Have you ever fallen so much in love with a city that you booked your return ticket before setting off? To me that’s Seattle. I’ve never actually lived there, but this harbor city feels like home every time I visit. Even though this was just a weekend trip to Seattle, I found myself completely smitten.
13 things for a perfect weekend trip to Seattle
I suspect it was the crisp air, vibrant local produce, abundant flowers, or verdant nature that made me feel so energized while exploring the city. Or maybe it’s that every time I visit, I commit myself to spending more time in nature or by the water. Maybe, it’s a simple fact that Seattle has it all.
As the resident expert on recent trips to Seattle, I was excited to serve as host and create an itinerary that highlighted the city’s wonders during a short 48-hour weekend trip to Seattle. Here’s what we ate, where we stayed and everything we saw on our most recent trip to the city. Get ready to book your tickets ASAP.
Things to know when visiting Seattle
When to visit
I’ve been to Seattle in spring, summer, and winter, and the city has something to say about each season. In the spring, you’ll see beautiful flowers surrounding your neighborhood, in the summer, you’ll find bustling, vibrant cities, and in the winter, you’ll find the most comfortable weather. To prepare, pack in layers. While it can be cold by the water in the morning, when the clouds clear and the sun comes out, you’ll take off your jacket. If you want to enjoy all the city has to offer without the crowds, choose the colder season. Trust me: your bravery will be rewarded.
How to get around
When planning your weekend trip to Seattle, organize your daily itinerary by neighborhood. Once you enter the community, everything is quickly and easily accessible on foot. Plus, walking, biking, or mass transit is always a great way to get familiar with a new city.
Where to stay: Seattle Hotel
Thompson Hotel. I’ve stayed at several places in Seattle and the Thompson Seattle is my favorite. It’s centrally located just one block from Pike Place Market, while also boasting an incredible interior that embodies the PNW’s signature cozy weather. Get up early and go to the restaurant for a cup of coffee. In the summer, be sure to spend some time at the rooftop bar overlooking the water.
Thompson Seattle | 110 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101 Website | Instagram
Parry Hotel. Just a few blocks from the Thompson Hotel, I stayed at the Parley Hotel while in town for the night. The rooms are a little small, but the restaurant and cafe downstairs are some of my favorites in the area. Pay attention to the lobby and its cozy library feel.
The Parry Hotel Seattle 107 Pine Street Seattle, WA 98101 | Website | Instagram
Ace Hotel. Just like their branches in other cities, Ace is always on my list of choices every time I visit. The interior is more stylish and artsy than you’d expect from a PNW hotel, but the location is close to many great shops and attractions.
Ace Hotel Seattle 2423 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121 Website | Instagram
first day
Late breakfast/brunch on London flight
On my trips to Seattle, I always return to this beautiful part of the city at least once. You’ve most likely seen this amazing restaurant on Instagram and it’s definitely worth a visit. After a casual breakfast, take some time to browse the selection of local merchandise that makes the perfect gift or souvenir.
Note: London Airspace has been in the dark for the past few months. However, entrepreneur Marcus Lalario and footwear designer Ben Kirschner (ex-Nike) are working hard to transform and revitalize the space. stay tuned!
London Plane | 2423 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121 Instagram
Explore nearby areas
Spend a leisurely post-breakfast morning exploring among the shops near Occidental Plaza and Pioneer Square. We stopped to browse stores like Clementines and Flora and Henri, which have incredible clothing and merchandise, and browse the shelves at Arundel Books. Grab a coffee from Caffe Umbria and shop for a collection of beautiful vintage items at Cassandra LaVelle’s Casa di LaVelle store.
Head to Pike Place Market
I love a good market where I can spend hours wandering around the stalls and exploring. But before that, there are a few stops worth visiting along the way. Depending on who you’re traveling with, if you’re traveling with kids, you can check out the Seattle Flyer, Waterfront Park, and the Seattle Aquarium.
Look at Pike Place
A truly iconic destination, the market is always worth a visit. You can stay here for 30 minutes or a few hours if you like. There are many restaurants and cafes in the market, adjacent to the streets, making it a good place for shopping and eating. Grab a ginger beer and piroshki, pick up some macaroni and cheese from Beecher’s, or grab a chowder and sandwich from Pike Place Chowder. Or, pick up fruit and cheese, then pack a picnic to enjoy on the dock overlooking the water.
