Having grown up in the Seattle area and now visiting often to see friends and family, we never get tired of spending a weekend in the Emerald City. I love playing tourist in a place we’ve been a million times, and planning a weekend in Seattle always means that we get to enjoy both old favorite things to do and new activities. With how quickly things have changed in recent years, with each trip we’re finding even more to do than we have time for.
We put together our guide for a weekend in Seattle based on how we visit. We like to have a mix of active things to do and a bit of culture. Whether it’s your first time visiting Seattle or if you just live across the water and want to plan a weekend getaway, you’ll love our suggestions. If you have any questions about visiting Seattle or anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more about our original hometown city.
Why Plan a Weekend Trip to Seattle
One of the reasons I’ve always loved Seattle is that there are so many things to do downtown and along the waterfront. Everything incorporates the water in some way it seems. If you’re not actually on the water you’re enjoying a view of it or eating something from it. If you don’t love the sea air and activities that go with it, Seattle is not for you. You’re going to love it though, and really a weekend in Seattle is enough to make you either fall in love with it for the first time or all over again.
While a lot of people come to Seattle and just stick around the downtown core, which is fine and fun, a weekend in Seattle could easily include visiting some of the surrounding neighborhoods for a better taste of what Seattle life is all about. Ballard, Capitol Hill and West Seattle are all wonderful to hang out in and are easily added to a Seattle weekend plan.
And while Seattle doesn’t have the awesome public transportation systems that San Francisco or New York have, if you understand the buses and light rail, it’s actually pretty easy to get around on. You actually don’t even need a car if you’re planning a Seattle weekend trip as you can just take the light rail from the airport or catch buses around town if you’re visiting via the ferry. People moan that the transportation system in Seattle isn’t great, but it actually is and I lived in Seattle for years without a car (lots of great Seattle biking routes), so there. I think it’s a very easy city to navigate with public transportation.
Weather in Seattle to Plan For
You’re probably thinking that your weekend in Seattle is going to be full of rain and gray clouds, and you might be right. Even in the summer the weather is Seattle can be really crummy, but honestly the city is made for the bad weather, and you’ll just as likely have great weather if you’re visiting May – September. October through April, plan for gray clouds, spitting rain (not usually heavy downpours) and breezy days.
In the winter, snow usually happens just a few times, typically in January or February, and then it’s just a lot of rain. I’ll tell you though, the sunny and cold winter days in Seattle are just beautiful and with snow on the Olympic Mountains or Mt Rainier make the winter views even better. When it comes to summer weather, I really hope your weekend in Seattle brings you the BEST weather!
In summer, sunshine when you’re walking the waterfront is awesome. Temperatures usually range from the low to high 70s, with the occasional days in the 80s. Thinking back though, summer of 2010 was so miserably hot for more than a week and I thought we were all going to fry on the sidewalk like eggs. That’s very rare though. In general, check the weather report a few days before your weekend in Seattle and the weather typically will match the report with very few surprises.
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Seattle
I love when we get to stay in downtown Seattle. It’s fun to wake up and walk the city streets before it’s busy, to stroll through Pike Place Market before the vendors are fully set up, and to get the sun rising on the Olympic Mountains. When you plan a weekend in Seattle, especially if you’re flying in, it’s 100% worth it to stay downtown as opposed to something on the outskirts. Yes, Seattle is a convenient city, but if your hotel is in Tukwilla and all of your things to do are in downtown Seattle, you’re going to waste a lot of time.
For years I worked downtown at the Seattle Hotel Vintage Park at 5th and Spring and on the weekends it’s was all kinds of visitors from around Washington. Staying anywhere in the downtown core is okay and you’ll be in a good location. Top picks that we’ve stayed at downtown include:
- Seattle Grand Hyatt
- Hotel Vintage Park
- Hotel Monaco
- Motif Hotel
- Seattle Sheraton
- Westin Seattle
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront
- Hotel Max
- Hyatt Olive 8
- EVEN Hotel Seattle and more
Clearly we have stayed many nights downtown and really enjoy it. If you have questions about where to stay in Seattle, you can always ask us. Check out hotel options here:
10 Fun Things to Do for a Weekend Seattle Trip
As you start planning your weekend trip to Seattle, take a look at our favorite things to do and see what will fit with your travel style and interests. Our picks are great for adults or kids and I think make for a really fun getaway. I was born in Seattle and moved away and back several times, so over the years I’ve fallen more in and out of love with the city, but always love coming back. So, enjoy our activities and let us know if you need help putting together a really good Seattle weekend trip.
TIP: The Seattle CityPASS is actually an amazing deal and includes several of the things to do we’ve listed. It’s worth it for a weekend trip where you want to do as much of Seattle as possible. Get the Seattle CityPASS here!
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market: Yes, I’m starting with the Pike Place Market as one of the best things to do on a weekend trip to Seattle because it’s always wonderful, year round, and as somebody living in Seattle AND who moved away, it’s always been my favorite activity. We love to watch them throw fish and check out all the beautiful flowers and fresh produce. There are lots of great local artisans selling farm products and art, and there is so much to eat within Pike Place Market.
