Start your day off bright and early by enjoying a cup of coffee at the First Starbucks ever. (Located on 1912 Pike Place)The lines get pretty lengthy, so go right when it opens to avoid a long wait! Or if you’re like me, just snap a picture and grab a coffee from one of the million other Starbucks located on nearly ever block. Next, grab a pastry from one of the many bakeries lining the streets! Piroshky Piroshky is an amazing Russian bakery located a few doors down.
Now, your’e off to explore Pike Place Market! This is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Seattle, so beware of crowds – especially if you are there on a Friday night like we were. Despite the crowds, it is well worth the visit. This might not be everyones cup of tea, (it wasn’t a favorite for some of the guys in my family, lol.) I for one could spend all day looking at the little shops and booths. The flower bouquets were absolutely beautiful and I was shocked at how amazing the prices were! Peonies have always been one of my favorite flowers, but unfortunately we don’t get them much here in southern Texas.
While in the Pike Place Market, make sure to make a stop at Post Alley. Here you will find the famous Market Theatre Gum Wall. (1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA) It is funny how something as unsanitary and gross as gum on a wall can wind up being a major tourist attraction! Don’t worry – Post Alley has a lot more to offer if you’re not so into other peoples saliva. There are many places in this area where you can grab a bite to eat, attend a wine tasting, and or enjoy the live street music!
While you are in Seattle, a stop for seafood should definitely be on your list! We ate at Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar, which has very affordable prices and is a great atmosphere for families. The outdoor seating is appealing, and was quite peaceful despite the large crowds nearby. I personally don’t like oysters, so I went for the Fish&Chips which were really good! (The Garlic Bread is a must, btw.)
It should come to no surprise that the Space Needle is next on my list! I expected the Space Needle to be very crowded, but was actually much less crowded compared to the market area. However, the price is a little steep if you want to go to the top. ($29 a person unless you go before 9:30am or after 10pm) If not, theres a really pretty park with food trucks where you can just relax and enjoy the view. Adjacent to the Space Needle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit. This is actually rated the #1 thing to do in Seattle by Trip Advisor! Again, the tickets are a tad pricy, but you can get a discount price if you buy a combo ticket for the Space Needle + Glass Exhibit.
Around the corner from the Space Needle is the International Fountain. Now, this isn’t just any ole fountain! It is synchronized to music which is actually really entertaining to watch, and all the water is recycled. There were many children in swimsuits playing in the water so this is a great place to take your family on a hot day!
Last but not least, end your night at Myrtle Edwards Park to watch the sunset. Here you can enjoy watching sailboats as well as a great view of the Seattle Great Wheel. We even collected a bunch of sea glass from this area too! There are many great bars and restaurants with beautiful waterfront views in this area if you’d like to have a drink or bite to eat to end the night.
