Undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, the perfect city break in Seattle is like visiting the cool kid with a quirky attitude that everybody loves. Famous for its caffeine addiction, with more than 100 Starbucks coffee shops dotted around the city, and the birthplace of musical legends like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam, Seattle is cool, hip, artsy, urban, trendy, and relaxed.
Seattle’s inhabitants love it here and make the most of the city’s amazing music scene, fabulous bars, and world-class food. If they’re not enjoying their coffee at a Starbucks coffee shop or dancing the night away in a nightclub, Seattleites can be found at cultural venues enjoying innovative theatrical productions, having fun at arts and food festivals, biking along the Cheshiahud Lake Union lope or hiking in the Olympic National Park.
Seattle is framed by greenery and fresh air tempting the locals to spend many hours outdoors. The city is inspiring and creative being the home of famous brands like Microsoft, Boeing, and Amazon, and numerous eccentric micro-companies. While the most important neighborhoods abound in more conventional attractions, elegant restaurants, and fashion stores, the smaller neighborhoods are crammed with funky book stores and micro-breweries. Are you planning a Seattle vacation? Discover the most popular things to see and do in Seattle:
Conventional Seattle
Seattle abounds in interesting museums. The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) takes visitors into Seattle’s past with a range of fascinating objects. The museum includes hands-on exhibits dating from the day of the first Washington settlers to the 1962 World’s Fair and the present day.
For a hearty slice of American popular music and culture, plan a visit at the EMP Museum. The hard-to-miss purple and red metallic structure designed by Frank Gehry houses a guitar gallery, fantasy and science fiction memorabilia, and exhibits illustrating the rich local grunge scene.
The Seattle Art Museum is remarkable due to its post-modern architecture and excellent collection of artworks. Visitors have the chance to admire Native American art, Asian and European porcelain exhibits, as well as modern masterpieces by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollack.
Reigning proud over the Seattle’s skyline and quite the Hollywood star, the Space Needle is Seattle’s symbol. This iconic tower designed by architect Edward E Carlson for the 1962 World’s Fair is an ode to the spaceship culture and an excellent viewpoint for sensational panoramas of the city and the mountains framing Seattle.
No trip to Seattle is complete without a tour of the Pioneer Square, the oldest neighborhood in the city. A national historic district, the Pioneer Square familiarizes the visitor with the old-world Seattle through the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The neighborhood is animated by an extravaganza of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
End your “conventional” tour of Seattle with a ride in the city’s Great Wheel, a 53m-high observation wheel that goes round and round on Pier 57. A ride on the Seattle Great Wheel rewards visitors with superb views of Elliott Bay and a sea of skyscrapers.
Creative Seattle
One thing you will find with a City Break in Seattle is that the city bursts with creativity and innovation, and this can be easily spotted during a visit to the kookier neighborhoods of the city lined with bohemian coffee shops, funky bookstores, breweries and pot shops. The city’s soft spot for quirkiness and downright weirdness is illustrated through the fabulous Metaphysical Library and the “Official Bad Art” museum. And let’s not forget about the giant troll waiting quietly underneath the Fremont overpass.
There’s also a less known side of Seattle, a side dedicated to unique things and experiences. Visit the singing Sound Garden, admire local art in Canton Alley, and let the districts of SODO, Georgetown, and Beacon Hill mesmerize you with attractions like the Living Computers Museum and Kubota Park.
A visit to the Museum of Flight is an exciting adventure for both adults and children, especially if they’re big aviation fans. The Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour covers an area of 50 km and offers visitors the chance to admire Boeing jumbo jets from up close and tour the largest building the world dedicated entirely to the magic of flying.
Get your daily dose of caffeine and visit a coffee wonderland! Visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room and learn more about the first Starbucks coffee shops in the world and various brewing methods while trying exclusive drinks or chilling at the coffee library.
Discover more communities in the Puget Sound by taking a ferry cruise to destinations like Bainbridge Island and West Seattle’s Alki Beach. Prepare to embrace the quaint ambiance of the little places you’ll find along the way and enjoy the maritime history of the region.
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