Take the One Day in Seattle Tour!
If you have one day to spend in Seattle take the One Day in Seattle Tour by Mettrek.
This is a local’s tour!
Leverage the city’s growing investment in modern transportation infrastructure to capture the quintessential Seattle experience!
Stroll along waterways and canals, enjoy urban parks and public art, and take in some of the most beautiful views in the country.
As you wander through Seattle’s iconic neighborhoods you’ll discover local cafes and coffeeshops, mini breweries and pot shops, and the freshest seafood in town.
Enjoy it by bike or foot, rideshare or mass transit, this is a tour for anytime of year!
Enjoy these Unique Stops on the One Day in Seattle Tour
Montlake and University of Washington
The Montlake Cut, otherwise known as “The Cut”, is the first of 3 canals that make up the Lake Washington Ship Canal, a man-made water way slicing through the Seattle isthmus.
It was built to connect Lake Washington, Lake Union and the Puget Sound in support of the lumber and fishing industries. The civic project evolved over 80 years and was finally completed in 1934.
Every year boating season opens with the Windermere Cup Regatta in the Montlake Cut. On Opening Day Seattle boaters line Union Bay to create a 2000 meter collegiate crew course that finishes at the west end of The Cut.
Detour
This area is a gem to explore!
Wander down to the edge of the cut to watch boat traffic traversing between Lake Washington and Portage Bay.
Stroll through the trails of the arboretum or canoe through its lily pad marshes. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Cascade Mountain Range, UW Stadium, and the once infamous 520 bridge!
Don’t miss the first man-made rock climbing structure. Built in the mid-1970s to keep local climbers off the walls of campus buildings it remains a popular training ground for aspiring climbers. Use at your own risk!
Rainier Vista
Grab a Jump bike or walk across Montlake Blvd NE on the overpass and head up to Rainier Vista.
Rainier Vista offers a spectacular view of Mount Rainier from the southern edge of the UW campus.
Minutes from Husky Stadium you can’t miss this classic view of The Mountain!
Detour
Take the opportunity to ride up to the UW fountain and explore more of the UW campus. In spring the cherry blossoms are amazing.
After you have had your fill head back down to the Burke-Gilman Trail and head westward.
Burke-Gilman Trail
The Burke-Gilman Trail is an urban multi-use trail following the path of an old railway dating back to 1885. The 27 mile trail connects Bothel to Ballard and is one of many urban bike paths throughout the Seattle urban area.
Once on the trail you will pass through the southern end of the UW campus and begin heading towards Gas Works Park. Along the way you pass under the University Bridge and have an opportunity to view one of Seattle’s urban art installations, The Wall of Death.
Detour
Grab a bite at Aqua Verde Cafe! March though October rent a kayak from Agua Verde Paddle Club. Explore Portage Bay and Lake Union!
Wall of Death
The Wall of Death resides under the University Bridge, the second of four draw bridges crossing the ship canal.
The Wall of Death is an urban art installation created by Mowry and Colin Baden in 1993. The installation is modeled after the structure used in the Wall of Death motordome. It is located under the University Bridge and was used as a skate park until an accident occurred with a skateboarder and cyclist in 2008.
The Wall of Death is one of many permanently sited public art installations in Seattle, WA.
Gas Works Park and Lake Union
Gas Works Park is one of many beautiful public parks in Seattle. It is situated on the site of the former coal gasification plant for the Seattle Gas Light Company which provided gas powered lighting in the early days of Seattle.
The park contains the only remaining structures and equipment used for coal gasification in the United States and was in operation from 1906-1956.
The City of Seattle purchased the land in 1962 and opened a public park in 1975. This park was originally named Myrtle Edwards Park, but at the request of the family her name was removed from the site, and renamed to Gas Works Park.
The site of the current Myrtle Edwards Park is at the north end of the Seattle waterfront and featured on the final leg of this tour.
Fremont
Fremont, Seattle is the center of the universe!
