5 days in Seattle

Day by day

1. Day 1: Pike Place Market and Waterfront and Pier 62

   Pike Place Market, Waterfront and Pier 62 and Seattle Aquarium, then Space Needle in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Pike Place Market

      Arrive before 10am for flowers, produce and breakfast before the cruise and tour crowds; weekday mornings are calmest. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Waterfront and Pier 62

      Walk from Pike Place down to the water, then south to Colman Dock for a ferry ride at sunset. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Wild Pacific salmon

      Fish stalls and restaurants at Pike Place Market, seafood restaurants on the waterfront and in Ballard.

   4. Afternoon

      Seattle Aquarium

      Check the day's feeding and talk times at the entrance and plan around the otters. (2 hours, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Space Needle

      Save it for a clear day; if Rainier is hidden by cloud, the view loses much of its point.

2. Day 2: Chihuly Garden and Glass and Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

   Chihuly Garden and Glass, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and Olympic Sculpture Park, then Kerry Park in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Chihuly Garden and Glass

      Visit late in the day when the glasshouse and garden pieces are lit, or buy a combined ticket with the Space Needle. (1–1.5 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

      Head to the Sound Lab early, before school groups arrive. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Dungeness crab

      Seafood restaurants on the waterfront and in Ballard; Pike Place fish stalls sell cooked crab to take away.

   4. Afternoon

      Olympic Sculpture Park

      Combine it with a walk along Myrtle Edwards Park, which continues north along the water. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Kerry Park

      Come at dusk on a clear evening when the city lights come on and Rainier glows pink.

3. Day 3: Seattle Art Museum and Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour

   Seattle Art Museum, Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour and Ballard Locks, then Capitol Hill in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Seattle Art Museum

      It is two blocks from Pike Place, so it makes a good wet-afternoon follow-on to a market morning. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour

      Do the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park museum first; it is free and gives useful context. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pacific Northwest oysters

      Oyster bars in Ballard, Capitol Hill and downtown; many run happy-hour oyster deals.

   4. Afternoon

      Ballard Locks

      Visit in summer to see salmon in the fish ladder, then stroll the botanical garden beside the locks. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Capitol Hill

      The busiest nightlife district, with cocktail bars, clubs, LGBTQ+ venues and late-night food along Pike and Pine Streets.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Mount Rainier National Park

   About 2–2.5 hours each way by car to Paradise each way. Getting there: Car, or an organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Mount Rainier National Park

      About 2–2.5 hours each way by car to Paradise (Car, or an organised tour); about 140 km.

   2. Day

      Mount Rainier National Park

      The 4,392-metre volcano dominates the region. Best for first-timers, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Seattle

      Dinner: try Seattle-style hot dog.

5. Day 5: Discovery Park and Museum of Flight

   Discovery Park, Museum of Flight and Gas Works Park, then Ballard in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Discovery Park

      Allow about two hours for the loop plus the walk down to the lighthouse and back up. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Museum of Flight

      Allow at least half a day; the Aviation Pavilion across the footbridge holds the large airliners. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Seattle-style hot dog

      Street carts outside bars and stadiums in Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill and Belltown.

   4. Afternoon

      Gas Works Park

      Bring a picnic for sunset, when the skyline is lit across the water. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Ballard

      Breweries, oyster bars, cocktail lounges and live music along Ballard Avenue and Market Street.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Space Needle before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Downtown and Pike Place keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Belltown ($$$) suits nightlife, couples and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–28 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.4 hours in December to 16 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Seattle
• 2 days in Seattle
• 3 days in Seattle

Questions travellers ask