Washington has been on my bucket list for years. I absolutely love big trees, National Parks, and seafood. I booked this trip a little over a month ago with my sister-in-law, and it was the perfect trip. We visited Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and of course downtown Seattle.

Here are a few takeaways and tips from my trip to downtown Seattle, Washington.

Know Before You Go

How to get around

Monorail — Fare: $2.50 (one way)

Bike Sharing — Fare: $0.15 (per minute)

Seattle Streetcars — Fare: $2.25

King County Metro Transit — Fare: $2:75–$3.25

Parking Downtown Seattle

Most parking garages or lots are $4 per hour. If you are closer to the pier or heavy traffic areas, it will be closer to $12 per hour. There is free parking on the street, however it is usually already taken by residents or store owners, so be prepared to pay for parking.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Seattle, Washington is between August and October. The average temperatures range from 40 to 70 degrees. Even tho June-August is the busy season, it is the best for whale watching. November-February is the rainy season and the coldest.

Pike Place Market

One of my favorite places I visited in Seattle, Washington was Pike Place Fish Market! This place is so alive and fun. From fish throwing to amazing food, and let us not forget the beautiful flowers shops. Pike Place Fish Market, is truly amazing and a must-see when visiting Seattle, Washington.

The Fish market overnights fresh seafood, anywhere in the U.S. They ship the seafood is leakproof, ice-cold packaging that assures your order will arrive chilled and ready to cook. They have everything from Wild Alaskan Salmon, Dungeness Crab, Shellfish, Swordfish, etc.

In the picture above, I am holding a Wild Pacific King Salmon!

Pike Place Flowers

Don't forget to pick up fresh flowers from the family owned Pike Place Flowers! Your headquarters for fresh roses, tulips, lilies, orchids, and peonies. Located near Virginia Inn, which dates back to 1903 and is the oldest establishment in Pike Place Market!

The Gum Wall

At 8 feet high and 54 feet wide, there are an estimated over 50 pieces of gum per brick or over 250,000 wads of gum on the wall. The wall began more respectably. Early 20th century, farmers came to the Market to sell produce in the Economy Building. USA Today says, “One of the 10 greatest places to sample quirky Americana”.

Don't forget to mark your brick!

Fremont Troll

Ever since the Aurora Bridge was built in 1932, there have been reports of troll sightings underneath. In 1989, the city asked the Fremont Arts Council to launch an art competition to rehabilitate the area under the bridge, which is now The Fremont Troll.

Olympic Sculpture Park

Olympic Sculpture Park was a lot of fun with beautiful sceneries.

Covered in monumental artworks, this award-winning nine-acre sculpture park on the waterfront is Seattle's largest downtown green space and is just one mile north of the Seattle Art Museum.

Shown above is, Alexander Calder The Eagle, 1971.

Seattle Center

Another must-see, of Seattle is Seattle Center. Located right next to the Space Needle is the Center of Seattle and surrounding it is the Museum of Pop Culture, "Sonic Bloom" by Dan Corson, “Artists At Play” Playground, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. This whole area is full of art and a great spot for pictures.

Museum of Pop Culture — Open from 10am til 5pm, Admission $25-$30 (Depends on day of week)

"Sonic Bloom" by Dan Corson and “Artists At Play” Playground — Free admission

Chihuly Garden and Glass — Open from 9:30am til 6pm, Admission $30 (Ages 13-64)

The Space Needle

The Space Needle, being the iconic spot to visit when in Seattle, Washington. I had been told by a few people that it was not worth paying the admission and parking fee just to spend a few moments at the top of the tower, so we didn't. This at first didn't make all the sense to me, but then I realized, I wanted a picture of the Space Needle and I couldn't do that from inside. So, if you are like me, head over to Kerry Park to get an amazing picture of the whole downtown Seattle.

Open from 9:30am til 9pm, Admission $34-$37 (Ages 13-64)

The Great Wheel

From holding a giant salmon to tasting amazing coffee, Seattle, Washington was an absolute blast. I definitely plan to visit again and explore more of what Seattle has to offer.