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

Called Emerald City, because of the greenish colour 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, monuments, museums and history, there is so much to see and do in Seattle that 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 endless places to visit, here is your 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'll need to learn how to get around to see as many attractions as possible.

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

Pike Place Market

Start your first day in Seattle with breakfast at one of the city's most iconic spots. I'm referring, of course, to Pike Place Market.

Considered the heart and soul of the city, this picturesque market, which opened in 1907 no less, 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 by 1-Line light rail or buses 120, 320, 16, 550, 49 and many others.

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

You'll also find a wealth of different options and services, from traditional fishmongers and produce brought in from the farms just outside the city, to cafes and restaurants, art and craft shops, beautiful flowers, souvenirs, and much more.

This charming place is absolutely worth a visit. 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 book a food tour of Seattle.

• Location: 85 Pike Street, Seattle
• Admission: Free

It can all be art, visit the Gum Wall

A few metres 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 with gum of all colours.

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

Although, with only 3 days in the city, I think the Museum is best left for another trip. While it is very entertaining and extremely interesting, you will not have 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.

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

Inaugurated in 1962, it is 184 metres high and has a 360-degree observation deck that allows you to see the entire city on a clear day. It was built on the model of the broadcasting tower in Stuttgart, Germany.

Climbing to the top is a must-do during your 3 days in Seattle. Be patient, as the lines tend to 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 plenty of international restaurants in this area, where you can take a break during the day.

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

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

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 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 leading exponents of blown glass art, has designed this imposing space that combines sculpture and nature in a unique way. The colours and composition are truly breathtaking. Ideal for a family visit.

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

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).

It is said that the famous modernist architect Frank Gehry was inspired by none other than Jimi Hendrix to build the museum.

A place that pays homage to Seattle musicians, with a host of 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, I can assure you, both for its architecture and for the works and objects that can be seen in its temporary exhibitions and in its permanent collection.

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

• Location: 325 5th Ave, Seattle
• Admission fee: from approximately 30 Euros

Have some dinner in the area before returning to your hotel

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

Just a few metres 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 neighbourhoods: Downtown. If you're not staying nearby you can easily get there by 1-Line light rail or buses 120, 320, 268, 62, 550 and many others.

Then visit an amazing park by 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 fabulous Seattle I suggest you visit one of the oldest areas of the city, Downtown.

In this neighbourhood you'll find places like the Pioneer Building and the Smith Tower, two of the most beautiful buildings in the city, although it's 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 New York and the oldest in Seattle. It also has a bar and observatory on the 35th floor.

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

A few metres from the Smith Tower is another of Seattle's most beautiful buildings, the Pioneer Building. With its mix of styles, it is one of the must-see sights 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 that offers one of Seattle's best historical tours.

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

Visit Olympic Sculpture Park

From Downtown you can take any of the streets down to the bay and walk for about 15-20 minutes along Alaskan Way to 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 exhibitions by leading local and international artists such as Spencer Finch, Victoria Haven and Regina Silveira.

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

Hop aboard 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 away, next to the aquarium, you'll come across another of the city's classics: the Great Wheel, a huge Ferris wheel.

Located on the waterfront, it is one of the favourite attractions for the whole family, although I must say that the ones who enjoy it the most are the little ones in the house. That's why it should definitely be included in the top 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'll board a cruise ship, which will take you to see another side of Seattle. Taking a boat tour of Seattle is a unique experience that you're sure to love.

It's a unique experience you won't forget, there's nothing like seeing the city from the waters of the bay, while your expert local guide tells you all about the different sights you'll see.

Stroll Capitol Hill

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

Capitol Hill is undoubtedly the most representative of Seattle's eclectic vibe. Here you'll see a lot of street art and a mix of styles that will win you over.

This neighbourhood is one of the most lively places in the city with bars, restaurants and a good atmosphere, as well as being one of the most important centres of LGBTQ culture. It's common to see rainbow crosses on street corners, multicoloured 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're a big park lover, you can't miss them, both of which are in the heart of the city.

In Volunteer Park you'll see the beautiful Conservatory, a Victorian structure that is home to many species of local flora. It's full of trails and places to take a break.

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

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

With great prices and top-notch quality, Dick's has become a symbol of the city, and hip hop artists have even used it as a backdrop for some of their videos.

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

You can take the 1-Line light rail again to the U District station.

Visit the student neighbourhood, the U District

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

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

This is one of Seattle's favourite neighbourhoods for many of the city's youth. Also, being a student-filled area, there are great options for generous meals for little money and cheap rents.

With many different nationality food options, here you can choose from Vietnamese, Indian, Mexican, Italian, Arabic, pretty much anything you can think of.

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

Visit Seattle's hipster neighbourhood

From U District Station you can hop on the 62 bus, which will take you to the Fremont neighbourhood 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 neighbourhoods of all, here you can find rarities, objects and vintage clothes galore. It's also the perfect place to pick up vinyl records or grab an ice-cold beer, as Fremont is home to some of the best breweries in the city.

Walking through the streets will bring a smile to your face, the beauty of the architecture and the curious sculptures are well worth a visit. The most interesting is undoubtedly the Fremont Troll, an immense stone sculpture located under the Aurora Bridge. A place where you can't fail to take one or more photographs.

The figure of the troll appears to be emerging from the earth 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.

Now a monument, the rocket dates back to Cold War times. A great place to visit if you're travelling with kids.

End your last day in this amazing city with dinner at Manolin, one of Fremont's most delicious restaurants. Located at 3621 Stone Way North, just 600 metres from the Fremont Troll, its flavour combinations and great atmosphere will be the perfect end 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 this incredible city has to offer and there are many different options, so I hope you have a great time on your trip.

It'sdefinitely a great way to get a general idea of the different attractions and points of interest in the city and where they are located. It will help you to get your bearings 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, which saves you 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, priced at around 67 Euros per adult, saving you 30%, although it does not include many of the main attractions.