tourist destinations seattle

Seattle   Travel Guide

The 27 Essential Things to Do in Seattle, Washington

If you're a first-time visitor to Seattle, no trip would be complete without stopping by some of the city's most iconic attractions. Browse the bustling stalls of fresh produce and flowers that make up Pike Place Market and take in

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Pike Place Market Pike Place Market free

Since 1907, this bustling market near the downtown waterfront has been the go-to place for local produce. Today, you can find almost everything, from local artwork to vinyl records. Plus, the flower market and fish tossing are particular must-sees, according to reviewers. Though Pike Place Market is one of the most tourist-heavy attractions in Seattle (plan to run into crowds, especially on the weekends) that's no reason to scratch it off your to-do list. Recent visitors said the abundance of vendors and lively atmosphere make it an experience you shouldn't pass up, no matter how busy it gets. 

The streets surrounding Pike Place Market are peppered with restaurants and coffee shops, and there's an information booth just west of the marketplace at First Avenue. If you want a little help navigating the massive market, guided tours and food tours are available from third-party companies.

Chihuly Garden and Glass Chihuly Garden and Glass

U.S. News Insider Tip: Utilize the museum’s interactive mobile guide , which provides a map, schedules of live talks and demos as well as an audio guide for insight into the pieces that make up the exhibition. – Vivian Chung

Bursting with artwork spanning the colors of the rainbow, Chihuly Garden and Glass offers visitors a look at creative, glass-blown pieces crafted by renowned Pacific Northwest artist, Dale Chihuly. The permanent exhibition opened in 2012 and has since attracted the admiration of Seattleites and tourists alike. 

Space Needle Space Needle

If there's one thing Seattle is known for (aside from coffee), it's the 605-foot-tall Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle has dominated Seattle's skyline ever since with its unique UFO-like design. The tower's 520-foot-high round observation deck offers spectacular views of the city and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. The Loupe, a seasonal cocktail lounge, features a revolving glass floor. If you're not a fan of heights, check out the SpaceBase gift shop at the bottom of the tower.

Past visitors agreed that the Space Needle is a must for first-time visitors to Seattle, and recommend either purchasing your ticket online in advance or showing up early to avoid long lines. Several said they bought the combo ticket that also includes access to Chihuly Garden and Glass . 

Popular Tours

Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier

(2115 reviews)

from $ 185.00

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours

(1910 reviews)

from $ 66.99

Seattle Harbor Cruise

(1436 reviews)

from $ 45.38

Kerry Park Kerry Park free

This small viewpoint park, which offers amazing views of Elliott Bay and the Central City (and occasionally Mount Rainier), is a favorite with photographers. Sunset is a particularly popular time to visit, when the city lights up and the Space Needle is a beacon in the night. While the park is tiny, you can see the sculpture Changing Form and a children's play area at the Bayview-Kinnear Park just below the viewpoint of Kerry Park.

Recent visitors said the views are astounding and advise others to come on a clear day and be prepared for crowds.

Capitol Hill Capitol Hill free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Opened in December 2014, a trip to the world’s first Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill is a must for coffee connoisseurs. Situated just nine blocks from the original 1912 Starbucks at Pike Place, the Reserve offers exclusive beverages and merchandise. – Vivian Chung

Perched on a hill and bordered by Interstate 5 to the west, 15th Avenue to the east, Roy Street to the north, and Madison Street to the south, diverse and vibrant Capitol Hill stands out as one of Seattle's most popular nightlife and entertainment districts. Marked by rainbow crosswalks and flags, it also serves as the city’s LGBTQ+ epicenter. Infused with cool, hip vibes and a youthful energy, the district is packed with music venues and trendy establishments. 

Museum of Flight Museum of Flight

Seattle is one of the most important cities in the world of aviation and home to several facilities belonging to the Boeing Company, one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers. You can find out more about the city's unique and fascinating history in aviation at one of its best museums, the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field. The museum is located less than 10 miles south of downtown Seattle. 

The facility is especially enticing for families with young children, who can climb in and around various aircraft. Also recommended is the Red Barn, Boeing's original airplane factory, which features exhibitions chronicling the history of flight. The nearby six-story T.A. Wilson Great Gallery also holds vintage aircraft, offering travelers a unique look into Seattle's prolific technological history. One of the most popular attractions is the SAM 970, which served as Air Force One for presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, as well as other vice presidents and VIPs until its retirement in June 1996.

Best Seattle Tours

Seattle Tours

The 4 Best Seattle Boat Tours

July 28, 2023

The 9 Best Whale Watching Tours Near Seattle

March 16, 2023

The 7 Best Seattle Tours

June 18, 2021

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) free

These locks – operated by the Army Corps of Engineers – are popular among Seattle visitors and locals. The locks allow boats to pass between Puget Sound and the Lake Washington Ship Canal, offering a live demonstration of Seattle's maritime lifestyle (many have compared the locks to a miniature version of the Panama Canal). After you've watched a couple barges pass by, head to the south side of the locks where fish ladders help salmon migrate during the summer months; if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a sea lion looking for a quick bite to eat. The fish can be seen up close from special viewing windows. The Chittenden Locks are also home to the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens, which feature a variety of 1,500 plants from around the world and beautiful views.

Many visitors suggested taking one of the free hourlong tours offered to learn more about the history of the locks. Tours depart from the visitor center. You can also learn more about the locks on one of Seattle's best boat tours . Recent visitors also mention that parking can be difficult to find and the area can feel crowded on the weekends.

Mount Rainier Mount Rainier

Enveloped by lush forests, alpine meadows and glacial landscape, 14,410-foot-tall Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano and the tallest mountain in the Cascade Range, takes center stage at Mount Rainier National Park . The park encompasses five developed areas, including Longmire, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, Carbon River and Mowich, with Paradise being the park’s most sought-after. Here, hike the popular 5.5-mile Skyline Trail, which offers views of meadows blanketed by vibrant wildflowers in the summer months. In the winter, Paradise beckons powderhounds to explore its snowy terrain on snowshoes, cross-country skis and snowboards. For scenic viewpoints, head to 6,400-foot-high Sunrise Point to catch daybreak, the highest point in the park accessible by vehicle. And along Stevens Canyon Road, see reflections of Mount Rainier in the tranquil waters of Reflection Lakes.

Despite the two-hour drive from Seattle, recent visitors praise the park’s spectacular natural landscapes, deeming the journey well worthwhile. Additionally, many suggest bringing extra layers, even during the summer, as the park's elevation and mountainous terrain contribute to constant and unpredictable weather changes.

Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket

(785 reviews)

from $ 65.63

Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

(1364 reviews)

from $ 94.00

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

(5490 reviews)

from $ 29.03

Museum of History and Industry Museum of History and Industry

If you want to learn about the history of Seattle, pay a visit to this museum. The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) collects and preserves items related to innovation in the Puget Sound region. Permanent exhibits that highlight that effort include the "Bezos Center for Innovation," "Maritime Seattle" and "True Northwest: The Seattle Journey." Its collection includes art, toys, furniture, vehicles, clothing and other locally made or invented products. In addition to its exhibits, MOHAI also houses a cafe and a store featuring products made by Puget Sound artisans.

"Fascinating," "informative" and "engaging" are among the adjectives visitors frequently use to describe MOHAI. As an added bonus, the building offers a nice view of Lake Union, from the maritime history exhibit, appropriately enough.

Seattle Art Museum Seattle Art Museum

Spread across three locations, the Seattle Art Museum houses one of America's premier art collections. Among its collection of more than 25,000 pieces, the museum displays everything from European masterpieces to contemporary sculptures. The Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park are also part of the complex. 

The museum received some mixed reviews from recent visitors for its small size, but most appreciated its eclectic collection and recommended setting aside a few hours. Recent travelers were particularly impressed with the museum's permanent collection of African art and its display of Northwest Coast Native American artists. 

Olympic Sculpture Park Olympic Sculpture Park free

There's no better way to get a healthy dose of culture than to enjoy some fine art, especially when the art is outdoors and free to peruse. In other words, you should plan on visiting the Olympic Sculpture Park, a 9-acre space one mile north of the Seattle Art Museum (with which it's affiliated) that's filled with works by such sculptors as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Roxy Paine and Tony Smith. Once you've had your fill of art, turn your attention to the view, which stretches over Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains and is a big hit with recent visitors.

Past visitors said it's an enjoyable way to experience the art and ambiance Seattle offers, and appreciate that it’s crowd-free, despite its proximity to downtown. However, they say that unless you’re in the area, you shouldn’t make a special trip to the park as it’s not a “top 10” attraction.

Museum of Pop Culture Museum of Pop Culture

Set in an eye-popping complex designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Museum of Pop Culture celebrates rock music in a myriad of ways. Exhibits at this Seattle Center museum like "Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses" and "Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-1970" are excellent and comprehensive looks at these two iconic music phenoms, while the "Guitar Gallery" chronicles the history of the instrument and the musicians who played them. Music isn’t the only aspect of pop culture on display here. The "Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame" exhibit features artifacts from sci-fi literature, film, television and art, including pieces from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Empire Strikes Back." There are also exhibits dedicated to video games and horror films. 

According to recent visitors, the interactive exhibits appeal to a variety of ages, and the museum is worth spending a couple of hours exploring, though reviewers did not appreciate the high admission price. Recent visitors were also impressed by the architectural design of the museum’s building. 

Gas Works Park Gas Works Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Birdwatching enthusiasts will find Gas Works Park to be a haven for various bird species. Bring a pair of binoculars for the chance to spot double-crested cormorants, goosanders and American coots, particularly along the shores of Lake Union. – Vivian Chung

Encompassing 19.1 acres, Gas Works Park features preserved structures and remnants of the historic Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, which operated from 1906 to 1956. Its expansive green spaces make this park a favored spot among locals for picnics and kite flying, while Kite Hill, known as the Great Mound, offers a picturesque vantage point for observing seaplanes take off and land on Lake Union. The park also transforms into a vibrant hub each Fourth of July, when crowds come to witness a spectacular fireworks display.

Seattle Grand 4-Hour City Tour

(364 reviews)

from $ 107.00

Touring and Hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park

(163 reviews)

from $ 179.00

Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour

(734 reviews)

from $ 320.00

Discovery Park Discovery Park free

If you're looking to get outdoors without getting out of the city, this is the place. Sprawling across more than 500 acres in northern Seattle, Discovery Park is the city's largest green space. You'll find hiking trails, meadows, beaches and sand dunes abound. One must-see is the West Point Lighthouse – one of 18 active lighthouses in Washington State – which can be reached by following the North Beach Trail, while the South Beach Trail leads to a spectacular view of Puget Sound.

And if you're not one for hiking, keep in mind that Discovery Park also features a tennis facility, a cultural center and a kids' play area that includes swings, climbing structures and a zip line. Many park visitors say this is one of Seattle's finer gems, with something for everyone to enjoy. Hikers commented that there is a trail suitable for every experience level and particularly enjoy the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Mount Rainier on clear days.

Smith Tower Smith Tower

The Space Needle isn't the only way to enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective of Seattle. Smith Tower is Seattle's oldest skyscraper, and when it was built in 1914 it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. The 35th-floor observatory that was part of the original construction remains open today, offering 360-degree views of the city. The same floor also has a cocktail bar. In addition to office space, the tower also houses ground-floor retail, special event spaces and historical exhibits.

While the stunning views are the reason to go to the top of the tower, the food and beverages win high marks from reviewers as well, though some find the selection to be limited. Recent visitors also appreciated the self-guided tour showcasing historical information about the tower before enjoying the elevator ride to the 35th floor. For more information about the tower’s past, including its Wishing Chair, consider signing up for one of the 45-minute guided “Talking Tours.”

Alki Beach Alki Beach free

Elliott Bay's Alki Beach is a popular attraction for bicyclists, joggers and anyone seeking to spend a day in the sun. What's more, from its perch on the bay, the beach offers photogenic views of the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound, as well as passing ships. Amenities include fire pits, restrooms, hand-carry boat access, picnic tables and volleyball courts. On Alki Point, there's a monument marking the spot where European settlers first arrived in 1851.

Beachgoers rave about the skyline views seen from the beach, though they do warn that you shouldn’t visit this beach expecting to swim (water temps are chilly, ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-50s). They also appreciate the many restaurants in proximity to the shore. History buffs wanting a break from the sun (or wishing to learn more about those aforementioned settlers) can visit the nearby Log House Museum, which is operated by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and offers pay-what-you-can admission.

Woodinville Wine Country Woodinville Wine Country

Oenophiles in search of a memorable glass of vino should head about 20 miles northeast of Seattle to explore Woodinville Wine Country. This area within the Sammamish River Valley is home to more than 130 wineries, as well as breweries, shops, hotels and restaurants. To orient yourself, read up on Woodinville's four districts.

The Downtown District, generally regarded as a convenient spot to begin or end a trip to Woodinville – offers numerous options for eating and drinking. 

Mount Si Mount Si free

If you don't have time to make the drive to Mount Rainier (which sits about two hours southeast of downtown Seattle), Mount Si provides a popular alternative. Sitting about 40 miles east of the city center, Mount Si offers several opportunities to strap on your hiking boots and hit the trails. 

On a clear day, views from the summit stretch across the city to the Olympic Mountains. The Mount Si trail to the summit is about an 8-mile round-trip hike with an elevation gain of 3,100 feet. Many recent travelers said the hike is strenuous and definitely not for novices, though the views up top made it worth the journey. They also suggest bringing plenty of snacks and water. Note: There are outhouses located at the bottom of the trail, but no formal facilities along the path.

Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls

(230 reviews)

from $ 79.00

Boeing Factory Tour with Guided Transport from Seattle

(994 reviews)

from $ 125.00

Pike Place Market Tasting Tour

(1324 reviews)

from $ 62.88

Seattle Great Wheel Seattle Great Wheel

U.S. News Insider Tip: Elevate your experience by gathering a group of two to four for an exclusive dinner in one of the Great Wheel’s gondolas. In collaboration with its sister business, Fisherman’s Restaurant, you’ll indulge in a four-course dinner while suspended 200 feet in the air. – Vivian Chung

This colossal, 175-foot-tall Seattle Great Wheel punctuates the city’s skyline and has become an iconic landmark in downtown Seattle since its opening in June 2012. A single ride in one of the 42 climate-controlled gondolas involves three full revolutions of the wheel, lasts up to 20 minutes and offers unobstructed views over downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and, on clear days, Mount Rainier. Illuminated by over 500,000 LED lights, the Seattle Great Wheel hosts vibrant light shows every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from sundown to 10 p.m. during summer evenings.

Bainbridge Island Bainbridge Island free

U.S. News Insider Tip: To shop local produce and artisan goods from local makers, visit on a Saturday between April and the end of November when the Bainbridge Island Farmers’ Market operates between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Town Square. – Vivian Chung

Best known for its picturesque scenery and charming small-town vibes, this island 10 miles west of downtown Seattle beckons outdoor adventurers, oenophiles, and art and culture lovers. 

Sky View Observatory Sky View Observatory

Billed as the tallest building in Seattle, the Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center provides stunning panoramic views of Seattle, Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscapes. To enjoy cocktails and light bites like flatbreads and wraps, head to the onsite Sky View Cafe & Bar.

Recent travelers strongly recommend choosing a visit here over the Space Needle, thanks to more affordable admission and fewer crowds that result in little to no wait time. Plus, with its viewing platform at 902 feet, the Sky View Observatory provides a notable height advantage over the Space Needle (which stands at 605 feet). For the mesmerizing sight of an illuminated city, reviewers suggest visiting the observatory in the evening.

T-Mobile Park T-Mobile Park

U.S. News Insider Tip: Book a guided tour of the ballpark, which offers exclusive access to areas not often seen by the public, including the dugout, press box and All-Star Club. On select game days, tour participants may even have the opportunity to watch batting practice. – Vivian Chung

Home to the Seattle Mariners baseball team, this stadium features a retractable roof and accommodates up to 47,929 attendees. Immerse yourself in the excitement of live baseball, where crowds cheer and fast-paced action unfolds on the diamond against a striking backdrop of Seattle's skyline. For a more comprehensive experience and to gain a deeper understanding of baseball’s significance to Seattlites and the Pacific Northwest, explore the onsite Mariners Hall of Fame, where its curated collection of memorabilia and exhibits celebrate the history and accomplishments of the Seattle Mariners. 

Washington Park Arboretum Washington Park Arboretum free

The Washington Park Arboretum's 230 acres on the shores of Lake Washington contain a diverse array of plants, some of which can't be seen anywhere else in the region. Its themed gardens include the Pacific Connections Garden, which features plants from five countries connected to its namesake ocean (specifically Australia, China, Chile, New Zealand and the U.S. Pacific Northwest); Rhododendron Glen, one of the arboretum's oldest sections, dating to the late 1930s; and a traditional Japanese garden. It also has a winter garden ideally viewed from late November through March. The City of Seattle and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens jointly manage the arboretum.

Activities in the arboretum include guided hourlong tours via tram and nonmotorized boating. Kayaks and canoes can be rented nearby. Private walking tours are also available.

Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

(903 reviews)

from $ 89.00

Viator Exclusive Tour- Olympic National Park Tour from Seattle

(161 reviews)

from $ 230.00

Exclusive Leavenworth tour from Seattle

(224 reviews)

from $ 195.00

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

Situated in Seattle's Chinatown-International District, the Wing Luke Museum is devoted to the art, culture and history of Asian Pacific Americans. The 60,000-square-foot facility, which is housed in a historic building constructed in 1910 by Chinese immigrants, features multiple galleries for both traveling and permanent exhibits. Among the latter are "Wing Luke and the Museum," dedicated to the institution's namesake, who was the first Asian American elected to public office in the Pacific Northwest, and "Honoring Our Journey," which highlights the Asian Pacific American immigrant and refugee experience. 

Recent visitors typically found the Wing Luke Museum highly informative and strongly recommend participating in the Historic Hotel Tour for a walk through the history of the East Kong Yick Building, which houses the museum. The tour comes free with your admission and provides a deeper insight into the museum’s mission.

Pioneer Square Pioneer Square free

If you like history, Pioneer Square should be on your your to-do list. This neighborhood was one of the first settlements in the Northwest U.S. (hence the name), and it has maintained much of its Old West identity. Today, you'll find the cobblestone area peppered with art galleries, restaurants and shops, not to mention an ornamental pergola, which provides shelter to those waiting to hop on the First Hill Line streetcar.

No visit to Pioneer Square is complete until you tag along on the Beneath the Streets tour, one of the best Seattle tours . On this one-hour excursion, expert guides will lead you through underground passageways dating back to the 1890s, sharing historical information, along with stories of the Klondike Gold Rush, the city's architecture and the Coast Salish tribes who originally inhabited the area. Reviewers applaud the well-versed guides and recommend the experience. If you prefer to explore above ground, visit the nearby Smith Tower and its 35th-floor observatory.

Seattle Aquarium Seattle Aquarium

For a glimpse under the sea, head to the Seattle Aquarium, which sits along the waterfront just a few blocks west of the Seattle Art Museum. It may not be as impressive as other cities' aquariums , but Seattle's facility offers a wonderful introduction to northwestern sea life, such as local bird, fish, seals and otters. The highlight of your visit will most likely be the "Window on Washington Waters" exhibit, which houses aquatic animals native to the surrounding area in a 120,000-gallon tank.

Other points of interest include a coral reef tank and a kid-friendly touch tank, where your little ones can shake hands with starfish and sea cucumbers. And don't miss your chance to get the fish-eye view from the aquarium's underwater observation dome.

Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo

Founded in 1899, Woodland Park Zoo stretches across 92 acres and is home to more than 900 animals and 250 species, some of them endangered. Its exhibits include the African Savanna, featuring lions, giraffes, hippos and zebras; Humboldt Penguins, with penguins from coastal Peru; Tropical Asia, which includes orangutans, tigers, sloth bears and various birds; and the seasonal Butterfly Garden. The zoo also welcomes temporary exhibits, and in the past has hosted "Dinosaur Discovery," which displayed more than 20 full-size dinosaur replicas, including a 40-foot-long T. Rex. Woodland Park also houses two western lowland gorilla families. 