I loved wandering around the different stalls, learning what produce was in season, and checking out the fresh fish market before shopping. Yes, it’s a tourist attraction, but it’s one of those places that’s totally worth visiting.
go out for dinner
Seattle’s restaurants are some of my favorites in the country, and if you only have a few days for dinner, don’t miss them.
Homer. Friends highly recommend this walk-in restaurant. As we sat down to dinner at Homer’s Bar, the conversation never stopped praising each dish. We stuck with a few small plates and sharing plates and were blown away by how well thought out each flavor combination and topping selection was.
After dinner, I walked away with lots of new ideas for delicious and innovative veggies to make at home. If it’s on the menu when you visit, order the raw apple salad and smoked kohlrabi. When you leave, be sure to try their rotating soft-serve ice cream flavored dessert menu to end the night on a high note.
Homer | 3013 Beacon Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144 | Website | Instagram
Boat Bar. This very Instagrammable spot is more than just a beautiful dinner scene. The food is absolutely delicious. Whether you choose the table-sharing oyster, radicchio and apple salad, or the roasted cauliflower, the menu created by chef Renee Erickson is nothing short of stellar. What’s our one suggestion, in addition to everything else we’ve shared? Order an extra order of fries and aioli. Please trust us on this.
The Boat Bar | 1060 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122 Website | Instagram
frankie and joe’s. Is there a more perfect way to end the night? While vegan ice cream might not be your first choice, when it comes to this amazing dessert, you just have to believe. While there is a Salt and Straw shop in town that I like, I was very impressed with Frankie and Joe’s ice cream. Their menu rotates with the seasons, and I promise, if you didn’t know, you’d never guess that the ice cream is vegan. Try the Strawberry Milk and Chocolate Tahini Super Cookies for the perfect nightcap.
Boat Bar | Multiple Locations | Website | Instagram
the next day
Start your day with a walk in the Olympic Sculpture Park
There’s nothing better than fresh air, and an early morning walk in the park with a cup of coffee is the perfect way to start the day. This trail gives you a glimpse of some of the city’s beautiful nature trails. Especially beautiful in spring or summer.
Olympic Sculpture Park | 2901 West Main Street, Seattle, WA 98121 website
Heading to Seattle Center
If it’s your first time in Seattle, you can walk from the Sculpture Park to the Seattle Center. Comprised of the Pacific Science Center, the Hooley Glass Garden, the Museum of Pop Culture, and the Space Needle, just about everything you could want to check out is all in one place. I suggest you pick the attraction that suits you best. After visiting each location here, I would skip the Space Needle and visit the Glass Garden and one of the museums.
Seattle Center | 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109 | Website
Enjoy late-night brunch at Oddfellows and shop nearby
Oddfellows is one of Seattle’s most iconic coffee shops, located in the Pike neighborhood just south of Capitol Hill. Grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast platter before heading out to shop. The neighborhood is home to numerous shops worth checking out, such as Glasswing, Standard Goods, Station 7 and Chophouse Row, which features local retail shops and food stalls.
Oddfellows | 1525 10th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122 | Website | Instagram
Take a rest and prepare dinner
I have two more dinner suggestions for you on your second night:
Conversation at the Thompson Hotel in Seattle. Our dinner at the Conversation was one of my favorite meals of our trip. Chef Kaleena Bliss treats every ingredient on the menu in a tantalizing way, creating exquisite cuisine. Thinking of local produce that highlights the flavor of the PNW combined with new technology keeps us coming back for more. The charred cucumber salad with tamarind vinaigrette and nettle pesto gnocchi were absolutely delicious, and the miso eggplant and strawberry burrata were even more delicious.
Conversation | 110 Stewart Street Seattle, WA 98101 | Website | Instagram
Wilmot’s Ghost. I ended up having dinner here after my flight was cancelled, and I’m glad it served as an opportunity to cross Amazon Balls off my list. The Willmott’s Ghost menu focuses on Roman cuisine, including seasonal salads, fire-roasted vegetables and thick-crust Roman-style pizza reminiscent of fluffy focaccia bread. The bar menu is delicious – it would be a fun trip for the girls.
Wilmot’s Ghost | 2100 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121 Website | Instagram
The third day
Make time for an early breakfast. Head to General Porpoise Donuts for – you guessed it – donuts and coffee Before heading to the airport. The Dolphin General is probably one of my favorite donuts. Go classic with a vanilla bean, or switch it up for a lemon curd donut.
Universal Dolphin Donuts | Multiple Locations | Website | Instagram
Do you have any suggestions to add to our travel guide to the city of Seattle? Leave your suggestions and favorite spots in the comments!
