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I enjoy visiting large cities and sometimes wish I had the chance to live in one when I was younger. Though I don’t think I could do it now, I take pleasure in pretending for a few days during a visit. In this article, I’ll share how our family planned our Seattle for a weekend trip. I’ll also give you tips and ideas based on our experience.
Seattle for a weekend – Choosing your vibe
The first step when planning a visit to a large city is to decide the vibe you wish to experience.
What I mean by this is that you need to determine if you want to focus on visiting the major attractions and spend your time in the more touristy areas, or if you wish to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Both options are great. There is nothing wrong with either, it comes down to your preference.
When visiting a new city, I usually opt for the traditional approach of exploring the major landmarks. However, if I am returning to a city, I take a more leisurely pace and spend more time discovering its unique vibe and learning about the local lifestyle.
In this article, I’ll share our experience of planning our first weekend in Seattle trip and provide tips for living like a local in a large city.
The touristy vibe
For our first visit to Seattle, we sat down and listed all the obvious things we were hoping to see. The list included:
- Pike Market
- Amazon glass bubbles
- Space Needle
- Pier area with all the shops and restaurants
- Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
- Hydroplane racing museum (not an obvious to most people but a most-visit for my husband)
We then researched more unusual things that might interest us and looked into our trusted Atlas Obscura website. Our list expanded with the following places:
- Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
- Gum wall
- Seattle’s Giant Sequoia Tree
- Psychic Chicken of Seattle (another husband find, don’t ask)
- Very first Starbucks
During our 2-day trip to Seattle, we could only visit a few of the many attractions available. The list above was sufficient for our needs.
The majority of the places we wanted to visit were located in or near the downtown area, which made it easy to get around. We stayed one night at the Seattle Waterfront Marriott Hotel and two more nights in a condo that we rented via VRBO. The condo had two bedrooms and one bathroom, and it was well-equipped. We had access to an underground garage, which was convenient. The condo was centrally located, clean, and the owner was extremely helpful.
We chose to visit the Hydroplane museum right after landing, before checking into our hotel. If you are a hydroplane race fan, I highly recommend checking it out. The entire staff is friendly and they know everything there is to know about the sport.
Based on our location, we did not drive ourselves after we arrived in downtown Seattle. We walked to most places and took the monorail when we went to visit the Space Needle.
We truly enjoyed the view from the top of the Space Needle but loved our visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum even more. This place is absolutely amazing. Both activities took us about 2-2:30 hours in total. They are right next to each other and you can purchase admission tickets that give you access to both.
Food vibes
No matter what type of vacation I’m on, I always try to avoid touristy restaurants. They’re overpriced and the food is usually mediocre.
One thing is for sure. If you like fish and seafood, Seattle is the place to be. I’ve had the best sushi (other than in Hawaii) in Seattle. There are tons of options, you will find the sushi place we ate at listed below.
When it comes to researching restaurants, Yelp is my go-to. I can easily search for specific cuisines, read reviews, and preview menus.
Pro tip: It’s a good idea to choose your restaurants before you get hungry while on a trip. You can take some time before your vacation to select the places where you’d like to eat. It’s also possible to make reservations in advance. This way, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about where to eat.
Restaurants we tried during our Seattle for a weekend adventure
Buckley’s pub
Neighborhood sports bar with a fun atmosphere. Kids are allowed and the food is pretty decent for pub food. We ate lunch here one day as a family. My husband and I went back for a happy hour drink on a different day.
Umi Sake House
The absolute best sushi I’ve had in the continental United States. The restaurant is beautiful and filled with locals. I highly recommend it. Make sure to have a reservation if you are there on weekends.
Macrina Bakery
Delicious neighborhood bakery that was just below our Condo. We grabbed coffee and breakfast there two days in a row.
The Bar
This restaurant is the exception to my rule. Although it is affiliated with a tourist attraction (Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum), the food was excellent! We were completely surprised by this discovery.
Anthony’s Pier 66
As the name suggests, this high-end restaurant is located on Pier 66. Although pricey, the food was delicious and we had a beautiful view of the downtown and water. You should make a reservation if you are planning to eat here.
Ivar Acres of Clams
Located on Pier 54, this restaurant has a fun and relaxed ambiance with a beautiful view of the water. There are lots of shops located nearby and places to walk around.
Local vibes
If I am in a large city long enough or if I am making a subsequent visit, I love to immerse myself in the culture and live like the locals.
You might be wondering how to experience a city like a local when you’re new to the area. I have several tips that can help you achieve this goal.
Don’t stay in a hotel
If you want to experience the city like a local, stay away from hotels. With a condo rental, you’ll be able to make meals at home, come and go as you please, and even meet other residents.
Pick your neighborhood wisely
It is highly recommended that you conduct research on the various neighborhoods of the city you plan to visit. This will help you avoid ending up in the nightlife district if you don’t enjoy clubs and the noise that comes with them late at night.
Find the ideal neighborhood for you and search for a condo rental using sites such as VRBO or Airbnb.
Research what locals do
I like to find a few influencers on YouTube or Instagram from the city I’ll be visiting. I look for videos and VLOGs with titles like “A day in my life” or “My favorite [insert word ex. restaurants] in [insert city]”.
Find low-key things to see
When I’m looking for a low-key way to explore a new large city, some of my favorite activities include visiting bookstores, coffee shops, and non-chain restaurants. I also enjoy taking walks in popular local parks, going to farmers’ markets or local grocery stores, and attending festivals.
Engage with the local residents
The most effective way to explore the hidden treasures of the city you’re visiting is to seek advice from the people who know it best – the locals. Ask them about their go-to places to eat, their preferred coffee shops, or their favorite recreational activities. Following their recommendations will lead you to the most valuable insights.
In conclusion
Whether you decide on a touristy or local vibe when visiting Seattle for a weekend, I hope this article was helpful. This beautiful city has so much to offer and gave me a unique appreciation for the Pacific Northwest.
If you want to hear about our entire Pacific Northwest trip, make sure to check out this article.
Bon voyage!
Cat xx