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So you've got 48-hours in Seattle and you want to hit all the attractions?  Can it be done?  Yes - we did it and we're here to show you how.

Get an early start.  If you are traveling from the east coast or Europe you will most likely be jet lagged.  Use that to your advantage, when you wake up real early - grab breakfast then get out of you hotel and start exploring Seattle!

Day One
Our first morning there, we woke up at 5:30AM and soon after were walking downhill towards the waterfront.  Most stores and restaurants aren't open this early, but the myriad of Seattle coffee shops are already brewing fresh java for the city's early commuters.  The downtown area is very hilly, and even if you are 4 or 5 blocks from the water, the view is mostly all downhill and you can see the bay and even the occasional ferry boat.

The first thing you will notice is that even though the roads are packed with cars, the streets are just as packed with people walking and waiting at the many bus stops (downtown-area buses are free of charge).  There are only a few outlets that will lead you from 1st Ave down to the water (the other roads are one-way with no sidewalks).  We elected to go up to the corner of University Ave and walk down the scenic Harbor Steps.  In front of you is a good view of the waterfront as you zigzag down the hill with stores and coffee shops on either side.

Once you reach the waterfront (street name - Alaskan Way), walk around and enjoy the sights.  Take a look at the harbor area and the piers.  by mid-morning, this area will be packed with people.  At the various piers here, public ferries and private charter tour boats are moored.  Continuing up the shore you will find a slew of restaurants, souvenir stands and curio stores.  Check out our Seattle Waterfront section for more details and photos.

Now make your way up to Pike St. and the stairs leading up to the Pike Place Market.  The stairs are lengthy and will eventually lead you up to the main level of the market (upper street level).  As you climb through this massive complex, you will see a variety of stores and the lower levels of the market.  Up top is the famous Pike Place Fish Company where they sing aloud and throw their fish as customers buy them.  There usually is a crowd of onlookers here.  Throughout this area are many fresh produce stands.

As you meander your way back through the downtown area, take the time to enjoy the busy city ambiance and the mix of modern tall buildings and some traditional architecture.  Your walking tour should take you to about lunch time.

Continuing after lunch, we made our way back down to the waterfront and on to Pier 56 where the Royal Argosy Cruises start.  Go to their website or look at their flier to see what their schedule is (cruises depart throughout the day).  We embarked on the one hour Seattle harbor cruise.  The cruise was wonderful, offering spectacular views of the harbor on both the east (Seattle city) side of Elliott Bay as well as the western side and industrial district.  The cruise does one large loop of the bay and returns back to Pier 56 in about an hour - this was an exceptional tour, especially on this day when the sun came out and the skies were blue.

Following the cruise, we walked north along the water to the Seattle Aquarium and spent a few hours there.  This was a nice aquarium with many good exhibits perfect for kids (including many interactive ones).

Day Two
We began day two by walking up 6th Avenue to the Westlake Center (corner of Pine and 5th Ave).  The walk up 6th Ave led us past large boutiques and first-class stores.  We ventured this way to ride the monorail into the Seattle Center (at the western edge of downtown).  The monorail station is on the top floor of the Westlake Center - a multi-storied fancy shopping center across from an open pavilion area.  The monorail was an enjoyable ride with large windows from which you can see the city below and around you -- the ride was particularly fanciful for kids.

The Seattle Center has a lot of activities for people of all ages, but in particular, there are a lot of things for kids and families to enjoy.  There is a large outdoor fair area called the Fun Forest Amusement Park, complete with rides such as a Ferris wheel and other carnival-type rides.  Additionally, there are many festivals and art attractions throughout the year.  The Space Needle is located here and the Olympic Sculpture Park is just west of here.

Inside the main building is a large food court and downstairs is the Children's Museum, which houses activities sure to provide hours of fun and learning for all kids.  Other attractions nearby are the Pacific Science Center and the Science Fiction Museum.  This portion of downtown has been renovated from its previously run-down form.

After a fun filled day, we rode the monorail back to the Westlake Center and wandered around 5th Avenue back to the south.  There are many small restaurants and delis located on 4th and 5th Avenues (between Seneca St. and Stewart St.)  And don't forget the International District with many sights to see -- but the main attraction here is the fresh and authentic Chinese cuisine (including many dim sum restaurants and fresh noodle stores).  The famous Uwajimaya Asian Grocery building is located at the corner of 5th Ave S. and S. Weller St. (in China Town) and is a spectacle to behold.  A massive oriental market complete with authentic food court (serving real Asian food) and all of the goods that you might find in downtown Hong Kong.

 
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