Seattle in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Called Emerald City, because of the greenish color that dominates the city, Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington and one of the most visited in the country. With its bay, its monuments, its museums and its history, there is a lot to see and do in Seattle, and everything here seems wonderful.

I have selected and gathered for you the best attractions, places and experiences that make this city one of the most important destinations in the United States. With an extremely rich culture and an endless number of places to visit, here is the guide to 3 days in the beautiful city of Seattle.

Seattle is a fairly large city, so depending on where you decide to stay, you will need to learn how to get around to see as many attractions as possible.

It's always a good idea to stay downtown, in the Pike/Pine, Belltown, Downtown or Uptown districts, as they are relatively close to everything.

Pike Place Market

Start your first day in Seattle by having breakfast at one of the most iconic places in the city. I am referring, of course, to Pike Place Market.

Considered the heart and soul of the city, this picturesque market opened in 1907, no less, and is one of the oldest in the United States.

Pike Place Market is located next to Elliot Bay, so if you're not staying nearby, you can easily get here with the 1-Line light rail or buses 120, 320, 16, 550, 49, among many others.

Here you have plenty of options for breakfast, such as Cinnamon Works, Bagel Bop, or the Sisters European Café. Ideal to start your first day in style. Then you can walk through the old market from end to end.

You will also be able to find a lot of different options and services, from traditional fishmongers and products brought from the farms located on the outskirts of the city, to cafes and restaurants, art and craft stores, beautiful flowers, souvenirs, and much more.

It is absolutely worth visiting this place full of charm. Plus, as I said, it faces the bay, so you can enjoy the views of Pier 62.

Beyond what you can buy, the place itself is great for taking pictures, the image of its neon sign is one of the most famous in the city. If you want to delve deeper into its history, you can always take a food tour of Seattle.

• Location: 85 Pike Street, Seattle
• Admission fee: free

Everything can be art, visit the Gum Wall

A few meters from the market, in Post Alley, you can visit one of the curiosities of the city, the Gum Wall, literally a brick wall entirely covered by chewing gum of all colors.

The whole thing is truly amazing, and again, very photographable. It is no coincidence that less than 200 meters from here is the Seattle Art Museum.

Although, with only 3 days in the city, I consider the Museum best left for another trip. While it is very entertaining and extremely interesting, you will be short on time to visit some of Seattle's key sites.

Marvel at the Space Needle and have lunch near the Seattle Center

From the Gum Wall, you can take 1st. Ave or 4th. Ave heading north. It's only a 20-minute walk to the Seattle Center, where the Space Needle is located.

It is undoubtedly the most famous architectural structure in the city and one of the most beautiful.

Inaugurated in 1962, it is 184 meters high and has a 360-degree viewpoint that allows you to see the entire city on clear days. Its construction was modeled after the broadcasting tower in Stuttgart, Germany.

Climbing to the top is one of the things you can't miss during your 3 days in Seattle. Arm yourself with patience, as the lines usually take a while, but believe me the views are worth it.

By the time you get down from the spire, it's probably time to grab a bite to eat. There are many international restaurants in this area, where you can take a break during the day.

If you like Mexican food, a few meters from where you are is the restaurant Sal y Limón, highly recommended.

But if you prefer a Seattle classic, don't hesitate, go to The 5 Point Café. Since the beginning of the last century, one of the pillars of the city.

Tour the permanent exhibition Chihuly Garden and Glass

Behind the great space needle is another must-see on your visit to Seattle, the permanent exhibition of artist Dale Chihuly, Chihuly Garden and Glass.

This marvel alone is worth the entire trip. You won't be able to spend less than 2 or 3 hours there, as you won't want to leave.

Dale Chihuly, one of the greatest exponents of blown glass art, has designed this impressive space that combines sculpture with nature in a unique way. The colors and composition are truly breathtaking. Ideal for a family visit.

• Location: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, next to the Space Needle.
• Admission fee: from 27 Euros approx.

Visit the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

To finish with the visits of this first day, another of the most curious and iconic places in the city of Seattle is the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP).

