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When it comes to visiting exciting US cities, most tourists focus on famous locations such New York City, Los Angeles or even Philadelphia – Philadelphia is a fantastic destination if you’re a fan of Rocky Balboa. But Seattle is a little gem on the North-West coast that tends to get overlooked by most tourists. In fact, the main reason many international tourists fly to Seattle is to attend the Microsoft conference that is held once a year every May. Needless to say, they are not in the right mindset to explore the magic of the city. And that is a pity because Seattle is a place that has everything to appeal to all sorts of tourists. Whether you love embracing a new culture, enjoying an active vacation or indulging on a shopping tour, you will find everything you need and much more in Seattle. Here are the best ideas to make the most of your visit in 5 days.

Space Needle, Seattle

Day 1: Music and atmosphere

Sometimes referred to as Seattle sound, the grunge music is an exciting subculture movement that emerged in the mid-1980s in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington. When you think of grunge, you can’t ignore the importance of the lead guitar. That’s precisely why spending your first day exploring the EMP museum can give you a real insight into the progression and versatility of guitar music, from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana. But don’t forget that grunge is above all a state of mind in Seattle. You can discover its distinctive personality through a grunge tour in town. The Market Theater Gum Wall started as a bad habit where employees just got used to sticking their gums on the wall. But after the site was scraped clean in 2015, within hours, people brought their own gum and made a contribution. You can too add your own piece to the wall. Don’t miss the Crocodile, the most iconic music venue in town where Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and R.E.M. have played.

Day 2: The Marina Bay

After your first day exploring the dark side of this grunge city, you probably want a refreshing adventure that fills your lungs with fresh air and your mind with fantastic memories. Head to the boat club at the Marina Bay to hire a boat for the day. You don’t have to worry about anything; the boat is prepared for you. All you need to do is to bring it back when you’re done! Pack your swimsuit, though. You could sail to the Whidbey Island for the day. The rural island is an excellent antidote to the pressure of urban travel. You’ll fall in love with the open beaches, the fine dining and the quirky trails in the forest. More importantly, it’s a place of culture. If you’re worried to get bored, you’ll find plenty of festivals, shows, events and activities to keep you busy during the day.

Day 3: Have some fun on the waterfront

You can’t visit Seattle with getting on the Great Wheel. It’s a bit like going to London and not seeing Big Ben or the Tower of London. You’ll be missing an iconic landmark of the city! During the summer the Great Wheel runs from 10 am to 11 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until midnight on weekend nights. Try to get there in the evening so that you can watch the city lights up as the sun goes down. While you’re on the waterfront, spend the afternoon at the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is next to the Art Museum. Don’t miss Louise Bourgeois‘s giant eye benches! The Pike Pier Market next to the Wheel is a great place to look for a seafood restaurant.

Day 4: Time for some unusual shopping

If you’re an urban lover, you can’t miss out on the shopping experience in Seattle. Aside from original grunge and artsy boutiques, you’ll find all your favorite shops at the mall too. Nevertheless, if there’s one thing you don’t want to miss it’s the Amazon Go Store. It’s a shop where you can walk it, grab what you want and walk out. Through a sophisticated system of cameras redefine your shopping experience.

Day 5: Retrace the steps of your favorite films

10 Things I Hate About You. Sleepless in Seattle. House of Games. If you’re a film addict, you probably know that these movies were partially shot in Seattle. Why not spend your last day revisiting the backdrop of some of your favorite scenes? The Gasworks Parks, one of the most iconic locations in town, appears during the paintball date scene in 10 Things I Hate About You, for instance.

A city for music lovers, nature enthusiasts, shoppers, waterfront strolls, and cinema nerds. Seattle has it all. Oh, and did we mention the fantastic restaurant scene? What are you waiting for?