12 things to do on a long weekend in Seattle

I have been to Seattle several times in my life and think it's one of the best cities in the US to visit. This gem, nicknamed the "Emerald City" for it's stunning surroundings in the lush Pacific Northwest (a geographic region referring to northwest US- namely Oregon, Idaho, and Washington states), is home to over 4 million people in its greater metro area. Seattle is surrounded by nearly 150 miles of freshwater shoreline and and 53 miles of saltwater shoreline. The 500 square mile Puget Sound which mainly surrounds the city is home to 300~ islands- some of which you can visit that I will cover later in this post. As the northernmost major metro in the US, Seattle has a fair climate with temperatures ranging from a cool 45 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to a pleasant 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. Seattle is know for its gloomy and rainy weather especially in the winter and spring months. Seattle sees on average roughly 36 inches of rain per year. I've always visited in the summer (July-August) and the weather has been very enjoyable.

So why would anyone want to visit Seattle? For one, Seattle is easy to reach from most states in the US by flight and there are direct flights from some east Asian countries as well. Secondly, Seattle's landscape is incredibly beautiful- the forests and waterways that are emblematic to the Pacific Northwest region provide a gorgeous backdrop and offer many recreational opportunities within an hour of the city. Next, Seattle has lots of trendy neighborhoods that are worth exploring which offer great coffee shops, quality dining options, and unique stores. Seattle is also home to some amazing tourist attractions including museums, the iconic Space Needle, and the historic Pike's Place Market. Also notable Starbucks was founded in Seattle (you can actually visit their original store if you are willing to wait on line). Seattle has three major professional sports teams- baseball, football, and soccer. If you are in town during their respective seasons, it's a great experience to check out Lumen Field or T-Mobile Park. Seattle also has a lovely waterfront. Seattle has many identities- it is home to major tech companies such as Amazon and Microsoft but also the birthplace of grunge- an alternative rock genre and subculture that largely emerged in the 1980s. The globally recognized American rock band, Pearl Jam, was formed in Seattle in the 1990s.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Seattle, all of which I have been to (some several times) and would highly recommend...

Ballard & Freemont - these adjacent trendy neighborhoods just north of central / downtown Seattle are quickly becoming favorites for tourists. Ballard, known for its Scandinavian heritage, features a beautiful harbor and the Ballard Locks (worth checking out). In this vibrant waterfront neighborhood you can find great dining, a weekly farmers market, and indie / vintage shops. Nearby Golden Garden's Park is a popular picnic and sunset spot with locals. Just down the road in Fremont, you will find eclectic bars, shops, and restaurants. Tech workers have popularized this quirky neighborhood which is also recognized for its interesting sculptures such as the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge. From here, head to Gas Works Park- a 19 acre public park and the site of the old Seattle Gas Light Company's plant which has been repurposed and sits at the north end of Lake Union with incredible city skyline views.

Discovery Park - this 534 acre natural recreation area on the western edge of the Magnolia neighborhood within Seattle features 12 miles of scenic walking trails with spectacular views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. Occupying much of the former Fort Lawton- a US Army Post that was gifted to the city in 1973 and since has been repurposed as the city's largest park and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With 2 miles of protected tidal beaches, open meadows, forest groves, and calming streams, there is plenty here to enjoy for all ages. The West Point Lighthouse (also called Discovery Park Lighthouse) is still active today and provides a picturesque backdrop for visitors while exploring the adjacent beaches and trails.

Pike's Place - often called the "soul of Seattle", this historic landmark in downtown Seattle's waterfront was established in 1907 and has been a mainstay in the city's culture ever since. Pike's Place is one of the oldest continuously running markets in the US. This lively market overlooking the Puget Sound offers products from farmers and fishermen as well as crafts, flowers, restaurants, and specialty shops selling local goods. Pike's Place Market was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 cementing its legacy in the city's landscape. In the heart of downtown Seattle, Pike's Place is a great starting point for your city adventure. After an hour or two exploring the market, you can head down the stairway on Pike Street towards the Seattle waterfront (Elliot Way) where you can find numerous piers featuring ferry rides to Bainbridge Island, restaurants and souvenir shops, the iconic Seattle Great Wheel (the tallest Ferris wheel on the west coast of the US when it was built in 2012 standing at 175 feet), and the popular Seattle Aquarium.

Seattle Art Museum - also known as SAM, this museum is a great way to spend a few hours especially if the weather is not cooperating. Located in downtown Seattle, one block from Pike Place Market, SAM features a global collection of about 25,000 pieces featuring American, African, Asian, Oceanic, and Native American art. The diverse permanent collection shows striking face masks and totem poles, breathtaking landscapes paintings of the Pacific Northwest, oil paintings from old masters such as Matisse, modern pieces by Andy Worhol and Jackson Pollock, and vessels used in funerary rituals. Temporary exhibitions can be quite interesting as well and usually rotate a few times per year. Outside of the main museum, the award-winning Olympic Sculpture Park is free to the public and showcases monumental sculptures on a nine acre waterfront location with food vendors.

Queen Anne - this hilly neighborhood just a mile north of downtown Seattle is known for it's charming 19th century Victorian homes and stylish cafes and shops. Kerry Park offers sweeping views of the metro skyline and the Space Needle. Lower Queen Anne also hosts various cultural festivals throughout the year. MoPOP, the Museum of Pop Culture founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is a non-profit dedicated to contemporary American pop culture. The tree lined streets of Queen Anne give way to the bustling pavilion that houses the famous Space Needle and adjacent Chihuly Glass and Garden.

