Seattle is a fabulous city to visit. There is so much to see and do. I have been fortunate to have traveled there often for work, pleasure or visiting family. Each time I have discovered something new and learned a few secrets – both of which I would like to share with you. Whether this is your first visit or you have been there often, I hope you will find at least one new tip. I am also including some valuable tips about Seattle from these travel experts:

🌟 Wen Blaune 
🌟 Marlena Niemann 
🌟 Brittany James (Always5Star Jr.) 

🌟 The Space Needle

The Space Needle is undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Seattle. I’m sure you think that this is not a great tip as everyone wants to visit the Space Needle. But I think it is still worth mentioning and certainly worth experiencing. I do have some great tips on the best times to go and how to make the visit less crowded.

🌟 Visit first thing in the morning, especially during the week. This will help you avoid school and other tour groups by being there when it first opens. And the evenings during dinner time can be an excellent time as well. The evening tickets may cost less as well from 6:00 pm to close. For more information check out their website: The Space Needle

🌟 If you are driving to the Space Needle, their valet parking service is the way to go. The cost of valet is near the same or just a few dollars more than many of the area parking lots.

🌟 If you love the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit as much as I do, it is better to buy the package ticket that offers both exhibits for a discount. Click here for more information: Seattle Space Needle

🌟 Buying your tickets online can save significant time otherwise spent in long lines. You can designate the time you want to arrive so that you spend less time waiting for your ride to the top of the Needle. These are called “timed tickets.” You can reserve a ticket for a designated time by booking your tickets on the Space Needle website. Your pre-purchased ticket means you can skip the general admissions line and head straight to the elevator. It is recommended that you arrive approximately 30 minutes before your predetermined time.

🌟 Check ahead on the website to ensure the Space Needle is open the day you plan to visit. We found that on a particular day we had planned to visit the Space Needle, it was closed for a special event. Checking the website that day saved us!

🌟 Ferry to Bainbridge Island

5StarTip🌟: Contributed by Brittany James (aka Always5Star Jr.)

A fun, family-friendly thing to do when in Seattle is to take the ferry to Bainbridge Island! A short 35-minute ferry ride will take you out of the city and into a quaint town full of history and natural beauty. Getting to Bainbridge Island is half the fun. You can drive your car onto the ferry, park, and enjoy the ride outside on the deck. The views are stunning! Out the back of the boat, you can see the Seattle skyline. While looking forward, you can take in the sights of Puget Sound. If you do not have a car, don’t worry! Pedestrians have access to the ferry too. To see the schedule for the ferry and to find fare information visit: Ferry Schedule

Once on Bainbridge Island, there are a variety of things to do! Museums, restaurants, hiking, parks for the kids…make sure to leave yourself enough time to enjoy all it has to offer! Not sure exactly what you want to do while there? Here are TripAdvisor’s top things to do while visiting Bainbridge Island.

🌟 Pike Place Market

Yes, I will be the first to say that this is a bustling place and is most often swimming with a sea of tourists. Again, arrive early! The best time to avoid crowds is first thing in the morning. And you can see all the vendors, especially those selling flowers, putting out their wares. The atmosphere is lively and fun! You need to make sure to see the fresh catch being tossed at the Pike Place Fish Market. For more great tips, check out Visit Seattle’s website: Visit Seattle Information

My suggestion here is to buy a bouquet of fresh flowers. Even when staying in a nearby hotel, I found this to be such a wonderful treat! The flowers are budget friendly as well. Who doesn’t want to wake up to the wonderful aroma of beautiful blossoms in the morning! 

🌟 My Village Wines – A Wine Bar

5StarTip🌟: Contributed by Wen Baune

Twitter:@GrnLakeGirl

My Village Wine is a cozy, welcoming bar & restaurant that highlights delicious local fare and offers wine, craft beer & coffee, plus live music performances. Click here for more information about My Village Wines 

🌟 International Fountain

5StarTip🌟: Contributed by Brittany James (aka Always5Star Jr.)

