This summer, my husband and I embarked on our very first visit to the beautiful city of Seattle. With only a few days to explore before heading up to Vancouver, we crafted an itinerary that allowed us to experience the best of what Seattle has to offer. Here’s a detailed account of our 72-hour adventure in the Emerald City!
DAY 1
12 p.m. – Check-in at EVEN Hotel Seattle Downtown
We kicked off our Seattle adventure by checking into the EVEN Hotel Seattle Downtown (527 Fairview Ave N). Location was the key decision here (in addition to some hotel points we had!) We loved that it was conveniently located downtown and made it pretty easy to get around to each of our destinations.
1 p.m. – Lunch at Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge
Our first meal in Seattle was at the renowned Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge. Nestled downtown, this restaurant offers a New Orleans-inspired menu with delicious options to start our culinary journey in Seattle. We ordered the Toulouse Beignets, Snake River Farms Kurobota Ham Eggs Benedict and the Creme Caramel French Toast. It was an excellent meal – highly recommend this spot!
3 p.m. – Chihuly Garden and Glass
Post-lunch, we visited Chihuly Garden and Glass. This was truly incredible and even wowed my hard-to-impress husband. 😉 The stunning glass sculptures and vibrant installations by artist Dale Chihuly were really unlike any art museum or destination I’ve ever been to. The interplay of glass, light, and color was mesmerizing and a must-see in Seattle.
5 p.m. – Space Needle
7 p.m. – Dinner at Cactus Restaurants – South Lake Union
We concluded our first day with dinner at Cactus Restaurants in South Lake Union, conveniently close to our hotel. This Southwestern and Mexican eatery offered a vibrant atmosphere and delicious dishes, perfect for winding down after a day of exploration.
DAY 2
Morning – Meet group for Mount Rainier National Park
Saturday was dedicated to a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park. We met our group early in the morning for a guided tour. Visibility was not great the day we visited unfortunately (classic Seattle weather…) but it was stunning nonetheless. We booked our tour through Viator, which I highly recommend if you want to see the park as efficiently as possible. Our guide led us directly to the best spots in the park, and it was worth it. From lush forests to stunning alpine meadows, every moment was picture-perfect.
Ice cream shakes and popcorn at Wapiti Outdoors in Greenwater, WA
On our way back, we stopped in at the delightful Wapiti Outdoors in Greenwater, WA, a charming mountain town just outside of Mount Rainier. Our legs were totally dead by this point, so we very much appreciated the Moose Tracks shakes and some huckleberry popcorn – such a refreshing way to end the day!
DAY 3
9 a.m. – Tour Pike Place Market
Our final day in Seattle began with a visit to the iconic Pike Place Market. We wandered through the bustling stalls, sampling local produce, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. The market’s energy and variety made it a highlight of our trip.
12 p.m. – Lunch at Old Stove Brewing Co.
For lunch, we headed to Old Stove Brewing Co., located within Pike Place Market. The brewery’s delicious food and craft beers provided a perfect midday break with a view of Elliott Bay. We ordered the pretzel bites and buffalo chicken wood fired pizza – both of which were excellent. Get a beer flight, too!
1 p.m. – Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Post-lunch, we explored the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). This unique museum offered fascinating exhibits on music, science fiction, and pop culture, making it an engaging stop for both of us.
3 p.m. – Museum of Flight
We continued our cultural exploration with a visit to The Museum of Flight. The museum was massive—we definitely underestimated how much time to allocate. If you’re planning a visit, I recommend setting aside at least a couple of hours. Near the end of the tour, you can actually go inside several planes, including Air Force One, which was my personal favorite. Eric even deemed this the “best museum he’s ever visited.” High praise indeed!
6:30 p.m. – Mariner’s Game at T-Mobile Park
We decided to snag last-minute tickets to catch a Mariners game at T-Mobile Park. I’m really glad we did! The stadium was great, the atmosphere was awesome, and it really was a fitting ending to our 72-hour exploration of Seattle. (Oh, and the Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1!)
