How to Spend 48 Hours in Seattle: Top Attractions & Travel Guide

Surrounded by the beautiful waters of Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Mountains, Seattle is a vibrant city that has something for everyone. There are many iconic attractions, such as the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden & Glass exhibit, and the waterfront also offers plenty of hidden gems. You will love shopping at local markets and enjoying artisanal coffee at the original Starbucks. Then you'll enjoy delicious seafood from the Pacific Northwest while taking amazing pictures.

Read our guide to attractions and activities in Seattle during your stay. Whether this is your first time visiting Seattle or you have been before, you're sure to have an amazing time discovering all that this city has to offer in 48 hours! Let’s get in!

Chihuly Garden and Glass is a brilliant display of color, light, and creativity created by glass artist Dale Chihuly that is found at the base of Seattle's famous Space Needle. The exhibit houses a lot of vibrant pieces of glass art that have been put together by Dale Chihuly over his forty-year span as an artist. One of the most famous installations is called the Persian Ceiling and Mille Fiori, which has many different movements and colors.

The centrepiece of the exhibit is the Glasshouse, which contains the largest hanging sculpture, which will take your breath away with a piece of a burning sculpture made of red, orange, and yellow glass hanging from a towering glass and steel structure. As you move outside, you will see towering spikes of glass, towers made of crystal, and orbs that light up in the middle of lush plants and winding paths. The exhibit also hosts live glassblowing demonstrations showcasing the craft of the artist, as well as a theatre that shows many short videos about Dale Chihuly's creative process.

Towering over Seattle at 605 feet tall, with a futuristic design, the Space Needle has captivated people since opening. Visitors can experience the world's only rotating glass floor (Loupe) and view underneath it as they stand on top of this structure. Guests can also observe magnificent views from the open-air deck, which overlooks Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range, and the city of Seattle.

The panoramic views allow guests to see almost all of Seattle from the floor-to-ceiling windows or the angled benches around the open-air deck. Additionally, Skyrisers (glass structures that lean out) give guests a breathtaking view down the street. The Space Needle has been renovated recently and includes nearly 200 tons of glass being installed.

The Museum of Flight in Seattle presents the fascinating story of aviation over time within an enormous space next door to historic Boeing Field, with more than 175 planes and spacecraft. The Great Gallery features many famous flying machines, such as the graceful Lockheed M-21 Blackbird and unbelievable warplanes from different periods in history hanging above you as you walk amongst them. The Personal Courage Wing allows visitors to see the air battles fought during both World War I and World War II through experiential displays and restored fighter planes from these wars. The open-air Aviation Pavilion features several major airline milestones, including the Concorde, the first jet-powered commercial aircraft, the Boeing 707, and many others. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk through the cabins of these aircraft. The Space Gallery contains the full-scale Space Shuttle Trainer, an actual trainer used for astronauts to prepare for flights into space. In addition, there’s also the original Boeing plant, better known as the Red Barn, representing the city of Seattle's aviation starting point.

A warm Italian dining experience located within Hotel Vintage Seattle in downtown Seattle. Tulio is a twist on rustic Northern Italian cuisine in a vibrant, open-kitchen environment. Tulio features an eclectic atmosphere of solid brick walls, soft lighting, and the tantalizing aromas of garlic, butter, and various herbs wafting throughout the restaurant while your food is served. There are 5 signature dishes anchoring the menu, including silky Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragu, Grilled Ribeye Steak finished with herb butter, House-Made Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage, Roasted Halibut with Seasonal Vegetables highlighting Pacific Northwest seafood, and a decadent Tiramisu using espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese.

Pike Place Market has been an iconic part of Seattle’s waterfront since 1907. Inside the historic marketplace, food, art, and quirky finds come together. The famous fishmongers at Pike Place Fish Market toss large salmon through the air, eliciting cheers from the crowds of tourists watching. Meanwhile, the very first Starbucks serves up classic espressos to customers utilizing their vintage logo. Not far away from Starbucks, 100-year-old fruit, vegetable, and flower vendors showcase their products. Artisan shops that create wood, glass, and handmade jewelry can be found tucked away in the small hallways and corners of the marketplace. The smell of freshly baked pastries wafts down the cobbled paths as street musicians play their hearts out under the red "Public Market Center" sign, making this one of the best things to do in Seattle.

The Museum of Pop Culture sits next to Seattle’s iconic Space Needle as a landmark designed by Frank Gehry. While wandering through its halls, the galleries’ emphasis on musical legends, worlds of science fiction, gaming culture, and cult films creates a nostalgic playground. The highlight of the museum is definitely Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses exhibit, which details the history of grunge in Seattle, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. The Guitar Gallery, which has dozens of guitars hanging from a central sculpture. Whether testing the many classic arcade games in the gaming section or trying out the numerous digital simulators, you will find yourself in a world of fun and excitement.

