Sightseeing in Seattle

Mount Rainier

Every time we visited Seattle when I was growing up we hiked Mount Rainier.  I can't imagine a trip to Seattle without seeing this majestic mountain!  My favorite part of flying into the city is seeing the large mountains rising above the clouds.  Whether you look out to the right or left side of the plane window, you can usually spot Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Olympus.  There may be others, those are the ones I remember catching a glimpse of whenever we fly into town.

But Mount Rainier sits head and shoulders above the rest.  She's an impressive 14,410 feet high, and is the 5th tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. 

Growing up we hiked many trails on the Sunrise side of the mountain, but this year I wanted our family to experience the Paradise side.  We weren't disappointed!  It's a longer drive from Seattle, but in my opinion the views are worth the trek.

We left Gold Bar around 8:30am and reached Mount Rainier just after 1:00pm.  Door to door the drive takes just over 3 hours from where we stayed - however we ended up stopping a few times. 

When we arrived we parked near Paradise Inn, located in Ashford inside the national park.  If you're looking to stay near the mountain and enjoy hiking for more than a quick trip, lodging at the Inn would be the perfect option. 

There is plenty of parking near the Inn and visitor center, but I do recommend getting there early to get a good spot or going on a week day to avoid the crowds.  We went on a Thursday and had no issues.

Our family met up with my parents and a few extended family members and we all hiked together.  We walked to Myrtle Falls Viewpoint, which has a waterfall at the end and wonderful mountain views.  It's also paved.  We brought our double stroller for the twins knowing they wouldn't be able to handle steep inclines.  Myrtle Falls Viewpoint is a quick .7 mile out-and-back paved hike, but it is steep in certain spots so be prepared if you have a stroller or littles with you!

Beyond the falls the pavement turns into a gravel path and strollers would be hard to use on it.  I recommend this trail for anyone with little kids and a stroller!  For those who are not hindered by strollers- the hike beyond the pavement is along Skyline Trail and is one of the most popular hikes in the park.

To see the falls, there are steps down to a lower bridge that offer views of the falls and Mount Rainier.  This part of the trail is not paved and not conducive to strollers.  We walked down without the stroller and took a few pictures, enjoyed the view for a minute, before hiking back up to continue our adventure. 

During our hike up we took the opportunity to take family pictures of Mount Rainier.  Opposite the mountain is the Cascade Mountain Range - and they are stunning as well.

Pro tip - travel in July & August for the best weather!

The best time to visit Seattle to experience beautiful, sunny weather is in July and August.  Growing up, we almost always traveled to the PNW during the month of August, and every time we had the best weather.  This trip we arrived the last few days of July and stayed through the first week of August.  The weather was perfect.

We have experienced rain a few times when we've traveled outside of those months.  We came for a wedding one year in September and it rained on us a few times, and the weather was generally gloomier.  I highly recommend coming in the heat of summer to experience the best Washington has to offer!

After visiting the falls we headed back down the way we came until we hit a fork in the trail.  On the way down, Nisqually Vista Trail splits off to the right from Skyline Trail and Myrtle Falls.  We took the right and enjoyed stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and Paradise Inn off in the distance.

This trail is also located at the base of Jackson Visitor Center, you won't have any trouble finding it.  A creek runs through the center of it and there are other trails that split off with waterfall views as well.  We were able to complete this hike in 30 minutes, while walking slowly and letting the kids play in the creek.  Part of our group continued on and hiked unpaved trails that split off from Nisqually Vista Trail.  Mikael and I walked with the little kids and stroller group back toward the Visitor Center.

After hiking for a few hours we took our time looking through the visitor center and checked out the gift shop.  There are binoculars that give you a closer view of the mountain, as well as some interesting information about Rainier scattered throughout the center. 

