Seattle

Day 1: Waterfront art to hilltop views

Ease into Seattle by hugging the Elliott Bay shoreline and weaving up to leafy hilltops. This day balances contemporary art, sea air, and classic Olmsted-era parks with big-sky viewpoints if “the Mountain is out.”

• Morning: Start at Olympic Sculpture Park and stroll north along the Elliott Bay Trail through Myrtle Edwards Park; watch for seals and herons, and grab a coffee from a nearby roaster to blend in with locals. Tip: clear mornings give the best views of Mount Rainier and the Olympics; bring layers as the breeze off the bay can be chilly even in summer.
• Midday: Head uphill to Freeway Park (10–15 mins by bus or ride-hail from the waterfront). Explore this landmark of landscape brutalism built over the I‑5—its terraces and waterfalls feel surprisingly tranquil; it’s a great wet‑day option thanks to the dense planting.
• Afternoon: Continue to Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill (bus-friendly). Visit the Volunteer Park Conservatory (ticketed) and the Seattle Asian Art Museum if you fancy art indoors; then climb the 1906 water tower for a free 360‑degree panorama—an insider alternative to the Space Needle.
• Evening: Make for Queen Anne’s viewpoints: Kerry Park for the postcard skyline, then amble to nearby Marshall Park or Parsons Gardens for quieter sunset moments. Note: Kerry Park is tiny—plan 15–20 minutes, then wander the surrounding streets for architecture and cafés.

Day 2: North Seattle’s lake loop and post‑industrial play

Today strings together a car‑free “green necklace” of paths and parks, highlighting Olmsted planning and one of America’s boldest industrial-to-park transformations. It’s active but flexible—perfect in any season.

• Morning: Do the 2.8‑mile Green Lake loop. Etiquette matters: walkers/runners keep to the inner path, wheels on the outer lanes and circulate anti‑clockwise. In summer, rent a paddleboard; in winter, warm up with coffee and watch hardy locals lap the water.
• Midday: Head to Wallingford for lunch, then wander to Gas Works Park on Lake Union. Picnic on the kite hill, watch seaplanes and rowers, and photograph the preserved gasworks against the skyline—one of the city’s most iconic views.
• Afternoon: Follow the Burke‑Gilman Trail for a car‑free spin or stroll; options include the Fremont Troll detour or continuing to Magnuson Park if you’re keen (excellent off‑leash dog area). Tip: summer afternoons can be busy—ring a bell and keep right on shared paths.
• Evening: Linger for golden hour back at Gas Works or along Lake Union’s shore. If it’s a clear night, the reflections are superb; if it’s drizzly, duck into a Wallingford or Fremont pub—Seattleites embrace weather with a pint and a rain jacket.

Day 3: Wild peninsulas and garden calm

Finish with Seattle’s wilder side and its most contemplative gardens. You’ll move from bluff‑top meadows to a living museum of trees, then close in deep green tranquillity.

• Morning: Explore Discovery Park’s Loop Trail through meadows and second‑growth forest; if tides cooperate, descend to West Point Lighthouse and the protected beaches (check tide tables—low tide reveals excellent beachcombing). Stay back from bluff edges after rain; paths can be slick.
• Midday: Bus or drive to Washington Park Arboretum for a picnic along Azalea Way and a wander among global tree collections. Add the Seattle Japanese Garden (ticketed; reduced winter hours/seasonal closure) for a serene 45–60 minutes around its koi pond and stone lanterns.
• Afternoon: Continue south to Seward Park’s peninsula on Lake Washington. Walk the flat lakeside loop or venture into its rare old‑growth forest; in summer, swim from the beach, and in autumn, come for some of the city’s best leaf colour.
• Evening: Close at Kubota Garden in Rainier Beach, a local favourite blending Japanese design with Northwest flora—magical in autumn and luminous at summer’s golden hour. Alternative (West Seattle focus): Lincoln Park for woodland paths and a sunset over Puget Sound; Colman Pool opens seasonally.

Notes for all days:

• Public transport is solid for major parks; parking is limited on sunny weekends—arrive early or go car‑free where possible.
• Dress in layers and carry a light waterproof; weather can turn quickly.
• Check current status for any temporary closures or construction, and follow Leave No Trace and leash rules outside designated off‑leash areas.
• Seasonal extras: spring cherry blossoms at the University of Washington Quad; late Oct–early Dec salmon runs at Carkeek Park with naturalist talks (programme availability varies).

By Air

• Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Main gateway, ~14 miles south of Downtown. 20–40 minutes by car/taxi (traffic dependent). Link Light Rail to central Seattle takes ~35–40 minutes (trains every 8–15 minutes).
• Paine Field (PAE), Everett: ~25 miles north of Downtown. 35–60+ minutes by car. Limited commercial flights (mainly West Coast).
• King County International Airport – Boeing Field (BFI): ~5 miles south of Downtown. Primarily private/charter and cargo; limited scheduled services.

By Train

• King Street Station (Pioneer Square) is the hub.
• Amtrak Cascades: Portland–Seattle (~3.5–4 hours); Vancouver, BC–Seattle (~4–4.5 hours). Multiple daily services; cross‑border trips require passport.
• Coast Starlight: Daily Los Angeles–Oakland–Portland–Seattle.
• Empire Builder: Daily Chicago–Spokane–Seattle (Spokane–Seattle ~8 hours).

By Bus

• Intercity operators (FlixBus, Greyhound by Flix, Quick Shuttle from Vancouver/YVR, Amtrak Thruway) use curbside stops in Downtown/SODO and the University District; no central bus station.
• Typical journey times: Portland–Seattle ~3.5–4.5 hours; Vancouver, BC–Seattle ~4–5 hours (border delays possible).

By Ferry

• Washington State Ferries to Downtown Seattle:
  • Bainbridge Island–Seattle: ~35 minutes (vehicle/passenger).
  • Bremerton–Seattle: ~60 minutes (vehicle/passenger).
• Victoria Clipper (passenger‑only): Victoria, BC–Seattle ~2h45–3h (seasonal/daily; passport required). Arrives at Pier 69.
• King County Water Taxi (passenger‑only): West Seattle–Downtown ~15 minutes; Vashon Island–Downtown ~22–25 minutes (commuter‑focused schedules).

By Car

• I‑5 connects north–south (Vancouver, BC ~2.5–3.5 hours; Portland ~2.5–3.5 hours, traffic dependent).
• I‑90 connects east–west (Spokane ~4.5–5 hours via Snoqualmie Pass; check winter pass conditions and chain requirements).
• SR‑99 tunnel runs north–south through central Seattle (variable tolls, no cash).
• Parking in central areas is limited/paid; consider park‑and‑ride plus Link Light Rail on busy days.