Washington’s largest city, Seattle, is home to almost 800,000 residents, making Seattle also the largest city in the entire Pacific Northwest.
That’s nothing, however, compared to the 40 million tourists who head to The Emerald City every year to enjoy the verdant forests, fantastic coffee, and unique music scene. As well as housing the headquarters of some of the biggest tech companies in the US and the world’s first Starbucks, Seattle is popular with outdoor adventurers and extreme sports enthusiasts, with countless mountain bike trails, scenic hiking routes, and water sports available for those wanting to burn some serious energy.
With so much to see and do, where do you begin organizing a trip to Seattle? There are over 100 neighborhoods in the metro area, so to help you out we’ve compiled a list of our top five favorite Seattle experiences in our favorite regions, allowing you to plan your itinerary around your interests. From scenic lake cruises to European-style beer halls, there’s something for everyone in Seattle!
| Belltown
We’re kicking things off in Belltown, a neighborhood that’s no stranger to global cuisine and eclectic pop-up restaurants. This hip and happening area is the ideal destination for a weekend away with friends, and what better way to discover a new neighborhood than on a fun and informative food tour? Start on 3rd Avenue and follow your guide on a gourmet journey round some of Belltown’s best restaurants, plus a poke round the famous Pike Place Market.
You’ll try pizza, pasta, seafood, and sweet treats along the way, made by culinary experts who are dedicated to sourcing fresh ingredients that are local and sustainable. Tasting tours are the ultimate way to learn about a city, and make great experience gifts for foodies!
| Lower Queen Anne
In the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood, you have your pick of the top Seattle tourist attractions. The area is best known for the enormous Seattle Center events complex, where you can choose from visiting the Museum of Pop Culture, the Seattle Children’s Theatre, check out the International Fountain, and of course, ascend 600ft to the top of the iconic Space Needle. If it’s a more local, community vibe you’re after, we highly recommend the Queen Anne Beerhall, a European style 7,000 square foot beerhouse serving up bratwurst and sauerkraut, pretzels, schnitzel, twenty-five draft beers on tap, and an extensive cocktail menu made with syrups and herbs grown in-house.
A great way to chill out after a day of sightseeing!
| Pike/Pine
Known as the Pike/Pine corridor because of the two parallel streets that connect Pike Place with Downtown Seattle, this trendy neighborhood is packed with cocktail bars and buzzing ethnic eateries, drawing lively young crowds.
To truly feel the hipster vibe of the region, we recommend starting at The Elliott Bay Book Company to catch a live book reading or author meet and greet (past events include Margaret Atwood and Thom Hartmann), before heading over to the Neumos music venue to party the night away. Finish off with a late-night dessert at Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate Pike/Pine experience!
| Pioneer Square
Bordering Downtown Seattle on the south side is Pioneer Square, a small neighborhood of high-rise office blocks and modern art galleries. Often called the heart of the city because Seattle’s founders settled here first, underground passageways criss-cross below the Renaissance Revival architecture from before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, when the neighborhood was rebuilt on higher ground. Visit the Smith Tower on 2nd Avenue and travel to the 35th floor, where the observation deck offers incredible panoramic views of the city and Elliott Bay. The 1920’s style cocktails add an extra level of sophistication, perfect for after-work drinks or the start of a girls night out in Seattle!
| South Lake Union
Lake Union cuts Seattle straight across from east to west, connecting Lake Washington with Shilshole Bay via a series of canals and cuts. In the South Lake Union neighborhood, among waterfront parks, seafood restaurants, and lakeside cafes is the AGC Marina, where you can board a scenic sightseeing cruise across Lake Union, Portage Bay, the Montlake Cut and Union Bay. ~
The Seattle skyline looks incredible from the water, and highlights of the tour include Gas Works Park, the University and Montlake Bridges, the Husky Stadium, and you may even see sea-planes landing on the lake surface! Scenic cruises are fantastic sightseeing experiences for the whole family, and make wonderful gift ideas for Seattle tourists.
| Thanks for reading!
Whether you’re sipping cocktails in Pioneer Square or exploring the cuisines of Pike Place Market, there’s a Seattle experience suitable for every budget and personality. Try out some of these activities and tours on your next road trip or family vacation, and let us know what you think in the comments!
