Seattle seems to consistently evolve. Over the past decade, it has climbed American city rankings for visits and residence thanks to its thriving artistic scene (as the hub of music and theater in the Pacific Northwest), diverse culinary and drink offerings, and natural wonders encircling the city. .
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For the most part, you`re probably going to be arriving for your trip to Florence either by train from another location in Italy, like Rome or Venice, or you`ll be flying in from somewhere outside of Italy.
Today, after spending additional time in and around Seattle as a mature resident and with enhanced perspective from worldwide travel over the years, I believe Seattle is a world-class city (and I also think the cost of living in Seattle now accurately represents that).
Situated on the water with mountain access within an hour and a half, it draws a varied community, supporting an excellent food and event schedule – more than any other Pacific Northwest city.
Does it have its problems? Definitely. But every city does. And it’s difficult to not be fond of Seattle on a sunny summer afternoon when Mount Rainier is visible (a common barometer for fine weather) and the city comes alive with people out and about making the most of the precious sun.
Seattle provides a great city to explore, though two days is absolutely not enough time to experience, see, and eat everything the city has to offer. We’ll do our best to help you pinpoint EXACTLY what to do, see, eat, and drink over two days to fully ensure you fall in love with Seattle just as we have.
In this guide to spending 2 days in Seattle, we’re going to help you plan an amazing trip to Seattle and help you get a good dose of what makes Seattle so exceptional.
Over the course of a couple days, you’ll take in the primary attractions, get a taste of the culinary and drinking culture, the natural splendor surrounding the city, and the remarkable neighborhoods locals hold dear throughout Seattle.
Additionally, we’ll provide some essential logistical information – like recommended accommodations and transportation options – to help ensure your trip goes smoothly.
Sound good to you? Let’s get into it (almost).
Why am I the right person to craft a guide to Seattle, you ask? Seattle holds a meaningful place in my heart. Midway through my elementary years, my family relocated from Northern California to Bellevue, and I spent the next 15+ years in the great Pacific Northwest, including time living and doing work in the city.
We recently relocated to Portland, and find ourselves visiting friends and family in Seattle several times a year thanks to the short drive between the cities.
I have personally experienced everything on this list, and frequently bring visiting friends and family along variations of this itinerary.
I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it.
Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I earn a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. It goes without saying that I would only recommend something I would use or do myself.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Seattle
Since you`ll only be in Seattle for a couple of days, you`re going to want to remain in a central region.
We’d strongly urge you to stay in Seattle’s Downtown Core – which we think of as Downtown, Belltown, South Lake Union, and Capitol Hill – for two reasons.
First, it’s the most practical place to stay in terms of being within 10-15 minutes of basically every single location on the upcoming itinerary, either by foot or using Seattle’s convenient public transportation network.
Secondly, it benefits from excellent transportation links to the airport thanks to the Light Rail transit system (more details regarding arrival in Seattle and local transportation options can be found below).
Our other favorite neighborhoods – Fremont and Ballard – are somewhat farther out for spending two days in the city, but are certainly worth visiting.
Growing up in the Seattle area, I wasn’t truly aware of just how spectacular Seattle and the surrounding region really are. I mean, I had never been to ANY of the three national parks in Washington State until I was in my 30’s.
If you want a nice mix of location and vibes/food and drinks, stay inBelltown.
Belltown is immediately adjacent to Downtown Seattle, which means it has a very urban atmosphere. Tall buildings, lots of noise, people everywhere – you get the essence.
It is about as centrally located as possible, literal minutes from destinations like Pike Place Market, and is full of some of Seattle`s finest cuisine and beverages.
We’d stayed at the hotel called Ace Hotel in Seattle before, which offered surprisingly good value for the money, and we liked it.
Hôtel Ändra, a Scandinavian-inspired boutique hotel with an excellent cozy fireplace on the ground floor, is another great choice in Belltown.
Linate Airport (LIN) is just 7 km away from the city center of Milan, and getting to the downtown region is straightforward. It’s primarily used for domestic flights, while Malpensa is more for international travel.
Preferably on the northern end near Belltown, in proximity to Pike Place Market (we would circumvent the area adjacent to Pioneer Square).
