Seattle for First-Time Visitors: A World Cup Guest's Guide
If the World Cup brought you to Seattle, you are really in for a treat, and I don't just mean the soccer. Seattle is a city that genuinely surprised me. I didn’t expect to fall in love with it, but it’s much greener than you might expect, friendlier than you would imagine, and there is so much more to it than Starbucks.
I spent two weeks exploring this city, and I want to make sure you get the most out of your visit. Even if you only have a few days, here’s what I think you should know to do Seattle right.
Where to Stay
Seattle has neighborhoods with very different personalities. If you want to be within walking distance to Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and easy transit to Lumen Field, you’re probably going to want to stay in Capitol Hill or Downtown.
I stayed in two different hotels, but the place I really loved and would personally recommend is Hotel Andra. It's a boutique property in the Belltown neighborhood with a design-forward but very comfortable feel. The rooms are spacious and thoughtfully done and the location puts you close to everything. It feels like a very Seattle place to stay. You can check current rates and availability here.
Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds (Nespresso, Walk-in Closet) at Hotel Ändra
Where to Eat
The food scene in Seattle completely exceeded my expectations, and my full Seattle restaurant guide goes into detail on all of it. But here are the non-negotiables:
Pike Place Market is a must, but go for the food stalls and artisan shopping, not just for the fish throwing.
Biscuit Bitch should be a breakfast stop at least one day, and you would be supporting a woman-owned and run business.
Cortina serves delicious Italian food in a sleek, modern setting.
In the Queen Anne neighborhood, Vivienne’s Bistro is a gem that serves top-tier Chinese food, and when I say top-tier, I really mean that.
Wagyu Bavette at Cortina
Things to Do (Beyond the Matches)
I have a full Top 9 Things to Do in Seattle post if you want the complete list, but here are my personal highlights:
Pike Place Market
Go early and give yourself at least two hours. This is one of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in the country and it’s very charming. I bought great artisan goods, tried delicious poke and browsed quaint bookstores that I loved.
Snoqualmie Falls: Get Out of the City
If you have even half a day free, please go to Snoqualmie Falls. It is about 30 minutes east of the city and it is one of the most breathtaking natural spots I’ve ever seen. The falls drop 268 feet and the mist hits your face from the viewing platform in a beautiful, refreshing way.
I wrote a full guide to visiting Snoqualmie Falls, including how to get there, when to go, and what to expect. It's an easy half-day trip and one of my strongest Seattle recommendations.
Practical Tips for Getting Around
The Light Rail connects downtown to a lot of key areas, it's inexpensive and it’s easy to navigate. This is a good option to get to and from Lumen Field on match days.
The neighborhoods are hilly—more than you would expect. Seattle is a city where you can walk everywhere if you don’t mind walking but you do need comfortable shoes.
The weather—you’re getting the best of it in Seattle right now. You might still pack a light jacket for nights, but I doubt you’ll need it.
Before You Go
Save yourself some research time and bookmark these posts. After two weeks in Seattle, I’ve done a good amount of the legwork so you don't have to:
Where to Eat in Seattle (My most popular blog article ever!)
Welcome to Seattle! I hope the matches are thrilling and the city treats you as well as it's treated me.
