Discover all that Makes Seattle Amazing in Just Two Days

Adventure awaits you in the friendly and welcoming city of Seattle. Seattle is an exciting urban city surrounded by water and mountains. Seattle is an amazing city for urban adventures. Also, there are world-class restaurants, fine boutique hotels, and lots of one of a kind things to explore. The city is easy to explore on foot or by car share since driving and parking are a bit tough in many places.

Seattle
Seattle skyline

Seattle is also home to a large tech industry with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered there.

There is so much to love about Seattle. First, it’s a city on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest. Its climate is temperate. Second, the city surrounded by mountains and lots of trees in Washington state’s largest city. Seattle is a city brimming with innovation yet keeps much of the city filled with green spaces. Therefore Seattle should be on your must-see list. We flew into Seattle early to start an Alaskan cruise. We gave ourselves two days to see the city. This is our two-day guide on what to see, where to stay, and where to dine that you will love.

One of the most important things when traveling for us is the hotel. I can’t tell you how important a great hotel is. Besides location, having a nice place to get ready in the morning a homey place to come back to at the end of the day is everything.

First, we recommend staying at the Kimpton Hotel Vintage, a downtown Seattle hotel. We picked the Hotel Vintage because it is a boutique wine-themed hotel and you know how much we like wine.


Seattle Hotel Vintage
Outside the hotel in Downtown Seattle

The Hotel Vintage says If they were a varietal, they would be a blend — rustic meets elegant, relaxed meets chic, authentic meets attentive. Since they are wine-themed they offer complimentary nightly wine tastings. The rooms inspired by some of the region’s most notable wineries, allow you to sink into the character of wine country while simultaneously being in the middle of the city.

Seattle Hotel Vintage
The lobby of the hotel

We stayed for two nights at the Hotel Vintage. Our generously sized room was so inviting. Nice touches such as recycled-cork art pieces above the headboard decorated the room. It was also truly comfortable with a lush pillow-topped bed and great linens. Our room also had great WiFi speed, something we value. 

Seattle Hotel Vintage
A nice surprise waiting for us
Seattle Hotel Vintage
Nice sitting area
Seattle Hotel Vintage
Comfy pillow top bed

Lastly, although we were not traveling with our fur babies (dogs) Max and Molly, it is important to note that the Hotel Vintage is pet-friendly! 


Since we had three nights in Seattle, we wanted to stay in a different area, so we chose The Sound Hotel located in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle. Belltown is hip and trendy. Thus, indie boutiques, galleries, and cafes line the best streets in Belltown. Belltown is the most densely populated spot in Seattle. Not surprisingly, the neighborhood gets its name from William Nathaniel Bell who originally claimed the land where the neighborhood now resides.

Seattle The Sound Hotel
Entrance to the hotel

The Sound Hotel is modern, urban, and fundamentally Seattle. Located between landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market makes the Sound Hotel a great place to stay when only visiting for a couple of days.


Seattle The Sound Hotel
Outdoor patio
Seattle The Sound Hotel
Music-themed common area

The spacious rooms feel as though you are staying in a modern apartment. The furniture is from high-end modern designs. In addition, the room is complete with a Keurig coffee maker and coffee pods. The bathroom features two separate sinks and a separate AC/Heat.

Seattle The Sound Hotel
Modern designed room
Seattle The Sound Hotel
Tina relaxing in the room

The hotel also has the Currant Bistro. The Currant Bistro serves fresh, regionally sourced dishes and Seattle’s best craft beer and Washington wines.

Seattle The Sound Hotel
Afternoon snack at the hotel’s bistro

What to See and Do in Seattle

If this is your first time in Seattle, you must see the exciting Pike Place Market and the men who throw the fish. Undeniably, this show is icon Seattle. Also, it’s the oldest farmers market in the United States. If this is not your first time in Seattle, then take a leisurely stroll through the rest of the market for the newest artisanal delight.

Seattle Pikes Place
Pike Place market
Seattle Pikes Place
The famed fish market
Seattle Pikes Place
Lots of fresh produce
Seattle Pikes Place
Keith couldn’t resist buying a freshly baked cookie

For a thrill Visit the Seattle Space Needle

You can’t visit Seattle and not visit the Space Needle. The Space Needle is an icon of the Seattle skyline. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it’s a 605-foot observation tower that you access via a 41-second elevator ride.

