Experience the best of Seattle with waterfront adventures, iconic attractions, incredible dining, vibrant culture, and memorable stays in the heart of the Emerald City. 

I’ve visited Seattle several times over the years, but each trip was usually just a stopover or a quick visit before heading somewhere else in the Pacific Northwest. Instead of simply checking off a few iconic sights, I immersed myself in the city’s vibrant waterfront culture and discovered just how much life revolves around the water. From historic boat cruises and floating homes to a one-of-a-kind floating sauna and sunset sailing, I experienced Seattle from an entirely new perspective. Combined with its incredible food scene, world-class museums and creative spirit, this visit gave me the full “aqua tour.”

A City That Celebrates Creativity

My favorite museum of all time is Chihuly Garden and Glass, located beside the Space Needle. Even if you don’t think you’re an “art museum person,” you’ll leave impressed.

Washington native Dale Chihuly grew up in nearby Tacoma, and his Pacific Northwest roots are woven throughout his work. Inspired by the Puget Sound, nature and the waterways that surrounded his childhood, his blown-glass masterpieces will wow you.

Starting with the gorgeous “Winter Brilliance,” and moving through dark rooms popping with colored glass, I was reminded why I love this place!

Brilliantly colored glass decorates the garden landscape outside, and inside, intricate floating boat installations glisten, oversized bowls shimmer in every imaginable color, and dramatic chandelier-like sculptures hang from the ceilings. Every room offers something completely different, making it impossible not to stop every few minutes for another photo.

We grabbed lunch at The Bar at Chihuly, where their lobster bisque absolutely hit the spot on a rainy day.

MoPOP’s music exhibits take you through decades of iconic artists, instruments
and moments that shaped music history. Video Marika Flatt.

Just across the plaza, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) celebrates music, movies and entertainment in a way that’s interactive rather than overwhelming. I especially loved seeing Michael Jackson’s iconic costumes from music videos and award shows, wandering through the incredible guitar collection, and exploring exhibits tracing the history of Black music—from jazz and blues to soul and beyond. Whether you’re a lifelong music fan or simply appreciate pop culture, it’s easy to spend several hours here.

Both of these museums are included in the Seattle CityPASS®, in addition to the Aquarium. 

Breakfast Worth the Drive

One morning we ventured about 15 minutes north into Seattle’s Woodland Park neighborhood for breakfast at Ben’s Bread.

Their breakfast sandwich starts with a beautiful sourdough English muffin piled high with a fluffy soufflé-style egg, American cheese, and your choice of bacon or ham. Don’t skip the blue corn pound cake, and pair everything with one of their excellent lattes before heading out for the day’s adventures.

This small, family-run bakery in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood is owned by husband-and-wife team Ben and Megan Campbell. Ben launched the business in 2015 as a community-supported pop-up while still working at the acclaimed restaurant Lark, where he built its bread program from the ground up before helping renowned chef Renee Erickson develop the bread program for her Sea Creatures restaurant group. 

Today, Ben’s Bread has become one of Seattle’s most celebrated neighborhood bakeries, turning out incredible sourdough loaves, English muffins, pastries, doughnuts, sandwiches and seasonal pies—all while donating a portion of its proceeds to charity. It’s no surprise the bakery has earned local and national recognition, including Ben’s 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. 

Seattle From the Water

We boarded an Argosy Locks Cruise (also included in CityPass) along the bustling waterfront and settled in for one of the most informative boat rides I’ve taken. As we cruised away from downtown, our guide, who grew up as the son of one of Argosy’s longtime captains, shared fascinating stories about Seattle’s history.

We learned about the Seattle Great Wheel (designed for the 1962 World’s Fair), heard about Pike Place Market’s famous fishmongers, and even learned that one of the country’s oldest comic book stores still operates inside the market seven days a week.

Seattle is now one of America’s five busiest cruise ports, although its season lasts only part of the year.

One of my favorite stories centered around the historic Edgewater Hotel. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair (but didn’t open until 2 weeks after the fair ended), the hotel famously hosted The Beatles during their 1964 tour. The iconic photograph of the Fab Four leaning out their hotel room windows with fishing poles inspired visitors for years to come to fish right from their hotel rooms.

The cruise continued through Ballard, a neighborhood known for its artistic vibe and an impressive concentration of craft breweries—14 within a single square mile.

Eventually we entered the historic Ballard Locks before making our way into Lake Union, where floating homes line the shoreline. Movie lovers will instantly recognize one particular houseboat as Tom Hanks’ home from Sleepless in Seattle.

The Experience I Can’t Stop Talking About

Wild Haus takes the traditional sauna experience to the water with a two-story floating
sauna, cold plunge and plenty of space to relax. Video Marika Flatt.

My favorite Seattle experience was something completely different– a floating sauna experience with Wild Haus.

Imagine boarding a two-story floating spa complete with a traditional sauna, changing room, cold plunge bucket and an upper deck furnished with bean bags perfect for reading or simply enjoying the sunshine.

