Sightseeing
If you want to be in the center of it all, take a ride to the top of the Space Needle, with its 360 degree views of the city, water, mountains, you can really get see the entire city! Go on a sunny day. Stop by early to pick up tickets for an entry time later in the day.
1747 locals recommend
Space Needle
400 Broad StIf you want to be in the center of it all, take a ride to the top of the Space Needle, with its 360 degree views of the city, water, mountains, you can really get see the entire city! Go on a sunny day. Stop by early to pick up tickets for an entry time later in the day.
A great urban park in the center of Seattle. This is where you'll find the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, and Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Also a food court in the Armory building.
362 locals recommend
Seattle Center
305 Harrison StA great urban park in the center of Seattle. This is where you'll find the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, and Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Also a food court in the Armory building.
This museum has spectacular hand blown glass sculptures. It is a must see - it is visually stunning!
722 locals recommend
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison StThis museum has spectacular hand blown glass sculptures. It is a must see - it is visually stunning!
Our favorite place to spend an early morning when the food and flower vendors are setting up. A great place to wander around for hours and don't forget to check out the stores beneath the market! Family friendly.
2309 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveOur favorite place to spend an early morning when the food and flower vendors are setting up. A great place to wander around for hours and don't forget to check out the stores beneath the market! Family friendly.
A beautiful campus to wander around in. Don't miss the Burke museum of history. Then walk over to the Ave (University Way between 41st and 50th streets) with college town eateries with dozens of cuisines.
329 locals recommend
University of Washington
1410 Northeast Campus ParkwayA beautiful campus to wander around in. Don't miss the Burke museum of history. Then walk over to the Ave (University Way between 41st and 50th streets) with college town eateries with dozens of cuisines.
A great way to get out on the water (Elliott Bay/Puget Sound) and get a beautiful view of downtown Seattle.
13 locals recommend
Let's Go Sailing
1201 Alaskan WayA great way to get out on the water (Elliott Bay/Puget Sound) and get a beautiful view of downtown Seattle.
Neighborhoods
Looking for the nightlife? Like great restaurants and bars? Like to shop in boutique one-of-a kind places? Capital Hill is for you. The center of social life in Seattle, only 13 blocks from our hous, an easy walk, short bus ride, or quick Uber/Lyft ride.
343 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
Looking for the nightlife? Like great restaurants and bars? Like to shop in boutique one-of-a kind places? Capital Hill is for you. The center of social life in Seattle, only 13 blocks from our hous, an easy walk, short bus ride, or quick Uber/Lyft ride.
Downtown Seattle is 1.9 miles from our home and many guests choose to walk (you'll pass through Capitol Hill on the way). The retail/restaurant district is a couple of blocks from Pike Place Market.
119 locals recommend
Downtown Seattle
Downtown Seattle is 1.9 miles from our home and many guests choose to walk (you'll pass through Capitol Hill on the way). The retail/restaurant district is a couple of blocks from Pike Place Market.
Looking for dim sum or Japanese Anime Comics, then the International district is the place to go. Besides excellent chinese restaurants, there are vietnamese, japanese, and cambodian restaurants there also. You can find groceries from all over Asia in this one section of town.
200 locals recommend
Seattle Chinatown-International District
Looking for dim sum or Japanese Anime Comics, then the International district is the place to go. Besides excellent chinese restaurants, there are vietnamese, japanese, and cambodian restaurants there also. You can find groceries from all over Asia in this one section of town.
Excercise
Arboretum Loop Trail
Arboretum Loop TrailGreat spot for a jog or walk...1 mile from house
About 5 miles from the house....huge park with nature trails, lake access
10 locals recommend
Seward Park Audubon Center
5902 Lake Washington Blvd SAbout 5 miles from the house....huge park with nature trails, lake access
Swimming
1 mile walk from our home is Lake Washington, a 22 mile long freshwater lake. Madrona Beach Park has swimming, restrooms, picnic areas and views of the Cascade mountain range and the Bellevue city skyline on the other side of the lake. Another .75 miles further along the lake are casual and fine dining restaurants right on the water in the Leschi neighborhood, where there is also a gourmet grocery store/deli for all your picnic needs (Leschi Market)!
Madrona Park
1 mile walk from our home is Lake Washington, a 22 mile long freshwater lake. Madrona Beach Park has swimming, restrooms, picnic areas and views of the Cascade mountain range and the Bellevue city skyline on the other side of the lake. Another .75 miles further along the lake are casual and fine dining restaurants right on the water in the Leschi neighborhood, where there is also a gourmet grocery store/deli for all your picnic needs (Leschi Market)!
Traveler advice
Getting around
Take the Washington State Ferry from downtown
If you want to see the Seattle from the water, walk on to the Washington State Ferry from the downtown waterfront terminal to Bainbridge Island. It's only a 30 minute ride and once there you can enjoy a nice lunch on the waterfront and then a free ferry ride back to Seattle. The ferry is where a lot of people take their pictures of the downtown Seattle skyline.
Book before you go
Space Needle
During the peak tourist season, book your Space Needle tickets in advance. There are days and time slots allotted - so make sure not to miss out!
What to pack
Umbrella and Jacket
The weather is Seattle can change throughout the day - believe it or not, due to our northern location, after 3pm is the warmest time of the day. Even if the daytime is warm, as soon as the sun goes down it can get a bit chilly. Alway have a small umbrella packed or borrow one from us!
Getting around
Light Rail to Seattle from Airport is least expensive
During peak seasons, Uber/Lyft can rival prices that Taxis charge ($60+) and the wait can be long. if you want to catch a quick, inexpensive ride to our house from the airport, take the Link Light Rail. Purchase a ticket before you get on ($2.75 each person, each way) or to avoid the lines, download the Transit Go app and purchase there. Get off at Capitol Hill station and then catch an Uber/Lfyt to the house (about $15)
Don't miss
The first Starbucks - try the Reserve Roastery instead!
People go for the photo ops, but the lines are very long and the store is very tiny. Much more interesting for Starbucks fans would be to go to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery on Capitol Hill - one of only six in the world - a huge building Starbucks calls 'an immersive and dramatic expression of our passion for coffee'. Located between our house and downtown Seattle.