If you’re planning on visiting this diverse city, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a great balance of things to do in Seattle with kids that are fun for adults too!

But if you’re not sure what attractions in Seattle to add to your family Seattle itinerary, don’t worry, as this guide will reveal all the best ones! Plus a few hidden gems…

Is Seattle Washington Worth Visiting?

The Emerald City has been high on my radar since Seattle grunge became a played-out thing on my walkman. I just had to go to the place that birthed some of my favorite music ever – Pearl Jam and Nirvana, to be precise.

While we were there, we discovered a vibrantly rich cultural experience. The city is bustling and vibrant, with a huge arts scene and hipster coffee shops on every corner.

It is also sandwiched between the Puget Sound and the Cascades Mountain, which makes it surrounded by natural beauty and provides easy access to so many incredible regions near Seattle.

For the uniqueness of the city and the access to amazing nature spots, it makes Seattle 100% worth visiting.

All that water from the Puget Sound on one side to Lake Washington on the other reminded me of my home in Sydney. Sydney and Seattle are very similar in that they are all about the glamour and the water, plus you can see whales and seals out in the Washington waters during migration season.

While, I couldn’t see myself actually experiencing Seattle from within the water, just having the opportunity to see it all the time was enough to make it feel like a familiar and much-loved home.

Seattle is now one of our favorite USA cities, and one of our top places to visit in Washington State.

Plus, we had outstanding weather during our Seattle trip (it’s well known for its rain, so we were very lucky). Those blue skies and sunshine made it even more exciting.

Is 3 days enough in Seattle?

We spent four days visiting Seattle and experienced plenty of the top Seattle attractions from the big touristy events to the smaller, local experiences, plus had a bit of time to spare.

I would say that 3 days is just enough time to spend in Seattle, but you wouldn’t be bored if you spent more time here.

How Can I Save Money On Seattle Attractions?

Out of all the cites in the USA we have visited, the Seattle CityPass is the one that provides the most value out of all their city attraction passes.

We suggest you don’t visit Seattle with kids without this discount pass to save you money.

We’re not usually going to see all the top attractions in a city to make a CityPass worth it, but all the top attractions in Seattle are unique and worth visiting.

We absolutely loved them and visited almost all of the Seattle attractions on the Seattle tourist card.

It costs $115 for adults and $87 for children between 5-12, which will save you 44% on admissions to the Top 5 Seattle Attractions, including the Woodland Park Zoo.

There is also now a Seattle C3 ticket which is better for shorter stays in Seattle. The cost for that is $73 (adult) and $53 (children). The C3 offers a choice of 3 attractions from a list of 5 and includes The Museum of Flight and Sky View Observatory which are not included in the main Seattle CityPASS®. (saves up to 30%)

Things to Do in Seattle with Kids

In this in-depth guide on the best things to do in Seattle with kids, we’ll be sharing the top activities with and without kids.

We’ll answer some of your most pressing questions about a trip to Seattle and share some recommendations on places to stay and eat.

And of course, where to find the best coffee in Seattle, because that is the biggest selling point of this US city. And no, it’s not all about Starbucks!

1. Pike Place Market VIP Behind the Scenes Food Tour

My favorite thing to do in Seattle was the VIP early opening food tour of Pike Place Market, probably the most famous market in the country.

What I loved about this tour, was not just the delicious sampling of food we had for the entire three hours, nor our funny, friendly and informative guide, Justin, but also all the stories that gave us insight into the history and how this market has shaped the culture of Seattle – and, it is kid friendly!

Pike Place Market was established in 1907 to connect citizens and farmers.

Its “Meet the Producer” tradition offers a year-round farmers market, owner-operated bakeries, fish markets, butcher shops, produce stands, and specialty food store across a nine-acre historic district.

A highlight of any visit to Pike Place Market will be watching the fish throwers at Pike Place Fish. A tradition since 1986, fishmongers throw fish that customers have purchased before they are wrapped.

It happens frequently so listen for their shouts signaling it. It was fun to watch. Even better is this seafood stall is 100% sustainable.

Pike Place Market is the birthplace of Starbucks Coffee.

While I am not a raving fan of their coffee, I do appreciate the grassroots story turned into a global phenomenon. It seems the chairman, Howard Schultz does good for the way he treats his staff. Starbucks devotees may wish to line up at the original store (which really isn’t the original as that one actually burned down.)

With six levels and more than 200 stores and 80 restaurants, you could get lost in Pike Place for hours. Throw in the crowds at one of the top tourist attractions in Seattle and a visit to Pike Place Market can be overwhelming.

This is another reason I loved the tour and highly recommend it, especially if you are short on time and patience.

I loved having Justin take us to all the best and most interesting spots like Indi chocolate, maple bacon donuts, spiced tea, Turkish flatbread and locally made chocolate for samples (great for doing Seattle with kids) before all the crowds of the day came to jostle us out of the way.

We heard all the stories of how these owners started with a dream that finding themselves in Pike Place Market.

Our favorite, not just for taste but stories, was Honest Biscuits owned by Art Stone.

As soon as our guide said his name and began his story, we were like, “hang on a minute – we know Art!” We had a mutual friend when we lived in Raleigh so had had plenty of drinks with him back when he was an immigration lawyer.

Art popped into the store while we were there so we were able to say hey, and congratulations. The biscuits were delicious and we were STOKED that he had gluten-free versions that melted in your mouth – thank you very much, Art!

Grab a coffee from Storyville while there, don’t forget to peek at the gum wall (we ran out of time) and Pike Place Chowder had huge lines for what is meant to be the best chowder.

2. The Space Needle

I wasn’t sure if we’d find the Space Needle to be one of the more tacky Seattle tourist attractions, especially after the long lines we encountered and the 40-minutes it took us to find a car park!

But, I was impressed with the Space Needle, it’s one of the iconic things to do in Seattle Washington, so first-time visitors will want to add it to their Seattle bucket list.

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the 605 ft. high Space Needle is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and its futuristic design symbolizes the innovative and forward-thinking spirit of Seattle.

There are two levels of thrills, the all-glass floor below and an open-air observation deck above.

The 360 views of the city are spectacular. I especially loved the features like glass chairs leaning against the glass windows and glass rotating floors to add a little thrill to the experience.

Panels on the wall tell the interesting story of the Space Needle’s design and construction as you wait in line to get up to the top.

3. Wings over Washington

We’ve done several 3D flyover experiences before in several cities in the USA, including the popular Soaring at Disneyland.

We all agreed that Wings over Washington was our favorite and really helped us fall more in love with Washington State we only just started to explore.

Washington was one of our favorite states on our USA road trip for its natural beauty and charming small towns. A spirit eagle will sweep you up and takes you on a journey showcasing its beauty and diversity.

Put this on your family activities in Seattle list. It is located at Miner’s Landing on Pier 57 next to the Great Wheel and close to the Seattle Aquarium.

4. Tour the Seattle Underground in Pioneer Square

For a fascinating insight into the beginnings of Seattle as a settled city, don’t miss the Seattle Underground Tour.

Underneath the streets of the historic Pioneer Square lies a network of underground passageways. They were once the alleys leading into shopfronts as the city was being raised out of the swamps.

If you are walking around Pioneer Square and notice small purple color glass squares on the pavement, they are actually skylights for the underground.

Some of those tunnels can be accessed now either through bars, comedy clubs, or retail stores. You can also tour them with a guide who will take you to places you normally can’t go and share the stories of this Seattle world in the late 1700s or early 1800s.

It’s a remarkable Seattle attraction that I recommend.

It will also share the history of the above ground as you walk along the cobblestoned streets of Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. And it’s also one of the fun things to do in Seattle with kids – our girls were fascinated and perhaps even a little spooked in a fun way!

Speaking of which, there are more haunted tours you can do of the Seattle undergrounds as well.

My only thought during the tour was why haven’t they turned more of these spaces into cool retail stores and bars? They could create an entirely unique and very cool area of Seattle to play in.

5. Amazon Spheres and The Understory

The Understory is in the heart of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters. It’s a free public space with interactive exhibits about flora and design, showcasing Amazon’s approach towards an urban office.

The Understory is a museum-style exhibit but to be honest we found it very lacking and unsure of what it even was.

The space outside had bean bags on a grassed area to sit down on and it was surrounded by loads of plants and trees. It was a nice space.

The Spheres are a place where employees can think and work differently surrounded by plants. For a tour of the indoor gardens of the Spheres, you have to sign up in advance at Amazon HQ Tour. They run them two Saturdays a  month.

You can download a free guided audio tour of the Amazon campus. Listen to it as you wander around the campus to learn more about its beginnings and the culture of the Amazon gargantuan empire.

It was interesting enough but I only got through one chapter as it had been a long day and the girls were over it and wanted to experience the AmazonGo store for the first time.

The AmazonGo store is a completely cashless/ cordless experience.

You scan a QR code connected to your Amazon account as you walk in. Then pick up what you want to buy (it is only food items) and then walk out.

Amazon knows what you picked up and bought and will charge you for it. They also know who is with you and what they have picked up and bought even though they were at the other end of the store from you and walked out at a different time.

That’s a creepy number of cameras and AR technology I wasn’t altogether comfortable with but certainly impressed by.

6. Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder

You can explore the Ballard Locks in the northern part of the city either on your own or on a Ballard Locks tour.

The Ballard Locks are a series of locks that link the Puget Sound with Lake Union and Lake Washington.

Boats as large as 760 feet in length and as small as a kayak can travel through the locks. You can watch the action through a series of swinging walkways or from a boat on an Argosy tour.

On the tour, you can experience the rising and falling of the water (up to 26 feet) as your boat moves from one level to the other.

Our girls loved watching it happen and it offered them the perfect engineering lesson on navigating bodies of water. We timed our visit perfectly. If we had of known about the tour, we would have done it. We’ve heard its fantastic.

Don’t miss checking the fish ladder to the side of the locks as well.

You can see the salmon swimming their way upstream with the assistance of a fish ladder that helps them get through eh man-made locks and keep the populations strong. You can learn all about it via interpretive panels on the wall.

This is one of the most interesting things to do in Seattle with kids and one of the top Seattle attractions, especially during warmer weather.

Where is the Best Art and Culture in Seattle?

I mentioned earlier about how great Seattle’s arts scene is, so one of the top things to do in Seattle is to fully immerse yourself in it. Here are the best places to check out the art and culture of the city…

7. Seattle Center

The Seattle Center is an active civic, arts, and family gathering place and the place to experience some of the best art and culture in Seattle with kids.

It features more than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations in the uptown Arts & Cultural District.

I would definitely say don’t miss this area. It’s not only unique, and informative, but very enjoyable.

They are showing the rest of the world how to make your art and cultural museums and experiences stand out.

I love how all museums and attractions were in one vibrant fun place with art installations and public places to rest and unwind while you either waited for your next museum tour, or ate lunch, or just hung out.

We dedicated almost an entire day to the museums – not what we’d normally do! It’s best to plan your visit to the Seattle Art Center carefully and book in advance when you can to avoid queues.

Below you’ll find the Seattle Center attractions we visited, plus the Space Needle which is in the section on Seattle views.

Other Seattle attractions I would like to have visited in this area were the Bill and Melinda Gates Fountain Discovery Center, The Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Children’s Theater, the Seattle Pinball Museum, and Seattle Children’s Museum.

Don’t want to walk between the Seattle Center attractions? The Seattle Center Monorail can take you around in comfort!

8. Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum

We have seen several of Dave Chihuly’s magnificent glass sculptures as we’ve traveled across the USA, most notably was the Springtime display at Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.

So we were all pretty excited to visit his museum and learn more about his story and incredible artwork.

Chihuly is known around the world for his innovative glass designs and architectural installations and has received numerous awards, honorary doctorates, and fellowships.

This museum is dedicated to his life story, influences, and inspirations.

His artworks demonstrate how he pushed the boundaries of glass to create extraordinary work you can see this through various exhibitions in his galleries, Glasshouse and lush Garden.

The glass house is a 40-foot tall glass and steel structure with a vibrantly warm and colorful 100-foot long sculpture. You’ll get great views of the Seattle Space Needle behind this sculpture when you look up.

You’ll be amazed at how well the art sculptures blend into the lush landscaped garden. The Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum was one of my favorite things to do in Seattle. Our girls were intrigued and inspired.

9. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop)

As a grunge music lover, the MoPop Museum was one of the best things to do in Seattle for me!

This is a museum dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary popular culture, with its roots in Rock’n’ Roll.

But this is not just an adult museum – there is currently a Minecraft exhibition which is great for visiting Seattle with kids if they are into Minecraft?

The first thing that will grab your attention is the colorful, sprawling exterior hinting that you’re about to be transformed once within, wandering through their collection of exhibits and pop culture content.

I loved the exhibitions on Prince, especially after visiting Paisley Park in Minneapolis and learning more about his life there.

The exhibition on Nirvana and Pearl Jam was also fantastic. I could have sat in the little sound room watching videos of Eddie Vedder and Peral Jam performing live for our entire Seattle stay.

Movie lovers will enjoy the exhibitions on the role of Fantasy in Pop Fiction and movies, Science Fiction, and the Horror Film Section. I took one look at Freddie Krueger and ran out of there!

10. Art and Play Playground

If you are looking for fun things to do in Seattle with toddlers, you most definitely want to add some time at the Art and Play Playground.

While playgrounds might be a little obvious for things to do with kids, this one is one of the most fun!

It is located near MoPop and features a 30ft climbing tower and other artistic and unique pieces of equipment like sound swings and listening stations.

Adults may love walking the labyrinth while they do. I certainly did and my girls loved joining me.

11. The Seattle Fountain

At least pass by the Seattle Fountain, a mainstay from the World’s Fair. There is a big grassed lounging area with a white domed fountain.

You’ll get a beautiful view of the Space Needle and the Seattle skyline. If it’s hot, you may want to get up close to the fountain for a soaking. The kids will love it.

12. Olympic Sculpture Park

We squeezed in a quick visit to the sculpture park on the way out of Seattle. It’s located a couple of blocks from the Seattle Center and is owned by the Seattle Art Museum.

The Olympic Sculpture Park is an award-winning nine-acre sculpture park on the waterfront and is Seattle’s largest downtown green space. Its green lawn, paved walkways, and nature trails are lined with quirky sculptures. 

Follow the zig-zag path down to the waterfront and admire the many different sculptures of various sizes and colors.

You’ll have incredible views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains in the distance.

13. Attend a Seattle Mariners Game

If you visit during baseball season and have time, why not fit in a game of baseball with the local Seattle Mariners team?

We attended a night game and it was one of the most fun things to do in Seattle even though they didn’t play too well.

Head to the legendary Pyramid Alehouse, a Seattle pre-game favorite, which is just across the road from the entrance station.

You’ll find pretty decent pub food, local craft brews, and a huge outdoor area with cornhole games and live music.

14. KEXP Radio Station

KEXP Seattle Center has audio and video broadcast studios, the KEXP Live Room and Viewing Gallery, as well as the Gathering Space, which is a community hub and hangout place for music lovers.

It’s definitely worth a peek inside to sit for a while with a delicious cup of coffee.

You can listen to what is on the radio and see them recording it through the window. Check out the amazing dedication wall to Prince.

They frequently have musicians come in for live performances so keep your eye on those schedules to experience that.

If you would like to attend a free KEXP Live In-Studio performance, you must register in person at KEXP starting 90 minutes before the live performance.

Check out the complete list of upcoming in-studio performances here.

Tours of KEXP are offered daily at 2pm and 10am in the summer months.

Best Neighborhoods in Seattle to Explore

If you’re looking for free things to do in Seattle, you can’t go wrong with just wandering around the neighborhoods. Each area in the city is unique in its own way. Here are some of our favorite neighborhoods to explore.

15. Fremont: Theo’s Chocolate, Fremont Troll & Fremont Brewery

Fremont is a quirky neighborhood filled with creatives, artists, and foodies.

When in Seattle with kids, stopping in to see the Fremont Troll is fun for them. You’ll find the 18 ft. troll sculpture under the Aurora Bridge (of course). The troll is grasping a Volkswagen beetle in its hand. Be careful when crossing the bridge!

Also in the area is a huge bronze Lenin statue on the main street, and a sign declaring Fremont as the center of the Universe.

While in this area, be sure to walk along the riverfront trail from Fremont down to the Gas Works (see below in the Seattle Views section).

Start with some samples of delicious locally made Theo’s Chocolate. You have probably seen them in supermarkets around the country. You can sample loads of different flavors – the chili chocolate won me over – another of the cool things to do with kids in Seattle!