Recent visitors generally appreciated the zoo's size and the number of animals on display, though some reviewers were disappointed to find that some animals were not viewable due to exhibits being unexpectedly closed.

Things to Do in Seattle FAQs

Explore more of seattle.

Best Hotels

When To Visit

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

Holly Johnson December 1, 2023

The 26 Best Zoos in the U.S.

Rachael Hood November 16, 2023

44 Cheap Tropical Vacations That Feel Expensive

Holly Johnson|Alissa Grisler November 10, 2023

25 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Seattle, WA

Written by Brad Lane Updated Mar 21, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Seattle is like its own planet in the Pacific Northwest. Its gravitational pull is hard to avoid as the biggest city in the region, enticing with a broad selection of outdoor and indoor attractions alongside a vibrant community. I find something new that adds to the sparkle of the Emerald City with every visit, especially in the summer, when the entire city shines after winter's frequent drizzles.

Visitors may conjure the image of the Seattle Space Needle when envisioning a trip to Seattle. And this 605-foot spire is well worth the visit, especially the surrounding Seattle Center, home to other attractions like Chihuly Garden and Glass and Climate Pledge Arena. But peel Seattle back beyond these renowned tourist destinations, and the city has so much more to explore.

You'll never see everything in a single day or weekend. I once stayed for an entire month and felt pressed for time. That's because between seaside parks, underground tours, immersive museums, and iconic spots like Pike Place Market, things to do in Seattle span all hours of the day and throughout the year. Luckily, there are plenty of coffee shops to aid in making the most out of a vacation.

Prepare to explore the sunny side of Seattle my list of the best attractions in Seattle.

1. Seattle Center & the Space Needle

2. pike place market, 3. discovery park, 4. chihuly garden and glass, 5. go underground in the pioneer square historic district, 6. learn about puget sound at the seattle aquarium, 7. woodland park zoo, 8. mohai: the museum of history & industry, 9. watch boats pass at hiram m. chittenden locks (ballard locks), 10. take a water taxi to alki beach park, 11. wander the galleries at the seattle art museum, 12. take a trip to the museum of flight, 13. whale watch from seattle, 14. get lost at the washington park arboretum, 15. catch the sunset at gas works park, 16. walk around green lake, 17. find fun at the museum of pop culture, 18. ride the seattle great wheel, 19. sunbathe on a seattle beach, 20. picnic at volunteer park, 21. explore the olympic sculpture park, 22. head to the international district, 23. meet the fremont street troll, 24. dive into the living computers: museum and labs, 25. experience benaroya hall, where to stay in seattle for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in seattle, wa, best time to visit seattle, wa.

Seattle Center, home to the Space Needle, is often included on a first trip to Seattle. And for good reason. These iconic attractions were first built for the 1962 World's Fair and have since been converted into an entertainment complex and park area with a long list of community attractions.

This public space is also home to the Museum of Pop Culture and Chihuly Garden and Glass , two of the best museums in Seattle (and two of my favorite). Restaurants and shopping also line the pedestrian paths across campus, alongside ample public areas for wandering or sitting down and people-watching. This is especially true at the International Fountain with its orchestrated waterspouts and light shows.

The newest addition to Seattle Center is Climate Pledge Arena . This state-of-the-art sports venue is home to the Seattle Kraken, freshly minted into the NHL during the 2021/22 season. Seattle's best radio station, KEXP, also operates out of a studio in the Seattle Center, giving music fans a reason to gather.

Despite all the other world-class attractions in Seattle Center, the Space Needle claims the most international fame. And while the paid trip to the top of the Space Needle has some of the classic frills of a tourist trap, the view atop is indeed spectacular and worth the few hoops required to jump through.

It's a moderate admission price to get to the top of the Space Needle, and when I visited during a midweek morning in August, I waited about 45 minutes in line for my ride to the top. I opted out of the commemorative photograph taken after the elevator ride, but I spent extra time exploring inside and outside.

Anyone with a fear of heights should not go to the top of the Space Needle. But as someone with unlimited trust in the guardrails and glass-bottom floors, I didn't want to go back down once I got up. Plan to spend at least half of the day if you want to ride to the top. Sunny weather is certainly the most preferred forecast, though a rainy day could provide an exciting ambiance.

Address: 400 Broad Street, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.spaceneedle.com

Pike Place Market is another busy tourist area worth a visit. It offers an authentic taste of the maritime culture associated with the city, comprising a wide range of vendors on the two bustling levels floors near the waterfront.

Fish, fruit, vegetables, and all sorts of odds and ends tantalize the taste buds and camera lenses. And keep an eye out for fresh fish flying through the air from the Pike Place Fish Market . If you don't have the hotel facilities for cooking seafood, head to one of the 80 local restaurants and bakeries or pick up goodies to bring home from one of the specialty foods stores.

In addition to plentiful food choices, there are more than 200 proprietor-operated shops that range from antiques and collectibles to bookstores and quirky specialty shops. The historic nine-acre shopping haven includes a crafts market with 225 local and regional creators.

Although it's possible to spend all day admiring each stall in Pike Place Market, typically, it's only a part of a touristic day. The market is in the central downtown area, surrounded by several other places to visit. Visitors can also check out the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57 within a short walk.

Address: 1st and Pike Streets, Seattle, Washington

Official site: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

Discovery Park covers nearly 550 acres and is the largest park in the city and one of the top beaches in Seattle . It's located on a point protruding into the sound from the Magnolia neighborhood, west of downtown. Coastline, forest, and meadows comprise much of the park's landscape, with dirt and paved trails winding throughout.

I headed straight to the West Point Lighthouse on my first visit to Discovery Park, which required about a two-mile hike from the Discovery Park Visitor Center and park entrance. The lighthouse was immediately recognizable as the popular photo destination that it is. But the actual view in person, including an expanse of the Olympic Mountains backdropping Puget Sound, made me understand why it's such a popular Seattle destination.

A paved trail parallels the beach that extends from either side of the lighthouse, offering great views across the water the entire way. The entire network of trails is sprawling within the park, but abundant signage makes navigating throughout the 500-plus acres fairly easy. I never lost reception in the park, either, so I could use my online maps to navigate.

Discovery Park is the former site of Fort Lawton, and some of its military history remains today. An Environmental Learning Center is also onsite at the Visitor Center, hosting interactive exhibits, information about the park, and education programs for all ages.

Address: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, Washington

If you're heading to the Seattle Center for the Space Needle, be sure to budget at least some time to check out the next-door Chihuly Garden and Glass. The colorful exhibits of this world-renowned museum display and explore the work of innovative glassblower Dale Chihuly - a Tacoma native.

Chihuly's work is known for using glass as a purely artistic medium and creating captivating sculptures. And captivated I was while walking through the eight darkened galleries of the museum, illuminated by glass gardens and densely packed exhibits. It gets a little crowded in these galleries but easy enough to stand still and admire the artistry.

The Glasshouse is the capstone of a visit under the shadow of the Space Needle. An amorphous glass sculpture hangs delicately above this beautiful rotunda encapsulated by glass, changing colors and appearance with the arcing sun above. Between the galleries and the grand Glasshouse, expect to spend between ninety minutes and two hours at the museum (minimum).

The Art Plaza and Collections Café is next to the Greenhouse, offering a lovely place to sit and enjoy hourly glassblowing demonstrations. The plaza abuts the garden, where visitors find Chihuly's work presented within a natural environment, enhancing the flow and depth of the glass.

Address: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.chihulygardenandglass.com

Pioneer Square is the city's historic heart, marked with a 60-foot totem pole. It's an area of town that retains much of its historic character distinct from modern parts of downtown, including beautiful Victorian-era buildings. Smith Tower stands out for its imposing height (42 stories), with an observation deck on the 35th floor that's ideal for sightseeing.

In the same neighborhood, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park remembers the surge of prospectors who departed for the Yukon during the 1897 Klondike Gold Rush. This monumental event brought new prosperity to Seattle, the marketed "Gateway to the Gold Fields."

Something to know about visiting Pioneer Square in modern times is that the area is an example of some of the city's urban challenges. Expect to see Seattle's un-housed population while visiting, and while statistically, it's a safe place to visit, it's a spot to take out earbuds and pay attention to your surroundings.

I elected to explore Pioneer Square by going underground and joining the expedition on the famous Bill Speidel's Underground Tour . This 75-minute tour explains how the current city streets were established after the 1889 Great Seattle Fire and dives into the legacy of the almost forgotten underground sidewalks. It turned out to be a great experience that allowed me to get more comfortable with the area under the wings of a tour guide.

The non-profit Seattle Aquarium operates on the downtown waterfront, just a short walk from the Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57. Through several live animal exhibits, the aquarium captivated my attention the entire afternoon and inspired my interest in the nearby Puget Sound.

The Window on Washington's Waters is the first exhibit encountered at the aquarium. This 120,000-gallon tank has nothing but good views thanks to its 40-foot-wide window, leaving plenty of room for kids to gather near the front at this popular family attraction.

The tide pool touch tanks tend to be the next area of attraction at the aquarium. This is also a popular attraction for kids, but I'll admit I spent most of my time at the museum reaching into the water to gently put my fingers on sea anemones and other colorful invertebrates.

The aquarium is also home to various marine mammals, including different kinds of seals and otters. Thanks to the tank designs, you get to see these playful residents above and below water. And wandering throughout the museum are staff members ready to answer any questions and engage with visitors.

The aquarium is open seven days a week. Expect to spend at least a few hours at the aquarium, if not more. It's also in a touristy part of Seattle's waterfront, with tons of lunch spots nearby to enjoy after a visit.

Address: 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/

Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo is a 92-acre facility with many threatened and endangered species from around the globe. This AZA-accredited facility was the first to create naturalistic exhibits, and its 300 different species range from Asian and African elephants to snow leopards, jaguars, lemurs, and grizzly bears.

It's a popular family attraction, although, as an adult, I was tired after a half-day walking the enormous complex. And I didn't partake in any of the daily programs, animal feedings, or educational lectures throughout the week, nor did I ride on the solar-operated carousel.

If you're here in the summer, consider visiting first thing when the zoo opens, or stick around until it's about to close. Many animals will ride out the heat of the day in their enclosures.

Visitors can book an animal experience tour for a real treat, allowing animal lovers to get up close to some of the zoo's most fascinating wildlife, often with the chance to feed or touch the animals. Experiences include the opportunity to meet giraffes, penguins, lemurs, and other residents.

Address: 601 N 59th Street, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.zoo.org

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) celebrates Seattle's position as a leader in innovation and industry, showcasing this legacy with planes hanging from the ceiling and other engaging exhibits across three levels.

The True Northwest exhibit takes tourists on a journey through the region's history, from indigenous cultures through the present, exploring how geography and cultural events like the Klondike Gold Rush shaped the Emerald City.

Permanent collections in the museum's main gallery include a wide range of historical objects, from vintage clothing to locally invented products. Visitors also enjoy 360-degree views of the city using an authentic WWII-era Tang periscope in the Maritime exhibit.

The museum's third major gallery focuses on how local inventors have put the region at the forefront of innovation and new technology. It includes interactive exhibits and a chance to get a sneak peek at concepts being explored.

Adjacent to MOHAI, The Center for Wooden Boats is another popular community attraction. This non-profit strives to provide public access to water recreation and maritime travel. The center offers workshops, public sailboat adventures, and rentals throughout the week.

Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://mohai.org

These busy locks northwest of Seattle Center are also known as the Ballard Locks. They are a fascinating work of engineering in Salmon Bay, constructed to keep the saltwater of Puget Sound separate from the freshwater of Lake Washington while also providing a boat elevator between the two.

Commodore Park and the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Center are on either side, connected by a bike path that crosses the Locks. This path may be impeded by passing boat traffic. But you can get close to the action, and I spent extra time just watching boats, big and small, transfer from one waterway to the other.

Besides watching the boat traffic move between Puget Sound and the lakes, I recommend checking out the fish ladder in Commodore Park, where salmon struggle upstream. On the other side of the locks, the Botanical Center is a quieter spot to rest and appreciate well-tended gardens.

Tourists can take a narrated sightseeing cruise along the canal, which offers various views of some of the city's most iconic features, like the Space Needle, the Great Ferris Wheel, and even the houseboat community featured in Sleepless in Seattle . The tour typically lasts 2.5 hours and includes transportation back to the starting point.

Address: 3015 NW 54th Street, Seattle, Washington

Alki Beach Park is a popular destination in West Seattle with a lot of history. It's where the first white settlers landed in 1851, greeted by Chief Seattle and his tribe. Today, it's a 2.5-mile linear park and a guaranteed busy place when the weather is nice.

But with ample sand and space to stretch out some volleyball nets, overcrowding isn't always the biggest issue on summer weekends. Instead, finding a parking space can sometimes require extra patience. To avoid the hassle of parking, it's much easier to hop on a water taxi from Pier 50 in downtown Seattle. The water taxi drops you off at the eastern end of Alki Beach Park.

Timing a visit to Alki during low tide opens a world of tide pool exploring. A 2.5-mile concrete pathway parallels much of the beach, and benches and local businesses line much of this route, offering plenty for an afternoon of exploring.

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is downtown, one block from Pike Place Market. It's a massive repository for world-renowned art and a must-see for casual observers and enthusiasts alike. I spent just over two hours here, including time spent in a special Monet exhibit I paid extra for.

The museum's collection is spread across four floors of expansive gallery space. The bottom three floors feature rotating exhibits and pieces from the permanent collection. Some permanent displays include Native American, European, and Islamic Art. The museum also houses a robust collection of contemporary and modern art.

SAM also oversees two other prominent art facilities for even more aesthetic pleasure. SAM also operates the Olympic Sculpture Park, less than a mile to the north on the waterfront, which is free to enjoy. And in Volunteer Park, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, SAM also operates the Seattle Asian Art Museum .

Address: 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/

Seattle's Museum of Flight is home to a wide array of airplanes, educational exhibits, and flight-related historical objects. The museum is open Thursday through Monday, and many visits take the entire day. Alongside general admission, the museum offers premium experiences that lend access to behind-the-scenes exhibits.

An outdoor gallery displays the largest aircraft in the collection, including a Concorde, the first jet Air Force One, and military planes like the B-17F Flying Fortress. The indoor Great Gallery at the museum gives onlookers the thrill of seeing many of the aircraft suspended in flight. The Lear and Space galleries focus on space travel, both its history and future.

History buffs will especially love the Personal Courage Wing, dedicated to the critical role of aviation during World War I and II. Exhibits include 28 restored fighter planes, personal stories of pilots and air support troops, and interactive experiences like a flight simulator.

Address: 4097, 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.museumofflight.org

The city-defining waters of Puget Sound host a wide array of marine life. This proximity to a wild habitat gives residents and visitors a unique opportunity to see the landscape's largest mammals.

While several types of whales enjoy the water close to the city, it's often orcas that are sought out. The summer is considered the best time to see orcas from Seattle, specifically between mid-June and early September.

Watchful tourists can spot whales from the shore without boarding a boat. Spots along the western banks of Seattle, like Alki Beach and Golden Gardens , offer some of the best vantage points. Patience and a little help from resources like the Orca Network go a long way in spotting whales from the Seattle shore.

Several whale-watching boat tours are also available from Seattle. In years past, boat noise and boat disturbance became known contributors to declining orca populations. When booking a whale-watching tour, consider finding a company like Puget Sound Express with a long track record of responsible practices.

Covering over 230 acres in the Madison Park neighborhood northeast of downtown, the Washington Park Arboretum is the best spot to step away from the city. It's co-managed by the city of Seattle and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, and it's open every day to the public, free of charge.

Among the expansive green space, the arboretum maintains several specific gardens. A few notable paths include the jaunt through Rhododendron Glen and Azalea Way – the historic heart of the park. Visitors can also expect to encounter Japanese maples and a 2.5-acre plot devoted to New Zealand native plants.

Self-guided and guided tours are available at the arboretum. Guided excursions include Tram Tours , which navigate the entire park in an hour. If you're trying to walk through the whole park, plan for at least this same amount of time. For more information and trail maps, visit the Graham Visitors Center near the northern border.

Official site: https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/washington-park-arboretum/

Gas Works Park is on the northern shoreline of Lake Union , with a fantastic view across the water toward the downtown skyline. Alongside this shimmering view of boats and buildings, the park also has several pieces of eye-catching infrastructure.

Before becoming a park, Gas Works was the site of an industrial coal gasification plant. This history is still readily apparent, as many historic structures are now reclaimed into public art pieces. Some of the old facility is even now incorporated into playground equipment and park structures.

A large earthen mound with a paved trail offers an excellent vantage point of all the park has to offer. Here, towels and blankets punctuate the elevated spot as people enjoy the lakeside ambience. Come sundown, the entire area comes under a special glow as the last bit of day reflects off the water.

Green Lake is an approximately 260-acre lake north of downtown. A popular residential area of the same name borders the eastern and northern edges of the water, and a 2.8-mile multi-use paved trail circles the entire lake, connecting several places to spend the day.

East Green Lake Park is one of the most popular pitstops. Here, sandy shoreline and ample green space abound with people throughout the warmer months. Popular things to do at the park include volleyball, swimming, and lounging about close to the water. Boat rentals are also available.

Opposite East Green Lake on the northern shoreline, West Green Lake Beach offers similar amenities on a slightly smaller scale. On the southern end of Green Lake, connected by the paved multi-use trail, Woodland Park and the Woodland Park Zoo offer their own day of things to do.

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is a top attraction within the Seattle Center . It's next to the Space Needle, and with a colorful and fluid-like building, it's hard to miss when visiting this central tourist district.

MoPOP dedicates itself to telling the continuing story of modern culture. Exhibits span three levels and include hundreds of artifacts, including costumes, guitars, and a constant stream of memorabilia. Among other subjects, the permanent collection relates to the world of horror movies, the sci-fi universe, and the meteoric rise of the 90s grunge band Nirvana. And new exhibits frequently rotate on display.

The museum is open daily. Plan to spend a few hours wandering the eye-catching and sometimes interactive displays. The museum also regularly hosts events, including movie nights from their ever-evolving list of "100 Horror Films to See Before You Die."

Address: 325 5th Avenue N, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://www.mopop.org/

The Seattle Great Wheel is a 175-foot-tall Ferris Wheel on Pier 57 on the downtown waterfront. It's just minutes from Pike Place Market and easily visible from the Seattle Aquarium . For many, taking a revolution is a quintessential downtown experience.

The Great Wheel spins seven days a week. Depending on the crowd size, a ride on the Great Wheel takes approximately 20 minutes. During that time, a revolving view of Elliot Bay and downtown keep the ride captivating. Although the wheel spins on rainy days, blue skies offer the best experience.

The Great Wheel is only one part of the larger Miners Landing on Pier 57. Other tourist attractions include a classic carousel and a unique "flying theater" known as Wings over Washington. The area also has an ample supply of souvenirs and gifts available.

Water surrounds all sides of Seattle. The saltwater of Elliot Bay and Puget Sound offer lapping waves to the west, and Lake Washington has freshwater to the east. While this doesn't mean the entire outer edge of the city is a sandy beach, the marine landscape does offer a few incredible shorelines to enjoy.

On Puget Sound, beaches at places like Golden Gardens and Carkeek Park rank high as local favorites. These two beaches offer some of the most spacious sandy stretches in the city and are popular for all beach-related activities. The world-famous Discovery Park also has a Puget Sound shoreline with a sandy beach bisected by a scenic lighthouse.

The east side of Seattle, on Lake Washington, also has several shoreline areas with sand. Matthews Beach Park , in Northeast Seattle, is one of the largest. It features a designated swimming area with lifeguards, a swimming platform, and ample green space to lay a blanket down.

