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24 Incredible Hours in Seattle

Come for the coffee and stay for the culture. From the iconic Space Needle to the Museum of Pop Culture, there is plenty to do in Seattle in just 24 hours. If you're looking to get a taste of Seattle in a short amount of time, a Pike Place Market food tour is the way to go. From seafood to farm-fresh produce, there's something for everyone at the Market. And just a short ride away is the Museum of Pop Culture, which celebrates the city's rich music and pop culture history.


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NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!

The Emerald City is known for its stunning views of Elliott Bay and its unique neighborhoods like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. Seattle is also home to a number of excellent hotels that offer travelers amazing amenities and comfortable accommodations. Our options for staying were limited, knowing that we were only staying one night. For a budget-friendly, 5-star stay that's walking distance to the Museum of Pop Culture, it was a GREAT stay. Read 5-star review of the Fairfield Inn on our blog here.



If you're looking for a different type of stay, here are some of the best hotels in Seattle:

The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is located in the heart of the city and offers stunning views of Puget Sound and the Space Needle. The hotel is also within walking distance of many of Seattle's best attractions, including the Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum. The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers impeccable service and luxurious accommodations, making it one of the best hotels in Seattle.


The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is another fantastic option for those looking for luxurious accommodations in Seattle. The hotel is located in the historic Pioneer Square district and offers a number of excellent amenities, including an indoor pool, a spa, and a fitness center. The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is also within walking distance of many of Seattle's best attractions, making it a convenient option for travelers.

NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!

The Seattle Marriott Waterfront is a great option for travelers who want to be close to the action. The hotel is located on the waterfront in the heart of downtown Seattle and offers stunning views of Elliott Bay. The Seattle Marriott Waterfront is also within walking distance of many of Seattle's best shops, restaurants, and attractions.


Whether you're looking for luxurious accommodations or a unique hotel experience, Seattle has a number of excellent hotels to choose from. These are just a few of the best hotels in Seattle, so be sure to do your research to find the perfect hotel for your travel needs.

NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!


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Breakfast and Coffee

Coffee is a big deal in Seattle. The city is known for its top-notch coffee shops, which is why we've compiled a list of the best ones for you to check out.


If you're looking for a coffee shop with a relaxed, neighborhood feel, then choose Herkimer Coffee in Queen Anne. The coffee is excellent, and there's always a cozy atmosphere here. Note that there are several locations throughout Seattle. We LOVED our experience at Cafe Hagen and my coffee was really good and STRONG and the cozy and inviting vibe of the cafe was so cute.


Coffeeholic House is a Vietnamese-inspired coffee house! Ube lattes anyone?! If you're patient, you can witness the Original Starbucks and even order from there! Read below for more information. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is only found in select cities in the US and is definitely a neat looking Starbucks with gigantic roasters in the middle of the store.


Finally, we'll recommend Caffe Vita in the Pike Place Market area. The coffee is phenomenal, and it's the perfect place to people watch while enjoying a cup of joe.

Be sure to check out one (or all) of these great spots the next time you need a caffeine fix.


Seattle is a great city for breakfast lovers. There are many great breakfast spots to choose from. Whether you are looking for a cozy spot to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or a place to grab a quick bite before exploring the city, you will find a great breakfast spot in Seattle.

We LOVED our breakfast at Cafe Hagen (not by Pike Place) but that smoked salmon dish was phenomenal! NOTE that there are THREE Cafe Hagen's, so make sure to use our map or this link to make sure you get to the right one! If you're looking for something sweet to go with your coffee, head to Pike Place Market for a cronut from Daily Dozen Doughnut Company. Skycity is a top-notch breakfast spot located in the Space Needle. The restaurant has an incredible view of the city and offers a delicious breakfast buffet. The buffet includes a variety of breakfast items, including eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, and pastries.


Biscuit Bitch is a popular breakfast spot in Seattle - there are several locations in Seattle. The restaurant is known for its delicious biscuits and gravy. The biscuits are made with fresh, local ingredients and are served with a variety of gravies, including sausage, bacon, and vegetarian. During our 24-hours here we passed by the Pike Place location several times and it was always hopping! Our chef and food tour, tour guide told us that Honest Biscuits was better. Honest Biscuits has HUGE biscuits - they offer flavored biscuits, vegan and gluten-free ones as well! They also offer delicious looking sandwiches on these biscuits. If you're lucky enough to get a good seat, you'll have a beautiful view of the water


NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!


