Seattle
Seattle, a city in the Pacific Northwest, mixes nature and culture in an urban setting surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests. Most known for its iconic Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair, the city has also earned a reputation as the birthplace of both Boeing and grunge music and as a rising player in the tech industry. Read our top recommendations for activities and restaurants below.
Activities
Owners' Recommendations: Top Things to Do in Seattle
Pike Place Market's nine acres and more than a century of operation encompasses thousands of fascinating stories in its merchant stalls featuring local food, flowers, and handcrafted items. For a more personal experience, purchase tickets online for the Savor Seattle Food Tour of the market and enjoy meeting the vendors, learning more about the history, and tasting food from around 20 vendors.
The Museum of Flight is an outstanding non-profit air and space museum with aircraft, spacecraft, artifacts, and exhibits.
Chihuly Garden and Glass is a unique exhibit located in the Seattle Center showcasing the studio glass of Dale Chihuly. Excellent Collections Cafe; is located on-site and is decorated with items from Dale Chihuly's personal collection.
Built in 1962 as a symbol of that year's World's Fair, the Space Needle is an iconic structure where visitors can dine in the rotating restaurant or see the view at the top.
Kerry Park features a stunning view of the Space Needle and downtown Seattle recognizable from the TV show Frasier.
The Ballard Locks, also known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, dates back to the early 1900's and is a perfect picnic location to enjoy while viewing all kinds of boats as well as salmon.
The Argosy Cruise of Locks offers 2 hour narrated sightseeing tours as passengers cruise through Elliott Bay, the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and Lake Union.
The Seattle Art Museum is an internationally renowned museum with special exhibits and a permanent collection of current and classic artworks located downtown within walking distance of Pike Place Market.
Museum of History And Industry
The MOHAI is a place to discover Seattle and connect with the region and its rich history. It is located near downtown on the south side of Lake Union.
The Seattle Great Wheel is a Ferris wheel at Pier 57 that stands at 175 feet, the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast of the U.S. when it opened in 2012.
Restaurants
Our Favorite Seattle Restaurants
Seattle has become known as a Foodie town with many locally owned restaurants serving up creative cocktails and food made with local ingredients from our nearby farmland and Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. Here are some of our personal favorites that we recommend to guests looking for something special.
Ray's Boathouse and Ray's Cafe
Ray’s incorporates Northwest seafood, artisan cheeses, local produce and meats, and an award-winning wine list into its dining experience. The café upstairs offers more casual dining and a deck with the same great view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Located in a midcentury-modern home, Canlis serves Pacific Northwest fare in a fine dining setting. A special occasion restaurant with jacket required for men. Known for incredible service too.
Wild Ginger offers Asian-fusion food and a satay bar in a spacious downtown restaurant with modern decor.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar pairs a global wine selection with classic American dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients. Downtown location near Benaroya Hall.
Toulouse Petit serves award-winning Cajun and Creole cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a cozy, New Orleans-influenced dining room in the Queen Anne neighborhood.
RockCreek Seafood and Spirits offers eco-friendly seafood dishes made from worldwide sources and is located in the nearby Fremont neighborhood.
Owned by local celebrity chef Ethan Stowell, this Italian restaurant is best known for its chef’s choice menu offering a multi-course feast of seasonal dishes created for each table. A la Carte staple items are also available. Located in the nearby Ballard neighborhood.
Ever since this tiny restaurant was written up in the New York Times, it’s been wildly popular. Try the raw oysters and other seafood as well as American dishes and specialty cocktails. Located in nearby Ballard neighborhood.
The best wood-fired, gourmet pizza in Seattle! This cozy spot is owned by local celebrity chef Tom Douglas.
A rustic earth to plate restaurant with a beautiful rooftop dining area, surrounded by an edible garden. Located in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.
One of a kind, gorgeous tasting room, bakery, and gift shop featuring Starbucks Reserve coffee. Located on Capitol Hill just east of downtown and 9 blocks from the original Starbucks.