1 Day in Seattle Itinerary: A Local’s Guide on What to See & Do

Whether you’re visiting before or after an Alaska cruise, for a work trip, or simply on a long layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, there is plenty to do and see in Seattle. Of course, 1 day in Seattle isn’t long enough to explore every nook and cranny of the Emerald City. But this blog post will provide you with some of my personal, local recommendations and favorite spots to get a taste of Seattle. 

This blog post will mainly highlight key museums, tours, shopping areas, dining spots, and cultural activities to enjoy while visiting Seattle. This is certainly not an exhaustive list of everything there is to do in the city, but I hope you find something in this blog post that is of interest. I will also address commonly asked questions about visiting Seattle in the FAQ section at the end of this blog post, as well a list of recommended places to stay in Seattle from a local’s perspective!

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I highly recommend getting the Seattle CityPASS to visit Seattle’s top attractions at a discounted rate!

What to See in Seattle in One Day

Explore Fremont and Visit the Fremont Troll

Fremont is one of my favorite neighborhoods in all of Seattle. With great breweries, views, biking, and funky wall murals throughout the entire neighborhood, it’s a great escape from the downtown Seattle area. Plus, it’s not far from downtown at all and you can spend an entire day exploring this neighborhood and utilize public transit or a ride share app to do it car-free!

I live in Seattle and I love spending time in Fremont. If you do make your way over to Fremont, you have to snap a pic with the Fremont Troll. The Troll is a Seattle icon and he lives underneath the Aurora bridge! The sculpture, created in 1990, stands at roughly 18 feet tall and weighs over 13,000 pounds!

If you’re looking for other fun ways to spend your time in Fremont, I suggest checking out the Fremont Vintage Mall, Fremont Sunday Market (seasonal), Gasworks Park, or renting bikes and biking along the Burke-Gilman Trail! If you’d prefer going on a guided bike tour with a stop in Fremont, I recommend booking this 3-hour biking tour with Seattle Bicycle Tours for your visit to Seattle.

As for food and drinks, you can’t go wrong with Fremont Brewing’s Urban Beer Garden for great beers, Wet Clay Cafe for coffee (and paint your own pottery!), Kamakura Japanese Cuisine for sushi, or Lucky’s Pho for great Vietnamese food and drinks. There are a ton of other great restaurants and bars in Fremont but those are definitely some of my favorites!

Pass through the Ballard Locks and experience the transition between fresh water and salt water!

Go Underground On A Seattle Underground Tour

The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 destroyed about 25 square blocks of the downtown area, mostly in Pioneer Square. When the rebuilding efforts began, they simply built the new buildings 8 feet above the remains of the old ones through use of retaining walls and paving. Thus, the Seattle underground was born!

Today, there is a Seattle Underground tour you can take to explore certain sections of the Seattle Underground. The tour is a history-focused tour that helps visitors envision what life might have looked like in Seattle in the 1800s, and discusses key moments throughout Seattle’s history. Plus, you do get to go underground and see the remains of the original Seattle!

I’ve done this tour a couple times, and I’ve loved it both times! It’s a very unique way to explore Seattle and learn about the city’s fascinating history. The tour starts and ends in Pioneer Square and lasts between 1-hour to 1.15-hours, with a large chunk of that time spent wandering through the actual Seattle Underground.

Make sure to reserve a spot on a Seattle Underground Tour here to get the time slot you want!

Learn About Seattle’s Gold Rush History at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Visiting the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park would be a great activity to enjoy before or after the Seattle Underground tour because both are located in the heart of Pioneer Square!

This museum is great for visitors of all ages who want to learn about the fascinating race north to strike gold during the late 1890s. Plus, it’s free to visit! There are interactive exhibits, video programming, National Park Rangers onsite, and artifacts from the Gold Rush era.

If you’re in the Pioneer Square neighborhood and want a fantastic view of Seattle, visit the Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center!

