Readers share their thoughts on where to send Seattle visitors

We asked readers to tell us their favorite things to see and do in the city. Below is a selection.

Naturally, one must experience Pike Place Market. There is also a wonderful view of the city with Rainier towering above if you go to Kerry Park in Queen Anne. The locks, Gasworks Park, and also Carkeek and Golden Gardens are not to be missed. Must go to Dick's and eat the cheap burger! The Blue Moon is also an old Seattle treat.
— Joel Ott, Seattle, WA

I take all of my out-of-town visitors on a ferry ride. I try to time it so we are pulling back into town as the sun is setting. Otherwise brunch or happy hour at Ivar's Salmon House always seems to please my guests.
— Maria Goff, Seattle, WA

Seattle's SUPERB architecture: Rem Koolhaas' Seattle Downtown Public Library, the Frye Museum Additions, Seattle University's Chapel of St. Ignatius, UW's Henry Art Gallery Renovation, etc.
— J. Frederick Foster, Seattle, WA

Chittenden Locks is one of the most beautiful parks of Seattle.
— Michael Brown, Belfair, WA

1.) The University of Washington campus always makes a beautiful walk, and 2.) a one-hour ferry ride to Bremerton (walk through the art district and along the waterfront), or 3.) a half-hour ferry ride to Bainbridge Island.
— Jeanie Barrett, Seattle, WA

You got two of my favorite places for kids — the Fremont Troll and Archie McPhee's in Ballard, but you left off the great kite store at 35th and Stone Way (never can remember the name of the place). Then kid, kite and I head for Gas Works. The view is grand and the wind just perfect to keep that kite airborne. A basket lunch rounds out a lovely morning. Then maybe the zoo, or a nap.
— Kathy Benson, Seattle, WA

You can get great day of show tickets for 1/2 price at Ticket Ticket at Pike Place Market, Broadway Market, Pacific Place or Bellevue. It's a super deal not just for shows but for many tourist attractions and activities too. A good secret!
— Brad, Seattle, WA

1. Breakfast: Portage Bay Cafe on Roosevelt Way in the U District or Julia's in Wallingford.
2. A hike in Carkeek Park or Discovery Park — amazing to be within the city limits, but feels like you're on the Olympic Peninsula.
3. Lunchtime: Pike Place Market — the one MUST-SEE. Have a piece of alderwood smoked salmon from Pure Food Fish Market, a loaf of crusty bread and apple fritters from 3 Sisters Bakery.
4. Afternoon: Stroll around The Seattle Center — sit on the grass, play in the fountain, go to the Pacific Science Center, ride the Fun Forest Rides. Hurry — before they knock everything down!
5. Dinner: Chinook's at Fisherman's Terminal — noisy and packed, but the fish is right off the boats and they have the BEST Fish & Chips in the Universe (and I've traveled extensively in Britain). The Blackberry Cobbler is to die for. If you need something quieter, then Ray's Boathouse on Shilshole — not the best fish in Seattle, but is there any other place that really showcases the beauty of our city any better?
6. After dinner wind-down — for a pint, The Jolly Roger Pub (brewpub for the adjacent Maritime Brewery) in Ballard; for a "wee dram" of whisky, Kell's Irish Pub in Post Alley.
7. Sleep: The Watertown, Roosevelt Way in the U District.
— Jeff Izzo, Seattle, WA

Agua Verde, on Portage Bay. The Owl n' Thistle for a few pints. Or head out to Rory's of Edmonds, for dinner/drinks, and then walk around the the Edmonds Beach area.
— Stacey S., Edmonds, WA

On my last two visits in the Seattle area I was so taken with the Eastside, Kirkland in particular. The little downtown area was so nice to walk around with a park right on Lake Washington, I explored the shops and talked to people (yours is a very friendly state). I had dinner at Jalisco, a wonderful family owned resturant, and apparently a local favorite. It was packed! The whole city of Kirkland was beautiful and green with some of the most beautiful homes in Washington state. I would recommend a trip "across the bridge" to anyone. I look forward to visiting Seattle and surrounding areas again very soon.
— Sonia Humphrey, Lake Forest, CA

For more ideas, see the complete list of reader favorites.