Seattle - what are the top 5 things to do?

Answer 1

1. Pike Place Market
2. Go up the Space Needle
3. Get a latte at the very first Starbucks
4. Take the Underground Tour
5. Seattle Aquarium

But if you're into nature I'd suggest these:

1. Head out I-90 to Snoqualmie to see gorgeous Snoqualmie Falls
2. Head a bit further East to Snoqualmie Pass and play in the snow
3. Head a little further East and visit Roslyn, the town of "Cicely" from TV's Northern Exposure
4. While in Roslyn go for a hike on one of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness trails
5. Head down towards Mount Rainier to Northwest Trek - a wonderful nature reserve/zoo with lots of Northwest wildlife http://www.nwtrek.org/

Answer 2

1. Visit our Troll in Fremont
2. Go to Dick's Hamburgers
3. Stroll the Grounds at the University of Washington
4. Catch an Indie Flick in the U-District
5. Sit at Alki and watch the sun set on the City

Thinking about this I found out how hard it is to give five "top" things. Seattle has so many hidden treasures. I could have said the usual things like the Space Needle, Pike's Market etc.... but to know and really feel the city, you have to experience the everyday quirky, quaint and out of the way things and places.
I'm sure my answers were not the best ones by far. But although the places ususally mentioned are excellent places, they don't define Seattle by a long shot.

Answer 3

1. Watch the Seahawks
2. Go up the space needle
3. Go for a lunch/dinner cruise around the inner bay, through the locks and out into Puget Sound then back to Seattle.
4. The underground tour
5. Pike Place Market

and then if you have the time - watch the Seahawks again!!!!

Answer 4

1. Undoubtedly, Pike Place Market is the #1 must see in the city. Home to the first Starbucks, if you're into that kind of thing...
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org

2. Pioneer Square - Where Seattle began. Take the underground tour, check out the antique stores, Elliot Bay Books, and don't forget to eat a cow chip (corner of 1st & Yesler)...best cookies ever made.
http://www.pioneersquare.org

3. Waterfront & Ferry Ride - From either Pioneer Square or Pike Place Market, it's just a few blocks to the Waterfront. Get some seafood for lunch or dinner, peruse the gifts shops, visit the aquarium and DEFINITELY take a ferry ride. You can walk on, take the ride (BEST VIEW OF DOWNTOWN FROM THE WATER), and cross backover for free.
http://www.aquarium.org
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

4. Seattle Center/Space Needle - Worth the $15 or so it will cost you to visit the Space Needle, especially on a clear day, although sunset is nice too, so you can see downtown at night. Lots of activities at Seattle Center - check their calendar for what's going on.
http://www.seattlecenter.org
http://www.spaceneedle.com

5. Day trip to Whidbey Island. It has something for everyone - Deception Pass State Park, the small towns of Coupeville and Langley, Greenbank Farms (for cheese and wine), and Fort Casey for a great view of the Straight from a lighthouse.
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Deception+Pass&pageno=1
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Fort+Casey&pageno=1
http://www.greenbankfarm.com/
http://www.centralwhidbeychamber.com/
http://www.langleywa.org/

Answer 5

space needle
pikes place
ferry ride of some sort
underground tour
go to the beach or the pier have a nice dinner

Answer 6

drink coffee
go hiking
be stuck in traffic
deal with crappy weather
good seafood year round