PNW Week: A Proper Whirlwind Tour of Seattle

If you are ever in Seattle and only have a day to explore this is what I recommend seeing and doing. Mind you, I am by no means an expert in all things Seattle... but I have given myself the credentials to write this post because I have been on many mini-Seattle tours and made some good Seattle memories there with my good friend Kaylene, who is a resident of this beautiful city. She loves her city and knows all the great little spots.

So, either you are in the area for business, a wedding, or just making a pit-stop on your way to somewhere else, and you just have the day to see Seattle... (and you have access to a car)... I give you the Proper Whirlwind Seattle Tour:

Note: I took my parents on this exact "whirlwind" tour last month and the three of us had a blast. We traveled up for a wedding, only had a day to see the sites before we headed home, and my parents had never been to Seattle before. This list of places we went to gave my parents a great taste of the city, we didn't feel rushed as we enjoyed our day, and didn't feel exhausted at the end of the day, even though we saw quite a bit. Granted, the three of us make up a happy, easy going, group... and it was a beautiful sunny day.

1. BALLARD LOCKS. First thing in the morning drive over to Ballard Locks (previously mentioned), if you haven't seen the Locks in action, it's a must. I love driving past the cool houses and downtown areas when I'm in a new city, and this part of Seattle is great for that kind of drive. The Locks is a fun place to go in the morning because the locals are taking their boats out for the day, people are exercising through the park and gardens, and you can see the draw bridge in the distance go up and down for the trains and boats. It's a good place to start your Seattle tour because it's pretty low-key for the morning, it gives you a fun vibe of the city to start your day with, and it is one of the furthest parts of the city... which means no back tracking throughout the day. 

NOTE: Pick up a light breakfast on the way to the Locks (find a place somewhere in Ballard), plan to sit and have your breakfast while the boats go up and down. A good visit here lasts anywhere between thirty minutes to an hour. ***This is a free attraction, but you do have to pay to park.

2. FREMONT TROLL. As you make your way back from Ballard you will end up in Fremont. Fremont is the self proclaimed "center of the universe", this funky, creative neighborhood is a real pleasure to drive through. If you feel like you have time, stop and walk through some of the shops. There is plenty to see... a sculpture of Lenin (he was such a great guy), The Interurban (decorated by hundreds of people all year long), and, of course, the Fremont Troll...  you got to take a picture with him.

Here is a 360 degree view of the troll: CLICK HERE

me and mom and dad

3. GASWORKS PARK. While you are in the area make a stop in this awesome park. Plan to walk around for a while... there's plenty to see and take in. You can stand right on the edge of the Lake Union and watch people row or paddle by in their boats, take in the views of Seattle across the water, and walk around the old remnants of the gasification plant that used to be there and is now left as public art. NOTE: You may want to take a lot of pictures here, there's free parking, and this is also a good place to use the restroom.

4, UNIVERSITY DISTRICT AND CAPITOL HILL. At this point of the day, if you ate a light breakfast, it's the perfect time to get yourself some brunch... because brunch in the PNW is awesome no matter where you go. I would recommend driving to Capitol Hill, which is a twelve minute drive from Fremont. If you aren't quite hungry yet, drive through the University District, making it a twenty minute drive... and see all the funky and indie stores along "the ave". If you see a shop that interests you, stop and do some shopping (my favorite stop in large cities is the buffalo exchange). And if it's a Saturday you should definitely stop at the University District Farmers Market, such a great farmers market. Once you make your way to Capitol Hill, drive by some of the beautiful houses that the microsoft millionaires have bought and restored, and see if you see any little libraries on the side of the road. Find a place to park, I would recommend along the side of the road in the neighborhood (along 16th avenue) so it's free... then enjoy your stroll to brunch in this beautiful area. There's a lot of places to eat along 15th avenue. Check out these Capitol Hill brunch locations HERE. 

NOTE: Near Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill you can visit where Bruce Lee is buried.

5. PIKE PLACE MARKET. After a delicious lazy brunch, it's time to make your way downtown. Parking will cost you, just plan on it, and don't let it stress you out. Get a place downtown, close to Broadway and 5th if you can) and walk down to Pike... after being rested up and energized from brunch, explore and people watch to your hearts content. Two things you should try to find while here: the crazy antique salt & pepper shaker store, which is two floors BELOW the flower market area... and the gum wall, which is down the stairs from the fish throwing, and through a back alley. If you have time, you can walk down to Ye Olde Curiousity Shop on the waterfront and explore down there too. NOTE: You can park in the downtown Target parking lot, if you spend twenty dollars they will validate your parking!

6. DUCK TOUR. You should have plenty of time to explore and get yourself back to near where you parked (Broadway and 5th) in time for your duck tour. I love the duck tour in Seattle, it's seriously the funnest tour I have ever been on... it goes by the EMP, the Space Needle, and other spots... and they tell you great facts along the way. The best part though, is driving from land... straight into Lake Union. It is one of the most magical feelings I have ever experienced. The views of Seattle from the water while floating along are delightful... I can't recommend it enough!

 ***NOTE: You do have to buy your tickets in advance, we bought ours that same morning. Doing the duck tour around 3:00 will fit perfectly for this itinerary (if you started around 8am). 

(my mom looking at some weird house boats from her spot on the duck tour)

7. MAGGIE MOON'S HOMEMADE ICE-CREAM. When you get back from the duck tour you will be glad you parked where you did... hop in your car and head to Maggie Moon's to treat yourself to the best ice-cream you will ever have. Everyone that has this stuff ends up craving it later... I went a few years craving it, and finally had some again in August, now it's my parents who bring it up and wish they could go back. My favorite flavor is the salted caramel... but they have very unique flavors too that change with the seasons... olive oil flavor, lavender, ginger, pumpkin clove, balsamic strawberry, etc.

NOTE: You will crave this ice-cream forever.

And that's it! That's my whirlwind tour of Seattle... we followed this itinerary and at the end of the day we couldn't believe all that we saw. It is a pretty good slice and flavor of the city, we did a lot but it felt pretty low-key as well. My parents loved it.

If you were going to do Seattle in one day, what would be on your "must see" list?

Peace and space needles,

Whitney