If you stay in Downtown Seattle, you’ll be within five minutes of Pike Place Market, and walking distance to both Seattle Center and the Light Rail, which will take you further afield (and to the airport).
The State Hotel located a block away from Pike Place Market boasts subway tile in the bathrooms and views of Elliott Bay from its rooftop, making it an appealing option for a future trip given its convenient central location and attractive amenities.
If one wants to stay in a neighborhood full of quality food and drinks, remain inSouth Lake Union.
Directly north of Belltown is South Lake Union, which is positioned, as the name implies, at the southern end of Lake Union.
On the plus side, it’s central, just a few blocks from Seattle Center and the Space Needle. On the… prospective side, it’s Amazon central.
The area of South Lake Union was essentially built by Amazon – all of those tall structures? Amazon.
We personally lodged at the CitizenM in South Lake Union and heartily recommend it! It was our initial CitizenM experience and we`ve since stayed in three of their hotels around the world in the past couple years.
It provides excellent value, and more conventional hotels could take notes on the modern, streamlined experience. sincerely, we absolutely love CitizenM (read about why in our CitizenM Seattle report).
Getting to Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – often called “SeaTac” for short – is the best option to fly into.
It offers the most travel selections, and is well linked to the city through the clever Light Rail system, which will get you into downtown Seattle from the airport in about 45 minutes for only $3.
For reference, because there’s a lot of traffic on that route, taking a Lyft could take you an hour and a half to travel that distance.
Getting Around Seattle
In general, if you are willing and able, we’d spend most of your time in Seattle with walking as our primary mode of transportation. The downtown core areas of Downtown Seattle, Belltown, South Lake Union, and Capitol Hill are all reasonably compact and suitable to explore on foot.
For those times where you want to go a bit further – like to Fremont or Ballard – you can either take public transportation or a ridesharing service.
In this section, we`ll discuss the various transportation methods (excluding walking, which requires little explanation).
Do You Need to Rent a Car in Seattle?
Let’s begin with whether or not you need to rent a car.
A two day trip to Seattle would not be best using a rental car.
The reason behind this? With two days, we’d advise spending all of your time within Seattle’s city boundaries, which means you’ll be covered by some combination of Light Rail, buses, and rideshare applications.
If you rent a car, you’ll have to manage parking it. Which is generally fine in most places, though locations like Ballard and Capitol Hill can be somewhat challenging.
We think you’ll find that your rental vehicle will spend most of its time parked in a hotel garage, which will cost you somewhere in the vicinity of $50 per day.
Especially with the extreme costs of renting a vehicle these days, we believe it will work out to be cheaper to use a ridesharing service everywhere you need to travel.
We recently did a similar calculation for a trip to Denver, and it ended up being several hundred dollars cheaper to simply use Lyft for transportation to places that walking or public transportation could take us.
Using Public Transportation in Seattle
While every city tends to complain about public transportation, Seattle seems to have made some significant improvements over the past decade that I`ve noticed.
The two primary forms of public transportation you’ll want to focus on are Light Rail and the bus system.
The Light Rail is fantastic for getting from the airport into the city center, and also for zipping around the downtown core.
Options exist in Capitol Hill as well as downtown, providing a good way to travel between the two neighborhoods or to the University of Washington.
Here’s a helpful guide for using the Light Rail to get from SeaTac to downtown Seattle.
Public transportation is a good option for going shorter distances. They’re relatively frequent (this is our main complaint in Portland), especially on “ RapidRide” routes, which often have service every 15-20 minutes.
A single ride within Seattle is going to cost $2.75 (some rides coming from Bellevue or further out are $3.25), and you can either tap your credit card when you board or pay the driver with exact change.
You can utilize King County Metro’s handy Trip Planner to see routes, schedules, and fares for any journey required.
If you’re planning on using public transportation often, it’s worth investing in an Orca Card, which is a prepaid card that you can scan when you board rather than extracting cash each time. Plus, the only way to get the unlimited day pass (which is a good value) is by utilizing an Orca Card.
The card costs $3, and you can obtain a day pass allowing unlimited local trips for $8 (for a total of $11 per person).