Then head down to the GA’s Works along the riverfront ( or bike path) past the blue and orange Fremont Bridge for a city view and return to finish the Fremont Brewery for a wide selection of craft beers and ciders.

This a family-friendly and dog-friendly brewery with a large beer garden. There is no food served here but you can bring in food from outside.

16. Go Roller Blading on Alki Beach

Whilst I wouldn’t be recommending Seattle as a place for swimming beaches (although some do), Alki Beach in West Seattle is a wonderful place to visit in Seattle with kids for a quieter local Seattle experience.

We didn’t spend a lot of time there, but enough time to rollerblade from Harbor Ave around the bend where the downtown water taxis arrive. There is a rollerblading and kayak rental place here.

The views of the Seattle skyline along the path were beautiful. It reminded me of my small beach hometown.

There weren’t many people out either which enhanced the experience. You could rollerblade from here all the way around to where the main beach and cafes are.

Put this on your list of fun kid-friendly activities in Seattle! The sand is clean and soft and there are a few tide pools that children will be fascinated with.

You can also catch a taxi over from downtown Seattle, which was highly recommended to us. Unfortunately, they weren’t running on the day we were visiting for some obscure reason.

If rollerblading is not your thing you can also kayak or paddle board. While here, treat yourself to delicious seafood and views at Dukes Seafood and Chowder. See more on that down below.

17. Explore Queen Anne and Capitol Hill

We’ve heard Queen Anne and Capitol Hill are also good neighborhoods to explore. Queen Anne is where you’ll find several of the top attractions in Seattle such as the Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture. You can also see the Chihuly Garden and Glass and just wander around looking at the 19th-century homes and boutique stores.

Capitol Hill is a pretty urban, hipster neighborhood with hip bars, grungy eateries, and gay bars. It has many indie stores and thrift shops, as well as some walking trails (make sure to check out the plant conservatory) and see panoramic views of the city.

It’s also home to the art deco Asian Art Museum and there is a wading pool at Cal Anderson Park which kids will love to play in.

Where Can You Find Great Views in Seattle?

Of course, the Space Needle mentioned above has an amazing view. But if you’re looking for free or cheap places to get views of the Seattle skyline, check out these places…

18. Kerry Park Seattle

For a beautiful and unique view head to the small neighborhood Kerry Park located in the Queen Anne neighborhood.

You could use a visit here as an opportunity to also explore the many boutique stores of the Queen Anne neighborhood.

19. Gas Works Park

What was once home to Seattle Gas Light Company’s gasification plant is now a place to fly kites and enjoy a stunning view of the Space Needle and the Puget Sound.

I would love to see them turn those giant rusty structures into some cool community space!

20. Smith Tower Observatory

If the views from the Smith Tower Observatory don’t rock your socks, the 19th century vibe of this early prohibition building might.

I loved the surprise entrance we had guided through different rooms and quirky exhibitions sharing Smith Tower’s storied past including connections to radio, rum-running, and a host of interesting characters and scintillating stories and ending with a ride in a historical Otis elevator to the speakeasy-inspired bar on the 34th floor.

Here you can sip on Prohibition-infused craft cocktails while enjoying the views and the eclectic mix of the 20s with Chinese-inspired décor.

The Wishing Chair is a popular seat for selfies and single people hoping its magic will rub off on them to be married within a year.

Go for a walk outside on the narrow viewing platform, which will be partially obstructed by the wrought iron protective fence.

Drinks are expensive but if you visit during happy hour it may lighten the load. Happy Hour is Mon-Fri 4-6pm and costs $12 to go up to the deck. Usually $20.

Continuing on the Seattle Starbucks story, you can see the giant this corporation has become with a view down over their headquarters – the big white building in the distance with the logo shining bright!

There is an open air Lookout pop-up bar in the summer for ages 21 and over. We obviously could not go to it!

21. Sky View Observatory

We did not make it to the Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center, but many recommended it to us as having the best views of Seattle.

You’ll climb 73 stories for panoramic Seattle views and the tallest public viewing space in the Pacific Northwest.

Views include Mt. Rainier, Bellevue, the Cascade Mountains, Mt. Baker, Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, the Space Needle, and the city of Seattle.

If you want to luxe it up, they have a special sunset VIP experience that includes food, beverage, and 2-hour window-side table views.

22. Seattle Ferries

Simply jump on a ferry or water taxi coming in and out of Seattle and you will have wonderful skyline views of the city.

We were fortunate to arrive in Seattle from the Olympic Peninsula by way of Bainbridge Island on the ferry. What a way to incorporate views of the skyline. It was a wonderful Seattle welcome.

23. The Seattle Great Wheel

You will see the giant Seattle Wheel as you sail into the city. It’s just a giant Ferris Wheel offering superb views of the Seattle waterfront and downtown.

It’s one of the fun things to do in Seattle with kids, although surprisingly, our usually brave Kalyra freaks out on any kind of Ferris Wheel.

This ride will last about 30-minutes in a fully enclosed gondola so can be worth it on a clear day if you love city views and photography. Kids will love this!

Places to Eat in Seattle

We are big foodies and so finding good food in any city is a must! Here are some places we absolutely loved during out visit to Seattle.

24. Crab Pot

After your ride on the Seattle Wheel and Wings over Washington, head straight to the Crab Pot located on the same wharf for a seafood feast.

Your waitress will sort you out with a giant bib and throw a bowl of Pacific Clambake, on the paper in front of you.

Get your hands dirty and plow into some delicious locally freshly-caught seafood that included steamed clams, Pacific Mussels, Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, Shrimp, Salmon, Corn on the Cob & red roast potatoes.

It’s probably the best seafood I’ve had in the US and reminded me even more of Sydney. Even better that it was paired with a glass of chardonnay on a warm summer’s day.

A table on the wharf would be best for Seattle’s views and outdoor ambiance. This is definitely one of the fun places to eat in Seattle with kids!

24. Duke’s Seafood and Chowder House

Let’s keep the seafood vibe happening over at Alki Beach.

Duke’s Seafood and Chowder House is an independent locally owned restaurant since the late 70s. They are strict in ensuring the food is 100% sustainable and free from chemical nasties.

There’s plenty of fresh, sustainable, wild-caught seafood and gluten-free options, including their delicious clam chowder, a meal I rarely get to enjoy – thank you, Dukes!

There are vegan and vegetarian offerings and a delightful menu for kids including Wild Alaska Salmon and Coconut Prawns.

It’s worth eating here for the views alone from the upper deck dining.

Plus, for families, the beach is across the road, so if the kids get antsy, you can let them go over to play. Given your elevated seat on the deck, you can easily watch them while you relax over your meal and drinks.

The service was as exceptional as the food and the views. I can tell you, eating at Duke’s is a culinary experience that will never fade into the background. One of our most memorable things to do in Seattle.

25. Arthurs, Alki Beach

We LOVED eating breakfast here before our morning roller blading around Alki Beach. Mostly because it’s an Australian-inspired all-day café!

We can sniff out that vegemite from miles away.

The girls were delighted to have that for breakfast. I was delighted with my flat white and smashed Avo: heirloom tomatoes, poached eggs on top of avocado mashed with lemon, mint, basil, and parsley on (gluten-free) toast. It never fails to please.

26. Kin Dee Thai

If you’re looking for authentic Thai food in a neighborhood environment, head to Kin Dee on E Madison St. Thankfully, our Airbnb was just a short stroll away.

The pumpkin curry was delicious.

And I could not resist ending the meal with one of my all-time favorite Thai dishes: mango with sticky rice. It did not let us down. Kalyra’s first impressions were, we’ve got to make this at home.

Who Does the Best Cupcake in Seattle?

Is it Trophy Cupcakes or Cupcake Royal? Or maybe Top Pot?

If you want to start a war with Seattle locals, ask them who bakes the best cupcakes in Seattle.

It’s a pretty even battle based on passionate responses. The best thing to do is to decide for yourself. The main contenders seem to be Trophy Cupcakes and Cupcake Royal. We also went to Top Pots.

You’ll find their stores all over Seattle.

Cupcake Royal is the pioneer in Seattle cupcakes known for locally sourced ingredients. Trophy is known for its party-style designs (they sell ice cream too).

Both have gluten-free and vegan cupcakes but had all sold out when we arrived. The girls didn’t really favor one cupcake store over the other – both were equally delicious – but they are a must-do in Seattle with kids!

Let us know in the comments, or by tagging us on social, which one is your preferred Seattle cupcake.

Where Can I Find Good Coffee in Seattle?

You want great coffee. You’ve found it in Seattle. It’s another reason this city is a top USA destination for us!

27. Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room

While everyone else is lining up at Starbucks in Pike Place Market, we recommend you instead head to the Starbucks Roastery for a unique Starbucks experience!

You’ve got more than coffee here and a small cabinet of snacks. There’s a store, a roastery, a café, a coffee library and almost a museum of the coffee roasting process.

You can get bakery and food items and alcohol here (operated by Princi Bakery), which I felt were a little overpriced. But, you know, Starbucks.

The Experience Bar is a place to sit down and order unique and siphon brewed coffees not found elsewhere.

28. Espresso Vivace

Our Seattle friend Rob from 2TravelDads recommended Espresso Vivace as his favorite coffee in Seattle. He was not wrong.

We popped into their flagship café in Capitol Hill location after our crepes at Joes. Grab your favorite cup and a window seat and watch the world go by.

29. Storyville

We popped in for a latte at Storyville in Pike Place after our tour. It was creamy and delicious and very popular.

They have a 3-sip guarantee here. If you don’t love it after the third sip, they’ll refund your money. We did not have to use the guarantee.

30. South Lake Union Zoka

We popped in here on our way out of Seattle. It’s located in the heart of the Amazon campus and offers a busy atmosphere with delicious coffee.

Surrounding the area were many food trucks with workers grabbing their daily meals. The coffee was great and perfectly suited to our drive north.

Places to Visit Near Seattle

Seattle is near many fantastic places and cool adventures, so no trip to the city would be complete without a trip out of the city.

Check out these cool day trips from Seattle:

• Olympic National Park day trip – see more in our guide to Incredible Things to Do in Olympic National Park 
• North Cascades National Park
• Mount Rainier Day tour
• Leavenworth
• Skagway
• Port Townsend (Olympic Peninsula)
• La Conner (nice day trip)
• Orca Whale Watching at Edmonds

4 Day Seattle Itinerary

We have a free printable 4-day itinerary for Seattle, which may help you with longer trips to Seattle.

You can easily take one of the days from the itinerary to adapt and follow for your Seattle visit. It includes a map with directions for each day.

We offer free printable itineraries, checklists and guides to those in our free VIP email tribe.

FAQs About Things to do In Seattle

Here’s what people usually ask us about visiting Seattle…

If I Only Have One Day to Spend in Seattle, What Should I See?

Great question. Below is a brief outline of what we think you should see and do with one day in Seattle.

• Pike Place Market (VIP Behind the Scenes Tour)
• Chihuly Glass
• MoPop
• The Space Needle
• Seattle Underground Tour

This would be a very busy day, but worth it. Be sure to grab your CityPass for savings and book tours in advance so you can hit the ground running and be more time efficient.

Depending on how the schedule pans out and your timing you can figure out where to eat, and where to get coffee near the area you’ll be exploring.

You can definitely get a huge food fix in the morning on the food tour! Grab your cupcakes while there to munch on throughout the day.

If you have time, you may be able to head up to the Smith Tower Observatory or Sky View Observatory for dusk views, or even The Space Needle for nighttime views too.

What’s the Best Time of the Year to Visit Seattle?

Summer without a doubt is the best time to visit Seattle. It will be busy, but you’ve got a much better chance of warm and dry weather.

The only time we noticed the crowds were at the Seattle Center and even then it wasn’t too bad. If you book in advance and plan accordingly, you will be fine.

Do I Need a Car When Visiting Seattle?

No! Especially if you stay in the city near all the best Seattle attractions.

If you only have a day or two in Seattle, staying in the city center may be a better idea then staying at an Airbnb in the neighborhoods. It will give you more time for exploring and less need to rely on public transport.

Where to Stay in Seattle

If you’re not sure where to Stay in Seattle, here are some great accommodation options.

Kimpton Palladian Hotel

Stay in the heart of Seattle 1,000 feet from Pike Place Market and 0.6 mi from the Space Needle. Kimpton’s are our favorite hotel brand so we always recomend them for their boutqiue style quirkiness.

The guest rooms here feature pop-art pillows while certain units have a claw footed bathtub.

An evening wine hour is held every night from 17:00 to 18:00 at Kimpton Palladian Hotel. Free bikes are also available.

Past guests rave about the modern décor, spacious and comfortable rooms and location. Check rates here

Belltown Inn

Located 15 minutes’ walk to the Olympic Sculpture Park , is the Belltown Inn. Pike Place Market and the Space Needle are within 10 minutes’ walk.

Rooms have a kitchenette and the inn has a furnished rooftop terrace.

Previous guests rave about location, price and clean well sized rooms Check rates and reviews here.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Seattle With Kids

So there you have it, those are the top Seattle attractions with kids and as you can see, there is so much to see and explore.

The attractions we’ve listed are great for kids of all ages, and adults will find them fun and exciting too!

If your children are a bit older or perhaps teenagers, they may also like to see the Space Museum or Museum of Flight. I wouldn’t recommend them for small children who wouldn’t appreciate them past the flight simulator, but if your kids are older they may enjoy these attractions.

Whatever you decide to do during your travels to Seattle, we hope you have the best time!

More USA City Guides

If you’re planning on visiting more cities in the USA, then you might find these guides helpful.

• 28 fun things to do in San Francisco
• 20 cool things to do in Los Angeles with kids
• 16 awesome things to do in San Diego with kids
• 3 day itinerary for New York City 
• 15 awesome things to do in Nashville with kids

Pin Below To Save On Pinterest:

You might be thinking the park is all about hiking and wildlife, but there are actually some really incredible things to do in Olympic National Park – whether you’re someone looking for an action-packed adventure or a place to find solace and silence.

You’ll be surrounded by the call of the rushing rivers, shimmering lakes, cascading waterfalls, rolling surf of the Pacific Ocean, and old-growth forests that whisper their secrets.

But if you’re not sure what attractions in Olympic National Park to add to your itinerary, don’t fret. As this guide will tell you everything you need to know!

Why Visit Olympic National Park?

Like all wilderness areas, Olympic National Park is a treasure you will take home in your heart – something you can draw upon in the years to come when the pace and noise of the urban setting get too overwhelming.

The solace and stillness of the wilderness can be found here.

Welcome to Olympic National Park, Washington, is a pristine region of ancient cedar spruce trees, glacial lakes, sub-alpine meadows, mountain ranges and verdant rainforests.

And Mount Olympus, at 7,980 feet, is the tallest and most prominent mountain on the Olympic Peninsula.

The Olympics were protected as a national park in 1938 and it is internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, evidence of its diversity and rich resources. It’s one of the best national parks in the United States.

There are several different areas and places to visit in Olympic National Park found in different areas within the park boundaries. You’ll find everything from mountains, coasts, temperate rainforests, and lakes.

How to Visit Olympic National Park

You’ll need a National Park Permit to visit the different areas. You can purchase an America The Beautiful annual pass online, or a day passes at a local ranger station.

We were fortunate to have a local, Rob Taylor from 2 Travel Dads spent a day with us sharing his hidden secrets for the Olympic Peninsula or (OP) as they call it.

Rob’s local tips are mentioned throughout this guide, and in our Olympic National Park video down below.

You will need a car to visit Olympic National Park. If you don’t have your own vehicle, be sure to check out RentalCars.com to compare the prices of hire vehicles. You can also step your trip up a notch and rent an RV for a full camping experience using RVShare.

There are no through roads in the park due to the Olympic Mountains so it presents the challenge of driving in and out of the different sections.

Careful planning and a map are needed to ensure you visit the regions you most want to see. Highway 101 encircles the park and several spur roads lead to mountains, forest, and coast.

Getting to and around Olympic National Park

If you are flying in from out of state, most people will start their visit in Seattle.

By Car

Seattle to Olympic National Park is approximately 3 hour’s drive.

You can drive to Olympic National Park via the I-5 corridor or by one of the quieter state roadways.

Once you get to the Olympic Peninsula, connect to Hwy 101 to reach the visitor center at Port Angeles or any destinations in and around the park.

• From Olympia Take I-5 to Hwy 101
• From Tacoma Take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104; be aware that State Route 104 crosses the Hood Canal Bridge Which Closes periodically for boat traffic.
• From Washington/Oregon Coast connect to Hwy 101 in Aberdeen.

By Ferry

You can catch the ferry (vehicles allowed) from Seattle over to the Olympic Peninsula and drive in from there.