Walk the Downtown Seattle Waterfront

If you’re looking to spend an afternoon enjoying the waterfront, there’s truly no better way to do it than to walk the piers connected by a central boardwalk in downtown Seattle. The boardwalk stretches over 20 piers long and connects some of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks including Pike Place Market, the Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Aquarium, the WSDOT Ferry Terminal, and more!

It’s a really fun time to walk up and down the boardwalk–in many ways, it reminds me of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco! There are also a ton of great city skyline views from the piers (I love the view from Pier 62).

Food and drink options are abundant along the boardwalk at each pier. If you’re in a hurry, Ivar’s Fish Bar, Great State Burger, Anthony’s Fish Bar, and The Frankfurter. These spots all offer some form of quick service or counter service dining.

For some great sit down options, I recommend Pub 70, Six Seven, and The Crab Pot. You can’t go wrong with any of these options! Each of these restaurants also have drink menus, as well.

This self-guided audio tour is a great accompaniment for a stroll down the Seattle waterfront and through Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market!

Wander Through Pike Place Market and Post Alley

Visiting Pike Place Market is the quintessential Seattle activity that even locals love. Yes, it can get crowded. And yes, it can feel a bit chaotic. But that’s all part of the experience! If you are looking for a quieter time to stop by, I recommend going slightly after the morning rush or an hour or two before close.

There are hundreds of shops and food stalls to try in the Market–it would take years to try them all! My personal favorite shops include DeLaurenti Food & Wine, Kubode, Old Seattle Paperworks, Metsker Maps, MarninSaylor, Golden Age Collectibles, and Lionheart Bookstore.

As for food stalls and restaurants, my favorites include Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, The Pink Door, Wild Fish Poke, Ghost Alley Espresso, Pike Place Chowder, Hellenika Cultured Creamery, Le Pichet, and Sound View Cafe.

The frozen apple cider is also a must if you’re visiting in the summertime, or you can get hot apple cider in the fall and winter months to warm up while strolling through the Market.

You should also make it a point to visit the Gum Wall–it’s a unique Seattle landmark and makes for a great memory! While you’re down there (it’s underneath the main section of the Market in Post Alley), make sure to grab a latte at Ghost Alley Espresso or a pint of cider at Locust Cider Post Alley.

This 2-hour chef-guided food tour takes you to some of the best spots in the entire Market!

Get Out on the Waters Surrounding Seattle

If you’re feeling adventurous, I highly recommend finding a way to get out on the waters surrounding Seattle. Whether it’s the Puget Sound, Lake Union, Lake Washington, or elsewhere–taking a ferry, harbor cruise, sailboat, kayak, or paddle board out on the water is a great way to soak up the incredible views of Seattle and surrounding mountain ranges.

If it’s your first time visiting Seattle, I highly recommend taking a Harbor Cruise with Argosy Cruises or another similar operator like Sailing Seattle. The typical route for these cruises is usually out into Elliott Bay and back, giving you marvelous views of the downtown Seattle skyline. These tours also usually last about an hour, so they’re the perfect length of time out on the water before the windchill sets in.

Riding the ferry to Bainbridge Island is also a fun way to spend 1 day in Seattle, though technically Bainbridge Island is not located within Seattle city limits. If you’re looking for a slower-paced day away from the craziness of downtown Seattle, I love taking the ferry over to the island! Plus, the views of Elliott Bay and the surrounding mountains from the ferry are incredible–and only cost $9 per walk-on passenger!

If you’ve visited Seattle before or you’re a first-timer looking to get off-the-beaten path with your 1 day in Seattle, I recommend heading over to Lake Union or Lake Washington and renting a kayak or paddle board. Lake Union is definitely more accessible from downtown Seattle, but Lake Washington is much bigger. Choose your adventure! I would argue that Lake Union has more gear rentals nearby on the waterfront, so that could be a better option overall if you don’t have a car.

There are plenty of other great spots to go paddle boarding or kayaking around Seattle including Lake Sammamish, Rattlesnake Lake, and Green Lake!

