Start your morning at Caffe Vita at KEXP in the Queen Anne neighbourhood. Situated inside Seattle’s independent radio station, it’s a high-ceilinged space with local art, a vinyl shop and live broadcasts humming in the background. After your caffeine fix, head over to Pike Place Market, one of the US’s oldest continuously operating farmers' markets. It’s a full-blown sensory overload: fishmongers performing age-old routines, flower stalls exploding with colour and small-batch chocolate shops and spice merchants tucked between artisan bakeries and street buskers. 

Next, head down to the Seattle Waterfront to enjoy the waterside tranquillity. While many rush to the top of the Space Needle for views over the city, skip the lines and head instead to Kerry Park. From this unassuming hillside park, you’ll find a picture-postcard view of the city, including the Space Needle framed by the Seattle skyline, with Mount Rainier in the distance. We also recommend paying a visit to Viretta Park, a tiny green space near Denny Blaine Beach that's also home to the Kurt Cobain Memorial Bench.

If you're already near Seattle Center, step into the otherworldly beauty of Chihuly Garden and Glass, where the world-famous artist Dale Chihuly’s blown-glass sculptures bloom beneath the open sky. Across the plaza, we recommend the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), originally designed as the Experience Music Project by celebrated architect Frank Gehry, which takes a deep dive into the city’s cultural soul. 

Circle back towards the waterfront for lunch to enjoy both seafood and coastal views. Ray’s Boathouse, Taylor Shellfish, and the 1938-established Ivar’s Acres of Clams, are all Seattle icons offering a low-key atmosphere and mouthwatering dishes. We then suggest working off your lunch by strolling through Pioneer Square, Seattle’s historical downtown neighbourhood. Here, Romanesque Revival buildings loom over leafy streets strung with fairy lights. Duck into an independent gallery, boutique or wine bar and recharge for the evening ahead.

As golden hour descends, head to Capitol Hill. There’s a contagious energy here, with craft cocktails, natural wine bars, and music leaking from behind every door. For dinner, we recommend booking a table at The Pink Door, a true hidden gem in Post Alley with its only marker being the trademark pink door. Inside, the space is sophisticated and intimate with a menu offering Italian-American classics made with fresh, local ingredients. End your day in Belltown, where late-night drinks await in speakeasies, rooftop bars and jazz bars. 

For those who prefer to stay by the waterfront, Thompson Seattle is a design hotel with a rooftop bar offering stunning views over the water. For a touch of Seattle Rock n’ Roll, W Seattle pays homage to the city’s rock music history with vibrant colour and design. Book one of these hotels via ASMALLWORLD Collection to enjoy exclusive rates and extraordinary VIP benefits.