You can obtain them at the airport Light Rail station upon arrival, or at the Light Rail stations downtown ( here’s the map of where to buy one).
With that day pass, you will be able to cover all the ground in the itinerary below.
When we don’t have access to a vehicle in Seattle, we usually use the Lyft service to travel from downtown up to Ballard and Fremont (or anywhere else nearby).
There are certainly some public means of transportation to make that journey (from Pike Place Market, the D Line is your best option to get to Fremont and Ballard), but they’ll take you 30-45 minutes (if not more).
The Best Time to Visit Seattle
When you choose to visit Seattle will have a rather significant impact on your experience.
When it comes to the “best” time to visit, the clear response is summer – specifically mid-July through August – which is when you’re most likely to experience the lengthy, warm days that make enduring the six months of drizzle all worthwhile in the end.
During summer, conditions will be somewhat warm and clear with blue skies. Summer days where you can observe Mount Rainier to the south, Baker to the north, and the Olympics to the west are absolutely the finest. Nothing compares. Anywhere.
However, summer involves higher prices and more tourists. So be prepared to expend a bit more to experience Seattle at its best.
In the times between summer and fall – spring and fall – it’s going to fluctuate between nice weather and dreary grey days. You might get lucky, you might not. Either way, it’s not a bad time to visit, and you’ll find lower prices. Be prepared for cooler temperatures (layers are your friend!) and some drizzle.
For what it`s worth, we strongly prefer visiting between early fall (September through mid-October) when the weather is still summer-like but crowds are thinner and prices lower.
Ah, winter in Seattle. The season is gloomy and damp. Almost daily. And sometimes temperatures drop into the thirties and forties. And nightfall arrives as early as 4:30pm.
I know this, because over the past few years I’ve spent most of winter at my mom’s house in the Seattle suburbs, and it is pretty dreary.
However, fall and winter also bring cozy moments, whether spent in a coffee shop or by a fireplace in your hotel.
Winter is also the most affordable time to visit the Seattle area and places like the Cascades and Mount Rainier become a winter wonderland. Rather than hiking, consider going skiing at Stevens Pass during this season.
How to Spend 48 Hours in Seattle: A Perfect 2 Day Seattle Itinerary
Now that we have covered all of the logistical details you will want to know when planning your trip, let us move on to discussing the itinerary itself!
A note at the top, because it’s so prominent in our minds and the identity of the city as a whole.
Seattle, similar to several coastal cities (read: all the major ones) has faced a housing crisis leading to a growing unhoused community around town. And they are readily noticeable, especially in areas like Pioneer Square.
We arrived right as the establishment opened, and the server, Sharon, was extremely welcoming, conversing with us and letting us know that the ovens were still warming up, and it would be a few minutes.
Remember that they, similar to yourself, are human, and many (though importantly not all) experience mental illness and addiction, which can be an uncomfortable situation to witness.
Drawing attention to a visible social issue in Seattle is not meant to discourage visiting the city, which offers much to enjoy, but to make travelers cognizant of a concern they may encounter during their trip there.
Day 1: Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, and Capitol Hill
On your first day, focus on exploring the downtown core of Seattle and seeing the highlights – Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, and Capitol Hill – to set yourself up for exploring further locations on the second day.
But First, Coffee
Name a more iconic pairing than Seattle and coffee. Please, we`re listening.
As it turns out, caffeine is a great remedy for the brief, gray winter days, and there is essentially a place to find fairly good coffee on nearly every corner in the city.
However, Matt – ever the coffee snob – refuses to settle for “good enough” when it comes to coffee.
One thing you should definitely NOT do is go to the so-called “first Starbucks” at Pike Place Market.
Please pardon a brief diversion here – few things inspire in me stronger feelings of displeasure than this specific Starbucks location.
Mostly because it’s a fraud.
This Starbucks location is nearly always busy with customers lining up. While similar to the sixteen other locations within a short distance, it differs in its consistent high volume of patrons.
Additionally, whereas Starbucks is technically “local” (their headquarters are in SoDo near the stadiums), you can get better quality coffee at an equivalent price AND support a neighborhood small business in the process simply by opting for one of the independent shops nearby.