Another fun option is to rent a hot tub boat for you and your travel party to enjoy the skyline scenery from the waters of Lake Union. These rentals run about $400 for 2-hours, so I advise splitting it amongst your group to make it slightly more affordable. The maximum party size per boat is 6 passengers. Riding around Lake Union in a hot tub boat would be such an epic way to spend 1 day in Seattle!

Enjoy the waters of Elliott Bay from Pier 55 with this narrated Seattle Harbor Cruise!

Go Hiking Around One of Seattle’s Many Public Parks

Seattle is a city with an abundance of public parks and green spaces. Whether you’re looking to stay downtown or venture outside of the city center, there are a ton of great options for walking, biking, hiking, and simply enjoying the outdoors.

Within the vicinity of downtown Seattle (and accessible via bus, ride share, or walking) you can find parks like Volunteer Park, Discovery Park, Centennial Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Washington Park Arboretum and the Seattle Japanese Garden, Kerry Park, Gas Works Park, Cal Anderson Park, and many more!

My personal favorite park to go hiking in near downtown Seattle is Discovery Park. I usually do the Discovery Park + Lighthouse Loop Trail, which is a 4.5-mile loop trail that showcases some of the best spots in the whole park! The lighthouse is incredible picturesque and, if you time the tides properly, you can enjoy some awesome tide-pooling here!

If you’re interested in venturing a bit further outside the city for a hiking adventure, there are several great options within just 20-45 minutes of the downtown area. Plus, if you’re visiting on a weekend or holiday in the summertime, you can take advantage of Trailhead Direct–a public transit route that takes riders from downtown Seattle to some of the most popular trailheads in the surrounding area like Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe, and the Issaquah Alps.

Explore Discovery Park via e-bike on this 2.5-hour small-group guided tour!

Museum Hop Between Seattle’s Top Museums

Seattle has a few great museums that are definitely worth visiting if you only have one day here. Whether you’re an art aficionado, a history geek, or interested in the variety of cultures present throughout the PNW, there is a museum for you to visit and enjoy!

My personal favorite museum in this city is the Museum of Pop Culture, also known as MoPop. Fans of all things music, movies, pop culture, sci fi, and television culture will adore this museum for the immersive, interesting exhibits on display. I recommend dedicating 1-2 hours to this museum, but plan for additional time if you have a larger travel party or want to enjoy all of the immersive sections of the museum.

While you’re over near the MoPop you can also visit the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum! They’re all centrally located in an area known as “Seattle Center”. This is also where Climate Pledge Arena is located, which hosts the famous Seattle Kraken hockey team and various artists and musicians throughout the year.

Some other great museums worth visiting if you’re planning to spend 1 day in Seattle include Seattle Art Museum (SAM), Seattle Asian Art Museum, Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), Klondike Gold Rush Museum (mentioned earlier in this blog post), Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Frye Art Museum, National Nordic Museum, The Museum of Flight, and many more!

I recommend getting the Seattle CityPASS for discounted admission to attractions like the Space Needle, MoPop, Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, and more!

Where to Eat and Drink with 1 Day in Seattle

Seattle is a great city for foodies because there are so many delicious options throughout the city. With just 1 day in Seattle, it’s impossible to try them all but I’ll share some of my favorite spots to visit for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner depending on when you’ll be in the city!

All of the dining options listed below are accessible via walking, public transit, or ride share from the downtown Seattle area. The restaurants below are among my favorite but they’re certainly not an exhaustive list of all of the best spots in the city. Each neighborhood has their own unique set of spots and I highly encourage you to explore off-the-beaten-path and try out some hole-in-the-wall options, too!

