So, you’ve only got one day in Seattle. It’s definitely not enough, but if that’s the predicament you find yourself in, here’s a plan for how to make the most of your one day.

Start by heading down to one of Seattle’s most renowned attractions, the Pike Place Market. If you’re lucky you’ll see the fishmongers tossing around large salmon and other denizens of the deep. But even if you miss this, the fish market is one of the most colourful parts of the market so still worth a visit.

If you haven’t had breakfast cross the road to Piroshky Piroshky. You’ll probably have to queue but it’ll be worth the wait.

The piroshkies – Russian pastries filled with savory and sweet fillings – are a tasty way to start your tour of central Seattle.

You can add a little freshly made curd or cheese to your meal from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, a couple of doors down from Piroshky Piroshky.

After cruising Pike Place Market for a bit longer catch the street elevator down to the docks.

It’s then just a short walk to the Olympic Sculpture Park.

From the Sculpture Park your next destination is the Seattle Center. With the prominent Space Needle providing an unmistakable landmark on the skyline you won’t need a map to find your way there.

the sculture park is a short walk to the space needle

You can decide whether to head up the Space Needle first or to leave it until after you’ve visited Chihuly Garden and Glass which is next door. Either way, we’d recommend doing both – and you can save a few dollars with a combined ticket purchasable at either location ($US36).

the entrance to chihuly garden and glass

The exhibition centre is a tour de force of the work of world renowned, local glass sculptor Dale Chihuly.

the glass art is displayed inside in galleries as well as in the gardens

It is quite amazing.

We’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

The Space Needle was opened in 1962 when Seattle hosted the World’s Fair.

If you’re lucky with the weather you can get some fantastic, 360 degree views of Seattle, the waterway - Puget Sound which the city sits on, and the distant snow-capped mountains.

If you still have time and energy you can also visit the Museum of Pop Culture - MoPop (previously called the EMP Museum). It pays homage to all things in popular culture, including artefacts from local music legends Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana.

MoPop is also on the Seattle Center site, along with restaurants, shops, an impressive fountain, Children’s Museum and much more.

Time now to head back downtown for a late lunch early dinner. Quickest way to get there is to jump on the monorail from the Seattle Center (also built for the 1962 World’s Fair).

There are lots of dining options but we chose Pike Pub and Brewery on 1st Ave. They brew their own craft beer and the food is good too.

There is, of course, much more to Seattle than what we have outlined here including the highly-regarded Seattle Art Museum (SAM) and Pioneer Square, the city’s oldest district. For more info on possibilities check out the official Visit Seattle website – click here http://www.visitseattle.org/

But if all you have, sadly, is one day, never fear, you’ll still manage to have a great day.

Ken and Cally