Read More: Top-Rated Beaches in the Seattle Area

In the north Capitol Hill neighborhood, Volunteer Park features a century-old conservatory with tropical plants and trees. Visitors can also find simple attractions within the park like walking trails, sports facilities, a children's play area, and picnic grounds.

It's simply a lovely park to wander through and is especially a nice place to bring a blanket to enjoy a picnic or casual hangout with a view. A historic water tower in the park offers a circular staircase to ascend for a 360-degree view of the entire area.

The lush green space also encompasses the Seattle Asian Art Museum (a branch of the larger Seattle Art Museum downtown), where galleries display Chinese, South Asian, and Southeast Asian art; decorative arts; and textiles.

Address: 1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, Washington

The Olympic Sculpture Park is free and open to the public year-round, positioned at the edge of Elliott Bay. Some of its more remarkable sculptures are the Eye Benches and a glass bridge titled Seattle Cloud Cover . Many Seattle residents and tourists come to the park to wander the day away and photograph or admire the installations.

The park's setting is as significant as its artwork. The space underwent an environmental transformation from a post-industrial brownfield site to an ecologically balanced green space that includes a salmon habitat and employs sustainable practices like rainwater collection.

The inland entrance to the park is on Western and Broad Street, and the park follows a "Z" trail down to the waterfront. The trail passes by the PACCAR Pavilion with more art inside. This open community space also has a café and available window seating.

The park is maintained by the Seattle Art Museum , which is located one mile away, close to Pike Place Market . The museum's collections include artwork from around the globe and across millennia, as well as an extensive gallery dedicated to the art of Native Americans in the northwest.

Address: 2901 Western Ave, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park

To the east of Pioneer Square is the colorful International District, where Japanese and Chinese shops and restaurants dominate the street scene. There are many things to do here, but the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is a must. This museum charts the history of Asian immigration. It's named for Wing Luke, a Chinese American who was the first Asian American elected official in Washington.

Another fun place to visit within the International District is the Seattle Pinball Museum . This hands-on museum doesn't just relate the colorful history of these popular arcade accessories, it encourages visitors to flick the flippers of countless pinball games. The surrounding district is also filled with several international restaurants and cultural centers.

Address: 719 S. King Street, Seattle, Washington

The Fremont Troll is the result of a public art competition that took place over three decades ago. It was an effort to clean up a notorious dumping ground beneath the Aurora Bridge. Now, with a few fresh coats of paint over the years, the Fremont Street Troll has solidified itself as a city attraction and success in urban planning.

The most popular thing to do at the troll is to pose for a picture. The enormity of the sculpture comes into view in real life while standing next to his long stringy fingers and peering up to his singular metal eye. It only takes a quick visit to check out the troll under Aurora Bridge, five miles north of downtown.

Living Computers Museum and Labs is a techie's heaven, packed with items and interactive opportunities that look at the history of computers, modern accomplishments, and future potential.

Their extensive vintage collection includes some of the first computers, as well as exhibits that look into the lives and work of the geniuses who revolutionized the personal computer and beyond, including Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Paul Allen.

The museum's philosophy is that visitors cannot fully appreciate technology without experiencing it, so the majority of exhibits encourage interaction. Visitors can experience cutting-edge virtual reality, take a simulated drive in a self-driving car, and even sit down to write some code for their very own video game. Other topics include robotics, artificial intelligence, and the world of Big Data.

Address: 2245 1st Ave S, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.livingcomputers.org

Benaroya Hall is Seattle's premier arts venue and seats 2,500 for Seattle Symphony concerts. The performance hall is downtown, across the street from the Seattle Art Museum . Look for the large glass art sculpture by Dale Chihuly, featured prominently in the lobby. It's similar to the works at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle Center and at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

Benaroya Hall presents a variety of shows and performances. The Seattle Symphony is a staple exhibition, but this beautiful concert hall also features folk performances, family concerts, and lively speaker series. Whatever show brings you to Benaroya Hall, the decadent 2,500-seat auditorium itself adds to the experience of visiting.

Address: 200 University Street, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/benaroyahall

We recommend these great hotels in the city center, near top attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle:

• Inn at the Market : This eco-friendly, luxury, boutique hotel is convenient for sightseeing, with its Pike Place Market location. Enjoy water views, the rooftop deck, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
• The Maxwell Hotel - A Staypineapple Hotel : For mid-range rates, funky decor, an espresso bar, a free shuttle, and an indoor pool, this is the place.
• Best Western Executive Inn: With affordable pricing and a location near the Seattle Center and the Space Needle, it's hard to beat this Best Western.
• Comfort Inn & Suites Seattle: This budget-friendly hotel offers affordable rates, clean rooms, free Wi-Fi and parking, laundry facilities, and free breakfast.

The best time to go to Seattle is in the drier season between mid-June and mid-October . The city comes to life this time of year, with sunny skies, outdoor festivals, and blooming mountain landscapes. Seattle is in full swing in the summer, with millions of tourists checking out top attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.

Some say that summer in Seattle starts on July 5th, just in time for fireworks to dry out from the 4th of July. The truth is that rain can extend well into the first couple of weeks of July. The summer season in Seattle really begins any time after the clouds break in July. Everyone in the city tries to take full advantage of the sunny weather this time of year after a wet winter and spring.

To avoid the biggest summer rush , the autumn months are the best time to travel to Seattle. Hotel availability tends to go up after Labor Day Weekend, and the weather remains warm throughout the beginning of the season. Increased precipitation should be expected later into October. Cultural events like the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival occur throughout the fall.

A small caveat to summer travel in Seattle is wildfire smoke that blows in from across the American West and British Columbia. A few smoky days are nearly guaranteed during the Seattle summer, and how many depends on several variable conditions. While it's hard to predict months in advance when wildfire smoke will blow through, it's worth monitoring a week or so prior to traveling. If the wildfire smoke is heavy enough, it's ill-advised to engage in rigorous outdoor activity.

• Center for Wooden Boats
• Central Freeway Park
• Children's Museum
• Coast Guard Museum
• Frye Museum
• Fun Forest Amusement Park
• Kingdom (demolished)
• Klondike Gold Rush NHP
• Maritime Heritage Museum
• Omnidome Film Experience
• Pacific Science Center
• Pike Place Market
• Pioneer Square
• Seattle Aquarium
• Seattle Art Museum
• Seattle Center
• Smith Tower
• Space Needle
• Washington State Convention & Trade Center
• Wing Luke Asian Museum

More on Washington

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to do
• Attractions
• Restaurants
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The 22 best Seattle attractions to visit

The best attractions in Seattle celebrate everything that makes this magnificent city so, well, magnificent

The best attractions in Seattle are the sort of spots known worldwide. Even if you aren’t from these parts, chances are you have heard of the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, but they are just the tip of this magnificent iceberg. In fact, there are so many awesome things to do here that even long-time residents are rarely without something new and exciting to check out. Seattle has it all; museums , iconic buildings, a revolutionary musical history, fantastic restaurants, and some of the best coffee shops in the country. Yes, it rains often, but that is just a handy excuse to nip inside for a shot of culture, caffeine, or both. Plus, when the weather is good, those parks are a real thing of beauty.

RECOMMENDED:  The best Airbnbs in Seattle  

An email you’ll actually love

Best Seattle attractions

1.  Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop)

One of Microsoft founder Paul Allen’s most significant contributions to the city (and there are a lot of them) is the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop). Formerly known as the Experience Music Project, the museum’s structure was designed in 2000 by architect Frank Gehry, so it is truly a sight to be seen. Exhibits range in topic and explore a variety of themes, from indie video games to horror films to tattoo culture. If you want to beat the crowds, come early on a weekday. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions.

Save on Seattle attractions.

2.  Seattle Great Wheel

Who doesn’t love a Ferris wheel? Boasting 360-degree-views of both mountains and open sky, Seattle’s Great Wheel is worth being a bit of a tourist for. At $17 for an adult ride, many locals scoff at this attraction. Don’t make the same mistake: Get in line and get up there. If you’re feeling swank, you can purchase a VIP ticket for $50 that puts you ahead of the line and in a four-person gondola with a glass bottom.

3.  Pike Place Market

• Pine Market

Opened in 1907, the Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously operating farmers’ markets in the country. A thriving community of farmers, street performers, and restaurateurs, this is more than just a place to grab a bite: Make sure to check out the underground shops, bookstores, apothecaries, and one very special magic shop. As you head out of the market, you’ll notice a line snaking around the first-ever Starbucks. The inside is exactly like any other Starbucks so waiting in a 20-minute line to order your latte is something you can (and should) absolutely skip.

4.  Seattle Art Museum

• Central Business District

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is one of the largest collections of art in Washington, featuring a wide variety of works ranging in genre from contemporary to ancient Roman and more. Depending on the featured special exhibition, lines can be long, so you better check out the offerings before heading there. Entry to the permanent collection requires only a suggested donation, but special exhibitions cost extra.

5.  Olympic Sculpture Park

A part of the SAM family, the Olympic Sculpture Park, which overlooks the Cascade Mountains, is one of the most tranquil places in Downtown Seattle. Free and open to the public 365 days a year, the venue’s vast collection includes pieces by Louise Bourgeois, Richard Serra, and Roxy Paine. The park occasionally hosts yoga in the garden, so check out the online schedule before you go.

Experience Seattle like a local.

6.  Gas Works Park

Formerly the site of a city-run gasification plant, the nine-acre Gas Works Park is unusual and breathtaking. Designed in 1975 by landscape architect Richard Haag, this award-winning green space is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. The park centers around the Great Mound, a large hill that offers sensational views of Lake Union and the surrounding area. Make sure to find the Play Barn, a collection of pipes and machinery left over from the former plant. Fun fact: That famous paintball kiss in  10 Things I Hate About You  takes place on the lawn of the Gas Works park.

7.  Washington State Ferries

• Transportation

The Washington State Ferries are an integral part of the commuter culture in Seattle. The largest fleet of ferries in the United States, the system stops at multiple neighboring islands and towns. Either as a walk-on or car passenger, a day trip out of the city is easy. Even though most boats can carry 200 cars, commuter crossings are very busy so try to avoid them during rush hour.

8.  Bill Speidel's Underground Tour

• Walks and tours

A little-known fact about Seattle: the entire city burned down in 1889, and a new city was slowly rebuilt 22 feet above the rubble. Bill Speidel's Underground Tour is the only underground tour that brings you below street level, making it the ideal activity to sign up for when the rain falls. Remember to wear closed-toed shoes as the tour takes you through the catacombs of the city.

9.  Henry Art Gallery

The University of Washington is in and of itself a beautiful campus made more enticing by The Henry Art Gallery. The contemporary art gallery features works from all over the world in its permanent collection and is also home to the yearly student thesis exhibitions. Many of their works focus on social activism, including shows by and about the LGBTQ community.

10.  Fremont Troll

Constructed following a city beautification contest in 1990, the Fremont Troll is one of Seattle’s favorite attractions. Drawing inspiration from Norwegian folklore, artists Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter, and Ross Whitehead installed the Troll that holds an actual Volkswagen Beetle car as a warning to the drivers above. Every year on October 31st, the community hosts a birthday party for the Troll called Troll-o-ween.

Say hello to the Fremont Troll on this tour.

11.  Ballard Locks

• Parks and gardens

If you don’t live in Seattle, you probably don’t know what a locks is. Simply put, it is a hydraulics system that lifts a boat from a lower water level to a higher one. Some call it an elevator for boats. What makes the Ballard Locks so special, besides the fact that it is the most used one in the country? The fish dwelling below the boats. Underneath the locks system, you can watch as salmons run from fresh to seawater through the windows of the below-ground fish ladder viewing area. 

12.  Edith Macefield House

• Historic buildings and sites
• West Woodland

In 2006, a woman was offered $1 million to leave her home, where real estate gurus were planning on building condos. Said woman declined and became a folk hero of Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Though construction continued around her, Edith Macefield stood strong, and her home stands today, surrounded by the glass and concrete of the development. Though Edith has long since passed away, the home remains untouched in her loving memory. The site has also been credited as the inspiration behind the house depicted in Pixar’s  Up .

13.  Chihuly Garden and Glass

Glassblowing is a favorite pastime of Seattleites, and Dale Chihuly is the master of the craft. Among the towering structures of Downtown Seattle lives a greenhouse turned gallery dedicated to the work of Chihuly. It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between what has been grown and what has been blown. However, it is absolutely impossible to overlook one of Chihuly’s largest pieces suspended from the ceiling of the garden. 

Book the best attractions in the city.

14.  Uwajimaya

Seattle’s vibrant Japanese American community has given the city more than its fair share of attractions. Most notable is Uwajimaya, a massive Japanese grocery and gift store. Founded in 1928 by Fujimatsu Moriguchi of Yawatahama, Japan, this family-run store is full of every type of Asian delicacy you can imagine. In addition to exceptional edible items, the store is also home to the Tokyo-based Kinokuniya Bookstore, which serves all of your Japanese stationery and manga needs.

15.  Seattle Aquarium

• Greater Seattle

Opened in 1977, the Seattle Aquarium is dedicated to conserving aquatic health inside and outside its walls. Offering programming for all ages, the aquarium emphasizes wildlife native to the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The underwater dome is one of the best ways to get acquainted with the family of sea-dwellers.

See the best of Seattle.

16.  Museum of Flight

• South Beacon Hill

The Museum of Flight, found in Boeing Field’s backyard, is the largest private air and space museum in the world. Founded in 1929, it has grown to become one of Seattle’s most trafficked educational attractions. Robust programming (the venue boasts one of the largest educational programs in the world) includes daily tours, flight simulations, and the occasional theatrical reenactment. Come early or around closing time to avoid the daily throngs of visiting school children.

17.  Add-a-Ball

There are a ton of pinball bars in Seattle, but Add-a-Ball is the king of them all. Hidden in the back of a massive empty lot, Add-A-Ball offers multiple rooms of pinball, video games, and even an air hockey table—each equipped with cup holders to hold your beer or whatever else you order at the bar. The staff hosts pinball tournaments, which are very popular with locals, but if you’re just trying to have a good time, skip them. Tournament nights can get a little… intense.

18.  Grand Illusion Cinema

• Movie theaters

The longest continuously running movie theater in Seattle, Grand Illusion Cinema is a required stop for all film nerds. Opened in 1970, the volunteer-run non-profit space is filled with vintage red velvet seats where you can get comfortable to watch new indie releases and art film classics. 

19.  Space Needle

If you’ve seen a picture of Seattle, you’ve seen the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the symbol of the city is one of its most visited attractions. At the time of its erection, it was the tallest structure west of the Mississippi. Technically, however, it’s only made of six floors. The tower can get very busy in the sunny months, so snag a timed ticket and be prepared to wait.

Grab your Seattle CityPass and save on top attractions.

20.  Seaplanes

Even though you’ll see the mountains almost everywhere you go throughout Seattle, something about being on their level makes it particularly awesome. Consider hopping on a chartered Seaplane out of Lake Union and experiencing the majesty of the city’s topography from above. If you want to make a weekend of it, Kenmore Air offers flight and hotel packages to the San Juan Islands and beyond.

21.  T-Mobile Park

• Sports and fitness
• Pioneer Square

The state-of-the-art field in Seattle’s SODO district is home to the Mariners baseball team. Even if you’re not a huge sports fan, it's worth a visit to check out the field. The stadium frequently offers discount tickets that won’t blow a hole through your wallet. Pro tip: Don’t drive to the stadium on game days when the southern part of the city basically shuts down. Instead, take the Link Light Rail, which runs from T-Mobile Park to most neighborhoods around the city.

22.  Green Lake

• Rivers, lakes and ponds

Keeping Seattleites inside when the sun is out is practically impossible. Though many residents go hiking on one of the many trails throughout the state, less ambitious folks opt to get a beach towel and enjoy the freshwater lake in the middle of the city. With 2.8 miles of trails and paved walkways around it, visiting the lake can turn into the best excuse for a leisurely bike ride or long walk.

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Welcome to Seattle

Your next great pacific northwest adventure awaits., celebrating women in seattle, i know a place explore like a local, things to do, love for all boat, save the date for a sea-worthy celebration.

Join us on May 30 on Puget Sound as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Seattle Pride with a night of food, drinks, dancing, a special vow renewal ceremony, and so much more aboard an Argosy Cruises ship.

Learn More >>

Music, Theatre, Museums, Festivals and More

Moisture Festival

Through April 14 Happy 20th anniversary to the world’s largest Comedy/Varieté festival, running each spring in Seattle.

The Seasons' Canon

April 12-21 Crystal Pite's mesmerizing work features 54 dancers moving as one organism to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, recomposed by Max Richter. Plus works by Twyla Tharp and Jessica Lang.

April 12-May 12 Fresh from its Broadway debut, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a sparkling and uproarious new comedy about seeking love and liberation.

Seattle International Film Festival

May 9-19 Don't miss this year’s celebration of extraordinary independent and international cinema. It's SIFF's golden anniversary at theaters and venues across the Emerald City.

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: Memory Map

Through May 12 Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (b. 1940, citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation) is one of the most innovative and significant artists of her generation.

Sky Hopinka: Subterranean Ceremonies 

Through May 26 The artist’s first solo museum exhibition in the Northwest features four recent films and new photographs that focus on personal and political notions of Indigenous homeland.

Venus & the Vixens

May 30-June 16 This immersive theatrical experience has it all: food, drink, games, and heart-pumping electro pop disco-rock sounds. It’s a fresh take on the mythological tale of Cupid and Psyche.

Pulling Together: A Brief History of Rowing in Seattle

Through June 2 In celebration of the film The Boys in the Boat, directed by George Clooney, MOHAI is proud to display a selection of rare artifacts and photographs related to the 1936 champion crew.

Calder: In Motion, The Shirley Family Collection

Through August 4 Discover the iconic American artist who revolutionized sculpture. This exhibition presents more than 45 works from the Shirley Family collection for the first time.

MASSIVE: The Power of Pop Culture

Ongoing Explore the impact of global pop culture on our daily lives as you deep-dive into your role as a creator and consumer of modern pop culture.

Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King

Ongoing Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo has a worldwide following for his large, inventive trolls made from recycled materials. Now you can discover six new friends in the PNW!

Sound Check! The Music We Make

Ongoing Celebrate significant contributions of AANHPI artists in music. Produced in partnership with KEXP-FM, the Music of Asian America Research Center, UTOPIA, and Smithsonian NMAH.

<< Previous

Plan Your Trip

Food and Drink

It’s hard to beat the Pacific Northwest when it comes to fresh ingredients, forward-thinking chefs, and an unparalleled dedication to all things local.

Hotels & Accommodations

You won’t be left sleepless in Seattle.

Getting Around

Seattle is easy to navigate with a wide variety of smart transportation options.

Maps & Guides

Your one-stop resource for Seattle trip planning and on-the-ground information.

Upcoming Events

Charlotte Cornfield and Al Menne

Barboza hosts a double bill featuring Charlotte Cornfield and Al Menne.

Steve Mason

Scottish singer, songwriter and producer Steve Mason hits the stage at The Sunset Tavern.

Joe Doria Presents

Now through 4/30/2024.

Hammond Organ master Joe Doria brings the best players in Seattle together every Tuesday evening at the Monster.

Jose Feliciano

Now through 4/14/2024.

9-time Grammy winner Jose Feliciano takes the stage at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley.

Ana Popovic

5/7/2024 through 5/8/2024.

Bluesy-rock guitarist and singer Ana Popovic will take her tour to Seattle for a stop at Dimitriou’s Jazz …

Sanguisugabogg

El Corazon hosts a double bill of death metal featuring Sanguisugabogg and Jesus Piece at El Corazon.

Dead Poet Society

Dead Poet Society hits the stage at El Corazon.

Seattle Mariners vs. Cincinnati Reds

4/15/2024 through 4/17/2024.