Here are three excellent coffee shops in the core of Seattle for your morning dosage of caffeine (for additional recommendations, read our guide to the best coffee shops in Seattle).
- Victrola: Victrola is one of the pioneering businesses in the Seattle coffee scene, and I truly appreciate both their location in downtown and their location in lower Capitol Hill, which is where they do their roasting (and host regular samplings every Friday morning at 11am). The location a few blocks away from Pike Place Market is the place to go before you commence this itinerary.
- Monorail Espresso: Another classic café, Monorail Espresso has served Seattle coffee culture continuously since 1980. Espresso is their specialty (choose elsewhere for drip coffee), and their Pike location is preferable on weekends as some downtown areas close.
- Elm Coffee Roasters: I think this is the best specialty coffee of the three choices, but it is also farthest away if you’re going to Pike Place Market. Elm is located in Pioneer Square (they used to have a cafe in South Lake Union too), and is worth the trip. They offer a variety of interesting single origin coffees, and usually have at least one available as filter and espresso to sample.
Pike Place Market
Note this carefully: it’s Pike Place Market – no added “s” (P.S. that’s one way to identify someone truly from the Seattle area when reading other guides).
We struggle with using the word “touristy,” which is often thrown around negatively for attractions like the Colosseum and Louvre. On one hand, yes, those places are crammed with people at all hours of the day and can be somewhat unpleasant at peak times.
On the other hand, we also think those places are 100% worth visiting, and it’s all about how you visit them.
That’s exactly how we feel about Pike Place Market. Is it “touristy?” Yes. Should you go to Pike Place Market? Also yes.
In our opinion, Pike Place Market is best experienced in the morning hours, when fewer people tend to wander around. However, you may not feel inclined to sample cheeses or beers so early, so mid-morning could be the sweet spot!
Pike Place Market is replete with vitality, and you’ll find everything from freshly caught oysters to wonderfully candied nuts, and even a wall entirely coated in chewing gum. The Gum Wall is simply unpleasant. It literally comprises people’s used chewing gum. Is that truly where you wish to take an Instagram photograph?
Here are our favorite stops while you’re at Pike Place Market:
- The upper floor marketplace area, with the fresh seafood stands (including the renowned flying fish, which is worth watching) and flower vendors is worthwhile wandering through.
- Ellenos Greek Yogurt: Exactly as described – amazing frozen Greek yogurt. Plus delicious toppings.
- Rachel’s Ginger Beer: Excellent ginger beer with all kinds of flavors. They also serve beverages, which may or may not be good for your mid-morning visit, relying on what type of weekend in Seattle you’re planning.
- Beecher’s Cheese: Their flagship cheese is excellent – one of our favorites. Their cafe at Pike Place has all sorts of cheesy treats. Get the mac & cheese if gluten is not an issue.
- I’ve never actually visited, because gluten, but Piroshky Piroshky is one of my brother’s favorite locales.
- The Alibi Room, located just below Pike Place, is one of my favorite bars in Seattle, and was where I brought Alysha on our initial trip to Seattle so she could sample the woodfired pizza (and I could drown my sorrows in not being able to try it).
- Indi Chocolate: This establishment is renowned for its high quality chocolate. They also operate at Pike Place Market.
If you’re a foodie, I’d recommend investing in a guided tour of Pike Place to dive a little deeper into the history, and, more importantly, the best things to eat and drink.
My brother presented my mom with a guided culinary tour of Pike Place Market years ago as a gift, and they truly appreciated it.
Both tours include sufficient food to be viewed as a light lunch, so come hungry! You’ll taste items like cheese, clam chowder, and more.
Walking the Seattle Waterfront and the Olympic Sculpture Park
Once you’ve explored Pike Place Market, it’s time to walk to Seattle Center, which is home to the iconic Space Needle, the most famous part of the Seattle skyline.
On the way, we’d recommend going a bit out of your way to walk along the Seattle waterfront (past the Seattle Aquarium and the Great Wheel, which we strongly recommend avoiding) and then stopping at the Olympic Sculpture Park.
The Olympic Sculpture Park operated by the Seattle Art Museum features several gigantic red sculptures that (on clear days) are framed against snowcapped mountains in the distance. It’s a brief but worthwhile detour.
