How To Spend A Weekend In Seattle Washington

A seaport city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is Washington’s largest and most famous metropolis, surrounded by lush evergreen forests and renowned for its cultural scene. Explore inner city locations such as Downtown and Capitol neighborhood, then venture further afar towards Puget Sound. Get the best out of Seattle in one weekend with Culture Trip’s local insiders top recommendations.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center

The Space Needle is what the London Eye is to England, but visitors can get a higher and cheaper view of the city skyline at the Sky View Observatory. Located on the 73rd floor, it’s the city’s tallest viewing platform coming in at 902ft (275m). Experience panoramic views of Mt Rainier, Mt Baker, the Cascade Mountains and the Space Needle. If you’ve got the stomach for it, you can map out the whole city with a drink (or two) from the bar. If the wind picks up while you’re up there, fear not – it is the safest building in the Pacific Northwest, built to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes. Recommended by local insider Grace Coleman

This museum (previously known as the Experience Music Project Museum) was founded by Microsoft co-creator Paul Allen and designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The exterior packs a grunge punch with its purposefully designed resemblance of a smashed guitar. Inside, visitors are privy to the sounds of Seattle, with an emphasis on Jimi Hendrix, as well as science fiction and fantasy exhibits from classics such as The Wizard of Oz (1939). Recommended by local insider Grace Coleman

The Pike Brewing Company

Every traveler’s schedule should include a pit stop at the Pike Brewing Company, located in Downtown Seattle. Craft beer and artisanal ale are served by the pint. There’s also the Microbrewery Museum that offers visitors a peek into Charles Finkel’s (the brewery’s owner) personal collection of memorabilia. The company’s separate seafood restaurant in Pike Place Market, Tankard & Tun, also serves (arguably) the best oysters and Alaskan snappers in the Pacific Northwest. Recommended by local insider Grace Coleman

Discovery Park

Located on the shores of Puget Sound, Discovery Park boasts 534 acres (216ha) of parkland, including open meadows, forest groves, sea cliffs and active sand dunes all on the grounds of Fort Lawton. It has lots of hiking trails and is home to a Victorian-era lighthouse. Recommended by local insider Eric Coleman

The Spheres

Located in the commercial district of Downtown Seattle, these three spherical conservatories house more than 40,000 plant species from the cloud forest regions of 30 countries. Promoted as “a direct link to nature” – which is often amiss in other offices – the Spheres are part of Amazon (the company, not the rainforest) and serve as a workspace for the brand’s employees. Tours are available on two Saturdays each month. Recommended by local insider Eric Coleman

Elliott Bay Book Company

Located in the thriving Capitol Hill neighborhood, this multilevel, family-owned bookstore is a local haunt that has been around since the ’70s. It offers regular author readings and a public space for book clubs. There’s plenty of plush leather armchairs dotted about the store, so grab a book and plan to spend a couple of hours here. Recommended by local insider Eric Coleman

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.