Long weekend in Seattle: 3 Days Itinerary

On this first day, I woke up early (had a plan to be at the market around 8 am to beat the crowds) and walked down to the famous Pike Place Market.

First Starbucks Store:

My morning at Pike Place Market begins with a long line at the original Starbucks for a cup of coffee. I watched the traders put up their stoles and the market open as I was waiting.

Pike Place Market:

I kicked off my trip with a visit to the famous Pike Place Market. Even after living here for over a long, I still love coming here!

One of Seattle's top sights is Pike Place Market, aka the place where the dudes throw the fish. Right in the heart of downtown Seattle, this market has been selling local foods, flowers, and crafts for 112 years! Today, you can browse the bouquets, sample Washington cherries, and wander around to see all the market has to offer - you'll never discover it all!

Pike Place Market encompasses a large area and houses several shops and restaurants. What draws most people here however is the fishmongers' "performance" as they sling fish like a football. Even if you don't buy anything, stay for the show!

I walked through the market and see all it has to offer, sample locally grown produce and purchase a few homemade souvenirs for my new home in Seattle. I saw fish being thrown in there.

I wandered down to the gum wall, which is a famous, but gross, Seattle landmark.

Pike Place is also a great place to grab breakfast or a snack while touring the area.

Seattle Waterfront:

To next, I walked through other side of the market and went down to the waterfront and headed north towards the Seattle Great Wheel.

I Watched fishing boats and cruise ships come in and out of the port while exploring several different piers along the waterfront.

At Pier 57 is the Seattle Great Wheel, a giant Ferris wheel with incredible views of the city. One of the largest Ferris wheels in the US at 53.3 meters, it has 42 climate controlled capsules that seat eight passengers each.

The ride makes 3 revolutions in 12 minutes and it's the only Ferris wheel that extends over the water.

For lunch, I made a stop at Ivar's for a basket of delicious fish and chips.

Museum of Pop Culture:

From pier 57 I took a short walk to the Museum of Pop Culture.

The 140,000-square-foot building of shimmering sheet metal designed by architect Frank Gehry resembles a smashed electric guitar and is called "the Blob" by locals. It contains the Museum of Pop Culture, or MOPOP, is a place where music, science fiction, and many other things meet.

Exploring the MoPOP is a great way to escape the rain if you happen to be visiting in overcast weather.

I spent a few hours at the Museum of Pop Culture, which is excellent for people like me who love all things about music and pop culture.

Fun fact: that's where my freshman year prom was held.

Seattle Center:

Seattle Center is in the heart of Downtown Seattle, where you'll find the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center, and the best coffee in Seattle.

On my way, I read online about one of top rated cafe in Seattle which now becomes a coffee showroom named La Marzocco Cafe. So I decided to grab my afternoon coffee from there and it became my favourite cafe and it's still my favourite.

Space Needle:

I headed to the base of Seattle center with expresso in my hand and hold at ground of Space needle.

The Space Needle is world-famous and known for its futuristic appearance on Seattle's skyline. It's where the fireworks on new year's eve launch from, and it's an icon that you'll see all over the souvenir trinkets in Seattle.

Nowadays, a lightning-fast elevator takes you 518 feet above the city. There you'll find a restaurant and bar, as well as a glass-encased, 360-degree viewing area that allows you to see all sides of the Seattle. It costs anywhere from $32.50 to $37.50 per person to go up to the top, depending on the day and time.

Perhaps It was my early and new days in unfamiliar city, I wouldn't make a mind to spend my money on expensive tickets to go up there.

To be completely honest, I'm not sure it's worth it to make the journey to the top of the Space Needle. It's expensive, and while the views are nice, you'll be missing one key element of the Seattle Skyline... the Space Needle itself.

Even if you put the Space Needle aside, Seattle Center is full of fun and educational sites for everyone. from Pacific Science Center, to Children's Museum, to International Fountains, to Chihuly Garden and Glass, it has everything for everyone so you'll have to pick and choose what you is right for you. You could literally spend the whole day here if you wanted to.

Queen Anne Hill:

After I've got done with Seattle Center, I took a bus from nearby stop to the Queen Anne Hill.

Queen Anne is north of the Space Needle, continuing up and over the hill, where I saw a residential areas full of young couples and families.

I made my way up the hill to Molly Moon's Ice Cream, a Seattle staple and one of the best examples of thriving Seattle small businesses. They make PHENOMENAL ice cream, with rotating seasonal flavors.

Kerry Park:

I headed up to Kerry Park with my ice-cream for the best view of the Seattle Skyline.

It becomes my favorite place in Seattle anyone ever could wanna time spent all the time, and what I believe to offer the best view in the city. The top of Kerry Park looks south toward Mount Rainier in the distance, catching the Space Needle, most of downtown and Puget Sound in the view.