Major League Baseball: Seattle Mariners take on Cincinnati Reds at T-Mobile Park.

The Funhouse hosts a double bill featuring Atoll and Atrae Bilis.

Featured Blog Posts

The Iconic Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

Dimitriou's is a premier jazz club in Seattle, bringing in renowned artists and offering a live music experience hard to find anywhere else.

Must-do Adventures if you're going to Emerald City Comic Con

Seattle is a pop culture hub with tons of fun places to explore, from the Museum of Pop Culture to a rubber chicken museum. Check out our list of must-sees in the Emerald City.

Downtown Hotspots to Hit if You're Going to the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival

We've pulled together a list of some of the best hotspots to check out in Seattle to round out your experience in the Emerald City, from peaceful parks to cozy cafes to attractions.

Dick's Drive-In Celebrates 70 Years

Dick's Drive-In Restaurant has been a staple in the Seattle community for 70 years, bringing joy to visitors and locals in the form of tasty burgers, greasy fries, and frosty shakes.

Seattle Museum Month: Calling All History Lovers

This February, come and experience Seattle Museum Month! Discover the wonders of aviation history, take a deep dive into Seattle's innovative roots or hear about the stories of the Alaskan Gold Rush.

Seattle Museum Month: Uniquely Northwest

This February, dive into one-of-a-kind places that can only be found here in the Seattle region.

Seattle Museum Month: Fun for the Whole Family

The Pacific Northwest is home to so many family-friendly museums. Check out some ways to spend your family getaway this February during Seattle Museum Month.

Seattle Museum Month: For Arts & Culture Fans

Calling all art lovers! Discover the wide selection of art and exhibitions that the region's museums have to offer with a little itinerary inspiration for your upcoming visit.

Find us on TikTok!

Follow along for even more travel inspiration as we show you the businesses, locations, and opportunities that make the emerald city so special. find us @visitseattle ..

Neighborhoods

Pioneer Square

Capitol Hill

Chinatown-International District

Seattle Good News

Good things are happening in Seattle – join us in celebrating the stories of resiliency, hope and optimism that are taking place all around our city and region every day.

Read the good news

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SEATTLE LOCALIST

Seattle’s best every month in your inbox.

• OPT-IN: By clicking the "Subscribe" button, I agree to receive emails from Visit Seattle and that I have read and agree to the Visit Seattle Privacy Policy .
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Book Your Trip

Partner Advertisements

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Destinations

24 Best Things to Do in Seattle

From a thriving art scene to lots of outdoor recreation, these are the things you can't miss when visiting Seattle.

People who say you can't have it all probably haven't been to Seattle. The city is like a choose-your-own-adventure book of spectacular experiences. From unparalleled views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains to world-class museums, parks, and fresh seafood, the Emerald City is a dream for all kinds of travelers. And the expansive array of outdoor activities, from kayaking to picnicking in the parks or on the beach, only add to the appeal of this eco-conscious destination.

To help you plan a memorable getaway to the northwest city, here are 24 of the best things to do in Seattle, according to a local.

Visit the top of the Space Needle.

Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure

The Seattle skyline is defined by the iconic Space Needle . Tall and slender, with a top that flares into the shape of a flying saucer, it's a beautiful thing to behold. To get the full experience, ride the elevator to the top and take in panoramic views of the city, water, and mountains from the rotating glass observation deck. Make your visit even more memorable with reservations for drinks and culinary pairings at The Loupe Lounge.

Stroll through Pike Place Market.

For more than 100 years, Pike Place Market has been Seattle's go-to spot for fresh fish, produce, flowers, and artisan goods. Even if you don't plan to shop, be sure to set aside some time to stroll through and take in the sights and smells of one of the nation's most famous public markets. And don't leave without pausing to watch the sellers throw fish to customers at the seafood market.

Spend the afternoon at The Museum of Flight.

Set aside a few hours to visit The Museum of Flight . It's one of the largest independent air and space museums, with 23 acres of more than 175 airplanes and spacecrafts, countless artifacts, interactive displays, and exhibits. The collection is spread out both indoors and outdoors, which means it's a great stop regardless of the weather. There's even a children's Flight Zone with hands-on activities for young visitors.

Experience art al fresco at Olympic Sculpture Park.

Olympic Sculpture Park offers nine acres of world-class art in a stunning outdoor setting with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. You'll find everything from a living sculpture of a fallen tree ecosystem by Mark Dion to Richard Serra's mammoth steel masterpiece, "Wake." Best of all, admission is free and it's open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.

Feel the sand between your toes at Alki Beach.

Located on the West Seattle peninsula, Alki Beach is one of the prettiest places in the city, with a long stretch of sand and views of the Seattle skyline. While you'll see plenty of people simply relaxing in their beach chairs, it's also a great spot for those wanting to stroll the sidewalks, play volleyball, enjoy the playground equipment, and frequent the neighborhood bars and eateries across the street.

Geek out at the Museum of Pop Culture.

The experience at the Museum of Pop Culture begins before you even walk through the doors. Designed by Frank O. Gehry, the building is a swirling marvel of textures and colors meant to evoke energy and music. Inside, you'll find permanent and rotating exhibits dedicated to local musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam; the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame; and areas focused on iconic films, gaming, and other conversation starters.

Drop a paddle in the water.

Seattle is a great place for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. In addition to the stunning views, there's also the chance you might catch a glimpse of a sea lion or whale. But make sure you are comfortable out on the water, as Puget Sound and Lake Union are both working bodies of water, so you'll be sharing the space with everything from giant barges to seaplanes. It's a unique experience that blends breathtaking natural beauty with the pulsating activity of a vibrant city.

Take a ferry to Vashon Island.

Vashon Island is often overlooked by tourists, so chances are you'll be catching the ferry with locals. Largely rural and unspoiled, the island is a haven for farmers and artists who love living in close proximity to downtown Seattle, but prefer to lay their heads in a place where they can hear the owls hoot at night. It's a fantastic spot for a day of beachcombing, visiting art galleries, or biking, followed by a delicious meal in one of the cafes.

Sip your way through Seattle's urban wineries.

In Washington, most of the wineries can be found in the eastern part of the state. But you don't have to leave Seattle to experience Washington wine country. In recent years, a number of wineries have formed a vibrant urban vino scene. Sodo Urban Works is home to 10 local wineries, including Structure Cellars, Nine Hats Wines, and Sleight of Hand Cellars, so you can easily walk from one to another. If you only have time to visit one, you can also stop by the Browne Family Vineyards tasting room in Pioneer Square.

Cheer on a local sports team.

Chris VR/Travel + Leisure

Seattle takes sports seriously. Locals are wild about college athletics and, of course, pro teams like the NFL's Seahawks and NHL's Kraken. Fans here are known for making lots of noise, which makes for electric energy and an enthusiasm so contagious you simply have to pound your feet and clap your hands, even if you aren't a local. If you have a chance to see a sporting event in Seattle, take it.

Check out the Hiram M. Chittenden Ballard Locks.

Locals refer to this marvel of engineering simply as the Locks. Connecting Lake Union to the Puget Sound, the ingenious, complex series of locks is preserved as a National Historic Site. It allows traffic to pass from one to the next without the saltwater of the sound contaminating the freshwater of the lake. On any given day, you'll see everything from leisure boats, enormous fishing vessels, and tiny kayaks making their way through. You'll also find a fish ladder, visitor center, and lush botanical garden.

Walk the pier at Miner's Landing.

Noah Kreyenhagen/Travel + Leisure

The giant Ferris wheel at the end of the pier overlooking Elliott Bay is a well-known Seattle spot. Attractions like the Seattle Great Wheel, Wings Over Washington virtual flying exhibit, unique shops, and some of the best outdoor dining in the city can all be found on the Miner's Landing pier . Pro tip: If you plan to take in multiple attractions such as the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Argosy Cruises, and more, you'll save a significant amount of money if you bundle them together with a Seattle CityPass .

Get dazzled in a glass garden.

Dale Chihuly is one of the most popular and influential glass artists in the world, and there's no better place to immerse yourself in his genius work than at Chihuly Garden and Glass near the base of the Space Needle. You'll find galleries filled with gorgeous floor-to-ceiling glass formations and lush botanicals living in harmony with Chihuly's masterful creations, as if they were created by Mother Nature herself.

Visit the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.

When you step foot in Seattle, you're walking on the land of the Duwamish people. In fact, the city is named after Chief Seattle (Si'ahl), revered leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. At the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center , you can learn about the area's Indigenous history and cultural heritage through an ever-rotating calendar of exhibits, artifacts, and community events.

Take your love for coffee to the next level.

Starbucks was famously founded in Seattle, and though you'll generally see a long line of people outside the original Pike Place Market location, true aficionados will want to visit the flagship Starbucks Reserve Roastery . Here, you can learn about how coffee is grown and roasted, as well as participate in elevated experiences like tasting some of the world's rarest and most unique coffees.

Discover underground Seattle.

To find the most historic buildings in Seattle, you'll have to meander through the rooms, storefronts, and hallways underneath the city. Once at ground level, they were eventually abandoned when the streets were raised after a devastating fire in 1889. Bill Speidel's Underground Tour will safely lead you beneath the city streets, with fascinating — and often hilarious — tales of Seattle's history along the way.

Have lunch in the Chinatown-International District.

Seattle's vibrant Chinatown-International District is packed with restaurants just waiting to knock your socks off. Whether you're craving dumplings, baked goods, or noodles, the aromas on the street are heavenly. Be sure to also visit the excellent Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience , which masterfully blends exhibits and storytelling.

Ride the monorail to Seattle Center.

If you want to leave downtown to visit attractions like the Space Needle, International Fountain, and Chihuly Garden and Glass, there's no need to get in your car. Just hop aboard the Seattle Center Monorail and travel via a rail above the streets. It's the best way to avoid traffic, not to mention one of the most unique modes of public transportation in the country.

Spend the night in a hotel with a view.

Seattle has its fair share of luxury hotels, but perhaps the most sought-after amenity in town is a room with a view of the water. The Edgewater Hotel is built on a pier above the water, and rooms have private balconies where you can wave to passing ships and ferries. The Inn at the Market is another fantastic option, with views of iconic landmarks like the Pike Place Market, Seattle Great Wheel, Puget Sound, and Olympic Mountains. The property also features a private deck where guests can relax and enjoy conversation by the fireplaces in the evening.

Take a cruise.

The Seattle skyline is even more beautiful from the water. Argosy Cruises' Harbor Cruise will take passengers on a narrated, hour-long tour of Elliott Bay, offering closer views of the shipping centers, waterfront, and jaw-dropping Olympic Mountains. Plus, with a full bar and snacks, this ship might be the best place to enjoy a cocktail in the city.

Get lost in the Seattle Art Museum.

It's easy to lose yourself in the many rooms of the Seattle Art Museum , which features a host of rotating exhibits and permanent collections celebrating various artists and cultures, as well as mediums such as African art, ancient American art, pottery, and furnishings. The museum also houses world-class traveling exhibits that spotlight legendary artists like Monet and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Meander through Pioneer Square.

Pioneer Square is full of interesting architecture and some of the city's most eclectic shops and restaurants. Browse and buy local art, antiques, books, and rugs all within a couple of blocks, and cap off your visit with a bite to eat and craft cocktail at one of the neighborhood's lively watering holes.

Have a picnic at Gas Works Park.

Located on Lake Union, Gas Works Park is just about as funky as a park can get. This green space is located on the former industrial site of the Seattle Gas Light Company plant that used to power the city. The old mechanical structures rise out of the landscape like works of modern art, making for some of the most interesting views in the city. It's the perfect place for a picnic or walk as you watch seaplanes land in the water.

Eat like a local.

Seattle is famous for its culinary scene, and locals are equally enthusiastic about hot dogs with cream cheese as they are about tasting menus at renowned restaurants like Canlis . To make sure you enjoy the best of Seattle's food, try a little bit of everything. But if you must choose, ask your server or fishmonger what's in season, so you can dine on fresh seafood that was loaded onto the docks that morning.

Seattle Met

• Eat & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• News & City Life
• Style & Shopping
• Travel & Outdoors
• Home & Real Estate
• Health & Wellness

Our 50 Favorite Things to Do In and Near Seattle

By Seattle Met Staff October 7, 2022

Image: Ryan Wilson / Unsplash

How do we   love Seattle ? We'd count the ways, but then we'd be here forever. Instead consider this our anything-but-complete list of things we love to do in and around our fair city, from boredom-busters bound to please even the most  cynical Seattleites to perennial favorites popular with tourists aplenty. Just don't let us hear you call it "Pike's Place," mkay?

Choose Your Own Adventure:

Shop / Explore / Taste  / Play  /  See  /  Think

Heaven...we mean, Elliott Bay Book Store.

Image: Jane Sherman  

Browse a Bookstore

Seattle is, no question, a city of literature. And our roster of independent bookstores , from Elliott Bay to Book Larder to Third Place Books, are all stellar. No idea what you're looking for? Most staffers are happy to share their local-lit recommendations. And, ahem, we've got a list too.

Our shops are as quirky as we are, and we like to keep it that way, thank you very much. Blessedly, our city's most essential shops got the memo. We see you, Georgetown Trailer Park Mall.

Search for Records

You can be a Brandi Carlile stan, a Fleet Foxes devotee, or a fan of a band no one's ever heard of (yet). The " Seattle sound " is what you make of it—and at our plethora of record stores, comes in LP, CD, even cassette tape form. 

Shop for Fresh Fits

The "fresh" designation doesn't necessarily mean store-bought new.  Vintage and consignment clothing is both sustainable and  fun for those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Of course, for fashionable menswear and children's clothing , we have lots of choices too. Oh, and Nordstrom Racks ? You're welcome.

Smoke Some Weed

Cannabis dispensaries have proliferated here since recreational marijuana became legal in 2014. Even local Sonics legend Shawn Kemp has gotten into the game. Our more than 50 pot shops in and around town have knowledgeable budtenders , a variety of strains, and posh paraphernalia on hand.

Snag a New Plant

Plant babies are the new fur babies, at least that's the trend we noticed during the pandemic . (But if you're very much committed to both, here's a list of the goodest pet shops  too.) We've rounded up our 21 favorite plant stores for all your fiddle-leaf fig needs.

The University of Washington campus is a prime place to soak in the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms.

Image: Checubus / Shutterstock.com

Chase the Northern Lights

As we found in our  Yukon aurora borealis adventures , nature can put on quite a dazzling show, but not always on demand. If the space weather forecast looks promising, we've got a few tips for how to see the northern lights  for yourself.

Discover a National Park

National park, you say? We've got three—all within a three-hour's drive. Mount Rainier National Park tends to be the most well-known, with her iconic mountain, but don't count out the coastal beaches, rain forests, and lakes of Olympic National Park . As for North Cascades National Park , it stands out for its rugged, remote beauty.

Explore Every Neighborhood

Decisions, decisions. Do you start with Capitol Hill or Wallingford ? The Central District or West Seattle ? Rainier Valley and Rainier Beach or Beacon Hill ? The beauty of Seattle is you don't have to decide. To get you started, here's a primer on every single neighborhood in a nutshell .

Ferry to the San Juans

First things first: The hype is 100 percent accurate. The San Juans are, unquestionably, the most idyllic locale in Washington. And after you figure out just which ferry boat you're on, we've got a guide for the best ways to embrace this scenic escape. 

Find Your Beach

This is called the Best Coast for a reason. In Washington, the stretches of sand are prime for everything from sunbathing to hiking to swimming. Even winter is beach season .

Pickleball may be the official state sport of Washington, but camping is the OG one. Happily, or maybe predictably, we have  fantastic campgrounds —and plenty of guides for first-timers looking to rent gear , reserve a campsite , and plan their first trip .

Hit the E-Bike Trail

Love 'em or hate 'em, e-bikes have gone from fads to must-haves in hilly Seattle. It doesn't hurt that one of the biggest e-bike sellers is based right here. So where to barely pedal with that e-assist bike? We got you . 

Sunsets at Lake Sammamish State Park are simply sublime.

Image: Benjamin Massello on Unsplash

Jump in a Lake

Not every hike's reward is a stunning view at the top (although that sure doesn't hurt). In this case, it's the chance to go jump in a lake , literally. Not so into the hiking aspect? Skip right to the good part with these swimming holes within a two-hour's drive.

Peep Some Flowers

We're known for our greenery and expanses of water, but the Seattle area is blooming beautiful with flowers too. In March, it's cherry blossoms . In April, it's tulips . And in spring throughout Washington, it's rhododendrons, azaleas, and lilacs .

Pick Your State Park

Before your overachieving self makes it a goal to visit every single state park, let us fill you in on one fact: There are 124 of them in Washington. Here are our 20 favorites .

Highway 101 leads to stunning vistas on the Olympic Peninsula.

Image: Georg Eiermann / Unsplash

The journey is very much the point on a road trip. And in Washington, our road trip game is rife with scenic diversity. We've got mountains, we've got water, we've got beaches, we've got forests, and we've got rolling hills of greenery. Good luck choosing just one.

Our bevy of local activewear brands is just one sign that this is a runner's paradise. We jogged and biked 15 of Seattle's best city trails so you can log some miles and enjoy a fantastic view too.

Ski the Slopes

Local powder hounds, you're in luck. Our area resorts, and smaller ski hills, have plenty to offer come winter.

Stay in a Treehouse

Ground-bound Airbnbs, hotels, and vacation rentals are...fine. But why settle for fine when you can make like a squirrel and overnight in a tree? This is the area that birthed the mind behind Treehouse Masters after all. Of course, you could always build one for yourself .

Take a Hike

Remember when we said camping was the OG state sport? We take that back because it's a tie with hiking. There are plentiful hikes close to town , and options for when it rains (helpful), but these are our 20 favorite ones in Washington .

It doesn't get much better than city views from the Nest.

Image: Courtesy Ryan Flynn Photography / The Nest

Drink Some Beer

We appreciate a good beer, and it definitely shows. Seattle's brewery riches aren't so much an embarrassment as they are a big ole checklist of where to belly up next. Do hard seltzers  kinda count? You be the judge.

Drink Some Lots of Wine

Washington has over 1,000 wineries, so it's pretty near impossible to sample pours from every one. Doesn't mean we're not going to try. Hence our various guides to the best wineries in Seattle , Woodinville , Walla Walla , Yakima Valley , Lake Chelan , and along the Columbia Gorge and Southwest Washington .

Eat the Best Everything

Oh, you want some restaurant recommendations ? We've got a list for that. Great tacos ? Those too. Same goes for sushi , seafood , pizza , steak ...you get the idea. Happy eating.

Molly Moon's does ice cream right.

Image: Courtesy Molly Moon's

Sample Ice Cream

Coffee toffee crunch. Ube maple. Dirty horchata. If the flavorful offerings from our plethora of local ice creameries says anything, it's that we do frozen desserts right in Seattle. Even if that sweet treat comes soft-serve swirled into a fish-shaped waffle cone. 

To state the obvious, we have fan-freaking-tastic coffee around just about every corner here. These standout dozen serve as a caffeinated history, if you will, of our great cafe culture.

Spill the (Bubble) Tea

Boba is about fantastical flavors and, naturally, the array of tapioca, jelly, fruit, pudding, and cheese foam add-ins, all satisfyingly slurped up through a straw. Local outfits and international chains are more than happy to satisfy when your next craving hits.

Relax on a Patio

If Covid gave us anything, it was some amazing new patios in which to safely eat and drink and just be. Thankfully, that stellar patio culture can live on past the pandemic (eventually), even on the rooftop .  

Our gorgeous Seattle Public Library flagship.

Image: Spencer Davis / Unsplash  

Channel Your Inner Child

Don't push any actual children out of the way to make it down the twisty, 30-foot slide at Seattle Center or any of the other draws at these destination playgrounds. You know, wait your turn like a normal person.

