-term exhibit is a great place to see much of his colorful, awe-inspiring work in the center of Seattle.
Chihuly Garden & Glass
- Cost: $29 – $37.50 per person (ages 13-64)
- $24.50 – $32 per person (ages 65+)
- $22 – $28 per person (ages 5-12)
- Hours: 10am to 7pm (Friday)
- 9:30am – 8pm (Saturday)
- 10am – 7pm (Sunday)
- 10 am opening on weekdays – closing hours vary
- Google Maps Location
- Official website
Save big with Seattle CityPass!
If this is your first visit to Seattle, and you really want to see all the top attractions, you’ll likely want to get a CityPASS.
This includes admission to both:
-
Space Needle
-
Seattle Aquarium
Plus, you get admission 3 more attractions of your choice:
-
Chihuly Garden and Glass
-
Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
-
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
-
Woodland Park Zoo
Use the CityPASS website to calculate how much money you’ll save versus visiting all of the attractions on their own.
Grab Your CityPass!Evening
This evening is reserved for the best view of Seattle’s skyline! Head to Kerry Park just before sunset and watch as the sky turns to dusk and colors roll in over the iconic skyline.
Don’t let the big views fool you – this park is perched on a tiny little slice of land, so you don’t need to allot much more time here than it takes your camera shutter to click. And boom, you’ve captured one of the most Instagrammable spots in Seattle!
Afterward, catch a show at The Pink Door, a beloved local spot blending Italian cuisine with live entertainment. From live music to their famous cabaret & burlesque shows on Saturdays that feature aerial artists, be sure to make reservations in advance for the bar area.
And finally, if you’re looking for a nightcap, end the night with handcrafted cocktails at one of Seattle’s “secret” speakeasies — Needle & Thread and Bathtub Gin & Co. are favorites.
Day 2: Fremont & Capitol Hill
- Fremont Troll
- Picnic in Gasworks Park
- Go brewery hopping
- Capitol Hill
- Sample Seattle’s best ice cream
- Authentic Vietnamese food
Morning
Spend the second morning of your Seattle weekend trip in the artsy neighborhood of Fremont. This is one of our favorite neighborhoods to explore. It has a quirky, laidback vibe and there are lots of cool cafes, coffee shops, breweries and boutiques that you can walk to.
Our favorite things to do in Fremont
- Find the Fremont Troll – it is a landmark of this neighborhood
- Glimpse the houseboats in the marina and imagine what it’s like living there… (we have our “dream houseboats” picked out!).
- Get unique views of the city from the waterfront
- Grab Caribbean sandwiches at Paseo
- Sample local beer at Fremont Brewing
- Tour the Theo Chocolate Factory
- Shop local at the Fremont Sunday Street Market
Afternoon
Pack a picnic and head to Gasworks Park, where you can lounge on the grass and enjoy sweeping views of Lake Union and the city skyline. If you’re in the mood, visit one of Fremont’s breweries, like Fremont Brewing or Reuben’s Brews, for a craft pint.
Evening
Head to Ba Bar for dinner. An upscale Vietnamese restaurant in University Village with a buzzy atmosphere and deliciously authentic cuisine.
After dinner, make your way to Capitol Hill, “Seattle’s coolest neighborhood” and the LGBTQ epicenter.
Treat yourself to some of the city’s best ice cream at Molly Moon’s, or the plant-based Frankie & Jo’s before exploring Capitol Hill’s nightlife. Mosey into any bar that strikes your fancy — you’ll find all types of scenes in this neighborhood!
Day 3: Discovery Park & Ballard
- Discovery Park
- Ballard neighborhood
- Dinner and bonfire on the beach
Morning
Begin your final day in Seattle with a peaceful walk around Discovery Park.
With nearly 12 miles of walking trails, this is the largest green space in the city. It’s a great place to feel like you’ve escaped the traffic and buildings without leaving the city limits.
Take the Loop Trail to enjoy forested paths, open meadows, and stunning views of Puget Sound and the West Point Lighthouse.