We walked back to Paradise Inn and put our names in for dinner at the Paradise Inn Dining Room.  They don't take reservations, it's on a first-come, first-serve basis.  All I will say about dinner is this: if you have a larger group (which we did), your service might be subpar.  The food was ok, the service not great, so if you're on a budget and want an enjoyable experience with fantastic food, then skip this one.  If you're interested in a unique dining experience on Mount Rainier like we wanted, then you'll likely enjoy yourself regardless of the food or service.  The dining room itself is beautiful, and I had a nice time.  Not everyone in our group felt the same way though, so keep that in mind if you plan on dining here!

Mount Rainier is by far my favorite travel experience near Seattle.  Both the Sunrise and Paradise sides of the mountain provide a wonderful experience.  Don't skip this one when you travel to the city! 

Take A Ferry Through The Puget Sound, Visit The Islands

There are many options for taking a ferry ride through the Puget Sound and enjoying the Puget Sound Islands. 

This trip we took the ferry from Kent in the morning, and docked at Whidbey Island where we spent the entire day sightseeing, hiking and exploring.  To take the ferry, drive up (or walk up!) to the ferry dock and get in line for tickets.  The ticket agent will direct you to a line where you can drive onto the boat and park your car during the ride. 

Our ferry ride to Whidbey Island was a quick 20 minute ride - and we got out of our car for a few minutes and enjoyed the Puget Sound views while we boated across the water.

We docked at the island and drove to Admiralty Head Lighthouse and Fort Casey.  We spent a few hours hiking near the lighthouse and walking around the fort.  We also walked down to the beach and the kids splashed in the water and experienced the Pacific Ocean for the first time.  It's definitely colder than the lovely Caribbean waters they are used to!

After exploring the beach and Fort Casey, we drove to Coupeville, a small town on the other side of the island.  Here we ate a late lunch at Front Street Grill, walked around the town and down to the end of the pier.  At the end of Coupeville Wharf, a seal swam right under the bridge we were on!  The kids loved seeing a seal in the wild and enjoyed looking at all of the starfish in the water.

One thing I would love to come back and see (that we didn't have time for during this trip) is Deception Pass.  At some point, we will need to make another trip out to experience the most popular national park in Washington State.

Downtown Seattle

It's not a Seattle trip without seeing Seattle! 

What I love about downtown Seattle is that most of the tourist destinations you want to see are within a short car ride or walking distance from each other.  It's nice to be able to park somewhere and see everything without driving a long distance in between attractions.  That's a huge bonus when you have little children!

Space Needle

I think the most iconic Seattle building is the Space Needle.  At the top of the Space Needle is The Loupe, a rotating glass floor that let's you see the city from every angle. 

When I was a kid there was a rotating restaurant on the top floor and we had dinner there as a family.  They have since done away with the restaurant and now it's a tourist experience, being able to lean out over the glass walls and floor to see the city below and Mount Rainier in the distance.

There are still food and beverage options for those wanting that top floor Space Needle experience.  The Loupe Lounge, Atmos Wine Bar and Atmos Café are all wonderful options that will give you city views while you dine and drink.

Seattle Great Wheel

Can't skip out on seeing the Seattle Great Wheel!  We parked downtown and headed for the pier, within seconds all 3 kids began asking to go on the Ferris wheel.

After lunch (and bribing them to eat their food by letting them know our next stop was the Ferris wheel), we bought tickets on the pier and got in line.  I would say standing in line for tickets took me maybe 10-15 minutes, and then it was another 15 minutes or so in line for the Ferris wheel before we got on.  All in all, we probably waited 30ish minutes to ride it.

We've had a few different Ferris Wheel experiences, and this one is definitely a neat experience.  The mountains in the distance and neighboring islands make for spectacular views at the top - and it lasts longer than a few others we've been on.  I highly recommend giving it a try if you have kids.  Or even if you don't!  There's a bar at the entrance, and if you don't have anyone under 21 in your car you're allowed to bring the alcohol on board while you enjoy the ride.

