Sleepless in Seattle: How to spend 24 hours in the Emerald City
Weekend getaways are the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new, especially if your time is limited. But with so many things to see and do, how do you decide on what to pack into your schedule? Here are 7 “off the beaten path” recommendations for Seattle, Washington!
All info and prices are updated as of February 2023
Weekend getaways are the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new, especially if your time is limited. But with so many things to see and do, how do you decide what to pack into such a tight schedule?
Here’s a piece of friendly advice: go for it! Whatever you do and wherever you end up is all part of the journey, right? With that said, here are some recommendations to get you started in Seattle, Washington!
1. SEATTLE JAPANESE GARDENS
Located inside the Washington Arboretum in northeast Seattle, this 3.5-acre Japanese-style park has opened its doors to the public since 1960. Landscaper Juke Iida’s plans for the garden were based around the principle of shinzensa, meaning the essence of nature, combining Japanese plant materials with those native to the Pacific Northwest.
Today, visitors are welcomed inside the gates to slowly wander the stone paths along the koi pond and take a moment to enjoy the sounds and smells. It’s the perfect place to mindfully sit and rest, escaping the hustle and bustle outside of its walls. If looking for more, sign up to participate in a 40-minute tea ceremony for an extra $15 per person. Reservations are required.
Adults between the ages of 18-64 can enter for $10, while senior citizens (65+), students, youths 6-17, and the disabled can enjoy the park for $6. Children under 5 are free (prices are accurate as of February 2023). There is no charge for parking and admission into the garden is waived on the first Thursday of each month. Please note that tripod photography, picnics, and pets are not allowed inside the gates to preserve the sanctity of the garden.
Address: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd.
Getting there: Metro Bus #11 (stop at Madison St.) or light rail to University of Washington (25min walk from there)
2. RIDE THE COMMUTER FERRY
Not wanting to spend the time or money on a boat tour of Seattle’s waterfront? Riding the commuter ferry is a great cost-effective way to see the city from the Puget Sound. At only $9.45 per passenger as of February 2023, you can choose to take a 30min ride to Bainbridge or opt for the lengthier 60min to Bremerton. Ferries are scheduled to depart all ports (Seattle included) every 60-90min, making it easy to grab a return ticket and jump back on board the boat. By the time you dock in Seattle again, you’ll still have plenty of time left in your day!
The vessels themselves are equipped with everything you need to enjoy the ride. Grab a snack from the shop on the passenger level and get your fix of vitamin D on the upper decks as you take in the sweeping views of the city. This was one of my favorite parts of our weekend adventure!
Seattle’s ferry terminal is located at 801 Alaskan Way, south of Pike Place Market and a short walk away from Pioneer Square.
You can purchase tickets ahead of time, however, it’s a simple process to do it in person at the terminal. It is recommended that you arrive 20-30min before the scheduled departure time.
3. CHEER ON THE SOUNDERS WITH 40,000 OF YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS
There aren’t many cities in the United States that can regularly fill an NFL stadium for Major League Soccer matches, but Seattle is one of them.
These dedicated Sounders fans treat every game as do-or-die, making for an unbeatable atmosphere inside CenturyLink Field. Grab a beer, chow down on a Seattle Dog (complete with cream cheese and onions… oddly delicious), and cheer on the Sounders with 40,000 of your closest friends!
If your schedule permits, make your way to Occidental Park in Pioneer Square about 90 minutes before kick-off to get the full supporters club experience. Here you’ll find a pep rally with performances by Sound Wave, the official band of Seattle Sounders FC, as well as giveaways, games, and more. Be sure to visit The Ninety (located at 406 S Occidental Ave.) and learn about the club’s storied past before marching to the stadium alongside the supporters, chanting and singing as you go. Maybe you’ll get lucky and their sworn enemy, the Portland Timbers, will be in town!
4. PIKE PLACE MARKET… AT 7AM
Yes, I know, this isn’t off the beaten path, but go at the right time of day and you’ll find yourself surrounded by local shoppers instead of selfie-hungry tourists.
The fish market’s operations begin at 6:30am, while most of the other vendors open their doors around 9am. This makes it the perfect time to enjoy zero lines and grab a breakfast-to-go from the well known Mee Sum Pastry or Piroshky Piroshky (try the smoked salmon pate) and wander the halls of this hallowed place.
You’ll be treated to a sense of how large the operations are, with employees unloading trucks of fresh flowers while fishermen chop ice and unveil their catch of the day. It’s a far more authentic feel than what you'll find later in the afternoon.
Take a moment to sit on the deck located on the top floor of the main market building (the one with the clock sign) and enjoy the crisp morning air as you look out over the Puget Sound. It’s a great spot to watch ships coming into port and sip on a cup of coffee!