Washington State Ferries has a number of routes that access the Olympic Peninsula via Puget Sound.

There are several port destinations that will get you across the sound and onto the peninsula and on your way to Olympic National Park.

• Arriving Port Townsend access Hwy 101 from State Route 20.
• Arriving Kingston access Hwy 101 from State Route 104.
• Arriving Bainbridge Island access Hwy 101 from State Routes 305, 7, and 104. Be aware that State Route 104 crosses the Hood Canal Bridge which closes periodically for boat traffic

Things to Do in Olympic National Park

Now you know why and how to visit Olympic NP, it’s time to take a look at the top Olympic National Park attractions.

We recommend at least three days exploring all the unique and best things to do in Olympic National Park, one of the coolest places to visit in Washington State.

Here are some suggestions for things to add to your itinerary!

1. Hike the Hurricane Ridge

Time to strap on the pack and put on your hiking shoes for some seriously stunning Olympic National Park hikes!

Here is where you’ll find glacier-chiseled U-shaped valleys and sub-alpine meadows filled with singing marmots, friendly black-tailed deer, and vibrant wildflowers.

Hurricane Ridge is the most accessible Olympic mountain range in the park, located only 17 miles from Port Angeles, the largest town near Olympic NP.

There are multiple hiking trails you can take to enjoy those mountain views and Alp-like atmosphere.

2. Klahhane Ridge Trail

Rob recommended the Klahhane Ridge Trail as one of his favorite Olympic National Park things to do.

The full loop trail was going to be 5 miles round trip and steep for the last section of it, so we decided to walk as far as we could and then turn around.

I stupidly had done a tough barre workout class two days before, so my legs were a mess.

I can’t say for sure whether this was the reason I found this quite a difficult trail. Knowing my hiking skill level, this shouldn’t have made me feel as bad as it did.

The ranger at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center told us that it was an A+ leisurely walk through the Sound of Music scenery. He was spot on about the A+ Sound of Music scenery, but I’m not too sold on the leisurely walk thing.

But again, it could have just been my legs.

It wasn’t as flat as we were expecting, most of it was a gentle elevation gain, with a few more steep up-and-down sections.

The kids thought it was hard too but they were in more of a complaining mode than usual, which was also one of the decisions we decided to skip the last very steep switch-back climb up to Klahhane Ridge and turned around.

It was a hard walk out for me as my legs progressively got sorer and slower.

Usually, I am the one miles ahead of anyone else in the group, it was an unusual feeling to not be able to walk fast and fall behind no matter how hard I tried.

Would I still recommend the Klahhane Ridge Trail in Olympic National Park? Absolutely. Just don’t do any barre classes before it.

I mean, look at the views – simply stunning.

And we saw plenty of deer and heard the high-pitched whistle of an Olympic marmot at the end and then saw one sunning himself on the side of the road.

He was owning the joint!

The Olympic marmot can only be found on the Olympic Peninsula and are so cool I hope you see one.

3. Visit the Lakes in Olympic National Park

If you want to experience the serenity and calm water activities in the Olympic Park Washington, then escape to its striking alpine and sub-alpine lakes of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

From Lake Crescent to Lake Quinault, from Hoh Lake to Heart Lake, the Olympic Peninsula has no shortage of beautiful bodies of water.

There are over 650 lakes and wetlands in the park.

300 of them are high mountain lakes and only accessible only in summer and early fall for those with an adventurous spirit, a love for steep climbs, and primitive wilderness experiences.

Lake Crescent

A 624 ft. deep shimmering glacier-carved jewel, Lake Crescent is the second largest of the lakes in Olympic National Park.

It lies in the northern part of the park, 18 miles west of Port Angeles.

This 12-mile-long sapphire-colored lake sparkles, and it was here, at Lake Crescent Lodge (formerly Singer’s Tavern) that President Franklin Roosevelt decided to authorize the surrounding wilderness as a national park.

I can understand why!

Lake Crescent Lodge is seriously charming. If you do nothing else, be sure to grab a local drink and head out to sit on one of the Adirondack-style beach chairs to enjoy the view.

It’s a fantastic way to end your time visiting Olympic National Park.

There are several hiking trails in the surrounding mountains, including the Mount Storm King hike which gives you incredible views of the lake, as well as lowland forest (see Marymere Falls in the Forest section below).

Not up for a hike?

You can hire boats and kayaks from Lake Crescent Lodge to enjoy water activities – serene swimming can be one of those!

There are plenty of picnic spots in the region as well.

Lake Quinault

On the southwest edge of the park lies the deep blue glacial waters of Lake Quinault.

You can come here for lakeside summer fun including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and miles of trails through lush rainforest groves and 6 champion conifer trees!

These trees are recognized by the National Forestry Association as the largest living specimens of their species.

It’s a great base to explore the rainforest and coastal regions of the Olympic National Park and offers a relaxing family vacation.

Lake Quinault Lodge is a stunning historic lodge on the lakefront. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a chardonnay with a view while the kids play on the expansive grass out front.

We camped down the road but popped in here after our hike through the rainforest.

One other worthy stop while at Lake Quinault is the Salmon House Restaurant. As the name suggests, you’ll find plenty of local salmon choices.

It was perfectly cooked melt-in-your-mouth salmon. I went for the house special – Dill Salmon.

Lake Quinault’s north shore is in Olympic National Park while the south shore is managed by the forest service.

If you have an Annual pass you’ll be covered for fees to the South Shore area. Your fee for the National Park does not extend to this region.

4. Explore the Lowland Old Growth Forests

You will not be crazy for thinking that the following trails are rainforest trails. They are in fact lowland forests.

It took me some research to figure out what the difference was because I felt for sure I was walking through a temperate rainforest on the Marymere Falls, and especially the Soleduck Falls trail.

It’s indicative of the rain that falls in this region, as these trails were still incredibly moist and filled with cedar and Sitka trees.

However, the biggest distinction between old-growth lowland forests and temperate rainforests is lower rainfall. As the Sul Doc Valley is further away from the coast this makes sense.

The lowland old-growth forests have Douglas fir and western hemlock forests with trees that exceed 200 years old, and have a multi-layered canopy with abundant downed wood and standing dead trees.

Marymere Falls Trail

Enter a world of giant evergreens in a moss-laden forest.

This scenic 1.8-mile loop walk is one of the best hikes in Olympic National Park and will take you across two creeks and to two viewpoints of the beautiful 90 ft. high Marymere Falls.

The lower viewpoint will give you a closer experience to the falls directly opposite it.

This trail is one of the best things to do in Olympic National park with kids because of the waterfall, the creek to play in and the gorgeous tree at the beginning of the trail for playing on.

On the way back take the path that follows Barnes Creek downstream to the Lake Crescent Lodge.

This route passes through more old-growth forests and links into the family-friendly 0.5-mile Moments in Time Trail, which begins near the Storm King Ranger Station.

We took the path from here to the lodge after finishing Marymere, not realizing we could have taken a shortcut.

The Moments in Time Trail follows the shores of Lake Crescent through the ethereal woods and offers panels with more information on the region.

Sol Duc Falls Trail

Sol Duc Falls is one of the most beautiful hikes and Olympic National Park waterfalls in the park!

The 1.6 mile return hike takes you along the Soleduck River and through a lush old-growth forest. It’s a mostly level trail with boardwalks making it a great trail for people of all ages and abilities.

The Sol Duc Falls is beautiful.

They are not the tallest or most powerful waterfalls, but the way they plummet 40 ft. into a narrow gorge via three separate parallel streams with dense green forest surrounding it is mesmerizing.

The separate streams regather in the canyon covered with moss and ferns and then roll on back downstream the rover under a rustic log bridge and through the forest.

Sol Doc Falls live up to their name, which is a Quillayute name that roughly translates into ‘sparkling waters.’

You can enjoy a front-row view of the mighty Soleduck Falls from multiple viewpoints above, below, and on level!

We took the short hike option this time, but the next time we visit Olympic National Park I want to take the 6-mile return from the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort along Lovers Lane.

Land of the Ancients

This is a great short trail along a boardwalk for some of the ways through a land of mosses, ferns, liverworts, and decaying matter.

The understory is abundant with huckleberries, elderberries, and a soft green carpet.

It’s magical and a hidden secret of the Olympic NP, shared with us by Rob!

It’s on the right-hand side as you drive to the Sol Duc Rainforest so keep an eye out for it on the right-hand side of the road. It’s just over nine miles from Highway 101.

5. Visit the Temperate Rainforests

Run to the Olympic rainforest with its massive trees, lush vegetation, and Roosevelt elk.

Temperate rainforests grow along the coast, and in ocean-facing valleys so the west side of the park is where you’ll find one of the best places in the world to see a temperate rainforest.

Due to its 12-14 feet of rain per year and temperatures that stay between freezing and 80 the perfect mossy, lush ecosystem can grow here.

Several trees in Olympic National Park hold records for their size.

Hoh and Quinault are the most well-known Olympic forests. Bogachiel and Queets are two more.

Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest offers a different experience with trails taking you through the Virginia temperate rainforest.

It’s misty and ethereal and could be the setting of a hobbit tale.

Hoh Rainforest is a wonderland to explore with giant moss and ferns carpeting the floor and western hemlock, Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce trees, and moss-draped big leaf maples creating a canopy above.

It’s magical and timeless.

Roosevelt elk can often be seen lingering on riverbanks of the Hoh river trail at dawn and dusk. We did not see them but another deer beside us on the trail poking its head out of the bushes and scaring us.

Another popular trail in the rainforest is the Hall of Mosses trail, which is a lush, moss-covered trail that loops for 800 meters around the Hoh rainforest.

One thing I loved discovering in the Hoh Rainforest was the nurse logs, a characteristic of temperate rainforest. They are trees that have fallen down that now have a row of trees growing up on them in a row.

It was incredible.

There are two of the easiest Olympic National Park hikes located in the Hoh Rainforest:

• the 1 mile Hall of Mosses
• and the 1.2 miles of Spruce Nature Trail

The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforests in the United States and is one of the park’s most popular things to do in Olympic National Park so be prepared for crowds and time your visit right.

Stop in at the Hoh rain forest Visitor Center for more tips.

Quinault Rain forest

Further south of the Hoh Rainforest, on the shores of Lake Quinault, is the Quinault Rainforest.

Quinault Rain Forest is home to the world’s largest Sitka spruce tree which is more than 1,000 years old. It’s 191-feet-high with a 96-foot spread. The Big Spruce Trailhead is where you’ll find that.

The Quinault Big Cedar trail is 0.2 miles long with 80 feet gain in elevation.

Or stop at the Graves Creek trailhead and take the flat 1-mile Cascading Terraces loop through the forest along East Fork Quinault River at Graves Creek.

You’ll also find a few small waterfalls on some of the trails.

There are plenty of trails to choose from on the south side.

We jumped on a trail that started just behind our campsite at Rain Forest Resort Village and it looped around to bring us out near the Lake Lodge.

On that walk, we saw a couple of small waterfalls, but the kids were disappointed we took them on a hike to see such small waterfalls- kids who travel too much.

Falls Creek Loop is for those who like rushing streams and waterfalls. Trail of the Giants will show you plenty of giant Douglas fir trees.

6. Check out the Wilderness Coast

If you get tired of the shimmering lakes and old-growth forests, you can get a little wilder out on the Olympic National Park coastline.

I didn’t even know this area was part of the national park until we arrived and I saw the sign. I was even more impressed with the diversity the Olympic Peninsula offers.

From tide pools filled with colorful and intriguing creatures to arches and sea stacks or oodles of driftwood to play with on the beach, you’ll be entertained and in awe on the Olympic Peninsula coastline.

Olympic National Park protects over 73 miles of some of the most primitive natural coastline in the 48 contiguous United States.

Most of it can only be accessed on foot so prepare for some fun adventures on the Pacific Coastline.

7. Check out The Olympic Beaches

But whilst beautiful, the wilderness coast can be treacherous.

I wouldn’t go swimming here. The water is cold and the surf treacherous. And when you see all those logs piled on the beaches, you can see just how powerful the ocean is here.

Many of these logs may remain underwater which adds to the dangers. You can also get stuck with tidal movements so be aware of these before playing on the beach.

Below are the three regions we visited that can be accessed by vehicle to take in some of the best beaches in Olympic National Park.

We explored this region while staying at the nearby Hoh Rainforest.

Kalaloch Beach

Kalaloch Beach is at the southern end of the Olympic Wilderness Coast and offers an expansive sandy beach and the popular Tree of Life.

I was a bit worried this Tree of Life may be a little let-down and not worth the 15-minute walk along the sandy beach.

The tree of life is a Sitka spruce tree that clings to the coastal bluff by winding thick roots, spanning the roof of a small cave.

Although erosion has taken away the life supply of the tree, it continues to thrive (even through wild storms) and provide an incredible site for people passing by.

Go for the walk, it is worth it.

Someone had created a giant maze on the sand which we all enjoyed walking our way through.

We had lunch at the Kalaloch Lodge which has wonderful views over the coastline.

This is meant to be one of the best beaches on the Washington Coast for storm watching. I could really see that with the intensity of those waves rolling in.

Ruby Beach

Out of the three beaches we explored on the Washington Coast, Ruby Beach was our favorite Olympic National park beach.

With stunning sea stacks, incredible coastal views, tide pools, eagles, otters and more, Ruby Beach is worth a visit.

If you can time it right, Ruby Beach has tide pools to explore as does Beach 4.

Pause for a moment on the way down to Ruby Beach as the views from the staircase are beautiful.

The entry over a pile of driftwood is a fun way to arrive and for the kids to build their fortresses. You can stay right there and play, or walk a little further north past the sea stacks for a quieter area to play.

We found seesaws and swings made from driftwood here. It was truly a kid’s paradise and it was hard to pull them away.

It is meant to have a spectacular sunset, so add this to your list of things to do in Olympic National Park.

Rialto Beach

We were greeted with what I felt was a typical Washington coastal scene: a fog bank rolling in and shrouding the surrounding sea stacks.

A classic beach hike in Olympic Park, the 1.5-mile trek down Rialto Beach to Hole in the Wall.

Although it’s flat, I wouldn’t say it’s an easy walk as you’ll be walking on soft sand and large pebbles. With its sea stacks and rugged scenery, it’s beautiful and interesting.

Hole-in-the-wall is a sea-carved arch that provides a window to the rugged Washington sea stack-filled coastal scenery.

To get the perspective of the sea stack directly in the middle of the “hole”, cross through the hole (during low tide, of course) and walk about 100 yards away to find the right perspective for you.

Be sure that you are aware of the tide times as you will not be able ta access the hole in the wall when the tide is in.

Raito Beach is the jumping-off point for wilderness hikes going north.

You will pass through Forks as you drive into Rialto Beach.

In case you haven’t heard, Forks is the setting for the Twilight series and so a popular place for vampire lovers.

Watch our Video of the Olympic National Park

Where to Stay in Olympic National Park

Now you know what to do in Olympic National Park, it’s time to start planning where to stay in Olympic NP. Here are some suggestions for some great accommodation.

Lake Crescent Lodge

This historic lodge on the shores of Lake Crescent was built in 1915 and is one of the best places to stay in Olympic National Park for exploring the northern section of the park.

Its setting among the giant fir and hemlock trees is beautiful and the area exudes timeless elegance.

The lobby with its stone fireplace and sun porch is warm and inviting. There’s a wide range of rooms. My pick would be one of the National Register of Historic Places-listed fireplace cabins.

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge would be an ideal base to explore the rainforest and coastal areas of the Olympic National Park.

It would offer respite and serenity after a day of hiking and exploring.

They offer accommodation within the lodge as well as several cabins and buildings on the main ground that range in amenities from fireplaces to lakeside views.

There’s also a restaurant, indoor heated pool and sauna, and recreation room.

The Lake Quinault Lodge is open year-round and offers guided boat tours, boat, and paddle boat rentals, and guided driving tours of the Quinault Rainforest.

Hotels near Olympic National Park

We always start any hotel search with Booking.com.

We like using them because you can book a variety of accommodation types on one website – hotels, apartments, hostels, even holiday homes – and their website is easy to use!

The best thing about booking via Booking.com is the free cancellation on most rooms and a best-price guarantee.

You can book knowing you are getting a low rate, and have the freedom to cancel if your plans change.

Camping in Olympic National Park

There are various campsites throughout Olympic National Park.

Kalaloch and Sol Duc are the only campgrounds that accept reservations in the summer. All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served.

Most campgrounds have RV spaces limited to 21 feet or shorter. Some campgrounds have lengths up to 35 feet. We just squeezed in at the Heart O’ the Hills campground.

