A Great 5 Day Seattle Itinerary For Tourists

Seattle, Washington, is an incredible city with lots of outdoor adventures, delicious food, unique local attractions, and iconic landmarks to enjoy. If you’re planning to visit, here’s a detailed 5 day Seattle itinerary packed with recommendations for things to do, places to eat, and attractions to visit. Get ready for a perfect Seattle getaway!

This Is Your 5 Day Seattle Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Exploration

Arriving in Seattle

If you’re flying into Seattle, you’ll most likely land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC), which is about 13 miles south of Downtown Seattle. The easiest way to get to the city is by the Link Light Rail. This affordable and efficient option takes just 38 minutes to reach downtown Seattle. To catch the Link, head to the fourth floor of the airport, purchase an Orca Card (around $3), or buy a one-way ticket for the same price.

Cost:

Adult Orca Card: $3
Light Rail ride from SEA-TAC to Downtown Seattle: $3

Check Into Your Hotel

I recommend staying at Hotel Andra, located at 2000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121. It’s a fantastic option if you want to be close to Seattle’s top attractions, including the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, both just a short walk away. The modern, spacious rooms are perfect for a 5-night stay, offering excellent value compared to other hotels in the area. The hotel lobby also has a warming fire which is super welcoming if you’re visiting Seattle in the colder months.

Visit Pike Place Market for Sunset Views

After checking in and getting settled, head to Pike Place Market, located at 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101. As the sun sets, you’ll get stunning views over the water with the iconic Seattle skyline glowing in golden hues. If you have energy left, check out the Seattle Great Wheel nearby for amazing views of the waterfront.

Optional Evening Activity: Catch a Show or Baseball Game

If you’re in town during baseball season, catch a Seattle Mariners game at T-Mobile Park (1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134) or enjoy a live performance at WaMu Theater (800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134). We went to watch Jungle the evening we arrived. It’s one of our favourite bands and the gig was the perfect way to help with the jet lag and have a great first night in Seattle.

Day 2: Coffee & Local Flavors

Start Your Day with Coffee at the Original Starbucks

No trip to Seattle is complete without visiting the Original Starbucks located at 1912 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101. It’s the birthplace of the Starbucks empire! Be prepared for long lines, but it’s worth the stop for the nostalgic vibe and to grab a souvenir mug. We got here shortly after it opened and we still queued around 15 minutes to grab a coffee.

Pike Place Market Food Tour

Do you want a first hand introduction to Seattle’s foodie scene? Enjoy a Pike Place Market Food Tour and get into the belly of the beast with a professional chef who will take you to the best spots.

Feast on local specialties like seafood chowder, BBQ steak, chocolate, and frozen yogurt. It’s the perfect way to experience Seattle’s best culinary offerings and it’s worth doing this as soon as you can in Seattle. That way you get to sample lots of foods with plenty of time to go back to your favourites (my favourites were the seafood chowder at Pike Place Chowder and the frozen Greek yoghurt at Hellenika Cultured Creamery).

Cost:

Pike Place Market Food Tour: $60-$75 per person

Check Out the Gum Wall

Located near Pike Place Market, the Gum Wall (1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101) is one of Seattle’s quirkiest attractions. People leave chewing gum stuck to the brick walls, creating a colorful (and somewhat gross) alleyway that’s perfect for unique photos. Just be prepared for the weirdly sweet, sickly smell as you walk down the alley.

Grab a Beer at Seattle Beer Company

Relax after your tour with a beer at Seattle Beer Company (4000 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134). They play sports games on big TVs here so if you’re into sports, you can catch up on a game. If coffee and cake is more your thing, hop across the road to Pike Street Coffee for a little pick me up.

Day 3: A Day in Fremont

Fremont Troll

Spend the day exploring the quirky neighborhood of Fremont. It’s easy enough to get here via public transport from downtown Seattle, just pop your location in Google and it’ll direct you to the right stop.

Start with the iconic Fremont Troll (under the Aurora Bridge, 3401 Troll Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103), a giant concrete sculpture clutching a real car. If you’ve ever seen 10 Things I Hate About You, you’ll probably recognise it. However it’s still a cool place to see even if you’re not hunting down movie locations.

