Snow-capped mountains and lush green forests make the Pacific Northwest an adventure lover’s paradise. And with its temperate climate, Seattle, Washington, is the best entry point to discover this ever-scenic part of the country. If your PNW travel plans involve a city break in Seattle, we have the ultimate three-day itinerary. From golden gardens to glass gardens, space needles to open spaces, and coffee culture to pop culture—Seattle has something to please everyone.
Exploring the unique and diverse city of Seattle is a snap when well-equipped. So don’t forget to take a bag built for city travel. What’s in a name? Eagle Creek’s Explore Backpack is made for exploration. It has organizational pockets dedicated to passports, maps, laptops, and a hip belt designed for maximum comfort. Grab your gear and get ready to tackle the Emerald City.
What’s So Great About Seattle? Everything.
Seattle has a rich cultural scene with countless museums, galleries, coffee houses, microbreweries, and theaters. Its iconic skyline is defined by the Space Needle, a historic landmark that boasts sweeping city views. Seattle has easy access to outdoor adventures, like hiking, biking, and canoeing, which makes it one of the country’s most versatile cities. However, there’s much for the outdoor enthusiast to do within the city limits. Three days will give travelers a great taste of what Seattle offers.
Seattle Itinerary Day One: "Culture in the City"
9:00 am
Start your day at Chihuly Garden and Glass—an unusual immersive art experience. The mesmerizing array of glass sculptures, outdoor gardens, and interior galleries was designed by Washington native and renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. Don’t miss the glasshouse, where art and architecture collide. Its centerpiece is a 100-foot-long sculpture of vivid orange, red, and yellow twisted, delicate glass. Chihuly’s glass-blowing is nothing short of mind-blowing.
10:00 am
Chihuly Garden and Glass is right beside the Space Needle, Seattle’s most famous piece of architecture. At 605 feet tall, this towering icon has 360-degree city views. But should intimidatingly long lines be an obstacle, peering up from the base might suit your Space Needle needs. There are other (less crowded) spots to enjoy city views.
11:00 am
Cultural adventures abound in Seattle. From the Space Needle, it’s an easy walk to The Museum of Pop Culture or The Olympic Sculpture Park. Locally known as MoPOP, this museum’s permanent collection highlights everything from Hip-Hop to Hendrix. Don’t miss the impressive collection of guitars, including the Fender Stratocaster Kurt Cobain smashed at the end of his UK Reading Festival set in 1992. Grunge fans will want an Instagrammable moment with Chris Cornell—a life-sized statue of Soundgarden’s lead singer stands just outside the museum.
If Olympic rings are more your thing, swing over to the Olympic Sculpture Park. This waterfront area’s unique combination of art and nature makes it a beautiful city respite. Famous artists such as Alexander Calder and Richard Serra have large-scale sculptures to admire, and the park offers views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.
12:00 pm
One of Seattle’s best places to eat doubles as one of the city’s main attractions. Welcome to Pike Place Market, Seattle’s epicenter of shopping, dining, and specialty stores. Open 363 days a year, Pike Place caters to locals and tourists with a wide variety of merchandise. From teas and spices to organic honey and piping hot doughnuts, no one will go home hungry. Don’t miss the delectable hand pies at Piroshky Piroshky, the little Russian bakery that’s become a worldwide sensation.
2:00 pm
If you have any gas left in the tank after a food extravaganza at Pike Place, visit The Seattle Aquarium or The Seattle Art Museum. Both are within walking distance of the market. At Pier 59, the aquarium highlights the PNW’s diverse marine life and has daily shows and aquatic-themed events. The Seattle Art Museum has one of the country’s most extensive Native American artifacts on display, along with over 25,000 pieces of art to peruse.
Seattle Itinerary Day Two: "A Day On Bainbridge Island"
9:00 am
A trip to Bainbridge Island will allow visitors to view Puget Sound and the city skyline from the water. Check the ferry schedule beforehand and head to Colman Dock to grab tickets to bucolic Bainbridge. It’s an island filled with farms, wineries, local arts, hiking trails, and waterfront parks—all a mere 35 minutes from the city harbor.
9:30 am
As you disembark the ferry, you’ll notice the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art across from the terminal. With its collection of artworks gathered from Puget Sound regional artists, it’s a worthwhile cultural introduction to the island.
12:00 pm
There are dozens of restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and distilleries on Bainbridge Island. Vietnamese, Italian, Thai, and Mexican are just a few options to satisfy your lunch cravings. But don’t pass on a post-lunch treat—patisseries, bakeries, confectioners, and creameries are seemingly everywhere.
2:00 pm
Grab a trail map from your backpack’s easy-to-access pocket, then choose your hiking adventure. Easy hiking options include the Grand Forest Park and Gazzam Lake Park Trails. If seeking more advanced terrain, try the Cross Island Trail.
4:00 pm
Head to a local winery for a late afternoon tasting. Window shop along the gallery-filled streets. Or, soak up the fresh air, green spaces, and views distant views of Mt. Rainier. Bainbridge offers as much or as little activity as you want.
6:00 pm
Catch the ferry back to Colman Dock, then stretch your legs as you stroll towards Chinatown for dinner. Known around the country for its noodles, dim sum, and various Asian cuisines, you’ll have trouble choosing where to eat. Some notable faves include Tai Tung and Chengdu Memory.
Seattle Itinerary Day Three: "Perks and Parks"
9:00 am
Seattleites consume more coffee than in any other city in America, so finding a good coffee shop is never an issue. Starbucks was founded at Pike Place Market in 1971. The original location is closed, but you can get your caffeine fix at their second location, 1912 Pike Place.
10:00 am
Wherever you get your morning Joe, order it to go and head to the hip, historic waterfront neighborhood of Ballard. Make the Ballard Locks (aka Chittenden Locks) your first stop. Ballard Locks was actually the last stop in the Lake Washington Ship Canal before vessels entered Puget Sound, making it a fantastic place to watch boats. Don’t miss the Salmon Ladder in warmer months to observe thousands of salmon pass through the locks.
12:00 pm
Ballard is filled with trendy restaurants and bars. If in town on a Sunday, the farmer’s market is the place to sample local fare, as food trucks, food tents, and food stalls provide endless, tempting lunch options.
2:00 pm
The stretch of Ballard Avenue from Market Place to Dock Place is one of Seattle’s biggest draws. This historic area has everything from boutiques, vintage clothing stores, and old-fashioned candy shops to a bustling nightlife and highly rated restaurants. Ballard also has more breweries than any other neighborhood in Seattle—a craft beer lover’s paradise, indeed.
6:00 pm
Seattle has spectacular sunsets—if you know the best places to see them. In the late afternoon, wander to Golden Gardens, a public park with wetlands, hiking trails, beaches, and playgrounds. Watch for whales as you stroll along the water’s edge and wait for the sun to put on a show from this prime location.
Extra Credit
If you have time left to spare in Seattle, meander one of the country’s oldest and prettiest college campuses. The University of Washington’s (locally known as U Dub) 700 acres are an oasis in the city. Established in 1861, the campus has a large cherry-tree-lined quad and 570 species of trees. Exploring the UW campus is another way to get the most out of your trip to the Emerald City.
From the city to the countryside, Eagle Creek has your travel needs covered. The Explore Backpack simplifies city travel as a day pack but doubles as a companion piece that easily attaches to your roller bag. What city is calling your name next? With its durable, lightweight, and sustainable materials, you can relax, knowing the Explore Backpack will easily get you around town.
