Can you explore the best of downtown Seattle in just one day?
Welcome back to another Eric takeover vlog! Today, we are taking on the Pacific Northwest. We touched down in Seattle for a couple of days, and we are kicking things off right in the heart of the city.
After waking up at the crack of dawn (we're talking 3:30 AM!) to catch our 6:30 AM flight, we were exhausted but ready to explore. From famous seafood markets to underwater domes, here is how to spend a perfect day on the Seattle waterfront.
1. Where We Stayed: The Westin Seattle Room Tour
As soon as we arrived, we checked into our home base for the trip: The Westin Seattle.
We were booked into room 3630, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. The room featured:
A modern, spacious bathroom with plenty of counter space.
A massive king-size bed and a pull-out daybed sofa for Devin.
A perfect desk area for getting work done on the road.
Multiple outlets and USB ports by the bed (crucial for charging all our camera gear!).
But the real star of the room is the view. You are towering above downtown Seattle with a direct line of sight down to Pier 56, the waterfront, and the ferries gliding across Elliott Bay. It is the perfect spot to watch the seaplanes take off!
2. Exploring Historic Pike Place Market
After settling in, we took a quick 10-minute walk down the hill to the legendary Pike Place Market. The energy here is incredible!
We wandered past local vendors selling fresh-baked hand pies, beautiful local artwork, and tons of fresh flowers. We even found the famous fish mongers slinging the daily catch right in front of us! We decided to support some local businesses and picked up a sampler pack of macadamia nuts to snack on for the rest of the trip.
Honest take: The market is massive and spreads across multiple levels. While it is a really cool "locals" vibe, it can get a little overwhelming as a tourist. Also, we noticed a few of the elevators weren't working, meaning you had to take the stairs or steep ramps to get down to the lower levels. Just keep that in mind if you have mobility issues!
3. Lunch with a View: The Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar
All that walking worked up an appetite, so we headed down to Miner's Landing to grab lunch at The Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar, located right next to the iconic Seattle Great Wheel.
This place gets a massive five-star, two-thumbs-up review from us! Here is what we ordered:
The Appetizers: We started with a crab dip that was so good we almost licked the bowl clean, followed by an amazing cup of their house-made clam chowder.
The Main Courses: Beth had a delicious crab melt on ciabatta bread. Devin and Eric both opted for the fish and chips (cod for Devin, Alaskan halibut for Eric).
The seafood was unbelievably fresh, the breading was perfectly crispy, and you get fantastic views of the bay and the passing ships while you eat!
4. Diving into the Seattle Aquarium
Our afternoon was spent exploring the massive Seattle Aquarium.
💡 PRO TIP: Use the Seattle CityPASS We bought the Seattle CityPASS for this trip! When we arrived at the aquarium, we just went straight to Lane 4 for our reserved time slot, they scanned our barcode, and we walked right in. It made the whole process incredibly smooth!
This aquarium is incredibly unique because it spans multiple buildings right on the edge of the water. We started by checking out the massive touch tanks and Puget Sound tide pools, and hung out with the most playful harbor seals and river otters.
The Highlights of the Aquarium:
The Underwater Dome: This is a 360-degree viewing area built right into the bay. It genuinely makes you feel like you are standing on the ocean floor alongside ginormous fish.
The Ocean Pavilion: We finished our visit here, which houses a massive reef tank featuring beautiful stingrays, sharks, and colorful tropical fish. (Keep an eye out for Dory!)
Our Honest Take: The flow of the aquarium can be a little confusing for first-time visitors because people are coming from everywhere, but it is 100% worth checking out. It is unlike any aquarium we have visited in Florida. We absolutely loved it!
The Final Verdict
Despite a little classic Seattle drizzle and an exhausting 3:30 AM wake-up call, our first day in the Pacific Northwest was a massive success.
What is your absolute favorite thing to do in downtown Seattle? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to see the Pike Place fish throwers, our room at the Westin, and the incredible Seattle Aquarium dome in action? Watch our full vlog on YouTube right here:
👉 Downtown Seattle Must-Dos: Pike Place Market & Seattle Aquarium
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