Seattle Space Needle
The marvelous Space Needle

The Space Needle has an observation deck at 520 feet and a rotating restaurant at 500 feet.  The downtown Seattle skyline, as well as the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Baker,  Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay, and so, surrounding islands,  are visible from the top of the Needle. If all of that is not enough, and you are not afraid of heights, the Space Needle also has a revolving glass floor giving you a  360-degree view of the city.

Seattle Space Needle
Beautiful 360-degree views
Seattle Space Needle
Looking down
Seattle Space Needle
The glass floor that Keith wouldn’t go out on.
Seattle Space Needle
Seaplanes fly in for a landing at around the same height
Seattle Space Needle
They even have a selfie cameras

Take a Harbor Tour for a Different View of the City

Next, we suggest taking a 1 hour Seattle harbor tour with Argosy Cruises. The cruise departs from Pier 55, a 5-minute walk southwest/below Pike Place Market, on the waterfront several times throughout the day. On this entertaining one-hour cruise you will learn about Seattle. Additionally, a live person narrates the cruise of Elliott Bay and the Seattle Harbor as you travel around the bay taking in views of the city skyline. Also, you will view the spectacular panoramic setting of the majestic Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges.

Seattle Argosy Cruise
Aboard ship, you can see the Space Needle in the background

We found the city’s busy shipyard fascinating. Also, we got some great views of the Seattle Great Wheel. This giant Ferris wheel at Pier 57 is the tallest on the West Coast at 160 feet. 

Seattle Argosy Cruise
Giant Ferris wheel

Additionally, we heard the legends of the four-story Edgewater Hotel that sits atop Pier 67. Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair the Edgewater is a beloved local landmark. Most notably, we learned that the Beatles stayed at this hotel in the early 1960s. Apparently, no other hotel wanted them to stay. It is hard to imagine because today, Seattle is known to be a music town, and any hotel would be thrilled to have music giants stay with them. Kiss, Led Zepplin, and many other rock bands were guests at this iconic hotel over the years. And since the hotel is directly on the water, we heard stories of people back in the day, fishing from their balconies and keeping their catch in the bathtub of their room. Today this is not allowed. 

Edgewater Hotel
Seattle Argosy Cruise
One of the shipyards

The short cruise affords many opportunities for taking quality photos from a unique vantage point. We found the tour informative as well as entertaining.

Seattle Argosy Cruise
Live narration during the cruise

Be Enchanted at the Seattle Aquarium

Ever wonder what life is like below the waves of the Pacific Ocean? In Seattle, you can do just that, see what is going on underwater at the Seattle Aquarium. Basically, you can get an up-close look at marine life found in Puget Sound including birds and seals.

Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Aquarium entrance
Seattle Argosy Cruise
Tina next to a very friendly shorebird

And if you are not afraid to get your hands wet, then the Life on The Edge exhibit will be for you. At this exhibit, you get to actually touch many fascinating creatures that dwell in the tide pools of Washington State’s outer coast and Puget Sound’s inland sea. There are docents or naturalists as they call them, available to help and to explain everything. The naturalist will help you to identify the animals in the exhibit, answer questions, and provide insight into life in the Puget Sound. Undoubtedly, for Keith and I this was our favorite exhibit. We love animals and nature and found it amazing to experience gently touching a sea cucumber.

Seattle Argosy Cruise
Lots of different kinds of starfish
Seattle Argosy Cruise
Sea anemones

At the Window on Washington Waters exhibit, a 120,000-gallon exhibit filled with more than 800 fish and invertebrates native to the Pacific Northwest’s local waters, you will see sea life as never before.  

Seattle Argosy Cruise
Feeding time at the Window on Washington Waters tank
Seattle Argosy Cruise
What a great idea, our first time seeing boxed water

Visit Chihuly Garden and Glass

Dale Chihuly’s is an innovative, passionate artist and you can submerge yourself in his work at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Dale Chihuly is a glassblower. Basically, glass blowing is a glass-forming technique that involves inflating molten glass into a bubble with the aid of a blowpipe. Keith and I were in awe when we visited. We took so many photos. What amazed us the most was how the works of glass dazzled with color and light. Additionally, at Chihuly Garden and Glass, you can explore the comprehensive collection of Chihuly’s significant series of work in the eight galleries and three walls.

Seattle Chihuly Garden and Glass
One of the many rooms displaying the art glass

Dale draws inspiration from the world around him. He used glass and color to bring his creations to life. I remembered seeing Chihuly’s work when visiting the Bellagio in Vegas a few years ago. While waiting in the lobby, more than two thousand glass flowers float overhead at the Bellagio Hotel.

