48 Hours in Seattle: Being the Most Tourist-y Tourist Ever in the Emerald City

Seattle: the land of coffee, grunge, and more rain than any reasonable person should willingly endure. But guess what? I thrived in my 48 hours of pure, unapologetic tourism. I leaned into the clichés, checked off the must-see spots, and yes—drank a borderline ridiculous amount of coffee. If you’re ready to embrace your inner sightseer, here’s how to do Seattle like the total tourist you secretly want to be.

The Space Needle: Basic, But Worth It

If you go to Seattle and don’t visit the Space Needle, did you even go to Seattle? No. The answer is no.

I made sure to hit this iconic tower at sunset, and let me tell you, it was chef’s kiss. Watching the sun dip behind the mountains while the city lights flickered on? Absolute magic. The 360-degree views are stunning, but let’s talk about the glass floor—because standing on what feels like nothing at 520 feet in the air is a true test of courage (or foolishness, depending on how you look at it). Creepy? A little. Cool? Absolutely.

TV & Movie Fun Fact: The Space Needle has starred in everything from Sleepless in Seattle (because, duh) to Frasier. But let’s be real—it peaked in 10 Things I Hate About You when Heath Ledger was being his irresistible bad-boy self.

Pike Place Market: Cheese, Crowds, and Coffee

Pike Place Market is the definition of organized chaos, and I was so here for it. The sounds of street musicians, the smell of fresh flowers, the flying fish (yes, they literally throw fish around like it's some sort of Olympic sport)—this place is a sensory overload in the best way.

The Good:

• Beecher’s Mac & Cheese: Listen, if cheese had a fan club, I’d be president. Their mac and cheese is the reason stretchy pants exist. Creamy, rich, and just downright life-changing.

• Cheese Curds: Because if you’re already at Beecher’s, why wouldn’t you eat straight-up chunks of cheese?

• Old Stove Brewing: Now this is where you should actually spend your time. Good food, better beer, and even better views of Elliott Bay. This is where you relax and recover from fighting through market crowds like it's Black Friday.

The Meh:

• Original Starbucks: Long line, minimal excitement. I mean, cool, you can say you went… but unless you collect Starbucks mugs like a hobby, this is more of a "look at it, take a pic, and move on" situation. If you’re looking for a Starbucks experience, check out the Starbucks Reserve, it’s way cooler!

  
  

Music Fact: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden all got their start playing in and around Pike Place Market. So while you’re stuffing your face with mac and cheese, just know you’re standing where grunge royalty once roamed.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: The Lazy Explorer’s Dream

If you've been here before, you know I have zero shame when it comes to hop-on hop-off bus tours. They’re affordable, efficient, and honestly, the best way to see a city without walking 37,000 steps and questioning all your life choices.

Seattle’s version takes you through all the must-see areas, from the Space Needle to Amazon Spheres.

TV Fact: The Athenian Seafood Restaurant & Bar in Pike Place (which the tour passes) was featured in Sleepless in Seattle. So, if you feel like getting all Meg Ryan about it, go grab a seat by the window.

Museum of Pop Culture: Cool in Theory, Okay in Execution

This was one of those places I wanted to love, but… meh. Don’t get me wrong, it’s worth visiting, but if you’re expecting Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-level excitement, lower your expectations.

What’s Cool:

• The sci-fi and horror movie exhibits are fun, and they have real props from iconic films.

• The top-floor music rooms where you can mess around with instruments are surprisingly fun—even if you have zero musical talent (hi, it’s me).

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What’s Skippable:

• The rest of it. You only really need 30-45 minutes to see everything, and then you’re good.

Music Fact: MoPOP has an entire exhibit dedicated to Jimi Hendrix—because Seattle is his city, after all.

The Best Part of Any Trip: Drinks

Elysian Brewing: Trivia, Beer, and an Attempt at Intelligence

Nothing brings people together like beer and trivia. Elysian Brewing hosts Geeks Who Drink, which is my favorite nationwide trivia group. The beer is solid, the food is great, and the vibes are friendly—which is important when you inevitably get a question wrong and spiral into self-doubt.

Inside Passage: The Most Extra Speakeasy Ever

Seattle’s tiki-inspired speakeasy was a must-visit for one reason: Kiki the Octopus. I saw pics of this massive, glowing, tentacled masterpiece online and immediately knew we had to go.

The Pros:

• Insanely cool presentation. Drinks come in elaborate glassware, often smoking, bubbling, or looking like they belong in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

• The vibe is on point. Dark, moody, and totally immersive.

The Cons:

• It’s crowded. Like, "elbows in your drink, personal space doesn't exist" crowded.

• Pricey AF. The drinks are weak, and you’re mostly paying for the spectacle.

Final verdict? Definitely check it out, but don’t expect a cozy, relaxing experience.

Altitude Rooftop Bar: The View is the Star

If you know me, you know I love a good rooftop bar. And Altitude? Absolutely delivered.

The Views: Ridiculous. The Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier (on a clear day) all make an appearance. The Drinks: Pricey, but worth it. The Atmosphere: Less of a scene than Inside Passage, but still trendy.

Pro tip: Go at sunset for the best Instagram-worthy moments.

Final Thoughts: Seattle is a Tourist’s Dream

I went full tourist mode in Seattle, and honestly? Zero regrets. From sky-high views to behind the scene speakeasies, this city is a perfect mix of history, music, and scenic beauty—with plenty of craft beer and coffee to keep you going.

Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. And next time, I might even bring an umbrella… (just kidding, Seattleites never use them).

What’s your must-visit Seattle spot? Drop it in the comments!