No wonder why this place now becomes the perfect spot for Photographers because of it's stunning 360's 24/7 365 day of a year.

I saw the Most stunning and jaw dropping (and just a first of my many) sunset over a Seattle from Kerry Park took a bus back to Waterfront Park for dinner and seeing what Seattle looks like after Sun goes down.

Waterfront Park:

Waterfront Park along Elliott Bay is packed with great restaurants and bars. It's also home to the Seattle Great Wheel, which is the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast. It's also where ferries depart regularly take to Bainbridge Island, a small island you can see from nearly every high point in the city.

I Grabbed dinner at The Fisherman's Restaurant and enjoy evening from under the Seattle Great Wheel as it begins to light the sky.

Day 2: Daytrip to the Eastside of Seattle

I got up early and had breakfast at my new Home, packed my lunch, took my car and headed to east to explore the beautiful nature that surrounds Seattle.

Snoqualmine Falls:

..... and off I drove, through lots of pretty scenery to Snoqualmie.

It was easy to find the closest parking area costs US$5 for a few hours, but there's a large free lot nearby connected to the park by a pedestrian bridge.

Apparently the scene behind us is famous as the opening shot for the 1990's TV series Twin Peaks. the red buildings that overlook the Falls are part of the Salish Lodge and Spa. It was mid-April and the water was running strong.

Several observation decks are available to tourists. After watching the water, I went out for a hike down the wide trail that goes down to a lower observation point to have had some "tree time." It's smooth but steep, and that's not a bother going down but can be hard to climb back up.

The trip out to the Falls was a quick adventure and a fantastic way to just get away from a city. I had some plans for the evening back in Seattle, and the weather was starting to turn sour toward the end of my visit, or I would have done a little more hiking and investigated the town of Snoqualmie.

This daytrip took my whole day. I grabbed some post-hike caffeine and treats at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery after getting back. The space is gorgeous and I watch them roast coffee!

I still have had some time after my hiking day so I walked around the streets of Capitol Hill. And found some of unique shops are The Elliott Bay Book Company, Standard Goods, Glasswing, and Retrofit Home.

I got dinner at my favorite spot in town, Tacos Chukis. It's a little bit of a hole in the wall and a little hard to find, but it's so dang good (and cheap!).

Day 3: Explore Rest of Seattle

I walked to the Waterfront again and jumped on the 35 minute ferry ride to the charming Bainbridge Island! It's a short walk from the ferry to the main tourist area on Bainbridge.

Gas Works Park:

Ferry took me back to Seattle and I grabbed lunch from Paseo to enjoy at Gasworks Park, a cool former gasification site with lots of picnic space and a view of downtown Seattle.

South Lake Union:

The SpheresSouth Lake Union is a classic example of Seattle urbanization and development that has caused to the city's large homeless crisis. Instead of cheap housing, South Lake Union is teeming with luxury apartments and industrial chic lofts that are anything but far from available. As a result, a shortage of housing in Seattle has caused a higher home prices, forcing many residents to leave the city. It's worth remembering that consequence as I was having fun in Seattle.

South Lake Union is a classic example of Seattle urbanization and development that has caused to the city's large homeless crisis. Instead of cheap housing, South Lake Union is teeming with luxury apartments and industrial chic lofts that are anything but far from available. As a result, a shortage of housing in Seattle has caused a higher home prices, forcing many residents to leave the city. It's worth remembering that consequence as I was having fun in Seattle.

With that said, the development has contributed to the emergence of some good food, drinks, and shopping in the area. Here's what I checked out.

Bravehorse Tavern is on the Amazon campus, one of my favorite bars in Seattle. Great atmosphere, especially for happy hour when the Amazon employees come down to cry into their beers before heading back up to work for the evening.

mbar is a great rooftop bar in South Lake Union. Happy hour deals weren't great, but i was paying for the atmosphere.

I explored the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle because of some local recommendations. I paid visit to Fremont Troll which is a quirky and quick photo op.

In the end of my 3rd day, I went to check out the Ballard locks and watched boats enters the locks and saw the salmon on fish ladder. It was super fascinating and free!

I got my dinner at Asadero in Ballard (Awesome Carne Asada for a great price. One of our favorite restaurants!) And Dessert at Hot Cakes, an amazing spot with molten chocolate cakes and boozy milkshakes.

Wow!!!! what a power-packed weekend in Seattle!

Phew, I've packed in quite a lot into this Seattle itinerary. Hope you enjoy the city as much as I do. What are your favorite parts of the city? Let me know in the comments field below.

Have a Great Weekend in Seattle...