An Amazing Guide to a Fabulous Day in Seattle
Traveling through Seattle Tacoma International Airport in the summer is not for the faint at heart. It may come as no surprise that it is not uncommon for Seattle, Washington, to see over a million travelers during the summer months when hundreds of cruises leave its port. If this is your cruise port, spend a day in Seattle enjoying the beautiful city before your cruise.
This guide’s purpose is to give travelers ideas of things to do when they have limited time to spend in Seattle, usually due to heading out on a cruise. But it’s not just for cruise passengers. These ideas will work for anyone who wants to see a glimpse of Seattle in a short amount of time.
The first advice you might get when taking a cruise is don’t miss the ship! Horror stories have been told about passengers being left at the dock because they were a few minutes late. It is true, too. The ship will not wait for you.
Unfortunately, airline travel delays are becoming a more frequent occurrence. So, if you are flying to Seattle for a cruise, plan to arrive a day early and enjoy all the Pacific Northwest of the United States offers, including the many things to do in and around Seattle.
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Where to Stay for a Day in Seattle
There are several great areas to stay in Seattle before a cruise, especially when you don’t have a car.
I recommend the Pike Place Market area, downtown Seattle, or Belltown since these areas are near popular Seattle tourist attractions.
An affordable $20 taxi ride delivers you to the Port of Seattle from these areas when it’s time for your cruise embarkation.
A Day in Seattle Begins with Breakfast
I love to eat in new places when I travel. Seattle is no different.
You can’t go wrong with these two great options for breakfast.
For a sweet bite, grab a coffee and donut at the popular Seattle donut spot called Top Pot Doughnuts. There are many locations throughout the city. The flagship cafe on 5th Ave. is on your way to my suggestion for your first stop of the day, the Seattle Center, if you are staying downtown.
When we visited, this trendy spot had a line out the door, but it moved quickly. The glazed chocolate bar is delicious!
Try Biscuit Bitch near Pike Place Market for a more hearty breakfast option.
I’m not joking! Biscuit Bitch is really its name.
This popular spot offers counter service only and often has up to an hour’s wait for to-go orders. Place your order online in advance before heading that way, or you’ll be waiting on the sidewalk with many others.
Trust me; the wait will be worth it! They had the best garlic grits and biscuit sandwiches I’ve ever tasted.
Seattle Center
After breakfast, begin your day at the Seattle Center in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood.
You can take a short walk from most downtown hotels or catch the monorail by Pike Place Market.
With so many popular attractions in one place, it’s a good idea to start your day at the Seattle Center before the crowds get too large.
The Seattle Center is home to many attractions, including the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass, which I highly recommend.
The Pacific Science Center, the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly known as the Experience Music Project), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center are also in this area. If you plan to visit more than one of these Seattle attractions, purchase the Seattle CityPASS for the best deals.
Because of your limited time, I suggest choosing one attraction in this area. If not, you will miss out on seeing other parts of Seattle.
We chose to visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass. The art museum features glass artist Dale Chihuly, a famous Seattle artist. If you have ever visited The Bellagio Hotel lobby in Las Vegas, you may recognize his work from the ceiling in the hotel’s lobby.
The Chihuly Glass and Garden at the base of the Seattle Space Needle is actually my favorite part of a Seattle visit.
The glass exhibits, both indoors and outdoors, will amaze you.
TRIP TIP: Look for professional photographers roaming the grounds. They will photograph you and provide you with the photos for free. Access your pictures using the bar code on your ticket at the kiosks by the restrooms.
City Sightseeing Bus Tour
The City Sightseeing bus tour also picks up passengers at the Seattle Center. If mobility is an issue, or your feet are already hurting, consider taking this city tour.
The bus takes you to popular Seattle spots, including Gas Works Parks, Pike Place Market, and Ballard Locks.
No matter your group’s interests, there is something for everyone in the Seattle Center to enjoy.
TRIP TIP: Many attractions require you to reserve a time spot in advance, so check the attraction website before heading out. Some even offer discounts if you purchase tickets to multiple venues in the Seattle Center.
Olympic Sculpture Park
Just a seven-minute walk from the Seattle Center is Olympic Sculpture Park. This is a nine-acre outdoor waterfront park run by the Seattle Art Museum.
It is free and open to the public 365 days a year.
Besides the outdoor sculptures, there are many spots to enjoy the waterfront view of Puget Sound.
Visiting Olympic Sculpture Park will take you away from the monorail located in Seattle Center that will take you to Pike Place Market.
I would recommend saving this Seattle spot for another time if you want to spend more time at Seattle Center.
