
Travel to Seattle and immerse yourself in the bustling coffee culture, the gorgeous landscapes, and the fantastic sights. Find out how to make the most out of your time and plan the perfect one day in Seattle itinerary!
I’ve visited Seattle now on a number of occasions and even spent weeks staying here in our van. I fell in love with this city and would move here in a heartbeat. It completely won me over, because of its beauty, great food, and proximity to nature. There’s so many amazing things to do!
If you only have one day, then don’t worry I’ve got you covered. This Seattle itinerary includes everything you should see, tips for when to visit, advice on where to stay, and details on getting around. You’ll be set for your trip!
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Table of Contents
One Day in Seattle Itinerary!
Grab a Cup of Coffee

Seattle is often thought of as a coffee hub in the US. Home to the original Starbucks, with an avid coffee culture. There’s no better way to start your day. ☕️
You’ll find fantastic cafes throughout the city, but I’ve highlighted a few below that are close to many of the sights you’ll want to visit!
Great Seattle Coffee Shops:
Explore & Grab Food at Pike Place Market

You can’t visit Seattle without stopping at the iconic Pike Place Market.
This market opened in 1907 and is now one of the oldest public farmer’s markets in the country. Located along Puget Sound, you’ll find a number of food options, artisan stands, and local goods. There’s so much to choose from and a lot to see, so spend a couple hours shopping here.
I’ve probably been to this market 10 times or so and there’s still more that I have to try! Just make sure to watch the workers sling fish back and forth 🐟 at the Fish Market and take a photo in front of the sign!
Travel Tip: Walk over to the first Starbucks to get a picture and then move on. There’s no need to wait in line for the same coffee you can get elsewhere! ☕️



Best Food at Pike Place:
- Pike Place Chowder– This is some of the best chowder you’ll find in the US. But, the lines can be long, so hot tip: you can order to go on your phone and pick it up from the back without waiting!
- The Crumpet Shop – Serves fresh British crumpets with a choice of savory or sweet toppings.
- Piroshky Piroshky – Although there’s often a long line, it’s worth the wait! I still think about the warm Russian piroshkys, which are handheld pies. Try the mushroom & potato pie and get a warm cinnamon cardamom braid.
- Beecher’s Handmade Cheese – You can watch the workers make cheese on site, while you eat your favorite cheesy food! I recommend getting their famous mac & cheese.
- Chukar Cherries – Don’t leave Seattle without grabbing chocolate covered cherries. They’ll let you try different flavors before committing to your favorite!
- Le Panier – Another fantastic spot for a warm pastry like a delicious chocolate croissant. We waited for 15 minutes or so on a busy Friday morning, but it was one of the best croissants I’ve ever had.
- Michou Deli – Fans of paninis must visit here! This deli has amazing sandwiches, salads, and pastas. My parents were huge fans of this spot.
Stroll Through the Olympic Sculpture Park

Walk off your lunch by meandering through the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is free to visit.
This 9 acre park is set right off the water of Puget Sound with a number of unique statues. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the Olympic Mountains beyond the water, so it’s really a scenic spot. 🤩
You can spend hours wandering through the park or just view some of the statues along the edge before continuing your day. Either way it’s worth stopping by and walking through on your way towards the Space Needle.
Explore a Museum

If you’ve only got one day in Seattle, you may have a hard time choosing a museum that you want to visit. There are a number of fantastic museums that are very close to the Space Needle. Skip going to the top of the Needle and go to one of these museums instead:
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

MoPOP focuses on contemporary pop culture with numerous exhibits on music, movies, and discovery. They are constantly changing their special exhibits, so make sure to look at their website to see what they have going on.
You can make reservations ahead of time at MoPOP here.
I loved visiting MoPOP and learning all about Hip Hop and Seattle musicians. This was one of my favorite museums I’ve visited.
Choosing between MoPOP or Chihuly Garden and Glass may be the toughest decision of the trip!
Chihuly Garden and Glass

Just under the Space Needle, you’ll find this incredible exhibition dedicated to Dale Chihuly’s Glass sculptures. I was mesmerized as we walked through each room and out into the garden. It was such a peaceful setting and Chihuly is truly a master of his craft!


