Discovering Seattle: An Insider's Guide to the City

Planning on a trip to Seattle for the first time? Here’s all that you need to know!

Located right in the center of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is also known as Emerald City, a busy metropolis. Moreover, Seattle is well-known for its breathtaking natural beauty, thriving tech industry, and vibrant cultural scene as this place offers a lot of thrilling experiences to both tourists and locals. There is something for everyone in this beautiful city, from famous icons like the Space Needle to undiscovered treasures in its diverse neighborhoods. Here’s to diving into the heart of Seattle with this virtual tour, covering lots of attractions, historical preservations, food scene, outdoor activities, and much more including the best things to do in Seattle

Rain is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Seattle. There are several months when Seattle’s weather remains pleasant to stroll around and explore this city. Unfortunately, Seattle is known for being among the rainiest US cities. Whereas May through September are the driest months of the year, making it an ideal time to plan your trip.

• Seattle is known for its crazy coffee scene, as the people of Seattle are coffee lovers, so don’t forget to extend your support to the coffee shops and cafes.
• As the city is primarily based on water, the temperature might drop at night even during summertime.
• Grab a comfy pair of shoes as this place is mostly hilly so you might need an appropriate pair of shoes to explore around this city.
• Just in case you’re opting to travel on a budget from Airport to the Downtown. Then, it is recommended to take a Sound Link light rail that will take about 40 minutes to take you to the destination, that too on a lower budget with a clean and hygienic environment inside. It’s also a great option to avoid traffic on roads.

Seattle is a picturesque place to visit, offering aesthetic city views, gardens, culinary scene, parks, islands, and marketplaces to go shopping in Seattle, where you can stroll around and be your version of “Emily in Paris”, more of like Emily in Seattle casually roaming around the city to explore the city aesthetics and discover some exciting things to do in Seattle such as:

It’s quite a famous spot to shop around, so you might see it crowded but it is suggested to be patient and roam around this marketplace, buy some flowers for yourself, have a bite of yummy snacks, or treat yourself to cool ginger beer. It is one of the best places to go in Seattle offering something for everyone.

Some of the must-try foodie spaces at Pike Place Market are as under:

• The Pikes Barbeque.
• The Pink Door Restaurant.
• Piroshky Piroshky.
• Le Panier.
• The Rachel’s Ginger Beer.
• The “First” Starbucks.
• Matt’s at the Market Restaurant.
• The Three Girls Bakery.
• The Beecher’s Cheese.

Additionally, there are numerous other healthy snacking alternatives to explore, such as indulging in sweet corn from a street food vendor or sampling various snack items. These options allow you to experience the diverse flavors of Seattle, including its unique cultural blend of spices and much more.

If you’re a nature lover, then this is a must-visit spot when planning a Seattle vacation. It is tucked just 30 minutes away from Seattle Downtown, attracting lots of tourists to explore this beautiful spot. To avoid crowds, it is recommended to visit this place early in the morning to catch the morning sun that shines through the waterfall and the tranquil sounds just add to the serene vibes this place holds. The falls have a division the upper and lower part offering 2 different viewpoints, each is distinctively attractive. You may have to hike along a 0.8-mile path to reach there and the view is worth every step of it

Amazon is an enormous e-commerce site, which was founded in none other than Seattle. This company has its headquarters still in Seattle, whereas, its spheres are more like an outlet, having 3 of them here, allowing the public to have a visit every first and third Saturday of the month. Here you may need to reserve your slot before visiting.

You may come across this uniquely disgusting place, which is fascinating as it is full of chewing gums, a bit disgusting but a known iconic spot in Seattle. The fun fact about this place is that the Pike Place Preservation Society wanted to renovate this area back in 2015, November, they had to clean off around 2350 pounds of gums to preserve the wall with bricks and it took about 130 hours just to remove the gums so they can do the renovations.

It is one of the best places to visit in Seattle and offers stunning garden views taking you to an imaginary world. It is an ideal spot to enjoy a wonderful sensory experience with stunning glass sculptures that are impressive crafts of renowned artist Dale Chihuly. This spot offers fascinating views of the garden, offering a knowledgeable insight into the fauna and some stunning displays at the museum.

A Seattle travel guide can never be completed without adding Kerry Park to it as it offers stunning views of the city. Nestled in the neighborhood of Queen Anne, it is a known spot for catching a beautiful sunset view that paints the sky with pink and orange hues, a sweet spot to stroll around and take in nature’s tranquility.

Seattle itinerary must include a visit to the Space Needle, since 1962, the Space Needle was built for the World’s Fair offering stunning views from the observation deck which is about 650 ft. tall, or you can visit the rotating restaurant on top as well. You might need to book your tickets to visit the top to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city’s stunning skyline, offering an unforgettable experience to cherish forever.

