5 Best Attractions in Seattle for a First Time Visitor

Let me start by saying, I love Seattle! It is such a great city for so many reasons. For starters, it is incredibly easy to get around whether you choose to walk, take a bus, use the light-rail or monorail. The city is pretty compact so you can see most of it without traveling very far. Second, the food is an eclectic and delicious range of options from local seafood to vegan to top rated cuisine. Let’s not forget it has great music and music history. Some may recall it is where grunge originated but it is also the hometown of Jimmy Hendricks, Kurt Cobain, rock bands Heart and Queensryche, jazz musician Kenny G and most recently, hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It is no wonder I ended up there for my art school education. Minus the rain I may have never left.

Leave I did but not so long ago I returned as a tourist and had a whole a whole different Seattle experience. When my girlie and I visited it was early summer break for my daughter. As Seattle is known for the rain, maybe its not the first place you’d rush to visit. Think again when it comes to the summer months. All that rain disappears and leaves a beautifully, lush, green, city to be explored. While there are still plenty of things to do even with all the rain, we planned this trip perfectly. It was beautiful our entire stay. Not a cloud in sight. These are the days you fall in love with the Pacific North West.

In the few days we were there, we packed in several things into each day. We were on the go most of the time, until we fell exhausted into our beds.

Most of that trip was consumed by the typical tourist list of stuff to experience. Below is a list of 5 things we would recommend for any Seattle first-timer.

#1 – Chihuly Art Exhibit and Gardens

It is amazing that simple glass can be turned into such beautiful art. Dale Chihuly, an American glass artist creates spectacular work that is displayed through out the world and at various exhibits. If you are fortunate enough to visit Seattle don’t miss the opportunity to see so much of his art in one place at this this permanent exhibit. It is also a great spot to stock up on impressive Instagram pics.

#2 – Underground Tours

If you are going to be a tourist this is the most touristy thing for you to do in Seattle in my opinion. Personally, I love hearing about the early history of any new place I visit. This tour will take you literally underground to learn the history of the city below the city. Meet up in Pioneer Square, the oldest part of Seattle (with the historical buildings to prove it) and learn about the early beginnings of Seattle seedy origins and how a great loss turn into a new city on top of the old. It’s a little cheesy but worth a couple of hours of entertaining history.

#3 – Pike Place – Public Market Center

Known for its flying fish, Seattle’s Pike Place market is on every new visitor’s list of spots to see. Look beyond the highly recognized sign and the fish to find the area is full of shops and restaurants, a bubble gum wall and the original Starbucks coffee. Below the market, on the waterfront, there is even more to explore. Easily you could spend the better part of a day here starting with your coffee and ending with a delightful dinning experience.

#4 – Troll Under the Bridge

This is quite a sight. Not a new for me though. When I lived in Seattle I remember being so impressed by the Troll under the Bridge/ I was very excited to share it with my daughter. The first time I saw it was long before Instagram existed. While it was still amazing photo-op, it wasn’t one at the time that would be shared with a million viewers. Come wonder at how this structure came to be and see what the massive troll has griped in his left hand. After, head over to Freemont for brunch and to explore the area.

#5 – Space Needle / Seattle Center

If you’re staying anywhere in Seattle remotely close to downtown, you’re will easily catch a glimpse of the Space Needle. Jump on the monorail from downtown and take the 10 minute trip for a close up view. On the monorail you’ll speed through the city with a birds eye view, arriving at the Seattle Center where the space needle is not the only attraction. Here you will also find the Chihuly Exhibit, Museum of Pop Culture, the Pacific Science Center and much more. If you visit at the right time there are a variety of festivals held on the grounds including one of my favorites “Bumper-shoot”.

This list is short and no way represents all the many things Seattle offers. You will never be bored in this great city! Look for my next blog on Seattle when I share some of the best eats in Seattle after my most recent visit.