Listen Live

Every summer, our city fills with  outdoor concert series  and destination-worthy fests . Every summer, we remember anew why Seattle has the best music scene. 

Love (or Hate) the Gum Wall

The history and enduring legacy of our Gum Wall is as sticky as the stuff itself. Is it a stinky, disgusting mess or a tangible sign of our fair city's quirky personality and fun-loving nature? We'll let you chew on it for a while.

Few attractions draw such adoration and disdain as the Gum Wall.

Image: Taylor Vick / Unsplash

Play Pickleball

A Republican state senator, a cocker spaniel, and a gaggle of bored children start their summer break. No, this isn't a joke. This is the very true story of how Washington's state sport was born. Since that fateful day in 1965, pickleball has only proliferated.

Rent a Boat

We have three words for you: hot tub boats.

Seattle's swarm of indoor climbing and bouldering gyms have plenty of problems—meaning routes for newbies and experts alike. Out in the fresh air, Washington's natural crags beckon.

Root for the Home Teams

Pick your sport, cause we've got a team and lots of ways to pregame outside Climate Pledge Arena  as well as around T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field . Searching for some merch? We've got your team gear too. Oh, and let's not forget about Broccoli Guy .

MoPop meet Space Needle.

Image: Meriç Dağlı / Unsplash

Seek Out the Landmarks

Surprisingly, there are several longtime Seattleites who have never ascended the Space Needle , sipped cocktails atop Smith Tower , or even traveled by seaplane . Hint: It us. Don't be like us.

Skate on Ice

With the opening of the Kraken Community Iceplex came a whole bunch of adults who thought they knew how to ice skate. Make like Bambi and use those Zamboni breaks wisely.

Skate on Wheels

When roller skating made a resurgence during the pandemic, a bomb fashion scene also wheeled in. In Seattle, wearing what you feel best in is what counts.

Sniff Out a Dog Park

Have pup, will play. Our region's fine dog parks, big and small, waterfront and landlocked, offer up many ways for pooches and their people to get a good romp in. If public dog parks aren't your thing, may we suggest Seattle-born Sniffspot ?

Splash It Up

After Memorial Day, spraygrounds and wading pools pop up once again across the city and suburbs. They're especially hot spots when the weather takes a turn for the sweltering.

From 18-hole courses to playful putt-putt greens, Seattle's golf game makes it easy to get in the swing of things indoors and out. If you want to make a road trip out of it, may we suggest these three Pacific Northwest golf resorts ? 

Try Tide Pooling

Time to get muddy...and slimy...and squishy. A mini saltwater safari to spot all manner of sea life in our area tide pools is a singular Seattle sport. At some beaches, naturalists are on hand to guide first-timers.

Wander the Library

As chief librarian Tom Fay put it, the library is “the one place you can still go in this country that’s free, and you can just simply be.” If not only to browse the Peak Picks, drop by the central branch for stunning architecture and tons of tomes.

It's always game on at MoPop.

Image: Courtesy MoPOP

Attend a Show

Touring musical artists, gallery openings, plays on local stages. New shows run the gamut from performing to visual art, and we round up some of our favorites every single week.

Pause for Public Art

Temporary murals, permanent installations, standout sculptures—our landscape is constantly transformed with the stroke of a paint brush or etching of wood. The stalwarts are as much a part of our city as the trees, but newcomers have made their mark too.

Gawk at Galleries

We've got a museum...or 10. The essential ones continue to surprise and delight with  galleries that makes you think , as well as exhibits that celebrate the objects, people, and history that make Seattle what it is.

Watch a Seattle Movie

Our fair city is the backdrop of many a Hollywood endeavor, from Zoe Kravitz in Kimi  to, of course, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seattle . Grab some popcorn and see what other flicks were set here.

The life and death of Playland is one quiet moment in Seattle history.

Image: Courtesy MOHAI and Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection

Lose Yourself in History

Where we've been tells us so much about where we're going. From our greatest inventions to a gay dance club turned church , Seattle's legacy is anything but boring.

Read a Great Story (or Five)

The twisted life of Microsoft's ill-fated assistant Clippy . An oral history of Seattle's deadly heat dome . An essay on love and non-monogamy . A look at reluctant celebrity chef  J. Kenji López-Alt . Dive in with some of our favorite long reads about our city.

Win Bar Trivia

There is absolutely no cheating in bar trivia. And if that's not warning enough that we take our trivia nights seriously, well, prepare yourself for quite the challenge. Pencils down and godspeed.

Related Content

Trivial Pursuit

The Seattleite's Guide to Bar Trivia

02/28/2024 By Seattle Met Staff

Culture Fix

Things to Do in Seattle

8:00am By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach

My Favorite Things

Chris Ballew Shares His Favorite Seattle Spots

03/24/2023 By Angela Cabotaje

Seattle After Dark

Things to Do at Night in Seattle

11/07/2022 By Sophie Grossman Illustrations by Bridgette Huhtala

Top 39+ Tourist Attractions in Seattle You Must Visit

Seattle is a city that is full of surprises. There are many iconic places to see in Seattle – from the Space Needle to its hidden gems like Gas Works Park.

In this blog post, I’ll share the top 37+ tourist attractions in Seattle that are must-visits for solo travelers, couples, or families with kids. And if you are done, discover the best attractions near Seattle for sightseeing.

Best Places to Visit in Seattle, Washington

There are many things to do outdoors in Seattle. It’s surrounded by mountains and forests, making it a great place to go hiking, biking, and camping.

Whether you are interested in history, culture, nature, or food, you will find something to love in Seattle. The city is home to world-class museums, theaters, and restaurants that are must-see in Seattle, Washington. 

And these are the things to see you cannot enjoy in other places like Seattle .

Let’s quickly see what you can skip in this Short:

Seattle Attractions Discount Tickets

Seattle has many free attractions, like the city’s famous Waterfront or Pike Place Market. But some places to see in Seattle demand ticketed entry.

So before moving onto the list of landmarks and must-visit places in Seattle, let me share a few links to enjoy the cheapest tickets for top Seattle attractions. `

Now, let’s explore what to see in Seattle .

Top 37 Major Seattle Tourist Attractions: What To See in Seattle

Let’s jump straight to the best places to visit in Seattle now.

1/ Washington State Ferries in Seattle

Take a ferry ride across Puget Sound and see the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It’s an excellent way to go sightseeing in Seattle.

Riding on ferries of the Washington State Ferries is one of the best things to do in Seattle for couples, families, and solo travelers. 

Colman Dock is the Seattle ferry terminal on the Seattle Waterfront at Pier 52. With 22 vessels, you can go to Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, or anywhere else. 

Stand at the ferry’s bow and enjoy the breathtaking views of the shimmering waters and the surrounding landscapes. The voyage itself is an unforgettable part of the experience.

2/ Seattle ​​Chinatown-International District

Step through the ornate Chinatown Gate and into the vibrant Chinatown-International District, one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle.

It’s home to an incredible array of cuisines, from pho’s warmth to sushi’s artistry. You’ll enjoy many Seattle sightseeing spots here.

After you’ve filled your belly, explore the Wing Luke Museum, dedicated to the Asian-Pacific American experience. Learn about the history and culture of this vital community. 

For a touch of nostalgia, try your hand at pinball at the Seattle Pinball Museum. It was closed for a while but re-opened now. It’s undoubtedly one of the best attractions in Seattle for families with kids.

And don’t miss the chance to discover Japanese snacks and unique gifts at Uwajimaya supermarket. Seattle Chinatown is one of the best places to visit in Seattle to witness the Western-Asian culture.

3/ Mt. Rainier & Other Mountains and Trails

Mount Rainier is the king of the top nearby Seattle mountains . It’s one of the best Seattle sightseeing spots because you can see the entire city from the mountain.

The mountain has Mt. Rainier Park, one of the best parks in Seattle to view sunset in Seattle . It is a must-see in Seattle, Washington, if you ever visit the Emerald city.

The mountain is a volcano, but don’t worry, it won’t erupt like a volcano in a movie. It’s taking a long nap, and it’s been napping for a very long time. 

But even while sleeping, it’s still one of the tallest volcanoes in the US. It’s one of the best Seattle sights to see, without a doubt.

The mountain is so tall that it usually wears a fluffy white snow hat on top. It’s like a mountain wearing its favorite winter coat all year round. 

And guess what? It’s home to many cool animals, like squirrels, deer, and even bears. They must love the mountain view!

If you’re up for an adventure, you can hike on the trails around Mount Rainier. 

If you have conquered Mt. Rainier, you can always go for the mountains and hiking trails from Seattle. You’ll love to view the city from above. It’s one of the must-see places in Seattle, without a doubt.

4/ Museum of Flight, Seattle

If you’re an aviation enthusiast, the Museum of Flight is a must-see in Seattle, Washington. It’s home to one of the nation’s largest air and space collections, making it one of the best tourist spots in Seattle, Washington.

The museum has artifacts from the Wright brothers’ first airplane to the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

All these things make it one of the best museums in Seattle. You can explore everything from the history of flight to the future of space exploration.

See the Boeing lunar rover, a Concorde jet, and an Air Force One from the Eisenhower era. The Museum of Flight is undoubtedly among Seattle’s top attractions.

The Museum of Flight is more than just a collection of artifacts. It’s a place to experience the excitement of aviation history. You can feel the wind in your hair as you stand on the wing of a plane.

Or imagine yourself soaring through the air in a space shuttle. The Museum of Flight is one of the top tourist attractions in Seattle for kids. 

And you’ll be excited to tour a NASA space shuttle trainer or try out one of the exhilarating flight simulators. It’s one of the best places to visit in Seattle, especially for aero-tech lovers.

5/ The Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium is a great place to learn about and a must-see in Seattle for marine life enthusiasts. It’s home to over 700 species of animals, including sea otters, jellyfish, sharks, and fish. 

One of the most popular exhibits at the aquarium is the Underwater Dome. This exhibit allows you to walk around a giant tank and see fish and sea creatures swimming all around you.

It’s like being underwater without getting wet! All these things make it one of the top places to see in Seattle.

Another great exhibit is the Window on Washington Waters. This exhibit takes you walk through an underground tunnel surrounded by water. You can see sharks, fish, and other marine life swimming overhead. It’s a cool experience! 

The Seattle Aquarium also has a lot of educational exhibits about marine conservation. You can learn about the impact of climate change, overfishing, and pollution on marine habitats.

6/ Boeing Future of Flight

The Boeing Future of Flight offers a captivating insight into aerospace innovation. It’s located near the Boeing Everett Factory, the largest building in the world by volume.

It’s one of Everett’s best tech & science attractions near Seattle . It’s just 25 miles north of Seattle, making it among the top things to see near Seattle in one day.

This popular Seattle attraction features a full-size mockup of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. You can explore interactive exhibits on cutting-edge technology, sustainable aviation practices, and the captivating history of flight.

You can also experience flight simulators that put you in the pilot’s seat and enjoy behind-the-scenes factory floor tours. 

Boeing Future of Flight is one of the top tourist attractions in Seattle for kids, especially. And it’s not just a museum – it’s an immersion into the future of air travel. You don’t have to be a kid or student to visit the Boeing Future of Flight. 

Whether you’re an aviation buff or simply curious about flight’s evolution, it’s a must-visit for an exhilarating experience.

7/ The Discovery Park, Seattle

Discovery Park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It’s one of the best Seattle parks for sunset and sunrise .

The park is a 534-acre park located on the northern tip of Bainbridge Island, just a short ferry ride from Seattle.

The park has over 534 acres of forest, meadows, and beaches. There are also many hiking trails, a lighthouse, and a museum. All these historic things make the area one of the top places to visit in Seattle, Washington.

If you’re looking for a quiet place to relax, you can hike to the top of one of the park’s many hills and enjoy the views of the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains. 

Or, you can walk along the beach and listen to the waves crashing against the shore. You can also rollerblade in Seattle’s Discovery Park.

The Discovery Park is one of the best dog-friendly attractions in Seattle. Your dog, cat, or any other pet will love it! Pack a picnic or play tag with your friends on the beach.

If you’re interested in history, visit the West Point Lighthouse, built in 1870. The lighthouse is now a museum, and you can climb to the top for amazing views of the Puget Sound.

Discovery Park is also a great place for birdwatching as well.

Over 200 species of birds have been spotted in the park, including bald eagles, herons, and owls. You might even see a deer or two grazing in the meadows if you’re lucky. All these things make it one of the top Seattle places of interest.

8/ Neighbors Nightclub

Neighbors Nightclub is one of the best nightclubs in Seattle. It’s a great place for adults to enjoy a fun-filled, sleepless night in the city. 

• It’s open 7 days a week, from 9 pm to 4 am.
• The cover charge is usually $10, but it can be more for special events.
• There’s a dress code, so make sure to dress to impress.
• No minors allowed.

Neighbors is a lively and welcoming space where people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations can join in dancing, singing, and having fun. And that makes it one of the most gay-friendly attractions in Seattle. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neighbours Nightclub (@neighboursnightclub)

The club has a state-of-the-art sound system and lighting rig that creates an electric atmosphere. The dance floor is always packed, and there’s always a great DJ spinning the latest hits. 

And if you’re looking for something a little more unique, Neighbors also hosts regular drag shows that will entertain you.

And it’s not just Neighbors; Seattle nightclubs are some of the best tourist spots in Seattle.

9/ Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo is among the top Seattle places of interest for animal lovers.

Over 1,000 animals at the zoo, including elephants, lions, tigers, bears, and penguins, make it one of the most loved attractions in Seattle for kids.

If you have young students, they’ll love the Zoomazium. It’s an indoor play space with interactive exhibits that teach kids about animals and the environment.

The zoo’s exhibits are designed to mimic the animals’ natural habitats so you can see them up close and learn about their behavior. 

For example, the African Savanna exhibit has giraffes, zebras, and lions roaming around in a large open space. The Polar Bear Plunge exhibit allows you to see polar bears swimming and playing in the water.

The zoo is also committed to conservation. It supports global projects that help protect endangered species and their habitats.

You can learn more about the zoo’s conservation efforts at the Conservation Village exhibit.

Woodland Park Zoo is a must-see in Seattle, Washington to learn about animals and have fun with family.

10/ Space Needle

​​ The Space Needle is one of Seattle’s most iconic places and the best historical landmarks in the city.

It offers stunning panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. You can see everything from skyscrapers to mountains and shimmering waters.

To get to the top, you take a glass elevator. As you ascend, you’ll be amazed by the views that unfold before your eyes.

Once you reach the top, you can take in the views from the observation deck or venture to The Loupe, the world’s first rotating glass floor.

The Space Needle is also among the top downtown Seattle attractions for couples to have a romantic dinner or just about anybody for a casual lunch and breathtaking city views. 

In fact, it’s a must-see place for any visitor to Seattle city.

11/ Seattle Central Public Library

Seattle Central Public Library is the most notable and the biggest library in Seattle. It’s one of the best things to visit in Seattle for bookworms and architecture enthusiasts alike.

But if you have been there, you can explore 26 more libraries in Seattle efficiently managed by the SPL . 

Renowned architect Rem Koolhaas designed the library with a unique layout with striking angles and open spaces. There are cozy reading nooks, multimedia labs, and interactive displays, so there’s something for everyone.

The library has a vast collection of books, periodicals, and multimedia resources that cater to diverse interests. You can find everything from bestsellers to obscure titles, and there are always new things to discover.

The library also hosts events, workshops, and exhibitions that enrich the cultural fabric of Seattle. You can explore more Seattle libraries if you are done with the most iconic one.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet space to read or an opportunity to engage with fellow bibliophiles, the Seattle Central Public Library is a great place to visit in Seattle.

12/ Woodinville Wine Country

I love engaging with winemakers and learning about the winemaking process. And if you’re like me, you’ll love Woodinville Wine Country . It’s a beautiful and charming region with many Seattle wineries.

You’ll love strolling through the lush vineyards and savoring tastings of exquisite wines crafted by local vintners.

There’s something for everyone, from rich reds to crisp whites, making it among the top Seattle tourist sites.

Woodinville Wine Country is more than just about wine. It’s an immersive experience that combines scenic beauty, gastronomic pleasures, and the warmth of the local community. 

13/ Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel is a relatively new addition to the skyline. But it has quickly become an iconic sight and one of the main attractions in Seattle. 

The towering Ferris wheel offers more than just a ride – it presents a new perspective of Seattle’s beauty. It’s a truly breathtaking experience that you won’t soon forget.

Step into one of the air-conditioned gondolas and enjoy three exhilarating revolutions. As you ascend, the cityscape, the glistening waters of Elliott Bay, and the majestic Cascade Mountains unfold before your eyes. 

The Seattle Great Wheel is a great place to visit in Seattle for people of all ages. Kids will love the excitement of riding in the gondolas, while adults will appreciate the stunning views.

14/ Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks

The Ballard Locks is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Seattle. It’s a feat of engineering that allows boats and kayaks to travel between freshwater lakes and the saltwater of Puget Sound. 

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are also home to 7 acres of botanical gardens with many plants native to the Pacific Northwest. It also has a fish ladder, a series of pools that help salmon and other fish to travel upstream.

The locks are located in the Ship Canal, which connects Lake Washington and Lake Union to Puget Sound. It’s one of the top Seattle attractions for engineering students. 

But couples and families will equally love it.

The locks are made up of two chambers that are filled and emptied with water to raise and lower boats. This allows boats to travel between the different water levels, making it one of the top sightseeing places in Seattle.

15/ Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is one of the must-visit attractions for music lovers, teens, and those interested in film and pop culture. 

MoPOP has various interactive exhibits about iconic musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana. It also offers displays dedicated to science fiction sagas like Star Wars and Star Trek. 

Moreover, you’ll love the Sound Lab, which allows you to experiment with different instruments and record your music. It’s a great place for music lovers and budding musicians to let their creativity flow.

Another highlight at MoPOP is the Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic exhibit. This exhibit showcases artifacts from beloved fantasy franchises, such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. 

16/ The Sky View Observatory

The Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center is a great spot to get a bird’s-eye view of Seattle. You can see iconic Seattle landmarks like the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Olympic Mountains.

You can also watch ferries traversing Puget Sound and see the city’s vibrant energy from a unique perspective. 

Located on the 73rd floor of the tallest building in the city, the observatory offers stunning 360-degree views of the city, the Waterfront, and the mountains beyond. 

Here are some tips for visiting the Sky View Observatory:

• Arrive early to beat the crowds.
• Buy your tickets in advance online to avoid the lines.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
• Bring your camera to capture the fantastic views.
• Stay for a while to see the city light up.

17/ The Seattle Center

The Seattle Center is a vibrant hub of entertainment and culture in Seattle. It was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, and it still retains a sense of excitement and wonder. It’s among the top tourist areas in Seattle for many reasons.

The Seattle Center Monorail is a unique and speedy transport mode connecting the Seattle Center to downtown Seattle. 

The monorail glides at a top speed of 45 miles per hour, providing an exhilarating journey that weaves through skyscrapers above the city.

The Seattle Center is home to many popular attractions, including many science museums in Seattle and more:

• Space Needle.
• Museum of Pop Culture.
• Pacific Science Center.
• And the Seattle Children’s Museum.

There are also a variety of restaurants, shops, and theaters in the Seattle Center that are must-see in Seattle, Washington.

18/ Seattle Center Monorail

The Seattle Center Monorail is a great way to see Seattle quickly. And even if you aren’t in a hurry, riding on the monorail is one of the best things to do in Seattle. It witnesses the epitome of transport in Seattle. 

The sleek train travels between downtown Seattle and the Seattle Center in just 2 minutes at up to 45 miles per hour. 

It offers stunning views of the city along the way. The transport system is a must-experience attraction in Seattle for all types of tourists. 

The monorail is also a lot of fun. It feels like riding in a science fiction movie as you glide above the city streets and past towering buildings.

19/ Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is the best downtown Seattle attraction for those who love art, nature, or simply beautiful things. It’s a collection of intricate glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, one of the world’s most famous glass artists. 

