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Updated on January 10, 2021November 21, 2014Seattle Seattle Things to do Things to do and Attractions in Seattle Things to do in Seattle Things to do in USA Things to do in Washington Travel USA

Top 8 Things to do and Attractions in Seattle USA!

View of Pike Place Market, Seattle Great Wheel and the Bay from Inn at the Market's Roof Top Garden

While you may already know that there are many things to do and attractions in Seattle USA and that Seattle is home to many top companies such as Amazon, Starbucks and Microsoft, there are also many attractions that you may wish to visit while you’re here. In this post, we’ll cover the top 8 things to do and attractions in Seattle that you should not miss!

Things to do in Seattle USA

1. Metropolitan Grill Seattle – For the best lava cake ever?!

Located at 820 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States, Metropolitan Grill is famed for its prime beef cuts and this time, Kate made arrangements for us to visit this upscale joint (remember to make reservations to avoid disappointment!) to have a taste of its legendary grills but we left with another recommendation…

The Works Burger - 15 USD (Seattle Metropolitan Grill) — The Works Burger – 15 USD (Seattle Metropolitan Grill)

8 oz Filet Mignon - 56USD at Metropolitan Grill Seattle — 8 oz Filet Mignon – 56USD at Metropolitan Grill Seattle

Chocolate Lava Cake at Metropolitan Grill for 12USD

After having the Works Burger (great tasting American-styled burger btw) and the juicy and flavourful filet mignon, you’d think that we would recommend these at Metropolitan Grill. Well, if you can only drop by for a quick afternoon tea, you MUST try the chocolate lava cake! For details of why we say so, do visit our post covering Metropolitan Grill!

2. Crab Pot Sea Feast – For a “hands-on” experience!

After seeing the recommendation by Adam Richman on Man versus Food, we decided that we HAD to experience the Crab Pot Sea Feast for ourselves. No regrets here. The pictures speak for themselves…

The novelty of eating seafood ONLY with your bare hands at Crab Pot Seattle

Our order of the Westport sea feast at the Crab Pot Seattle

The "after math" of Westport sea feast at the crab pot Seattle. All wiped out - every last bit of it! — The “after math” of Westport sea feast at the crab pot Seattle. All wiped out – every last bit of it!

3. Seattle Underground Tour by Bill Speidel – To know more about the history of Seattle

Seattle Underground Tour started as a conservation effort by journalist Bill Speidel. But because of his style of articulation (usually intertwined with humour and hard truths), the conservation has since evolved into tours of the “underground city of Seattle” today.

In memory of Bill Speidel who revealed the truth behind Seattle Underground Tours

Heading to another part of the Underground Tour in Seattle

Sky light above (Seattle Underground Tour)

We shall not ruin the fun by telling you everything about the tour (which we already did in our post on Seattle Underground Tour by Bill Speidel) but we will tell you this, the Seattle City that we know today, actually re-built upon the former city itself! Why and how? Join this interesting, fun, humorous and informative tour to find out! Yes, it is, in our opinion, one of the MUST DO THINGS IN SEATTLE!

4. Gas Work Park – For the best views of Seattle’s skyline

Besides Kerry Park View Point, you can also check out Gas Work Park for a splendid view of Seattle’s city skyline!

Seattle City Skyline with Space Needle as seen from Gas Works Park

While you’re at it, why not drop by Le Fournil Bakery for some great tasting pastries enroute?

Seattle Attractions

5. Seattle Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass – Seattle’s Top Attractions

Huge glass sculptures at Chihuly Garden and Glass

Both Seattle Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass are iconic attractions in Seattle. If you have the time (and money), these are attractions in Seattle that are not to be missed! Do check out the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle for gourmet food with great views!

6. World’s First Starbucks in Seattle – For a quick touristy shot

Yes, the world’s 1st Starbucks was founded in Seattle and it is located close to Pike Place Market. Do stop by to do a “been there done that” shot of this Starbucks. To ensure that you arrive at the correct Starbucks (there are 2 in the vicinity of Pike Place Market), do check out our post on the World’s First Starbucks in Seattle to find out more!

Entrance of the original (aka very 1st) Starbucks Coffee in the World (Seattle) — Entrance of the original (aka very 1st) Starbucks Coffee in Seattle

7. Pike Place Market – To feel the vibe of Seattle!

No other attractions tells of the life and vibe of Seattle more than Pike Place Market, making it one of the must visit attractions in Seattle. Since we cannot show it through mere pictures alone, we decided to video and hopefully you too can experience and feel the vibrancy at Pike Place Market!

