They say a trip to Seattle isn't complete without a visit to Pike Place Market. Packed full of fresh seafood, novelty shops, and great views of the water, Pike Place is a fun spot to wander around.

Don't miss: fish-throwing, Beecher's Cheese (across the street), the Gum Wall, Cloud Burst Brewing (a short walk from the market)

How to get there: Take the lighrail to the Westlake station and then walk down the hill to the market. Parking in the area is a nightmare so avoid at all costs!

Go for a walk on the many trails in the Washington Park Arboretum and you'll see what it's one of our favorite spots. This beautifully maintained garden has plenty to explore and lots of benches to sit and catch your breath.

Don't miss: the Seattle Japanese Garden

How to get there: There are a decent number of parking lots around the arboretum. The garden is also very accessible by bike.

This bookstore has it all and is an enjoyable spot to roam around in, even if you aren't looking for a book. The store is located in the heart of the Capitol Hill neighborhood and near several restaurants and other fun shops which makes it easy to pair with other Seattle adventures.

Don't miss: Little Oddfellows coffee shop (located inside the bookstore).

How to get there: Parking is very difficult around these parts, but the bookstore is an easy walk from the Capitol Hill lightrail station.

Seattle has a great selection of farmers markets, and the Ballard market is our favorite. The market is open 9am - 2 pm on Sundays and has an amazing selection of food and other goods to buy. After you're done in the market, it's worth taking the time to explore the Ballard neighborhood and stores along the main stretch.

Don't miss: Baked goods, pizza, artisan corn dogs, fresh veggies, novelty items, and the best bread in the Salish Sea (The Cottage, Community Bakery)

How to get there: Parking at the farmers market can be a little tricky - we've always had luck near the Ballard Public Library.

Seattle has great sushi, and we have a lot of favorites. Momiji has a fantastic menu - with all the rolls you can think of and then some. Its proximity to the rest of Capitol Hill also makes it very easy to wander around after your meal. Note: make a reservation - wait times can be long.

How to get there: the Capitol Hill light rail station is not a far walk from the restaurant, especially if you cut through Cal Anderson Park. Parking is hard anywhere in Capitol Hill, and if you're driving we recommend trying to park somewhere along 12th ave.

Fremont has arguably the best beer in Seattle - and offers one of the nicest patios (rain or shine) and indoor spaces. We have yet to have a bad drink here and they change their menu frequently which means they've always got something interesting to try. They are also one of the few breweries to brew (four!) excellent non-alcoholic beers!

Bonus: See if you can spot Sirius on their website (hint: visit page).

Don't miss: The Fremont neighborhood is a great place to explore. Up the hill from the brewery is the Fremont Troll, a classic Seattle art installation. Make sure you catch a glimpse of the blue and orange Fremont Bridge on your way to/from the brewery.

How to get there: like most things in Seattle, parking can be tricky but not impossible. There's a great walking and bike path around Lake Union that goes right by the brewery.

If you like beer, Georgetown Brewing is not to be missed! They keep a steady rotation of classics and new brews on tap at all times, and have a great indoor/outdoor space to sit and chill at. They don't offer food, but the Georgetown neighborhood has several stellar options for dining if you get hungry.

Don't miss: a pint of Bodhizafa, Fonda la Catrina (a Mexican restaurant nearby).

How to get there: Georgetown is a bit off the beaten path, but there's usually ample parking around the brewery.

Salt & Straw isn't local to Seattle, but is hard to find outside of the West Coast. You won't find as unique flavors of ice cream anywhere! They offer monthly specials with flavors that align to the season. Don't be afraid to sample everything when you get up to the counter - seriously.

How to get there: Located in Capitol Hill, parking will be tough. It's not a bad walk from the Capitol Hill lightrail station.

Chuck's Hop Shop has all the beers you could ever want on tap and then some. There are actually a few Chuck's around Seattle (our go-to location is in the Central District) but the Seward Park location is the newest and best. They serve local Pacific Northwest beers on tap, have an even more impressive selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options in their fridges, and also serve food at the counter and via a scheduled food truck.

Don't miss: Third Place Books (a great bookstore that shares a building with Chuck's), Seward Park (a nice area for a walk, nearby), Columbia City (just around the corner, a great neighborhood to explore).

How to get there: There is ample parking around Chuck's, it's also about a 30 minute walk from the Columbia City lightrail station.

From the Space Needle to art installations to Climate Pledge arena, there's a lot to see at Seattle Center! Notable highlights include:

- Space Needle: supposedly the best view of the Seattle area, but also pricey!

- The Armory: an event space with different restaurants and drink options

- Chihuly Garden and Glass: sculpture garden

- Climate Pledge Arena: where the Kraken play! While most of the area is closed to the public outside of the season, the Kraken Team Store keeps regular hours year-round.

- International Fountain: a fun place to sit and relax

- Museum of Pop Culture: we haven't been, but have heard excellent things!