Seattle Center
There are many activities and sights at Seattle Center to see, but priorities depend on interests.
With a short time in the city, we`d likely opt to spend your time by wandering around the base of the Space Needle, visiting the International Fountain and Vita at KEXP for coffee, and then visiting one of the museums (we truly enjoy MoPop).
First, let`s discuss the Space Needle, which is the most iconic landmark in Seattle.
I (Matt) don’t think you should go to the top.
I’ve been to the top exactly once, and it was when I was a young child and we were visiting Seattle to see if we wanted to relocate there from the Bay Area.
It’s really expensive, and there’s a better view (that includes the Space Needle) just up the street for free (we’ll get to that in a second, don’t worry).
No matter your choices, completely avoid dining at the restaurant at the summit, where the cuisine is decidedly mediocre at best, and extremely costly. There are much better alternatives for a unique event ( Canlis and Il Nido come initially to mind).
With the logistics covered, let’s explore other attractions at the Seattle Center.
It’s worth stopping by the International Fountain.
It’s an amusing fountain that sprays water up into the air, regularly to a soundtrack. There’s plenty of seating along the rim, where you can watch the children play in the water while their parents watch them closely. Good people observing here.
- Trailhead Locale:Many Glacier Hotel Parking Area
It’s run by local roaster Caffe Vita, and they serve quality coffee with a nice selection of both single origin beans and specialty beverages.
I greatly appreciate this space because the ambiance is truly remarkable – it’s an authentic radio station studio for KEXP, and it’s a lofty area that highlights depictions of Seattle’s musical legacy through the years. There’s even an on-site record shop to genuinely embody the vibe of Seattle.
Moving on to the museums worth exploring at Seattle Center, contingent on your schedule and interests.
MoPop: This structure that has an unusual shape composed of differing forms and hues stands out, not only for its exterior, but for its interior contents. It`s a very divergent kind of museum than numerous other museums visited on your journeys. It`s interactive, and focuses on all things pop culture (lots of music), and offers an enjoyable activity for all ages, including adults. Without a doubt my top selection out of the three attractions here, and my high school prom took place here back when it was the EMP (Experience Music Project).
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Pacific Science Center: This site gives kids hands-on experiences with various exhibits and is an excellent activity for rainy days spent with families in Seattle. Adults probably aren`t the target audience
Kerry Park
My number one tip for your visit to Seattle – and I tell this to everyone (real life and internet peeps) who will listen – is that you should bypass going to the top of the Space Needle and head straight to Kerry Park.
Why? For the prime perspectives of the Seattle skyline, like the Space Needle and a sweeping vista out over Elliott Bay with Mount Rainier towering over the city (on a clear day, of course).
The issue with going to the top of the Space Needle is that when you’re viewing the Seattle skyline from there, you’re missing what is probably the most iconic symbol of the city. Because you’re standing on top of it.
Once you’ve finished leisurely exploring your way around Seattle Center and the bottom of the Space Needle, head up Queen Anne Ave N, at the northwest corner of Seattle Center, and walk up the hill to Kerry Park. ( Here’s a map)
This is where you`ll discover that picture-perfect scenic view of Seattle. You`ll have the Space Needle in the foreground framing the Seattle skyline beyond, with Mount Rainier peeking in the distance on clear days.
Plus, views over Puget Sound to the west.
It’s pretty exceptional, and is possibly deserving of returning at the end of the day for sunset (or awakening early for sunrise).
An Evening in Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill, which is east of Downtown Seattle on the other side of I-5 (which runs down the middle of the city, somewhat like Portland), is our favorite neighborhood in Seattle.
It’s eccentric, trendy, centrally located, and full of great places to eat and drink. We enjoy it greatly, and believe you will too.
Spend your time in Capitol Hill exploring on foot. Start at the southwest corner, where you’ll find a well-known coffeehouse, and make your way northeast from there to around a local park. Here are some of our favorite spots along that route.
Whatever you choose to do, definitely stop by the Elliott Bay Book Company, which is our most loved independent bookshop in the city.
Here are some other favorite spots for afternoon/evening dinner and drinks in Capitol Hill for a trip.
