Three Perfect Days: A trip to Seattle

Things to do and see

Start your day at Pike Place Market. I often find myself here, a spot loved by locals and tourists alike. It’s where I go to pick up fresh bouquets of flowers at a fraction of the cost and support small businesses. As I stroll through the market, I’m greeted by fishmongers tossing seafood and vibrant vendor stands filled with seasonal blooms. Down below, the quirky shops are full of surprises, offering everything from comic books to unique crafts. It’s a place that never gets old, always buzzing with new finds and familiar faces.

After you’ve wandered the stands, buy some gum at Ghost Alley Espresso and add to the Gum Wall. This tradition began in the 1990s when improv theater patrons started sticking their gum on the wall. Today, the colorful backdrop offers a perfect photo op.

Nearby is the Overlook Walk, an elevated pathway completed in 2024 that seamlessly connects the city’s downtown to its waterfront. Here, witness unobstructed views of downtown Seattle, Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park and more, while being just steps away from dining options and even a small play structure for kids. If you follow the walking path from Pike Place, you’ll end up at the waterfront. There are also elevators inside the market and near the overlook if needed.

Next, head to the Seattle Center, the city’s epicenter of entertainment, history and the arts. Some of its top attractions include the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), the Pacific Science Center and the International Fountain. Bring your kids, bring your partner, bring your best friend. Everyone will find something they enjoy.

The center is also home to Chihuly Garden and Glass, where vibrant glass sculptures create mesmerizing displays. You can even get a warped view of the Space Needle inside the museum.

Speaking of Seattle’s most iconic structure, ride to the top of the Space Needle for breathtaking 360 views of the city backdropped by the Cascades and Olympic Mountain ranges. One of the most photographed landmarks in the world, the Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. In 2018, it got some significant updates, including floor-to-ceiling glass views, an outdoor observation deck, the world’s first rotating glass floor and The Loupe Lounge, possibly the most scenic bar in Seattle.

Stop by the Freemont Troll, an 18-foot-tall troll with a shiny metal eye clutching a Volkswagen Beetle in its left hand. Designed by Steve Badanes, the sculpture has appeared in films like "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Sleepless in Seattle". You’ll usually find kids climbing on it.

Take the Seattle Underground Tour in the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood for a window into Seattle’s past. This fascinating tour explores the buried streets and storefronts of the underground, offering insight into the city’s early days and the impacts of the Great Seattle fire of 1889. Our tour guide, Eowyn Morningstar, starts below Cherry Street Café by viewing a photo of Chief Seattle (the city’s namesake) and the Duwamish tribe.

Over the course of an hour, learn about the importance of Elliot Bay, why the fire was seen as a blessing (thankfully, there were no fatalities) and how Seattle went from a frontier town to a lucrative city with renewed innovative infrastructure. Morningstar debunks the common misconception of an underground city filled with interconnected tunnels and clarifies that, technically, we're beneath the streets rather than truly underground.

“The entire neighborhood is artificially elevated. If you're walking at the modern level of Pioneer Square, you’re never on solid Earth. You're walking on something human created. The only time you're on the solid Earth is when you’re down here” says Morningstar.

If you enjoy this tour, consider the free Klondike Gold Rush tour nearby.

Once you’ve explored the underground, take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel for a stunning aerial perspective of the city. As the sun sets, head to Kerry Park, where the classic postcard-perfect view of the Seattle skyline glows against the backdrop of the imposing Mount Rainier.

Where to eat

Get a quick bite or a full meal at one of these places:

• Get breakfast at Le Panier for incredible French pastries. If you’re a coffee lover, head to Storyville Coffee.
• Stop by Rachel’s Ginger Beer, brewed right in Seattle. Try the blood orange or a seasonal flavor made with simple and fresh ingredients paired with small bites, like chicken sliders.
• For an on-the-go lunch, stop by Seattle Dog for a Seattle-style hotdog (cream cheese, thinly sliced grilled sweet onion and sauerkraut).
• For dinner, try Japonessa Sushi Cocina and its wide array of sushi and local variations on your favorites.

United Hotels can help you find the perfect hotel for your stay.