I’ll tell you exactly how to spend one day in Seattle in a minute, but first… a story. If you are one of those people who complain about long introductions to recipes (you know where I tell you all about my mom’s life before I share her awesome pan-fried potatoes recipe?), buckle up cause we are going to be here a while. Or you know? Just scroll down, that’s also perfectly fine. No need to get upset and tweet about it.
Still here? Thank you, I appreciate it. The thing is… This blog post is late. So late. What happened is I found this external hard drive in a drawer, not unlike Ed Sheeran found his old phone.
I found my old phone today
In a box that I had hidden away
Nostalgia trying to lead me astray
On the hard drive are carefully sorted folders with pictures of food and travel, all labeled, all edited. These pictures are from the time in my life that I call the sweet spot. You know where you are old enough to have adult money, but too young to have all the responsibilities. A chef’s kiss, that time in one’s life is.
One of the folders is labeled Seattle. Double click and the memories flood in: my husband and I settle in the US thinking it would be our forever home, 3 years later we have to leave for bureaucratic reasons, we do a farewell trip across the West Coast before moving to Sri Lanka.
If you are new here, let me fast forward: we are fine. We are based in Hamburg, Germany, have two kids, and even traveled to the US recently, as tourists this time.
These pictures from Seattle are a reminder of a different life, a different me. I look so young and pretty it almost hurts, almost feels unfair to share these pictures now because that’s not how I look anymore. But I do want to keep them safe.
So this blog post is mostly for me: an opportunity to share these photos before I lose the hard drive or it stops functioning as these high-tech things do (yes, I consider a hard drive high-tech). But a little bit for you too: I promise I am about to get into the details of how to spend one day in Seattle!
Since my last time in this city was a while ago I asked my friend who lived in Oregon for years to help me with planning this guide. This itinerary is up-to-date and is exactly how I would spend one day in Seattle if it was my first time. Now let’s dive in!
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something by clicking the link I will earn a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Start your one day in Seattle at the beating heart of the city — Pike Place Market. The market is a complex of interconnected buildings, stalls, restaurants, and shops where you can easily spend several hours exploring. Afterwards, step out of the market and walk around the neighborhood streets.
The area around the market is designated as a historic district. It’s protected by the government to prevent demolition and preserve the character of the neighborhood. Some of the places I recommend below are not located directly at the market, but within the historic district. Meaning: all the spots are within a few minutes walk from each other.
Here’s what you should do at the Pike Place Market Historic District.
Pikes Place Market is Seattle’s iconic public market located right by Eliott Bay (it is also probably one of the most famous markets in the U.S.) The market has been in continuous operation since 1907 and is home to over 500 businesses, including farmer stalls, craft shops, and restaurants.
Now where do you even start exploring with so many options? You can simply walk around and see what attracts your attention, but here are a few pointers.
Head to the fresh fish part of the market first where you can see fishmongers throw whole fish to each other. Watching flying fish is one of the most popular and touristy things to do at the market. It’s one of the most fun, too.
We had to wait around a bit since they only throw fish when someone makes a purchase, but the show was so worth it. This years-long tradition was even featured in The Office which I love dearly, in case you haven’t figured it out from the name of the blog yet. We also tried fresh oysters and scallops at the market.
Piroshky Piroshky is a Russian bakery that sells handheld pies with all kinds of fillings, from BBQ pork to smoked salmon pate to rhubarb. I may be biased since I am Russian, but it is a must-try, to my mind. By the way, if you want to make piroshki yourself, I have a recipe.
Rachel’s Ginger Beer sells unusual flavors of ginger beer, like caramelized pineapple, passion fruit and vanilla, and blood orange. They also offer cocktails made with ginger beer, like Moscow Mule and Mango Margarita.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is one of the most iconic spots at the market. They make all their cheese on-site so you can watch the cheesemakers at work through the large windows. If you love bringing edible souvenirs back home, get a piece of Flagship, their signature cheese. Mac & cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches are really popular if you want to have a bite right there.
If you need more recommendations, this guide to the best eats at Pikes Place Market will be helpful in planning your visit. There’s also an option to take a chef-guided tour of Pike Place Market.
Once you are done eating your way through the market, head outside to the Unexpected Productions Improv. We are still in the Pike Place Market historic district, by the way.
The improv theatre is located in Post Alley and a huge part of its wall is covered with used gum. The first to stick their gum to the wall were the performers and patrons of the theatre back in the 1990s.
The quirky artwork has since grown and become a popular photo spot. You can add to the masterpiece if you happen to have gum on you or just stop here for a quick photo. Probably try not to touch anything, though, for hygienic reasons mostly.
I hear some people consider this place a tourist trap and a waste of time. Well sue me, I love tourist traps (as long as I don’t have to stay in line for an hour). Listen, I love my third-wave coffee as much as the next girl. I do know Starbucks coffee is ok-ish at best. But coffee taste is not why I came here. I came to see a historic spot and to take a pretty picture.
