Things to do when you have one day in Seattle

Whether you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, coffee addict, or nature nerd, Seattle has something for you. I am deeply passionate about living in Chicago but if I ever pulled the plug it would likely be to Seattle. Take a look at some of my favorite spots to visit in a short time-frame in Seattle:

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass remains one of my top three museums around the world. The museum and garden feature work by the glass-blowing artist Dale Chihuly. You will stroll through eight galleries, a stunning glasshouse with views of the Space Needle, and a beautiful garden. They also feature glass-blowing demonstrations in the garden where you can enjoy a light meal and coffee. If you’re only going to see one thing in Seattle – this is it.

The Gum Wall

It’s touristy, gross, and weird – but I am tickled by this public-made art. I assume you’ll be visiting Pike Place Market on your trip, so you might as well chew some gum and add your own to this bizarre art piece.

Take the Ferry to Bainbridge Island

I’ve found that new travelers get really anxious about using a city’s public transportation. As a woman with anxiety, my words for you are: do it anyway! Take a few hours and hop on the commuter ferry over to Bainbridge Island. You’ll get incredible views of Mt. Rainer, and an escape to nature. I loved this little forest-filled island and wish I had spent a few days there. If you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan – you can have your own McDreamy soul-searching moment on the boat. Ferries run about every hour to/from Seattle. You can take a look at the schedule here.

Freemont Brewery

You’ve likely come to Seattle for coffee – but have you thought about the beer scene? Seattle has a respectable brewery scene and you want to give it a shot. Head over to Seattle’s Freemonth district and stop by Freemont Brewery. They have a large patio and welcome your furry friends.

Visit the Freemont Troll

After your pints at the brewery, take a quick stroll over to the Freemont Troll. I mean – where else are you going to find a giant, fun-loving troll?

Bonus:

Space Needle

Last but not least, you probably want to check out the Space Needle. You can book dual tickets through the Chihuly Museum. I don’t think this is an “absolutely must-do” in Seattle but …you should probably be able to say you visited.

Underground Walking Tour

Did you know that Seattle is built 12-30 feet above the original city grounds? Yeah, neither did I. Check out a walking tour to get below the city streets and learn some dark and twisty history about Seattle. You can read more about my walking tour experience here.