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As much as I love long trips, shorter trips are better for managing my work schedule and time off, and they're easier to budget. Long weekend trips are even better, especially if you're planning to do domestic trips or purely leisure trips. Back in December, a friend and I had planned to visit Seattle for five days. Not the best time to go in terms of the weather but we found decent flight prices and pulled the trigger.
Then, I got COVID. I was no longer testing positive right before the time but I was having some complications and had to get a chest x-ray done, and we eventually rescheduled the trip for the first week of March. As it turns out, it was a good decision. We were able to do more than we had anticipated and we stayed at a hotel downtown, which enabled us to walk basically everywhere (unless the weather didn't cooperate, which it rarely did). I like planning for trips but also leaving room to be flexible so we had things we wanted to do (without accounting for every minute of every day) and then playing it by ear.
So, without further ado, here's a rundown of all the ground we covered over the course of five days in Seattle:
Mount Rainier National Park
You can't visit Seattle and not take a day trip up to Mount Rainier. March was a great time to visit because the park was open but it lacked the crowds and tourists it normally has during warmer weather. Everything was white and pristine, and truly a miracle of nature. We booked a tour through TripAdvisor and sat in the back seat of a minivan as we drove up the mountain. We caught glimpses of it on our drive but once we reached the visitor center, all we could do was stare up at it in awe. We spent a few hours there (remember to bring proper hiking shoes and gear, and a packed lunch or snacks!) and as we prepared to head back down, it began to snow. Easily the highlight of the trip for me.
Pike Place Market
Another must-visit in Seattle, you can find just about anything at Pike Place Market. We visited about three or four times during our five-day stay and found something new every time. There is plenty to eat (including a whole host of vegan options) and plenty to do. If you're like me, there are a ton of bookstores and antique shops to check out. There are hundreds of vendors and they vary with the seasons. Walk along the harbor outside or dine with a harbor view. Visit the first Starbucks location and drink a ton of coffee. Watch fish fly across the pathways. Check out the (very gross) gum wall. You won't get bored.
Space Needle
If you aren't afraid of heights, visit the Space Needle. General admission is $32.50 but if you're planning to visit other places like Climate Pledge Arena and Chihuly Garden and Glass, there are different packaged ticket options to help you save some money. You'll get amazing views of Seattle and Elliot Bay, and it has a revolving glass floor so you'll get complete views.
Olympic Sculpture Park
We didn't get to spend too much time here but we stopped by on our way over to the Space Needle. There are a ton of fun sculptures to check out and if the weather had been warmer, it could be a fun picnic spot or a place to catch up with friends. Also has incredible views.
Bainbridge Island
Take the 45-minute ferry across the bay to get to Bainbridge Island, where you can spend hours visiting the art museum, window shopping, and dining at many restaurants or doing wine tastings (if you drink). We dined at a Vietnamese restaurant (more here) and walked around as much as we could in the rain. There's a bookstore called Eagle Harbor Book Company that was super cozy where I bought The Winners by Fredrik Backman. If you have a car, you can cover even more ground.
Seattle Harbor
Last but not least, the company Argosy Cruises does hour-long tours of the Seattle Harbor with breathtaking skyline views. The tour guide we had was super knowledgeable and though we nearly froze sitting on the top level of the cruise ship, it was well worth it. You'll get to see more of the history of the city and the most visible landmarks (and sports stadiums, if you're into that), and learn more about Seattle's fishing and shipping industries. You might even spot a seal (like we did) hanging out nearby.
With plenty to do, see, and eat, you'll never get bored in Seattle, no matter how short or long your trip might be.
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