Best Breakfast in Seattle

• Ludi’s Restaurant (downtown)
• Skalka (downtown)
• Le Pichet (downtown)
• Tilikum Place Cafe (Belltown)

Best Lunch in Seattle

• Pub 70 (Belltown/Waterfront)
• Serious Pie (Belltown)
• Michou (Pike Place)
• Oriental Mart “O-Mart” (Pike Place)

Best Dinner in Seattle

• The Pink Door (Pike Place)
• Umi Sake House (Belltown)
• Ramen Danbo (Capitol Hill)
• Assaggio Ristorante (Belltown)

Best Bars in Seattle

• Flatstick Pub Pioneer Square (downtown Seattle)
• Navy Strength (Belltown) — this is perhaps my favorite bar in all of Seattle!
• Shorty’s (Belltown)
• Deep Dive (South Lake Union)

Where to Stay in Seattle for One Night

Depending on the purpose of your visit to Seattle, there are a variety of different areas you could stay in. Usually, I recommend that people stay downtown because you’ll be close to everything and have great access to public transit. Plus, if you’re downtown you’ll be able to walk to most of the major Seattle attractions and museums!

If you’re visiting Seattle before or after an Alaska cruise, I highly recommend booking a hotel on the waterfront or near Pike Place Market to be in close proximity to the cruise piers for easy embarkation/disembarkation. Seattle Marriott Waterfront is the best hotel location-wise because it’s literally right across the street from Pier 66!

Pike Place Market and Waterfront

• Seattle Marriott Waterfront
• Green Tortoise Hostel
• Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
• Inn at the Market

Downtown Seattle

• citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
• Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle, an IHG Hotel
• The Sound Hotel Seattle Belltown, Tapestry Collection
• Fairmont Olympic Hotel

Space Needle and Lower Queen Anne

• Hyatt House Seattle Downtown
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Seattle Center
• The Mediterranean Inn
• The Maxwell Hotel by Staypineapple

Other Areas (Capitol Hill, University of Washington, Fremont)

• Graduate Seattle (University District)
• Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle University District (University District)
• Courtyard Seattle Downtown/Lake Union (South Lake Union)
• Silver Cloud Hotel – Seattle Stadium (Pioneer Square/Stadium Area)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Area

• Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center
• Seattle Airport Marriott
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Seattle Sea-Tac Airport

Getting Around Seattle in One Day

Downtown Seattle is completely walkable and there are a good amount of public transit options that connect different areas efficiently. In terms of getting around for your 1 day in Seattle visit, I recommend utilizing the Link Light Rail (also called the 1-Line) or the bus system. These are definitely the cheapest options, and sometimes the quickest. Rideshare apps and electric scooters/bikes are also popular in the Seattle metro area.

The Link Light Rail 1-Line runs north to south (and vice versa) between Northgate Station and Angle Lake Station. There are 5 stations that serve downtown Seattle (Westlake, University Street, Pioneer Square, International District/Chinatown, and the Stadium station). You can get on the Lightrail downtown and access other popular areas such as the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Capitol Hill, University of Washington, and and U-District). Fares for the Link Light Rail range between $2.25–$3.50 per person. However, in fall 2024 the fare will change to $3 flat fare for all passengers and trips.

I also suggest utilizing the Monorail that runs from Seattle Center/Space Needle to Westlake (downtown Seattle/Pike Place). It’s a short ride but it saves you from having to spend time walking that distance. It’s also a fun, inexpensive way to see the city! A one-way ticket costs $3.50 per person and a roundtrip ticket costs $7 per person.

As far as buses go, to get around downtown Seattle you’ll likely want to ride on the 2, 3, 4, 8, 28, C Line, D Line, or E Line buses. All of these lines serve downtown Seattle. Make sure to utilize Google Maps or a GPS/directions app to give you the most accurate route details.

To explore the downtown waterfront, there is also a free waterfront shuttle that operates daily from 10am to 8pm–this shuttle runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day! You can learn more about the stops and how to ride here.

I do not recommend renting a car if you’re only planning 1 day in Seattle because parking is expensive and driving downtown can be a nightmare (especially if you’ve never driven on steep grade hills before). If you do want to rent a car for your visit, you can do so through DiscoverCars!

FAQs About Spending 1 Day in Seattle

How much money do I need for 1 day in Seattle? 