The sculptures are displayed in a beautiful garden setting, with lush greenery and towering trees providing a perfect backdrop. 

Chihuly Garden and Glass is one of the most iconic Seattle gardens for kids, families and couples.

The Glasshouse in the garden is a highlight of the exhibit, with its soaring glass ceiling and suspended floral sculptures. It’s like stepping into a magical realm of light and beauty.

Inside the gallery, you can see Chihuly’s work up close. Each room is a sensory experience with vibrant colors, delicate forms, and intricate details.  If you’re looking for something special to do in Seattle, this is it!

From large-scale installations to delicate glass blooms, the exhibits will evoke wonder and admiration. It’s a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the boundless possibilities of glass as an art medium. 

20/ Pacific Science Center

The Pacific Science Center is a playground for the curious mind, offering an array of interactive exhibits that make science come alive. It is among the top family attractions in Seattle.

This science museum is located within the Seattle Center and a treasure trove of knowledge and excitement.

One of the most popular exhibits is the Planetarium. It takes you on a journey through space, where you can see stars, planets, and galaxies up close. 

Another great exhibit is the Tropical Butterfly House. It’s home to thousands of butterflies from all over the world. You can walk among them and learn about their lifecycle. 

The Pacific Science Center also has special exhibits that change every few months. These exhibits explore different topics in science, such as dinosaurs, robotics, and the human body. It’s one of the best Seattle places for kids and students. 

21/ Pike Place Market

I love visiting Pike Place Market , one of the top Downtown Seattle attractions. Yes, it’s not just a market – it’s a cultural landmark that embodies the heart and soul of the city.

And that’s why it has become a great spot for sightseeing in Seattle, WA.

Fresh produce, colorful flowers, handcrafted goods, and artisanal treats create a symphony of sights, sounds, and aromas.

Vendors call out their offerings, and shoppers haggle for the best deals – a palpable, dynamic energy.

One of my favorite things to do at Pike Place Market is to watch the famous fish throwers at Pike Place Fish Market. They toss massive salmon through the air with flair and precision, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd.

Beyond the shopping, Pike Place Market offers a journey into Seattle’s history and culture. You’ll love sipping on world-renowned coffee at local cafes and savoring delectable treats. 

And don’t forget to interact with the iconic Rachel the Piggy Bank, a symbol of the market’s charm and character.

After you visit it, you can explore other farmers and flea markets in Seattle. 

22/ Pacific Northwest Ballet

I love watching the Pacific Northwest Ballet . They are a world-class ballet company with over 45 years of captivating performances. The dancers are incredibly talented, and they perform with grace and precision.

The Pacific Northwest Ballet’s repertoire is diverse, encompassing classical and contemporary creations. Watching them is one of the top Seattle tourist activities.

I’ve seen them perform Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Romeo and Juliet, and their talent has always blown me away. They also do some cool modern pieces that are innovative and exciting.

In addition to their performances, the Pacific Northwest Ballet offers outreach programs that engage the community. They offer classes for all skill levels and ages, so anyone can learn to dance from their experts.

Attending a Pacific Northwest Ballet performance is an immersive experience. The costumes, sets, and music transport you to another world. It’s like you’re not even in Seattle anymore! 

The company’s commitment to artistic excellence has earned them international recognition, and they are a true cultural gem in Seattle.

If you’re looking for a unique cultural experience, I recommend seeing a performance by the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

23/ Seattle Art Museum (SAM)

The Seattle Art Museum is a great place to see in Seattle and explore the world of art. It has a huge collection of artworks from different centuries and cultures.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAM (@seattleartmuseum)

From European paintings to indigenous artifacts, every piece in the museum tells a story that transcends time and borders. 

One of the museum’s highlights is its Asian Art collection, which boasts an impressive assortment of sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts. 

The African and Native American art sections provide insights into the rich cultural heritage of these regions.

As you explore the museum’s galleries, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a tapestry of artistic expression that sparks contemplation and wonder. 

The Seattle Art Museum doesn’t just showcase art – it fosters a connection between you and the creative spirit that unites humanity across different eras and cultures.

24/ Smith Tower, Seattle

Smith Tower is one of the most historic landmarks in Seattle that offers a glimpse into the city’s past and stunning panoramic views. It’s a must for all types of tourists – from solo to family travelers.

I always take the historic Otis elevators to the Observatory Deck. As you ascend, you can listen to a charming narrative about the tower’s history and significance in shaping Seattle’s skyline.

Once you reach the Observatory Deck, you can enjoy the breathtaking views. You can see the entire city, Elliott Bay, and the surrounding mountains. SMith Tower is among the most breathtaking Seattle sights.

The Chinese Room in the Smith Tower is also a must-see in Seattle, Washington. It’s an ornate space with intricate woodwork and stunning design.

25/ T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field

T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field are two of the best sports venues in Seattle, and they offer a great way to experience the city’s vibrant sports culture. Visiting them is among the top Seattle tourist activities for sports lovers.

T-Mobile Park is home to the Seattle Mariners baseball team. It’s a beautiful stadium with a modern design and a great atmosphere.

You can watch the Mariners play here. The views of downtown Seattle from the stadium are also excellent, making it one of the best places to visit in Seattle.

Lumen Field is home to the Seattle Seahawks football team. It’s a state-of-the-art stadium that hosts exciting NFL matches and various concerts and events in Seattle. The atmosphere at Lumen Field is electric, and you’ll love it here. 

26/ Washington Park Arboretum

The Washington Park Arboretum is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and connect with nature. The arboretum is a 230-acre living museum that houses a diverse collection of plants, trees, and landscapes.

You can stroll along meandering paths that wind through themed gardens, such as the vibrant Azalea Collection and the peaceful Japanese Garden. 

Each step unveils a new botanical wonder, allowing one to connect with the natural world and find respite from the urban bustle. It’s one of the top pet-friendly Seattle attractions. 

You can also explore the arboretum’s network of trails that lead to scenic viewpoints, where you can enjoy picturesque vistas of Lake Washington and the cityscape.

27/ Kerry Park, Seattle

Kerry Park is one of my favorite places in Seattle to see and take in the amazing views of the city and Mount Rainier.

I love to go to Kerry Park at sunset. It is one of the best parks to watch sunset in Seattle . The city lights start to twinkle, and it’s just magical.

The park is the perfect place to take a romantic stroll or relax and enjoy the view. It’s one of the best attractions in Seattle for couples, without a doubt. 

Kerry Park is on Queen Anne Hill, offering a panoramic view of the city skyline. You can see the Space Needle, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier on a clear day. It’s truly a breathtaking view.

28/ Pioneer Square, Seattle

Pioneer Square is Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, and it’s like stepping back in time. You’ll love taking a guided walking tour of Pioneer Square.

The guides share stories and legends about the neighborhood that you won’t find in any guidebook. Pioneer Square is among the most iconic places in Seattle, without a doubt.

The cobblestone streets, charming storefronts, and historic architecture make you feel like you’re in a different era. It’s one of the best Seattle attractions for families, couples, and history buffs. 

There are art galleries, boutique shops, and cozy cafes to explore. And the totem pole at Pioneer Square stands as a symbol of Native American heritage. 

29/ South Lake Union, Seattle

South Lake Union is one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle for young professionals that has undergone a major transformation in recent years.

Once an industrial area, it is now home to tech companies, museums, and a thriving community.

One of the highlights of South Lake Union is the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI). You can learn about Seattle’s past, its contributions to technology, and the region’s evolution there. 

The museum has exhibits on everything from the Klondike Gold Rush to the Space Needle.

If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, you can wander along the shores of Lake Union. 

Lake Union Park is a great place to walk, picnic, or rent a boat. It’s also one of the most dog-friendly attractions in Seattle. Why?

The park has a dog park where your dog can run and play off-leash. There’s also a boathouse where you can rent paddle boats and kayaks to explore the lake with your dog.

30/ Kenmore Air, Seattle

Kenmore Air offers seaplane rides that allow you to soar above Seattle’s iconic landmarks and natural wonders. It’s such a beautiful spot for sightseeting in Seattle, WA.

You’ll take off from the water’s surface and get stunning views of the city skyline, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and the sparkling waters of Puget Sound. 

It’s a truly unique experience that combines the thrill of aviation with the beauty of nature. It’s one of the top attractions in Seattle for couples or aviation enthusiasts. 

31/ Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room is one of the must-visit Seattle attractions for coffee lovers. This roastery is a feast for the senses.

Walking in, you’re greeted by the intoxicating aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. The expansive space blends modern design and industrial charm, with massive copper casks showcasing the roasting process. 

Watch as expert baristas skillfully craft your drink using cutting-edge techniques.

As you sip on your handcrafted coffee, take a moment to absorb the sensory symphony around you. 

The immersive environment engages all your senses, from the roastery’s visual appeal to the coffee’s aromatic richness.

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery offers many coffee experiences, from rare coffee varieties to innovative brewing methods. 

32/ Museum of History & Industry

The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) is one of the must-visit places in Seattle to learn about the city’s past. 

Located in South Lake Union, the museum has exhibits on everything from the city’s maritime heritage to its role in the aerospace industry.

One of my favorite exhibits at MOHAI is the Great Seattle Fire. This exhibit tells the story of the fire that destroyed much of the city in 1889. It’s a fascinating story of how the city rebuilt itself and emerged stronger than ever before.

Another great exhibit at MOHAI is the Flight Deck. This exhibit takes you inside a Boeing 747 cockpit and lets you experience what it’s like to fly a plane. 

It’s a cool experience, especially if you’ve ever dreamed of being a pilot.

33/ The Olympic Park, Seattle

The Olympic Park is one of the best Seattle places to escape the city’s hustle and bustle and enjoy nature’s beauty.

17 Best Seattle Parks for Sunset and Sunrise

Located in the Olympic Mountains, the park offers stunning views of the mountains, the city, and the surrounding area.

There are hiking trails for all experience levels, from easy strolls to challenging hikes. You can also camp in the park and enjoy the peace of the wilderness.

The visitor center has exhibits on the park’s flora, fauna, and history. You can also learn about the park’s Olympic marmots, which are one of the park’s most famous residents.

34/ The Japanese Garden, Seattle

The Seattle Japanese Garden is a beautiful oasis in the middle of Seattle City. It’s a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. And that’s why it’s one of the most must-visit Seattle attractions for couples. 

The garden is meticulously designed with traditional Japanese elements, such as koi ponds, stone lanterns, and cherry blossom trees.

The paths are lined with lush foliage, and the sound of the water flowing through the ponds is very calming.

It’s a great place to stroll around and relax or to sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery. The garden is also a popular spot for weddings and photography in Seattle. 

35/ The Burke-Gilman Trail, Seattle

The Burke-Gilman Trail is a great place to go for a bike ride, run, walk, or exercise. It’s a multi-use trail that winds through Seattle and its surroundings, offering a variety of scenery.

You can coast alongside Lake Washington, weave through charming neighborhoods, or explore the forest. The trail is perfect for people of all ages and abilities. It’s also a great place to meet people and socialize in Seattle.

36/ The Fremont Troll in Seattle

This giant troll sculpture is one of Seattle’s most Instagrammable tourist destinations. This massive sculpture is a quirky icon of the city, and it’s sure to put a smile on your face.

The troll is under the Aurora Bridge and is hard to miss, making it one of the best Seattle attractions for teens.

It’s about 15 feet tall and 30 feet long and made of concrete and steel. The troll has a mischievous grin, clutching a VW Beetle in its left hand.

The Fremont Troll was created by local artists Steve Badanes, Will Martin, and Don Wood. They built the troll in 1990 to add some whimsy to the neighborhood.

37/ Capitol Hill in Seattle

Capitol Hill is one of the friendliest neighborhoods in Seattle, known for its diversity and acceptance. It’s a place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their age, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

You’ll find a mix of cozy cafes, cool shops, and rainbow flags throughout Capitol Hill. And that makes it one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly attractions in Seattle. It’s one of the most popular nightlife and entertainment districts in Seattle. 

There’s also a lot of history here, as it’s been a place where people have fought for their rights and made the world a better place.

One of the best things about Capitol Hill is that you can walk around and meet new people without any worries. Everyone is friendly and accepting, and you’ll feel part of a big hug from a neighborhood.

38/ Gas Works Park, Seattle

Gas Works Park is a great historical place for a stroll, picnic, or just relax and enjoy the views. The park is located on the grounds of a former gasworks plant, but it has been repurposed into a beautiful and peaceful space.

The park has a lot to offer visitors of all ages. There are trails to walk or bike on, a playground for kids, and a dog park for furry friends. You can also climb the old gasworks towers for stunning city skyline views.

Gas Works Park is a great place to learn about Seattle’s history. The old gasworks towers remind us of the city’s industrial past, and the park’s landscaping features plants that were once used to make gas.

You can also relax and enjoy the beauty of nature in the park. Trees surround it, and it has a pond with ducks and geese. You can also find wildflowers blooming in the park in the spring and summer.

39/ The Gum Wall in Seattle

The wall is located under the Pike Place Market’s Market Theater. It’s covered in gum stuck to it over the years. 

The Gum Wall is one of Seattle’s most quirky and unique attractions for couples or anyone who loves colorful and sticky mosaics. 

The Gum Wall started in the 1990s when students from nearby high schools would add their gum to the wall as a prank.

The tradition caught on, and soon, people worldwide were adding their gum to the wall. And today, it’s a must-see creative attraction for anyone visiting Seattle.

I think about Seattle, Washington, I see it, and I even smell it! So, I decided to share my Seattle obsession with the world. In this Seattle travel blog, I help you visit Seattle city better than a local by sharing the best things to do, top places to stay, must-see attractions, and finger licking food to eat, vibrant neighborhoods, and whatnot!

Similar Posts

Top 20 Best Nearby Seattle Mountains to Hike & See

Top iconic Seattle attractions include many stunning day hikes and mountain trails. These trails offer unforgettable experiences for hikers…

19 Places like Seattle: Top Cities Similar to Seattle

It’s not just Seattle tourist attractions; the city has a unique charm that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. And if…

Seattle is not just famous for its coffee culture and iconic tourist attractions but also its breathtaking sunsets and…

27+ Best Tourist Attractions near Seattle for Sightseeing

If you’re planning a visit to Seattle or are fortunate enough to call it home, you’re in luck! While…

11 Best Seattle Science and Nature Museums

Discover the 11 best Seattle science and nature museums along with the world-renowned tech centers in the city, making…

Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour, Mukilteo

Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour attracts millions of aviation enthusiasts, curious visitors, and kids each…

30 Best Things to Do in Seattle, Washington

Home | Travel | North America | United States | Washington | Seattle | 30 Best Things to Do in Seattle, Washington

When traveling abroad, get a policy from one of the  best travel insurance companies . Y ou can get a  5% discount   on Heymondo , the only insurance that pays medical bills upfront for you, HERE!

You will always find interesting things to do in Seattle, the largest city in Washington, and the Pacific Northwest. Nestled between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington and just 100 miles from the Canadian border, it’s the northernmost major U.S. city and is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.

Long before European settlement, the Seattle area was home to the Duwamish and Suquamish Native American tribes, and their presence is still prevalent in the city today. Seattle also has a large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community and rich musical history, particularly in jazz and rock. Many of the top  things to see in Seattl e reflect these different influences.

If it’s your first time in the city, I recommend getting the  Seattle CityPASS  for a discount on the most popular  Seattle attractions . There is also a  hop-on/hop-off bus tour that takes you to the most important tourist spots in Seattle.

To help you make the most of your trip, here are the top 30 places to visit in Seattle , as well as a map at the end of this article so you can find them all!

1. Space Needle, the most famous lookout in Seattle

If there is one thing you  must see in Seattle , it’s the  Space Needle . It’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city, and you can see it from just about anywhere in Seattle.

The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, so it has a futuristic design that’s reminiscent of the Space Race that was going on at the time. As one of the  top Seattle attractions , the Space Needle is included in the  CityPASS  that I mentioned earlier.

The landmark is 605 feet tall and there’s an observation deck at 520 feet. Most people would agree that this is where you’ll get the best  sightseeing in Seattle , with 360° views of Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains, and the cityscape. See if you’re brave enough to sit in one of the floor-to-ceiling benches or walk on  The Loupe , the only rotating glass floor on earth.

You can also dine at the Space Needle’s  SkyCity  restaurant, which slowly rotates and makes a full 360 loop every 47 minutes. Don’t be scared; the Space Needle can withstand earthquakes and winds up to 200 mph.

You can purchase general admission to just the Space Needle, or  combine your ticket  with Chihuly Garden and Glass.

2. Walk around Chihuly Garden and Glass, the best thing to do in Seattle

One of the most  famous places in Seattle  is the  Chihuly Garden and Glass  exhibit. Conveniently located next to the Space Needle, this spectacular showcase of glass art and sculpture is sure to amaze you.

For those who don’t know, Dale Chihuly is an award-winning glass sculptor born in Washington state. His bright and colorful blown-glass pieces often reflect undulating and organic forms, especially flowers. The Garden and Glass exhibit in Seattle is like a glass wonderland and one of the  best places to visit in Seattle .

The first thing you’ll experience at this attraction is the beautiful sculpture garden where glass bulbs, vines, shrubs, and flowers intermingle among the natural trees and shrubbery in the garden. The scene looks like something out of a fairytale or sci-fi novel, and when the sun hits these glass forms, the light dances.

2. Chihuly Garden and Glass, the best thing to do in Seattle

As you make your way through the area, enter the glasshouse, which has a 100-foot centerpiece sculpture of suspended flowers. You’ll find other magnificent installations throughout the 4,500ft 2 space. For example, be sure to stop by the indoor art galleries to see even more design elements and drawings. There is also a theater here where you can watch videos of Chihuly’s creative process.

Without a doubt, the Chihuly exhibit is one of the  coolest things in Seattle , and it’s included in the  CityPASS  I mentioned earlier. You can also reserve a  ticket  and save time and money at the door, or book this combo ticket that includes general admission to the Space Needle.

3. Pike Place Market, another thing to experience in Seattle, WA

One of the most popular  activities in Seattle  is browsing  Pike Place Market . It’s the oldest public farmer’s market that’s still in operation in the U.S., with items that range from specialty food, fresh produce, and artisan crafts to antiques, art, books, and more.

There are usually buskers at the market’s corners, performing for passersby. Don’t forget to say hi to  Rachel , the bronze pig sculpture that serves as the market’s unofficial mascot! Also, the market hides one of the germiest  Seattle tourist attractions , the Gum Wall, in Post Alley under Pike Place Market.

While the market is great for people-watching and treasure-hunting, it is also known for having some of the  best food in Seattle . Any of the restaurants here will probably be full of locals grabbing a bite to eat during their lunch breaks. There are casual cafes, fine restaurants, delis, take-out stalls, bakeries, and sweet shops. Whether you want classic American fare, or you prefer to try a new ethnic dish, you’ll find it here!

If you consider yourself a foodie, I suggest this  chef-guided food tour  through Pike Place Market. The two-hour tour takes you to ten vendors where you can sample savory morsels and sweet treats. Along the way, you’ll learn more about the distinct flavors of the Pacific Northwest and local production practices. It’s a fun culinary adventure to take with friends or by yourself to meet new people!

4. Pacific Science Center, the best thing to do in Seattle with kids

The   Pacific Science Center   is an awesome  Seattle attraction  for rainy days. It’s also a fun  thing to do in Seattle with kids  since there are tons of interactive exhibits and educational displays.

It is part of the  Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center , which is on the other side of Washington Lake. The Pacific Science Center is included in the Seattle  CityPASS  and offers several exhibits that will appeal to kids of all ages.

The museum’s permanent exhibitions deal with earth science, ecology, technology, and other scientific topics. There is also a rotation of temporary exhibits that change every few months. A popular attraction is the Center’s IMAX theater, which shows documentaries about dinosaurs, climate change, coral reefs, engineering, and more.