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Pike Place


Walk off your breakfast navigating through Pike Place Market. Seattle is a great city for food lovers, and the Pike Place Market is a must-see for anyone visiting the Emerald City. Located in the heart of downtown, the market is home to over 200 businesses, including farmers, craftspeople, and artists. For foodies, the market is a paradise, with fresh seafood, produce, and meats available. The famous Pike Place Fish Market is a must-stop, where you can watch the skilled fishmongers throw and catch salmon. There are also plenty of stalls selling Seattle's famous Dungeness crab. The market is also a great place to pick up some souvenirs, with handmade arts and crafts available from local artisans.


The Pike Place Market is a vibrant and lively area, full of delicious food options. There are so many choices that it can be overwhelming to try and figure out what to eat. This is where a food tour comes in handy! A food tour of the Pike Place Market is the perfect way to sample a variety of the amazing food on offer. You'll get to try fresh seafood, produce, ethnic cuisine, and more. Plus, your guide will be able to share all the insider tips on the best places to eat in the Market which is VERY tricky for an outsider, or even if you're from Seattle. If you're only in Seattle for a short time, a food tour is the perfect way to make the most of your time and eat like a local.


NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!

We absolutely LOVED our Chef-Guided Tour through Eat Seattle - as your guide's knowledge of the market will absolutely come in handy, as I did not realize how crowded Pike Place was - even just navigating to the bathrooms! Read our detailed review of the experience here. They even offer you discounts with codes at the end of the tour to many places inside the market. You will be more than fully fed at the end of this tour (we used this tour as our lunch and were satisfied). My husband usually prefers larger portions and was full but also made sure to eat any extras that were available (so, don't be shy). We sampled:

  • Salmon jerky from Totem Smokehouse

  • Pizza from Pizza & Pasta Bar

  • Al Pastor tacos from Los Agaves

  • Clam Chowder from Pike Place Chowder

  • The most delicious Hot Tea at Market Spice

  • Chocolate-Covered Cherries from Chukar Cherries

  • Smoked Salmon

  • Freshly made cheese and mac & cheese from Beecher's

  • Truffle salt, Truffle mustard and Spread at Truffle Queen

  • Filipino food from Oriental Mart

    • Longganisa - best longganisa I've ever had (don't tell my grandma)

    • Lumpia

    • Guava Juice

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The Original Starbucks

When most people think of Starbucks, they think of the international coffee chain that has locations in almost every city. However, the original Starbucks was actually a coffee shop located in Seattle, Washington. This coffee shop was founded in 1971 by three partners: English teacher Jerry Baldwin, history teacher Zev Siegel, and writer Gordon Bowker. The name "Starbucks" was inspired by the coffee-loving first mate in the book Moby Dick.


The original Starbucks was a small operation, located in a narrow storefront on Pike Place. The partners started with only six coffee bean varieties and a handful of hot beverage equipment. The shop quickly became popular with locals and began to expand its operations. In 1982, the original Starbucks partners sold the company to Howard Schultz, who transformed it into the global coffee empire that it is today.


Despite its impressive growth, the original Starbucks location on Pike Place remains open to this day. This store is now more of a tourist destination than a functional coffee shop, but it still serves as a reminder of where the Starbucks brand started. They have the original tiles from the store, but keep in mind that it is SMALL. We walked past them several times during our day and even after 7pm the line was still down the block to get in. If you find yourself in Seattle, be sure to check out the original Starbucks and see what all the fuss is about!


Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

The Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP, is a must-see for any visitor to Seattle, especially if you're a fan of pop culture. Housed in a building designed by Frank Gehry, MoPOP is dedicated to preserving and celebrating popular culture. With over 800 artifacts on display, MoPOP has something for everyone. From rare comics and manuscripts to iconic costumes and props, MoPOP is a veritable treasure trove for pop culture aficionados. MoPOP also has a number of interactive exhibits, which make it a great place to visit with family, friends and kids. In June of 2022 we saw the Guitar Hall of Fame, Nirvana Exhibit, Jimi Hendrix Exhibit, Hall of Fame of Fantasy and Science Fiction and Galaxy Exhibit including hover boards from Back to the Future, Light Sabers, Iron Man mask and so much more! In addition to its regular exhibitions, MoPOP also hosts a number of special events throughout the year. So whether you're a fan of film, music, television, or video games, MoPOP is sure to have something that will interest you.



Find specific Resort Pass hotels in Seattle on our Things to Do - Washington page.



