My favorite one - day is valet parking (inexpensive) at the foot of the space needle, a short walk to the fabulous Chihuly exhibit, inside, and a garden area as well, then lunch in the space needle. Check on prices, much less if you do it all, must have reservations, especially for Space Needle for lunch. It is connected to the Observation Deck, if you don't want to do the lunch, but you will never forget it! Ask for a window table! Restaurant rotates fully in one hour. The art in the Chihuly exhibit will give you great ideas for color and design. After this, there is an outdoor, free, area that is part of the Seattle Art Museum. Many large sculptures, and worth seeing. Just a short drive, and right above Puget Sound. At the base of the Space Needle is the Experience Music Project, also a fun place, interesting architecture, lots of interactive music experiences. Look online to see the quilt shops doing great row by rows, and bring your phone to find them! These are some of the places I take my out of town friends and relatives.