NEWS

If you have only one day to explore Seattle and want to make the most of it, you're in the right place. Whether you're here for vacation, considering renting an apartment in Seattle, renting a house, or even thinking about buying a home in Seattle, ApartmentGuide is here to help you create the perfect day. 

Here's how this works: In this article, you’ll find a bunch of recommendations handpicked by Seattle locals. Among these recommendations include restaurants, activities, and parks recommended by locals. Pick one option from each category, and you’ll have an ideal one-day itinerary in Seattle. If you’d like to pick more than just one, feel free to do so — think of this as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” for experiencing the city and deciding if Seattle is a good place to live for you.

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Step one:

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Experience something new 

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Seattle has so many unique experiences it’d be hard to pick just one. From exploring the historic Seattle Underground to exploring Seattle’s famous Chinatown-International District, you can’t go wrong. Pick one or more options from below to explore during your time here.

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Seattle Underground: “If you’re into history, the Seattle Underground is a can’t-miss experience. A labyrinth of old stores, speakeasies, and homes, the Underground was originally built at street level before the streets were raised. With a lively, sometimes sordid, past, there are countless stories to discover, and a variety of tour options, including those focusing on hauntings or the more lurid aspects of the Underground’s history.” - Natalia at Cognition Escapes, a local escape room with enticing and innovative puzzles.

 

Thomas Family Farm: “We have some amazing attractions at Thomas Family Farm featuring Day and Night Activities! We offer Zombie Paintball where you get to shoot and dodge zombies, 5-minute escape rooms to solve as a group, and 149 different varieties of pumpkins with over 140,000 to choose from in our pumpkin patch!” – Ashley Dengah of Thomas Family Farm.

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Pike Place Market: “Whether it's your first or tenth time in Seattle, Pike Place Market is an essential stop. It showcases the vibrant essence of the city, offering fresh local produce, seafood, and a deep dive into the area's unique culture. Beyond the iconic fish toss, explore a diverse range of shops, bars, and restaurants. And for a fun and quirky memory, don’t miss the famous Gum Wall – perfect for a playful Instagram shot.” - Easy Caribbean, a local restaurant serving authentic Caribbean dishes.

 

Carpinito Brothers Farm: “Carpinito Brothers Farm in Kent, just south of Renton, is perfect for a full autumn experience. Enjoy family-friendly activities like hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos, and pumpkin picking. Savor autumn treats like kettle corn and apple cider, and take in the crisp fall weather. This is a great spot to create lasting memories with family and friends, right in the heart of harvest season.” - Anchovies & Salt, a Vietnamese restaurant focusing on the use of upscale and high-quality local ingredients.

 

MoPop Museum: “Most people don’t realize that one of the world’s best museums for movie props is right here in Seattle. As a collector of screen-used Gremlins puppets, this is where I take my prop collector friends when they’re in town. If you love horror or sci-fi, this place isn’t to be missed with great relics from the Aliens, Shining, Critters, and Halloween franchises.” - Ian Grant of Seattle Headshots, a local photography business offering high quality headshots.

 

Seattle Ballooning: “At Seattle Ballooning, we offer one of the most unique and breathtaking experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle Ballooning provides scenic hot air balloon flights with stunning views of Mt. Rainier, the Seattle skyline, and the Puget Sound. With a perfect 5-star rating, guests soar up to 5,000 feet and finish their flight with a celebratory champagne toast, making it a must-do for both visitors and locals seeking adventure.” - Eliav Cohen, owner of Seattle Ballooning.

 

The Seattle Tall Ship: “When ballooning is off the table due to high winds, I suggest booking a sail on The Seattle Tall Ship. It’s a thrilling way to experience the Puget Sound, especially on windy days when the ship flies through the water, making for an exhilarating adventure.” - Eliav Cohen, owner of Seattle Ballooning.

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The 4th Door Escape Room: "The 4th Door is a brand new, cutting edge escape game which combines four distinctive and unique rooms into one unforgettable experience. Our players hop through portals across the world, trying to outrace and take down the Shadow Network in a high-stakes, fast-paced adventure. Its innovative progression system means players can’t get stuck, everyone experiences everything even if they can’t solve everything, making it perfect for beginners while still challenging for experts to master." - Natalia at Cognition Escapes.

 

Conundroom’s “Alice in Wonderland” escape room: “This new escape room brings a truly unique touch, thanks to local Seattle artists Mary Anne Carter and Lilia Deering. Their whimsical, hand-painted designs transport players straight into Alice’s surreal world, adding an extra layer of magic to the experience. This collaboration blends immersive gameplay with stunning visual art, making it one of the standout escape rooms in the city for both puzzle enthusiasts and art lovers alike.” - Alex of Conundroom Escape Rooms. 