With the major updates to the Seattle Waterfront since the Alaskan Way Viaduct came down years ago, the Market has just gotten better and better, and now it’s a beautiful space that seamlessly transports you between downtown and the waterfront. Starting a weekend in Seattle with a morning or afternoon at the Pike Place Market is THE best thing to do.
Favorite Food: I love Mee Sum Pastry on Pike Place and Mr D’s Greek Delicatessen. Both are fun and easy, and super delicious.
Ride the Seattle – Bainbridge Ferry
Ride the Ferry to Bainbridge Island: Even though Seattleites and Kitsap County residents use the Washington State Ferries as a daily commute option, when you’re planning a weekend in Seattle, adding a ride on the Seattle – Bainbridge Island ferry route is a great idea. It’s not expensive to walk on (you only pay passage one way) and you get a great view of downtown Seattle, the Space Need, Mount Rainier and Puget Sound. You can sit inside or outside and it’s chill and beautiful. You might even spot orcas (killer whales) from the boat.
The ride from the Seattle waterfront over to Bainbridge Island takes a little over a half hour, and then they unload and reload the boat to return to the city. You can either walk off and then back on or you can walk up into the town of Winslow for a meal and some window shopping. When you’re ready, head back to the ferry terminal and enjoy the ride back over to Seattle. At minimum this will take 1.5 hours, and if you add a meal on Bainbridge Island, plan for another 1.5 hours.
Favorite Food: Doc’s Marina Grill and Streamliner Diner, but there’s actually lots of good food that’s walking distance from the Bainbridge ferry terminal.
Do the Underground Tour
Who cares that this has been the most touristy activity for the last 50 years, it’s awesome. Did you know that Seattle was actually built on the mud flats of Puget Sound and burned down… and then was rebuilt and built up higher? The Underground Tour is really cool and you learn all sorts of things about Seattle history. Yes, it’s touristy, but that’s just because everyone who lives in Seattle has likely done one of the Underground Tours at some point in their life so they know to recommend it to visitors.
When you plan your weekend in Seattle, book the Underground Tour (there are a few different options) and this will both add some fun and show you the really cool Pioneer Square area of downtown. You’ll see totem poles, public art, the oldest buildings in the city, and a different side of Seattle. Book the Underground Tour here!
Favorite Food: Il Terrazzo Carmine or Luigi’s are both great, with Terrazzo being much fancier and more of a date-night restaurant. I miss Machiavelli’s up on Capitol Hill, but these are good picks.
Visit the Seattle Aquarium
Wow, the Seattle Aquarium has changed a lot since I was a little kid and it’s just gotten better. I love that the Aquarium is located on the waterfront just below Pike Place Market, and now with the beautiful new promenade from pier to pier, it’s even better. The aquarium has great exhibits about Pacific Northwest wildlife (I love the otter exhibit) as well as tropical and unique creatures.
They do diver led demonstrations in the big entryway tank, and there are lots of opportunities to learn and play all throughout. I think it’s one of my favorite aquariums in the USA. If you happen to get the Seattle CityPASS the aquarium is included, so that’s a bonus and a big savings!
Favorite Food: there is so much good food on the Seattle waterfront, and you can eat anywhere on your weekend trip, but the most Seattle option is Ivar’s. Whether you walk up to the window or sit down in Acres of Clams, it’s always good and is my favorite.
Enjoy a Show at the 5th Ave or Paramount Theaters
What’s a weekend in Seattle without getting to see a show? Both the Paramount and 5th Avenue Theaters do large productions and chances are you can visit the city when one of them has something on stage. The Paramount is the Broadway roadhouse for the city, so traveling Broadway shows perform here, while the 5th Avenue Theater is the locale production company, putting on just as large and lavish shows as what you’ll see in New York or San Francisco. The 5th Avenue Theater also has been the test theater for quite a few shows before they’ve gone onto NYC, so taking in a show when you’re visiting Seattle could be a rare and fun opportunity!
Favorite Food: actually get dinner up on Capitol Hill. There are so many wonderful bistros and Asian restaurants to choose from, and then you can walk back down to your theater very easily.
Go to a Seattle Mariners or Sounders Game
Our family loves getting to see the Mariners play baseball games, especially in Seattle (even though we had a great weekend trip to Houston to see them play). The baseball stadium is just south of downtown, but still walkable if that’s where you’re staying. You can also take the bus or light rail to T-Mobile Park (the stadium). Evening games are great if you’ve got 3rd baseline tickets, but if you’re in the outfield during sunset in the summer, you’ll be hot and drenched in sunshine for most of the game. The Seattle Sounders soccer team plays next door at Lumen Field, so if that’s more your speed, opt for a Sounders game if available. I remember when the Sounders first started, there was such an intense fandom, seemingly overnight.