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Dinner


If you’re looking for a diverse and delicious dining experience, look no further than Seattle. This Pacific Northwest city is home to some of the best restaurants in the country, serving up everything from fresh seafood to global cuisine. NOTE: In June of 2022, most places were reserved 1.5 - 2 weeks out! So, make sure to do your research ahead of time and check with the restaurants that they take reservations! We have listed these restaurants in our Maps List here


No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find a great Seattle restaurant to suit your needs. Here are just a few of the best places to eat in Seattle.


This popular Seattle spot is known for its fresh seafood and rustic Italian fare. In all of my searches they were rated at the top of places to eat and even the locals would recommend the same. The Pink Door is located in the historic Post Alley district and offers a charming patio for outdoor dining. Some blogs recommend the calamari and the homemade gnocchi. Some menu items include: beef carpaccio, crostini al funghi, arancini, pasta and risotto dishes that include: squid ink tonnarelli, lasagna pink door (pesto and marina sauce); "branzino style" whole white fish of the day, clams and mussels, cioppino, braised lamb shank, pan roasted ribeye and more!


Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge This came up in my search of the best places to have dinner in Seattle. Reservations were booked 2 weeks out. They have several steaks, pork, chicken, lamb, seafood, salads, pasta and French specialties. They're salads are not your normal salads:

  • Parisien-style Smoked Trout, Frisee and Castelfranco

  • Local Dungeoness Crab, Ruby Grapefruit, and Avocado

  • The Toulouse Market Salad (haricots verts, asparagus, artichokes, golden beets, nicoise olives, heirloom tomatoes, champagne vinaigrette)


For a truly unique dining experience, head to the Space Needle, Seattle’s most iconic landmark. The rotating restaurant offers craft cocktails and sweeping views of the city and beyond, and the menu features Pacific Northwest cuisine. The Space Needle is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.


Etta’s is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. This classic seafood restaurant is located in the heart of Pike Place Market and specializes in fresh, seasonal seafood. Head over here for a more casual dine. The crab cakes are a must-try. Other menu items include charred broccoli, BBQ butter shrimp, nachos, smoked brisket dip sandwich with jus, a board of their best foods and triple coconut cream pie slice.


If you’re in the mood for sushi, look no further than Shiro’s. This popular sushi spot is located in Belltown and offers a wide variety of sushi and sashimi. The omakase is a great way to try a little bit of everything.


Admittedly reservations were hard to come by while we were in town for 24 hours, however still overall a great dine! If you're lucky enough to get a spot by the window, it does offer great views and the seafood was fresh!




NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!

Cocktails & Drinks

There are many great places to enjoy cocktails in Seattle, but here are a few of our favorites.


The first spot on our list is called The Zig Zag Cafe. This place is known for its wide selection of classic and modern cocktails. They also have an extensive food menu, so you can enjoy a meal with your drinks.


For a truly unique dining experience, head to the Space Needle's - Loupe Lounge, Seattle’s most iconic landmark. The rotating restaurant offers craft cocktails and sweeping views of the city and beyond, and the menu features Pacific Northwest cuisine. The Space Needle is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.


If you're looking for a more laid-back and eclectic atmosphere, White Horse Tavern is the place for you. This bar has a relaxed vibe offering mainly whiskey (no cocktails) but they also had a few wine options. Per our food tour guide, it's the BEST whiskey bar in town. They have various items hanging from the ceiling and up on the wall (see our video below).


For something a little different, try Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails. This spot is known for their unique takes on classic cocktails. They also have a menu of small plates, so you can nibble on something while you enjoy your drink. Inside Passage is a unique underwater-themed bar complete with unique cocktails in some of the CUTEST barware, I have ever seen! The Splintered Wand is a Harry Potter-themed bar with themed food and cocktails names and an atmosphere that looks like you're in Hogwarts! Google reports that they are permanently closed, but in HOPES that they open again, they were on my wish list, so I wanted to still add them here


Whether you're looking for a classic cocktail or something new and exciting, Seattle has a spot for you. So grab a group of friends and head out for a night of fun.



Google List of Places

Even before starting TheBoujCrew, I would have friends, family, coworkers and even patients recommend places to me and I ALWAYS save them. So, I quickly add them to Google Maps so that I can access later. It also keeps me organized when planning, so I can see how close/far places are. My list includes restaurants, places and activities during our 24 hours in Seattle then one week in Chelan. Check it out here


Other Tour Ideas

NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!

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More Recommendations

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