Space Needle - arguably Seattle's most famous attraction, this iconic observation deck built for the World Fair in 1962 stands at 605 feet tall. One of the most photographed structures in the world and dominant in the city skyline, the Space Needle offers 360 degree views from its open air viewing deck at 520 feet elevation. One floor below, the indoor viewing deck features a revolving glass floor- the first of its kind built in 2018. Over 1 million visitors take the 43 second elevator ride each year to the tower's observation decks. Nearly 60 million people have visited since the tower was built. This futuristic tower designed by John Graham, Jr was commissioned by hotel executive Edward Carlson who was the chief organizer of the World Fair. Next door to the Space Needle, you should absolutely visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit showcasing incredible glass art from renowned artist Dale Chihuly.

T-Mobile Park - this retractable roof stadium first opened in 1999 is home to Major League Baseball team, the Seattle Mariners. Easily reachable within a one mile walk from downtown or 10-15 minute car ride from most adjacent metro neighborhoods. The stadium is also reachable by the Link Light Rail. Throughout the year, this architectural marvel also hosts concerts and festivals. Seating capacity during baseball games is nearly 48,000 people.

UW Arboretum - part of the larger Washington Park, a joint project with the University of Washington and Seattle Parks & Recreation, the Washington Arboretum is a magical oasis on the shores of north Lake Union spanning 230 acres. With an astounding 4,000+ species of plants and trees, many of which are found nowhere else in the Pacific Northwest, you can be sure to discover something new here. The loop trail of 2 miles roundtrip is a pleasant way to enjoy this beautiful environment. There are also educational workshops and events plus free walking tours on the 1st Thursday of each month.

Coffee shops - Seattle is well known for having a strong coffee culture. After all, it is the birthplace of global coffee powerhouse Starbucks which opened its first shop in 1971 within the cobblestone streets of Pike Place. You can visit this historic location (prepare for a long line) or tour one of the Starbucks Reserve locations in Capitol Hill. Besides Starbucks (which personally I am not a fan of), there are several great local coffee shops around the city. Popular shops include Lighthouse Roasters in Ballard, Milstead & Co in Fremont, Coffeemind in Queen Anne, and Analog Coffee in Capitol Hill.

Fresh seafood - since Seattle is pretty much surrounded on all sides by water, it's in a pretty advantageous position for delivery of fresh seafood daily. Often considered one of the best cities in the US for seafood, fresh salmon and oysters are two of the main local delicacies here. Luckily, the city has dozens of great dining options for locals and tourists to indulge in a delicious meal. Ray's Boathouse, started in 1939 as a seafood cafe, has been a mainstay over the decades with prominent views over Puget Sound and a relaxed atmosphere. Other popular outposts include: RockCreek Seafood Fremont in a cabinlike setting, Walrus & the Carpenter Ballard oyster bar and pub, and Taylor Shellfish with two locations very close to downtown.

Deception Pass - if you are spending more than 3 days in Seattle, I would highly recommend heading to Deception Pass State Park. This recreation area about 1.5 hours north of Seattle covers almost 3,900 acres of natural beauty. Here, rocky coves dot the shoreline surrounding the Puget Sound, providing coastal access to the frigid waters. The iconic bridges of the park connect Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. Rugged cliffs and towering pine trees create a dramatic landscape for exploration. Make sure to stop by Rosario Beach for some tide pooling and picnic tables overlooking scenic Bowman Bay. Here, you can find some great family friendly trails including the 2 mile roundtrip Lighthouse Point from Rosario Beach Discovery Center (allow 1 hour for this). As you head south over the bridges, you have several campgrounds including Cranberry Lake and Quarry Pond. Check out the ancient Douglas Fir tree.

Mount Rainier - this 369 square mile national park surrounding the namesake 14,410 glacial capped Mount Rainier is a 2 hour drive from Seattle. You can easily spend a few days here, but for those on a tight schedule, you can fit it in as a day trip especially if you have a rental car. Established in 1899, Mt Rainier was the fifth designated national park in the US. Situated within the Cascade mountain range, Mt Rainier is the tallest mountain in Washington state and the most heavily glaciated in the contiguous US with over 25 glaciers. An active stratovolcano, the last documented eruption was in 1894 but was pretty minor in scale. It is reported that the last major eruption was over 500 years ago. The National Parks service reports that an estimated 10,000 people attempt to summit Mt Rainier each year. As the fourth highest mountain in the contiguous US, hikers will climb nearly 9,000 feet from the alpine meadows to reach the peak. There are plenty of short hikes and day hikes for all ability levels and ages. In fact, there are over 250 miles in total of maintained trails. Mt Rainier's gorgeous alpine meadows are usually covered in wildflowers in the late spring and early summer months.

There is plenty to keep you busy in the Emerald City. With amazing indoor and outdoor activities, cool neighborhoods, and great dining, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Seattle. The captivating landscape will open your imagination to the splendors of the Pacific Northwest. To fully immerse yourself in this great city, book an accommodation in one of the neighborhoods within close proximity to downtown. A rental car won't be necessary to get around unless you feel like venturing out to Deception Pass or Whidbey Island. Washington state is home to three more incredible national parks that are absolutely worth visiting if you have at least 7 days in Washington state. In that case, I'd allocate 3-4 days in Seattle and then spend a couple of days at one of the national parks: Cascade National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, or Olympic National Park (more info here) Wherever your itinerary brings you, you will be surely counting the days until you return for another adventure in this beautiful corner of the USA.