Seattle Chihuly Garden and Glass
Glass sculpture

Dale Chihuly was born in Tacoma Washinton. So when an opportunity to showcase his work in a permanent Seattle exhibition came, he took full advantage. Through Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle celebrates its creative energy and aims to inspire visitors to engage with Seattle’s culture.

There is also a garden filled with trees and flowers which provides the setting for Chihuly’s art to become one with nature along with a glass blowing demonstration.

Seattle Chihuly Garden and Glass
Outdoor glass garden
Seattle Chihuly Garden and Glass
Glass blowing demonstration

Visit the Museum of Pop Culture

After visiting Chihuly Garden and Glass, stroll over to the Museum of Pop Culture or MoPOP as they call it in Seattle. MoPOP focuses on contemporary pop culture with a heavy emphasis on music. Most things to do in Seattle are interactive. Like the Seattle Aquarium, MoPop encourages you to get involved. For instance, the museum has a Sound Lab exhibit where you can test out just about any musical instrument. And, the rooms are soundproof in case your husband doesn’t think you are creating music!

Seattle Museum of Pop Culture
Even the building is “modern”

The museum has many exhibits. They included science fiction, horror films, and fantasy. The exhibits brought back not only current memories but those from our childhood.

Seattle Museum of Pop Culture
Entering the door to the fantasy exhibit
Seattle Museum of Pop Culture
Harry Potter costumes
Seattle Museum of Pop Culture
Science fiction movie and tv weapons
Seattle Museum of Pop Culture
From the movie Friday the 13th
Museum of Pop Culture
Tina on the musician Prince’s purple motorcycle

Spend Less and do More with a Seattle City Pass

Now to spend less and experience all of the things we have mentioned, we recommend purchasing a Seattle City Pass. To that end, for one single price, the pass is good for nine consecutive days. So, you can explore Seattle as we did in two days or leisurely over a week or longer. We had a Seattle City Pass and found it simple to use. In most cases, we skipped ticket lines using a reader to read our pass and print our paper ticket.

Explore Pioneer Square

If you love cities and downtowns, you must visit Pioneer Square. This charming area is home to cobblestone streets and century-old architecture. In 1852, as well as today, Pioneer Square is the heart of Seattle. Today what once were wooden Gold Rush buildings are stately Romanesque Revival buildings. Certainly, this change is nothing new; it took place at the end of the 1800s.

Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square

Full of trees, Pioneer Square, is home to restaurants, cafes, book shops, bars, and art galleries. Walking the lovely area is a treat. It’s also a great place to people watch.

Pioneer Square
Some unique artwork in Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is the perfect balance of old mixing with new. As you walk through the area, you can imagine the history that took place on these storied streets.

The Estates Wine Room

While in Pioneer Square visit The Estates Wine Room for a wine pairing experience. Keith and I visited on a Monday afternoon. When we walked in, there was Frank Sinatra music playing setting a nice mood. We decided to do a wine pairing experience. 

The Estates Wine Room

For the wine pairing experience, local artisan bites are paired with wines representing the diverse soils of the Northwest.

The Estates Wine Room
A nice assortment of cheese, nuts, jam, and crackers

The vineyards of The Estates Wine Room are Double Canyon in Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, Seven Hills Winery in Walla Walla Valley, Washington and Archery Summit in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Unquestionably, the Estates Wine Room feels that these wineries have exceptional vineyards in renowned growing regions of the Pacific Northwest.

The Estates Wine Room
The wine region map
Seattle The Estates Wine Room
Nice tables to do a tasting

First located in the heart of Walla Walla, Washington, is Seven Hills Winery. Seven Hills is one of the region’s oldest and most respected wineries. Additionally, Seven Hills makes elegant and balanced wines from old vines.

Next, there is Double Canyon in Horse Heaven Hills, Washington named for two ravines that run through the property. Its desirable location is close to the Columbia River. Without doubt, volcanic activity, ancient glacial deposits, and a persistent wind that blows from the river makes the soil unique in Horse Heaven Hills. Double Canyon wines capture that unique character in their wine.

Oregon Wine in Washington?

Last, there is the Archery Summit in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Archery Summit is known for its great Oregon Pinot Noir. The soil in Willamette Valley has an ancient history. The earth of Willamette Valley is well-drained and rich in minerals due to geological activity dating back to the Ice Age.