To eat:
- Dick’s Drive In (Inexpensive Burgers): A Seattle landmark and, arguably, one of Seattle’s icons, Dick’s has a very simple menu. Affordable burgers, fries and shakes, and no customizations allowed. It’s a preferred late night locale.
- 8 oz Burger (Upscale Burgers): Higher end burgers with more creative toppings and different meat selections (like veggie). Great happy hour meal deals from 4-6pm and 9pm-close Monday to Friday where you can get a burger meal for $12-15 and beers for $6. When my cousin visits town, she demands to go here at minimum once.
- Cuisine Location (Malaysian): Meals from Malaysia aren`t regularly encountered particularly in urban areas far from the western coast, so this fun spot gives a go at something slightly distinctive. Make a reservation ahead of time, it`s a well known place. We have not been here ourselves as it`s not suitable for Matt (who has celiac sickness and necessitates eating gluten free), however it would top our list if it were safe.
- Carmelo’s Tacos (Mexican Snacks): A low-key snack wagon with Mexico City-style tacos and burritos. And we’re all about the tacos. Here is their hilltop locale on Google Maps.
- Molly Moon’s (Ice Cream): The original Seattle ice cream shop with places all through the Seattle area now. Their flavors range from common to exotic, and they are another one of Seattle’s iconic spots you can’t miss.
- Frankie and Jo’s (Ice Cream Parlour): This establishment caters to those with dietary restrictions, as they offer gluten free and plant-based ice cream options. They are located in Cap Hill. All ingredients are clearly listed for transparency. While many flavors and cones are suitable for those avoiding gluten, such as oats, some items are not compliant for people with Celiac disease.
For drinks:
- Refreshments: It can be argued that this area truly shines when it comes to drinks. Some of Seattle`s finest cocktails are meticulously prepared in Cap Hill. Tavern Law and Canon (the latter having over 4,000 spirits available and a huge selection of whiskeys) are two excellent choices. Rumba, a rum focused establishment near downtown, and the reservation-only lounge inside, Inside Passage, are also worth exploring, especially if your tastes tend towards rum/tequila like Matt`s do.
- Wine: There are two strong wine bars a few squares apart in eastern Capitol Hill. Otherworld is a cozy little wine bar and shop with a revolving throw of wines by the glass and bottle. Footprint is a wine bar centered on wines on tap, which is a more sustainable way to make wine than glass bottles.
- Cider: Were you aware that something like 90% of the apples grown in the US originate right here in Washington State? Specifically in eastern Washington near Wenatchee. There is solely one choice for cider in Cap Hill, and it’s Capitol Cider (recently rebranded as A Stir?). They have 170 ciders accessible between taps, bottles and cans.
- Beverage: For an expansive range of local brews, we suggest Chuck’s Hop Shop on Union (it’s denoted as “Central District” on their website, if you’re perplexed). Outer Planet (they produce their own beverages), Stumbling Monk (they concentrate on Belgians), and the Elysian Brew Pub (their original place) are also excellent options.
Day 2: Discovery Park, Ballard, and Fremont
On your second day, dedicate some time exploring the northern area of the city, where you`ll come upon our favored hike in Seattle and two neighborhoods we highly recommend in the location.
Note that if you’re in Seattle on a Sunday, you should confirm that it`s Sunday so you can visit the excellent Ballard Farmers Market, which we would call a must-see in Seattle.
Getting around on this particular day is less easy due to the need to utilize public transportation to connect downtown with locations like Fremont and Ballard and back. Luckily, there are some helpful bus routes that fill this role; route 33 travels from downtown up to Discovery Park, route 40 runs between Fremont and Ballard through downtown, and the D line is an express bus connecting downtown directly with Ballard.
A Morning Hike in Discovery Park
Discovery Park is an expansively large park – the biggest in Seattle, truly – on the northwest side of the city. Sitting on the Puget Sound, what makes this park extraordinary (in our view) is the trail descending to the beach and the West Point Lighthouse.
We called this a hike in the description of today’s activities above, but it’s really more of a nice, easy stroll. There’s a little bit of up and down, but it’s a pretty easy “hike” on the whole.
