You can get a downloadable map of this itinerary here.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: July-early October. Seattle is best for outdoor activities when the water is warm enough for paddle boarding or kayaking on Lake Union (check out Moss Bay for rentals.) However, the city is most STUNNING when the leaves begin to change throughout the surrounding mountainscapes, just before the rain starts rolling in come late October. Both times of the year are equally prime for visiting, it just depends if you’re more into outdoor activities like hiking and swimming, or more enticed by the exploding food scene and must-visit coffee shops to cuddle up in with in your trendiest sweaters.

WHERE TO STAY: Capitol Hill is home to the trendier and younger side of Seattle, but Queen Anne will give you a homier vibe if you’re with a family. Both provide stunning views of the city with walkable distances to popular sight-seeing spots.

HOW TO GET AROUND: Go into the nearest lightrail station (there’s one at the airport providing transportation directly to and from the heart of the city for just over $3) and purchase an Orca card at one of the kiosks. Toss on $10 or so for the weekend. You can easily add on more if need be.

MY GREATEST TIP: Call ahead for all restaurant reservations and wait times, and take full advantage of the city’s massive happy hour scene if you don’t want to blow the bank on the city’s many upscale restaurants.

friday.

Head downtown to the quiet side of Pike Place Market, where you’ll spend most of the day tomorrow in what will become an entirely different lively and bustling environment. For now, you’ll stroll down a quiet cobblestone street to an unassuming pink door, where you will, quite literally, have dinner at The Pink Door. You must make reservations at least a week or two in advance for dinner time, but trust me, it is well worth the wait for this candlelit Italian nook full of whimsical decorations and a STELLAR menu.

Afterwards, treat a busy day of travel to one or two cocktails from some of Seattle’s most renowned mixologists. Navy Strength boasts some of the best tropical-infused drinks among a fun and lively post-work atmosphere, while Purple Café and Wine Bar offers a far more elegant and relaxed wine list. Frolik, however, is perched atop the Motif hotel, and also provides a long list of drink offerings, but with 360 views of the city lights and sights.

saturday.

Head back down toward Pike Place Market, but first grab a cup of coffee from Mr. West Café. From here, you can walk to Pike Place Market and spend a few hours exploring the many different levels and stories of hidden antique shops, bodacious bouquets, and seafood (literally) tossed from one man’s hands to the next. Get a cup of Ellenos famous Greek yogurt (my personal favorite is the marionberry pie,) or a pastry from the famed Piroshky Piroshky. It’s an overwhelming stream of shops, but fear not, because hundreds of different guides await you online if you’re wanting to take a more organized approach. For me, I just explore on a whim and spend a few bucks on whatever looks tasty.

NOTE: Pike Place Market is where you will find the original Starbucks. It’s fun to see the building from outside, but in my experience, it is not worth the wait in line to get a cup of coffee from inside. Believe me, it tastes the exact same everywhere else.

Next, make your way up to Green Lake for a stroll around the park, Lake Union for some paddle boarding, or the Ballard Locks (where you might just catch the salmon run if it’s August-October) and reward yourself with a flight of craft beers from Fremont Brewing Co. afterwards. If the weather is poor or you’re wanting to slow things down, worry not! You can always take a tour of the famed Theo Chocolate Shop in Ballard, or The Starbucks Roastery closer to downtown.

Hopefully the assortment of goods from Pike Place Market can hold you over, but if not, grab a cup of coffee and a snack from any local coffee shop, or snag a scoop of ice cream from Molly Moon’s.

Regardless of what you decide, eventually make your way into the funky neighborhood of Ballard. If you have a handful of spare time, sift through the shops as you make your way toward dinner…

Once the evening sets in, make your way to Stoneburner for wood-fired pizzas and drool-worthy charcuterie. Enjoy a glass of red as you admire the cozy wooden décor, which was IMMACULATELY recycled and refurbished from a nearby high school gymnasium.

Afterwards, head into Ballard’s Hot Cakes. Here, you will find one of Seattle’s best hidden gems: the lava cake. Even if you don’t have room left from dinner, I beg of you, please just split one of these caked droplets of goodness from the gods. I promise, they are that good.

From here, you’ll make your way to one final stop for the evening. You may be tired from the day’s adventures, but this will be well worth the trip into the neighborhood of Queen Anne. High atop the neighborhood, find your way to Kerry Park via a short Uber or Lyft from Ballard. Here, the most BREATHTAKING view of Seattle and all it’s glory awaits. Peep the glowing ferry boats to your right, and the Space Needle to your left.

sunday.

If you’re wanting a more gradual start to the day, head into one of Portage Bay Café’s locations and indulge in some of the city’s best brunch. If you’re ready to get the day going, swing through Bakery Nouveau for flaky croissants and steamy coffee that are more than worth the trip.

From here, you can take the day slow with some more of the city’s touristy sights, like the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, or the famed Chihuly Garden and Glass. If you’re looking for more of an adventure, you can head to Pier 52 and snag a ticket aboard the ferry for a couple of bucks. I recommend taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island, which is a short 30-minute ride into a quaint town with beautiful views of Seattle and the Puget Sound. Once arrived, explore the local shops, ice cream parlors, and cafes by foot for a relaxing afternoon outside of the bustling Seattle center. Who knows, on your ride home you might even catch a glimpse of an orca or two.