The Butterfly House and Planetarium are two permanent sections of the Center. The  Butterfly House  is a lovely atrium with hundreds of free-roaming butterflies. The walking paths are entwined with beautiful gardens full of flowers. Here, you can learn about the life cycle of butterflies as well as different species and the flowers they prefer.

I recommend reserving your spot at the  Willard Smith Planetarium , which is included in your admission ticket. Here, you can immerse yourself in a virtual trip through the galaxy and learn about all kinds of astronomy-related topics.

The Pacific Science Center is one of those  fun activities in Seattle  that will please kids and adults. If you have time, or the weather isn’t cooperating, I suggest heading here for a few hours.

5. Explore the Museum of Pop Culture, the best thing to do in Seattle

The  Museum of Pop Culture, MoPOP, is one of the most creative and exciting  places in Seattle to visit  and is included in the  CityPASS  ticket.

The museum was originally the Experience Music Project and was actually founded by the co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen. It has dozens of exhibitions, interactive displays, and the largest collection of musical artifacts. You’ll find everything from hand-written lyrics and personal instruments to gaming and cinema presentations.

Whatever it is you like about pop culture, I can guarantee you’ll find it at MoPOP. Some of the exhibits include tattoo art, guitar galleries, band memorabilia, costume design, and horror films. It’s no wonder MoPOP is popular with locals and  tourists in Seattle, Washington .

5. Museum of Pop Culture, the best thing to do in Seattle

One of the centerpieces of the museum is the  IF VI WAS IX  sculpture, which is made of over 500 guitars and musical instruments as well as 30 computers. MoPOP also has several event spaces including the  Sky Church  which was designed by American architect Frank O. Gehry. The name is a reference to Jimi Hendrix’s concept of a place where people of all beliefs and creeds could come together through music.

One of MoPOP’s permanent collections is the  Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame . It contains several galleries dedicated to fantasy writers and directors such as George Lucas, Isaac Asimov, and Steven Spielberg. The exhibition includes famous artifacts from films like  Star Wars  and  The Matrix  as well as interactive kiosks full of trivia. It’s one of the  best things to do in Seattle  if you’re a movie buff!

6. Seattle Underground Tour, something interesting to do in Seattle

The   Seattle Underground  is one of the top  things to do in Seattle , especially if you’re into creepy stuff. The Underground is a network of passageways and basement in downtown Pioneer Square. Initially, the tunnels were on ground level when the city was built in the 1800s. In 1889, destruction from a fire meant the streets had to be elevated, so the tunnels fell into disuse.

The bright side is that the Underground became a popular tourist attraction and a must-see on any  Seattle visit . This unusual activity takes you through a time capsule of the city. While you explore the tunnels, a guide will tell you entertaining stories of days gone by. It’s quite an experience!

There are so many cool  downtown Seattle attractions , but I never thought about seeing the underground, forgotten parts of the city. You can see the retaining walls supporting the elevated streets and remnants of 1800s Seattle. It can be a bit creepy, but it’s also fascinating and something unique that you wouldn’t find in many other cities.

The Underground tour is popular, so I recommend purchasing tickets in advance  here . Also, the tunnels are a bit rocky, so wear comfortable shoes and be careful.

7. Ride the Seattle Great Wheel, one of the top things to do in Seattle, Washington

The  Great Wheel  is one of the most prominent landmarks in Seattle. Hovering 175 feet tall, it’s the tallest observation wheel on the West Coast. If you want nice views of the city, a ride on the Great Wheel is one of the  Seattle activities  you can’t miss.

This prominent landmark is impossible to miss. It’s at Pier 57, part of Waterfront Park in downtown Seattle. A ride on the wheel is nice and comfy; the cabins are climate-controlled and can accommodate up to eight passengers.

As you ascend into the air and over Elliott Bay, which is part of Puget Sound, you’ll be able to look out over the entire city. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to sit back and observe the cityscape and the distant Cascade Mountains. Every ride makes three revolutions and lasts between 12-20 minutes.

7. Seattle Great Wheel, one of the top things to do in Seattle, Washington

There are over 500,000 LED lights on the Great Wheel, which light up in a spectacular show on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (during the week, just the wheel’s rim is lit). Visiting this attraction is one of the coolest  things to do in Seattle at night  because you can see a rainbow of awesome colors and designs. The wheel often has themed lighting during holidays and special events, and sometimes people purchase custom messages for marriage proposals or birthdays.

While you’re checking out one of the  best attractions in Seattle , stick around and explore the other parts of  Waterfront Park . The public park extends from the Great Wheel at Pier 57 to Pier 59. It’s a great place to view the wheel’s light show or rest by the  Waterfront Fountain .

8. Washington Park Arboretum, a tranquil place to go in Seattle

The  Washington Park Arboretum  is one of the most  beautiful places in Seattle , and it’s worth a visit at any time of year. It’s a lovely destination full of thematic gardens, peace, and natural beauty.

Much of the arboretum is shrouded in canopy trees and lined with lush shrubs. One of the most famous parts of the area is  Azalea Way , which blossoms into a colorful walkway in the spring. There are also several thematic gardens including woodland shrubs, winter flowers, native plants, rhododendrons, and hollies.

You can take a self-guided or volunteer-led tour through the arboretum. There are a couple of walking trails that loop around the gardens, so I recommend taking the time to see all the gorgeous perennials and trees. Along the waterfront, you can rent a canoe or kayak and spend some time on the water. It’s one of the fun family  activities in Seattle  that you’ll remember for a long time.

Also, be sure to stroll through the  Seattle Japanese Garden , which is also part of the arboretum. It’s one of the oldest Japanese gardens in North America and is regarded as one of the most authentic in the U.S. The garden’s tranquil atmosphere includes lush greenery, Asiatic maple trees, cherry blossoms, and a serene pond.

The garden hosts several cultural events throughout the year, and it’s one of the  best places in Seattle  to see the fall foliage. If you can visit in the autumn, I highly recommend it for the gorgeous colors and contemplative vibe.

9. Take a Seaplane flight, an extraordinary thing to do in Seattle

If you’re not afraid of heights, taking a seaplane ride is a cool thing to do in Seattle and the best way to see the city.

We booked this 20-minute flight , covering over 30 miles, and the views were just breathtaking.

First, you’ll see the shoreline slowly drifting away, then you’ll hover over the University of Washington and Husky Stadium. See the Floating Bridge over Lake Washington and marvel at the sunlight glinting off the blue waters.

9. Seaplane flight, an extraordinary thing to do in Seattle

You’ll fly over the Bill Gates’ Estate in Bellevue, then head south and loop back towards downtown Seattle. View the mighty Space Needle from above, soar over Alki Beach, and observe the ferries chugging along in Elliott Bay.

Then, the seaplane will wind its way back east over Discovery Park and Ballard Locks, Green Lake, and Gasworks Park before making a smooth landing back at home base.

This experience is unlike any other and is a wonderful  thing for couples to do in Seattle . The flight includes guided narration so you can learn more about the city while enjoying your cruise through the sky.

10. Alki Beach, one of the top-rated beaches in Seattle, WA

Opposite the Space Needle, across Elliott Bay, you’ll find  Alki Beach . It’s the westernmost landform in the city and sticks out into Puget Sound. While the waters at Alki Beach are often too cold for swimming, it’s still one of the  beautiful places in Seattle  I think you should check out.

One of the coolest things about Alki Beach is that it was the first salt-water beach open to public swimming on the West Coast. Oddly enough, it also has a replica of the Statue of Liberty on its shores.

Along Alki Beach, you’ll find local restaurants, volleyball courts, and spots for picnics and firepits. Even if the water’s too chilly, the beach is a great place to sunbathe, rest, and people-watch.

I recommend heading to  Alki Point , the westernmost tip, where you’ll find the Alki Point Lighthouse and magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains and Blake Island. As you walk along the waterfront, you’ll see lots of bungalows and historic homes. You’ll also run into the  Alki Point Monumen t, which includes a tribute to the indigenous Duwamish people who inhabited the land before English settlers.

About 2.5 miles north along the shoreline, you’ll discover  Duwamish Head , which sticks out into Elliott Bay. This is the opposite end of Alki Beach and the northernmost point in West Seattle. Years ago, people found a large boulder here covered in petroglyphs or ancient rock art. The boulder has been moved, but you can still see the 5,000-pound anchor statue here.

Whether you choose to spend an hour here or half the day, a visit to Alki Beach is a fun  free thing to do in Seattle  on a nice day.

11. Seattle Art Museum (SAM), one of the best museums in Seattle

The Seattle Art Museum has a collection of about 25,000 pieces and dozens of permanent exhibits. The collection spans different regions and time periods, and there is more ethnic and modern art than fine European art.

This art museum is widely accessible, and you can get in for free the first Thursday or Saturday of the month. Even during the rest of the month, you aren’t required to pay the full admission fee if you can’t afford it.

The Olympic Sculpture Park and the Seattle Asian Art Museum are also part of SAM’s art facilities and should be on any art lover’s  Seattle to-do list .

The  Olympic Sculpture Park  is at the northern end of the Seattle seawall. Along with the 20 or so sculptures you will find there, the area is a popular spot to see the sunset over Puget Sound, one of the best free things to do in Seattle. If you have time, check out Myrtle Edwards Park, which provides beautiful views of Mount Rainer and the Olympic Mountains and is just next to the sculpture park.

The Asian Art Museum has an Art Deco style and displays art from Southeast Asia, China, Japan, India, Korea, and the Himalayas.

The museum is in  Volunteer Park , a scenic 48-acre area. Along with the Asian Art Museum, the park includes an amphitheater, conservatory, water tower, reservoir, and a doughnut-shaped sculpture called  Black Sun . A visit to the park is a  fun thing to do in Seattle, WA  in the summer when the dahlias are in full bloom and the pond is filled with koi.

12. Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center, an unforgettable place to visit in Seattle

One of the  Seattle, WA tourist attractions  you’re sure to notice during your trip is the  Columbia Center . This nearly 970-foot-tall skyscraper is full of retail businesses and office space. However, at 902 feet, on the 73rd floor, you’ll find the  Sky View Observatory .

Sky View is the tallest public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest. You have to pay to get in, but you’ll be able to  see a full 360° view of Seattle . You’ll also see the Cascade Mountain Range, Mt. Rainer, and the city’s beautiful natural surroundings.

The elevator to the observatory takes just 70 seconds. Also, if there is poor visibility that day, the observatory will post a sign letting visitors know, so you can decide if you still want to go up to the viewing platform. Sky View is open daily, and most people spend about an hour there unless they eat at the  Sky View Cafe and Bar .

The restaurant is cool because you’re dining high in the sky, but it’s not necessary. I do, however, suggest reserving a spot since the observatory is a popular  attraction in Seattle . This  advance ticket  has the option to include a beverage or snack at the Sky View Cafe.

13. Look out from Smith Tower, one of the best things to do in Seattle, WA

Smith Tower , known as “Seattle’s original skyscraper”, is a few blocks from the Sky View Observatory. Industrialist Lyman Cornelius Smith founded this  famous place in Seattle  in 1914, after his wife became enamored with the city. Today, it’s a must-do for any tourist!

The tower is a huge landmark in Seattle, and you’ll recognize it by its pointed roof and eight-foot-wide dome topper, which lights up blue at night. The building is over 480 feet tall and was the tallest building on the West Coast until Seattle erected the Space Needle.

Smith Tower has 38 floors, but the observatory is on the 35th floor and has an open-air section where you can get the full 360° experience. The views from Smith Tower provide spectacular panoramas of the harbor and downtown but keep in mind that this popular Seattle sightseeing  attraction is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan accordingly.

13. Smith Tower, one of the best things to do in Seattle, WA

Inside, you can take a guided tour or peruse “The Legends of Smith Tower” exhibits at your leisure. One thing you must do is sit in the  Wishing Chair , an ornate wooden armchair with Chinese dragon sculptures on either side. The story is that Lyman Cornelius Smith received the chair as a gift from Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi. There’s a rumor that single people who sit in the chair will get married within a year.

There is also an observation bar, which has a speakeasy-style reminiscent of the Prohibition era. The bar has happy hour specials, and it’s an interesting  Seattle experience , but I don’t think it’s necessary.

14. Kerry Park, the most beautiful lookout in Seattle

While the Space Needle and Smith Tower are excellent lookouts, there is another  beautiful place in Seattle  where you can get amazing views.  Kerry Park  is small, but it’s one of the most iconic viewpoints in the city. Your visit to Seattle isn’t complete without seeing the sunset from this park.

Kerry Park is in the Queen Anne neighborhood and gives visitors panoramic views of the cityscape, Elliott Bay, and in the right weather conditions, Mount Rainier. From this lookout, you can easily spot the Space Needle, Smith Tower, the Great Wheel, and other downtown attractions. The park has long been a favorite among locals and tourists for its postcard views, so it’s popular with photographers.

The primary landmark at Kerry Park is the   Changing Form  sculpture . The 15-foot steel structure is a popular place for kids to play, although there is a playground at the base of the park’s hill too. The sculpture is also a creative framing device for photographers.

For those without a camera, the park has coin-operated telescopes that let you see the ferries in the harbor or even Bainbridge Island. Also, if you’d like to combine Kerry Park with other Seattle attractions, this 3-hour  guided tour  is worth checking out.

While Kerry Park may seem out of the way, it’s close to a few little-known areas. A visit to Bhy Kracke Park, Marshall Park, and Parsons Garden is a nice  free thing to do in Seattle  when you have some extra time.

15. Capitol Hill, something you must visit in Seattle, Washington

Capitol Hill  may be the  coolest place in Seattle . The neighborhood is known for its entertainment and nightlife venues, as well as its counterculture atmosphere. Here, you can pop into a hip coffeehouse, fringe theater, or packed bar and experience a different side of the city.

Capitol Hill was a hub for the grunge music scene of the 1990s. Several famous bands and musicians got their start here, including Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Alice in Chains. Today, you can find live music and performances at many of the bars, clubs, and theaters in the neighborhood.

The district also has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, a couple of art schools, and a few historic parks and mansions. With its laid-back vibe and artsy charm, Capitol Hill offers plenty of  fun stuff to do in Seattle .

I suggest visiting the  Volunteer Park Conservatory , a beautiful  Seattle attraction . The botanical garden features a Victorian-style greenhouse, several themed conservatories, and outdoor art installations. Also, in Volunteer Park is  Bruce Lee’s gravesite  at Lake View Cemetery.

Cal Anderson Park  is another lovely place to go in Capitol Hill. The public park is suitable for all ages and includes basketball and dodgeball courts, a playground, and the  Waterworks  installation, a fountain with a reflecting pool that you can wade in.

To know more about the area, I recommend booking this 3-hour  Capitol Hill tour  that will take you to the most important places in the neighborhood before ending with a drink at a local tavern.

16. Visit Pioneer Square, another fun thing to do in Seattle, Washington

The  Pioneer Square  neighborhood is one of the best  downtown Seattle attractions . The name reflects the settlers who came to Seattle in the 1850s when the neighborhood was the city center. Today, Pioneer Square is a district full of galleries, shops, cafes, and bars, a place you could explore all day without getting bored.

Many of the historic buildings here reflect Romanesque architecture with decorative pillars and arches. This is also where you’ll find the oldest restaurant in Seattle, the  Merchants Cafe . The saloon first opened its doors in 1890, and many believe it’s haunted.

As a downtown artistic hub, Pioneer Square has some of the most interesting  things to see in Seattle . For example, the  Iron Pergola & Tlingit Indian Totem  is a National Historic Landmark with quite a convoluted history. In 1899, Washingtonians stole the totem pole from the Tlingit tribe in Alaska. Vandals badly damaged the totem pole in 1938, but Tlingit craftsmen reproduced it and allowed it to remain in Pioneer Square. The ornate Iron Pergola was built not long afterward.

16. Pioneer Square, another fun thing to do in Seattle, Washington

Other places to visit in this Seattle neighborhood include the Smith Tower, the  Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park , and the  Waterfall Garden Park . This “pocket park” has a 22-foot multi-tiered waterfall and a mini Japanese garden, and is perfect for a relaxing coffee break or quiet moment in solitude.

I also recommend spending time in  Occidental Park , where you’ll find the  Fallen Firefighters Memorial . If you can visit on the first Thursday of the month, that’s even better because you’ll get to peruse outdoor galleries and craft booths.

17. Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room, the best experience in Seattle

You can’t talk about  famous places in Seattle  without mentioning Starbucks. The coffee chain was founded in Seattle in 1971, and today the  Starbucks Reserve Seattle Roastery and Tasting Room  is a hotspot for coffee aficionados.

The roastery is in Capitol Hill, just blocks from the original Starbucks location. As soon as you walk through the macchiato-colored door, you’re transported into a world of coffee, history, and innovation. If you’re always pining for your next cup of joe, a roastery visit is one of the most  fun things to do in Seattle .

Scheduled tours will immerse you in the coffee culture and history of Starbucks. Start at the main bar and sample the roastery menu before looking at the machinery and design behind your favorite drink. You’ll learn more about how to make the perfect cold brew, where the roastery stores its beans, and how different flavors come to be.

At the end of the tour, stop by the scooping bar and pick up a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans to take home. Or order a coffee for here and bring it to the tasting room’s  Coffee Library  where you can flip through over 200 books related to all things coffee.

This is one of the  Seattle activities  that will have you buzzing!

18. Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center, something interesting to visit in Seattle

Boeing is another multinational company that has its beginnings in Seattle, so if you are into aviation, the  Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center is something you can’t miss . Besides, it’s one of the best things to do in Seattle   on a rainy day .

The aviation center’s collection has thousands of pieces, including an authentic Boeing 727 cockpit as well as engines and sections of fuselage. You can also check out the overhead observation area of the Boeing factory to see how the aircraft is made. The center is 30 minutes north of Seattle, but if you book this tour in advance , transportation is included.

If you enjoy the Future of Flight experience, then you should check out the  Museum of Flight in south Seattle. Located at the King County International Airport, it’s the largest private air and space museum in the world. Suitable for all ages, it’s a  unique thing to do in Seattle .

The attraction consists of several buildings and galleries, including the  Challenger Learning Center,  the Aviation Learning Center, and an Air Traffic Control tower exhibit , where you can see what’s it like to work at one of the busiest airports in the country. Be sure to take the time to explore the  Red Barn  (the original Boeing manufacturing plant) and the  aircraft restoration facility .

The museum displays more than 150 models in total, including over two dozen World War I and World War II aircraft. Some of the most popular models include the first successful Boeing 747, the world’s first pressurized sailplane, and U.S. Air Force planes.

The Museum of Flight is open Thursday through Monday and is a fun  thing to do in Seattle with kids . You can purchase  skip-the-line admission  to make the most of your time there.

19. Say hi to the Fremont Troll, something you must do in Seattle, WA

As a child, you may have heard stories about trolls living under bridges. Well, there is a troll under the Aurora Bridge in Seattle! Don’t worry, the Fremont Troll  is not a real troll, just a huge sculpture. Still, it’s one of the  coolest things in Seattle  and something you won’t want to miss.

The Fremont Troll was a collaboration between four local artists and was inspired by the Norwegian folktale of  Three Billy Goats Gruff . This sculpture came to be when the Fremont Arts Council held an art competition in 1989 to renovate the area under the Aurora Bridge, which had fallen into disrepair. It’s also a playful nod to the local urban legends about troll sightings near the bridge.

19. Fremont Troll, something you must do in Seattle, WA

When you go say hi to the troll, you’ll surely be blown away by his massive size. The troll is 18 feet tall and made of thousands of pounds of steel and concrete. He holds a crushed Volkswagen Beetle in his hand, but he’s friendly to visitors, who can climb on his huge arms and head.

