Seattle Bucket List

I caveat this post by saying this list is in no way all there is to see in the Greater Seattle area, but this is my go-to list when we have guests who come into town who ask, “what should I do in Seattle?”

Note: Seattle is often referenced by its neighborhoods, so that’s how I grouped most of these recommendations too.

Downtown Seattle

1. Pike Place Market: Not only are there are plenty of picture opportunities, but there are also iconic food places you must try. (Pike Place Chowder, the first ever Starbucks store, Beecher’s Cheese Factory, Elleno’s Frozen Yogurt, the Gum Wall)
2. Seattle Great Wheel: It’s a fun ferris wheel with amazing views over Seattle.
3. Seattle Space Needle: This is the iconic structure seen in most photos of Seattle’s skyline. You can also purchase tickets to get inside and go to the top.
4. Artist Park: Such a cool park for kids with the Seattle Space Needle as a backdrop.
5. Chihuly Glass Museum: Gorgeous glass art that’ll make you realize you’ve probably seen Chihuly’s work in other places without realizing it. Dale Chihuly has inspired so many!

Lake Union

1. Gas Works Park: Expect to see beautiful views of Seattle
2. The Amazon Spheres: Located at Amazon’s Seattle headquarters- these are quite the sight and there’s a play area for kids nearby. The inside is open to the public the first and third Saturdays each month, but reservations required.

Capitol Hill

1. Starbucks Reserve: It’s different than any Starbucks you’ve gone to. There are full food menus and tasting options.
2. Pick a restaurant– probably the best concentration of the hippest and/or new places to eat!

West Seattle

1. Alki Beach: Maybe I’m partial because I used to live in West Seattle, but Alki is one of my favorite beaches in Seattle and there are LOTS of them. There are more than 10 beach parks in City of Seattle proper.
2. Our favorite restaurants: Marination Ma Kai & Buddha Ruksa (must order the crispy garlic chicken)

Other Seattle landmarks

1. Discovery Park
2. Green Lake
3. Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island

Just outside Seattle

1. Snoqualmie Falls
2. North Bend: This is where a lot of the hiking trails are of varying levels of difficulty
3. Mt. Rainier National Park
4. North Cascades National Park
5. Whale watching in Anacortes or San Juan Islands