Whether you’re in Seattle for a day, or you’re sticking around for three days, a self-guided tour is a must to enjoy some of the Emerald City’s best parts. Not only will you get to admire the unique architecture of Seattle and the picturesque shoreline, you’ll get to see some quieter parts of the city and eat some of it’s best foods.
This self-guided Seattle walking tour takes you through some of the most quintessential Seattle sights all in a day’s long walk. You can easily add more stops as you please, or break up your walking tour into multiple days for a more leisurely pace.
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Complete Self-Guided Walking Tour of Seattle
This walking tour of Seattle is laid out for a day’s journey. It is a lot of walking, so feel free to split it into multiple days, or use Seattle public transportation for the longer stretches. This route takes you through the most famous parts of the city, and I’ll include some further stops for those visiting the city longer.
Cherry Street Coffee House
Start your day of walking through Seattle with one of the city’s most famous drinks: coffee. And no, not from Starbucks. You’ll begin your self-guided Seattle walking tour in the Pioneer District at the southern end of the city.
Head to Cherry Street Coffee House for great bagels, breakfast sandwiches, espresso drinks and tea. Fill up, or grab a bagel to take with you. This walking tour covers a lot of ground, so be sure to stay hydrated and well-fed.
Seattle Public Library - Central Library
After your breakfast from Cherry Street, walk over to the Seattle Public Library. This gigantic building is hard to miss thanks to its sleek, angular, entirely glass and metal structure. There are several branches of the Seattle Public Library, but the Central Library location in Pioneer Square is the main one.
This location reopened in 2004, making it the third Central Library building. This 11-story building was designed by a Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas, and is now an iconic Seattle architectural sight.
Pike Place Market
What’s a trip to Seattle without visiting the famous Pike Place Market? This original farmers market is a multi-level, permanent market today, with restaurants, tons of different vendors, famous “fish throwing”, art, and more.
By the time you get to Pike Place Market, you’ll likely be ready for a snack. There are tons of restaurants and food vendors to choose from; I recommend trying several small bites from various vendors to get a taste of Seattle.
Pike Place is also where the original Starbucks is, but it’s overrated and nowhere near as good as local coffee shops like Storyville Coffee and Ghost Alley Espresso. Some spots I recommend visiting are Pike Place Chowder, Piroshky Piroshky, The Crumpet Shop, and Beecher’s.
Make sure you grab a locally crafted souvenir from Pike Place! There are many art vendors here selling their own work, so it’s a great place to support local artists and take a piece of Seattle home with you. And get a photo by the iconic gum wall!
Pier 62 - Seattle’s Waterfront
Once you’ve made your way through Pike Place Market, head to the bay to Pier 62 for some more scenic views of Seattle. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go Pier 57 and take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel, a giant ferris wheel.
This section of Seattle’s waterfront is very walkable and offers great views of the city behind you, the bay in front of you, and the mountains in the distance on a clear day.
Olympic Sculpture Park
Continuing north from Pike Place and Pier 62, you’ll reach Olympic Sculpture Park. This outdoor exhibit is part of the Seattle Art Museum and contains various sculptures spread over 9 acres of park.
This is the scenic way to your next destination, the Seattle Center. Or you can opt to skip Olympic Sculpture Park and head directly from Pier 62 to the Seattle Center. If you have the time and energy, and the weather permits, I recommend stopping by this park; it’s one of Seattle’s best green spaces.
The Seattle Center
Right along with Pike Place Market, the Seattle Center is one of the most famous places in the Emerald City. Here you will find the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Museum of Pop Culture, Pacific Science Center, and more museums.
While you likely won’t have time to visit them all, the Seattle Center is the area where they’re all located, and it’s a pretty area to walk around. Pick one location you know you want to visit, or plan to return to the Seattle Center tomorrow!
From experience, I can say Chihuly Garden and Glass is a must-visit if you enjoy any kind of art. The pieces in this museum are exquisite and you’ll get a great view of the Space Needle from the garden. This is one of my favorite places to spend indoors on a rainy Seattle day.
Kerry Park at Sunset
After a long walk through downtown Seattle, enjoy a sunset at Kerry Park for the best view of the city. It’s best to arrive here just before golden hour so you can watch the sunset fade over the buildings and the bay beyond.
Kerry Park is a popular place to view the city, so it may be somewhat busy. There aren’t many benches, so sitting may not be an option, but the views you’ll get here are so worth it. If you’re lucky to be here on a clear day, Seattle knows how to put on a show at sunset.
Dinner in Queen Anne
After you’ve enjoyed the sunset views from Kerry Park, it’s time to enjoy a calm dinner. Just a few block north of Kerry park is Betty Restaurant & Bar, a beloved neighborhood favorite. This small restaurant offers seasonal fare and innovative cocktails for a great dining experience.
After dinner, make a pitstop at Molly Moon’s for ice cream. This local ice cream chain serves up unique flavors, sourcing local ingredients and giving back to the community. It’s a Seattle must!
Travelers Tip:
Other Great Stops On a Seattle Tour
If you’re in Seattle for longer, or you wish to explore further with public transportation or a car, here are several places I highly recommend visiting.
University of Washington
One of the prettiest universities in the United States is in northeastern Seattle. The University of Washington boasts an impressive campus with stunning architecture, a massive quad, huge lawns, and dreamy cherry blossoms in peak season.
Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder
A fun activity north of the Queen Anne neighborhood where the Seattle Center is located, is the Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder. You can watch boats pass through the locks, either being lifted or descended with the water levels. In peak salmon season, you can watch hundreds of fish swim through the fish ladder through the windows under water level.
Washington Park Arboretum
If you want to escape the bustling city for a few hours, make your way over to Washington Park Arboretum. This giant, free green space is incredibly peaceful, you could easily spend all day exploring the gardens.
Fremont Neighborhood
One of the best parts of Seattle is its walkable neighborhoods. Another great neighborhood to explore on foot is Fremont. Here you’ll find the famous Fremont Troll under the bridge, along with craft breweries like Fremont Brewing, and the nearby Gas Works Park for scenic views of Lake Union and downtown beyond.
Volunteer Park Conservatory
For a perfect combination of greenery and indoors, visit Volunteer Park Conservatory. There are four main botanical rooms with different themes, like succulents, seasonal flowers, etc. Tickets are cheap and can be purchased on site. If you have time, grab a meal at Volunteer Park Cafe & Pantry too!
Capitol Hill Neighborhood
- Elliott Bay Book Company
- Salt & Straw Ice Cream
- Due’ Cucina Italian Restaurant
- Tacos Chukis
- Ramen DANBO Capitol Hill
- Katsu Burger
- Twice Sold Tales (used book store)
If you have time, plan an afternoon exploring the Capitol Hill Neighborhood. Here you’ll find tons of local restaurants and shops, including the ones I listed above. Capitol Hill is hip and indie with a laid-back vibe.
Concluding the Self-Guided Seattle Walking Tour
A self-guided walking tour of Seattle allows you to enjoy some of the Emerald City’s best parts. Admire the city’s famous architecture and the scenic shoreline, explore some quieter parts of the city, and eat some of the great food.
This self-guided Seattle walking tour is designed to take you through some of the most quintessential Seattle sights in one day. Add more stops if you feel like it, or break up your walking tour into multiple days for a more leisurely pace.
