I went to Seattle for the first time and made 6 mistakes in 3 days
I should have booked more than three days in Seattle.
Three days wasn't nearly enough time to explore all Seattle had to offer. I found myself rushing around the city to pack in as many sights as possible, which made it challenging to be present.
I also realized that the more you see, the less you actually do. Though I covered a lot of ground in Seattle, I didn't go inside many places. I simply photographed buildings such as the waterfront Seattle Aquarium and wondered what marine life I was missing out on. I passed museums and countless coffee shops but didn't enter one.
I should have brought just a backpack.
I regretted bringing my carry-on suitcase to Seattle as soon as I left the train station.
My first hotel stay was about a mile from the station. I decided to walk, but I didn't realize the road was almost entirely uphill.
During my visit, I stayed in two other hotels and dragged my suitcase up and down multiple hills in the area. A couple of times, I had to carry the case over cobblestone streets I hadn't anticipated.
In these irritating moments, I wondered why I hadn't just brought a backpack. I had backpacked on trips as long as two weeks in the past. And since I was visiting in May, I didn't need many extra layers.
Next time I go to Seattle, I'll consider the weather, trip duration, and terrain when deciding how to pack.
I shouldn't have skipped the Ferris wheel.
The Seattle Great Wheel stands on the waterfront in downtown Seattle. It's an architectural anomaly in the city's skyline, so I noticed it every day and even considered riding it for $23. But I assumed it was probably a tourist trap that was not worth waiting in line for.
After my trip, I saw photos taken from the top that made me realize I was wrong. I didn't even consider the sights I'd see on board.
The 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel faces downtown on one side and Elliott Bay on the other, creating two strikingly different views. I'll be back to see it for myself someday.