It’s an amazing spot to munch on your favorite breakfast delights. This restaurant has 2 branches one in Downtown Seattle and the other one at Belltown. Expect a longer waiting time for your order and to avoid that, it is suggested to place your order early on the website, as they take orders through the website only.

If you’re a nature enthusiast then you will enjoy visiting this place. Nestled just 25 minutes away from Seattle and is known for its beautiful small-town charm. You have to take a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island where you get to explore the natural beauty and go on kayaking excursions, biking, hiking through the waterfront trail, and other fun things to do in Seattle. There is an Art Museum as well, so it is like a complete fun-filled package to enjoy.

It takes an hour's drive from Seattle to reach Mount Rainer, National Park, where you can witness an active volcano, a one-of-a-kind experience to get fascinated by the natural eruption and enjoy camping alongside the beautiful meadows and hike through the hilly areas. The visit to this place feels like a straight-out of a movie scene, giving fairytale vibes. It has a hiking trail of about 260 miles, from where you can catch a view of the volcano that ascends about 14,000 ft. from above the sea level, an ideal spot to spend some time with nature.

It is one of the highly recommended spots to munch on your favorite ice cream flavor or enjoy the delicious sundae delight. Support this local legend that sources its ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, offering deliciousness at its best.

One of the most beautiful spots to add to the Seattle itinerary, as it offers breathtakingly scenic views of the lake. It is tucked 35 minutes away from Downtown Seattle, making up a hiking trail of about 1.9 miles up the hill. This hike may take more than one hour to reach the top but it’s worth the view from up there.

It is recommended to stay hydrated, keep some snacks with you, and wear comfortable shoes and clothing so you can focus on your hike and the views, moreover, you can also swim in the lake here!

Just located at the Pike Place Market, this Starbucks store was advertised as the first store in the area to offer lattes, coffees, and mochas in premium ways. This place has rustic vibes with unique aromas that reflect the taste of their exotic coffees reflecting the extensive menu of beverages they offer.

One of the fun facts about Seattle is that it is known for its world’s best coffee roasting and supply chain management which is why the coffees are a hit item here.

Delve into the mixture of stunning city vibes and residential areas. This place portrays a floral artsy vibe through the beautiful Victorian homes lined up through the streets. It’s a one-of-a-kind aesthetic place that feels like a breath of fresh air. Don’t forget to explore the beautiful Victorian Brian Coleman House that gives an insight into the fairytale world.

Enjoy the flavorful sunset drinks in the Nest, one of the favorite bar spots for people looking to cool off their tiredness with some flavorful drinks. They offer a wide range of cocktails and fruit punches that’ll freshen you up.  It is suggested to visit this place on the weekdays as it is usually crowded on the weekends and don’t miss out on their best-seller, the Pea Diddy cocktail, to enjoy a tropical twist of flavors

Take a walk around Capitol Hill, which is a local legend, featuring some of the best restaurants in Seattle. A perfect spot to stroll around and check in to the hip bars and cute shops. Some of the top picks that are must-visit are:

• Terra Plata.
• Glasswing Shop.
• Starbucks Reserve Roastery.
• Scotch & Soda.

Turn the party scene on with Mariners fans and witness the thrilling game at the baseball stadium with an exciting crowd cheering up their teams and bursting energies. Groove on some cool beats that are played by the DJ in the stadium to keep the excitement alive. You can reach the stadium through public transport as it’s an easy way out.

One of the best restaurants in Seattle, nestled in Post Alley, offers amazing Italian cuisine to savor. It is a unique terrace-style restaurant with a modern interior giving a bit of vintage vibes that perfectly complements the menu. It is a one-of-a-kind, themed restaurant based on a circus theme and features a burlesque show making it a popular spot among tourists looking forward to experiencing the flavors of Italy in an aesthetically pleasing way

It is important to pack the right way to avoid any last-minute hassle, while packing for a trip few things that you must consider include the weather predictions, the places you’re going to visit, and essentials that you might need alone. It is suggested to keep the following things in your travel bag that are a must-have:

• Raincoat.
• Umbrella.
• Comfortable shoes or joggers.
• Bike shorts or Jumpsuits.
• Hiking Shoes.
• Hiking gears.
• Jacket.

In short, Seattle is a city of contrasts, blending tradition with innovation and urban sophistication with natural beauty. There's a wealth of experiences awaiting visitors, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Whether you're interested in delving into its rich cultural history, sampling diverse cuisine, or embarking on outdoor adventures, Seattle has something for everyone. Pack your bags and prepare for a truly unforgettable experience in this beautiful emerald city