2-3 Hour Itineraries

Pike Place Market
Every local will say you have to see “The Market,” as Seattleites call it. Pike Place Market is the heart and soul of downtown Seattle. Spend a few hours at the oldest continually operating farmers market in America, where you can visit one of the 300 shops and restaurants, over 100 local farmers, or meet one of the 150 craftspeople that sell items on the three levels that make up the Market. The fresh, local, handcrafted products are a delight for gourmets, the labyrinth of magic shops, exotic imports and collectables is wonderful to explore and the local arts and crafts are an easy choice for gifts. Slip into a café or small restaurant and watch the market community play out its day around you. The Market Heritage Tours are a unique way to learn first-hand from one of the market's knowledgeable insiders about the history that has shaped this popular Seattle destination. Best of all, learn about practical shopping tips and current events and promotions at the market.

Queen Anne
The Queen Anne neighborhood is a wonderful area to walk with elegant old homes, half-dozen coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants and classic views of downtown Seattle. The photos of Seattle with the Space Needle and Mt. Rainier are taken from Kerry Park on Highland Drive. With the park on your left, continue along Highland Drive and enjoy the mansions that line the street. At Seventh Avenue West, peek into Parsons Garden. Walk along Seventh Avenue West to West McGraw Street and turn right. Explore the Fountainhead Gallery on the corner and do not miss Macrina bakery just a few doors down. Continue along McGraw to Queen Anne Avenue and turn right. Queen Anne is loaded with small shops and local cafes. Continue down Queen Anne Avenue past Galer, down the hill and you will find Highland Drive again.

Tour The Newly Renovated Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum, affectionately known as SAM, has been growing and expanding over the last couple of years. It re-opened on May 5, 2007 and is about 70 percent larger than before. Unique features include: double-height galleries; unique transparent shutters to diffuse natural light, while allowing patrons to view the city, Elliott Bay and the art in the best of light. The Seattle Art Museum’s collection ranges from Northwest contemporary art to a notable collection of Northwest Coast Indian art and artifacts to African art. Other exhibits show European and American art from medieval, Renaissance and baroque periods.