Things to do on your first weekend in Seattle

Gorgeous Seattle has a little something for everyone. Whether you’ve just arrived in the Emerald City or are considering a move in the near future, we’ve got you covered with a full weekend itinerary that lets you explore Seattle’s neighborhoods and even includes a day trip out of the city.

Blueground has luxury furnished retail apartments in the most desirable Seattle neighborhoods, including Capitol Hill, downtown Seattle, South Lake Union, and more.

We purposely choose locations that are close to coffee houses, restaurants, shopping, and public transportation so that our guests can make the most of their free time.

Here’s how you can spend an ideal weekend in Seattle.

Friday: Dinner and a (Seattle-Themed) Movie

Dust yourself off for the weekend with dinner at Allyum, a buzzy new vegan restaurant from Seattle chefs Dahli Strayer and Ally Rael. The kick-off menu has shareable, tapas-style dishes like bulgogi (made from oyster mushrooms), japchae, and crispy fried cauliflower.

If you’re especially hungry you can order “fire the menu,” which is the restaurant’s code name for “one of everything, please.”

Maybe you feel like staying in? Your TV has already been hooked up by one of Blueground’s experienced technicians, so settle in for the classic rom com Sleepless in Seattle. You’ll see the waterfront, Pike Place Market, the Space Needle (of course), and the Fremont Bridge, not to mention the world’s coolest houseboat.

Saturday: Adventure on Bainbridge Island

Visiting gorgeous Bainbridge Island, located one charming ferry ride away, is like traveling to another world. Believe it or not, this island is just one of the bucket list-worthy day trips you can take from Seattle. Get up bright and early and head to the Seattle Ferry Terminal downtown to catch the ferry to the island.

After a 35-minute ride across Puget Sound, you’ll touch down in Winslow, the island’s historic and easily walkable downtown area. The hamlet’s trio of museums has something for everyone. History buffs won’t want to miss the Bainbridge Historical Muesum’s quirky artifacts, like 19th century hatpins and the 1933 Bainbridge Island High School yearbook. The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art has a notable collection of contemporary art, and the Kids’ Discovery Museum is perfect for those with little ones in tow. There are also plenty of cute cafes and restaurants where you can pick up lunch on the go.

Sunday: Fair-Trade Coffee and a Bookstore for Geeks

Seattle may be the birthplace of Starbucks, but Seattle Coffee Works is our favorite local brew. The Ballard Coffee Works and Capitol Coffee Works locations are located near Blueground’s Seattle apartments for rent. You can also buy fair-trade beans to brew at home: we like the Seattle Space Blend.

After you’re properly caffeinated, head to Ada’s Technical Books. The bookstore–named after Ada Lovelace, one of the world’s first computer programmers–specializes in books on computing, science, and other “geek” fare. There’s even a Classics of Science Fiction book club. In-person browsing hours are limited due to Covid, so make sure you plan accordingly.

Blueground’s move-in ready furnished apartments are perfect for anyone who’s looking for a flexible rental arrangement in Seattle or one of our 13 other markets. You can stay as little as 30 days or a year or longer, and Blueground takes care of most of the details involved in moving into a new apartment so that you can focus on living well.