Afternoon
Ditch the touristy areas and find some excellent (and affordable!) eats in Ballard, a historic neighborhood with Nordic roots.
Here are some recommendations in the Ballard neighborhood:
- Ballard Coffeeworks: sweet coffee shop
- Reuben’s Brews: taproom with local vibes
- Asadero Ballard: authentic Mexican, reservations recommended
- Pestle Rock: Thai cuisine
- Hattie’s Hat Restaurant: local diner, long-loved for their brunch and homey digs
Explore the unique shops and perhaps visit the Ballard Locks to watch boats pass between Lake Union and Puget Sound.
Evening
End your Seattle weekend itinerary with a cozy bonfire on the beach.
Building a bonfire on the beach is one of our all-time favorite summer traditions!
Beginning at the end of May through the summer months, Golden Gardens Park is the perfect place to enjoy a proper Pacific Northwest sunset with your own beach bonfire.
Fire pits are unlocked between 4-5pm daily, and are available on a first come first served basis. You must extinguish your fire by 9:30pm.
Pick up takeout pizza from Sunny Hill and enjoy it fireside as you watch the sun set over the water.
Have more or less time? What to add or cut
Truthfully, we think this is the perfect 3 day Seattle itinerary for your first trip and we wouldn’t change a thing! You’ll see so much in just a weekend, but also have time to relax and soak up the vibe without being rushed.
If you are lucky and have some extra time, or if your trip is shorter, we have some suggestions for things you could add or cut from your Seattle itinerary:
If you have less than 3 days:
- We would suggest a shortened version of this itinerary as follows:
- Arrival: Cabaret Show at The Pink Door
- Day 1: Pike Place Public Market, Post Alley Gum Wall, food tour or Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens, Kerry Park, Capitol Hill
- Day 2: Discovery Park, Ballard, Fremont, Gasworks Park
- You can also cut out whatever sights don’t appeal to you as much on this itinerary to fit your time restraints!
If you have more than 3 days:
If you have more than 3 days for your Seattle itinerary, we’d suggest adding a day trip to explore outside of the city. Here are our top suggestions:
- Hot air balloon ride beside Mount Rainier
- Seattle winery tour
- Hike to Rattlesnake Ledge
- Snoqualmie Falls & Twin Falls
More Things to Do in Seattle
If you’re looking for more ideas for things to do, we have an entire article of fun things to do in Seattle where we share details and tips for first-time visitors.
Day trips from Seattle
With the mountains to the east and the ocean to the west, there are plenty of opportunities for day trips (or weekend getaways!) from Seattle. This guide is packed full of insider tips for where to go when you want to get out of the city.
First timer’s guide to Seattle
If this is your first time visiting the Emerald City, you’ll want to read our First Timer’s guide which is packed with helpful information like how to get around and where to find the best eats.
Where to Stay in Seattle
In this guide we break down the best neighborhoods in Seattle to find short term accommodation when visiting. Plus, we’ve included our top recommendations for hotels and Airbnbs.
Plan your trip to Washington state
We’ve had the privilege of calling Washington state “home” for a while and we have tons of resources to help you plan your trip. Start with our Washington Homepage and be sure to check out the articles below.
- Start with this list of the best things to do in Washington State (our favorite US state! shhh…don’t tell our fellow Oregonians).
- Read this if you’re planning a trip to Olympic National Park!
- Don’t miss the cutest little town in the state: Leavenworth (we lived there for 8 months and have all the local secrets!).
- Keep this Washington National Parks guide close by.
- Start checking these Mount Rainier hikes off your bucket list.
- Read our guide to North Cascades National Park, one of our favorite underrated national parks in the country!
Don’t miss your chance to grab our custom Seattle map!
Get our Custom Seattle Map sent straight to your phone! We loaded this map with all our favorite restaurants, breweries, sights and activities, so you can make the most of your time in Seattle.
Just enter your email and we’ll immediately send you access instructions!
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We want to hear from you!
Which day of this Seattle weekend trip itinerary are you most excited for? Do you still have any questions after reading this article? Tell us your thoughts or ask us your questions in the comments below and we will do our best to get back to you!