Walk The Piers

There are several Piers located at the waters-edge overlooking the Puget Sound.  Each one has unique attractions and restaurants specific to that Pier.

Pier 54 - boasts a hot dog stand, Ivar's Restaurant, Simply Seattle Gift & Souvenirs, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, the museum and souvenir store, and several other restaurants and places to eat.

Pier 55 - has a Starbucks on the water front, and Argosy Cruises is located here as well.  We watched several cruises head in and out while we walked along the water front.

Pier 56 - has several restaurants including Elliott's Oyster House, The Wing Dome, The Seattle Shop at 56, and Sailing Seattle.

Pier 57 - also known as Miner's Landing.  Pier 57 is where the Seattle Great Wheel is located, as well as an indoor carousal and small amusement park.  We had lunch here at The Fisherman's Restaurant Seattle, thought about getting ice cream at Seattle Bay Creamery (and didn't), but we did ride the Great Wheel and enjoyed ourselves.

Piers 59 & 60 - is where you will find The Seattle Aquarium. 

Pier 62 - a quiet pier for people wanting to rest or enjoy the views.

Pier 66 - boasts Anthony's Pier 66 & Bell Street Diner, as well as Bell Harbor International Conference Center.  Just beyond Pier 66 is the Edgewater Hotel, which we debated on staying at but in the end, decided something quieter would be better for the kids.

Visit Pike Place Market

It's not a Seattle trip without stopping by Pike Place Market!

The first time I saw this market was when I was maybe 13 or 14 years old.  I remember the sounds, the smell of the fish, and just how incredible the entire place felt to me.  Coming back to it, I can't believe how much of my memory is the exact same!

There are 6 floors of shops, restaurants, fresh fish, boutique clothing and accessories, and so much more.  The highlight during our visit was watching the fish throwing.  The top floor has fresh caught fish and seafood - and whenever an order is up, the employees throw the fish back and forth through the market!  The kids loved it.

Pro tip - to catch the fish throwing it's best to visit on a weekend!  During the week, there's less people and less likely you'll see the fun.

Stay At One Of The Many Cool Hotels

When researching a hotel we found so many interesting and unique places to stay.  I mentioned the Edgewater Hotel, that would have been an amazing place to stay.  It's right on the water and its unique spaces offer incredible views of the harbor, Mount Rainier and the city.

Hotel Max is a boutique hotel designed for the creative spirit.  If you love art, photography or music, this is the place to stay!  Honorable mentions of places we thought about, but didn't book included: Hotel Sorrento, Seattle Pioneer Square, Mayflower Park, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle, Hotel Theodore, The Maxwell Hotel (another strong front runner that we almost booked!), The Inn At The Market,  and the Graduate Seattle.

In the end, we stayed at MarQueen Hotel, a boutique hotel with an old-world feel.  The MarQueen has a prohibition style speakeasy, spacious apartment-style rooms, and charming furnishings. 

Our room had 2 king beds, a front sitting space, and a separate kitchen and dining area.  We loved how much space we had and that both beds were kings.  Mikael and I slept very comfortably, and our kids snuggled together in the other bed all night.  I was shocked that they all slept well together!

Attached to the hotel is Caffe Ladro.  In the morning we grabbed a few breakfast muffins and latte's and enjoyed them in our room. 

If you stay in downtown Seattle, I hope you get the chance to enjoy one of the many unique hotels!  It's an unforgettable experience.

Visit Idyllic Leavenworth

Leavenworth is one of those American cities that's famous for looking exactly like a European city.  It's a Bavarian village themed city of around 2,400 residents, and everything architecturally looks exactly like it was plucked from Germany and placed in the Cascade Mountains. 

Leavenworth is a 2-hour, 14-minute drive from downtown Seattle (depending on traffic, and just over 3 hours from Spokane, WA.  It will take your breath away!

We left in the morning on a Friday to see this little town, and we weren't disappointed. 

