- Seattle Sounders blogger and resident Ryan Cowper gives fans a guide to the Emerald City
- Space Needle and Pike Place Market are top of the tourist recommendations
- Cowper also gives supporters advice to enjoy food and drink
The good news is there’s no shortage of activities in the Pacific Northwest and with everything from hiking to museums, great food, and great beer you’ll be certain to find something you can enjoy.
If you’re in town for multiple days, the Experience Music Project at the Seattle Center is definitely a must-see and if the weather is clear, a trip up the Space Needle – while definitely touristy – is well worth your time to get a sense of the panorama of Western Washington. Stay for the Chiuly Museum.
Check out the Klondike Gold Rush Museum for a feel of how the city was founded and developed while hitting up Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour for a humorous guided tour of the remaining portions of underground Seattle. Both of these are available in the Pioneer Square area just blocks from the stadiums.
No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the iconic Pike Place Market. It’s cliche and still 100% worth it. From Spanish/Bolivian fusion at Copacabana to Rachel’s Ginger beer to Pike Brewery, the food and drink is top notch while you can get a real sense of Seattle art and local culture.
For the more outdoor inclined, hiking options including Tiger Mountain and Mount Sai are readily accessible from Seattle by car while those able to dedicate full days might consider Mount Rainier.
If the Puget Sound is more your cup of tea, spend an afternoon at Alki Beach, Discovery, or GasWorks Park. Take a ferry ride over to Vashon Island and experience small town charm if you’re looking to get away. It’s 30 minutes from the Seattle core and the trip by car or passenger ferry offers great views of both the Cascade and Olympic mountains.
On the food side of the spectrum. There’s no shortage of places or food. Head to Georgetown’s Fonda la Catrina for some of the best tacos in Seattle or for a more hipster feel Pioneer Square’s Damn The Weather has a unique cocktail collection along with a fantastic menu.
Staying downtown head over to Kraken Congee or Faerie Queen if you’re in the mood for something a little more esoteric or head east into the International district and Seattle’s landmark Uwajimaya Market for some Teriyaki or Korean BBQ.
Head north to Capitol Hill and the Marination Station for Hawaiian-Korean fusion before engrossing yourself in the the main hub of Seattle’s nightlife.
On the beer side of things, there’s no shortage of spots and one could make an entire three-day trip of breweries in the Seattle City limits alone. Microbrewery culture is almost bred into the Seattle and Western Washington way of life.
Head up to the Fremont neighbourhood and take in a sun-drenched afternoon at Fremont Brewing’s outdoor beer garden before hitting up the local sites including the vibrantly colored Fremont Bridge and the Fremont Troll.
SoDo’s Elsyian Fields can give you the quintessential Northwest IPA experience, though you’ll need to get there early on a gameday because it fills up quickly. The aforementioned Pike Brewing is also worth a stop while Schooner Exact and Georgetown Brewing on the south side of the stadiums are solid choices.
The more adventurous could seek out Reuben’s Brews in Ballard, Hellbent in Lake City, or Flying Lion in Columbia City.
This is a small selection of what’s on serve in Seattle. For the adventurous person with a smartphone in what might be the most tech savvy city in the USA, you’ll be able to find the hidden spot that speaks to your unique tastes.