This totally depends on a variety of factors including whether you’ll be staying overnight, what types of activities you plan to do, the price range of the restaurants you eat at, etc. Overall, I’d recommend budgeting $125-$150 per person for 1 day in Seattle. This should be enough to cover your meals, transportation costs, admission to museums/activities, and a souvenir.

If you plan to enjoy higher-end restaurants or private tours, definitely plan on increasing your per person budget! If you’re traveling solo and opt for public transit or walking routes to get around, I’d say $100 is likely the perfect amount to budget (minus accommodation costs).

Can I visit multiple attractions with only 1 day in Seattle?

Absolutely! The downtown area really isn’t that big (compared to Manhattan or San Francisco), so it’s totally possible to visit multiple attractions and neighborhoods with only 1 day in Seattle.

For example, you could easily do Pike Place Market and the downtown Waterfront in the morning and then take the Monorail over to Seattle Center and spend the remaining half of the day at MoPop, the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, and Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum!

Another option would be to spend the morning hiking around Discovery Park and then head to Fremont for the afternoon to enjoy pottery making, biking, and sunset views of Lake Union and the downtown skyline from Gas Works Park!

Alternatively, you could easily spend the whole day along the Seattle downtown waterfront enjoying the multitude of attractions nearby like the Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Aquarium, the Seattle Great Wheel, Miners Landing, and more!

What is the best way to get around Seattle in 1 day?

The best way to get around Seattle is by walking or using public transit. Since the downtown area isn’t that big, it’s possible to walk from Seattle Center all the way to T-Mobile Park (home of the Seattle Mariners). I’ve done this walk several times, but you can also ride scooters or the bus to get between the two spots!

If you do opt for walking, I’d argue that most of Seattle is walkable with very minimal safety concerns as long as you stay alert and aware of your surroundings. However, the one spot I’d recommend avoiding is the south end of 3rd avenue. Specifically, the intersection of 3rd + Pike down past the stadiums should be avoided. If you’re trying to get someplace that requires you to take the south-bound route along 3rd Avenue, I’d recommend ordering an Uber or Lyft or finding an alternate route.

What is Seattle known for?

Seattle is known for a few different things but most notably the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and coffee!

The Space Needle was originally created for the 1962 World’s Fair and meant to represent Seattle’s embrace of modernity and progress. It stands at 605 feet tall and has since become an iconic part of Seattle’s skyline. There is also a great view from the top, though I personally think that the views from Smith Tower, Kerry Park, or Alki Beach are better!

Pike Place Market is also a classic Seattle staple, and Seattle is often recognized by the iconography of Pike Place Market around the world. Pike Place Market opened in 1907 and has been operating with vibrancy ever since! It started off as a farmers’ market to connect local producers with consumers but has grown into something unlike any other market in the United States! From quirky shops and storefronts to delicious restaurants and food stalls, you can easily spend a whole day exploring the Market from top to bottom.

Seattle is also known for its coffee culture. The coffee giant Starbucks actually originated in Seattle back in 1971, which contributed to the boom of Seattle’s coffee craze! Nowadays, you can still visit Starbucks cafes (including the original Starbucks in Pike Place Market) throughout the city but there are also dozens of local coffee shops and roasters that serve phenomenal coffee. I personally love Espresso Vivace and Anchorhead Coffee!

What is the best time of year to plan a trip to Seattle?

Summer and early fall are when I recommend visiting Seattle and the Pacific Northwest in general, primarily because the weather during those seasons is simply wonderful. Don’t get me wrong, there is also something to love about visiting Seattle in the winter and experiencing the typical rainy, moody weather that Seattle’s often characterized by. If you do decide to visit in the winter or spring, make sure to check out my blog post on what to pack for your visit!

Visiting during the summer or early fall will likely mean more crowds and higher hotel prices, though. This is in part due to the presence of cruise ship travelers who sail to Alaska from one of the cruise ports in downtown Seattle. There’s really no way around this unless you visit during the off-season when cruises to Alaska aren’t operating (Alaska cruises stop running from mid-October through mid-April).