We walked around the town, walked down by the river (even dipped our toes in the water!), souvenir shopped, had lunch at Ludwig's, and then ice cream at Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co.  Most of our day was spent walking in and out of shops and enjoying the incredible town nestled within the mountains.  Leavenworth has a ski hill, a waterfront park, a Nutcracker museum, and is famous for its Christmas decorations and celebrations.

It's definitely worth the drive if you're up for being in the car for a few hours.

Pro tip - drive to Leavenworth mid-week to skip out on the traffic.  Leavenworth is located on US Route 2, and during the weekends it gets very backed up!

Hike Local Water Falls

Mount Rainier National Park has over 150 waterfalls that can be seen from the road or on hikes.  Myrtle Falls is just one of the many places to see beautiful falls on the mountain!  A list of waterfalls can be found here, and I highly recommend finding which one(s) you want to see while you're visiting the state.

Whenever we come into town, we inevitably end up hiking Snoqualmie Falls.  Snoqualmie Falls is a 268-foot waterfall and they are a short drive from my grandparents home, which is why it's a favorite of ours!  These falls are located at the end of a moderate hike, and it's a 1.4 out-and-back hike from the parking lot.  It's a beautiful hike if you're looking to see waterfalls located within the Cascade Mountain range.

Check Out The Many Mountains!

There are so many mountains to experience other than Mount Rainier within the state of Washington.  If you have time, check out some of these other ones!

Mount Baker

Mount Baker is a beautiful mountain, and visible from the Seattle area.  Baker is a 10,781 ft active stratovolcano in the North Cascades of Washington.  It's a 2 1/2 hour drive from Seattle, and there's hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, camping, kayaking and so much more. 

Mount Baker is one of the snowier mountains in the state.  Even in the summer there's snow on every side!  However, it can't beat out Mount Rainier for actual snowfall every year.  Paradise near Mount Rainier's base is known for the crazy amounts of snow it gets every year.  The record amount of snow Paradise has seen is 1,122 inches! 

Mount Saint Helens

My parents remember the day Mount Saint Helens blew her top.  They talked about how stately she looked before her eruption, and how much she changed after.

I was 14 when I saw Mount Saint Helens for the first time.  I only know her as a brown, muddy mountain.  She still looks like she just spewed out mud yesterday.  Before the eruption, Mount Saint Helens sat at 9,677 feet; after the eruption she shrank to 8,307 feet.  Near the mountain is an observation area that gives you a great view of the lava dome and the side that collapsed during the eruption.  This outdoor deck is probably one of the best places to see the mountain-side, unless you plan on hiking.

There's quite a few hiking trails that loop around the mountain and give you great pictures from every angle.  The wildflowers are stunning in the spring and early summer, and there's waterfalls along some of the trails.

Mount Saint Helens is a 2 hour, 40 minute drive from Seattle, and definitely a neat volcano to see!

Mount Adams

Mount Adams is in the second biggest mountain in the state, second only to Mount Rainier.  At 12,281 feet she's a tall one!  Adams is around 3 1/2 hours away from Seattle give or take, depending on which side of the mountain you want to hike.  When you're flying in she's the mountain you see just past the very large Mount Rainier.

Near Mount Adams you can berry pick, hike, camp, mountain bike or backpack.  If you head just a little bit further south you'll hit the Columbia River Gorge near the Oregon/Washington boarder.  The gorge is a deep canyon overlooking the Columbia River, and has incredible views and hikes for all.

Honestly, it doesn't matter which direction you head from the airport, Washington won't disappoint you.  The mountains are stunning, the city is beautiful, the Puget Sound with distant islands and mountain peaks rising from the islands are fabulous.  Beautiful scenery like this is my kind of eye candy.  If you go, I hope you have the best time. 

It's the perfect place for a family vacation- or to enjoy by yourself.  Drop me a comment if you've been or end up visiting! 

Travel on my friends!

Jessica