The Perfect 5-Day Seattle Itinerary

Think of this as a “choose your own adventure."

I might be biased, but my hometown warrants more than a day or two of visiting. Even a week or more wouldn’t be enough time to visit every coffee shop, beach, craft brewery, and viewpoint in the city.

But most travelers don’t have the luxury of unlimited time. So, I’ve put together the perfect 5-day itinerary that is flexible enough to be condensed or added to based on your needs. Think of this as a “choose your own adventure” where I’ve provided the neighborhoods and activities for each day, but you can pick and choose.

Many of the activities are viewpoints, beaches, cafes, or neighborhood strolls where the “activity” is simply enjoying the surroundings, so it shouldn’t feel too hectic.

Arrival and Sightseeing With the Seattle CityPASS

Take the light rail from Sea-Tac Airport to downtown and check into your accommodation. Then, stroll down to 1st Avenue and check out the robust collections of native and PNW artwork at the Seattle Art Museum. Afterward, head across the street to Pike Place Market. Don’t miss cookies and doughnuts at Pike Place Bakery, French pastries at Le Panier, and Piroshky Piroshky.

Of course, stop by the famous seafood stall for a chance to see some flying fish. The market is also home to the “original Starbucks,” which is fake. The coffee giant actually opened its doors a block down from the location that tourists flock to. However, the former address is no longer in use by Seatown Rub Shack and Fish Fry, the current tenants of the space that once housed Starbucks’ first cafe, but it’s worth a quick photo before going to any other cafe in the city. And don’t just stick to stalls off the street, the lower-level stalls and fun shops have tons of unique products on offer.

From there, follow the stairs down until you reach the waterfront. Enjoy views of the Olympic Mountains, Bainbridge Island, and Puget Sound. Visit the Olympic Sculpture Park, and if you aren’t scared of heights, the Seattle Great Wheel provides one of the best vantage points in Seattle. The waterfront also houses the aquarium and Argosy Cruises, should either be in your plans.

Then, trek back up the stairs to Westlake Center and either walk or take the Monorail to the Seattle Center. I highly recommend the Seattle CityPass if you plan to visit the Space Needle and at least one of the following: Seattle Aquarium, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Chihuly Garden & Glass, and/or the Woodland Park Zoo. The pass pays for itself after at least two of the aforementioned. The Space Needle and aquarium are included with every purchase, and then you can select three from the rest.

Depending on the time of day, have a coffee or drink at the Atmos Cafe. Once you descend, check out the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum and/or the Museum of Pop Culture next door. End the day with dinner and a wander around the Queen Anne neighborhood.

U-District and Fremont

Take a bus or the light rail to the University District or U-district, as it’s known colloquially. Walk around the University of Washington campus — don’t miss the quad (especially in April when the cherry trees bloom), Drumheller Fountain (amazing views of Mount Rainier on a clear day), and Suzzallo Library. The crown jewel of any campus tour is the library’s second-floor reading room, affectionately called the “Harry Potter” room due to its magical appearance.

Once you’ve had a nostalgic-infused wander around the campus, head to University Way NE, or “the Ave.” It’s the street that runs parallel to campus and has some of Seattle’s most beloved cafes and bookstores. You will also have one of the largest selections of affordable Asian eateries in the city at your disposal.

After lunch and a coffee, you can either take the bus (route 44 or 32) or walk the Burke-Gilman Trail to Fremont. If you choose the latter, it’ll take about an hour, but you’ll enjoy epic views of Lake Union and the “Sleepless in Seattle” famous houseboats.

In Fremont, say hi to the Fremont Troll (located under the Aurora Bridge on Troll Avenue), have a coffee or a drink, and peruse the shops. It’s also one of the few neighborhoods with late nightlife, should that interest you.

Ferry Half-Day Trip and Cap Hill

Day three is about getting out of the city for at least a few hours. Both suggested options involve walking onto a ferry from the waterfront, so grab a coffee and start your day there. Option one is West Seattle and Alki Beach. You’ll take the passenger-only water taxi from Pier 50 and enjoy a quick 10-15-minute cruise across the Sound. You’ll be deposited at the West Seattle Pier, about a mile from Alki Beach. It’s a nice walk along the water, but if you visit in summer and are feeling tired, don’t worry; the free shuttles transport passengers every 30 minutes. Alki is nice as it’s a rare sandy beach in the PNW. Depending on the season, you can sunbathe, play volleyball, read a book with a coffee, or enjoy a nearby restaurant.

Alternatively, you can take the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry, which is about a 30-minute ride and runs hourly. You’ll be dropped off in Winslow, the island’s main town. It’s small but has plenty of cafes, antique shops, restaurants, and wine tastings to keep you busy. An absolute must-see is the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, which tells the sad history of the Japanese internment during WWII. The island had been home to a high number of Japanese-Americans and had one of the highest return rates in the country thanks to residents keeping homes and businesses ready for their neighbor’s return.

Whichever option you choose, you won’t need more than a half day to enjoy it. Then, make your way back downtown, head up to Cap Hill (via foot, bus, or light rail), and enjoy one of the most walkable neighborhoods. Cap Hill is full of cafes, bookstores, shops, bars, and breweries.

It’s also, arguably, the best place to go out in the city with proper bars and clubs as you’d find in a much less sleepy city. It also houses the Frye Art Museum and is home to many dance studios and performance halls; check out show lists for when you’ll be in town.

Hit the Beach and Explore Ballard

Take a bus (or Uber if you’re in a trickier part of the city to travel from) to Sunset Hill. Grab a drink and snack from Caffè Fiorè, and then head down the stairs to Golden Gardens, one of Seattle’s best beaches. Like Alki, it’s full of golden sand (hence the name) and Olympic Mountain views.

If you walk down to the marina, you’ll come across the Leif Erickson statue. It’s a nod to the neighborhood and the city’s Scandinavian heritage, and it contains the names of many residents’ ancestors who arrived from Norway. To this day, you’ll still see Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, and Icelandic flags around the neighborhood and Scandinavian shops and cafes.

Once you’ve had your fill of beach time, take the bus to downtown Ballard and take your pick from the numerous cafes, summer festivals, restaurants, and breweries. The crown jewel, though, is Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, an engineering feat from the early 19th century still in use today. The water locks system is how boats pass between Puget Sound’s saltwater and Lake Union’s freshwater. You can watch this process year-round, although summer is the busiest season.

If you come in late August/September, make sure to check out the fish ladder. The underground viewing area allows visitors to watch and learn about salmon migration and spawning. You can also do this itinerary in reverse, starting in the heart of Ballard and ending the day with a sunset picnic at the beach.

Last Stroll Around Town

This is the most open day, as what you can realistically fit in depends on when your flight, train, or car (if you drove in and are flexible) leaves. So, choose a neighborhood that you didn’t have time for on a prior day to enjoy before heading to the airport. For instance, If you didn’t have time to check out Cap Hill on day three, head there for your last morning stroll and coffee.

If you managed to fit everything in, I’d suggest one of the following itineraries for your final day in the Emerald City. Option one, enjoy coffee with an epic sunrise view at Kerry Park before wandering around the adorable Queen Anne neighborhood. Option two, head to Greenlake and complete the 2.7-mile lake loop (or just do a portion) before indulging in a waterside brunch. Last but not least, head to Discovery Park in Ballard to stretch your legs on one of the many coastal trails.