Keith and I tasted wine from all three wineries. While we enjoyed all of the wines, my favorite was the 2015 Double Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Keith’s favorite was a 2015 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine.

The Estates Wine Room
Enjoying a nice red

The Estates Wine Room provides a lovely place to taste Washington and Oregon wine without leaving the city.

Where to Dine in Seattle

Finally, we have two recommendations for dinner in two different neighborhoods. The first is Tulio Ristorante. We love restaurants whose menu is inspired by travel. To that end, Tulio brings authentic cuisine, from Northern Italy to Seattle. Tulio’s dishes are simple yet sophisticated, mingling rustic Italian preparations with local ingredients to form bold flavors. 

Tulio Ristorante
Inside the Tulio
Tulio Ristorante
A nice beet salad starter
Tulio Ristorante
Fennel rubbed ahi tuna
Tulio Ristorante
Tina enjoying an orecchiette pasta dish
Tulio Ristorante
A delicious pistachio dessert

FlintCreek Cattle Company

Our second dining recommendation is for the FlintCreek Cattle Company located in the Greenwood neighborhood. Greenwood is a neighborhood in north-central Seattle. In short, the mission at FlintCreek Cattle Company is to serve premium meats obtained from well managed small-scale farms and ranches that yield responsibly raised, pastured, grass-fed animals without added hormones and antibiotics.

FlintCreek Cattle Company
Modern design with tables and bar
FlintCreek Cattle Company
Keith’s 21-day aged fillet that melted in his mouth

As you probably know, I do not eat meat. I eat a plant-based diet. Even though FlintCreek is a steak house, they accommodated my dietary requests very deliciously.

FlintCreek Cattle Company
Caesar salad (Tina took the cheese off)
FlintCreek Cattle Company
A delicious vegan mushroom, potatoes and asparagus dish

Unquestionably we had a wonderful evening at FlintCreek. Moreover, the service was great, the food and drinks were excellent. We only wish we could easily return right now.

FlintCreek Cattle Company
A nice glass of port after dinner

A Seattle Hidden Gem

Lastly, while in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle visit The Greenwood Space Travel Company. The Greenwood Space Travel Company are spreaders of the finest space travel supplies, including books on scientific theory, non-toxic consumables, and more. Surprisingly, Keith and I found this cute hidden gem after dinner at the Flint Creek Cattle Company. Specifically, we noticed their sign and wondered what in the world was this store. 

Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co
With a storefront like this, who wouldn’t want to investigate further
Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co
Some strange things on display

Also, the store serves as an outreach and fundraising instrument for The Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas, a non-profit writing and tutoring center for humans aged 6 to 18. This is a great way for kids to get help on their creative writing skills. While the store says, they do import from space; unfortunately, they can only ship to the US and Canada.

Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co
Creative writing classroom

Visit Seattle

To be sure, Seattle is an amazing city, really worth a visit. Filmmakers have known this for decades. It started with An Officer and a Gentleman, and then Sleepless in Seattle and finally, Twilight; Thus, Seattle has provided the background for a whole host of films. Seattle is an exciting, friendly, and welcoming city with lots of greats thing to do, places to stay, and restaurants to eat. We know you will see that the most striking things about Seattle are its sense of community and its zest for life. To learn more about Seattle, visit https://www.visitseattle.org/

Be sure and watch our highlights while in Seattle

While in the Northwest, how about taking a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer Train.


QUICK ANSWERS


How tall is the Seattle Space Needle?

The Space Needle is 605 feet tall.

What city in the United States has the most coffee shops?

Seattle has the most coffee shops in the U.S. with more than 840.




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8 thoughts on “Discover all that Makes Seattle Amazing in Just Two Days”

    1. Keith

      The Real Person!

      Author Keith acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
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      The Real Person!

      Author Keith acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
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      Thank you Saurabh. The food was delicious. The glass was colorful and so artistic. It’s hard to believe that one can create such things out of glass.

    1. Keith

      The Real Person!

      Author Keith acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
      Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

      The Real Person!

      Author Keith acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
      Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

      Thank you Rony. We are happy you found it useful.

    1. Keith

      The Real Person!

      Author Keith acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
      Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

      The Real Person!

      Author Keith acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
      Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

      You’re welcome Anne. Glad you liked our article

    1. Keith

      The Real Person!

      Author Keith acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
      Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

      The Real Person!

      Author Keith acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
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      Hi Allan. Yes we use Twitter. Our handle is @retiretravel.
      Thanks

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