What to do in Seattle?

Larry, given that you're from Issaquah, let's have a Washingtonian chat, shall we? :)

You have a couple choices: if you come in the next few weeks, it's still before the cruise ships start coming in, and you can probably enjoy any of the really touristy spots (Pike Place Market, Olympic Sculpture Park, Space Needle) that you've never seen with marginally less crowds.

If you come any time after Memorial Day, or you've already done those touristy things anyway, here are some other suggestions:

• Check out Gas Works Park or Kerry Park for great views of the city.
  
• Visit Golden Gardens or Discovery Park to do some urban exploration.
  
• Hang out at Alki Beach Park for the West Seattle experience -- it's a real beach, if you've never been!
  
• Take the Adults-Only/evening session of the Seattle Underground Tour for a saucier take on our city history.
  
• Visit the Seattle Art Museum for some amazing local and global art -- they have an indigenous art display on right now through mid-May.
  

Hope this helps you fill your time!

Pike Place Market is always a fun place to visit even if you don't plan on spending any money. If you go, make sure you watch the fish throwing and to visit the gum wall. You can visit Alki Beach and enjoy walking along the boardwalk or play some beach volleyball. Also, the Pacific Science Center isn't free but it's $20 per adult for general admission and you could probably find some coupons.

If you make it down to Tacoma the Museum of Glass is an amazing place to visit and is $15 per adult. If you're really hoping to go to lots of Seattle's museums, it would be a better deal to buy a city pass. They're $69 per adult and it gives you admission to 5 attractions (1- the Space Needle, 2- Seattle Aquarium, 3- Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, 4- EMP Museum or Woodland Park Zoo, and 5- Pacific Science Center or Chihuly Garden and Glass). If you can afford it, I highly recommend it (http://www.citypass.com/seattle?mv_source=rkg&creative=56083442909&adpos=1t1&device=c&network=g&matchtype=e&gclid=CNm4qciyn8UCFRaTfgodgRMA2w).

If you're looking for any hikes to do, I recommend any at this link(http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/regional/hikes-30-minutes-from-seattle).

The Washington Park Arboretum is a beautiful garden with lots of flowers and is completely free. The Olympic Sculpture Park is free also and features sculptures from artists such as Richard Serra, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero and Louise Bourgeois.

Definitely walk around the Seattle Waterfrontand enjoy some people watching. There's a ferris wheel there that you could ride but I believe it's slightly spendy.

If you're looking to learn some history, go to the Log House Museum to learn about the stories of the "Alki Landing Party" and the Duwamish tribe.

Also, A trip to China town Seattle is a lot of fun! They have many great Asian restaurants there and you get to learn about their culture.

Before your trip, research events that will be going on in Seattle the time you will be there. The city always has many free events for the public to enjoy. There is so much more I could tell you so if you have any questions just ask me!

So many things to explore in Seattle!  We also did the Savor Seattle Food Tours and it was a great time - but its certainly easy enough to explore the market on your own if you'd prefer!  We went back to the market several times while in Seattle as there is so many different foods to try!  I would also recommend kayaking the Ballard Locks on the sound with Ballard Kayak and taking a bike tour through the city with Craig form Seattle Cycling Tours.  Hiking through Discovery Park is also well worth it!

Seattle is an amazing city.

Visit the Pike Place Market

See the Space Needle

Go up the Columbia Tower Club (Its actually just the columbia Tower) Highest Building in Seattle:

http://gatetoadventures.com/amazing-view-seattle-columbia-center/

If you are interested in man made things. Check out the Seattle Tunnel Boring Machine, which is being repaired right now. There are free tours of the project.

http://gatetoadventures.com/seattles-boring-exhibit/

Not far from there is the Waterfall Garden Park

http://gatetoadventures.com/waterfall-garden-hidden-gem-seattle/

If you like Japanes Garden visit the Kubota Garden

http://gatetoadventures.com/kubota-garden-an-amazing-japanese-garden-in-seattle/

The Fremont District offers some great food locations Fremont Neighborhood

If you are into planes visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour Which is right next to the Boeing Factory. Take the awesome tour.

But there is so much more to see and do in Seattle. It also depends on your preferences...

Hi Larry,

Endless possibilities in Seattle! We did a food tour of Pike Place Marketwith Savor Seattle Food Toursand it was great because we got to try small portions of a bunch of different foods, and get great info on the Seattle and the market at the same time. Also, the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass are two other popular spots that are right next to each other so you can stop by both at the same time. 

Have fun!