If you’re adventurous, you can leap from the second story directly into the chilly lake below. Those of us who prefer a gentler approach can simply climb down and ease into the cool water from the lower deck.

My only complaint? Ninety minutes wasn’t nearly enough. I’d absolutely book the three-hour experience so there would be plenty of time to fully relax between sauna sessions.

Pike Place’s Most Delicious Stop

A behind-the-scenes visit to Beecher’s Handmade Cheese at Pike Place Market offered
a taste of the brand’s famous Flagship cheese. Video Marika Flatt.

No visit to Seattle is complete without Pike Place Market, and one of its biggest culinary draws is Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. Fortunately, we were able to skip the famously long line thanks to a behind-the-scenes visit with Liam, the twenty-something son of founder Kurt Beecher Dammeier.

He shared the remarkable story of how his father decided to create something artisanal at Pike Place Market—even though he knew virtually nothing about cheesemaking when he started.

Today, that leap of faith has grown into an operation producing nearly two million pounds of cheese each year.

You may have already tasted Beecher’s without realizing it. Their products are sold in grocery stores across all 50 states, including Texas H-E-B stores under the Sugar Mountain label.

While their gluten-free cheesy snacks have developed a devoted following, in my opinion, the true star remains their award-winning Flagship cheese. After sampling several varieties, we sat down for lunch featuring their signature grilled cheese sandwiches paired with tomato soup. 

Liam also shared exciting news that Beecher’s will soon open a new concept restaurant called Yukon in nearby Redmond. The restaurant will feature standing tables only—no chairs—creating a casual, communal dining experience.

Favorite Dining Experience

The Butcher’s Table combines a cozy, wood-paneled atmosphere with an unforgettable dinner,
including this summer squash risotto topped with housemade pesto. Video Marika Flatt.

A dinner I will remember for a long time was at The Butcher’s Table. I loved everything about this place! From the walkable downtown location, to the darkened wood-paneled interior, to the incredible service, to the delicious food and wine pairings! Chef’s kiss! I’ve told others that we had the most delicious summer squash risotto as our appetizer (listed as an entree on the menu), topped with housemade pesto, cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese. 

The Ultra Wagyu steak flight at The Butcher’s Table features four cuts of beautifully
prepared Wagyu, served alongside their famous fries. Video Marika Flatt.

We followed that with their Ultra wagyu steak flight– something I’d never heard of but was more than happy to sink my teeth into! We enjoyed four different types of mouth-watering steak (filet mignon, New York strip, Eye of Rib and Cap of Ribeye), paired with sides, including their famous fries, which are like a combination of fries and tater tots– not to be missed!

Seattle’s Downtown Hotels

Our corner suite at The Charter Hotel made an ideal downtown Seattle home base.
Video Marika Flatt.

Our stay at The Charter Hotel made exploring downtown remarkably convenient. We loved our corner suite at the posh hotel. The large bathroom was my favorite design element and made our stay even more enjoyable. 

Downstairs, we enjoyed cocktails (a dirty martini, anyone?) and a delicious dinner at Cinder + Salt. We dined on fresh salmon, crunchy salad and paired it all with a hearty Washington red wine. I loved their floor to ceiling windows looking out on the bustling downtown streets. 

Another downtown hotel option is the W Hotel, just a few blocks away. With its roots in the Seattle music scene, it’s famous for its Sound Suite on the 25th floor. The first of four (others are in Austin, Nashville and Montreal), it is a full recording studio used by recording artists like Lizzo, McLemore, and other greats. 

Among the 424 rooms on 26 floors are their FACES rooms which feature mural artwork showcasing faces that represent the neighborhoods of Seattle. 

We enjoyed dining at the Living Room Bar, which hosts DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. I was surprisingly impressed with the food, including a grilled chicken over gnocchi and a reuben sandwich, in addition to truffle fries. 

Breakfast at their Trace Market— a bulging burrito– was the perfect start to my day of travel. They proudly focus on ingredients with 100 miles of Seattle. 

Seattle’s Perfect Balance

Whether you’re sunset sailing aboard a historic tall ship or enjoying the city’s vibrant restaurant scene, the Emerald City is primed for an unforgettable visit.

As mentioned earlier, Seattle’s CityPASS® attractions—including the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center and Museum of Flight—make it easy to customize an itinerary whether you’re traveling as a couple or bringing the entire family.

Seattle may be famous for coffee and rain, but after spending several days immersed in its waterways and local flavors, it’s a trip I’ll remember forever and highly recommend. 

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Cover photo Marika Flatt

Marika Flatt is the Travel Editor and Co-owner of Texas Lifestyle Magazine, where she has been inspiring readers to discover exceptional destinations since 2002. A seasoned travel journalist and media personality, she regularly shares travel tips and destination insights on television stations across Texas. When she’s not exploring new places, Marika serves as founder of PR by the Book, an award-winning literary publicity firm she founded in Austin. She believes the best travel experiences combine authentic local stories, unforgettable hospitality, and destinations that leave you inspired long after you return home. You can follow her on Instagram at flattlands.