Downtown Seattle Travel Guide:
Pike Place Market, Where To Stay, Play, and What To See in 48 Hours Without A Car
If you’re planning a weekend trip to Seattle, coming to town for business, or stopping here on a cruise, this 48 hour guide to downtown Seattle is made for you! It’s designed to accommodate someone who is staying downtown, traveling without a car and isn’t planning to venture out of the downtown/South Lake Union area. If you come to Seattle and use this guide, let me know! You can simply use the hashtag #amandaseattle or send me a DM.
I hope you enjoy your time here and have amazing weather!
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Where to stay
If You’re Feeling Fancy And Here For The Views:
- Thompson Seattle
- Four Seasons
- The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
- The Edgewater
In The Heart Of It:
- Hotel Theodore
- The Sheraton
- The Westin
- The Hyatt
Budget-Friendly
- Check Hotel Tonight for deals: Use the code AMAGANI for a $25 off promo code
Where To Eat
Breakfast/Brunch
- Mr. West (Downtown)
- Scout (Downtown, located in the Thompson Hotel)
- Portage Bay (South Lake Union) Organic brunch spot known for their French toast toppings bar
- Goldfinch Tavern (Downtown, in the Four Seasons)
- Dahlia Bakery (Downtown)
- The London Plane (Pioneer Square)
- Moore Coffee (Downtown) This is the place to go for latte art. Check out my Instagram Guide To Seattle for more great spots like this and follow me on Instagram.
Lunch
- Mamnoon (Either location) — Try the Za’atar. If you like olives and bread, you’ll love it.
- Nordstrom Cafe (Downtown) — This may not be the first place that comes to mind, but it’s delicious and an easy place to stop if you’re in a rush. It’s kid-friendly.
- Pike Place Chowder (Pike Place)
- Piroshky Piroshky (Pike Place)
Dinner
- The Pink Door (Pike Place)
- Any Tom Douglas restaurant
- Matt’s In The Market (Pike Place)
- Cactus (South Lake Union)
Drinks
- Nest at the Thompson (Downtown)
- MBar Rooftop Bar (South Lake Union)
- Rachel’s Ginger Beer (Pike Place) https://www.instagram.com/p/BcjSYJEHBFa/?taken-by=fsseattle
- Westward* This is NOT downtown. It’s across Lake Union and an Uber-ride away, but if you’re in town on a nice warm summer night, definitely go. Sit out on the beach and enjoy. The views of the city are worth it! Then head over to Gasworks for even more spectacular city views https://www.instagram.com/p/BjLPa0vHIRI/?taken-by=fsseattle
- Capitol Hill* Also not in downtown, Capitol Hill is on the other side of the freeway and it’s the “fun, hip, cool” area of the city.
What To Do
I’ve labeled each one with how touristy it is. The more exclamation points, the more touristy.
- Pike Place Market (Touristy!!!!!)
- Space Needle (Touristy!!!!!)
- Starbucks Reserve (You could be a local or a tourist)
- Sculpture Park (You’re most likely a local)
- Chihuly Garden and Glass (You could be a local or a tourist)
- Seattle Art Museum (You’re most likely a local)
- Seattle Aquarium (You’re most likely a local with kids)
- Seattle Underground Tour (Touristy!!!!)
- Seattle Great Wheel (Touristy!!)
- Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island or an Argosy Cruise (Like a local)
- Amazon Spheres** You need to either be an Amazon employee or go with a friend who is
Where To Shop Downtown
- Nordstrom Flagship
- Niketown
- Best Boutique: Moorea Seal
- Local Gifts: Pike Place
- Pacific Place
- Westlake Center
- Anthropologie
- Urban Outfitters
Where To Instagram
Check out my Instagram Guide to Seattle here.
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- Kerry Park* Not downtown. This is close to the Space Needle.
- The Original Starbucks (Pike Place) — Pro tip: you don’t need to go wait in line here, the drinks are the same as any other Starbucks, so save your time. Instead, just take a photo in front of it and go a block south of the market to a small Starbucks Reserve. The Reserve has really unique blends and it’s an experience.
- The Starbucks Reserve* (Capitol Hill)
- Alki Beach* (Alki) This is across the water from Seattle and it’s about 15 minutes (without traffic) from downtown.
- Seattle Great Wheel