Where we camped (with our 37 ft travel trailer):

• Hard Rain Cafe, Hoh Rainforest: This small café is just outside the entrance to Hoh Rainforest and has a small RV park attached. Water and electric included. They also have cheap burgers and breakfast options.
• Rainforest Resort Village, Lake Quinault: A pretty campsite on the shores of Lake Quinault, close to trails and Lake Quinault lodge. Easy walk to Salmon House Restaurant.
• Heart O’ the Hills Campground: This was a beautiful campground Surrounded by old growth forest in the northern section of the park as you enter the Hurricane Ridge area. It was only 10 minutes from downtown Port Angeles.

Learn more about the best campgrounds in Olympic National Park here.

You can also search for campgrounds using these free apps:

• Campendium – has thousands of places to camp, from swanky RV parks to free remote destinations. created by campers for campers.
• iOverlander – a database of places for overlanders and travelers. It includes camping, hotels, restaurants, mechanics, water, propane filling, and many other features.

Before You Go

So there you have it, those are the top things to do in Olympic National Park and how to plan your visit. As you can see, there is so much to see and explore, it’s going to be a true highlight of your trip.

Before you go, don’t forget to take out travel insurance. Not having travel insurance on any trip is not worth the risk. Anything can, will, and sometimes goes wrong.

What happens if:

• You need to cancel your trip unexpectedly
• You get sick or injured on your trip
• There is a natural disaster
• You lose important documents

Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies and events such as trip cancellation, your personal effects, and other related losses incurred while traveling.

We at yTravel Blog are ambassadors of Allianz travel, who want you to travel happy!

More Washington State Travel Tips

Are you planning on visiting other parts of Washington? Then perhaps you might like these additional resources:

• North Cascades National Park – 12 best things to do!
• Cool kids guide for things to do in Seattle

Tips on More National Parks in the USA

Are you planning to visit other national parks in the states? Check out our helpful guides below.

• Glacier: 15 unforgettable things to do in Glacier National Park
• Yosemite: 18 amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• Grand Canyon: 8 tips for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon
• Zion: 14 things to do in Zion National Park
• Yellowstone: 23 best things to do in Yellowstone NP
• Arches: 11 amazing things to do in Arches National Park
• Joshua Tree: 8 awesome things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
• Death Valley: 9 incredible things to do in Death Valley National Park

Pin Below To Save On Pinterest:

I was able to check that off only a year later when TBEX was finally able to host their annual travel blogging conference again post-COVID.

I love how TBEX is held in lessor known destinations (Huntsville was a much-loved Alabama surprise for me!) and Tri-Cities didn’t disappoint.

During the three days of the conference, it was difficult to move my attention away from conversations and laughter with my travel blogging friends over another fantastic glass of wine, to experience the three cities of this region.

But, I enjoyed a fantastic three-day press trip at the end of the conference to discover why Tri-Cities is a worthwhile destination in Washington for any traveler, but particularly wine lovers.

Where is Tri-Cities, WA?

Tri-Cities is located in Southeast Washington about two and half hours from Spokane. It’s located on the confluence of three rivers – the Snake, Yakima, and Columbia Rivers.

There are three cities that make up this area: Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco – each with their own personalities to explore.

This region has been the home of the Umatilla, the Nez Perce, Wanapum, and Yakama tribes since ancient times. That all changed with Lewis & Clark’s Corps of Discovery arrival in this region which opened the pathway for migration.

In the late 1800s, the area started to grow due to the railroad passing through here until in 1943 when the US government decided that the bend in the river was the perfect place for their top-secret Manhattan Project. This was all related to creating the reactors needed to produce plutonium, which was used in one of the atomic bombs.

This led to an explosion of growth in the area as workers came from around the country – even though most didn’t know why or what they were working on.

Why visit the Tri Cities, Washington?

This area is known as the Heart of Washington Wine Country, so if you’re a budding sommelier, an avid sampler, or just a fan of tasting quality wine this is the region for you.

It’s located on the same latitude as famous wine regions in Europe, and thanks to the prehistoric Missoula flood and ancient volcanic explosions, the mineral rich soil here makes it perfect for growing grapes.

There are more than 200 wineries within a 50-mile radius, and they range from large nationally renowned wineries to smaller independent wineries with incredible stories to tell – and wines to match.

The spotlight tends to always be on California for top quality wines, but as I repeatedly stated during my trip, “This wine is so much better than California.”

The Red Mountain AVA makes up most of the Tri-Cities area, which is also part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA.

Red wine dominates the region with cabernet sauvignon leading the pack. Although you will still find plenty of white grapes such as Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.

It’s also close to Walla Walla and the Yakima Valley, two other outstanding wine regions in Washington.

But it’s not just wine to enjoy here. Thanks to its quasi-desert climate, the Tri City area boasts 300 days of sunshine year-round, providing ample opportunity to step outside and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Take your pick from hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, and swimming.

As this is one of the most fertile regions in Washington, you’ll find abundantly fresh food and cuisines from all around the world.

Plus, there are many museums and science attractions that help tell the rich story of this region including the Manhattan Project Historical Site, The Bechtel National Planetarium, the REACH museum, and the LIGO Hanford Observatory.

Stay at the Lodge at Columbia Point

While my first few nights at the Courtyard by Marriott in Richland were comfortable and more than adequate, my heart sang, “this is heaven,” when I moved next door to the four-star Lodge at Columbia Point for my two-night stay.

This is the perfect accommodation for your visit to the Tri Cities. Here your accommodation transforms from just a bed to sleep to an experience to enjoy.

I was so happy the three days of our famil were at a relaxing pace, so I actually had time to enjoy this beautiful lodge, my lux King Suite, and the gorgeous Columbia River views from my private patio.

The lodge’s interior decorating is warm and inviting, with all views leading outside to the stunning river views, and patio firepit. 

The hotel also has an open-air swimming pool and spa, a living room library, and a restaurant.

The classy Drumheller’s serves breakfast and dinner with innovative meals made from season, fresh and local ingredients.

I loved my mushroom Florentine omelet for breakfast, and my Grand Coulee Steelhead with Sweet Pea Puree, Oyster Mushrooms, Risotto, Beurre Rosé for dinner was incredible.

Read reviews and book your stay here.

Bike or Walk Columbia River Trail

One of the best things to do in the Tri-Cities region is to walk, run, or bike along the Columbia River trail. (see Reel here)

Called the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, in honor of the young Native American woman who helped guide Lewis and Clark on their expedition, the trail runs for 23 miles along both sides of the river, linking all three Tri-City towns and several parks and bridges.

As both my hotels were on the river, I walked along the path several times.

Our group also cycled a fair way along it on ebikes on the first morning of our tour. The paved path is fairly flat, so normal bikes would be more than adequate. It was fun to do it on an ebike and we covered a lot more ground.

You can see more of the Sacagawea sites in Idaho

Tour a Biodynamic Winery at Hedges Family Estate

Location: 53511 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320
Website: https://hedgesfamilyestate.com/

One of my favorite things to do in Tri cities was visiting Hedges Family Estate, a Biodynamic Winery located on an elevated section of Red Mountain.

Chief winemaker, Sarah Hedges greeted us at the door to their stunning French-inspired Chateau with a glass of sparkling rose.

As we appreciated the light and fruity flavors of the wine and stunning views over the tulip garden and vines, she shared with us more about the history of her family’s winery and how it’s focused on unique farming practices that are in tune with nature’s pulse.

More specifically, of natures’ pulse as to how it beats in the Tri Cities particular soil, climate, and the cosmic cycle calendar.

Kayla Braich, vineyard manager, led us to the vines and told us more about the natural fertilizers and preparations that help take care of the soil and allow the vines to thrive. It’s a more proactive and holistic approach to farming in comparison to organic farming, which is quite reactive.

My question, why isn’t every farmer doing this?

Let’s hope agriculture starts to lean more in this direction as success stories like this show others the possibilities of farming profitably while cherishing the soil so it can keep on providing.

Doesn’t feel more like common sense than rocket science to me, but you know, humans.

So, of course, since Hedge’s wine is grown in such a natural and lush way, I felt okay with sampling lots of it.

We moved inside the tasting room for a special wine blending class. Blending is the specialty of Hedges, and since it’s a vineyard producing mostly red grapes, our class was all about finding the perfect red blend for each individual.

I wish I had the wine intelligence to know exactly how to blend that perfect glass – nor do I have it in me to fake to you that I do.

For me, it was, taste a bit of this, add a bit of this, taste a little more, add a smidgen more.

Until I found quite a palatable blend of equal parts syrah and merlot, topped with a splash of cabernet.

With my own signature red wine – which I’m calling Bio Love – I sat down with my new friends for a DELICIOUS, fresh-from-the-farm lunch of chicken and rice prepared by head chef, Aislinn MacManigal- all gluten free.

My Bio Love was nowhere near as stellar as Hedges SVL Souzao-Tinta Cao, a dry Portuguese red that we all could not get enough of.

It’s good to be back in Washington for sure!

Red Mountain Trails Wagon Ride

Location: 27314 Ambassador PR NE Benton City, WA
Website: https://www.redmountaintrails.com/

By this stage, we were all a little tipsy and giggly as a group of mostly women is wanting to do. We all piled in the back of a red wagon from Hedges for a ride through the vineyards of Red Mountain to Red Mountain Trails Winery.

Here we alighted at their outdoor pavilion tasting room to enjoy wine flights while sitting around the campfire roasting s’mores and exchanging stories and giggles.

A visit to the Tri-Cities will be a memorable vacation with a group of friends.

Some of our other TBEX friends arrived from their Red Wagon Trails tours by horseback and bike to complete their good days around the fire with smores and (more) wine as well.

Blind tasting with Frichette Winery

• Location: 39412 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320
• Website: https://www.frichettewinery.com/

We did not get to visit this small 5.5-acre boutique winery estate on Red Mountain, but we had the pleasure of enjoying an evening of blind wine tasting with owners Shae and Gregg Frichette at the Lodge at Columbia Point.

This husband-and-wife team started their tasting room in 2013 after deciding they needed to “do something that gave them goosebumps.” That was after they flipped a coin to see whether they would move back to either’s respective hometowns: South Carolina or the Tri-Cities, WA.

I know this Washington Wine region is grateful for that lucky spin as now this wonderful family offers premium wines and stellar hospitality to travelers and locals alike.

Even more dynamic and bolder than their wines is the personality of Shae, who uplifted the tempo and vibrancy of the evening with her stories and encouragement as she guided us through the 5 “S’s of wine tasting. You can see the Reel here.

1. See – put white paper over the wine to look at the richness of color
2. Swirl – to get air
3. Smell – get all those hints of fruit, wood, and the rest
4. Swish and Sip – Swish that wine in the mouth to get the flavors all over your tastebuds
5. Savor – with good friends.

We applied these little insider tips to sample three blind red wines and attempt to label them. I’m sorry Shae for being a very bad student, I got a big ZERO correct.

But I very much enjoyed the experience and the silky richness of their reds. I may have sneaked a few extra top ups of the Cabernet Franc. It went so well with our delicious steelhead meal provided by Drumheller’s and followed by crème brulee!)

Frichette Winery is open daily for tastings, and they often have fun live events!

Wine Tasting at Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard

• Location:  16304 Dallas Rd, Richland, WA 99352
• Website: https://www.gooseridge.com/

We were fortunate to get a behind-the-scenes tour of Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard, the largest continuous vineyard in Washington with more than 2,000 acres of estate vineyards producing world-class wine grapes for its five company brands as well as dozens of other wineries.

Goose Ridge was founded in 1999 by the Monson family, and the 20 year old granddaughter of the family gave us a tour of the property. The love for her family and the estate shone through and she told us she always knew she’d get into the family business as it’s so tied into her memories of her family living and working among the grapevines.

We enjoyed learning about this family-owned winery on our drive touring the vineyards, including their cherry trees and the beautiful view from the top of the hill.

We then moved to their Richland Tasting Room, located in the heart of their 2500-acre vineyard for a fun hour of sampling their outstanding wines, ciders, and even vodka!

Our knowledgeable server was friendly and attentive as she guided us through a tasting of whites and reds. She then directed us out to the firepit for a cozier wine tasting experience with wonderful views.

They make 16 varieties of wine, as well as 8 brands of alcohol including cider and vodka.

If you are a fan of Syrah, do not miss the velvety texture and a fragrant floral spicy aroma of the Goose Ridge reserve Syrah! Whatever you sample, I can promise you it will be good!

At Columbia Gardens Urban Wine & Artisan Village

• Location: Columbia Gardens, 421 E Columbia Dr, Kennewick, WA 99336
• Website: https://www.portofkennewick.org/projects/columbia-gardens/

It may have poured down during our TBEX party at the Columbia Gardens Urban Wine Village, but that didn’t stop us all from enjoying more amazing local Washington wine.

This pedestrian friendly destination at the Port of Kennewick waterfront currently has three winery tasting rooms that we wine-hopped between: Gordon Estate, Monarcha Winery, and Bartholomew Winery.

Bartholomew Winery was the last wine tasting bar we ended up in and remained. They were definitely our favorite wines with unusual grapes and flavors.

They pride themselves on “think outside of the box and take risks that most wineries don’t.” I had never heard of varieties such as Carmenere and Tannat before. The latter being especially, “Please sir can I have some more?”

My friend, Jeremy from the wine blog, Grape Pursuit, walked out with several bottles for his cellar.

Food trucks are waiting for you in the parking lot for when you start to feel puckish. I highly recommend a delicious bowl of crawfish etouffee from Ann’s Best Creole and Soul Food. I was thrilled that it was gluten free.

Tagaris Winery and Taverna

• Location:
• Website: https://www.tagariswines.com/taverna-1

Our last meal for my Tri-Cities trip was at Taverna Tagaris, the fine-dining restaurant at Tagaris Winery. This was another indicator to me just how unexpected and classy the Tri-Cities region is.

This is Mediterranean cuisine in an old-world setting. The interior is intimate and creates an atmosphere that encourages conversations. Outside is a beautiful terrace with tables centered around a fountain. The owners have a long history of family winemakers that goes all the way back nearly 1,000 years in Greece.

As we had drank so much wine up to this point, I opted for a refreshing mango margarita cocktail before dinner, but made sure I had a glass of organic Syrah before leaving as their wines are award winning and sustainably made. It didn’t disappoint

I struggled to choose a meal from the extensive menu of tapas and entrees that are full of flavor and quality, organic ingredients from local farmers, and foragers.

My final choice of the gigantic paella a valenciana was sublime and filled with Saffron Risotto, Pork and Lamb Chorizo, Atlantic Shrimp, Willapa Bay Manilla Clams, and Roasted Chicken.

I was so disappointed I could not finish it, although I pushed my stomach lining to the max and was content to watch the others eat dessert.

Don’t just take my word for it that this is a place you should eat in Tri-Cities, ZAGAT recognized it as “1 of 8 wineries in the world with fabulous food.” 

Manhattan B Reactor Project

• Location:  2000 Logston Blvd. Richland WA.
• Website: https://manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov/

The B-Reactor on the Hanford Nuclear Site is part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Richland.

It is one of the most popular things to do in Tri Cities for those who love science, history, and secrecy.

The Park is managed in partnership by the Department of Energy and National Park Service and includes the three secret cities involved in the Manhattan Project: Hanford, Washington; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The Manhattan Project was created to do whatever was necessary to quickly conduct plutonium enrichment research and in 1943, the government broke ground at the Hanford site in Washington.

Eighteen months later they had produced the plutonium used in the Trinity Test on July 16, 1945, and a month later, the ‘Fat Man’ bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan.

Tours of the B Reactor National Historic Landmark share the scientific achievement of building the world’s first full-scale plutonium production nuclear reactor.

The tour of the B Reactor begins at the visitor center where you receive a brief intro on the Manhattan project before you board the bus for about a 45-minute drive through a barren landscape.

It’s here you really understand that the Tri Cities is in a desert and how this Manhattan Project was instrumental in turning it into a livable area.

At the B Reactor, you get to see the Reactor and learn more about it via the guides inside. There are many different rooms to walk around to learn more about the facility and what happened in there. Most fascinating, yet unnerving was the control room.

To be honest, I felt awkward and uncomfortable touring the site. The tour was fantastic so it had nothing to do with that.

Why am I at a place that feels like we’re paying homage to a project whose mission was to kill thousands of people?

How would we feel if a place existed in Japan over the Pearl Harbor bombings?

It’s not like this was the emphasized story of the B Reactor plant but underlying it we all knew its purpose.