Feel the vibe at Pike Place Market Seattle!

8. Gum Wall @ Post Alley – Sweet smell or Disgust?

A side attraction in Seattle near Pike Place Market, would be the Gum Wall @ Post Alley. Whether it is the sweet smell of the gums or the disgusting thought that so many have spat there, it certainly is a sight to behold…

Gum Wall @ Post Alley – An unusual Seattle Attraction

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Related Posts

This is part of our coverage of San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver USA. Check out these posts if you’re visiting the West Coast of USA!

Top 5 Things to do and Attractions in Vancouver Washington USA!
Top 11 Things to do and Attractions in San Francisco USA
Top 8 Things to do and Attractions in Seattle USA!
Things to do and Attractions in Eureka California!
Metropolitan Grill Seattle : Are the steaks worth it?
Seattle Underground Tour by Bill Speidel : A tour not to be missed!
Seattle Space Needle , Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Monorail to Westlake Center
World’s first Starbucks in Seattle – Do not be confused!
The Crab Pot Sea Feast : A Seattle MUST TRY!
Pike Place Market : (Possibly) Seattle’s Top Tourist Attraction!
What’s YOU MUST DO at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf!
Pizza and beers at Umbria San Francisco!
Great Eastern Restaurant Chinatown San Francisco : Even Obama visits it!
The steep slopes of San Francisco : A Pictorial Post
San Francisco’s “Crookedest Street” at Lombard Street!
Scenic Oregon Drive from Vancouver to San Francisco!
Travel Through Time with Historic Monuments at Vancouver Washington!
Vancouver Washington’s Natural Wonders!
Catching Portland Winterhawks in action after Burgerville Meal!
Why You should eat at Beaches Restaurant than McMenamins in Vancouver Washington
Red Lobster….FINALLY!
Inn at the Market Seattle : All about Location Location Location!
San Remo San Francisco : Hotel with a PRIME location!
Palace Hotel San Francisco : A great mix of History, Class and Luxury!
Heathman Lodge Vancouver Washington : One of our best hotel stays EVER!
Hilton Vancouver Washington : Classy Stay & Room with a View!

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Seattle right here!

Top 8 things to do and attractions in Seattle

We hope that you have enjoyed our coverage of the things to do and attractions in Seattle. Don’t forget to check out this post before your next visit to Seattle!

View of Seattle City Skyline and Space Needle from Kerry Park Viewpoint

Updated on July 18, 2020October 3, 2014Chihuly Garden and Glass Seattle Seattle Seattle Space Needle Travel USA

Seattle Space Needle , Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Monorail to Westlake Center

Space Needle Seattle and Chihuly Garden and Glass are probably one of the biggest attractions in Seattle. However, we did only a “been there done that” as we were late for Chihuly Gardens that day and there was a queue for the restaurant at Space Needle. Nonetheless, this post will give you an idea of how a visit to these attractions would be like should you be visiting them in Seattle.

Seattle Space Needle

The Seattle Space Needle is probably Seattle’s most significant landmark. As we drove towards Kerry Park Viewpoint, it was the most obvious sight as we took in the city skyline…

Kerry Park for views of the Seattle Space Needle

Video taken from Kerry Park Viewpoint

The observation deck, located 520 feet (158.5 metres) above ground, gives a splendid view of the city of Seattle. Tickets costs $11 (for general admission), $17 (for 2 visits within 24 hours) and $21 for both Chihuly Garden and Seattle Space Needle. The other way to visit the observation is through the Skycity Restaurant – though there is a minimum charge of $35 per pax. Opening hours for the observation deck and Skycity Restaurant is as follows

Observation Deck & SpaceBase Retail Store

Monday – Thursday 10am – 9:30pm
Friday – Saturday 9:30am – 10:30pm
Sunday 9:30am – 9:30pm

*Ticket Booth closes 30 minutes prior to the above closing times.

SkyCity Restaurant

Brunch
Saturday & Sunday 10:00am – 2:45pm

Lunch
Monday – Friday 11:30am – 2:00pm

Dinner
Sunday – Thursday 5:00pm – 8:45pm
Friday & Saturday 5:00pm – 9:45pm

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is founded by Dale Patrick Chihuly. He was born in Tacoma Washington in 1941 and is considered a master for glass sculptures, especially in the realm of HUGE glass sculptures.

