How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Seattle
Plus: The ultimate itinerary for a two-day getaway in Seattle.
Thinking about planning a getaway weekend in Seattle? As PNW locals (and ex-Seattle residents), Seattle is one our favorite places to escape to for a weekend.
There’s no shortage of jaw-dropping views, mountain (or ocean) adventures, and incredible local restaurants that you will find no where else.
Keep reading for our ideal two days in Seattle, including where to stay, unique things to do, and a weekend in Seattle itinerary!
Getting to Seattle:
Seattle is a great option for a weekend getaway because it’s super accessible, whether you choose to fly or drive. SeaTac is the main airport for the Seattle area, and depending on where you’re flying from, it can be relatively affordable to fly into because it’s such a travel hub. From there, you can rent a car or hop on the Link Light Rail and it will take you right into the heart of downtown Seattle.
What to expect with Seattle weather:
Seattle has a reputation for being one of the rainiest places in the country. And yes, this can definitely be true, especially if you visit in the winter. With its proximity to mountains and water, this city definitely sees more rain than others. But don’t let that discourage you from visiting! Late spring, summer, and early fall are pretty magical seasons in the Pacific Northwest, and with a little extra planning, even the rainy season can be cozy and magical too.
Fall in Seattle
Fall in Seattle is a great time to plan a visit. The temperatures are still hovering between 50-60 degrees without too many days of rain yet, and the leaves are beginning to change. Because Seattle has more of a wet, temperate climate, the fall colors tend to stay around a bit longer.
Winter in Seattle:
Winter days are mostly cloudy and a bit cooler with temps in the 30s to 40s. This is the time of year when the days are typically the rainiest, but the crowds are minimal. With a few extra layers and a little extra planning, winter weekend in Seattle can be a unique experience, too!
Spring in Seattle:
This is one of the best seasons to visit Seattle because there’s almost always something in bloom. The temperatures hang out in the 50s, but the sun starts to make a bit more of an appearance.
Summer in Seattle:
Summer is definitely the most popular time to visit Seattle. The days are long and the sun is there to stay. Temperatures range in the 70s to 80s, but a heatwave into the 90s can happen too. But in a city surrounded by water and mountains, there’s always activities you can do to escape the heat.
Where to Stay for a weekend in Seattle:
Hotel Ändra Seattle – MGallery
Hotel Ändra Seattle – MGallery was probably one of the best hotels we’ve stayed in. Located between South Lake Union and Belltown, we were walking distance from incredible restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, as well as iconic Seattle must-see spots like Pike Place Market.
Recently renovated, this luxury boutique hotel now boasts sleek, bold Scandinavian decor fused with the charm of the 1920s building it’s set in. Our room was light and bright, with big windows overlooking the city. We had a fully stocked mini bar, an espresso machine, the coziest robes, a beautiful tile shower, and a separate vanity area for getting ready.
The hotel is beautiful and the rooms are everything I want my house to look like, but it doesn’t stop there. Hotel Ändra Seattle is one of the few hotels in the US with a cooking school inside, Hot Stove Society. If you time your visit right to line up with a class, you should definitely reserve a few spots! Hot Stove Society shares a loft space with the hotel and was one of my favorite spots to hang out. There’s a wall full of cookbooks to look at, a long co-working table, and many cozy seats to spend some time researching your next dinner party meal.
Hotel Amenities: Dog-friendly, valet parking, Lola bar & restaurant in the lobby of the hotel, room service, complimentary wi-fi, fitness center, and complimentary shoe shine.
Best things to do on a Seattle weekend getaway:
1. Explore different areas of downtown Seattle
Downtown Seattle is made up of a bunch of different neighborhoods, each with their own personality and offerings. Some of our favorites:
- Belltown: A more up-scale area of downtown Seattle, and the hub for Amazon. Here you’ll find all kinds of delicious cafés, bars, and restaurants.
- Pike Place Market: It wouldn’t be a weekend in Seattle without a trip to Pike Place Market. The streets and market stalls can be crowded with tourists, but the atmosphere is still something worth experiencing. Pro tip: If you’re a coffee aficionado, don’t wait in line at the first Starbucks. Head up the street to the Corner Market building where you’ll find Storyville Coffee on the top floor.
- Westlake Center: if you’re looking to get some shopping done, head here first! You’ll find stores like Zara, Anthropologie, The North Face, Nike, Sephora, Arc’Teryx and so many more.
- South Lake Union: Located on the south shores of Lake Union, this is a great area to walk around and enjoy the water views. In the summer (or an extra sunny spring day), the lake is often filled with boats, sailboats, and seaplanes coming and going.
2. Take a cooking or espresso class
One of the best ways to experience a place is through it’s food and drink, and Seattle is no different. Hot Stove Society (located in Hotel Ändra) is a great place to hone in on your cooking skills. Or you could perfect your at-home lattes by taking an espresso class with Seattle Barista Academy. Because what better place to learn about coffee than the city most famous for it.
3. Visit Seattle Center and the Space Needle
It wouldn’t be a weekend in Seattle without a trip to Seattle Center and the top of the Space Needle. Regardless of the weather, taking in the 360-degree views of Seattle and the Puget Sound from the top of the Space Needle is a must-do. You can also visit attractions like the International Fountain, Climate Pledge Arena, and Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center.
4. Explore different coffee shops
Did you know Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks? Yep, you can visit the very first Starbucks in downtown Seattle. But Seattle’s coffee scene doesn’t stop there! There’s hundreds of craft coffee shops in the greater Seattle area all serving artesian espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattés. Some of the best lattés I’ve ever had have been from Seattle coffee shops, including Storyville Coffee in Pike Place Market.
Need some coffee shop inspiration? Check out our 11 Favorite Coffee Shops in Seattle.
The perfect itinerary for a weekend in Seattle:
Friday:
- Arrive in downtown Seattle and check into Hotel Ändra Seattle – MGallery
- Spend some time settling into your room and wandering around the hotel
- Enjoy a few cozy minutes relaxing by the huge fireplace in the lobby
- head up to the loft to peruse the cookbook wall, or use the co-working table to finish up the workday
- Dinner: For a more upscale vibe featuring local ingredients, try Aerlume near Pike Place Market. (We recommend making a reservation beforehand!)
- Drinks: Bathtub Gin & Co.
Saturday:
- Wake up and make yourself coffee with the in-room Nespresso as you get ready for the day
- Grab breakfast and pastries across the street from the hotel at Dahlia Bakery
- Spend the morning in an espresso class with Seattle Barista Academy, learning about the science and art to perfecting the perfect at-home espresso
- Grab lunch at Serious Pie after your class
- After lunch, explore the nearby neighborhoods like Pike Place, Belltown, South Lake Union, and Westlake.
- Dinner: Assaggio (we recommend making a reservation in advance)
- Drinks: Lola Seattle
Sunday:
- Wake up and make yourself a coffee as you lounge in your hotel room and enjoy the city views
- Breakfast: Lola Seattle
- Coffee: Moore Coffee Shop (looking for more coffee shop suggestions? Here’s our Seattle favorites)
- After coffee, head north to Ballard and wander the Ballard Farmers Market
- Lunch: Grab lunch at one of the market stalls or a nearby Ballard restaurant
- Start making your way home