When I stopped to think about the science process and how it opened up many doors for energy science moving forward then I enjoyed it more.

I thought back to my time in Vietnam and Cambodia, and how much discomfort and pain I felt learning about the Vietnam War firsthand. But I continued to explore because within it were valuable lessons, namely, war is never a good option and leaves a trail of scars, pain, and agony for generations to come.

It’s where I came to inherently know the importance of practicing peace in my own inner world in order to help create that in the outer world.

Within the walls of the B-Reactor Plant is a history that can’t be changed but should not be erased because we don’t want to face who we can be as humans.

Our discomforts are pushing us to either change our perceptions, come to new understandings, or feel more confident in our beliefs.

It’s learning from this history that makes us better humans. And even though, I often feel like humans are awful and will never get it, I learn stories from ancient times of prisoners being thrown off cliffs in boxes on my trip to Jordan; and traitors being hung, drawn, and quartered with heads hung out on the London Bridge as a warning, and I realize, we have progressed and are doing a little better.

With each new generation learning from the failings of our past, we can only keep getting better.

Water 2 Wine Cruise

• Location: 591 Stevens Drive, Richland, WA 99352
• Website: https://www.water2winecruises.com/

One of the most popular attractions in the TriCities area is to cruise the Columbia River with Water2Wine cruises. On our last morning in Richland, we walked outside our lodge door, straight out onto the jetty to board the 74-foot luxury yacht for a 1.5 hour buffet brunch cruise.

We received mimosas upon arriving and were given a fruit platter and pastries before having the buffet brunch in the dining saloon The buffet brunch wasn’t too exciting. I’d be really interested in coming back to experience the two and a half hour, three-course dinner cruise. I’d also find that a better time to appreciate the wonderful Northwest wine available on the boat.

A full-service bar was also available for the purchase of specialty cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

It is a great way to experience the beautiful Columbia River that gives so much life to this region.

Water2Wine also offer sightseeing only cruises and specialty cruises as well.

Live Music at Wine Social, Downtown Richland

• Location: 702 The Pkwy B, Richland, WA 99352
• Website: http://www.winesocialbar.com/

I was disappointed we didn’t get time to explore Downtown Richland, as when we arrived, I was impressed at how cute it looked.

Instead, we walked straight into Wine Social for an evening of the Beatles. You forget how many hits this band had until you’re thoroughly entertained for two hours with one great Beatles song followed by another. Our group had a fun time singing together!

Wine Social is classy. Founded in 2020 by Marc and Kaitlin Newman to showcase the best local Washington wines and create an experience around drinking wine.

They have charcuterie boards to order and wines by the glass, or bottle. Wine lovers will love the wine wall which holds hundreds of hand-selected local and international wines.

If you’re a couple visiting the Tri-cities, this would be a perfect date night spot.

Lee’s Tahitian – a Unique USA Dive Bar

• Location: 1342 Jadwin Ave, Richland, WA 99354

On the closing night party of TBEX, a few of us decided to continue the fun in what turned out to be one of the coolest dive bars I’ve experienced in the USA.

I’m not sure if anyone could replicate our experience, but it was golden – more so for the surprising factor of it and the interactions we had with each other.

We didn’t know what to expect and walked into an empty front bar decorated with pink walls and chairs, neon signs, and a beer pong table.

Already, I thought it was cool and then Michael came running up to us from the unseen hallway telling us “You have to check this out”

We walked down the long corridor and around the corner which opened up to a pool room bar with karaoke and the most mixed match patrons any dive bar lover would hope for.

What else were we to do but have a whisky shot followed by a jello shot, grab the mike, and belt out some Midnight Oil to leave a small bit of Australia on the dive bar floor? That was a TBEX night to talk about for years to come. You can see the offending crowd pleasing performance here.

I returned a couple of days later with my TBEX press trip group and fell in love even more with its fun retro, tropical Asian vibe with neon lights, bright colors, and vibrant war mural!

Uptown Shopping Center, Richland

• Location: 1317 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99354

Lee’s Tahitian is located in the Uptown Shopping Center, which was one of the first car-oriented shopping malls constructed in the United States. This outdoor mall in Richland was originally opened in 1949 and designed for all the new residents arriving in the area for the Manhattan Project B Reactor.

It’s a fun couple of blocks of independent stores, cafes, and restaurants. Mural lovers will enjoy the bright local artwork splashed over the walls. Head to the walkway next to Lee’s Tahitian or the front of Uptown Theater.

Uptown Antique is great vintage thrift cooperative store. We chatted with the owner for a bit who was so joyful and positive and so in love with what she did and the town in which she did it.

We just missed getting a coffee at Kagen Coffee as it had closed. It received favorable recommendations from the locals.

Dovetail Joint

• Location: 1368 Jadwin Ave, Richland, WA 99354
• Website: https://dovetailjointrestaurant.com/

While visiting the Uptown Shopping Center, eat at local favorite, Dovetail Joint.

What began as a food cart, has now turned into a popular restaurant that merges the craft of food and drinks for a great dining experience

Dovetail is focused on minimum wastage and creating an eclectic seasonal farm to table menu with signature cocktails to match.

Lu Lu Craft Bar & Kitchen

• Location: 606 Columbia Point Dr, Richland, WA 99352
• Website: https://lulucraftbar.com/

On my first day of arrival, I went to which was steps away from my Courtyard by Marriott hotel on the Columbia River.

Apart from having beautiful views from the restaurant, their burgers were delicious. It was my first meal in Tri-Cities and immediately had me saying, I can tell I am back in Washington State.

They are a farm to table dining experience with all meals made from scratch. They also have signature cocktails and an extensive beer menu.

Atomic Ale Brewpub & Eatery

• Location: 1015 Lee Blvd, Richland, WA 99352
• Website: https://atomicalebrewpub.com/

Another great place in the Tri-Cities for burgers and beer is the Atomic Ale Brewpub & Eatery in Richland. It is the Tri-Cities’ first brewpub. 

Hand-crafted ales & wood-fired hand-tossed pizza with names that match the atomic Hanford region. My gluten free pizza was delicious, and my dining buddies loved their burgers and beers.

This place is about good food and conversation with your friends – board games replace TV’s so be sure to ask for them if talking isn’t enough. 

Pin to save share

Comment: Have you visited the Tri-cities region? What else would you recommend as a top thing to do?

Just writing this Seattle itinerary has helped me relive the amazing experience we had in what is now one of our favorite cities in the USA.

It seems at the moment, we are not the only ones that love it as we recently shared in our post on 10 destinations Americans are traveling to this Thanksgiving, Seattle came in at number three!

I am not surprised. Seattle is big on culture, the arts, unique attractions, innovation, musicians and sports. The Seattle attractions and experiences do a fantastic job of telling its unique story.

It is sandwiched between the Puget Sound and the Cascades Mountain so is surrounded by natural beauty and provides easy access to so many incredible regions near to Seattle.

We spent four days visiting Seattle in Washington State. We experienced plenty of Seattle attractions from the big touristy events to the smaller, local experiences. Our Seattle itinerary will save you time by laying out what to do in Seattle in either 2, 3, or 4 days.

You can also get a free printable of this itinerary when you join our free VIP Email community (expect loads of insider tips and bonuses)

How to use this 2, 3, or 4 day Seattle itinerary

This itinerary guideline targets the biggest Seattle attractions plus local experiences and unique things to do.

I’ve designed this itinerary to be super flexible. If desired, change according to location of hotel, waking hours, specific interests etc. You can easily follow it whether you have two, three, or four days in Seattle.

I’ve organized each day around a certain theme with attractions in fairly close proximity to save time in getting around.

The first two days are where you’ll find the most popular and unique Seattle attractions. This is typically what a person will want to do if limited to a two day trip.

If you only have three days, I’d leave out Day 4.

Four days was a wonderful amount of time for us to enjoy the best of Seattle, soak up the atmosphere, and really get an in-depth experience of it’s cultural diversity.

I didn’t give a lot of choices for eating to give you flexibility to suit your style. We were staying in an vacation rental in a neighborhood east of Seattle and ate around that area. We also did not experience the Seattle nightlife, preferring to enjoy the comforts of a home and a much needed break from a cramped RV!

Don’t visit Seattle WITHOUT a Seattle CityPAss

Out of all the cites in the USA we have visited, the Seattle CityPass is the one that provides the most value out of all their city attraction passes.

We’re not usually going to see all the top attractions in a city to make a CityPass worth it, but all the top attractions in Seattle are unique and worth visiting.

We absolutely loved them and visited almost all of the Seattle attractions on the Seattle tourist card.

It costs $99 for adults and $79 for a child, which will save you 49% on admissions to the Top 5 Seattle Attractions, including the Woodland Park Zoo. Learn more about what is included in the Seattle CityPass here.

When in Seattle, be sure to … taste cupcakes

Throughout your time in Seattle, plan for some cupcake tasting. You will hear about it once you arrive in Seattle. It’s a favorite argument among the locals.

Is it Trophy Cupcakes or Cupcake Royal? Or maybe Top Pot Doughnuts are your preferred treat.

You’ll find their stores all over Seattle so pop into one that is near where you are when you’re out exploring each day.

Cupcake Royal are the pioneers in Seattle cupcakes known for locally sourced ingredients. Trophy are known for the party style designs (they sell ice cream too).

Both have gluten free and vegan cupcakes, but had all sold out when we arrived.

Getting around Seattle

Seattle is a sprawling city with lots of neighborhoods to explore. Be warned, parking can be hard to find and expensive and traffic jams are a thing.

A car will make getting around to all the experiences on this itinerary easier as we do explore further than just downtown Seattle. As we were on our 10 month USA RV trip, we had our car with us. It’s also great if you have even more time and want to explore the many wonderful things near Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, like Mount Rainier and the Olympic National Park.

Having said that, you can get around Seattle easy enough without a car!

You’ll be surprised at how walkable Central Seattle is, which includes downtown, Belltown, Seattle Center, South Lake Union, the waterfront, and Pioneer Square.

There is also a good bus system, a streetcar that connects downtown to South Lake Union, and a light-rail system that connects Seattle to the airport and makes some stops along the way.

You can get an All-Day Regional Transit Pass for $8, which you can use on all of Seattle’s public transportation services except for the monorail and on Washington State Ferries. Find more information here.

Day 1: Arts and Culture

Seattle is one of the best cities in the country for art and culture, especially music. This day will focus on learning and experiencing that in the Queen Anne Neighborhood where you’ll find the Seattle Center and some of the city’s best museums.

We don’t usually visit museums but we loved the ones in Seattle for their uniqueness.

As seasoned travelers, we think it’s usually a waste of your time and resources to go to generic experiences like playgrounds, aquariums, zoos, natural history and children’s museums. Save that for entertaining the kids (or yourself) at home.

We only choose those that are specific to the area we are visiting and tell a unique story. Seattle is the exception.

8am Starbucks Reserve Roastery

While everyone else is lining up at Starbucks in Pike Place Market, we recommend you instead head to the Starbucks Roastery for a unique Starbucks experience!

This is not your typical Starbucks café. It’s the mega version with a roastery, a café, a coffee library, and almost a museum of the coffee roasting process.

You can get bakery and food items and alcohol here (operated by Princi Bakery), which I felt were a little overpriced. But, you know, Starbucks.

The Experience Bar is a place to sit down and order unique and siphon brewed coffees not found elsewhere. I enjoyed this Seattle experience.

If this is too much of a detour to start off this day (depend where you staying) you may wish to fit it in elsewhere. It was on our way from our vacation rental to Seattle Center so was an easy fit in.

9am Olympic Sculpture Park

The Olympic Sculpture Park is an award-winning nine-acre sculpture park on the waterfront. It is Seattle’s largest downtown green space has paved walkways and nature trails lined with quirky sculptures. 

Follow the zig-zag path down to the waterfront and admire the many different sculptures of various sizes and colors.

You’ll have incredible views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains in the distance.

10am Seattle Center

The Seattle Center is an active civic, arts and family gathering place featuring more than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations in the uptown Arts & Cultural District.

This unique Seattle experience is informative and fun and and the place to experience some of the best art and culture in Seattle. They are showing the rest of the world how to make your art and cultural museums and experiences stand out.

I love how all museums and attractions were in one vibrant fun place with art installations and public places to rest and unwind while you either waited for your next museum tour, or ate lunch, or just hung out by the fountain or at the art and play playground for the kids.

Plan your visit to the Seattle Art Center carefully and book in advance when you can to avoid queues.

Here are the Seattle Center attractions we recommend. You can read more in-depth information and more photos on them in our Seattle Guide.

Space Needle*

I was impressed with the Space Needle, it’s one of the iconic attractions in Seattle Washington.

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the 605 ft. high Space Needle is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and its futuristic design symbolizes the innovative and forward-thinking spirit of Seattle.

The 360 views of the city are spectacular on the two observation decks: the all glass floor and an open-air observation deck above. I especially loved the featured like glass chairs leaning against the glass windows and glass rotating floors to add a little thrill to the experience.

Chihuly Garden and Glass*

I love Chihuly’s innovative glass art and have seem many of his installations across the country so I loved this Seattle Museum the most.

Chihuly has received numerous awards, honorary doctorates and fellowships and The Chihuly Garden and Glass museum is dedicated to his life story, influences and inspirations.

Don’t miss the 40 ft. glass house with a vibrantly warm and colorful 100 foot long sculpture. You’ll get great views of the Seattle Space Needle behind this sculpture when you look up. Take a walk through the lush landscaped gardens and admire how well the art sculptures blend with it.

You’ll be amazed at how well the art sculptures blend into the lush landscaped garden. 

Museum of Pop Culture*

Another fantastic and unique Seattle Museum is the MoPop Museum, or Museum of Pop Culture. This is a Seattle Center museum dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary popular culture, with its roots in Rock’n’ Roll.

Grunge music lovers will love the exhibitions on Nirvana and Pearl Jam. And the design of the building adds to the unique coolness of Seattle – always making things stand out!

Check what exhibits are on. When we visited there was a Minecraft exhibition which is great for visiting Seattle with kids.

KEXP – grab a coffee

A cool local experience while at the Seattle Center is to grab a coffee at the KEXP Live Room and Viewing Gallery. It’s an audio and video broadcast studio that has a Gathering Space, which is a community hub and hangout place for music lovers.

It’s definitely worth a peek inside to sit for awhile with a delicious cup of coffee at La Marzocco 

You can listen to what is on the radio and see them recording it through the window. Check out the amazing dedication wall to Prince.

5pm Explore Queen Anne Neighborhood

This much loved hillside neighborhood is named for the elegant “Queen Anne” style of architecture with front-facing gables, balconies, and generous bay windows.

Lower Queen Anne is where you’ll find most of the tourists and major attractions explored above, including the Space Needle, Seattle Center, and Memorial Stadium.

The western portion of Queen Anne Avenue is where you’ll find local eateries and boutique stores. Pick up an ice cream from favorite, Molly Moons.

The highlight of a visit for many to this Seattle neighborhood is the stunning view of Seattle – the space needle (and if you’re lucky Mt Rainier) from the small neighborhood park, Kerry Park.

This was my favorite view of Seattle.

Optional: Amazon Spheres and Understory

Depending on how you are going for time, you may want to visit the Amazon Spheres and Understory, which is not too far from the Seattle Center. It is a popular place to visit with a very unique design, but could be a little underwhelming.

The Understory is in the heart of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters. Its a free public space with interactive exhibits about flora and design, showcasing Amazon’s approach towards an urban office.

The space outside had bean bags on a grassed area to sit down on and it was surrounded by loads of plants and trees. It was a nice space.

For a tour of the indoor gardens of the Spheres, you have to sign up in advance at Amazon HQ Tour. They run them two Saturdays a  month.

Day 2: History & Waterfront attractions

Today on the Seattle Itinerary will be incorporating more of Seattle’s top attractions this time centered around the Seattle Waterfront region and Pioneer Place.

Don’t forget to leave time for some cupcake tasting, and plan in advance what you want to experience at Pike Place Market and your dinner and evening plans.

8am Pike Place Market food tour

Pike Place Market was established in 1907 to connect citizens and farmers.

Its “Meet the Producer” tradition offers a year-round farmers market, owner-operated bakeries, fish markets, butcher shops, produce stands and specialty food store across a nine-acre historic district.

My favorite of the things to do in Seattle was the VIP early opening food tour of Pike Place Market, probably the most famous market in the USA.

What I loved about this tour, was not just the delicious sampling of food we had for the entire three hours, nor our funny, friendly and informative guide, Justin, but also all the stories that gave us insight into the history and how this market has shaped the culture of Seattle – and, it is kid friendly!

