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Seattle
Photo: Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0

7 Days · in Seattle

7 Days in Seattle: City, Islands & Mount Rainier

A week in Seattle lets you explore the city and the mountains. The first five days cover the market, Seattle Center, Ballard and Fremont, Capitol Hill and Bainbridge Island. Day six is a trip to Mount Rainier, and day seven explores the Museum of Flight, the Chinatown-International District and Beacon Hill.

7 days
Things to DoRestaurantsHotelsPhoto SpotsTravel TipsItinerariesLandmarks

Day 01

Pike Place Market, the Waterfront & Pioneer Square

The market, the bay and Seattle's oldest neighborhood.

  1. Morning

    Pike Place Market

    Arrive early to watch the market open, see the fish fly at Pike Place Fish Market and graze on pastries and fruit.

  2. Late Morning

    Overlook Walk & Waterfront

    Walk the Overlook Walk down to the waterfront and visit the Seattle Aquarium.

  3. Lunch

    Waterfront

    Have chowder or fish and chips at Ivar's Acres of Clams on Pier 54.

  4. Afternoon

    Pioneer Square

    Take the Underground Tour and visit the free Klondike Gold Rush museum.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Smith Tower Observatory

    Ride up to the 35th-floor observatory for views over the waterfront.

  6. Evening

    Pike Place Market restaurants

    Have dinner at Matt's in the Market or The Pink Door, booked in advance.

Day 02

Seattle Center & Queen Anne

The Space Needle, glass art, pop culture and the classic skyline view.

  1. Morning

    Monorail to Seattle Center

    Ride the 1962 monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center.

  2. Late Morning

    Space Needle

    Go up the Space Needle and step onto the rotating glass floor.

  3. Lunch

    Lower Queen Anne

    Have lunch in Lower Queen Anne, near Seattle Center.

  4. Afternoon

    Chihuly Garden and Glass & MoPOP

    Visit Chihuly Garden and Glass, then explore the Museum of Pop Culture.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Kerry Park

    Head up Queen Anne Hill to Kerry Park for the classic skyline view at sunset.

  6. Evening

    Belltown

    Have dinner and drinks in Belltown, or catch a game at Climate Pledge Arena.

Day 03

Ballard, Fremont & Lake Union

Locks and salmon, a troll, an oyster bar and sunset over the lake.

  1. Morning

    Ballard Locks

    Watch boats pass through the locks and look for salmon in the fish ladder.

  2. Late Morning

    Ballard Avenue

    Stroll the historic storefronts of Ballard Avenue, or visit the National Nordic Museum.

  3. Lunch

    Ballard

    Have a Caribbean sandwich at Un Bien or oysters at The Walrus and the Carpenter.

  4. Afternoon

    Fremont

    Find the Fremont Troll and explore the neighborhood's quirky public art.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Gas Works Park

    Walk to Gas Works Park and climb Kite Hill for views across Lake Union.

  6. Evening

    Kamonegi

    Have handmade soba at Kamonegi in Fremont, booked in advance.

Day 04

Capitol Hill & the Arboretum

Gardens, art and Seattle's liveliest neighborhood.

  1. Morning

    Washington Park Arboretum & Seattle Japanese Garden

    Walk the arboretum trails and the peaceful Japanese garden.

  2. Late Morning

    Volunteer Park

    Visit the conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and climb the water tower.

  3. Lunch

    Capitol Hill

    Have lunch on Capitol Hill, perhaps at Glo's or a neighborhood cafe.

  4. Afternoon

    Capitol Hill coffee and shops

    Explore cafes, bookstores and shops along Broadway and Pike-Pine.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Seattle Central Library

    Head downtown to see the striking Central Library.

  6. Evening

    Spinasse

    Have dinner at Spinasse, then enjoy Capitol Hill's bars and live music.

Day 05

Bainbridge Island by Ferry

A ferry ride with skyline views and a day on the island.

  1. Morning

    Colman Dock

    Take a Washington State Ferries boat from Colman Dock to Bainbridge Island.

  2. Late Morning

    Winslow

    Explore the island's small downtown, with shops, galleries and cafes.

  3. Lunch

    Bainbridge Island

    Have lunch in Winslow.

  4. Afternoon

    Bainbridge Island Museum of Art

    Visit the free museum near the ferry terminal, or walk the waterfront trail.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Return ferry

    Ride back toward Seattle as the sun sets behind you and the skyline glows ahead.

  6. Evening

    Waterfront

    Have dinner on the waterfront or in Pioneer Square.

Day 06

Day Trip to Mount Rainier

Glaciers, wildflower meadows and views of the mountain.

  1. Morning

    Drive to Paradise

    Leave early and drive about two and a half hours to Paradise, on the south slope of Mount Rainier.

  2. Late Morning

    Paradise trails

    Walk a trail through the meadows, which bloom with wildflowers in summer.

  3. Lunch

    Paradise

    Have a picnic or lunch at Paradise.

  4. Afternoon

    Waterfalls and viewpoints

    Stop at waterfalls and viewpoints on the way down the mountain.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Return to Seattle

    Drive back to the city.

  6. Evening

    Dinner in the city

    Have a relaxed dinner in your neighborhood.

Day 07

Museum of Flight & Beacon Hill

Aviation history and some of the city's most exciting restaurants.

  1. Morning

    Museum of Flight

    Explore the Museum of Flight, with its Concorde, a former Air Force One and the original Boeing Red Barn.

  2. Late Morning

    Museum of Flight Aviation Pavilion

    See the large aircraft outdoors in the Aviation Pavilion.

  3. Lunch

    Chinatown-International District

    Have dim sum at Jade Garden or noodles at Phnom Penh Noodle House.

  4. Afternoon

    Wing Luke Museum

    Visit the Wing Luke Museum to learn about Asian Pacific American history.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Dr. Jose Rizal Park

    Head to Beacon Hill for views of downtown.

  6. Evening

    Beacon Hill

    Have dinner at Musang, Homer or Bar Del Corso.