You may be surprised to hear this, but it can get hot in Seattle. You know what’s worse than a hot day in the city? A hot day in the city with whiny children lol! Located near the Seattle Center is the International Fountain and it is a lifesaver on those toasty days! This large 10-foot-tall, 27-foot dome-shaped fountain pefroms water shows for the whole family to enjoy. The water emitters are synchronized with music and songs which makes it even more enjoyable to watch! For more information on the fountain and the other family-friendly activities click here: Seattle City Center

🌟 Restaurant: The Pink Door

5StarTip🌟: Contributed by Marlena Niemann 🍃🙏💚

Twitter:@BonVegetit 
Website: BON VEGÉTIT

“Along the quaint Post Alley at Seattle’s Pike Place Market awaits one of the city’s most beloved restaurant destinations since 1981: The Pink Door. Equal parts Italian-American dining, eclectic entertainment and warm, spirited service, we welcome you!” – The Pink Door 

🌟 Seattle’s The Great (Ferris) Wheel

I love the Great Wheel in Seattle. On a bright day, the view from this Ferris wheel is spectacular! I have two tips to help you enjoy the amazing sights from the gondolas. First, I strongly encourage, as with all Seattle attractions, arrive early when they first open! And purchase your tickets online at https://seattlegreatwheel.com/. We decided to arrive 20 minutes early on our visit and were the first ones to enjoy the ride. Check the website for the times the ride opens as it can vary from summer to winter.

For an Always5Star experience on the Ferris Wheel, they offer a VIP package that is sure to make this an exceptional experience. The cost is $50.00 per person, and it includes an Always5Star favorite… champagne!

VIP Gondola Package: 

🌟 The VIP gondola is a luxury gondola with four leather bucket seats, a stereo system, and a glass floor.
🌟 It is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket booth on the pier. 
🌟 Tickets are $50 per person, and each ticket also includes a champagne toast at Fisherman’s Restaurant, an exclusive VIP t-shirt, photo booth photos, and you will be personally escorted to the front of the line to board the wheel. 
🌟 The VIP Gondola is guaranteed to be private for your group of up to 4 people. 

🌟 Safeco Field Ballpark

5StarTip🌟: Contributed by Wen Baune

Twitter:@GrnLakeGirl

For information about tours at the ball park click here: Safeco Field Ballpark Tour

🌟 Restaurant: Elliott’s Oyster House

5StarTip🌟: Contributed by Marlena Niemann 🍃🙏💚

Twitter:@BonVegetit 
Website: BON VEGÉTIT

“Since opening in 1975, Elliott’s Oyster House has delighted taste buds. Through the years, we’ve earned a national reputation for our impeccably fresh seafood, being recognized by Tom Horan’s Top 10 Club, FORTUNE, USA Today, Gourmet, Wine Spectator, and Seattle Magazine.” – Elliott’s Oyster House 

🌟 The Gum Wall

The Gum Wall is just that. It is a wall that is decorated with gum of assorted colors. If you are visiting Pike Place Market, take an extra few minutes to visit the Post Alley under the market. The Gum Wall is a popular Instagram picture location. Even though it can be quite crowded, it is still a must-see. Aside from being a little grossed out by the idea that this is art made from people spitting out their gum and attaching it to a wall 😉…it is colorful, funky art and surely worth seeing.

5StarTip🌟: For the exact location:

🌟Fresh Fish!

5StarTip🌟: Contributed by Wen Baune

Twitter:@GrnLakeGirl

There is a fabulous fresh fish market at Pike Place too.

🌟 Nature day hike near Seattle

5StarTip🌟: Contributed by Brittany James (aka Always5Star Jr.)

Being from Southern California, I crave the chance to be able to see fall colors! I think fall is the prettiest season of the year! That’s why when we were in Seattle during the fall, I made it a point to be outside as much as possible so we could take in the rainbow of colors that fall offers.