To be clear: this is not technically the first ever Starbucks, but rather the longest operating branch. Starbucks was founded 1971 and opened its first cafe just a few blocks away from this location. In 1976 they moved the cafe to 1912 Pike Place, the now famous tourist hot spot.
I came here early in the day and there were just a few people in line. So it took me 10 minutes to get my coffee and snap a photo. One day in Seattle is not much, so don’t waste your time staying in line if it’s too long. Just notice the original logo outside and take a peek at the interior, then head to the next stop on this itinerary.
If you want to sit down for a proper breakfast, Le Pichet, a casual French bistro, is an excellent choice. It is not located at the market itself, but within Pike Place Market historic district. That is to say: only a few minutes away.
The restaurant has been around for 25 years and was featured on every list of best places to eat in Seattle imaginable, including 23 Best Dinners in Seattle by Seattle Magazine and 38 Essential Seattle Restaurants by Eater.
Le Pichet — which means The Pitcher in French — specializes in regional cuisines and wines of France. For breakfast, we tried eggs broiled with Paris ham and gruyere, which was excellent.
Le Pichet — 1933 1st Ave
Important: Le Pichet opens at 10 am daily which is why I suggest to explore the market first, then head here. But there are plenty of places to eat at the market that open as early as 8 am in case you want to start your one day in Seattle early. This round up on the official website of the market has all the options for breakfast: from coffee to grab-and-go spots to dine-in places.
A 16-minute walk from Le Pichet
I am usually skeptical about visiting parks when I travel, but this here is not your normal park. The view alone is reason enough to run here: on a clear day you can see the Olympic Mountains across Elliott Bay. It’s breathtaking to say the least.
And if you take into consideration that the space used to be a contaminated industrial zone up until 2007, it is that much more impressive. It was the initiative of Seattle Art Museum to turn the site into a green urban space that doubles as an open-air art museum. Today, the museum curates a sculpture collection at the park.
A 10-minute walk from Olympic Sculpture Park
Dutch Baby is a puffed pancake baked in the oven that is actually not Dutch at all. Where it comes from is a big question, though. There are multiple theories, including one that says Dutch is actually Deutsch simply mispronounced, which would make the pancake German. You can read more about the complicated origins of this dish here.
In the U.S. this dish was popularized at the Manca’s Cafe in Seattle back in the early 20th century. Today, the most popular spot to try the Dutch Baby is, without a doubt, Tilikum Place Cafe.
Opened in 2009, it was named after the Tilikum Place Park nearby. Here you can try both sweet and savory versions of this dish, for example, a Dutch baby with Spanish chorizo, potato, and manchego cheese or one with local blueberries and ricotta. You can see how Dutch Babies are made fresh at Tilikum here.
Important: the cafe is closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and only works until 2 pm on other days. Make sure to check their schedule and make a reservation beforehand. I hope your one day in Seattle happens to be on a day when the cafe is open, because it’s well worth a visit!
Alternative: in case the cafe is closed, here’s a great list of restaurants nearby where you can have lunch instead.
Tilikum Place Cafe — 407 Cedar St
A 5-minute walk from Tilikum Place Cafe
Visiting the Space Needle might be even more controversial than the original Starbucks. It is, no doubt, one of the most iconic landmarks in Seattle and a recognizable feature of the city’s skyline.
However, with general admission tickets at $49 it is just way too expensive, in my opinion, especially if you travel as a family. I visited back when the tickets were around $35 which is still too much, but I felt obliged since it’s one of the most popular things to do in Seattle.
The views are, of course, beautiful and the 40-second elevator ride is impressive. However, if I had one day in Seattle I’d rather spend 50 dollars on some good food. Ultimately, it’s your decision whether to go up.
You get a good view of the Space Needle from the Olympic Sculpture Park. If you choose to skip the observation deck, just take a second to see the tower up close, then proceed to the next stop on this guide.
A 6-minute walk from the Space Needle
The museum of Pop Culture is one of the most beloved museums in Seattle. The building itself designed by Frank Gehry (the architect behind the Dancing House in Prague, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, and Stata Center in Cambridge) is going to blow your mind.
The permanent collection is dedicated to contemporary popular culture with a focus on music, science fiction, and fantasy. Some of the coolest things to see inside are the exhibits on Jimi Hendrix, a legendary Seattle guitarist, and Nirvana, one of the original grunge bands that rose to fame in Seattle. You can see the musicians’ original instruments, handwritten lyrics, and concert posters. There are also exhibition halls dedicated to movie franchises, like Star Trek and Marvel.
Tip: with only one day in Seattle, I would try to spend no more than 2 hours here.
