When my work trip to Seattle came up, I knew I didn’t need to convince my husband to join me for a few extra days. Best decision ever! Here’s what made our first Seattle experience absolutely unforgettable.
1 – The Flight In: Nature’s Welcome Mat
Before we even landed, Seattle was already showing off. As our plane descended, we were treated to the most incredible view of snow-capped mountains surrounding the city like a protective ring. Mount Rainier dominated the southern skyline at 14,411 feet—this massive, glacier-covered peak that locals simply call “The Mountain.” To the west, we could see the jagged peaks of the Olympic Mountains, and to the north, the Cascade Range stretched as far as we could see. The pilot mentioned that on clear days like ours, you can spot five major volcanic peaks from the air. It was like getting a preview of why Seattle feels so connected to nature—the city is literally nestled between these towering giants that have been shaping the region for millions of years.
2 – Where It All Began: The Original Starbucks
Walking into the first-ever Starbucks at Pike Place Market felt like stepping back in time. The line wasn’t very long (10-min wait), although when we asked the staff, they said the wait could easily go up to an hour, and sometimes three on a busy weekend. This tiny shop, opened in 1971 by three friends, looks nothing like the sleek Starbucks we know today. The original logo with the bare-breasted mermaid still hangs on the wall, and you can only buy certain mugs and coffee here. My husband and I couldn’t resist grabbing a golden tumbler. Who knew this little storefront would grow into the $32 billion company we see everywhere today?
3 – Sky-High Views from the Space Needle
I’ll be honest—I was worried the Space Needle would be touristy and packed. Luckily, we picked a date and time where there was hardly any wait. We took the Monorail from downtown Seattle to Space Needle ($4) and bought online tickets by the entrance ($40). The 605-foot ride up gave us views that stretched across 14 counties. We could see Mount Rainier on one side and the Olympic Mountains on the other. There were two floors: the upper level had floor-to-ceiling glass walls that leaned outward and upward (lean against if you’re up for it), whilst the lower level revolved and a part of the floor was see through the ground (step on this part if you doesn’t give you the feels). We spent half an hour just taking photos of the harbor and downtown skyline. Worth every penny of the admission fee.
4 – Pike Place Market: Supporting Local Businesses
We wandered through stalls selling everything from handmade crafts to the most beautiful flower arrangements I’ve ever seen. The seafood displays were incredible—salmon, crab, and shellfish that looked like they’d just been pulled from the water. And yes, we found the famous Gum Wall (pretty gross but strangely fascinating). The waterfront views from the market are stunning, and we grabbed coffee at one of the little cafes overlooking Elliott Bay.
5 – Their Public Library is an Architectural Eye Candy
The husband and I love visiting public libraries and we both agree that the Seattle Central Library is easily at the top of the list. This isn’t your typical library—it’s like a giant glass and steel sculpture that happens to have books. The building is 11 stories of pure architectural eye candy, designed by some famous Dutch architect. Inside, we rode these bright yellow escalators and found reading nooks with incredible city views. Even if you’re not a book person, this place is worth seeing just for the design alone.
6 – Lobster Rolls and Chowder: East Coast Flavors, West Coast Style
We had to laugh—here we were in Seattle eating New England clam chowder and lobster rolls! But honestly, the seafood here is incredible. The chowder was creamy and packed with fresh clams, and the lobster roll had huge chunks of sweet lobster meat. Our server told us most of their seafood comes from within 150 miles of the city, which explains why everything tasted so fresh. Seattle’s restaurant scene is seriously impressive—no wonder so many chefs are winning national awards here.
7 – The City’s Unique Skyline
What I loved most about Seattle was how the buildings seemed to have personality. Sure, there are modern glass towers, but they’re mixed with older brick buildings and some quirky designs that my husband, who happens to be a structural engineer, called “hippie skyscrapers.” The buildings seem to have their own unique personalities. We learned that Seattle has more environmentally-friendly buildings than almost any other U.S. city, which explains why even the new construction feels like it belongs in the landscape.
The Bottom Line: Our extended Seattle stay was exactly what we needed—a perfect mix of iconic sights, amazing food, and that laid-back Pacific Northwest vibe. If you’re planning a work trip here, definitely add a few personal days. This city has a way of surprising you around every corner.