There are plenty of hikes outside of Seattle that are great for the avid hiker or for a family with small children like us! My kid’s favorite hike was about 29 miles outside the city called Snoqualmie Falls. We don’t care what the pop group “TLC” says, we love chasing waterfalls, and this one was stunning!! Parents listen up – the best part is that it’s such an easy “hike,” you won’t need to carry any kids!! Yay!!

Snoqualmie Falls 6501 Railroad Ave SE Snoqualmie, Washington 98024

🌟 Luxury Hotels in Seattle

I have stayed at several hotels in Seattle. I would recommend three that I found that met the “Cheers to this hotel!” Always5Star standard!

🌟 Four Seasons Seattle

The Four Seasons hotel in Seattle has a luxury sleek minimalistic design with spectacular views of Puget Sounds. Our room was a corner suite that my husband and I enjoyed immensely. The service at the hotel was the highlight. Attention to every detail was a standard. The location and proximity to Pike Place were ideal as well.

🌟 The Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle

Built in 1924, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel has undergone a recent renovation. The hotel defines Seattle’s downtown classic sophistication.

The Fairmont Olympic is also where I enjoyed an Afternoon Tea at The Georgian. A great choice for a luxury hotel that excels in service. What I found most appealing is the respect for the old design, while incorporating new elegant, updated décor as well.

🌟 Grand Hyatt Seattle

Probably the hotel I have stayed at the most when visiting Seattle, The Grand Hyatt is sure to please. As a World of Hyatt Globalist (status member) with my status, I can book a room and receive an upgrade to enjoy their Regency Club Lounge. I would highly recommend upgrading to the Lounge because of the stunning views of the city as well as tasty selections and beverages. I would suggest reserving a corner suite room, as they have the best views of the city.

🌟 Georgian Restaurant’s Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Hotel

The Georgian has been a standard in Seattle for over 25 years. The Georgian boasts the only downtown hotel in Seattle offering traditional afternoon tea service.

The service features scrumptious house-made pastries and sandwiches, as well as a champagne bar on weekends from noon to 2:30 pm.

The Afternoon Tea is pure elegance and is described perfectly by the following quote taken from The Georgian Website:

“Experience the elegant splendor of Afternoon Tea at The Georgian. 
We set the mood with high ceilings, large Palladian windows, and spectacular chandeliers. 
A delectable offering of house-made sandwiches and pastries await you for this special service. 
Enjoy our daily selection of specialty cocktails to pair with Afternoon Tea or our Champagne Bar on the weekends from noon-2: 30 pm. 
Want to treat the little ones to Afternoon Tea? We have curated a menu perfect for your youngest family members, featuring finger sandwiches the kids will love.”

My husband and I happily enjoyed our Afternoon Tea at The Georgian with our special friends, Linda and David of @TravelAtWill. Please check out their website for great tips on luxury travel: Retired and Travelling

Afternoon Tea Includes: Selection of loose-leaf teas Tea sandwiches Savories House-made scones and pasteries Champagne Bar The Champagne Bar is available during Afternoon Tea on weekends. Pricing is à la carte.

5StarTip🌟:

Make sure to make reservations in advance. For reservations: The Georgian at the Fairmont Hotel Seattle.

The Afternoon Tea is a favorite and you do not want to miss out on this delightful Seattle experience!

Final Thoughts:

You may have already had most of these recommendations on your list of “things to do” when you visit Seattle. However, I am hopeful that I was able to offer you some new ideas and insights that I have found valuable and have increased my enjoyment while exploring Seattle. Cheers to a fantastic visit to Seattle. It is a beautiful city that I am sure you will come back to time and time again.

Cheers to Seattle! It is Always5Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟!

If you have enjoyed these tips, please pin this to your Pinterest. Thank you!

**I was not compensated for this post by any of the companies I referred to. The opinions are my own as well as the pictures unless noted otherwise. This experience was paid for entirely by myself.

---