Only 24 Hours in Seattle?

This itinerary starts out in Seattle Southside, near the airport.

Morning

• Brunch in SeaTac - 13 Coins Restaurant and Pancake Chef are some iconic options
• Catch the Link Light Rail to downtown Seattle

• Pike Place Market - Browse, shop, and grab a bite for lunch
• Seattle Aquarium - Pick up Argosy Cruise Tickets before visiting the Seattle Aquarium
• Argosy Cruise - Enjoy a view of Puget Sound and downtown Seattle
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) - See rotating exhibits and learn about iconic Seattle artists
• Chihuly Garden and Glass - Marvel at world-famous glass art

• Space Needle - See the city from a bird's eye view
• Dinner or After-Dinner Drinks in Seattle Southside

Start Your Day with Brunch in Seattle Southside

Enjoy a hearty brunch at 13 Coins Restaurant, an iconic, midcentury spot just minutes from the airport. The Eggs Benedict is a classic (order it with Dungeness crab if you're feeling fancy!), but you can also get steak and eggs, specialty omelettes, Belgian waffles, and plenty more.

If you prefer an old-school diner, check out Pancake Chef. Just a five-minute walk from Tukwila International Blvd Station, this local favorite features a bright, 1950s atmosphere and an open kitchen. Indulge in a giant stack of pancakes with fresh-squeezed OJ, or try one of the famous Dutch Babies—a sweet, plate-sized breakfast dish that's somewhere between a pancake and a popover.

Go on a Microadventure

Most of the activities in this itinerary are accessible by public transit or a short walk. However, if you have access to a car or car service, there are some amazing, under-the-radar attractions within a 15-minute drive of the airport. For instance, the Museum of Flight is a fascinating window into air and space travel, and a hit with kids of all ages. Or, you could take a mid-morning tour of Seattle Chocolate Factory and live out your Willy Wonka dreams.

Pro Tip: Many hotels around the airport offer free shuttles to Westfield Southcenter Mall, the largest shopping center in the entire Pacific Northwest. Find major retailers like Nordstrom and Macy's, along with many popular international stores like PopMart.

Head downtown

When you're ready to head to downtown Seattle, hop on the light rail at SeaTac/Airport Station or Tukwila International Blvd Station and ride it to the Westlake Station. You can purchase a ticket or Orca Pass at one of the kiosks at the station. While there is no gate to get into the platform, you may be stopped by a transit worker while riding who will ask to show your proof of payment.

Next, head down to visit the recently renovated Seattle Aquarium, which boasts more than 3,500 plants and animals. Then, stroll along the pier to Argosy Cruises to take a delightful, one-hour harbor cruise. Or, walk up to the new Overlook Walk, which just opened in 2024. You can take the stairs or an elevator to the top, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Seattle Center and Surrounding Attractions

After exploring the waterfront, visit Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood, home to several popular attractions, including the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), and Chihuly Garden and Glass. To get there from downtown, walk to Westlake Center and hop on the monorail to Seattle Center Station. This quirky, above-ground form of transportation is an attraction in itself. Once you arrive in Queen Anne, start at MoPOP because they close the earliest. Explore some of the most significant moments in rock music, science fiction, and popular culture. Next, head to Chihuly Garden and Glass to immerse yourself in a world where curiosity, creativity, and color come to life. Finally, head to the Space Needle, and ride the elevator to the top for a breathtaking view of the city and the Sound.

Dinner and Drinks in Seattle Southside

When you're ready to head back to Seattle Southside, take the Monorail back to the Light Rail and ride it back to the stop you boarded in the morning. If you're staying in SeaTac, we recommend ending your day with dinner or a nightcap at Sharps RoastHouse, a locally-owned institution famous for its slow-roasted meats, made-from-scratch sourdough pasta, and legendary $7.99 Scratch Martini. You'll likely be tired from a day on your feet, so indulge and toast to a day well spent.

Before finalizing your itinerary, explore the following additional ideas to see if you'd rather swap out one of the below activities:

Hit the Beach - You may not consider the Seattle area a beach destination, but our rugged, beautiful coasts are our best-kept secret. If you're here during the warm months, check out our guide to some of the best in the area.

Seattle Art Museum (7-minute walk from Pike Place Market) - Located downtown, one block from Pike Place Market, global art collections, temporary installations, and special exhibitions from around the world bridge cultures and centuries.

Pacific Science Center (5-minute walk from Space Needle). Explore tons of interactive experiences, the Tropical Butterfly House, naked mole rats, mind-bending science shows, state-of-the-art IMAX, planetarium, laser shows, and so much more!

Seattle Selfie Museum (5-minute walk from Pike Place Market). Seattle Selfie Museum is way different than the other fun things to do in Seattle because it’s simple, fun, and a place built for the 21st-century digital nomad. Here all you need is your phone, a couple of friends, and you’re in for an ultimate of fun! This is less a museum exhibit and more a giant photo studio designed to take the ultimate selfies with unusual backdrops, props, and installations to make your shot special.

Seattle Gum Wall (3-minute walk from Pike Place Market). A unique and quirky attraction, at 8 feet high and 54 feet wide, there are an estimated over 50 pieces of gum per brick or over 250,000 wads of gum on the wall.