Two Days in Seattle, WA: A Gorgeous Gem of the PNW

This seaport city is Located on the Puget Sound, Seattle is Washington’s largest city. Both Microsoft and Amazon have their headquarters here. Seattle has many attractions to keep you busy and enough delicious eateries to keep you full for days. Two days in Seattle is the perfect amount to see many of the main attractions and perfect for a weekend trip.

Disclaimer: Special thanks to the Seattle Tourism Board for hosting me at several attractions on my trip to Seattle! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!

A Brief History of Seattle

The Seattle area has been inhabited by a variety of people for the past four thousand years. Many Native American tribes lived in the area. In 1792, the first Europeans visited the Seattle area, but no one claimed the land until 1851 when another European expedition returned. They established the first settlement near Pioneer Square.

Since then, Seattle began to grow and finally explored in size during the Klondike Gold Rush. Seattle saw many movements such as the first strike in American and a fight for women’s rights. Now, it is home to almost 800,000 people and continues to grow each year.

How to Get to Seattle

If you live in Oregon or British Columbia in Canada, the train is a fantastic option to get to Seattle. There are several trains a day that runs into King Street Station, which makes it easy to spend two days in Seattle.

From most other places, the easiest option is to fly. Both Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines usually offer great price deals to Seattle. I have been able to consistently get around $160 fares to Seattle from Los Angeles. 

How to get from the Airport to City Center

A quick and easy way to get from the airport to Downtown Seattle is the Light Rail. The Light Rail runs from the airport to the University of Washington with several stops such as Pioneer Square and Westlake in between. A ticket costs around $3. There are also taxis, Uber, and Lyft readily available at the airport. These fares will run around $30-$50. 

Transportation for Two Days in Seattle

There are several ways to get around during your two days in Seattle. I recommend getting an ORCA card, which makes it easier to pay fares. You can get it online before your trip, or at many convenience stores. Buses are the main mode of Public Transportation in Seattle, and quite easy to use. You can also opt to use the Seattle Monorail which connects the Westlake Center to the Seattle Center. Many of the main sites are within walking distance of each other as well. 

Unless you are planning on making some day trips around Seattle, I recommend not renting a car as it can get expensive trying to find places to park and it really is not necessary to get around.

Where to Stay for Two Days in Seattle

The most centrally located area to stay in is the Downtown Area near Pike Place Market. However, the Seattle Center is also a pleasant and centrally located area. For more budget-friendly options, Ballard, Fremont, and Greenlake are nice areas to stay in as well. Plan to spend at least $125/night on a hotel. 

The following are some of the best hotel options.

• Hampton Inn Seattle Downtown
• Hyatt Regency Seattle
• Best Western Plus Pioneer Square
• Courtyard by Marriott Seattle Downtown
• The Charter Hotel Seattle

What to See in Two Days in Seattle

Day 1

Today will be about exploring many of the main sites in Seattle. Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Seattle Center is home to the Space Needle among other attractions, and spans across 74-acres. The Downtown area offers amazing places to eat, shop, and more.

Toulouse Petit 

Cost: $$

Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-2am, Sat-Sun: 8am-2am

Start your first of two days in Seattle with brunch at Toulouse Petit. If you are a brunch lover, Toulouse Petit is a must! It is one of the top brunch places in Seattle and offers creole and seafood cuisine. Lunch and dinner are also served. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time as they get very busy on the weekends. All of their brunch options were delicious. 

Space Needle**

Cost: $32.50

Hours: 9am-9pm

After breakfast, head up The Space Needle. The Space Needle has recently been redone and upgraded and is a must-visit stop when spending two days in Seattle. There is now glass from floor to ceiling and there are no obstructions to the gorgeous view of Seattle. Step out onto “The Loupe,” a rotating glass floor, if you dare! 

To get the most value out of your ticket, go up around sunset so you can see the views by day and night, or opt to buy the day and night ticket. Make sure to buy tickets up to 30 days ahead of time to guarantee a time! Plan to spend about an hour visiting the Space Needle. 