Pike Place Market/Waterfront
When it is time for lunch, head to Pike Place Market.
From the Seattle Center, catch the Seattle Center monorail. The monorail only has two stops, the Pike Place Market and Seattle Center, so you can’t get lost.
Monorail tickets are easy to purchase. You can find the kiosks at the entrance to the monorail across from The Space Needle.
The Pike Place Market is Seattle’s original farmer’s market and home to many fabulous food, craft, and floral vendors. They have the most beautiful and inexpensive floral arrangements that you can take with you on a cruise.
We love food tours, and there are many great guided food tours of Pike Place Market.
Unfortunately, these sell out quickly, and we didn’t find one available the day we went. If this interests you, then definitely book in advance.
Since we missed out on the food tour, we decided to create our own. We began with $25 each and challenged ourselves to try a bit of everything.
Some of my favorite stops are The Athenian, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Three Sisters Bakery, and Jack’s Fish and Chips. My hands-down favorite, though, is Le Panier.
Honestly, there are so many others to try, but you have to pace yourself. Definitely come hungry!
Expect crowds and a line at each place in the market.
Although the food tours seem pricey, I suggest booking one. It will save you time and money in the long run. Plus, you will be able to sample more items.
While in Pike Place Market, check out the original Starbucks location, the Secret Garden, the disgusting gum wall, the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market throwers, and the pig statues.
You will also want to head to the outside dining space behind the market for an amazing view of Mount Rainier.
To help you plan your time at Pike Place Market, check out the new Market Planner available online. Use the planner to build your itinerary and check out their suggestions for spending your time in the market.
See Seattle from the Water
Don’t miss seeing the city from the water for a complete one day Seattle itinerary.
From Pike Place Market, head toward the waterfront to Pier 51.
This is a great way to walk off some of those calories from lunch and see more sights like the waterfront harbor, shops, and the Seattle Great Wheel, the giant Ferris Wheel located at Pier 57.
Take a Ferry to Bainbridge Island
Once you pass the Seattle Great Wheel, Pier 51 is a short walk away. Due to construction in the area, it may be challenging to find. Look for signs for the Washington State ferry, which will lead you to the ticket booth for the Bainbridge Island ferry.
Bainbridge Island is a thirty-minute ferry ride across Elliott Bay, where, if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a pod of orcas.
This is a budget-friendly way to spend the afternoon at an affordable price of $9.25 per person. A ticket is only needed from Seattle to Bainbridge. There is no need to purchase another ticket to return.
While on the ferry, enjoy the incredible views of the Seattle skyline with fantastic photo opportunities.
As you cross Elliott Bay and Bainbridge Island comes into view, you will see why it is a lovely afternoon retreat.
Once you get to Bainbridge Island, you can jump back on the ferry and head back to Seattle, enjoying your trip across the water.
However, I recommend you stay for a bit and take a stroll around the quaint city.
What Can You Do on Bainbridge Island?
The town of Bainbridge is ten minutes from the ferry landing and has cute shops, restaurants, wineries, and a popular ice cream shop.
Being there will feel like you are on a Hallmark movie set. It is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon. Keep alert, as locals say that famous Hollywood actors and actresses have been spotted on the island.
Bainbridge Island has hiking trails, water sports available at the marina, and bicycle rentals at the ferry.
The Bloedel Reserve is located on the island as well. This is a 150-acre public garden and forest preserve. USA Today named it one of North America’s top ten botanical gardens.
If you are lucky enough to have more than a day in Seattle, I would put a full-day visit to Bainbridge Island and Bloedel Reserve on your radar.
Head back to Seattle
If you time your ride on the ferry back to Seattle at sunset, you can see the Seattle skyline illuminate as the sky darkens.
This complete guide to seeing the city should keep you plenty busy. However, if you aren’t exhausted by the end of the day, you can always check the Seattle Mariner’s baseball schedule.
A night baseball game at T-Mobile Park would be a fun way to wrap up your time in Seattle, especially if you pick a game that includes fireworks after the game.
In Conclusion
This action-packed day in Seattle proves that this lively city is brimming with exciting activities and memorable experiences, even if you only visit for a day.
From soaking in the stunning views at Kerry Park to the energetic atmosphere of Pike Place Market, Seattle has something for every traveler.
I hope this inspires you to plan your own one-day Seattle trip and make the most of your time in this amazing city.
Remember, there’s always more to explore, like a road trip to nearby Leavenworth, so don’t hesitate to step off the beaten path and create your own unforgettable memories.
RELATED POST: Heading on a cruise out of Seattle, read my review of a Holland America cruise to Alaska.