This is a well known fact to those of us in Seattle! The rest of the world has no idea and probably doesn’t care.
Fremont is also home to shops, restaurants, and urban art all shadowed by Seattle’s omnipresent tech culture.
Seattle’s vice is alive and well in Fremont! Seattle’s best coffee, beer and weed are all at your finger tips. Stoneway Cafe can supply coffee, beer, and food. Hashtag or Ounce can supply the weed. Take in the bustling Fremont traffic over a local microbrew at the Fremont Brewery.
The Schilling Cider house is just down the road for those of us who prefer a bit less gluten.
Fremont Troll
Built in 1990 The Fremont Troll is likely the most famous of all Seattle’s public art installations. It is a popular destination for newcomers wandering through the famous Seattle Neighborhood.
Located under the Aurora Bridge, the installation was the winner of an art competition held by the Fremont Arts Council to help to clean up the area under the bridge.
Pictures of the art piece are subject to copyright…with a lawsuit to prove it.
Fremont Bridge
The Fremont Bridge is the third of four historic, albeit annoying, draw bridges crossing the Lake Washington Ship Canal.
Nothing like an open draw bridge when you’re late to yoga class…an unsavory reminder of the competing boat traffic throughout the Seattle canals.
Fremont Cut
The Fremont Cut is the second canal in the Lake Washington Ship Canal. It runs between the Fremont Bridge and Ballard Bridge linking Lake Union to Salmon Bay.
Salmon Bay was once a saltwater inlet but now holds the backwater created by the Ballard Locks and serves as moorage for the local fishing industry.
Observe rowers, kayakers and sail boats passing through the cut as you stroll along either side of this unique waterway.
Ballard
Originally settled by the Duwamish Tribe Ballard is better known for its Scandinavian culture. Today it sports everything we’ve come to expect of Seattle, including live music, great food, farmers markets, and a climbing gym.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks aka The Ballard Locks
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, better known as The Ballard Locks, complete the Lake Washington Ship canal. Completed in 1917 they divide Salmon Bay and the Puget Sound and currently carry more boat traffic than any other lock in the U.S.
Salmon Bay was originally part of the sound but is now fresh water due to the locks. They are considered one of Seattle’s top tourist attraction.
Fisherman’s Terminal
Fisherman’s Terminal arguably offers the freshest fish in Seattle. The boats are literally just outside the backdoor of the market! A great alternative to the hoarding crowds at Pike’s Place Market! It is also home to the vessels featured in the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch!
Interbay
The Interbay Neighborhood connects Salmon bay to Smith Cove through the valley between Magnolia and Queen Anne. Take a bike through this urban industrial section of town and witness the train industry. Often you can witness the transport of fresh fusalages from the Everet Boeing plant.
Centennial Park
Cennenial Park was recently lanscaped into a beautfiful public shorline park. The expansive jaw dropping views on a clear day are not to be missed.
Centennial and Myrtle Edwards park is also the site of the world famous Seattle Hempfest, a cannabis activist organization, responsible for pioneering the country wide cannabis legalization movement.
Take note of the subtle nod to the legalization effort brilliantly integrated into the landscape.
Myrtle Edwards Park
Myrtle Edwards Park is a beautiful strip of parkland just north of the Seattle waterfront and is a continuation of Centennial Park as you move south. It boasts views of downtown, Elliot Bay, West Seattle, Bainbridge Island, the Olympic Mountains and, of course, Mount Rainier.
Finally, Myrtle Edwards Park is the site of the historic Seattle Hempfest (https://www.hempfest.org/).
Olympic Sculpture Park
Olympic Sculpture Park is the largest example of the many urban art installations in Seattle. It resides on the shores of Elliott Bay and is free to the public. It was created and is currently operated by the Seattle Art Museum and offers a truly unique experience combining public art, urban pathways, and world-class views. The construction of the park promoted and preserved urban green space principles thwarting the overdevelopment of the downtown waterfront.
Sources: wikipedia.rog