A 30-minute walk (or a 5-minute Uber ride) from the Museum of Pop Culture
Kerry Park is where you get the famous postcard-worthy view of Seattle. At 1.26 acres, the park is tiny. Rather, think of it as a free observation point beloved by both locals and tourists. It’s located atop a hill in Queen Ann neighborhood and provides amazing views of the Elliott Bay, the Space Needle, and (if you are lucky) Mount Rainier.
Tip: if you are walking to Kerry Park, make a stop at Vita at KEXP for a cup of exceptional coffee. It’s right on the way. I first tried their coffee in NYC (they are originally from Seattle, but are slowly expending) and it was easily one of the best cappuccinos I’ve ever had.
Vita at KEXP — 472 1st Ave N
Your one day in Seattle is coming to an end and I have several options for how to spend the evening. Whichever option you choose, you’ll need to use a car or Uber for this bit of the itinerary.
A 10-minute car ride from Kerry Park
If your one day in Seattle happens to be in summer and it’s still light out in the evening, head to Fremont neighborhood. Fremont is located to the north of Kerry Park and is considered one of the quirkiest and artistic neighborhoods of Seattle. Here’s what you need to see here.
Two dinosaurs — a mom and a baby — are made of iron frames covered with over 7000 ivy plants. They were originally built to promote a science exhibit at the downtown Pacific Science Center. Once the exhibition was over, local artists bought the dinosaurs for $1 each and transported them to Fremont where they add to the whimsical vibe of the neighborhood.
Given that I come from Russia, I was most surprised to discover a 16-foot-tall statue of Lenin on the streets of Seattle. Turns out, the statue made its way to the U.S. from Czech Republic. It was initially created in 1988, toppled after the Velvet Revolution, and brought to Seattle in 1995.
Fremont Troll is one of Seattle’s most whimsical public art installations, located under the north end of the Aurora Bridge. It was created in 1990 by several local artists for an art competition that aimed to restore the area beneath the bridge that had become neglected. Today, it’s one of the most popular photo spots in the city.
Hands down, one of my favorite memories of Seattle is eating soup at Gas Works Park at sunset. The park was the last stop on our itinerary and the goal was to get there by sunset.
Turned out, not too far from the park was Ivar’s, a local institution popular for its seafood, more specifically — chowder. So we drove to Ivar’s, got chowder to go, and then ran to the park with bags full of soup because time was running out.
I can’t vouch for all the items on the menu of Ivar’s, but the chowder was good. Although eating a hot soup out in the cold with a view of Seattle skyline definitely made the whole experience extra special.
The park is located on the site of a former gasification plant. The rusted parts of the plant stand in stark contrast to the greenery and the beautiful view of Seattle.
Ivar’s — 401 NE Northlake Way
A 12-minute car ride from Kerry Park
Capitol Hill is another great neighborhood to explore in the evening. This is where you’ll find some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, and bars in Seattle. I only had the time to visit Starbucks Reserve Roastery. If you need recommendations for dinner, check out this list.
I promise Starbucks didn’t pay me to include not one, but two of their locations in this guide for one day in Seattle! The company originated here, so it only makes sense to experience what they have to offer.
As described on their website, the roastery is “an immersive and dramatic expression of our passion for coffee”. The beautifully-designed space that includes a coffee library, an experience bar, and a roasting facility, to name a few, is alone worth a visit.
I have to say, the coffee is actually good here. You can try some of the most unusual creations, like whiskey barrel-aged cold brew, toffeenut bianco latte, and iced ube coconut latte; as well as the familiar classics. They also offer a variety of desserts, baked goods, and sandwiches made with cornetto and focaccia.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery — 1124 Pike St
There’s actually a 3rd option for your evening and that’s something we did on our first night in Seattle. We circled back to Pike Place Market, bought fish, orzo, and vegetables, and made dinner at out Airbnb. Prepared with the freshest ingredients, it was exquisite. Bonus point: we felt very much like locals.
If you have more than one day in Seattle, do explore other neighborhoods or even the ones you saw today in more detail. Fremont, for example, has an array of cool independent shops and places to eat. You can also explore Ballard, known for its rich maritime history and Nordic heritage or Pioneer Square with its Romanesque architecture and cobblestone streets.
Speaking of Pioneer Square, this is where I did an underground tour of Seattle which was one of the most unusual experiences. The underground network of passageways was actually on the ground level back in the 19th century, but was abandoned after the streets were elevated. It is now a popular tourist attraction.
30 miles north of Seattle is located a Boeing factory. You can take a guided tour and learn about the company’s history, as well as see a commercial aircraft in various stages of production. This is something I didn’t have the time to do, but I hope you will.
I write stories about food, travel, and my life as a mom of two boys. Home is Russia, but somehow also Sri Lanka and Hamburg, Germany. Go figure.
@2025 That’s What She Had - Food and Travel Blog | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
Designed by wpauthors.com