I loved having Justin take us to all the best and interesting spots like Indi chocolate, maple bacon donuts, spiced tea, Turkish flatbread and locally made chocolate for samples (great for doing Seattle with kids) before all the crowds of the day came to jostle us out of the way.

10am Explore Pike Place more at leisure

I recommend spending time after your tour to explore Pike Place Market a little deeper.

With six levels and more than 200 stores and 80 restaurants, you could get lost in Pike Place for hours.

A highlight will be watching the fish throwers at Pike Place Fish. A tradition since 1986, fishmongers throw fish that customers have purchased, before they are wrapped.

Pike Place Market is also the birthplace of Starbucks Coffee.

While I am not a raving fan of their coffee, I do appreciate the grassroots story turned into global phenomenon. Starbucks devotees may wish to line up at the original store (which really isn’t the original original as that one actually burned down.)

• Honest Biscuits Metl-in-your-mouth biscuits (including gluten free biscuits)
• Grab a creamy coffee from Storyville. If you don’t love it after the third sip, they’ll refund your money. We did not have to use the guarantee.
• Don’t forget to peek at the gum wall (we ran out of time)
• Pike Place Chowder has what is meant to be the best chowder (go early to avoid long lines)f

11am Seattle Waterfront

From Pike Place you can walk along the Seattle Waterfront area located on the Puget Sound which is a collection of lively piers filled with seafood restaurants, souvenir shops and some of the top attractions like the Seattle Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium.

Pier 62 is one acre of flexible public space that will be programmed year round with cultural, recreational, and educational programs that celebrate all communities and cultures.

We rode the Seattle Great Wheel, the giant Ferris Wheel offering superb views of Seattle waterfront and downtown.

This ride will last about 30-minutes in a full enclosed gondola so can be worth it on a clear day if you love city views and photography. Kids will love this!

12pm The Crab Pot for a famous Seafest

Like seafood?

Time to get your hands dirty as you devour a Seafest: a giant steamed bucket of seafood dumped directly onto your paper covered table. Enjoy your delicious locally fresh caught seafood that includes steamed clams, Pacific Mussels, Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, Shrimp, Salmon, Corn on the Cob & red roast potatoes.

It’s probably the best seafood I’ve had in the US and reminded me even more of Sydney. Even better that it was paired with a glass of chardonnay on a warm summer’s day.

A table on the wharf would be best for Seattle views and outdoor ambiance.

Walk to Pioneer Square or Cruise

Plan your timings well here depending on how you are getting around and how much time you want to spend at the waterfront area verse exploring the cobblestone streets of Seattle’s oldest neighborhood.

There isn’t a great deal to see here but it is very pretty. The best way to do it is on the Seattle Underground Tour below. It’s recommended to book ahead. It will give you the best overview of the area and then with any remaining time you have, you can just wander around the Pioneer Square.

If you want an alternative, since you are in the Seattle Waterfront area, you could take a cruise of the Puget Sound. Argosy cruises of the Puget sound with views of the Seattle skyline are included on your Seattle CityPass.

Or, for $7 per person round trip (check current prices) you can take a Washington State Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. It takes 30 minutes each way and it will give you those magnificent views of Seattle’s skyline. It isn’t out of the ordinary to see whales on the journey.

We caught the ferry over from Bainbridge Island with our car and it was beautiful!

3pm Seattle Underground Tour

Time to head below Seattle for a fascinating insight into the beginnings of Seattle as a settled city.

The Seattle Underground Tour will take you underneath the streets of the historic Pioneer Square lies a network of undergrounds passageways. They were once the alleys leading into shopfronts as the city was being raised out of the swamps.

Some of those tunnels can be accessed now either through bars, comedy clubs, or retails stores. You can also tour them with a guide who will take you places you normally can’t go and share the stories of this Seattle world in the late 1700s early 1800s.

Notice small purple color glass squares on the pavements of Pioneer Square, they are actually skylights for the underground.

Day 3: Beach Culture & Views

Seattle is a city surrounded by water, which means beaches are all around the shorelines. The salty Elliot Bay and Puget Sound borders the city to the west, while the massive Lake Washington offers freshwater to the east. (we stayed near here. It’s beautiful!)

One of the most popular beaches (and easiest to get to from downtown) is Alki Beach. So on Day 3 of our itinerary for Seattle, you’ll experience a more local taste of Seattle beach culture. We’ll end it with some gorgeous Seattle views form above.

8:30am Breakfast at Arthur’s Cafe

If you are driving to Alki Beach we recommend breakfast at Arthur’s Cafe, an Australian cafe!

I was delighted with my flat white and smashed Avo: heirloom tomatoes, poached eggs on top of avocado mashed with lemon, mint, basil and parsley on (gluten free) toast. And of course, it was vegemite for the girls’!

If you’re catching a water taxi to Alki Beach, you might want to consider breakfast at a place near your hotel before you leave.

10am Alki Beach

Alki Beach stretches for two and a half miles from Alki Point to Duwamish Head in West Seattle. It’s where the first modern pioneers landed in Seattle in 1851.

You can catch a water taxi from downtown Seattle to Seacrest Park Pier (enjoy the views of Seattle when you arrive.).

At the ferry terminal, rent some roller blades and skate from Harbor Ave around the bend along the 2.5-mile paved path that parallels the beach and takes you to where the Alki Beach cafes and restaurants are.

The views of Seattle skyline along the path were beautiful. It reminded me of my small beach home town. If roller blading is not your thing you can also kayak or paddle board.

Apart from swimming in the beach, there are beach volleyball courts here. Stop to play awhile either after (or before) lunch. Sunsets are also meant to be beautiful here.

12 pm: Lunch at Dukes Seafood and Chowder

One of our favorite restaurants in Seattle was Duke’s Seafood and Chowder House, an independent locally owned restaurant since the late 70s.

They are strict in ensuring the food is 100% sustainable and free from chemical nasties. There’s plenty of fresh, sustainable, wild-caught seafood and gluten free options, including their delicious clam chowder, a meal I rarely get to enjoy – thank you Dukes!

Dine on the upper deck to enjoy the beautiful views of the Sound backdropped by the Olympic Mountains.

West Seattle Brewing Co

Fancy a local craft brew with a beach view?

That’s what you’ll find at West Seattle Brewing Co’s Tapshack which sits just about 20 steps from the beach. It has the laid back beach bar you hope for in a location like this and serves pizza for the peckish.

This Seattle brewery doesn’t just draw the crowds for their award winning beer or sprawling patio with people watching Adirondack chairs, but for their dog-friendly vibe.

You’ll find seltzers and ciders too!

You may want to stay here for sunset, or if you’ve had enough head back over to Downtown Seattle to enjoy our next recommendation.

5pm Smith Tower Observatory Bar / Sky View Observatory Columbia Center (Views + drinks)

Head to the Smith Tower Observatory for an early 19th Century vibe. You can sip on Prohibition infused craft cocktails while enjoying superb Seattle views and the eclectic mix of 20s with Chinese inspired décor.

The Wishing Chair is a popular seat for selfies and single people hoping its magic will rub off on them to be married within a year.

We did not make it to the Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center, but many recommended it to us as having the best views of Seattle.

You’ll climb 73 stories for panoramic Seattle views and the tallest public viewing space in the Pacific Northwest.

Views include Mt. Rainier, Bellevue, the Cascade Mountains, Mt. Baker, Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, the Space Needle and the city of Seattle.

Grab your observatory entrance pass here.

Day 4: Local & Unique

We’re so glad you could visit Seattle for four days!

Here’s a chance to explore some cool unique Seattle neighborhoods north east of downtown Seattle and north of the city on Lake Union and Salmon Bay. This is your more local feel. An ambling pace will suffice.

8am Explore Capitol Hill neighborhood

Seattle’s coolest neighborhood and LGBTQ epicenter, Capitol Hill is packed with hip bars, eateries, laid-back coffee shops and indie stores. Wander the streets and soak it up – or return here at night if you want a little nightlife.

Volunteer Park, atop the hill in a historic mansion district, has walking trails, a plant conservatory, panoramic city views and the art deco Asian Art Museum.

Depending how early you like breakfast, you could explore Volunteer Park, or nearby Washington Park (if you have a car) before our breakfast and coffee ideas.

Joe Bar for breakfast crepes

Who doesn’t want crepes for breakfast, especially when it’s served in a cute, grey-stone historical Tudor style building?

Crouch down low and head up the creaky stairs to eat, drink or tap away in their unique balcony area designed for hobbits. Green walls display art from high-caliber arts, mostly local.

Since 1997, Joe Bar has been focused on community, coffee and art, and delicious crepes (including gluten free!) paired with friendly and accommodating service.

Joe Bar one of the unique Seattle places to eat and their smoked salmon and goat cheese, gluten-free crepe was delicious.

Coffee at Espresso Vivace

After your breakfast at Joe Bar, walk around the Corner to Espresso Vivace, their flagship café in Capitol Hill location. Grab your favorite cup and a window seat and watch the world go by.

11am: Discovery Park

We briefly visited Discover Park on our way to the Ballard Locks. Decide if you have enough time or not and it depends on whether you have your own vehicle (makes it much easier)

Located on a bluff, the 500 acre park has features grasslands, sea cliffs, forest groves, and skyline views of Cascade and the Olympic Mountains. There is a three mile loop and the trail to reach the West Point Lighthouse is known as one of the best hikes near Seattle.

Ballard Locks

The Ballard Locks are a series of locks that link the Puget Sound with Lake Union and Lake Washington.

Boats as large as 760 feet in length and as small as a kayak can travel through the locks. You can watch the action through a series of swinging walkways or from a boat on an Argosy tour.

On the tour, you can experience the rising and falling of the water (up to 26 feet) as your boat moves from one level to the other.

You may want to eat in nearby downtown Ballard. (Where we ate is now closed) there is a cool Australian bar here though called Kangaroo and Kiwi where we enjoyed a pint and a taste of home.

There are also plenty of places to eat in Fremont, if you decide to go there next.

Golden Gardens Park

If you have time (and a car) you may want to visit Golden Gardens Park northwest of the Ballard neighborhood. We did not get time but it was on my list!

Golden Gardens is one of the most popular (And biggest) beaches in Seattle. The beach overlooks Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Golden Gardens has access to swimming, beach volleyball, and forested hiking trails.

Sunset beach campfires here are a THING!

3pm Explore Fremont

Fremont is a quirky neighborhood filled with creatives, artists and foodies.

When in Seattle with kids, stopping into see the Fremont Troll is fun for them. You’ll find the 18 ft. troll sculpture under the Aurora Bridge (of course). The troll is grasping a Volkswagen beetle in its hand. Be careful when crossing the bridge!

Also in the area is a huge bronze Lenin statue in the main street, and a sign declaring Fremont as the center of the Universe.

While in this area, be sure to walk along the riverfront trail from Fremont down to the Gas Works.

Start with some samples of delicious locally made Theo’s Chocolate. You have probably seen them in supermarkets around the country. You can sample loads of different flavors – the chili chocolate won me over – another of the cool things to do with kids in Seattle!

Then walking along the water the Burke Gilman Trail Fremont Cut, past the blue and orange Fremont Bridge to the Gas Works Park on Lake Union. What was once home to Seattle Gas Light Company’s gasification plant is now a place to fly kites and enjoy a stunning view of the Space Needle and the Puget Sound.

Return to the walk and finish at the Fremont Brewery for a wide selection of craft beers and ciders

This a family-friendly and dog friendly brewery with a large beer garden filled with gorgeous flowers.There is no food served here but you can bring in food from outside.

Free Printable of your Seattle Itinerary

FREE Seattle Itinerary

SAVE TIME: 4 day itinerary + maps + personal updates and insider tips! 

Join the Community

Where to Stay in Seattle?

If you don’t have access to a vehicle, staying in downtown Seattle will save you time and help you enjoy all the unique experiences shared in this Seattle itinerary.

Kimpton Palladian Hotel

Stay in the heart of Seattle 1,000 feet from Pike Place Market and 0.6 mi from the Space Needle. Kimpton is one of our favorite hotel brand for their boutique style quirkiness.

The guest rooms here feature pop-art pillows while certain units have a claw footed bathtub.

An evening wine hour is held every night from 17:00 to 18:00 at Kimpton Palladian Hotel. Free bikes are also available.

Past guests rave about the modern décor, spacious and comfortable rooms and location. Check rates here

Belltown Inn

Located within walking distance to the Olympic Sculpture Park, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle is the Belltown Inn.

Rooms have a kitchenette and the inn has a furnished rooftop terrace.

Previous guests rave about location, price and clean well sized rooms Check rates and reviews here.

• For more Seattle accommodation options, including vacation rentals click here to see what is available on Booking.com.
• Check more Seattle vacation rentals on VRBO.

READ MORE:

Helpful posts on places to visit near Seattle.

• 33 Cool Things to do in Seattle with Kids
• 6 Places to visit in Washington State on a road trip
• 13 Small Towns in the USA we love
• 17 Cool Places to visit in the USA
• 16 Incredible Things to Do in Olympic National Park 
• 12 cool things to do in North Cascades National Park

Interactive Seattle attractions map

Click for full version of the interactive map where you can navigate between things to do in Seattle, places to eat and drink and stay. You can make a copy and any extra experiences you have discovered and create directions between each!

Share this post

If you found this post helpful – especially in saving you time with effortless Seattle vacation planning, please share it with your friends and on your social channels. You pin to your favorite boards using the pins below. Much gratitude xx

Comment: Would you add anything to this Seattle Itinerary? Any questions on what to see and do in Seattle?

Actually, I even liked most of the places to visit in Washington State more than Oregon on our Pacific Northwest road trip which I thought would be the flip side.

We spent about a month in Washington State exploring its diverse landscapes from the temperate rainforests and rugged coastline, to quaint Bavarian Villages, vibrant cities, and striking glacier peaked mountains.

Even though Washington is known as the Evergreen State, the fall season does bring striking foliage set against deep green evergreen trees, and while is lessor known than East Coast United States for fall colors, it’s just as beautiful.

Get around Washington State in an RV Rental

This post on best places to visit in Washington State on a road trip is in partnership with RVshare.

Washington State is the perfect place to visit in your own mobile home, especially given the current unsettling times.

But to save yourself the hassle of buying, owning, and maintaining your own RV, you can just rent one instead!

Renting an RV gives you the best of both of worlds; the ability to see the country while being able to travel safely with the comforts of home while getting up close and personal with the beautiful world around you. (More details about RVshare at the bottom of this post.)

Washington State is a fantastic road trip destination full of amazing scenic drives and outdoor adventures. We’ve included some of these in our best USA road trips list. Let us know in the comments any other places to go in Washington for our next trip. We did not explore Eastern Washington so any tips for that are welcome. (Update: I have since had a wonderful time enjoying Tri-Cities Washington, the heart of Wine Country in the eastern part of the state.

1. Olympic National Park

For its diversity, it’s hard to beat Olympic National Park, located in north western Washington. It’s one of the best things to do in Washington State.

Within its one million acres of protected land, you’ll be surrounded by the call of the rushing rivers, shimmering lakes, cascading waterfalls, rolling surf and old-growth forests.

Choose your own adventure from its pristine region of ancient cedar spruce trees, glacial lakes, sub-alpine meadows, mountain ranges, verdant rainforests, and remote and rugged coastlines.

I love how one day you can be playing with the driftwood on the beach and the next hiking high up in the alpine forests.

During fall, the rainforest becomes more magical with waterfalls teaming from the rain, elks in full mating season with moss-covered antlers and bugling calls, and gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows popping out vibrantly against green moss and pop up mushrooms.

Less crowds also makes it better for wildlife viewing.

RV Camping at the Olympic National Park

There are various campsites throughout Olympic National Park.

Most campgrounds have RV spaces limited to 21 feet long or shorter with some allowing lengths up to 35 feet.

Where we camped:

• Hard Rain Cafe, Hoh Rainforest: This small café is just outside the entrance to Hoh Rainforest and has a small RV park attached. Water and electric included. They also have cheap burgers and breakfast options.
• Rainforest Resort Village, Lake Quinault: A pretty campsite on the shores of Lake Quinault, close to trails and Lake Quinault lodge. Easy walk to Salmon House Restaurant.
• Heart O’ the Hills Campground: This was a beautiful campground surrounded by old growth forest in the northern section of the park as you enter the Hurricane Ridge area. It was only 10 minutes from downtown Port Angeles.

Watch our Olympic National Park Video:

2. Mt Rainier National Park

Unfortunately, we did not get to visit Mt Rainier on our Washington road trip as the weather turned and snow was predicted.