As you walk, thick forests filled with moss, ferns and greenery typical of the Pacific Northwest are passed through. Some bluffs offer nice views of Puget Sound as well. Bald eagles may be spotted on antennae or tree branches at the finishing point of the Lighthouse.
In terms of getting between Discovery Park and your next stop of Ballard, we’d recommend walking across the Ballard Locks, which is where salmon travel upriver during the summer season. The visitor center on the north side of the canal also has an interesting exhibit about salmon too.
That means you’ll aim to end your walk at the northern tip of the park (head for this parking area) to position yourself for getting to Ballard afterwards.
The route we would take starts at the southern parking area, leads out to the Lighthouse, then follows a path along the shoreline before ending with a brief ascent through woodland to arrive at the northern parking spot.
From there, an easy walk leads to the Ballard Locks, or a short Lyft ride into Ballard itself.
Ballard
With Fremont, Ballard forms the northwest edge of Seattle’s city center (we’d call the more residential neighborhoods to the north outside of the city center).
It extends along the ship canal, which connects Seattle’s lakes to the Puget Sound, and that canal was crucial for Ballard’s economy in the past, when it was known for industry and fishing and canning.
At one point in time, Ballard was an independent city, but Seattle’s growth enveloped it in 1907 and it has become one of the most desirable places to live in Seattle.
That history as an independent city lends it a very self-contained atmosphere, which appeals to us. It’s sufficiently far out to be more tranquil and low-key than the downtown core (rendering it an unsuitable base), yet has plenty to do, see, eat, and drink to keep one occupied.
Several of the finest (gluten free) pastries, pizza, and other dishes we consumed in Spain were in Madrid, and the Prado Museum’s impressive art collection is a must-see on any Spain itinerary.
There are stalls from local farms selling ready-made foods, in addition to other small local businesses exhibiting pottery, hot sauces, ciders, and more.
Below are some of our other most enjoyed areas in Ballard with no particular ranking.
- Root (Coffee + Plants): If you enjoy light roast coffee, this is the ideal place in Seattle for you to visit. They have a rotating selection of some of the top roasters in the US – such as Sey and Ilse – along with a few international treats.
- Venue: An art gallery showcasing works from local artists, like Red Umbrella Designs, one of our favorite Seattle designers.
- Mox Boarding House: We have one of these down in Portland, and it’s really fun for a damp afternoon. Cozy space with every board game under the sun.
- La Carta De Oaxaca: Satisfactory Oaxacan nourishment directly in the core of all the movement. Mexican sustenance is so differed, and this is an acceptable spot to encounter the enchantment of Oaxacan nourishment, with new masa served in all shapes and sizes.
One other suggestion would be the industrial area east of Ballard, which is where some of Seattle’s best breweries have been located.
Stoup Brewing,Reuben’s Brews, and Yonder Cider / Bale Breaker Brewing are all within walking distance of each other, making it feasible to visit all of them, if exploring breweries appeals to you.
Gas Works Park
Gas Works is a slight detour from Fremont itself – it’s on the opposing side of Fremont if you’re incoming from Ballard – but we think it merits a visit on a pleasant evening for the magnificent perspective of the Seattle skyline crossing Lake Union.
To get there, you can take the bus (route 40) in Ballard and then walk along the Burke Gillman trail, which is a very popular path for runners and cyclists in Seattle. Here`s the map.
The remnants of the gas works that lend the park its title are among the first sights noticeable upon arrival at Gas Works.
The large, rust-colored structures catch the eye but are mostly off limits, but you can enter the buildings that have been renovated and learn about the history of the location.
As mentioned, the highlight here is the scenic view of Seattle across the water. To get that postcard worthy view, head up the grassy hill in the center of the park.
Fremont
Fremont is an apt spot to end your trip because it`s considered the best neighborhood for food in the city, which we feel, means you`re finishing on a high note. It`s one of the areas, along with Cap Hill and Ballard, that we continually find ourselves visiting whenever we`re in Seattle.
Fremont is on the northern side of Lake Union, and the core is very walkable and reasonably compact (though a few of the spots below will require a bit of a walk). From that core, it gets very residential, very quickly.
One of the most famous spots in Fremont is likely the Fremont Troll, a troll sculpture beneath the Aurora Bridge that has become a well-known attraction over the years. Here is an informative read about the history of the troll.