Watch Sunset at Kerry Park

Take another 20 minute walk up from the museums to get to Queen Anne area, where you’ll find Kerry Park. There’s no better way to end your one day in Seattle by watching the sunset over the city!
This is truly my favorite city view in the entire US!
From Kerry Park, you can see the Space Needle, the city, and Mount Rainier on a clear day. 👀 It’s absolutely spectacular! So, just be aware it gets crowded and you may need to claim a spot by the fence before the sunsets.
Dine in Capitol Hill

Now that you may have worked up an appetite again, you can make your way to the cute Capitol Hill area. I recommend getting an uber or scooter, because it’s a bit further away. This is a well known area that’s famous for the LGBQT friendly spaces, hip bars, and great restaurants. I visit at least once per trip!
It’s the perfect area to get dinner at one of their fabulous dining spots. But, I recommend making reservations in advance.
After you grab food, you can get a night cap at the Starbucks Reserve! They have fun cocktails and special drinks you can’t get elsewhere.
Best Restaurants in Capitol Hill:
- Spinasse – One of the best Italian spots in the city. We went with my parents and each dish was delectable.
- Meet Korean BBQ – KBBQ is probably my favorite type of food and Meet does not disappoint. I’ve been twice and I’d go back on every visit.
- Kedai Makan – A fun Malaysian street food restaurant and bar. It’s high on my list for when we return.
- MariPili Tapas Bar – Visit this James Beard award winning tapas bar to share a bunch of fun dishes with friends.
- Momiji – Great spot for sushi and drinks if you are craving it!
Planning Your Seattle Day Trip
Best Time to Visit Seattle

Although Seattle is a fun city year round, in my opinion the best time to visit is from Summer to early Fall. 🍁
Seattle is known for being a very rainy city. 🌧🌧🌧 In fact, it gets about 150 rainy days a year! Most of those days fall from late fall through spring. Winter is the rainiest season and also the coldest one.
So, if you are a rain lover, want to beat crowds, and enjoy quiet you can visit in the winter.


However, the summer and early fall are generally beautiful times of year in Seattle. The sun is out and the temperatures usually hover between the 60s and 70s. So, you’ll be able to see stunning views over the city and enjoy everything it has to offer. I truly think Seattle is one of the best cities!
Places You Should Skip

Tons of people fly into Seattle and hit up the most touristy spots- the first Starbucks, the Space Needle, and the Great Wheel. Here’s my advice- skip them!
All of these places take tons of time and both the Space Needle and Great Wheel are very overpriced. There are tons of better places in the Seattle to get amazing views where you don’t have to spend a time. Then, the line for Starbucks is usually down the street, but there’s a normal Starbucks just a block away. So, take a picture and move on.
So, skip these tourist traps and instead spend your time at other cool spots!
How To Get Around Seattle

Although I’ve had a car on every visit, you don’t need one to explore Seattle. Most of the places on this itinerary are walking distance to each other, which makes is easy and convenient.
Otherwise, you can rely on buses for public transportation needs. 🚌 They are better at running North and South, than East and West. If you would prefer to get somewhere quickly there are plenty of Ubers/Lyfts and scooters throughout the city!
Where & What to Add With More Time

Honestly, I want to live in Seattle and I think there are countless ways to spend your time there. So, if you have a little more time in the area here are some places that I would add.



Additional Seattle Spots
- The Museum of Flight
- Fremont Neighborhood & the Troll
- Washington Park Aboretum
- Lake Union
- Gasworks Park
- Bainbridge Island
- Whidbey Island
Where to Stay in Seattle


Since you only have one day in Seattle, I really think that you will want to stay as close as possible to the water near Pike Place and the Space Needle. That way you are conveniently located to everything.
If you want to stay somewhere funkier or hipper then I recommend the Capitol Hill area.
My parents stayed at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront and it was incredible. They watched the sunrise over Mount Rainier, the water, and the Olympic Mountains. 🌅 Plus, it was just a short walk away from Pikes Place.
Great Hotels in Seattle:
Final Tips for Visiting Seattle

Hopefully, you’re ready for a great day in Seattle! Get ready for plenty of walking around with comfortable shoes and of course, a rain jacket. Plan ahead by getting dinner reservations, so you know you’ll have a good way to end the day. I hope that you get beautiful weather and enjoy this vibrant city.
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments!
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