Another view of Chihuly Gardens and its “greenhouse”

Chihuly’s influences are far and wide. Even in Singapore, there’s a restaurant named Chihuly Lounge at Ritz Carlton, seeking inspiration from his works.

To round up the evening, we took the mono rail from Space Needle (by the way the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens are within walking distance of each other) to Westlake Center. There are only 2 stops on the monorail, one to the city center and the other at the Space Needle. A one-way ticket costs $2.25 while a return ticket costs $4.50. We took a one-way ticket to Westlake and had dinner at the food court…

Monorail from Seattle Space Needle to Westlake Center (Downtown Station)

Inside the Monorail where the cashier is and tickets can be issued

Not too man people taking the monorail eh

Arriving at Downtown Station – the one and only stop

Food Court at Westlake after alighting from the monorail

At the food court, we went to the noodles stall and ordered the hor fun with satay sauce. Sounds strange doesn’t it? But it was a surprisingly good combination. The hor fun had a springy texture while the satay sauce was quite close to the taste back home, slightly on the creamy nutty side. Shiok.

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Related Posts

This is part of our coverage of San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver USA. Check out these posts if you’re visiting the West Coast of USA!

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Seattle right here!

We hope you have enjoyed this little account of our visit to the main attractions in Seattle and do let us know if you have any insights to these attractions!

Updated on January 10, 2021May 9, 2014Seattle Seattle Travel USA World World's First Starbucks

World’s first Starbucks in Seattle – Do not be confused!

The world’s first Starbucks is located right in the heart of Seattle, opposite Pike Place Market. However, many a tourist alike, often gets confused on which is the actual original Starbucks. This is because there are actually 2 Starbucks opposite Pike Place Market! This post will equip you, our dear readers of 2bearbear.com, so that you’ll be the smart tourist when you visit Seattle to hunt down the very first Starbucks in the world!

But first, we’ll play a little game and introduce you to these 2 Starbucks, while you decide which is the real “slim shady” yah?

Starbucks 1 Opposite Pike Place Market Seattle

Starbucks adjacent to Pike Place Market

Crowded Starbucks adjacent to Seattle's Pike Place Market — Crowded Starbucks adjacent to Seattle’s Pike Place Market

Chalk board writings as menu (Pike Place Market Starbucks)

Venti Pike Place Reserve - Starbucks coffee that is only served at Pike Place Market's Starbucks — Venti Pike Place Reserve – Starbucks coffee that is only served at Pike Place Market’s Starbucks

Starbucks 2 Opposite Pike Place Market Seattle

Inside the first starbucks coffee of seattle

An interesting story before revealing which is the World’s first Starbucks in Seattle

At Starbucks 1, there was an interesting story that happened. We were wondering outside this Starbucks and thinking to ourselves if it was the real deal. There were many people outside taking photos and there was a plaque (though we did not read in detail) which sort of indicated to us that this should be it. Inside Starbucks 1, there was a REALLY long queue, about 15 people in line – yet another indication…

So just before we went in, we decided to approach a couple, who was also taking pictures outside, to confirm that this was the world’s first Starbucks.

Enthusiastically, they said “Yes!”

So we joined the queue of 15, ordered a Pike Place Reserve and headed out of Starbucks 1. But as we walked outside Starbucks 1, along Pike Place Market, we CHANCED upon Starbucks 2. By now, you should already guess where this story is heading right?

Yup, Starbucks 2 is the real first Starbucks in the World!

We should have guessed really. Businesses usually start with humble beginnings and Starbucks 2 reflected that. There’s perhaps only a couple of seating area and is mainly for people on the go. A different concept from Starbucks of today, where they are really selling a lifestyle, a place to sit, to catch up with friends, to see and to be seen.

The original Starbucks on the other hand, started out as coffee bean roasters and traders. Brewed coffee was merely samples then.

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Related Posts

This is part of our coverage of San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver USA. Check out these posts if you’re visiting the West Coast of USA!

Conclusion

So there you have it! With this piece of information, we hope that you’ll be the smart traveller and not be confused, as you do your search for the first Starbucks in the world – located in Seattle WA, USA @ 1912 Pike Place Market!