After Gasworks, it`s likely getting toward the end of the day, and Fremont is a great place to close out your day with dinner and drinks.
Below are a few of our beloved spots in Fremont.
To eat:
- Lupo (Pizza): The first of two great pizza choices in Fremont, this focuses on the sourdough, wood-fired crust. Make a reservation if it’s a weekend.
- My Friend Derek’s (Pizza): Self-described “pretty good” Detroit-style pizza available for takeout only from a small establishment – be sure to verify operating hours.
- Joule / Revel (Korean-inspired): Possessed by two James Beard nominees (in 2022) who coincidentally are partners, these two sister restaurants are both situated in Fremont, and are both worth getting a reservation at if you’re searching for a refined dinner spot to finalize your trip.
- Kamonegi(Japanese): Run by another James Beard finalist in 2022, Mutsuko Soma, this spot just outside of Fremont’s main strip focuses on handmade soba noodles.
- Made in House (Korean): This casual dining option closes earlier than the others mentioned, making it a suitable choice for a late lunch. They specialize in Bibimbop and Bento boxes, which offer a sampling of items. For two people, we recommend ordering both and sharing the dishes!
As for typical grocery stores go, we had good success at Carrefour Express in Milan (and all over Italy), but they usually don’t contain a dedicated gluten free section, so you might have to search around the store for gluten free items mixed in with the rest.
For drinks:
- Brouwer’s Cafe (Beer Bar): Cozy and intimate setting with candlelight. Their concentration is on Belgian beers but they also offer good ciders and whiskeys.
- Schilling Cider (Cider Bar): This cider bar has over 35 ciders available on tap, and even more options available in bottles. What we enjoy about visiting Schilling is they offer ciders made not only by their own company, but also feature selections from around the Pacific Northwest region and some international varieties to sample. Additionally, they welcome customers to play board games and bring their dogs. While no meals are served, you`re able to bring your own food.
If being as centrally located as possible is a priority, lodging in Downtown Seattle.
What to Do with More Time in Seattle
Here are a few supplemental activities to consider with additional time spent in Seattle
Ride the Ferry to Bainbridge Island and Back
If the weather is pleasant, this would likely be one of our first stops, especially.
Traveling on the ferry to Bainbridge Island offers about sixty percent of the enjoyment from making the trip there, even without a personal vehicle (plus, ferry riders don`t need to wait in line for the boat since they can just walk aboard).
Don’t miss Proper Fish for excellent fish and chips served wrapped in newspaper with mushy peas (this is the way) and Blackbird Bakery.
We like this option so much we have an entire guide dedicated to planning a day trip from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.
Learn About Seattle’s History at MOHAI
The lengthy acronym stands for the “ Museum of History and Industry” and the museum is right along the shores of Lake Union.
On a day with frequent rainfall (there are many of those in Seattle) this is a great place to spend a few hours learning about Seattle’s history as a gold rush town and then a tech center (which impacted the city’s trajectory in comparable ways, when considered carefully).
Situated in the shadows of the numerous Amazon skyscrapers in SLU is probably a fitting location for a museum about Seattle’s rapid rise, we think.
Take a Day Trip to Mount Rainier National Park
- How to Reserve: Booking.com typically has the most competitive rates: MGM Grand.
What makes Rainier impressive is that it’s a huge mountain surrounded by land that’s at sea level, which makes it all the more imposing.
The sole approach to accomplish it without transportation is to take a directed daily trip (we’d opt for this compact group hiking/snowshoeing tour), which implies you don’t have to lease a car, but you’re relatively restricted in what you’ll get to do and see.
Another place to visit that isn`t a museum is Vita at KEXP, which is among my favorite coffee shops in Seattle.
What to Do with Less Than 2 Days in Seattle
If you have 24 hours available, we would essentially do day one of this itinerary as written.
Another option would be to swap Capitol Hill for Fremont (or Ballard), depending on what interests you, but using the combination of Pike Place + Seattle Center as a foundation for your morning is the right strategy, we think.
We also have a whole separate guide covering the concept of spending one day in Seattle in greater detail.
