How to Spend 2 Days in Seattle

With two days in Seattle, you have time to explore the city’s downtown core—with notable sites such as Pike Place Market and the Space Needle—and see some of the charming neighborhoods that give the Emerald City its character. Here are a few ways to maximize two days in Seattle.

Day 1: See the Downtown Sights

**Morning:**Get to know Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s major attractions. The historic market is packed with restaurants, independent shops, cafes, craft stalls, and fresh-from-the-farm produce. Shop for souvenirs such as local chocolate-covered cherries, beef jerky, honey, jewelry, and art. 

**Afternoon:**Learn of Seattle’s quirky past via a subterranean tour of Seattle’s Underground. These tours take place in historic Pioneer Square, the city’s Gold Rush-era neighborhood. Journey one level below the streets to learn the city’s colorful past. Hop-on hop-off tours are a great option for this time of day.

**Night:**Downtown Seattle is full of attractions, and by evening many of them are less crowded. You might visit the Space Needle for a view of the city at sunset, ride the Great Wheel at the waterfront, or get to know Chinatown and Pioneer Square.

Day 2: Explore Seattle’s Neighborhoods

**Morning:**Start your day with a scenic flight over Seattle, where you can get a bird’s-eye view. From the air, take in the hilly terrain, plus enjoy views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, Mount Rainier, and Seattle’s many waterways and nearby islands. This is a great way to kick off your day.

**Afternoon:**Tour the Chinatown-International District, a thriving neighborhood built by Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Vietnamese immigrants. See it through the eyes of Bruce Lee, the neighborhood’s famous former resident. Or, expand your culinary horizons on a food tour—visiting restaurants from multiple cultures.

**Night:**Seattle’s nightlife largely centers around Capitol Hill, which is also the hub of the city’s LGBTQ community. A food tour of the neighborhood introduces you to its culture, while bringing you to some of the area’s most exciting restaurants. Instead of having dinner at just one restaurant, sampling dishes from multiple restaurants for a complete meal.