24 Hours in Seattle, WA
Hello, Seattle! I couldn't have asked for a better way to cross off state #36 than to spend it in your beauty. Chris and I had originally intended to introduce ourselves to Washington with Mt. Rainier National Park, but us Mid-Southerner's realized that snow is still a thing up in the mountains during May. So what did we decide to do after realizing the Emerald City was roughly 3 hours from where we were staying in Portland? We hopped right in our rental and made the drive up!
If you've read some of my previous blog posts, you've probably come to learn that I am a master at cramming as much as I can into short periods of time. I will admit that Seattle is a very difficult city to get everything in during such a short time, but you can definitely squeeze in many of the most popular spots!
Here's an example of the itinerary we followed in order to get everything we wanted in one visit. Luckily, many of the big attractions are within walking distance, so we never had to move our car once! Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes!
Start Off Your Day at Miner's Landing/Pier 57
Starting your day off by the piers is a great place, as it is on the way to many of the big Seattle tourist spots and other sights worth seeing! If you're okay with a bit of a cheese-factor, Miner's Landing is worth checking out. It's a carnival meets oceanic vibe!
There's arcades, games - even a carousel inside! And if you're looking for some seafood, there are many different restaurants here right by the water. Plus, you can't forget about the classic ferris wheel right outside!
Explore the Wonders of the Pike Place Market
There is truly nothing like visiting one of the oldest and most popular public markets in the country! Pike Place has multiple floors, with all kinds of awesome food stands, shops and more to discover. Even some quirky places, like a collectibles and magic shop!
One thing I didn't even realize until after visiting is that people live here, too! Roughly 400 residents live in Pike Place Market, which is a mix of low-income housing and market price rates. It must be pretty cool to be able to walk out your front door to the 500 businesses that operate there! Another fun fact: The original Starbucks is right outside, and totally worth checking out!
See Some Amazing Views from the Space Needle
If it weren't already obvious, the Space Needle is something you need to do at least once! Some may argue that it is a tourist trap, which sure, I can see that. However, it's become such an iconic part of Seattle's skyline, plus it offers some incredible views of the city.
Once you're up top, you can soak in the views for as long as you'd like. If you go down on the lower level (which is still high up,) there's a revolving floor on the inside that includes a bar/lounge area.
Feel Nostalgic at the Museum of Pop Culture
A nice surprise for us during our spontaneous Seattle trip was discovering this museum! It's located right next to the Space Needle, so it's super easy to site hop around the area. There are all kinds of great exhibits to explore that look back on some of the best music, movies and video games!
It's pretty amazing to get to see the different props and pieces they have on display. They also cover a wide variety of media, so it seems pretty easy to please everyone who visits.
Strike A Pose at the Post Alley Gum Wall
Okay, I'll admit it... This art installation is weird, a little gross, but oddly fascinating! Located right outside of Pike Place Market, this is a great place to get a cool photo op, and you'll notice a lot of others there doing the same thing!
If you're brave enough to near the sticky wall and happen to have some gum on you, don't forget to leave your mark!
If you've only got one day to spend in Seattle, there is plenty to keep you busy throughout the day! What are you most excited to check out?
