Our Perfect One day in Seattle Itinerary
I think Seattle is one of the coolest cities on the West Coast of the USA, and that’s saying a lot from someone who loves San Francisco as a local. Set between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, Seattle is also one of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest.
Although I have visited Seattle a couple of times before for work, I recently had a full day to explore the city. I wanted to check off all the top attractions that make Seattle unique.
My husband and I started with a Pike Place Market food tour, followed by a harbor cruise that allowed us to admire the city skyline from the water. We then explored the Seattle Center and, finally, enjoyed the city and water views at sunset from the top of the Space Needle.
It turned out to be a great way to see the main landmarks of the city in one day, and this itinerary is easy to follow if you’re planning your own trip.
Overview of our 1 day in Seattle
- Morning – Pike Place Market food tour and exploring the market
- Afternoon – One-hour harbor cruise and walking along the waterfront
- Early Evening – Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center
- Evening – Space Needle for sunset views
- Dinner – At Pike Place Market
Top Seattle recommendations we have tried!
- Early Bird Pike Place Market Food Tour – best way to experience the market
- 1-hour Seattle’s Original Guided Harbor Cruise – for epic skyline views
- Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo Ticket – iconic Seattle landmarks
Morning: Pike Place Market and Food Tour
We started our morning at Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s most iconic places. Pike Place Market, founded in 1907, is Seattle’s historic public market filled with food vendors, fishmongers, flower stalls, and unique local shops overlooking Elliott Bay.
If you reach early enough, you can visit the First Starbucks Store for coffee and a breakfast pastry. Technically, it’s the second store, but the first store, which was located around the corner, no longer exists, so this is officially referred to as the first store. The lines are shortest in the morning.
I had signed up for a guided Pike Place food tour, and I’m glad I did. The market can feel overwhelming at first, with its numerous stalls, vendors, and crowds, and having a guide made it easier to navigate and learn about the history behind the market.
We booked this Early Bird Pike Place Food Tour. The tour started around 9 a.m., which I liked as the market was still quiet, and it gave us breathing room before the crowds arrived.
Our guide, Lucky, led our group of about eight through different levels and alleys of the market, telling stories of Seattle’s history and the market’s evolution. I let the tour company know in advance of my vegetarian requirement, and they accommodated for most tastings except the fish. Overall, it was a great tour and I highly recommend it.
Here’s a run-through of what we sampled:
- A warm biscuit from Honest Biscuits with Beecher’s Cheese, paired with coffee from Seven Roasters.
- A samosa with chutneys at Saffron Spice
- At Pike Place Fish, the rest of the group sampled smoked salmon, which I skipped. We got to watch the fish-throwing.
- A raspberry bar from Three Girls Bakery
- A taco tasting at Los Agaves, which was flavorful and fresh.
- The Egg Yalla sandwich at Sisters European Café, Mediterranean flavors and fresh focaccia bread.
- ‘Seattle Fog’ gelato (Earl Grey flavored) at Hellenika Creamery.
- We ended the tour at Indi Chocolate with a warm salted chocolate chip cookie.
Alongside the tastings, our guide also pointed out other popular attractions in Pike Place Market like the flower stalls, Post Alley, the Gum Wall, Rachel the piggybank, and local crafts vendors.
By the end, we both felt comfortably full; it definitely counted as a light meal. Skipping breakfast beforehand was the right call. If you decide to do this food tour, make sure to book in advance and wear comfortable walking shoes.
➡️ We booked this Early Bird Pike Place Market Food Tour
➡️ This Pike Place Market Tasting Tour is with the same company, but with time options later in the day.
After the tour, we spent some time browsing the crafts vendor stalls on our own and bought a few souvenirs to bring back home.
➡️ Read my detailed review of our Pike Place Food Tour experience here.
Afternoon: Harbor Cruise and Waterfront Walk
After exploring Pike Place Market, we walked down to the waterfront to Pier 55 to board our one-hour guided harbor cruise. We always try to take a sightseeing cruise if available, as the best views of the city skyline are from the water.
➡️ We booked this 1-hour Seattle’s Original Guided Harbor Cruise
The boat had a lower enclosed area and an upper open deck. We chose to sit on the upper deck for the best views. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the views of the skyline, waterfront, and surrounding mountains were spectacular.
During the cruise, we passed several landmarks, including the Seattle Great Wheel, the waterfront area with the Seattle Aquarium, the Space Needle, and a few docked cruise ships.
The guide pointed out sights across the water like Alki Beach, Harbor Island with its giant cranes and shipping containers, and T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field in the distance.
On clear days, you can also see the Olympic Mountains and, if you’re lucky, Mt Rainier in the distance. We only saw a faint outline of Mt. Rainier, but it was there! Our food tour guide had shared that Mt Rainier is only visible from Seattle for 50-60 days a year, so the chances are pretty low.