Chihuly Garden and Glass**

Cost: $18

Hours: Varies by season

After the Space Needle, head to the Chihuly Gardens and Glass. Chihuly will be one of the highlights of your two days in Seattle. This exhibit recently opened in 2012. It showcases the artwork of Dale Chihuly. 

Chihuly learned his glassblowing techniques on the island of Murano in Italy. He brought back many ideas and created a plethora of colorful pieces which are now showcased in the exhibit. Make sure to look up in the greenhouse area for fantastic views of the Space Needle! You will spend about an hour viewing the exhibits. 

Teacher Tip: For great views of the Space Needle, make sure to take a walk around the Seattle Center complex. There is a super cool picture spot with a mural that offers awesome views of the Space Needle. 

Museum of Pop Culture**

Cost: $28

Hours: Fri-Mon: 10am-6pm

If you are up for it after the Space Needle and Chihuly, head to the Museum of Pop Culture. Opened in 2000, this museum is dedicated to contemporary popular culture. It covers everything from fantasy to horror, video games, and science fiction. There are multiple interactive exhibits so plan to spend about an hour or two here. You can buy your tickets online for a discount. 

Lunch near Pike Place Market

Around Pike Place Market are a TON of awesome lunch options. You could easily stop here for every meal during your two days in Seattle. The following are some of my favorite places in the Pike Place area. 

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese 

Cost: $

Hours: 10am-5pm

Cheese lovers should grab lunch at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. Visitors can watch workers make the cheese while waiting in line for some grub. The menu consists of multiple cheese based products, such as mac and cheese and grilled cheeses. Make sure to get there before noon to beat the rush!

Pike Place Chowder

Cost: $

Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-7pm, Sun: 11am-6pm

For those wanting to try some of the best Washington Chowder, head to Pike Place Chowder in the Pike Place Market. Although the majority of the chowders contain seafood, they usually have one vegetarian-friendly option. You can even get a sample of chowders if you want to try them all. They also offer lobster and crab rolls. 

Three Girls Bakery

Cost: $

Hours: 7am-6pm

If you want some of the best pastries and cookies in Pike Place Market, stop at Three Girls Bakery! This place has some of the best cookies I have ever had. They also have delicious sandwiches for lunch and sell other breads too. For breakfast, you can also grab one of their bagels or breakfast sandwiches. 

Rachel’s Ginger Beer

Cost: $

Hours: Varies by location

Rachel’s Ginger Beer is the place to go for ginger beer lovers. They usually offer about 10 different flavors. You can opt to get a cup to drink now or bring a growler full home. There are various locations around Seattle, but the Pike Place one is convenient if you grab chowder or food from there. 

Ghost Alley Espresso

Cost: $

Hours: Mon-Tues: 7:30am-1pm, Wed-Fri: 7:30am-2pm, Sat-Sun: 7:30am-3pm

If looking for a unique coffee pick-me-up, head to Ghost Alley Espresso. They have some delicious coffee options. I liked the “mystery mocha” where they ask you a few questions about how you like your mocha and they surprise you with one that suits your taste. 

The Original Starbucks

Cost: Free to look

Hours: 5:30am-7pm

Make sure not to miss checking out the Original Starbucks! Founded in 1971, Starbucks was formed by three friends in Seattle. The first location was located on Western Avenue but later moved to the corner of 1st and Pike. This is the location you can visit today. When it originally opened, Starbucks only sold coffee beans. If you are a Starbucks lover, it is fun to visit, but make sure you have time to stand in the always long line for your coffee. 

Pike Place Market

Cost: Free to look

Hours: 9am-6pm

After lunch, spend some time wandering around the Pikes Place Market. This Market is one of the oldest farmers markets in the United States. It spans 24 buildings within nine-acres and is home to about 70 businesses. Pikes Place is a fabulous place to get various types of food. Make sure to check out the fishmongers throwing fish at various stalls. Signs stating “caution: low flying fish” will alert you to which stalls do this. 

