City break (noun): a short holiday spent in a city, such as when on business travel.
Before there was bleisure travel, there was the city break—the short space of leisure time that grants you access to the cultural and culinary amenities that big cities offer. In this series from TripIt, we explore some of the world’s best cities for planning a quick getaway or extending a work trip.
Here are our tips for making the most of your city break in Seattle, Washington.
Where to fly in
Seattle is served by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), located about 15 miles from downtown.
Once on the ground, travelers can take the Link Light Rail to downtown. You can consult Sound Transit's trip planner to see which light rail station is closest to your final destination. Ahead of boarding, purchase a ticket from a ticket machine or download the Transit GO Ticket app to buy a digital ticket. You can also use your physical ORCA card to board. Your fare for the Light Rail also covers buses and streetcars for the next two hours.
The light rail station at the airport is located on level four of the parking garage. Take the skybridge from Baggage Claim to the parking garage. Heads up: it’s a bit of a long walk from the doors of the airport to the light rail station. If you don’t feel like walking, you can also take the free Train-to-Plane shuttle to the station.
Alternatively, ride-shares like Uber and Lyft, as well as taxis, are readily available to take you where you need to go from SEA.
Where to stay during your city break
Looking for a luxury stay in the heart of Seattle? The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers guests an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of downtown. Take a dip in their infinity pool, relax by a fire pit, and enjoy the view of both the city and Puget Sound.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle—originally opened in 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—is in an ideal location for exploring the city’s famed landmarks like Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum.
Thompson Seattle, also located just steps from Pike Place Market, offers incredible views of the sound. Guests can also enjoy views from The Nest, the hotel’s swanky rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge.
In Seattle on business? If you’re attending a conference or event at the Seattle Convention Center, you can’t beat a stay at The Paramount Hotel Seattle (about a three-minute walk away), Grand Hyatt Seattle (about a five-minute walk away), or The Westin Seattle (about a seven-minute walk away).
Want a hotel that exudes more of a local vibe? Consider the Inn at the Market, Hotel Ballard, Arctic Club Hotel, or The Edgewater Hotel.
Vacation rentals, like those booked through Airbnb, are also available in Seattle.
How to get around
Part of downtown Seattle’s charm is its walkability. Plan accordingly by packing comfortable shoes for walking from place to place.
When walking isn’t feasible or desirable, you can take the Seattle Streetcar to explore downtown. The adult single-ride fare is $2.25. You can buy a ticket at a station, pay your fare with an ORCA card, or pay via the Transit GO app.
Or, take the Link Light Rail, which runs north to south, with notable stops at the University of Washington, Capitol Hill, Westlake Center, Pioneer Square, the airport, and more.
Going beyond the limits of Link’s north-to-south track? Depending on your destination, consider taking a bus. Bus fare can be paid in cash, with an ORCA card, or via the Transit GO app. A fare is valid for two hours after activation, and can be used to board other buses until it expires. Make sure to get a receipt if you pay in cash. The OneBusAway app can help you determine when the next bus will arrive.
Looking for micromobility options? Scooter- and bike-share services Lime and Bird are widely available for short trips.
Taxis and ride-share programs, like Uber and Lyft, are also available to take you where you need to go.
Where to eat
If you only have time for one meal in Seattle, make it at The Whale Wins. Owned by local restaurateur Renee Erickson, locals say it’s the perfect cozy Seattle seafood spot. You can also check out her other restaurant ,The Walrus and the Carpenter—especially if you’re looking for locally sourced oysters.
For the ultimate fine-dining experience, book a reservation for Canlis. Think: gorgeous views, extraordinary mid-century design, and a meal you’ll tell your friends about again and again. Or, head to Atoma—a new, buzzy spot named one of the city’s best restaurants by myriad publications.
Looking for some casual options? Grab a burger at Dick’s, Burgermaster, Kidd Valley, or Uneeda Burger. Craving banh mi? Head to Billiard Hoang, Banh Town, or Saigon Drip Cafe.
Have breakfast on the brain? Check out Portage Bay (for their waffle bar), Geraldine’s Counter (get there early), or Fat’s Chicken and Waffles (for their namesake).
Just looking for a freshly brewed coffee to start your day? Head to Boon Boona, Cafe Hagen, The Station, or Caffe Vita. The city is also home to an incredible Vietnamese coffee scene. Locals love Voi Cà Phê, Coffeeholic House, and Aroom—to name a few.
Speaking of brews, Seattle has a number of fantastic breweries (many that also offer food or partner with food trucks), including Stoup Brewing, Fremont Brewing, Fair Isle Brewing, Great Notion Brewing, Wheelie Pop Brewing, and many more.
Tip: Use TripIt’s Nearby Places feature to easily find places to eat and grab a drink within walking distance from where you’re staying. For example, if you’re looking for a restaurant that’s close to your hotel, simply tap on the restaurants option in Nearby Places to view an interactive map with each option tagged. Tap the tags to view useful information like the restaurant’s contact details, hours, reviews, and more. If you find a place you want to visit but can’t get there right away, you can save it to your trip itinerary in TripIt to visit later.
What to do on your city break
If this is your first time in Seattle, you can’t miss Pike Place Market—one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the U.S. Spanning more than nine acres in the heart of downtown, the market is beloved by locals and tourists alike.
Love museums? You’re spoiled for choice in Seattle. The city is home to the Museum of Pop Culture (known as MoPop), Wing Luke Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and The Museum of Flight. Olympic Sculpture Park and Chihuly Garden and Glass are also worth a visit.
Major league sports fans can catch the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) during football season; Seattle Mariners (MLB) during baseball season; Seattle Kraken (NHL) during hockey season; Seattle Storm (WNBA) during basketball season; and Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) and Seattle Reign FC (NWSL) during soccer season.
For family-friendly fun, book the Underground Tour where you can visit the original streets of Seattle before the Great Fire of 1889. Go from underground to underwater at the Seattle Aquarium. You’ll learn about the fascinating sea life found in Puget Sound—and in oceans around the world.
Adults only? Grab a drink at one of the city’s iconic cocktail bars and lounges, including The Nest (atop the Thompson), The Coupe and Flute, Roquette, and Foreign National—to name a few.
For nature and outdoor activities, you can rent a boat and boat around Lake Union. Or, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and visit the botanical gardens at Bloedel Reserve. Want to stay on dry land? Lace up your walking shoes and explore the three-mile walking trail around Green Lake.
Want to explore beyond Seattle and see more of Washington? Rent a car and head to Big Four Ice Caves, North Cascades National Park, or Mount Rainier National Park for a hike. Or, head to Woodinville Wine Country, one of Washington’s wine-producing regions. There you’ll discover more than 130 tasting rooms across four winemaking districts. Plan your own wine-tasting day, or opt for a Tasting Pass for a curated tour of the region.
