Seattle might not be the best choice for anyone looking to get away for a weekend of guaranteed sunshine (we suggest going to Las Vegas or LA), but for those who don’t mind risking a little rain, it’s a fantastic city packed with things to do and see. The birthplace of both Grunge and Starbucks, visitors can take in the historic Pike Place market (with its chewing gum wall) and the Space Needle. Savor some truly incredible seafood, and check out the thriving art scene. If Seattle is next on your quick-getaway bucket list, make sure you don’t miss these four things to do in the Emerald City.
Get A Taste Of Pike Place At Jack’s Fish Spot
Pike Place Market is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. Yes, you can go to the first ever Starbucks for your lunch, but why head to a chain (even the first outpost of one) when you can wander across the street and enjoy some incredible seafood right at the bar of this longstanding fishmonger? Jack’s Fish Spot is known for its cheap and delicious fish and chips, but you can get all kinds of seafood with their fries like scallops, clams, and prawns. Enjoy clam chowder or raw oysters shucked and served in front of you. You can even catch some of the fish-throwing that Pike Place is famous for, as the workers behind the counter fling entire fish across at each other before wrapping them for sale.
Take A Break From The Tourists In Volunteer Park
While there are amazing green spaces around Pike Place and the Space Needle, Seattle locals are far more likely to be found in Capitol Hill’s stunning Volunteer Park. This gorgeous green space is huge, with room to relax on the grass, play a little frisbee, or stroll through the leafy trails. Volunteer Park also boasts a Conservatory for plant-lovers and a Water Tower which, if you can handle the climb to the top, offers some of the best views of Seattle and the iconic Space Needle that you will find anywhere in the city. During the summer, the park also hosts a range of events, including some open-air Shakespeare, the annual Summer Picnic, and free outdoor yoga classes.
Get In Touch With Grunge At MoPOP
Seattle is a mecca for music fans. The MoPOP, the Museum of Popular Culture, is one of the best places to dip a toe in the water before checking out some of the live shows and venues that dot the city. Located near the Pacific Science Center and Space Needle, you can’t miss this museum thanks to its reflective, angular architecture. Inside, you’ll find the world’s most extensive exhibit of Nirvana memorabilia, as well as ever-changing exhibits on everything from music to Marvel superheroes. Get hands-on with multimedia music spaces that invite visitors to play, or explore new worlds (and pretend you are in Star Trek) in the immersive reality Holodome.
While The Night Away At The Cabaret
Tucked into one of the cobbled streets around Pike Place Market is The Pink Door, an experience that is as much about the entertainment as the food. The Pink Door boasts that it offers the longest-running cabaret and burlesque in the NorthWest, but that’s not the only entertainment on offer. In this cozy, dimly lit space, you can find singer-songwriters, aerial performers, jazz and swing bands, and even a nightly tarot reader who moves from table to table. Take it all in while dining on delicious and unpretentious Italian food, much of which comes from the market itself.
Seattle also has great shopping, dozens of incredible restaurants, and by simply wandering the city you can find incredible artwork everywhere. A Sound Garden is definitely worth seeing – or more accurately, hearing, – as this grunge-inspired sculpture collection overlooking Lake Washington transforms the wind into haunting music. Giggle at the famous restaurant Dick’s (where Macklemore danced on the rooftop) or take a ferry to Whidbey Island. Whether rain or shine, you will never run out of things to see here.