Make the most of your time in Seattle, Washington with this simple travel guide based on our adventures.

Seattle, Washington is one of our favorite cities to visit. The background is always stunning and the rain adds to the PNW vibe.

It began as Phil's favorite USA destination and Kelsey loved being able to cozy up in a high rise while enjoying coffee. Now we go almost yearly for a relaxing, rainy getaway.

Even though we don't want to live in Seattle full time, it should be on everyone's travel bucket list. There are so many perfect photo spots and is a must-visit tourist location.

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Where to Stay

Kimpton Alexis Hotel

This is the hotel where we stayed after our wedding! They were amazing and gave us 5-star treatment.

Even if it is not your wedding night they still treat you like a VIP. They can help set you up with dinners and give great advice on how to spend a great night in Seattle.

Their basic "guest rooms" look like other hotel suites and the suites are just insane. The rooms have a nice modern look while still having an antique feel. They also have one of the better fitness rooms we have ever seen.

Another great aspect of the Alexis hotel is the location. You are in downtown and a quick walk to some of the major Seattle attractions. Food and drink options are not only available at the hotel but around the corner in every direction.

Loews Hotel 1000

Typically called "hotel 1000" this place is a perfect mix of modern and ritzy. As soon as you walk into the lobby you will see what we mean. This place is so fancy they didn't even want us to use the luggage dolly ourselves.

Our corner room had a living room, a separate bedroom, and a giant bathroom bigger than our tiny home. We loved the view of Seattle and the nearby water. If you want to feel extra fancy then this is where you need to stay. All of the rooms are nice and worth the price.

Treehouse Point

So this is actually about thirty minutes outside of Seattle but it is more than worth the drive! You get to stay in a REAL treehouse while still being within driving distance to some downtown Seattle exploring.

We have stayed in Treehouse Point a lot and our goal is to stay in every treehouse they own. Typically we stay downtown for a few nights then a few nights in the treehouses.

It's a perfect getaway and a very unique experience. There are plenty of picture opportunities so you can show off your amazing trip. It would be the perfect addition to a Seattle vacation.

StayPineapple

A fan favorite of the Schaub household is the Staypineapple hotel chain. We really like their vibe but the coolest part is the European-styled blankets.

There are a few Staypineapple hotels in Seattle and each one has its own unique touch...with tons of pineapple decorations. Which makes sense since pineapples are kinda their thing.

We have stayed in Hotel FIVE and Maxwell Hotel both of which are modern hotels close to the Space Needle. The Maxwell is so close to the Space Needle you can get a view of it right outside the window but Hotel FIVE is a closer walk to Pikes.

Hyatt

We love staying at Hyatts and it's our favorite "big chain" on the market. They typically have several hotels in a location with each one offering a different style.

If you want a more typical hotel vibe, go for the Hyatt Regency. It's tall with big windows and great for a city getaway.

Now if you want something with a more unique feel to it we suggest Motif, one of their more boutique hotel options. It has a luxurious vibe without a crazy price tag.

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Where to Eat

Le Panier

This may not be a big meal but this bakery is a must. Try going early because there will be a line out the door after 8 am. Our favorites are croissants and anything stuffed with chocolate.

They make everything fresh and you can smell it down the street. You can also grab some cafe drinks to add to your meal.

We typically grab our stuff to go and enjoy our snacks while exploring Seattle in the morning. There is seating available but it fills up quickly. The store is across the street from the main outdoor market at Pike's place.

Athenian Seafood Restaurant

Unfortunately, there are only limited options for vegans but it does offer some great seafood. We like it because it's also open for breakfast with a fully stocked bar for some great Bloody Mary's.

The view of the water and Seattle is also a nice touch. Plus, the restaurant is located in the main portion of Pike's market making it an easy stop along your city exploring.

Wayward Vegan Cafe

The Wayward Vegan Cafe is vegan heaven. It's not directly downtown so you will most likely have to drive there but it is so worth it.

When we went vegan the one thing Kelsey missed the most was a Ruben sandwich. This restaurant not only has the most amazing vegan Rueben but also dupes for other sandwiches. This place gets busy quick so try going during less busy times.

El Borracho

All you need to know about Borracho is tacos, tacos, and more tacos. AND VEGAN TACOS. There are tons of sauces to choose from to top on your tacos and of course fresh guacamole. Paired with a margarita and this place is perfect.

We found this place on accident walking around after visiting the Pike Place market. While searching for a vegan restaurant open we saw this place with no wait and made it in time for happy hour.

Beecher's Handmade Cheese

Beecher's is a cheese lover's dream come true. Their handmade cheese is delicious by itself but even better made into mac n cheese.

It's located by Pike Place Market and even if you aren't buying food, you should check it out. From the sidewalk, you can look into the windows and watch them making the cheese from scratch.

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What to Do

Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Market is the market to end all markets. They have more fresh produce than you have probably ever seen. There are also goods being sold of every kind and most homemade.

There are also more permanent stores, including Phil's favorite comic book store. This doesn't even begin to cover all of the seafood restaurants they have and places selling (and tossing) fish.

The stores on the streets around Pike's are also incredible including some amazing bakeries that are vegan-friendly.

We like going to Pikes (that's what we like to call it) early in the morning right when it opens. Then we walk around checking out anything that seems interesting. After enjoying lunch nearby we take our newly purchased goodies home.

The Orignal Starbucks

Kelsey never needs an excuse to go get coffee from Starbucks but it's an extra special occasion when we get to visit the original. Right outside Pike's is where the Starbucks story began.

It's cool seeing a tiny store and the original logo right on the window. The coffee is the same as all Starbucks locations but it's easily their busiest store.

Since we are early risers we typically avoid the line but we have seen people wrap around the store many times.

REI Flagship Store

We always find the time when we are in Seattle to visit this store. They have so much outdoor stuff from hiking equipment to GoPro accessories and everything in between. This is a huge store with a climbing wall, an outdoor hiking path, and sometimes an outdoor fireplace.

The clearance section is probably the best part because it seems to be at least twice the size of other stores. We always score good finds for half the price. The go-to items we look for are hiking boots, running shoes, and winter backpacking gear.

There is a parking garage but the first hour is free. Of course, an hour is not always enough time but it's only a few bucks after that.

Hiking

Downtown Seattle does not have too many hikes but around Seattle is another story. Some of Washington's best hiking trails are located in an hour or two from the city.

Mt. Rainer

If you are in Seattle, it is worth it to drive the 1.5 hours down to Mt Rainier. Just make sure you go during the summer because Mt. Rainier stands 14,410 feet above sea level and is covered in snow year-round.

Hiking trails there are beautiful. They are filled with wildlife and stunning views of many other Washington mountains.

Olympic National Park

Also worth the 1.5-hour drive. You can camp on a beach while still being surrounded by rainforest. You can always drive up the coast to Forks, WA to visit some Twilight (as in the book/movie series) touristy areas.

The area is beautiful with so many different things to see and it is a great place to enjoy nature in a secluded setting. Plus, it is much less busy than the Mt. Rainier area.

Snoqualmie Region

It has some great hikes and is very close to Seattle. This hiking option is only thirty to forty-five minutes away. You can challenge yourself by going up peaks like Granite Mountain.

For a more scenic and leisure hikes you can walk along rivers in the forest on the Snoqualmie valley trail.  Don’t forget to check out the stunning views on lookouts at McClellan Butte Trail. The best part is you can stay in Seattle and the drive is easy to makes.

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We hope our travel guide for Seattle, Washington will inspire you and help you plan your next trip. Seattle is one of our favorite cities and is always a great time. Happy Adventuring!