According to the story, the famous modernist architect Frank Gehry would have been inspired by none other than Jimi Hendrix to build the museum.

A place that pays tribute to the musicians of Seattle, with countless sculptures alluding to the world of music and objects that belonged to figures such as Kurt Cobain, Bo Diddley, Soundgarden, and even Hendrix himself.

The museum will surprise you, that I assure you, both for its architecture and for the works and objects that can be seen in its temporary exhibitions and its permanent collection.

In addition to the world of music, the museum has sections dedicated to the series and cult cinema, video games and much more. A must-see.

• Location: 325 5th Ave, Seattle
• Ticket price: from 30 Euros approximately

Have some dinner in the area before returning to your hotel

Finally, before returning to your accommodation, I recommend you to have dinner at one of the best pizzerias in the area: Zeeks Pizza.

A few meters from MoPOP and overlooking the Space Needle, I can't think of a better way to end this first day in the Emerald City.

Start your second day in Seattle in one of its oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods: Downtown. If you're not staying nearby you can easily get there with the 1-Line Light Rail or buses 120, 320, 268, 62, 550, among many others.

Then visit an incredible park next to Elliot Bay with the most amazing sculptures. Finish the day on a boat cruise where you can get the best views of Emerald City from the water. Are you ready? Here we go!

Tour Downtown

On your second day in the fabulous Seattle I propose you to visit one of the oldest areas of the city, downtown.

In this neighborhood you will find places like the Pioneer Building and the Smith Tower, two of the most beautiful buildings in the city, although it is worth saying that this whole district is full of beautiful buildings.

The Smith Tower is located at 506 2nd. Ave. in Pioneer Square. This incredible neoclassical building opened in 1914 and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

It is one of the first skyscrapers built outside of New York and the oldest in Seattle. It also has a bar and observatory on its 35th floor.

Tickets to see the city from the Smith Tower cost about 15 Euros, although it is not essential to go up, especially if you already enjoyed the views from the Space Needle.

A few meters from the Smith Tower is another of the most beautiful buildings in Seattle, the Pioneer Building. With its mixture of styles, it is one of the must-sees of the city.

Built in the 19th century, it has become an undisputed icon of Downtown Seattle. The story goes that during the Prohibition era in the United States, alcohol was sold clandestinely in the Pioneer Building.

Its exterior, with its mix of terracotta, cast iron and stone, is truly beautiful. Today, the basement houses a nightclub where one of Seattle's best historical tours is offered.

The streets of Downtown invite you to get lost, as every nook, every corner, every building is a true work of art.

Visit the Olympic Sculpture Park

From Downtown you can take any of the streets to the bay and walk about 15 to 20 minutes along Alaskan Way to reach the Olympic Sculpture Park, an incredible park facing Elliot Bay where a large number of sculptures, valued at a few million dollars, have been placed.

The park also has an indoor pavilion and a beach on Puget Sound. It includes installations and temporary exhibits by major local and international artists, such as Spencer Finch, Victoria Haven and Regina Silveira.

For lunch with an unbeatable view of the bay, you can reserve a table at Aqua Restaurant, by El Gaucho, one of the best seafood spots in town.

Hop on The Seattle Great Wheel and cruise the bay

After lunch I suggest you take the Alaskan Way south again. A little less than 10 minutes, next to the aquarium, you will find another of the classics of the city: the Great Wheel, a huge Ferris wheel.

Located on the waterfront, it is one of the favorite attractions for the whole family, although I must say that the ones who enjoy it the most are the little ones in the house. Therefore, it should definitely be included in the best things to see and do with kids in Seattle.

Definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Seattle in summer, seeing the scenery from the top will allow you to enjoy all the charm of the Emerald City.

Almost next to Seattle's big wheel is Pier 55, where you will board a cruise ship, which will take you to see another side of Seattle. Taking a boat ride in Seattle is a unique experience that you will surely love.

It is a unique experience that you will not forget, there is nothing like watching the city from the waters of the bay, while your specialized local guide tells you all about the different points that you will observe.

Stroll along Capitol Hill

From Downtown, take the 1-Line light rail north to Capitol Hill Station.

