Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Seattle?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Seattle?
Many visitors spend two to three days in Seattle during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the museums and landmarks, the hiking, the big city activities, and the restaurant scene.
Located on the beautiful Puget Sound, Seattle is a quintessential Pacific Northwest city. It is filled with outdoor recreation, water activities, and an amazing restaurant scene. Pike Place Market is an iconic waterfront setting, but the famed Space Needle is the most recognizable sight of the city. Seattle is also at the heart of the country's tech industry, serving as the headquarters for large companies such as Microsoft and Amazon.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Seattle? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Seattle?
Many visitors spend three days in Seattle, as this is a good amount of time to see the progressive city's major attractions such as the museums and landmarks, the hiking, and the big city activities. If you have three days to spend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
How to spend 3 days in Seattle
When visiting Seattle, you can't miss the Space Needle as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Savor the Sea: Guided Seafood Tasting at Pike Place Ma ($65)
- Street Food Tour of South Lake Union ($75)
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours ($67)
Seattle is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Seattle a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- All Day VIP Pass to Original Selfie Museum Seattle ($25)
- Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket ($22)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.
Public transit in Seattle is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.
Known for it's hiking, Seattle sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Touring and Hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park ($179)
- Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls ($79)
- Visit Snoqualmie Falls and Hike to Twin Falls ($77)
Live music is very popular in Seattle, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Seattle Music Small Group Private Walking Tour ($116)
Is 4 days enough time in Seattle?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Seattle at your own pace to browse the museums, take a hike, enjoy the city's energy, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Seattle, Washington
How to spend 4 days in Seattle
With 4 days in Seattle, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
With its exciting energy, Seattle offers the chance to immerse yourself in its dynamic neighborhoods, cultural attractions, and fun activities. Set aside a full day to explore the city's historical sites and must-see landmarks.. Filled with distinct neighborhoods, Seattle is a relatively large city with a bit of a small town vibe.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 3 Hour Seattle City Tour ($90)
- Seattle Grand 4-Hour City Tour ($107)
- Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour ($94)
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, Seattle is known for its wide range of shows. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bellevue City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Operation City Quest ($10)
Is 5 days enough time in Seattle?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Seattle has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Seattle as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the museums and landmarks, the hiking, and the big city activities at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
Seattle's Waterfront
How to spend 5 days in Seattle
If you have more than 5 days in Seattle, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
The beautiful beaches await you in Seattle, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Seattle Harbor Cruise ($45)
- Seattle Post-Cruise Tour Package ($148)
- Seattle Ballard Locks, Gas Works Park and Houseboats Tour ($149)
Seattle is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle ($65)
- Seattle Ballard Locks, Gas Works Park and Houseboats Tour ($149)
- Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket ($66)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Seattle, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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