Known for coffee, rainy weather, and grunge, Seattle takes pride in being a little offbeat. In fact, they take being quirky and ahead of the curve pretty seriously. The city did give us Starbucks and Nirvana, after all. Spend your 48 hours in the Emerald City exploring old Seattle favorites as well as looking for the next big thing.
If you're not too grossed out by the gum to grab a bite to eat, you should sample one of the city's favorite dishes: chowder. They offer different kinds at Pike Place Chowder. The Market Chowder is a great way to go, since it just has whatever the chef thinks looks best that day, but they also make a mean smoked salmon chowder, and even have a vegan, gluten-free option.
Pike Place Market is one of the city's most popular attractions, and for a good reason: it's a microcosm of everything that makes Seattle what it is. Views of the ocean, fresh seafood, locally-sourced goodies, coffee shops, great people watching, and other quirky offerings can be found here.
Tragically, Market Theater Gum Wall was scraped clean in November of 2015...but of course, The Man can't keep such an important piece of Seattle history down, and within hours, the first few wads of gum were back on this alley wall in Pike Place. When they cleaned it, though, they removed over 2,000 pounds of chewed up gum.
A great cocktail menu, a simple atmosphere, and, of course, outstandingly fresh oysters and seafood keep people coming back to The Walrus and the Carpenter for a nice but laid back meal. And if you don't go for seafood, there's always steak tartare, seared duck breast, and foie gras mousse.
At Ballard's Archie Mcphee, you can find some of the absolute weirdest novelty toys you've ever seen in a store filled with stuff you don't need at all, but desperately want. Displays of bizarre creatures, like the mysterious "Wallingford Beast," line the walls, bacon-flavored candy sits near the register, and toys like boxing nuns, unicorn horns for your cat, and boxes of bedpans all beg to be bought. You'll buy this stuff to give to friends, but we all know you're going to keep it for yourself.
When you're ready for an out-of-this-world breakfast experience, the Skillet Diner is probably the most intense brunch in the city. They offer incredible cornmeal and pork belly waffles, a mind-blowing fried chicken sandwich, and rich biscuits and gravy. But if you're feeling indulgent, they even have a burger on the menu.
You'll have to make a reservation at Maneki in order to get a table, but it'll be worth it. This Japanese restaurant has been open for over 100 years, and has consistently served up some of the city's best sushi. Plus, the prices are shockingly reasonable.
It's hard to believe, but the Seattle you see today was literally built on top of the original city. Flooding, fires, and plagues caused the city to decide to regrade the streets a level above the original, and what was once the street level of the buildings became hidden. You can tour the Seattle Underground Tunnels and old basements, which have been decorated to look as they did in the 19th and early 20th centuries, for an interesting look at the city's history.
Kirkland, WA, US
Meet Seattle's most beloved citizen: The Fremont Troll! This massive public sculpture is located under the George Washington Memorial Bridge, and is a play on the classic Scandinavian Billy Goats Gruff fairy tale.
You can text for a reservation at Knee High Stocking Company if you want, but when you arrive, ring the doorbell, don't be freaked out that there isn't a sign, it's all a part of the speakeasy theme. They offer awesome craft cocktails, and use pretty much any and all booze, so there's sure to be something for everyone.
Still Liquor is a converted 1920's garage, and is a little quieter and more laid-back then Knee High Stocking Company, with a selection of awesome beers and wines to go with their cocktail menu.
The best time of year for your 48-hour Seattle getaway: Spring is rainy, and winter can be pretty cold here (although there's some great skiing in the area), so summer and fall are ideal times to visit. The overall temperatures remain pretty mild, despite the fact that the city is known for its drizzly weather.