Pike Place Market is one of Seattle's most famous attractions, popular for its bustling crowds, fresh seafood, and artisan crafts. Spend the morning exploring the market's stalls, sampling local food, and browsing unique gifts before catching lunch at one of the many restaurants lining the market. Be sure to stop by the Market Theater Gum Wall, where visitors are encouraged to leave their gum in a colorful mural on the brick walls.
Located next to the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum is an otherworldly display of glass artwork by local artist Dale Chihuly. With a focus on the interplay between light, color, and form, explore the galleries, gardens, and glasshouses around the museum to see the spectacular pieces. A highlight is the Glasshouse, housing a 100-foot-long sculpture made of red, orange, and yellow glass flowers.
The Seattle Center is an ideal destination for families, hosting a variety of family-friendly attractions like the Pacific Science Center, the Children's Museum, and the Seattle Children's Theatre. Take a stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park to enjoy the stunning views of Puget Sound and the nearby mountains. Also, enjoy the Seattle Center's engaging food, which includes global eats, cafe-style dining, and gourmet concessions. At night, head to the nearby Space Needle for a bird's-eye view of the city and a panoramic view of the sunset.
Pioneer Square is Seattle's oldest and most historic neighborhood, proud to be the birthplace of Seattle. The square is home to a collection of art galleries and a variety of shops, from trendy clothing stores to quirky vintage finds. Make sure to visit the Klondike Gold Rush Museum to learn about the city's fascinating history by immersing yourself in an authentic representation of Seattle as it existed on the cusp of the 20th century.
If you have more time, you can add a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture, which celebrates pop culture, science fiction, and music.
If you have less time, skip Pioneer Square, and visit the Woodland Park Zoo instead, home to over 1,000 animals from nearly 300 species across the world.