But it’s no secret that it’s one of the top places to visit in Washington State.

Mt Rainier is one of five active volcanoes located in the Cascade Range, east of Seattle, Washington. The other four are Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens.

Standing more than 4,300 meters above southern Washington, Mt Rainier is strikingly beautiful – we could see its awesomeness from Seattle.

There are many hikes in the area and different regions to explore and see Mt Rainier from different angles.

The best areas on the mountain for brilliant fall colors include Paradise, Reflection Lakes, Bench and Snow Lakes, and the Grove of the Patriarchs.

Driving along Chinook Pass on State Route 410 or the White Pass Scenic Byway on U.S. Highway 12 will also provide astonishing vistas.

Mount Rainier Naches Peak Loop Trail is one of the most popular hikes, which starts along the Pacific Coast Trail and passes pass through subalpine meadows, and abundant vegetation and fall colors.

To get the best views of Mount Rainier, hike the loop in a clockwise direction.

Mt Rainier is an easy day trip from Seattle.

RV Camping in Mt Rainier National Park

Mt Rainier National Park has three RV camping sites to consider with a max length of 27ft – 35ft.

The National Forests and private campgrounds (open year-round) around Mount Rainier National Park provide a variety of camping and recreation opportunities.

Campgrounds are located along highways 12 and 410 in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Gifford Pinchot, and Wenatchee National Forests.

Privately owned public campgrounds are open year-round and can be found in and around Packwood, Randle, Mineral Lake, Morton, Ashford and at Crystal Mountain.

3. LA Conner and Deception Pass State Park

Tucked between the Cascade mountain range to the east and the San Juan Islands to the west, historical La Conner is a favorite weekend getaway for Seattle residents.

Artists were drawn to La Conner in the 1940s, and a rich tradition of visual arts has remained a part of the community’s fabric. Galleries and museums are in abundance.

As are boats, boutique stores and restaurants along the boardwalk that lines the Swinomish Channel.

Deception Pass is Washington’s most-visited state park and offers mysterious coves, rugged cliffs, and beautiful sunsets. It’s located on two islands — Fidalgo to the north and Whidbey to the south.

Whidbey Island Scenic Byway meanders from the town of Clinton over Deception Pass, which is beautiful for fall foliage.

The famous Deception Pass Bridge has gorgeous views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic mountains, and the San Juan Islands.

We explored it on a day trip from our campsite at La Conner.

La Conner is also close to the San Juan Islands, which is another of the best places to see in Washington State and home to breathtaking beaches, lush forests, and plenty of wildlife.

The Anacortes ferry terminal is 30 minutes away where you can catch a ferry to popular Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. 

RV Camping: La Conner Region

The La Conner RV Campsite has a beautiful location on Skagit Bay, with views out to nearby islands and gorgeous sunsets! It’s about a 10 minute drive to La Conner and 20 minutes to Deception Pass Bridge.

4. North Cascades National Park

With dramatic alpine views to rival Glacier National Park, North Cascades National Park is one of the coolest places to visit in Washington State and offers a more secluded experience.

It’s tucked away in the northern part of Washington State near the Canadian border. But with only a two hour drive from Seattle, it’s well worth including in your Washington State road trip itinerary!

Our most epic adventure of our RV trip was in this US national park. Somehow a 7-mile relatively easy return hike turned into a 15-mile return with an elevation gain of 4,000 feet.

We did this with the kids who somehow managed to run up the tremendously steep rocky incline to touch a glacier, while I struggled to lift one foot after another.

It was an adventure we’ll never forget.

Not to mention, the views were extraordinary, and we saw three black bears!

You’ll find adventurous hikes and spectacular views aplenty in North Cascades National Park.

With only one major road running through it, it’s easy to explore in just a couple of days and the campsites are gorgeous!

North Cascades National Park Highlights

RV Camping North Cascades National Park:

There is a full range of North Cascades National Park camping experiences on offer including those accessible from a car or RV to those requiring a strenuous trek into the wilderness.

We camped at Newhalem Creek campground, which was a gorgeous campsite in forests of cedar, hemlock, and Douglas fir and set alongside the glacial melt Skagit River.

It’s midway in the park so close to all amenities and trails.

5. Leavenworth

Leavenworth is a tastefully done tourist town with a lot of soul and plenty of reasons to enjoy a little taste of Bavaria. And of course, a few pretzels, bratwurst, and steins – you are welcome to wear lederhosen while doing so!

Leavenworth was once a thriving logging village. When that took a turn for the worst, instead of letting it die, the community decided to use its beautiful setting and turn it into mini-Bavaria.

It’s now one of the most popular places to see in Washington.

In the town, you’ll find Bavarian style architecture that houses restaurants, bars, breweries, ciderie’s, and local retail stores. Basically, enjoy shopping eating and drinking in Leavenworth!

It’s location at the base of the Cascade Mountains and on the Wenatchee River means it’s also a hotspot for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, whitewater rafting or gentle tube floating, which we really enjoyed.

The charming Leavenworth is a great starting point for autumn vistas since it is nestled in the Cascade Mountains and part of the scenic and popular Cascades Loop Drive.

RV Camping Leavenworth:

We stayed at the Leavenworth RV Campground about 30 minutes out of town. It was a great park in a serene location situated amid 300 acres of forests and meadows.

But a little challenging if you want to sample all those beers and ciders in Leavenworth! I recommend staying closer to town.

6. Seattle

Seattle is one of our favorite cities in the USA.

So while your RV road trip may be focused mostly on nature experiences outside of the city limits, we highly recommend you spend some time in Seattle.

With its rich art and pop culture history and entrepreneurial spirit, Seattle is full of unique stories, vibrancy, attractions, and natural beauty.

It is sandwiched between the Puget Sound; the Olympic Mountains and the Cascades Mountain so is surrounded by natural beauty and provides easy access to so many incredible regions near to Seattle. And on a clear day, Mt Rainier.

It’s likely you’ll pass through it to reach some of the other Washington places to visit mentioned in this post. So if you are renting an RV this is the perfect place to come in and out of on multiple Washington State road trips.

A fun way to get to Seattle is via the ferry at Bainbridge on the Olympic Peninsula. (you can take your cars and RV’s) The views are spectacular!

Autumn Colors in Seattle

Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest city park. With tidal beaches, meadows, sea cliffs, a forest, streams, and active sand dunes, autumn is brilliant in Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest city park. 534 acres.

The Washington Park Arboretum is said to have more deciduous tree species than any other setting in the northwest, so is a treat for fall foliage in Seattle.

Woodland Garden has the best section for autumn colors with its large portion of Japanese maples.

The best time to see fall colors is mid-to late October.

Check our in-depth post below for loads of insights and Seattle tips. Here are a few of our favorite do not miss Seattle experiences:

RV Camping Seattle

We did not camp in our RV during our visit to Seattle. These campgrounds come recommended.

Vasa Park Resort is 16-minutes east of Seattle located on beautiful Lake Sammamish.

Manchester State Park is 10 miles west of Seattle on Puget Sound with gorgeous sound views. It would require a ferry ride in and out of Seattle, which would be pretty cool.

13 miles north of the city is Lake Pleasant RV Park situated on a scenic forested lake.

About RV Share

RVshare is the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace.

They can accommodate any kind of outdoor adventure – whether a weekend camping trip or longer tour of multiple states – with their range of RV rentals from affordable travel trailers to luxury motorhomes.

Here are a few other benefits of renting though RV Share:

• Worry free rental guarantee that offers payment and fraud protection
• Largest RV Rental Marketplace: 60,000 five star reviews from happy customers
• Safest and Most Trusted: 24/7 Emergency roadside assistance on every booking
• Pet-friendly options
• Delivery and stationary options
• One-way rentals available
• Comprehensive Nationwide Protection: RVshare Rental Insurance covers both domestic and international renters and provides collision and comprehensive coverage

Pin Below To Save To Pinterest:

It’s a land of steep slopes converging into narrow river valleys and mountain ranges blanketed in forest and covered with glaciers and lakes.

There are more glaciers in North Cascades NP than any other USA national park outside of Alaska, including its close neighbor, Glacier National Park.

The sadness comes from knowing that all of the 330+ glaciers you have the honor of seeing throughout the park are slowly receding and in 10 years may be all gone, thanks to us.

Humans who can’t make a few simple choices to take care of Mother Earth –the very thing that sustains us.

If more people spent time in the wilderness rather than being so disconnected in urban environments and so wrapped up in their own struggles, they may see the value of taking care of Mother Earth. They’d be a witness to, not just her beauty, but to her perfection.

I’m so grateful that my daughters spend every day interacting with Mother Nature.

They’ve learned to be custodians of the planet and each new experience they have they further inspired to do more to help protect her.

Where is North Cascades National Park?

As one of the least visited US national parks, but one of the best places to visit in Washington State, you can rest assure you can explore more quietly and wildly.

Its low visitor numbers are surprising considering it is only within 100 miles of Seattle.

There really is only one main road (Highway 20) that bisects through Cascades national park. Most of the park, which stretches north into Canada is for the intrepid explorer on foot.

The North Cascades National Park Complex includes the north and south units of North Cascades as well as Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

18 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail runs through the park leading trekkers to remote peaks with names like Mount Terror and Inspiration Peak.

We were happy to remain mostly in the main Ross Lake National Recreation area in the park exploring its many lakes, and hikes, including our most challenging, and rewarding hike yet in the USA, the Cascades Pass Trail.

Primary access to the North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is State Route 20, which connects to I-5 (Exit 230) at Burlington.

From November through April, State Route 20 is closed from Ross Dam Trailhead to Lone Fir. The only road access to the shore of Ross Lake is via the Silver-Skagit Road (gravel) from near Hope, British Columbia.

North Cascades offers something for everyone. Take your pick from camping, hiking, climbing, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and educational programs.

Things To Do In North Cascades National Park

The North Cascades National Park Scenic Drive

Let’s start with an easy activity, and one of the most enjoyable things to do in North Cascades National Park, the North Cascades Scenic Drive. It’s one of the best scenic drives in the USA.

There is basically only one road (Scenic Highway 20) passing through the park, which makes your explorations pretty easy. A road trip along the North Cascades Highway is how most people would experience this national park.

The North Cascades Scenic Highway covers 140 miles and makes up part of the Cascade Loop, a popular multi-day Washington road trip. The highway skirts the Skagit River through the park.

We recommend you go a little deeper by adding on a few exceptional North Cascades hikes, which we share below.

North Cascades National Park Visitor Center

We recommend you make your first North Cascades road trip stop at the visitor center located near Newhalem.

They can give you updated information on weather and trail conditions. They provided us excellent advice about what North Cascades national park hikes to do that would suit our time, abilities and interests. And if you want to go backcountry, this is where you get your backcountry permits. 

We never would have known about the Cascade Pass Trail and attempted it without their insights.

Kids can also pick up their Junior Ranger materials here and then receive their badges at the end after completing their tasks.

Washington Pass Overlook

Starting your North Cascades drive at the Washington Pass Overlook will capture your soul.

It feels like you are part of the towering, jagged peaks and intensity of colors.

The Liberty Bell Group of nearly 8,000-foot spires rises dramatically and will inspire countless photos! There is a short quarter mile loop trail that offers you different vantage points.

Over the other side is Blue Lake, which we recommend as one of the best North Cascades national park hikes mentioned down below.

At 5,500 feet, it is the road’s highest point and the dividing line between eastern and western Washington.

Ross Lake Overlook

A pullout on the shoulder of Highway 20 will give you a beautiful view over Ross Lake.

The view is partially obstructed by trees, but you’ll enjoy the views of the snow covered peaks in the distance with that brilliant blue green color of the lake shining through.

After learning more about Jack Kerouac in San Francisco, I loved hearing about his journey into the North Cascades from this viewpoint.

He spent 63 days during the summer of 1956 as a fire lookout on Desolation Peak, which you can see in the distance. He wrote about his experiences in The Dharma Bums, Lonesome Traveler, Desolation Angels and in a collection of haiku by the name of “Desolation pops”.

Devoted fans of Jack climb the steep four-and-a-half-mile Desolation trail to see where their icon stayed at the tp of the 6,000 ft summit.

Ross Lake

Ross Lake is one of the largest reservoirs in the Pacific Northwest. This enormous reservoir measures 23 miles in length, averages 1.5 miles wide, and spans the U.S. and Canadian border.

Ross Lake can only be reached by road on its north end in B.C. Paddlers can launch in at Colonial Creek Campground, Diablo Lake to reach Ross Lake on the east side of Diablo.

For those looking for a unique, secluded and serene North Cascades experience consider staying at Ross Lake Resort, located on the west side of Ross Lake, just north of Ross Dam.

There are no roads in, you can either hike here or take the Diablo Lake Ferry which meets up with the Ross Lake Resort Truck.

Built in 1950, the resort is a line of twelve individual cabins and three bunkhouses built on log floats on the edge of the aqua-colored lake.

The drawcard to staying here are the stunning undisturbed views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and recreation opportunities.

Best enjoyed from a colorful Adirondack chair on your deck.

Diablo Lake Overlook

Right off the highway is the Diablo Lake Overlook, a must-not miss stop on your Cascades drive.

Created by Seattle City Light’s damming of the Skagit River in 1930, Diablo Lake is a man-made reservoir and is one of three dams (including Gorge and Ross) on the Skagit River that provide electricity to Seattle.

The stunning bluish-green tinge of Diablo Lake is a result of the glacier-ground rock silt, which is carried down via streams from the mountains that tower up to 8,000 feet above it.

That fine powder stays suspended in the lake, giving the water its brilliant color.

You can learn more about this lake and region through the interpretive signs along the perimeter of the lookout. The views are spectacular and you’ll want to snap photos from multiple vantage points.

There is ample parking, restrooms, and a covered picnic shelter.

If you have more time, head down to the lake for some kayaking or canoeing, another of the popular things to do in North Cascades National Park.

Colonial Creek Campground is situated on the lake and would be a beautiful place to stay.

Gorge Lake Overlook and Gorge Falls

At milepost 123, you’ll find Gorge Creek Falls and the Gorge Lake Overlook.

This viewpoint lets you walk out to an overlook of Gorge Lake as well as the bridge spanning the gorge.

There’s a 0.5 mile loop trail where you can see Gorge Lake and Gorge Dam. It’s partially obscured here by the trees, but a serene place to stretch your legs regardless.

From the parking lot, it’s a short stroll across a bridge to see the incredible Gorge Creek Falls.

Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park

As you travel along North Cascades Highway you’ll find many places to stop and stretch your legs with easy and scenic day hikes.

Some of the best North Cascades National Park hikes lie in wait just outside the park borders, others lay waiting down lesser known roads.

Blue Lake Trail (5.3 miles return)

Blue Lake Trail is a busy 5.3 mile return trail through sub-alpine forest and meadows filled with wildflowers to an iridescent blue lake surrounded by granite reaching up to the sky.

It’s one of the best hikes at Cascades and, with an elevation gain of about 1000 ft, is suited to most hikers.

The mix of old and new growth trees will clear a space in their density every now and then along the trail to give you glimpse of prominent landmarks like Liberty Bell and Winter Spires, popular with rock climbers.

The lake is stunning with its teal, crystal clear waters and reflections of the steep mountains from the other side and trees surrounding its perimeter.

There are plenty of rocks offering a perfect seat to enjoy a picnic and the views. Kick off your shoes to cool your tired feet. Brave ones will take a plunge in its icy waters.

Cascade Pass Trail to Sahale Glacier (7-15 miles return)

We set out for what we thought was to be the biggest hike with the kids: 7.4 mile return with an 1,800ft elevation gain – thankfully gradually over a series of 35 switchbacks.

The Cascades Pass Trail is meant to be the most popular of the North Cascades national park hiking trails with beautiful views of the surrounding mountain peaks and glaciers.

For the first time probably ever, the kids embraced the hike with enthusiasm, positive words and no complaining. This was incredible!

The hike took us through old-growth forests, that gave way to clearings with views of the surrounding glacier covered jagged peaks. A short walk across a rocky open path took us to the end of the trail at the Pass, a place where verdant meadows curved down to a saddle that offered sweeping views of nearby valleys, glaciers, mountains, and passing wildlife.

Some saw bears in the distance, others marmots.

Take a moment to reflect on the ancient footsteps of travelers that once passed through here. The Cascades Pass was a route for the Native Americans through the rugged Cascades.

Many other hikers gathered and some continued on. We heard tales of a glacier waiting to be touched about an extra 4 miles onwards.  The kids were adamant we continue on.

I was a little concerned, especially considering those extra 4 miles were going to take us on a further elevation gain of 2,400ft over a much shorter distance.

