Seattle Travel Guide

Morning
Start your trip with a Seattle essential. Watch the fishmongers toss their catch at Pike Place Market, browse handmade crafts, and grab a cinnamon-sugar donut from the Daily Dozen Doughnut Company.
Afterwards, take a stroll along the Elliott Bay waterfront, home to the Seattle Aquarium, where kids can meet otters, sea stars and jellyfish in the touch pools.

Bonus tip: Stop at the Gum Wall for a quirky photo, then ride the Seattle Great Wheel for sweeping harbour views.

Lunch
Right on the waterfront, Ivar’s is a Seattle staple. Try classic fish and chips or chowder while seaplanes buzz overhead.

Afternoon
Take the Monorail from downtown to Seattle Center, the city’s cultural heart. Start at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP, where exhibits on music, film, gaming and sci-fi let kids and parents explore together. Don’t miss the Sound Lab, where you can play instruments and record your own riffs, or the displays featuring Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain’s iconic guitars. Then, head up the Space Needle for panoramic views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier.

Evening
Inside Seattle Center, The Armory food hall has plenty of family-friendly options, including pizza, noodles, burgers, and dessert stalls. End your first day watching the International Fountain’s light and water show.

Morning
Begin the day back at Seattle Center with the Pacific Science Center. The butterfly house, planetarium and interactive exhibits are brilliant for all ages, and give everyone a break from the Pacific Northwest drizzle if it rolls in.

Lunch
Grab a relaxed lunch nearby: Taylor Shellfish for seafood lovers or Zeek’s Pizza for something quick and easy before an afternoon outdoors.

Afternoon 
Head northwest (around a 20-min drive) to Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest green space. The Loop Trail offers forest walks, sandy beaches and lighthouse views, perfect for a mix of fresh air and downtime.

Evening
On your way back, stop at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) to watch boats move between the Puget Sound and Lake Union. Nearby Ray’s Café serves casual seafood with unbeatable sunset views.

Morning
Just south of downtown, the Museum of Flight is one of the world’s largest air-and-space museums. Climb aboard a Concorde, walk through a NASA space-shuttle trainer, and see vintage aircraft hanging above your head.

Lunch
Drive or rideshare to Georgetown, a creative district full of family-friendly eateries and industrial charm. The Hangar Café is a favourite for waffles and crepes.

Afternoon
Explore Fremont, Seattle’s 'centre of the universe'. Hunt for quirky public art (like the Fremont Troll, the Lenin statue, and rocket sculptures) before walking along the canal to Gas Works Park, one of the city’s most recognisable green spaces. The grassy hill is perfect for skyline selfies, and the views across Lake Union are spectacular.

Evening
Stay for sunset over Lake Union, watching seaplanes take off. Dine nearby at Westward or Duke’s Seafood, both with patio seating and relaxed menus.

Morning
If you’ve rented a car, this is your big adventure day.

• Mount Rainier National Park (around 2½ hours away) for trails and wildflower meadows.

• For a shorter drive, visit Snoqualmie Falls, just 45 minutes from the city, with viewpoints, picnic spots and a spectacular 270-foot drop.

Afternoon
Return to the city for a relaxed afternoon. If it’s the weekend, browse the Fremont Sunday Market for vintage finds and food trucks. Otherwise, head to the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) at South Lake Union for hands-on exhibits about Seattle’s innovators.

Evening
End your adventure in style.

• Catch a Seattle Mariners baseball game at T-Mobile Park - a true Pacific Northwest experience.

• Or take the ferry to Bainbridge Island for a sunset crossing and dinner at Doc’s Marina Grill before returning across the bay.