- Seattle Children's Museum and Pacific Science Center: two great spots to bring your kids!

Don't miss: Seattle Center is a 20 minute walk from Pike Place Market, and the stretch between the two has a few different restaurants and shops. Queen Anne Beer Hall is excellent and close by.

How to get there: There are parking lots at Seattle Center but be prepared to pay. An easy way to get there is to take the lightrail to the Westlake station, then hop on the monorail (which only goes between the station and Seattle Center) to make the journey easier. The area is also very walkable.

We had to shout out where we live! Our neighborhood and the surrounding area offers some pretty incredible restaurants, parks, and coffee shops. Here are some of our favorite activities:

- Chuck's Hop Shop (Central District): while not as new as the Seward Park location, it's still got a great selection.

- Temple Pastries: one of our favorite bakeries with seasonal specials. Note - go early if you can, the line can get long.

- Communion: voted one of the best restaurants in the world. This spot is hard to get a reservation at (book early if you are trying to go) but we've had luck going for an early dinner.

- Hi-Spot Cafe: a fantastic little breakfast spot with an extensive menu and great coffee.

- Pablo y Pablo: a cute restaurant right next to Lake Washington. It's got great drinks, good food, and pairs well with a walk to Leschi Park or the lake.

- Metier Brewing: a newer brewery in the area that has a nice selection of different beers. Unlike most Seattle breweries which tend to be heavy on hazys and IPAs, Metier has different, more experimental options.

This small town is a 40 minute journey across the Puget Sound on the ferry. Bainbridge has a totally different vibe than Seattle, and the art galleries, shops, restaurants, and nature that the island offers is worthy of a visit! A word to the wise - the WA ferries are frequently delayed. While you can drive your car onto the ferry, it's likely easier to walk on in both directions (main street Bainbridge is a short walk from the terminal).

How to get there: catch a ferry from the Seattle ferry terminal (downtown). You can drive your car on, walk, or bike.

Hike Snow Lake! There are hundreds of hikes within an hour of Seattle, but Snow Lake is unarguably one of the best. It stays snowy until around July and then is perfect for a hot summer day well into October. It's about 7 miles round trip and includes 1800 ft of elevation gain. Don't forget your swimsuit, as the alpine lake is perfect for a dip after the climb! A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead, but you can easily acquire a day pass online here: https://www.discovernw.org/mm5/merchant.mvc?screen=PROD&product_code=20281

Don't miss: Bring a snack and a trail beer/NA drink (it's tradition in the PNW) - you'll definitely be thirsty and hungry once you make it to the summit!

How to get there: Take I-90 East from Seattle to WA-906/NF-9041 and take the EXIT 52/W Summit exit.

Explore Washington wine country less than an hour away from Seattle! Eastern Washington is home to some excellent wines and many of them have tasting rooms in Woodinville. Chateau Ste Michelle is undoubtedly the most famous Washington wine, but there are over 100 tasting rooms in Woodinville to choose from!

Don't miss: We recommend Patterson Cellars, JM Cellars, and Fidelitas Wines. Wine not your alcohol of choice? Try Black Raven Brewing Company or Woodinville Whiskey. Most tasting rooms have picnic-style snacks for purchase, but Vivi Pizzeria is also excellent for a sit-down lunch.

How to get there: If driving, you can either take 405 North or you can swing around Lake Washington by taking 522 the entire way. Not renting a car? Take the Link Line 1 to Northgate and then transfer to the Sound Transit Route 522.

Lake Union sits between Lake Washington and the Salish Sea and is home to many fun activities! There is a great bike and pedestrian trail around the western side of the lake, which also boasts cool activities like seaplanes and hot tub boat rentals. Lake Union is also part of *deeply* important cinematic history as Tom Hanks' house boat from Sleepless in Seattle still floats on its bank, and Julia Styles and Heath Ledger had an extremely cute paintball fight in Gas Works Park in the film 10 Things I Hate About You.

Don't miss: Rent a hot tub boat, make a picnic in Gas Works Park, or take a walk along Westlake to view the many yachts and house boats. You can also explore the many bars and restaurants along the shoreline - we recommend White Swan on the southeast side or Fremont Brewing on the north end.

How to get there: Lake Union is one of the more centrally located landmarks in Seattle. It's a short walk from downtown, Capitol Hill, the University District, or Fremont. There are also many King County Metro bus routes that filter through South Lake Union and Fremont.

Explore the underground pathways that were built in the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood more than 120 years ago. A fire in 1889 destroyed much of the original structures and Seattle rebuilt itself on top of the old. We haven't personally been on this tour, but it's incredibly popular amongst tourists and have heard great things from friends who have done it!

Don't miss: Pioneer Square is home to many cool bars and restaurants. Check out Damn the Weather, Good Bar, Pioneer Square D&E, or Cafe Umbria for a post tour drink or snack.

How to get there: Parking in Pioneer Square is not for the weak, so we recommend taking the light rail to the Pioneer Square Station stop.