Gas Works Park

From the Fremont Troll, stroll over to Gas Works Park (2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103). This is another 10 Things I Hate About You movie location but this park also offers fantastic views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. It’s a great spot for a picnic or just to unwind if the sun is out!

Fremont Brewery

After Gas Works Park, head to Fremont Brewery (1050 N 34th St, Seattle, WA 98103). Their craft beer selection is top-notch, and they have plenty of seating both indoors and in their outdoor beer garden.

Aslan Brewery

If you like beer, head on over to Aslan Brewery (401 N 36th St. STE. 102 Seattle, WA 98103). With 10 different beers on tap as well as a range of organic wines you’ll find this a welcoming place to enjoy a pint or two! If you end up here between 4pm and 6pm, or any time on Sunday, you’ll be able to take advantage of their happy hour!

Next up, head to Capitol Hill for some evening fun.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Although I’d recommend going to the first Starbucks shop ever at Pike Place Market, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery is definitely also worth a visit. You can sit down here and enjoy a drink plus there’s a whole load of cool merchandise you can buy – perfect if you’re a Starbucks fan! This immersive experience offers unique coffee blends as well as pastries and other coffee-based creations. It’s like a coffee theme park with a rotating selection of rare, limited-edition beans and a lively atmosphere.

Cost:

Starbucks Reserve Roastery: Coffee prices range from $4 to $10, depending on the drink and size.

Ooink!

By this time, you’re probably hungry for some dinner. Might I suggest heading to Ooink! (1416 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122) This place specialises in ramen and other Japanese bites and is some of the best ramen I’ve tried. You can even choose your spice level (1-4). I stuck with a 1 but those that are brave go for the lip-numbing 4! Try it if you dare!

Salt & Straw

End your day with ice cream at Salt & Straw (714 E Pike St Suite A, Seattle, WA 98122, United States). Known for its unique, locally-inspired ice cream flavors, this spot is a must for adventurous foodies. The Salted, Malted Chocolate Cookie Dough flavor is delicious but why not try one of their more unusual flavors like Honey Lavender or Pear and Blue Cheese.

Day 4: Coffee & Nature

Coffee at Seattle Coffee Works

Kick off your day with a coffee at Seattle Coffee Works (107 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101), a cozy café that roasts their own beans and serves a variety of blends.

Day Trip to Mount Rainier

Take a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park, located about 2-3 hours southeast of Seattle. This iconic mountain offers stunning views, hiking trails, and a chance to experience the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Although it’s fairly pricey, I’m so glad we did this. It was just one of the best experiences and not only did we get to see Mount Rainier, we got to learn loads of information about this iconic national park and the flora and fauna that calls this place home.

Cost:

Mount Rainier Day Trip Tour: $150-$200 per person (depending on the tour company)

Day 5: Iconic Seattle Sights

Monorail Ride

On your last day, hop on the Seattle Monorail (400 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101) for a quick ride to the Seattle Center. It’s a fun, classic way to see the city from above as you thread through the buildings toward the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.

A Trip Up the Space Needle

No visit to Seattle is complete without a trip to the Space Needle (400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109). Take the elevator to the observation deck for sweeping views of the city, Mount Rainier, and Puget Sound. For an unforgettable experience, enjoy a drink at the bar on the revolving floor or visit at sunset to see the city light up as the sun goes down.

Cost:

Space Needle Admission: From $35 per person

People enjoying the view from the Space Needle

Chowder at Pike Place Chowder

Head back to Pike Place Market and grab a bowl of famous New England-style clam chowder at Pike Place Chowder (1530 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101). You may have already tried some on your food tour but it’s worth going back for seconds to enjoy some of this local food.

Drinks at Old Stove Brewing

Finish your Seattle trip with drinks at Old Stove Brewing (1901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101). Located in Pike Place Market, this brewery offers great craft beers as well as cocktails and stunning views of the waterfront.

Wrapping Up Your 5 Days in Seattle

Seattle is a city full of surprises. Whether you’re exploring quirky neighborhoods, hiking in nature, or indulging in the best local food and drinks. This 5 day Seattle itinerary covers the must-see spots while giving you plenty of opportunities to discover the hidden gems of the Emerald City.

Happy travels, and I hope you get to visit Seattle soon!