But how do you curb the enthusiasm of a child to take on a hiking challenge and adventure such as this. So, after our lunch break, on we went.

The trail to Sahale Glacier started with steep switchbacks, and black bears munching berries just off the trail. It turned into valleys, forests and meadows, and stunning glacier lakes (Doubtful Lake), and even more black bears, including mother and babies.

And the views. 360 degree panoramic views of jagged mountain peaks and glaciers. I’ve never seen anything like it!

Had I known just how hard that trail would have been I never would have agreed. It ended with a very steep, slow and slippery rock scramble at the end to reach the glacier.

Each step up felt like I was dragging a bag of lead on my foot. The kids scrambled on up, inspiring me to keep going.

We had to make that glacier and touch it. We did. The kids cheered and slid down it and some even ate its purity. It was a magical experience.

It was only when we’d reach the top and I collapsed onto the glacier that I thought about what was to come.

Oh no, we have another 6 miles still left to walk back down. There certainly wasn’t a zip line taking us the quick way home.

Our food and water supplies were low, the sun was beating down on us, and we were all exhausted. How on earth is little 8 year old Savannah going to make it all the way back? How am I going to?

But she did and I did it.

I was able to summon a little strength to piggy back her some ways down the switchbacks right at the end when she began to break.

I feel like I broke a million times before she did.

We weren’t the only ones breaking. On the way back down we heard the tremendous noise from the hanging glaciers breaking loose and booming down the mountainside.

You just never know what your children are capable of until you give them the permission to show you.

Sure, if we had of thought about it a little more, we probably would have decided it was too much of an epic adventure for the kids. But we got caught up in their enthusiasm to take on a hiking challenge and touch a glacier.

As a result, we saw what strong, confident, capable beings they are.

They hardly complained. Their bodies were tired and a couple of times they all got a little weepy, but that is to be expected when you push yourself beyond what you thought your limits were.

I was weepy too.

It was their sunny attitudes that helped me push on through when my legs kept telling me no more, and my body felt unbalanced and dizzy.

The youngest child in our group was 6 and the oldest 11.

Well if they could do it, then surely I could too. This is who we must lean on in life – the ones who can show us what is possible by their own displays of courage, strength and determination,

They’ll help you overcome the obstacles to keep on moving up.

Cascade Pass is located within the boundaries of North Cascades National Park and is accessed via a narrow, curvy mountain road.

From Marblemount, WA on Route 20, turn onto the Cascade Loop road for 23 miles to the parking lot. The road is initially paved.

But once you pass mile marker 10, the road becomes primitive. Two-wheel drive cars are fine. Start early! It gets busy and the parking lot will fill up.

Family-Friendly Trails in North Cascades National Park

We were so busy taking on the challenging hikes that we didn’t have time for the easy family-friendly hikes.

But the park has plenty to choose from. Here are a few for you to enjoy with a little more time:

• Trail of the Cedars – The Trail of the Cedars nature walk in Newhalem is a family-friendly 0.3 mile loop through a dense cedar forest. Moss covers everything in sight, from the rocks to the tallest trees. The trail begins at the end of Main Street past the General Store
• Ladder Creek Falls – A hilly 0.4 mile loop trail located across a footbridge over the Skagit River and behind the Gorge Dam Powerhouse in Newhalem. A set of steep steps leads you further up under a canopy of trees following the many layers of the grotto-like falls located in a slot canyon. You may want to visit at night. Colored lights are projected onto the falls, turning this natural feature into an awesome lights show!
• River Loop Trail – The 1.8 mile River Loop Trail starts at the North Cascades National Park visitor center.
• Thunder Knob Trail – An easy 3.6 mile (round trip) trail. Gaining only 425 ft. in elevation. At the start you’re hiking through a typical northwest rain forest. But, as you continue, the vegetation changes. Incredible views of the nearby Pyramid and Colonial Peaks appear. Before you know it, you’ve reached the lookouts at the end. Overlooking Diablo Lake and Davis Peak, there are multiple benches where you can breathe in the view.

Camping in North Cascades National Park

There is a full range of North Cascades national park camping experiences on offer including those accessible from a car or RV to those requiring a strenuous trek into the wilderness.

We camped at Newhalem Creek campground, which was a gorgeous campsite in forests of cedar, hemlock, and Douglas fir and set alongside the glacial melt Skagit River.

It’s midway in the park so close to all amenities and trails. You could reserve sites in advance here.

Other campgrounds include Goodell Creek campgrounds, Colonial Creek, Gorge Lake and Hozomeen. Check here for further details.

Best Time to Visit North Cascades NP

Summer will be optimal with  most trails open and warm conditions.

Snow can still block trails in July. Winter is a much quieter experience and is great for those who love cross-country skiing.

More National Parks Tips

Love national parks? Check out these posts:

• 16 incredible things to do in Olympic National Park
• 18 amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• 8 awesome things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
• 9 things to do in Death Valley National Park
• 19 of the best American road trips

Book A Trip to Washington State

Hotels in Washington State

For Washington hotels, resorts, or apartments check out the options through our hotel partner, Booking.com.

We find that Booking.com have the widest range of properties. You get free cancellation on most rooms, a best price guarantee, and they have verified reviews from guests who have actually stayed at the property!

Airbnb

If you fancy a home and living like a local, or have a large family or traveling with a group of friends, consider Airbnb. They can be a better option than booking several hotel rooms.

Flights to Washington State

For flights to Seattle, Skyscanner is a comparison website that searches millions of flights. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees).

Rental Cars for Washington State

RentalCars.com is the world’s biggest car rental booking service that compares all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Not having travel insurance on an overseas trip (or domestic) is not worth the risk. Anything can, will, and sometimes goes wrong.

What happens if:

• You need to cancel your trip unexpectedly
• You get sick or injured on your trip
• Your luggage is lost or stolen
• There is a terrorist event
• You lose your passport
• A hurricane damages your destination

Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies and events such as trip cancellation, your personal effects, lost, stolen or damaged luggage by an airline, and other related losses incurred while traveling.

We at yTravel Blog are ambassadors of Allianz travel, who want you to travel happy! Here are our tips on whether annual travel insurance is worth it.

Pin Below To Save On Pinterest:

As part of our city guides series, we interviewed Hilary Billings, aka The Nomad Grad. Hilary took her first trip to Seattle in 2008 for a swing dance/jazz weekend event and immediately fell in love.

Unable to resist the pull, Hilary travels back to The Emerald City multiple times a year for good coffee and dancing. Hilary takes us through the list of things to do in Seattle, her favorite North American city.

Why Visit Seattle?

Seattle is one of those cities that is recognizable just by a snapshot of The Space Needle or Pike Place Market (Pike’s Place). There are very few cities in the world as iconic as this one.

Some of the biggest corporations in the world, like Microsoft and Starbucks, were founded here.

Of course you have the badass musical influences such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam hailing from this rainy city (obviously there’s something in the water).

Famous television sitcoms and dramas have been set here (Frasier – need I say more?).

Then, there are those vampires rumored to dwell just hours outside the city (but please confirm with Stephanie Meyer; she’s the expert).

Obviously, pop-culture finds reason to obsess over Seattle and you should too.

You can’t beat the beauty of the summer with cherry blossoms lining the sidewalks. Just one taste of a bowl of clam chowder or a whiff of the coffee grounds wafting through the air and you’ll understand.

For a city with such a strange and unusual history, it’s steeped with culture and awesomeness.

There a million reasons to love the land of McDreamy, but I recommend just visiting and deciding for yourself what makes you fall in love.

What to Do in Seattle

If it’s your first time in Seattle, make sure you hit the typically hyped tourist attractions. They’re necessary adventures, not to mention famous attractions for a reason.

Take a trip up The Space Needle, visit the first Starbucks and then take a gander through Pike Place Market. Make sure you hop on the brass pig and try some flavor infused honey sticks.

Feel free to use fruit humor when talking to the produce guys. It’s a ‘perfectly’ acceptable form of communication.

Make sure you do The Underground Tour on one of your first days in the city.

The Underground Tour in Seattle provides great historical background as well as gives you the Reader’s Digest version of its surly past. (book tickets in advance here)

It’s not something you’ll do again but you’ll start to notice and appreciate the little nuances downtown (like the skylights in the sidewalk) that you wouldn’t have noticed before.

Take a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island to get a different perspective on the city as well as to experience some local living. It’s homely charm will make you think you’re walking through a fairytale.

Of course, if you’re really adventurous, take a tour of Mount Rainier and a hike if you’re up for climbing one of the country’s most dangerous and active volcanoes.

I prefer to view it from the plane but I’m not nearly as ballsy as some of you hiking enthusiasts!

Best Neighborhoods to Explore in Seattle

Capitol Hill is definitely my favorite area of Seattle.

You can find anything and everything to do on this hill. Each bar has more flavor and atmosphere than the last. The eateries are just as unique.

The second-hand stores and novelty shops are bound to delight and you will even find a century’s old ballroom packed with couples dancing to jazz music weekly. What more could you ask for?

Where to Eat in Seattle

If Seattleite’s know how to do anything well it’s coffee (it’s why I love them so).

Starbucks, Tully’s, and Seattle’s Best were all founded here. And while you can’t go wrong with any of these choices, I recommend trying one of the smaller but equally delicious cafes like Victrola.

You can’t visit Seattle without trying a triple layer cappuccino and Victrola has a great one. It’s 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, and 1/3 foam.

They are more expensive than a traditional cappuccino but I promise the extra few cents are worth the deliciousness waiting in your cup.

Check out the Original Starbucks in Seattle

Afternoon Bites

Seattle is full of healthy options for lunch dining.

I am a fan of The Honeyhole on Pike Street. They have sandwiches for everyone, including awesome vegetarian options.

Dinner Dining Delights

Want to treat yourself to the ultimate seafood experience?

Have a bowl of clam chowder or lobster bisque at Ivar’s Acres of Clams. The fish couldn’t be any fresher and you’ll adore the waterfront views. It’s the perfect upscale dining experience after a day of fun on the pier and exploration at The Seattle Aquarium.

My other favorite ultimate dining experience is The Steelhead Diner located just steps from Pike Place Market. Don’t let the name fool you. You’re in an array of aromas and flavor, even with perfected seasonal desserts to please your palate.

Service can be slow but the food is oh-so worth the wait.

Where to Drink in Seattle

I’m not a big fan of drinking but Capitol Hill makes bar hopping easy.

With them being squished together in close proximity, you can down shots at one bar, high-five your friends, and then stumble ten feet to the next bar to high-five new friends.

While you won’t find the bartenders overly friendly (they’re hipster like that), you’ll be sure to meet visitors from around the world sampling brew.

I enjoy spending time at The Tin Table conveniently located across from The Century Ballroom. The ambiance is groovy, quiet, and laid back.

During the week you’ll find dances of all kinds hopping across the hall. Have a drink and then have a dance. And if you get too drunk you can always just stare at the pretty blue glasses.

Best Places for a Night on the Town in Seattle

Who doesn’t like a night of good food and dancing?

Start by having a drink at one of the bazillion pubs off of Pike and Broadway. Then mosey on over to The Century Ballroom for a night of dancing and jazz/salsa/or swing music (depending on the night).

After you’ve worked up a sweat and an appetite, walk downstairs to Molly Moon’s Ice Cream Parlor.

I don’t care what time of year it is. You must try one of their delicious homemade flavors that’s made in the back of their shop. I recommend the lavender-honey or strawberry-balsamic.

Also, make sure you treat yourself to a fresh waffle cone. The sweet smell of the cooked sugar will make your heart melt, even if the weather is freezing.

Where to Stay in Seattle

There are tons of options but I’m a big fan of The Silver Cloud Hotel. They have a chain of boutique hotels situated all over Seattle, but I love their Broadway location.

Their room prices are decent, even given their prime locale and a big breakfast is included.

During peak season rooms will run about $130/night. And even though this is kind of expensive for backpackers like me, you’re guaranteed a level of quality when booking with this chain.

If you’re looking for something waterside, I recommend the appropriately named Edgewater Hotel. This hotel offers up local charm and warmth on a platter.

The price per night will depend on what type of ‘package’ you book (they offer a wide array from honeymooners to family getaways). Their cheapest rooms run $200/night during peak season.

For more places to stay in Seattle choose from the largest range of hotels, apartments, and guesthouses with our partner Booking.com. 

Markets & Shopping in Seattle

Make a visit to Pike Place Market a must. But I’m biased. I could probably spend days in Pike’s Place eating myself to happiness.

Plus all the fresh flowers, kitschy knickknacks shops, and interesting international markets gives it such color and vibrancy.

But my thoughts are controlled by the mini deep-fried doughnuts available by the pig. They are mind numbingly yummy. If you eat them you will only think amazing things about Pike’s Place.

Consider yourself warned.

Downtown Seattle also has some great shopping.

You’ve got streets lined with mainstream designers and a mall full of credit card comas waiting to happen (complete with movie theater).

But I prefer the unusual shops of Pioneer Square. Here you can find crystal shops that put a price on mysticism and hipster guitar centers full of vintage Fenders and vinyl records.

I promise you there’s a specialty shop for every unique soul in this wonderfully weird district.

Getting Around Seattle

The bus system is very reliable, consistent, and cheap.

I highly recommend it if you’re going to be navigating all the typical tourist attractions. Downtown and Capital Hill themselves are not large areas but they’re set up much like San Francisco.

Taking the bus can be beneficial to your knees instead of hoofing it up-and-down Skid Row. The Light Rail is also a great way to get from the Sea-Tac airport to downtown Seattle.

Tours, Sightseeing & Passes

Viator is the industry leader when it comes to tours, activities, tickets and passes with a list of hand-picked tours and things to do in Seattle from local insiders.

Check out the Seattle City Pass which gives you tickets to Seattle’s premier attractions including the Space Needle, saving you time and money.

We share more about how we used the pass – and the value it provides – in our post on exploring Seattle with kids. We spent 5 days in the city. – Caz and Craig

Click here for this review of the Seattle City Pass

Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle

Peak season is definitely March through August.

Because of all the rain you are guaranteed the prettiest flower blooms, best weather for outdoor activities, and variety of festivals during the height of the summer.

If you’re brave and decide to visit during the fall/winter off-season, be sure to bring a waterproof jacket and rain boots.

Best insider Tip for travel to Seattle

Don’t trust the cab companies when they say your taxi is on its way. People steal taxis like it’s going out of style. Plus they normally take at least a half hour to reach you anyway.

I recommend learning the bus routes and utilizing those as much as possible.

Seattleites don’t use umbrellas but don’t view this as a competition. Feel free to pack one if you’re planning on spending a lot of time outside (just don’t ask them what they think about you carrying one).

Invest in some sturdy rain boots and a weatherproof jacket for walking around.

The goal is to stay dry. If you stay dry, you won’t be nearly as cold as you think. And after running through your first downpour, I think you’ll realize why these Seattleites are such hot beverage freaks.

I love Seattle because …

For me, Seattle is a blend of everything that’s great in the world.

The city is brimming with delicious espresso, culture, art, open-mindedness, jazz music, and intellect. It has three-story bookstores and libraries that are built to be pieces of art, for goodness sake.

The entire city is filled with a salty breeze from The Harbor and all the food is made with quality and ingenuity unmatched on the west coast.

There’s just something about Seattle that feels like happiness.

It’s got a very distinct vibe and flavor and I love that. You’ll never be bored. It’s a place where people aren’t afraid to be themselves and that resonates deeply with me.

Some cities just look and feel like every other city, but Seattle gets my seal of approval for its originality and personality.

And I double dog dare you to find another city like it. Happy Adventuring!

Plan Your Trip to Seattle

Accommodation in Seattle

• Book your stay in Seattle with our partner, Booking.com They have over 150 properties in Seattle including hotels, apartments, and hostels worldwide. You get cancellation on most rooms and a best price guarantee.

Flights to Seattle

• Skyscanner is a comparison website that searches millions of flights. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees).

Car Rental in Seattle

• Book your rental car in Seattle with our partner, RentalCars.com They are the world’s biggest car rental booking service that compares all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar. There are many amazing places near Seattle to visit on a day trip.

About the Author:

Hilary is a Las Vegas local and world traveler. When she’s not at home working on productions or taming lions, you can find her boarding down volcanoes and living in remote villages. Follow her on Facebook.

More Washington State Tips

• 12 Coolest Things to do in North Cascades National Park
• The Diverse and Beautiful Olympic National Park
• Leavenworth made our list of cool places to visit in the USA

Pin this to Pinterest:

Do you have any tips on what to do in Seattle?

Please share in the comments.