5. WATCH THE SUNSET ON PIER 66
If you’ve looked into the best sunset views of Seattle, then it’s likely you’ve stumbled upon Kerry Park. Yes, this small overlook offers the picture-perfect postcard scene with the Space Needle front and center, but it comes at a cost of fighting mass quantities of tourists and photographers alike.
Instead, head to the waterfront and enjoy the views from Pier 66, also known as the Bell Street Pier. This public observation deck comes complete with viewing binoculars and provides breathtaking sights over downtown Seattle, Mt. Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains. Face back towards the city and you’ll even catch a glimpse of the Space Needle!
This place remains largely hidden as compared to the rest of the tourist trail in Seattle, so it’s the perfect setting to enjoy an evening gelato (our favorite is Gelatiamo, just a few blocks from Pike’s Place) and snap some pictures without the crowds. You can access this rooftop deck via the Bell Street Pier Pedestrian Bridge from Elliott St., or by climbing the stairs that are located near the entrance of Anthony’s Restaurant along Alaskan Highway.
6. STROLL ALONG LAKE UNION
Are you looking to do as the locals do? Then make your way over to Lake Union. Here you’ll find an abundance of walkers, runners, and cyclists as they make their way along the 8-mile loop that surrounds this freshwater lake.
From here you’ll be able to hop on a cruise, rent kayaks and paddleboards (look for Moss Bay Kayaks), or simply sip on a latte from the Tripod Coffee trolley (located near the Center for Wooden Boats) and enjoy the views as seaplanes take off throughout the day. Lime and Jump ride-share bikes are widely available and a great way to meander around the area.
With plenty of places to eat and shop, exploring South Lake Union is a great way to experience one of Seattle’s most lively neighborhoods!
7. GAIN SOME PERSPECTIVE
As mentioned above, Kerry Park is the most famous overlook in Seattle, however, a favorite of mine is the Jose Rizal bridge located on the western slope of Beacon Hill.
This is the perfect spot for night photography as tail lights from the I-90 below lead straight into the city, while providing views of CenturyLink Field, T-Mobile Park (home of the Mariners), as well as the Olympic Mountains across the sound.
Relatively unknown outside of the photography community, you’re guaranteed an enjoyable experience in the otherwise crowded Seattle area.
Note to photographers: the bridge tends to shake when buses drive across, so make sure to time your shots accordingly.
Address: 1008 12th Ave. S
If you have any questions or suggestions of your own, feel free to leave a comment below! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy your time exploring Seattle.
As always, stay safe & happy travels!
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48 Hours in Panama City: Where to stay and what to do!
So you’ve booked your tickets to Panama City and decided to opt for short stopover before continuing on elsewhere. No worries, that’s what I did, too. It was a bit overwhelming at first to plan as much as possible in such a limited amount of time, but this guide is here to help you collect your thoughts and point you in the right direction!
*Please note: all information below, including prices, is reflective of the time of writing (2019). Feel free to reach out with questions and I’ll happily help however I can.
So you’ve booked your tickets to Panama City and decided to opt for a short stopover before continuing on elsewhere.
No worries, that’s what most people do and my girlfriend and I were no different on this last trip.
It was a bit overwhelming at first. The city is HUGE and a lot of our stress was stemming from the inevitable decision of where to base out of in order to see and do the most. But have no fear - the 48 hours guide is here!
WHERE TO STAY
The simple answer: Casco Viejo.
There’s a lot of information on the internet about neighborhoods to avoid in Panama City, and if you look on a map, Casco Viejo appears to be flanked by many, most notably El Chorillo and Calidonia. Many people prefer to stay in the “more secure” financial district, and that’s perfectly fine.
We chose Casco Viejo for a few reasons. To start with, it was easy to get around. There were only a couple of things that we wanted to do across town (Panama Viejo and Miraflores Locks), and those were just a short 20 minute Uber ride away. Everything else was in close proximity to the old town and our average Uber fare was $2.
The second reason was that it gave us the historical experience. Panama City is full of high rises, but by staying in Casco Viejo we surrounded ourselves with the rich history of how the city came to be.
Some people warn that the area is far too touristy. That may be the case during the day, but at night it comes alive as the neighborhood of choice for Panamanians to grab dinner and drinks.
Now that you know where to stay, here are the top 7 things to cram into your 48 hours in Panama City!
PANAMA VIEJO
On the opposite side of town from Casco Viejo, you will find Panama Viejo, the ORIGINAL Panama City.
Yes, Casco Viejo is known as the “Old Town,” however it wasn’t established until Captain Henry Morgan ransacked and pillaged the early settlement in 1671, forcing the citizens to abandon and re-build in modern-day Casco Viejo.
