My father-in-law is coming to town this weekend, and we’re trying to figure out what to do and where to go. It’s kind of overwhelming, but not in a way you might think. There’s so much to do here in Seattle that it’s a real challenge to create an itinerary for just four days.

It turns out that Seattle is among 2024’s Most Fun Cities in America. A study by personal finance website WalletHub places Seattle No. 19, with particularly high scores for the city’s number of attractions, festivals, and restaurants. The report notes that the average American spends more than $3,600 on entertainment annually.

For starters, I think we’ll skip the Fremont Troll. Honestly, it’s somewhat overrated. Instead, we’ll hit the Ravenna Trollbooth, where more than 500 clay and ground object creations have sprouted in the 20 years since a Maple tree fell at the site. The Trollbooth is the brainchild of Gregory Engel, an artist who began creating the creatures after the tree fell in front of his house.

The Trollbooth: A whimsical forest of over 500 clay creations in Ravenna.

Photo courtesy of Ravenna Trollbooth

We’ll also be sure to hit the Seattle Pinball Museum, a treasure trove of old pinball games from the 1960s and 1970s. You don’t even need quarters. For about $20, you have access to scores of games. You can even order a beer. Bring on Galaga and Asteroids.

Ever heard of Steve’s Weird House? As the name implies, this is a private Victorian mansion residence in downtown Seattle with lots of strange artifacts, including some weird taxidermy, strange medical devices and antique coffins. Think Addams Family and The Munsters. It’s not open to the public, but a virtual tour is an unforgettable experience.

Here’s an unusual one: Union Station (no, not King Street Station). The architecture at the former train station (it’s now used for meetings in the Joni Earl Great Hall and serves as the official headquarters of Sound Transit) is stunningly beautiful. The building was renovated in 2000.

If you’ve never been to the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall, then go. Indie artists and merchants peddle their wares out of colorful vintage trailers. It’s kitschy and a little weird.

Georgetown Trailer Park Mall features vintage trailers with indie treasures.

Photo courtesy of Georgetown Trailer Park Mall

Finally, the one tourist area we’ll hit is Pike Place Market. I love the vibrancy and energy, as well as the different dialects you hear. I’ve never understood why some locals think it’s nothing more than a cheap tourist trap. So much color and history, and holiday highlights are everywhere.

We all have favorite places. What are some of yours?