Gum Wall

Cost: Free

This colorful wall in downtown Seattle is famous because it is covered in used chewing gum. The tradition started in 1993 when people began sticking gum and coins on the wall while waiting for shows at the Unexpected Productions Theater. It was cleared and cleaned in 2015, but is now full of gum again. Add your used gum if you are brave enough! 

Seattle Aquarium**

Cost: $35

Hours: 9:30am-6pm

After finishing at Pike Place Market, head to the Seattle Aquarium. Located on Pier 59 on Seattle’s waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium is a popular destination during two days in Seattle. This aquarium opened in 1977 and has since expanded to include a 120,000 gallon exhibit. 

It contains a variety of fish including many native to the Puget Sound and also contains tide pools. Make sure to not miss the 400,000-gallon underwater dome. Plan to spend an hour or two visiting the Aquarium during two days in Seattle.

COVID Update: Right now with COVID, they have a one way route mapped out throughout the aquarium, so keep that in mind when you visit. 

Teacher Tip: The Seattle Aquarium validates parking for up to three hours! You must park at one of these two locations in order to get your ticket validated.

• 1531 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
• 1901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Dinner in Cap Hill

Ba Bar Restaurant 

Cost: $$

Hours:

For dinner, head to Ba Bar Restaurant in the Capital Hill area. After a chilly day in Seattle, this Pho restaurant is a welcome stop. It serves traditional Vietnamese Pho as well as other Vietnamese street food and eats. 

Spinasse

Cost: $$

Hours: 5pm-10pm

If you prefer Italian food, opt to go to Spinasse for dinner. This place makes delicious homemade Italian pasta and has a cute outdoor seating area. 

Canon 

Cost: $

Hours: 5pm-2am

After a long day of walking, this craft cocktail bar is a relaxing place to grab a drink. Canon boasts America’s largest spirit collection with over 4,000 spirits. My favorite thing to do is the cocktail roulette: choose your base spirit and the bartenders will surprise you with a drink! There are also light-eats served as well. It is one of my favorite Seattle bars.

Other popular bars in the area include Unicorn, Rumba, and Von Trapps.

Day 2

Today you will spend exploring the historical side of Seattle. 

Skillet

Cost: $$

Hours: Varies by location

Start your second of two days in Seattle with a delicious breakfast at Skillet. They offer traditional American breakfast fare as well as burgers and sandwiches. It will leave you full for a good portion on the day. 

Pioneer Square and Underground Tour

Cost: $22 for tour

Hours: April-Sept: 9am-7pm, Oct-March: 10am-6pm

After breakfast, head to Pioneer Square, known for its architecture. Opt to take the Underground Tour to see the original streets of Pioneer Square from the mid-19th century. This 75-minute tour takes visitors through the underground storefronts and sidewalks of Seattle from the days before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. You need to buy tickets in advance. 

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Cost: Free

Hours: 10am-5pm

After lunch in the area, head to Klondike Gold Rush NHP. This National Historic Park provides an overview of the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. This location includes a museum that goes over the history of the gold rush in the area and covers some of the history of Seattle. It is located in a building from 1889 that used to be a historic hotel and the departure point for people heading to the gold mining areas. 

Cow Chip Cookies 

Cost: $

Hours: 10am-6pm, Closed Sundays

Grab a snack at Cow Chip Cookies. These cookies are made fresh daily and the perfect solution to satisfy your sweet tooth. This company has been around since 1883 when the owner sought to perfect a cookie recipe that cowboys could enjoy. 

Safeco Field

This evening, opt to take in a baseball game at Safeco field. Safeco Field is home to Seattle’s baseball team, the Mariners. Attending a game here is always an enjoyable experience. Make sure to check Groupon for discount tickets or buy them at the box office to avoid fees. 

Outside the stadium are many places to grab a bite to eat before the game. Beer lovers should opt to check out the Pyramid Alehouse. They also have an area where you can buy snacks to take into the game. 

More than Two Days in Seattle?

If you have more than two days in Seattle, there is plenty more to keep you busy! Check out the following attractions or take a day trip to other areas. If you have even more time, head down to Portland and spend a couple of days there. 

Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour**

Cost: $33

Hours: Varies by Season

A cruise of the Seattle Waterfront should be on anyone’s list. Argosy Cruises takes you on a 1 hour narrated tour around the harbor with gorgeous views of Downtown and the Olympic Mountains. It is a great way to see Seattle from a different perspective.  

Day Trip to Bainbridge Island

Cost: $8.50 and up

Hours: Varies by Boat Schedule

A day on Bainbridge Island is a great way to escape the city and head to the charming town of Bainbridge. Visitors can catch the ferry from the Downtown area of Seattle. You can opt to take a car or be a walk-on passenger. No matter what Bainbridge has a few fun things to do to keep you busy for a day. 

Make sure not to miss the Bloedel Reserve and the Grand Forest for hiking. There are a ton of cute places to eat and go wine tasting as well. 

An evening in Ballard

Ballard is my favorite area to spend an evening out. They have delicious places to eat and affordable bars. It is cheaper than the Capital Hill area. Grab dinner at Hattie’s Hat, a cafe offers the best grilled cheese and tater tots. Then, head to King’s Hardware, a fun bar that has skee ball and reasonable drinks. 

Fremont Troll

Cost: Free

Hours: Anytime

A unique attraction in Seattle, this troll resides under the Aurora Bridge. It came to be through an art contest to help clean up the area, which used to be full of the homeless and drug dealers. Make sure to snap a picture!

If looking for another brewery to visit, the Fremont Brewery is close by. 

The Pacific Science Center** 

Cost: $26

Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm

This Science Museum originally opened in 1962 for Seattle’s World Fair. Since then, it has expanded and now offers a variety of exhibits. This includes a kids area, animal area, and tide pools. Plan to spend a few hours here if you want to visit all of the exhibits. 

Sea Wolf Bakers

Cost: $

Hours: 7am-6pm

Sea Wolf is another awesome bakery in Seattle. This one is located in the Woodland Park area and is a perfect stop if heading to the Woodland Park Zoo. Their chocolate croissant was one of the best I have ever had. They also sell fresh milk and eggs as well.

Seattle Pinball Museum

Cost: $18

Hours: Closed for now, see website for updates

The Seattle Pinball Museum is a fun hidden gem in Seattle. This museum showcases a ton of old pinball machines and you get to learn about the history of pinball.

Take a Day Trip to Snoqualmie Falls

Cost: Free

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Snoqualmie Falls is a great place to hike and get away from the city. It is about a 40 minute drive from Downtown Seattle. There is an upper and a lower falls viewing platform. You can opt to drive to both, or take the half mile hike between the two. If looking for other hiking opportunities, the area is full of other awesome hikes as well. 

University of Washington

Cost: Free

Hours: Varies by building

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is part of the Pac-12 Conference. A stroll through UW can provide great views of Mount Rainier. Make sure to check out the Suzzallo Library for some Harry Potter-esque rooms.

Woodland Park Zoo**

Cost: $23

Hours: 9:30am-6pm

Start your morning with a visit to the Woodland Park Zoo. Established in 1899, this zoo contains 92-acre of land with over 1,000 animals in it. It is a highly rated zoo that you can easily spend a few hours wandering around. Make sure to check out the giraffes and Zebras in the African area. 

Right now due to COVID, the Zoo has a lot of one way route mapped out, so make sure to pay attention to the various routes. 

Invest in a CityPASS!

Interested in seeing all the attractions with a **? Then you may want to invest in a CityPASS. A CityPASS gives you a discount to top attractions in major cities and will save you some money. It costs $109 for adults and $84 for children. It is totally worth the investment if you want to visit many of the more “touristy” attractions.

Other Things to do in the Seattle Area

As you can see there are so many things to do to fill two days in Seattle. It makes for the perfect weekend destination or a good start for a Washington or Idaho road trip. Seattle is also a great place to base yourself for day trips and is close to some awesome National Parks such as Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and North Cascades National Park. 

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