The (Basic) Seattle, WA Guide

seattle, wa - family pic

Let me start off by saying I went TO SEATTLE, WA with my mom and grandma so we kept it real simple.
If you’re spending two to three days in Seattle, that’s honestly perfect and all you need unless you have intentions of traveling outside of the city for outdoor adventures!
First off, don’t get a rental car and do stay close to downtown. Everything you’ll want to see is between a 5 and 25 minute walk. If for some reason it’s not, just take the Light Rail for only $3 per person or grab an Uber or Lyft, the most we paid for a single ride was $9! 

Before I get to my what to do in Seattle section, let’s make an important note on how to get from SeaTac Airport to downtown…


USE THE sound transit light RAIL. Yes. It takes 50 minutes but it’s only $3 (SAYING THIS AGAIN BECAUSE IT matters), it’s better for the planet, and you get to see more of Seattle along the way.

     Okay here’s the fun stuff → 

+PR Tip: Almost everywhere has a student, military, senior, etc. discount so don’t be afraid to ask!

PIKE PLACE MARKET (obviously) 

  • Original Starbucks - Opened in 1971

  • Beecher’s - See them make the cheese, taste the Flagship one, and buy the mac n’ cheese

  • Pappardelle’s - Flavored pasta noodles, try the chocolate 

  • Gum Wall - Take a pic, I recommend wearing a bright color

  • Elleno’s - Real Greek yogurt, so freaking yummy

  • Fish Market - Yes it’s pricey but sooo worth it, get the smoked salmon

Sky View Observatory @ Columbus Center

Sky View Observatory @ Columbus Center

CHOOSE YOUR VIEW (three options) —>

  • Columbus Center - Tallest building but all indoors

  • Smith Tower - Most recommended, cute cafe 

  • Space Needle - Most famous, created for the World Fair

PIONEER SQUARE

  • Need breakfast quick? Biscuit Bitch has amazing reviews & good prices. Heads up, a lot of homeless people here so be alert! 

  • (Skipping breakfast? Start here.) Beneath the Streets Tour - This ticket gets you other discount like $2 off at the Smith Tower.

  • Waterfall Garden Park, super small but worth a quick walkthrough, waterfall in the middle of the city!

  • Don’t miss the firefighter statues in the square. 

  • Coffee & lunch at the London Plane, get some fresh flowers here too. 

  • Klondike Rush Museum is free, your tax dollars pay for this one. 

  • Hop in between shops, this area has an East Coast vibe to it. 

CAPITOL HILL 

  • Rainbow crosswalks - I didn’t realize this but there’s a lot of them, don’t worry about GPSing to an exact destination. They’re all over Capitol Hill.

  • Thrift Shops

  • Chophouse Row - A NYC vibe with boutiques and coffee 

—> From here walk to the Starbucks Roastery 

STARBUCKS ROASTERY 

  • Not into coffee? Grab a Gin + Matcha.

  • Into coffee? Grab anything, it’s all amazing.

  • Fun Fact: They make their hazelnut syrup in house every morning and churn it for 2 hours.

  • Grab a snack, maybe a chocolate croissant (I got one there & one to go).

  • Watch the magic happen, not only at the experience bar but all around. 

Polina Raykov