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Explore Edmonds: “For a slightly less chaotic waterfront experience, you can’t miss Edmonds. It has a great coastal vibe with small town shops, a great farmers market in the summer, and a beach where you can hang out with your kids and watch the Edmonds to Kingston ferry come and go. For family that are coming from out of town and don’t want to deal with the chaos of the city, it’s only a small hop away and always appreciated. - Ian Grant of Seattle Headshots, a local photography business offering high quality headshots. 

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Check out the Chinatown-International District: “Explore Seattle’s Asian culture in the Chinatown-International District. With over a century of history, the CID offers a unique ambience with beautiful parks and architecture, as well as tons of things to do. There’s a wide range of food options, from dim sum to sushi, cakes to egg tarts, roast duck to vegetarian hot pot. When you’re done eating, you can book a private karaoke room, play pinball at the Seattle Pinball Museum, or shop at one of America’s largest Asian markets.” - Natalia at Cognition Escapes, a local escape room with enticing and innovative puzzles. 

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Tour the new Seattle waterfront: “The newly revitalized Seattle waterfront has better views and more to do than ever before. Since the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the waterfront has been resculpted for better access and a better experience. You can enjoy the views of the city and the Puget Sound from the Seattle Great Wheel, wander through novelty shops and play in arcades, or check out the newly expanded Seattle Aquarium. When you’re feeling hungry, dine right on the water, whether on a quick basket of fish and chips, or gourmet cuisine.” - Natalia at Cognition Escapes, a local escape room with enticing and innovative puzzles.

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Inner tubing on the Cedar River and dining in downtown Renton: “Float down the Cedar River with family and friends, enjoying the natural beauty of this peaceful waterway. Inner tubing is a fun and refreshing way to experience the outdoors. After your tubing adventure, explore downtown Renton and stop by Macadons for some delicious coffee and dessert. Be sure to try their unique durian macarons for an exotic twist! With plenty of dining options around, Renton is perfect for a post-tubing meal and relaxation.” - Anchovies & Salt, a Vietnamese restaurant focusing on the use of upscale and high-quality local ingredients.

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Step two:

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Dine on the local food 

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Seattle has some of the best seafood you’ll find across the country. From classic Seattle dishes like crab cakes to sustainable sushi, there’s plenty to choose from. Check below for restaurants locals rave about.

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The Walrus and the Carpenter: “I love Walrus and Carpenter, and I always appreciate fresh oysters in Seattle. The beauty of Seattle is being a multicultural city, I highly recommend connecting dots with all different cultural restaurants and bars in Seattle.” - Heong soon Park of Chan Seattle, a restaurant offering classic and contemporary Korean dishes.

 

Centro: “For a truly special Mexican dining experience, I recommend Centro in Burien, just 15 minutes from downtown Seattle. Known for its incredible drinks and unique take on traditional Mexican dishes, it’s one of my favorite spots just south of Seattle. The food here is fresh, inventive, and always a crowd-pleaser.” - Eliav Cohen, owner of Seattle Ballooning.

 

La Carta de Oaxaca: “When it comes to food, Mexican is my favorite and sometimes quality tacos are a bit hard to come by here in Seattle. That means you need to keep the good places in business and it doesn’t get a whole lot better than La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard. Their carne asada tacos will quite literally improve my day and my son will come on my headshot photo shoots in the summer just to coerce me into going here afterwards for lunch.” - Ian Grant of Seattle Headshots, a local photography business offering high-quality headshots.

 

Issian Stone Grill: “Located on 45th Street in Wallingford, this contemporary Japanese restaurant serves more than just sushi in a lively cafe atmosphere. Grab a seat at the bar to watch the chefs dish out fun and unique appetizers along with stone-grilled steak and seafood.” - Michael of Unified Cinematic Videography, a local videography service.

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Jude's Old Town: “What makes Jude's Old Town so special is not only their delicious Cajun-inspired food and robust beverage offerings, but also the fact that they are one of the city's few worker-owned cooperatives. Stop by for a drink, with plenty of non-alcoholic options to choose from as well, or a taste of NOLA flavors with Washington ingredients.” - Kate of Seattle Restaurant Week.

 

Mashiko: “In Seattle, we are lucky to have access to fresh fish and the team at Mashiko is committed to ensuring that stays the case. In 2009, Mashiko became Seattle's first fully sustainable sushi bar and continues to work closely with sustainable seafood experts to keep lessening the restaurant's environmental impact. For uniquely Pacific Northwest sushi, make sure to head to Mashiko and learn about how they are blending Japanese traditions with fish from our local waters.” - Kate of Seattle Restaurant Week.