Panama Viejo itself was established in 1519 and is the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas.
It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and costs just $15 (as of 2019) to get up close and personal with the ruins. Pro tip: It’s a short walk from the ticketing booth to the ruins, but shuttles offer visitors free rides for those interested.
The ruins of Panama Viejo in Panama City, Panama
CERRO ANCON
Cerro Ancon is a short hike within the city limits that provides sweeping views over the city, Casco Viejo, and the Panama Canal.
Just a 10 minute Uber ride from the hotel in Casco Viejo, this short hike up a paved road acts a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city below.
The climb itself only took around 30 minutes. There was a bit of an incline that probably felt a lot harder than it was because of the humidity, but the lush flora and fauna was more than worth the effort. Bring water!
Pro tip: Do the hike in the morning or evening and when you reach the first tower station, go RIGHT. You will have a perfect view of the Miraflores Locks, Bridge of the Americas, and the canal as a whole!
Bridge of the Americas as seen from the top of Cerro Ancon in Panama City, Panama
PANAMA CITY SEASIDE WALK
If you want to go on a people-watching adventure, this is the place to do it. Simply by walking and observing you’ll be able to experience daily life as joggers fly by and families spend time together under the shade of the palm trees.
Need to cool off? Grab a shaved ice and get ready for that oh-so-sweet relief from the heat for just one dollar! Try the passion fruit. You won’t regret it. Pro Tip: This is an ideal spot for night photography of the downtown skyline!
View of downtown Panama City, Panama at night
MIRAFLORES LOCKS
I know there’s already A TON of information out there about visiting Miraflores, so I’ll keep this brief… make sure you go.
A short 20 minute Uber ride outside of the city and you’ll be dropped at the doors of the Miraflores Visitors Center. Inside you'll find a multi-story museum featuring the fascinating history and expansion of the canal, as well as the observation deck to watch ships pass through.
We paid $15 for an adult entrance fee. Non-resident children will cost $10 (ages 6-12). It’s worth spending a few hours learning why Panama City is BOOMING! Pro Tip: Plan your visit according to the ship schedule to ensure that you catch one passing through the locks.
A ship passes through the Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Panama
MERCADO DE MARISCOS
One of my favorite pastimes is wandering the local fish market of a coastal city in a foreign country. The myriad of noise and shouting, the chaos that is so intimidating and yet flows so perfectly, and the joy of finding a creature from the ocean that I've never seen is always a highlight.
The wholesale portion of the Mercado de Mariscos is open from 6:00am-5:00pm each day in the main building, but the outside restaurants are open until 10pm and make for an easy dinner (and cheap) dinner of fresh ceviche and a cold beer! A small cup will cost you $2-$4, depending on the seafood of choice. Pro Tip: Wake up early, walk along the Cinta Costera, and watch the fishing boats unload their catch of the day while the sun rises over the city.
EAT AT KWANG CHOW
I am a self-proclaimed dumpling-obsessed individual. As I continue traversing the globe to places like Japan and South Korea, I feel an unexplainable pull towards their food. As I was preparing for this trip and watching an episode of Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods, I couldn’t help but feel that same pull to Kwang Chow’s.
With the completion of the canal construction in 1914, the world flocked to Panama City and as a result, the first ever Chinatown in the Western Hemisphere was established. Kwang Chow is the last remaining relic from that time. There are no more Asian markets, no trinkets to buy, or even people of Chinese descent wandering the streets.
Despite the changes, Kwang Chow has remained the same. The moment you step inside you are transported back in time to the 1900s and everything stands still. What better way to enjoy a delicious lunch?
CASCO VIEJO
What if I told you there was a neighborhood full of colorful colonial-style buildings and that Panama City isn’t all about finances and high-rises? Interested? Then be sure to explore Casco Viejo!
Wander the streets, discover colonial-era churches and ruins, hop in and out of the picture-perfect cafes, stroll along the city wall where you can shop for souvenirs, and more. Time passes slowly here... be sure to soak it all up!
Wandering the streets of Casco Viejo in Panama City, Panama
BONUS: AMADOR CAUSEWAY
A local favorite, the Amador Causeway connects four small islands and flanks the entrance to the Panama Canal in the Pacific Ocean. Rent bikes, visit the BioMuseum, or simply walk and enjoy the views of passing cargo ships and the city skyline. Pro Tip: Go at the right time of day to watch the sunset and stand in amazement as the city’s lights come alive!
We had a great time in Panama City and whatever you choose to do, I’m sure you will too! Need more information or have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments below.
Stay safe & happy travels, my friends!
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