Here are some ideas if you’re from out of town looking to play tourist…
The Pike Place Market
Ever the standard, if you head downtown and are poking around, be sure to poke around here. It’s free to wander, there’s lots going on in summer and if you hang around long enough you might see a flying fish. (Despite PETA.)
Seattle Underground Tour
Even native Seattle-ites find this excursion fun. Go on a tour of the city’s very beginnings, find out how the term being “shanghai-ed” came to be and learn more about early sewage systems than you’ve ever wanted to know.
The Space Needle
The classic icon leftover from the 1964 World’s Fair is located at the Seattle Center. A bit costly, but worth it on a clear day. If it’s foggy and raining, visit the gift shop instead. Now, if you want to make an occasion out of it, dine in the Sky City restaurant and get the view and a meal.
Westlake Center/5th Avenue
The heart of downtown shopping. Hit the Westlake Mall, Macy’s Nordstrom, H&M, Banana Republic, Louis Vuitton, Betsey Johnson and more. Independent couture stores like Luly Yang, Turgeon Raine Jewelers and the 5th Avenue Theater are there and just as expensive as you thought. Nearby is also Pacific Place, a very fancy mall with Tiffany’s, Coach and Max Mara. Plus restaurants and a movie theater.
Gameworks
Leave your rolls of quarters at home, because you’re going to need a fistful of cash. It’s fun, with wall to wall arcade games, ticket dispensing for prizes games, video games, a race car game with 10 full size cars and a mega screen to race against your friends on and a room dedicated just to DDR, Guitar Hero and whatever else Japan is offering.
Ride the Ducks
It’s corny, it’s goofy, but it’s the ultimate tourist activity. Board a WWII amphibious watercraft and get an extensive land and sea tour of Seattle! Sure, San Francisco, Baltimore, Branson and Philadelphia have them too, but the Seattle one is best.
Didn’t see anything you liked? Check out the Seattle Visitors Bureau. Or just ask, any PNKF member would be glad to point you in the right direction!