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Step three:

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Stroll around Seattle’s parks and neighborhoods 

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The Pacific Northwest’s outdoor landscape is stunning, and Seattle has several unique parks to explore for the nature lover in all of us. Pick one or more of the parks below to explore.

 

Gas Works Park: “Perched on the northern shore of Lake Union, this former gasification plant is now one of Seattle's most picturesque parks. Whether visiting during the day or catching the skyline illuminated at night, it’s a serene spot to take in breathtaking views of the city. The sprawling green space is ideal for a relaxing picnic, people-watching, or simply reflecting on your Seattle adventure.” - Easy Caribbean, a local restaurant serving authentic Caribbean dishes. Gene Coulon Memorial

 

Beach Park: “Located on the shores of Lake Washington, Gene Coulon Park is a local favorite on the Eastside of Seattle. In the fall, the park transforms into a stunning display of autumn colors, with vibrant maple leaves creating a beautiful backdrop. Enjoy a peaceful picnic, walk along the waterfront, or rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the lake. Afterward, treat yourself to breakfast or lunch at Water’s Table, where you can enjoy stunning views of the water and savor local Northwest fare.” - Anchovies & Salt, a Vietnamese restaurant focusing on the use of upscale and high-quality local ingredients. 

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Edmonds Beach: “I love watching the ferries come and go at Brackett's Landing in Edmonds, WA. Pro tip: Grab a delicious latte at Shore Pine Coffee & Gelato at the Edmonds Waterfront Center and then go for a stroll along the 

beach. I also love to walk on the pier and see what the fishermen are catching!” - Becky Langseth Photography, a Seattle family and birth photographer. 

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St. Edwards State Park: “Another fun place to explore is St. Edwards State Park in Kenmore, WA. I love walking on the nature trails that lead down to Lake Washington. It's a classic PNW activity! Don't forget good footwear, because some of the trails get muddy when it rains. Pro trip: get a fun cocktail at the Tonsorium Bar in the lower level of the Lodge after your hike! It's got a fun speakeasy vibe.” - Becky Langseth Photography, a Seattle family and birth photographer.

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Step four:

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Enjoy a drink

 

After a long day, it’s nice to relax with a cocktail and reflect on your time in Seattle. What did you like? What did you not like? Could you see yourself living here? All great questions to ask while exploring one of the locally recommended bars below.

 

Zig Zag Cafe: “If you're looking for a late night cocktail, this is one of the best bars in the city. If you're lucky, you might catch some live jazz music in this beautiful café hidden beneath Pike Place Market.” - Michael of Unified Cinematic Videography, a local videography service.

 

Perihelion Brewery: “We’re located right off the Beacon Hill Light Rail station. Come enjoy a house-brewed beer or Swedish Glogg with delicious PNW gastropub fare such as crab cakes. a blackened salmon sandwich, garlic fries, or a house-made layer cake. If you come on a Tuesday evening, you also can enjoy live music, but you can enjoy the glow of our fire tables any day. If you want a nice walk before or after your stop at the brewery, Jefferson Park is just a few blocks south and has one of the best views of the Seattle skyline at sunset.” - Karin Paulsen of Perihelion Brewery. 

 

 

 

Step five: 

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Don’t want to plan? Try a premade itinerary

 

If picking your itinerary isn’t what you want to do, don’t worry! Yalla Seattle, a local Arabic restaurant, and Edible Seattle, a quarterly magazine committed to 

celebrating and supporting Puget Sound’s local food system, have created two separate pre-made itineraries for the perfect day in Seattle.

 

“I would first get dim sum at one of my favorite spots, Joyale, then walk through the International District and explore all the fun shops and markets there. After that, I would make my way to Pike Place Market to people watch and have little tastes from the shops there. I know this sounds corny, but do not sleep on Wings Over Washington, it’s a super fun ride on the wharf that shows the beauty of the Northwest. Following that, I would walk to the sculpture park to explore. Then I’d head to Ballard to a super fun restaurant and bar called Situ Tacos to have a drink or two and some of the amazing snacks they offer. Ending the night for me means Jazz at the Royal Room and maybe a bite or drink at Island Soul, that’s how I would spend the ideal Seattle day.” - Yalla Seattle. 

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“For one day in Seattle, I would take guests to some of my favorite spots starting with Saint Bread for unique pastries right on the water and maybe renting a kayak after. Next, a stop at Book Larder for the best selection of cookbooks and gifts, Sunny Hill for some delicious pizza, and a sunset walk at Golden Gardens.” - Lindsay Kucera of Edible Seattle.