After the cruise, we spent some time walking along the waterfront area. It’s lively and lined with restaurants, souvenir shops, and attractions, such as the Seattle Aquarium and the Great Wheel. We stopped at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, which is packed with quirky items, oddities, and souvenirs. Definitely worth a quick browse if you’re in the area.
Early Evening: Chihuly Garden and Glass
From the waterfront, we walked to Westlake Center and took the monorail to Seattle Center. We had purchased a combo ticket for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, which was a money-saver.
➡️ We purchased this Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo Ticket
Chihuly Garden and Glass is one of Seattle’s top attractions, showcasing the work of Dale Chihuly, a world-renowned glass artist from Washington state. The museum showcases his large-scale glass installations, both indoors and outdoors, and is located right next to the Space Needle at Seattle Center.
We spent about an hour exploring the museum. I’d seen photos online before, but it was mind-blowing to see the exhibits in person. The colors were so vivid and the patterns striking. We took our time walking through both the indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Some of the most memorable exhibits were the Sealife Room, the Persian Ceiling, the Mille Fiori inspired by Chihuly’s mother’s garden, the Float Boats, the colorful chandeliers, the Macchia Forest, and the outdoor installations.
There was also a live glassblowing demonstration taking place, and the theater played short documentaries about how the works were created, which was fascinating to watch.
My personal favorite was the Macchia bowls, a truly statement piece that would light up any space. I joked about wanting one for my home, but even the smaller bowls were priced around $9,000 in the gift shop. Instead, I ended up buying a small glass bowl souvenir from a local vendor at Pike Place for $80.
Evening: Space Needle at Sunset
After finishing up at Chihuly Garden and Glass, we headed next door to the Space Needle. The Space Needle, built for the 1962 World’s Fair, is Seattle’s most iconic landmark and stands 605 feet tall. It’s right next door to Chihuly Garden and Glass, so it’s easy to combine both in one visit.
➡️ We purchased this Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo Ticket
Since it was still early evening, just before 5 p.m., the line to board the elevator was minimal. We waited less than 15 minutes before getting on the glass elevator, which gave us panoramic views of the city as it ascended to the top.
Back in 2015, when I visited the Space Needle, I remember waiting in line for almost an hour on the weekend for the elevator ride. So be prepared for longer wait times if going on the weekend.
At the top, there’s an indoor viewing area as well as an outdoor glass-enclosed deck. We walked around the deck and enjoyed the 360-degree views of the city skyline, Puget Sound, and the surrounding mountains. There’s also a lower level with a revolving glass floor. We checked it out, but honestly, the upper level had much better views.
Once we found a spot to sit, we stayed to watch the sunset. The café at the top sells snacks and drinks, which makes it easy to linger a little longer. Watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink over the city skyline and the bay was one of the highlights of the day.
After sunset, we took the monorail back toward Pike Place Market to wrap up the day with dinner.
➡️ We purchased this Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo Ticket
➡️ Read more details about our visit to the Space Needle here.
Dinner: Back at Pike Place
The main Pike Place farmers market starts wrapping up around 5 p.m., but several restaurants in the area stay open for dinner.
We went to the Alibi Room, a hidden spot tucked next to the Gum Wall. It’s known for its handcrafted thin-crust pizzas with creative toppings, and the atmosphere felt modern and fun. You’ll need to walk down a set of stairs to get to this hole-in-the-wall place, but it’s worth it if you like pizza.
If you’re looking for other options, The Pink Door is one of the most popular restaurants near the market, offering Italian dishes in a stylish setting. There are also plenty of seafood choices in the area, including Elliott’s Oyster House and Matt’s in the Market, both of which are local favorites.
Where to stay in Seattle
For a short stay, I recommend booking a hotel in downtown Seattle within walking distance of Pike Place Market and the waterfront. Staying here makes it easy to follow this one-day itinerary without worrying about transportation.
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel – A great option if you’re looking for a luxury stay with classic charm and excellent service.
- Hotel Five, A Staypineapple Hotel – A solid mid-range choice. I’ve stayed at other Staypineapple hotels near the University of Washington and always had a good experience. They have modern décor, friendly staff, and thoughtful amenities.
- Inn at the Market – Boutique luxury hotel located right at Pike Place Market. It has a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of Elliott Bay and the market below.
Final Takeaways
With just one day in Seattle, we were able to experience many of the city’s highlights without feeling too rushed. Starting at Pike Place Market with a food tour gave us a taste of the local flavors and a good introduction to the market. The harbor cruise added a relaxing way to see the skyline from the water.
Spending the afternoon at Chihuly Garden and Glass, followed by sunset views from the Space Needle, made for a perfect evening, and dinner back near the market wrapped up the day nicely.
If you only have a day in Seattle, this itinerary is easy to follow and covers the main attractions the city is known for. It’s a great mix of food, sights, and unique experiences that give you a real feel for what makes Seattle special.