The Can Can Culinary Cabaret is located in the Pike Place Market and is a theatrical dining experience that brings cabaret-style performances to life through a menu filled with French and Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine. During your dinner, you can expect to see servers waltzing between tables carrying dishes such as light and fluffy Can Can Beignets served with a caramel and berry drizzle, a savory Prosciutto Benedict topped with a lemon hollandaise sauce, comforting Chipotle Chicken Risotto that is made with plenty of butter, charred tomatoes, peas, and Parmesan cheese, decadent Short Rib Pasta loaded with wine-braised short ribs and earthy mushrooms, and crispy Fried Chicken & Beignets drizzled with maple syrup and spicy honey butter.

Taking the Washington State Ferry system from Seattle is a floating sightseeing tour across the colorful waters of Puget Sound. From the busy Seattle Ferry Terminal, the views of the city skyline as you leave are incredible, followed by beautiful views of the evergreen islands and quaint seaside towns. The Seattle to Bainbridge Island route is one of the most popular in the system because of the view as the ferry approaches Bainbridge Island (with sailboats framed against the islands' hills). While on deck, the salty breeze, distant mountains, and occasional sighting of seabirds or orcas make the ride to Bainbridge Island fun. Inside the ferry, there are large windows with views and comfortable seating, so you can enjoy coffee and snacks. The Washington State Ferry system provides ferry service to multiple communities across the waters of Puget Sound.

Located in the heart of downtown Seattle at Hotel 1000, All Water Seafood & Oyster Bar offers a locally inspired, seafood-based menu that showcases the rich resources found throughout Washington’s Pacific Northwest. The raw bar features the freshest Puget Sound oysters on the half shell, accompanied by mignonette sauce and a wedge of lemon. Other menu items highlighting the local seafood scene include PNW Chowder (full of clams, crab, fresh catch, and sourdough croutons), Crispy Halibut & Chips (IPA batter), which is a modern interpretation of this classic dish, and Alaskan Halibut Tacos (made with ancho marinated Alaskan halibut, pickled cabbage, radish, and cilantro-lime crème). No meal is complete without Chowder Fries, delicious, creative, and very filling, made with chowder gravy on top of fries.

A breathtaking view awaits you high upon the 73rd floor of Seattle's Columbia Center, the Sky View Observatory. The Sky View Observatory, located more than 900 feet above the ground, provides visitors with an incredible perspective of the city below. From a glass-enclosed observation deck that offers a complete 360-degree view of the Seattle area, guests can see Elliott Bay, the Space Needle, and the Olympic and Cascade ranges all in one glance. As ferries travel through Puget Sound and Mount Rainier towers over everything on clear days, people will be amazed at what they see.

T-Mobile Park is the ultimate destination for baseball fans who want to see a ballpark with a Pacific Northwest flair. The retractable roof is designed like an umbrella and weighs millions of pounds. It opens and closes in 20 minutes, creating a covered experience while still allowing the Seattle breeze and great views of the Seattle skyline through the open stands above the seating area. In addition to the unique architecture and stunning views, you'll find sculptures such as the oversized "Tempest" baseball bat chandelier and many recycled metal quilts celebrating the MLB franchises. The stadium has nearly 48,000 seats, all your favorite local foods, and a cool vibe.

Located on the lush slopes of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, USA, is the tiny but mighty Kerry Park. Albert S. Kerry and wife Katharine presented to the city of Seattle a generous land parcel in 1927 that is today the iconic lookout point where steel towers meet the horizon and nature is framed by glass and steel. Enjoy postcard-worthy views of the Space Needle within the downtown tower, sparkling Elliott Bay, and, if you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day, even Mt. Rainier’s snow-covered peaks to the east from the park’s benches or coin-operated telescopes.

Located along Seattle’s waterfront, AQUA by El Gaucho is a homage to the ocean. Dive into the hot and charred Wicked Shrimp, a stunning starter, while the incredibly moist and buttery Alaskan Black Cod is glazed with sake and Korean BBQ for a sweet and savory taste that lingers. Plancha-Seared Jumbo Scallops are also a feast for the eyes, having been perfectly caramelized and served with citrus notes. When dining as a couple, the Seafood Bacchanalia is an incredible feast of lobster, scallops, prawns, and seasonal fish made for sharing. And for the perfect appetizer to begin your meal with tons of flavors, be sure to add one of the Yellowfin Tuna Ahi with its miso-ginger flavors to your meal.

Idyllic and picturesque, Alki Beach in Seattle is one of the best beaches here. The “Birthplace of Seattle” monument is located directly on the beach. Unlike the typical cold waters of Puget Sound, Alki Beach is wide open with plenty of sandy area to hang out, walk, bicycle, roller blade, etc., while watching ferries go by and being surrounded by the stunning Olympic Mountains in the background. The Boy Scouts graciously gifted a quirky little replica of the Statue of Liberty that has long since become a favorite spot to take pictures among locals.

Whether you're enjoying a game of beach volleyball, sipping some coffee and enjoying the skyline from the beach, or on a rare day catching distant orcas breaching just off the beach, Alki Beach has the perfect blend of a laid-back atmosphere.

Stay at Crown Inn and enjoy comfortable rooms with convenient access to attractions like Woodland Park Zoo and Green Lake, with the Space Needle just a short drive away. Book your stay today for a practical and budget-friendly visit to Seattle.