Favorite Food: my absolute favorite thing to eat at Seattle sporting events are the garlic fries and the Seattle dogs (hot dog w/ cream cheese)
Visit the Ballard Locks
I grew up walking to the Ballard Locks from my grama’s house and hanging out on the grassy lawns and watching the salmon in the fish ladder. Now I love when I get to visit with my family, and I’ve got to say that as an adult I appreciate the Ballard Locks for all that they are and that I didn’t care about as a kid. When you plan a weekend in Seattle, you can ride the bus to Ballard from downtown (several options) and then depending on the route your ride, you can easily walk to the locks.
Called the Hiram M Chittenden Locks, it’s a beautiful park with a rose garden, an arboretum-like setting, view points, pathways to cross the water from Ballard to Magnolia, a fish ladder for watching the salmon moving from Puget Sound up into Lake Union and onward… It’s a great place to visit in the morning or afternoon. If you do have a car with you, there is plenty of parking on the Ballard side of the locks. Book an Argosy Cruise through the Locks here!
Favorite Food: super simple! For lunch you can just walk to the Lockspot Cafe right next to the entrance to the park, or head up Market Street to any number of great spots. Ballard Ave is an awesome neighborhood with lots of options too.
Monorail to Seattle Center and Space Needle
I know that the Space Needle really is the quintessential Seattle sight, but there’s more to going up as a part of your weekend plan than just the view. Yes, the view from the Space Needle is awesome as you’ll get a great look at downtown Seattle, and on a clear day you’ll see Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains (Olympic National Park) and all the way to the Cascades, but you can add onto this visit. Just like how the Empire State Building has a cool museum and experience that goes along with the visit, so does the Space Needle. Add the Chihuly Museum of Glass, the Center House and whatever events are happening at Seattle Center and you have a full day in this cool area.
Oh yeah! And MoPop, the Museum of Pop Culture is here as well, right next to the Monorail station. Yes! You can get here via the Monorail from downtown! See, planning a visit to Seattle Center and the Space Needle is kind of a must. Get a combo Space Needle / Chihuly Museum ticket here!
Favorite Food: Lower Queen Anne, which is next to Seattle Center, has lots of nice restaurants, but it also has a Seattle icon: Dick’s. Yes, growing up in Seattle means that Dick’s Drive In is a favorite of our family. There is one here and another up on Capitol Hill (and other locations too) so be sure that you get a Deluxe and vanilla shake with this visit!
Afternoon Dim Sum in Seattle’s International District
I guess our guide for a weekend in Seattle is just revisiting my childhood, but that’s okay and you’ll still love it. Seattle has an amazing International District, full of Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian and other Asian cuisines. If you’re visiting in February celebrating Lunar New Year here is so fun and inclusive. Any other time, it’s a great place to enjoy dim sum and other wonderful foods, as well as to visit the incredible Wing Luke Museum. The International District is very close to the stadiums, so if you have tickets for a game, you can enjoy lunch here and then make it to the stadium in time.
Favorite Food: Dim sum is my absolute favorite thing to get in Seattle’s International District, but the best meal I’ve ever had was at my friend’s family’s restaurant, Phnom Penh Noodle House. Diane and her family serve amazing food and they’re really just the best people.
Walk the Seattle Waterfront
If you’re doing the Seattle Aquarium or Pike Place Market, you’ll be in the perfect spot to enjoy walking the Seattle waterfront. It’s beautiful, it’s full of good food and quirky shops, it’s touristy (but who cares). Seattle really has done a 180 on its waterfront since the Kingdome came down so long ago. The waterfront is NOT a tourist trap, but is a beautiful neighborhood for visitors and residents to enjoy alike. While you’re here you can ride the Great Wheel (like the Eye) or take an Argosy Cruise on Puget Sound, or maybe even go sailing. Ye Olde Curiosity Shop is fun to pop into and who doesn’t love lunch at the Crab Pot? The Seattle waterfront is an absolute must for a weekend trip and you’ll love it, even on a rainy day.
Bonus: Explore Volunteer Park
This is a bonus if you have extra time or are particularly interested in the park. Volunteer Park is located on Capitol Hill next to downtown Seattle. It was designed by the Olmstead Brothers who also did Central Park in NYC and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Volunteer Park has trails, a really cool old water tower, a beautiful botanical conservatory, public art, gardens and the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM). If you visit both the SAAM and the gardens/conservatory, you’ll enjoy at least a half day in Volunteer Park. This is also where a lot of community and Pride events happen in the summertime, so if this is a part of your Seattle weekend plan, you might get to enjoy even more in the park.
Favorite Food: at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park there is the Taste Cafe, but then a few blocks away on Broadway there are all sorts of options. I like the Deluxe and Vivace, which have been Capitol Hill staples for 25+ years.
I hope you’re excited to plan a weekend trip to Seattle. It really is such a fun and beautiful city, there are tons of things to do with kids or just as adults, and there is so much good food to enjoy. If you have any questions about visiting Seattle or planning any sort of trip around the Pacific Northwest, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great adventure!