Capitol Hill is undoubtedly the most representative neighborhood of Seattle's eclectic spirit. Here you will see a lot of Street Art and a mix of styles that will conquer you.

This neighborhood is one of the most full of bars, restaurants and good atmosphere of the city, besides being also one of the most important centers of LGBTQ culture. Around here it is very common to see rainbow crosses on street corners, multicolored flags everywhere, and a festive atmosphere in the streets.

Another of Capitol Hill's biggest attractions are its two large green spaces, Volunteer Park and Cal Anderson Park. If you are one of those who enjoy large parks, you can't miss them, both are located in the heart of the city.

In Volunteer Park you can see the beautiful Conservatory, a Victorian structure that houses numerous species of local flora. It is filled with trails and places to take a break.

Cal Anderson Park, on the other hand, is much more active, ideal for visiting with children, since it has games, giant chess boards, fountains and much more.

To end this second day, I recommend eating one of the most classic burgers in Seattle at Dick's Drive-in.

With excellent prices and top quality, Dick's has become a symbol of the city, even some hip hop artists have used this place as the setting for some of their videos.

For this third and last day in Seattle I suggest you leave downtown and head north, heading to two of the most popular neighborhoods among young people. I'm talking about the U district and Fremont.

For that you can take the 1-Line light rail again to the U District station.

Visit the student neighborhood, the U District

Located around the University of Washington, the U District is one of the areas that will surely fascinate you.

Beyond its large student population, the general atmosphere is calm and cheerful, so you can walk around with your family without problems. A beautiful place to stroll and enjoy its beautiful gardens with cherry blossoms, cafes, hundreds of stores and much more.

This is one of the favorite neighborhoods for much of Seattle's youth. Also, being an area full of students, you will find very good options to eat generous portions for little money and cheap rents.

With many options for typical food of different nationalities, here you can choose from Vietnamese, Indian, Mexican, Italian, Arabic, practically anything you can think of.

The U District is a great place to watch a football game in one of the parks near the University of Washington, one of the most popular sports in the United States.

Visiting the most hipster neighborhood in Seattle

And from the U District Station you can hop on the 62 bus that will take you to the Fremont neighborhood in just 30 minutes. Ideal for walking, Fremont is one of the most charming places in the city of Seattle.

Known as one of the most hipster neighborhoods of all, here you can find rarities, objects and vintage clothing galore. It is also the perfect place to look for vinyl records or have a cold beer, since Fremont is home to some of the best breweries in the city.

Walking through its streets will make you smile, the beauty of its architecture and its curious sculptures are worth the visit. The most interesting is undoubtedly the Fremont Troll, a huge sculpture made of stone, located under the Aurora Bridge. A place where you will not be able to stop taking one or more pictures.

The figure of the troll seems to be coming out of the ground while holding a Volkswagen Beetle in his left hand. The sculpture was made by artist Steve Badanes

But Fremont is also synonymous with delicious food, breathtaking views and so much more. For example, another must-see is the Fremont Rocket, a huge rocket erected at the corner of North 36th Street and Evanston Ave North.

Currently converted into a monument, the rocket comes from the times of the Cold War. A great place to visit if you are traveling with children.

End your last day in this amazing city by dining at Manolin, one of Fremont's most delicious restaurants. Located at 3621 Stone Way North, just 600 meters from the Fremont Troll, its flavor combinations and good atmosphere will be the finishing touch to your trip.

This third day in Seattle comes to an end, I hope the guide has been of great help, there are many things that this amazing city offers and there are many different options, so I hope you have a great time on your trip.

It isdefinitely a very good option to get a general idea of the different attractions and points of interest that the city has and where they are located. It will help you to orient yourself and to be able to better calculate the distances within the city.

Yes, the Seattle City Pass is worth it. The price per adult is around 100 Euros, so you save approximately 46% on tickets to the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Bay Cruise, MoPOP, and other attractions.

Another option is the Seattle C3 Pass, with a price per adult of around 67 Euros, which saves you 30%, although it does not include many of the main attractions.