To the west of the troll is another free  place to visit in Seattle , the  Troll’s Knoll Park . This sustainable green space provides open seating areas and lawns lined with plants where you can enjoy a picnic or quiet break. A few feet away is a community garden as well as walkways to other parts of the Fremont neighborhood. Fremont has an artsy, counterculture vibe, so it’s an interesting  place to go in Seattle .

20. Kubota Garden, the most spectacular place to go in Seattle

Twenty minutes south of downtown Seattle, you’ll find the  Kubota Garden . This 20-acre traditional Japanese garden is open daily and provides a picture-perfect respite from the busy downtown district.

Kubota Garden was founded in 1927 by Fujitaro Kubota, who emigrated to Seattle from Shikoku, Japan. His influence is widely reflected throughout the garden, which I think is one of the  best attractions in Seattle .

It is mostly volunteers who maintain the garden’s nine ponds, two footbridges, and hundreds of plants. As you walk through the grounds, you’ll see native and non-native plants including  kuretake  (black bamboo), Japanese maple, and Norway spruce.

What makes Kubota Garden so special are the little pockets of peace and tranquility you’ll find. For instance,  Kubota Terrace  is an area with open lawns and summer plants. The verdant greens come to life in the warmer months and invite you to sit, relax, and look out over the koi-filled pond.

The  Bamboo Grove  is a serene forest of tall bamboo shoots where you can see the sunlight peeking through. Not far is the  Necklace of Ponds  and the  Moon Bridge , which are surrounded by lush shrubs, perennials, and mini waterfalls.

The Mountainside section overlooks the surrounding natural areas outside the park and the  Tom Kubota Stroll Garden , a Zen rock garden area. If you want some quiet time with your special someone, this is one of the top  things to do in Seattle .

21. Seattle Harbor Cruise at Puget Sound, one of the best things to do in Seattle

Taking a  harbor cruise is one of the most popular   things to do in Seattle with kids . The one-hour Argosy cruise is included in the  CityPASS  and departs at Pier 55 near the Great Wheel.

Everyone will enjoy the city views from the water, where you’ll see the bustling port industry of Seattle, the Olympic Mountains, and Mt. Rainier.

If you have more time, there are other interesting spots to explore in Puget Sound,  but you will need to take a ride on one of the  Washington State Ferries .

There are 20 terminals around Puget Sound. The  Seattle Colman Dock  at Pier 52 is the primary terminal, so I recommend starting there. From this dock, you can set off for Bainbridge Island or Bremerton, two popular  places to visit near Seattle .

Bainbridge Island  is full of recreation, sports, and dining spots. I recommend checking out  Blakely Harbor Park , the Bainbridge Gardens, and Bloedel Reserve . Other popular places include Manitou Beach, Fay Bainbridge Park, Port Madison , and  Hall’s Hill Labyrinth . You can also hire this sightseeing tour if you want to know more about Bainbridge Island.

If you visit  Bremerton , be sure to check out the Arts District and Farmers Market. The city also has some unique attractions like a disc golf course and a puppet museum.

Other things to do around Seattle are camping and kayaking at  Blake Island Marine State Park , seeing the expansive  Deception Pass  strait, or spending some time basking in nature on  Whidbey Island .

If you’d rather stay in Seattle, then I recommend  Golden Gardens Park  in the Ballard neighborhood. This northern wetland beach has a short loop trail, picnic areas, and great birdwatching opportunities with the Puget Sound in the background.

22. Chinatown and the Wing Luke Museum, something great to do in Seattle

This area of Seattle is also known as the Chinatown-International District. It’s a multi-ethnic neighborhood that includes  Chinatown ,  Japantown , and  Little Saigon .

The entire Chinatown district is a  hotspot in Seattle  for cultural events, delicious food, and public art. For example, one of the first things you’ll see in Chinatown is the  Historic Chinatown Gate , a 45-foot-tall archway.

I also suggest visiting the  Wing Luke Museum , which is the only community-based museum dedicated to Asian Pacific American culture in the U.S. It’s affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute and has over 18,000 artifacts, documents, photographs, and books representing over two dozen ethnic groups.

There is always  fun stuff to do in Seattle ‘s Chinatown. If you can, I recommend visiting during festival time, such as Lunar New Year, Dragon Fest, or the Mid-Autumn Festival and Night Market. The streets are filled with colorful performances and costumes, savory aromas from food vendors, laughing children, and all kinds of activities.

Even outside of these events, Chinatown is well worth a visit. A popular tourist spot is  Kobe Terrace , a small public park with a community garden and scenic sitting areas.  Hing Hay Park  is near the entrance gate and has a cute pavilion where you can sit or enjoy a community game of chess or checkers.

When you get hungry, you can treat your tastebuds to a delectable meal of Vietnamese pho, Korean barbecue, or Chinese dim sum. Or stop by  Uwajimaya Asian Grocery  and pick up some goodies for the road.

23. Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), one of the top things to do in Seattle, WA

The  Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)  at the southern end of Lake Union is a  must-see in Seattle  if you’re a history buff. The museum is a worthwhile experience for anyone, so it’s a good attraction to remember if you get bored on a rainy day.

MOHAI has almost four million artifacts documenting the city and the greater Puget Sound area. The collection includes photographs, artwork, historical pieces, and a diverse range of exhibits. A small portion of the collection is at the historic  Naval Reserve Armory  in  Lake Union Park .

The exhibits offer a retrospective of Seattle’s past, from the pre-settler days to modern times. Some of the core exhibition items include Boeing’s first commercial plane, the Confederate women’s Petticoat Flag, and a 12-foot Rainer Brewing Company vintage neon sign.

MOHAI is the  best place to visit in Seattle  to learn more about local history and culture. Plus, the South Lake Union neighborhood, which includes the Center for Wooden Boats, Denny Park, and Cascade Park, is a great area to explore. For a family day, rent a boat at the Center for Wooden Boats and sail on Lake Union.

24. Discovery Park, something you must see in Seattle

Located on the shores of Puget Sound in northwestern Seattle, Discovery Park is the largest public park in the city and a beautiful  place to see in Seattle .

The park covers over 530 acres and the attractions are far apart, so it’s best to come prepared. At the east parking lot, you’ll find the Visitors Center, playground, and tennis/pickleball courts. Here, you can also take the  Discovery Loop Trail , which is about three miles roundtrip. There are other walking trails throughout the park.

Discovery Park’s vast landscape includes forests, marshes, beaches, bluffs, and prairies. Many agree that the park is the  best in Seattle  for wildlife viewing and birdwatching. According to the Seattle Audubon Society, there are over 250 bird species in the park. During the winter, you may see bald eagles and spotted owls. People have even spotted cougars, coyotes, and black bears in the park.

This Seattle attraction sits on  Fort Lawton , a former U.S. Army post. The Fort Lawton chapel, homes, and Guard House are historical landmarks you might find interesting. As you make your way west, you’ll see Fort Lawton Beach and maybe some harbor seals or sea lions.

The  West Point Lighthouse  sits at the westernmost tip of the park. The 23-foot lighthouse has been active since 1881 and is a prominent beacon for boaters along the shoreline.

To the north are the  Wolf Tree Nature Area  and the  Daybreak Star Cultural Center , a hub for Northwest Native American activities and community events. Next to the building, you’ll see the Bernie Whitebear Memorial Ethnobotanical Garden, named in memory of the Center’s founder.

The entire area offers several  free things to do in Seattle , as well as something to do off the beaten path.

25. Wallace Falls Park, one of the most beautiful places to go in Seattle, Washington

Along the western side of the Cascade Mountains is the Wallace River and the  Wallace Falls State Park . Just an hour’s drive from the city, this is a perfect  day trip from Seattle .

This magical coniferous forest boasts three backcountry lakes, three majestic waterfalls, and a dozen miles of hiking trails. There are also bicycle paths if you bring your bike. The lush greens of this area pop against the rushing waters and blue sky. It truly feels like something out of a storybook.

Take the  Woody Trail  and get an early start to experience the pure bliss of a quiet morning in the forest. As you go along your hike, you might see springboard notches in some tree stumps, a nod to the area’s logging history.

You’ll see the  Upper Wallace Falls , which has a 240-foot drop and five tiers, as well as the 367-foot  Wallace Falls , which has three tiers. The  Lower Wallace Falls  cascades from an elevation of 212 feet and has five tiers. It’s worth seeing all these waterfalls, and there’s even a  guided hike  you can take if you aren’t an experienced hiker or don’t want to drive from Seattle.

The state park also has campgrounds and cabins for those who want to stay the night. There is something special about this area, so add it to your list of  places to visit near Seattle !

26. Olympic National Park, the best place for hiking near Seattle

Olympic National Park  is about 2.5 hours to the west of Seattle on the  Olympic Peninsula . If you have the time and are an outdoor enthusiast, I think it’s one of the top  places to visit near Seattle .

There are four distinct parts of the park: The Pacific coastline, the alpine areas, a temperate rainforest, and the eastern forests.

Along the coast, walk along the rocky beaches, some of which have massive boulders. Close by, there’s a strip of misty forest that tends to attract only hardcore hikers. The Ozette Lake is a popular area on the coast, and there’s a trailhead marking the Ozette Loop.

6. Olympic National Park, the best place for hiking near Seattle

To the west, you’ll find the Hoh and Quinault Rainforests. This area sees about 150 inches of rainfall a year, making it one of the wettest places in the U.S. Still, the Quinault Rainforest is popular with  tourists in Seattle, Washington , so there are several campground resorts here.

Besides camping, two common pastimes in Olympic National Park are hiking and backpacking. In the winter months, people go to Hurricane Ridge for skiing, and they head to Lake Quinault or Ozette Lake in the warmer months to go rafting or boating.

If you aren’t sure what you want to do in the park, I recommend this  small-group tour , which will guide you along the waterfront, up to Hurricane Ridge, and through one of the most popular hiking trails.

27. Whale Watching Tour in the San Juan Islands, an amazing thing to do in Seattle

If you have a longer stay in Seattle, I recommend visiting the  San Juan Islands  between Washington state and Vancouver Island, Canada. The archipelago consists of over 100 smaller islands, but a few of the most prominent are  San Juan Island, Lopez Island , and  Orcas Island .

There is no bridge connecting Seattle to the islands, so you must use water or air transportation. I recommend the ferry from Pier 69 to  Friday Harbor  on San Juan Island. Close to Friday Harbor is  The Whale Museum Exhibit Hall , an educational facility with life-size models of whales and porpoises.

San Juan Island is also home to  Lime Kiln Point State Park , one of the  best places near Seattle  to whale-watch. The park features two lighthouses with viewing decks where you can see wild orcas swimming and breaching. If you prefer an on-the-water excursion, this three-hour  whale-watching tour  embarks from Friday Harbor and donates a portion of its profits to conservation efforts.

Besides San Juan Island, you might also want to visit Lopez Island, which has several state parks, a vineyard, a marina, and charming restaurants. It’s also known for its bike paths and  Shark Reef Park , where you can spot wild waterfowl and sea lions.

Finally, Orcas Island is a larger island with lots of open spaces and recreational activities. Enjoy sea kayaking, hiking, biking, or exploring  Moran State Park  and  Mt. Constitution , the highest point on the archipelago. The island also has a vibrant arts scene and is popular with wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

The San Juan Islands may be a bit out of the way, but the area is one of the top  places to visit near Seattle  if you’d like to get off the beaten path.

28. Visit Mount Rainier, an exciting thing to do in Seattle, Washington

Another  place to visit near Seattle  is  Mt. Rainier , the highest mountain in Washington state. This active stratovolcano is in the Cascade Mountain Range, about 60 miles south of Seattle. You can see Mt. Rainier from lookouts in the city but getting up close and personal with it is a unique experience.

The mountain’s summit is at an elevation of over 14,000 feet, so it’s no easy climb. Mt. Rainier is known by hikers and climbers as one of the most challenging excursions, and it often takes a couple of days to reach the summit. Also, the volcano is a geological danger thanks to the intense mudflows of pyroclastic debris.

28. Mount Rainier, an exciting thing to do in Seattle, Washington

Of course, there are safer parts of the mountain to explore, and it is well worth it.  Mount Rainier National Park  is a must-see, encompassing old-growth forests, waterfalls, and glaciers. The preserved Mount Rainier Wilderness makes up 97% of the park and includes the Carbon and Emmons Glaciers, alpine tundra and subalpine meadows, and a variety of wildlife.

It’s common to hike part of the 93-mile Wonderland Trail and try to spot deer, elk, mountain goats, spotted owls, bald eagles, and other creatures. You’ll get tons of great photos in the park, not to mention an intense workout! Depending on when you visit, you may take advantage of other outdoor activities like camping, snowshoeing, or backcountry skiing.

If you don’t want to drive there or don’t know which trail to hike, I recommend this full-day hiking or snowshoeing tour with a highly qualified naturalist guide.

29. Climb Mount St. Helens, an incredible thing to experience in Seattle

Mount St. Helens is about 95 miles south of Seattle and just 50 miles north of Portland. Just like Mount Rainer, Mount St. Helens is part of the Cascade Mountain Range section of the  Pacific Ring of Fire . This heavily studied area is a hotspot for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The volcano’s last major eruption was in May 1980 and left a mile-wide crater.

Still, it’s a popular climbing spot for all levels, although if you’re going to climb above 4,800 feet, you need a permit. The most common time to climb is between spring and early autumn, usually along the  Monitor Ridge Route . This popular trail will take you to the volcanic crater’s rim. During the winter months, most people take the  Worm Flows Route .

29. Mount St. Helens, an incredible thing to experience in Seattle

The  Johnston Ridge Observatory  is also a worthwhile sight since it provides overhead views of the volcano’s crater and lava dome. You can also see Meta Lake, which has a gorgeous emerald-blue color.

Opposite Johnston Ridge is the  St. Helens National Volcanic Monument , which was established after the 1980 eruption. The area has several stunning lookouts where you can see  Spirit Lake  and the  Ape Cave  lava tube. Not far from the Monument is  Marble Mountain Sno-Park , where visitors can go snowshoeing, skiing, or snowmobiling.

If you don’t have a car or don’t want to drive there, I recommend this  guided excursion  with transportation from Seattle included.

30. North Cascades National Park, a quiet place to go near Seattle

The  North Cascades National Park  is a bit further, but it’s also a gorgeous area full of scenic hiking trails and backcountry campgrounds. Covering over 500,000 acres, it’s about a two-hour drive from the city and one of the top  things to do outside Seattle .

The national park is free to access, although some trails may require a hiking pass. Two of the most popular paths are the Pacific Crest Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail. The former passes through Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, two lovely sections of the park. The latter trail is one of the most prolific hiking paths in the Pacific Northwest, covering 1,200 miles from Washington to Montana.

Nature lovers will definitely get their fix at North Cascades National Park. The region has over 500 lakes and ponds, over 300 glaciers, and large swaths of old-growth forest. It’s worth renting a car to see this beautiful  place to visit near Seattle .

You might even spot some wildlife such as bobcats, lynxes, mountain goats, moose, and river otters. Threatened species like the grizzly bear and grey wolf also live here.

One of the most scenic parts of the park is the  Ross Lake National Recreation Area . Here, you’ll find  Ross Lake  and  Diablo Lake , an icy-blue reservoir. Also nearby is the impressive  Thunder Creek . Another waterway worth seeing is the  Vedder River , a beautiful tributary where you can hike or camp.

For your next Seattle visit , you’ll know exactly where to go! While you don’t have to see all these places, these are the top things to do in Seattle , so keep this guide handy. Also, check out our map of Seattle’s tourist attractions to help you plan your perfect itinerary.

I hope you have a wonderful trip to Seattle and take advantage of the beautiful surroundings. If you have any questions, leave me a comment and I’ll get back to you!

Don't miss a 5% discount on your HeyMondo travel insurance  

and the only one that pays all your medical bills upfront for you!

Ascen Aynat

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

©Thomas Klinder/EyeEm/Getty Images

Blink, and it's changed: Seattle can be that ephemeral. Welcome to a city that heralds innovation and nature, always marching toward the future.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, your next trip starts here.

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Pike Place Market

Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront

A cavalcade of noise, smells, personalities, banter and urban theater sprinkled liberally around a spatially challenged waterside strip, Pike Place Market…

Museum of Pop Culture

Belltown & Seattle Center

The Museum of Pop Culture (formerly EMP, the "Experience Music Project") is an inspired marriage between super-modern architecture and legendary rock-and…

Museum of Flight

Even people with absolutely no interest in aviation have been known to blink in astonishment at Seattle's Museum of Flight, which takes visitors on a…

Discovery Park

Ballard & Discovery Park

Hard to beat on a sunny spring day, this former military installation has been transformed into a wild coastal park, laced with walking trails and…

Olympic Sculpture Park

This ingenious feat of urban planning is an offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum and it bears the same strong eye for design and curation. There are dozens…

Chihuly Garden & Glass

Opened in 2012 and reinforcing Seattle’s position as a leading city of the arts, this exquisite exposition of the life and work of dynamic local sculptor…

Space Needle

This streamlined, modern-before-its-time tower built for the 1962 World’s Fair has been the city’s defining symbol for more than 50 years. The needle…

Hiram M Chittenden Locks

Seattle shimmers like an impressionist painting on sunny days at the Hiram M Chittenden Locks. Here, the fresh waters of Lake Washington and Lake Union…

Top picks from our travel experts

15 of the best things to do in seattle.

Jimi Hendrix Statue

Psychedelic guitar genius of the late 1960s and Seattle’s favorite son, Jimi Hendrix is captured sunk to his knees in eternal rock-star pose in this…

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center

The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

This Byzantium Revival building began life in 1915 as a synagogue for a congregation of Orthodox Jews. By 1969 the demographics of the neighborhood had…

Hiram M Chittenden Locks Visitor Center

In Carl English Jr Botanical Gardens on the north side of Hiram M Chittenden Locks is this visitor center containing a small museum documenting the…

Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center

Inside Discovery Park you'll find this cultural center that displays a permanent collection of Native American artwork, special exhibitions and hosts…

Gas Works Park

Urban reclamation has no greater monument in Seattle than Gas Works Park. The former power station here produced gas for heating and lighting from 1906 to…

Colman Park

Head south along Lake Washington Blvd E through the very upscale Madrona Park neighborhood and you’ll end up at Colman Park. The entire lakefront stretch…

Waiting for the Interurban

Seattle’s most popular piece of public art, Waiting for the Interurban, is cast in recycled aluminum and depicts six people waiting for a train that never…

Nordic Museum

Reason alone to come to Ballard – if the culinary scene and waterside parks weren’t enough – is this delightful surprise of a museum dedicated to Nordic…

Carl English Jr Botanical Gardens

On the northern bank of Hiram M Chittenden Locks is this charming arboretum and specimen garden. Trails wind through gardens filled with flowers and…

21 free things to do in Seattle

Myrtle Edwards Park

Your best bet for an uninterrupted walk or jog if you’re staying downtown is this fringe of lawn and trees along Elliott Bay that starts next to the…

Alki Beach Park

Alki Beach has an entirely different feel from the rest of Seattle: on a sunny day this 2-mile stretch of sand could be confused for California. There’s a…

Green Lake Park

A favorite hunting ground for runners, personal trainers and artistically tattooed sunbathers, scenic Green Lake Park surrounds a small natural lake…

Woodland Park Zoo

In Woodland Park, up the hill from Green Lake Park, the Woodland Park Zoo is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions. Consistently rated as one…

Queen Anne & Lake Union

Amid the glittering Beverly Hills–like homes of Highland Dr, mere commoners can enjoy eagle’s-eye views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay (and Mt…

Richard Hugo House

Established in honor of famed Northwest poet Richard Hugo, and the nexus of Seattle’s literary community, the Hugo House hosts readings, classes and…

Seattle Center

The remnants of the futuristic 1962 World's Fair hosted by Seattle and subtitled Century 21 Exposition are still visible over 50 years later at the…

Water Tower Observation Deck

It's practically obligatory to climb the 107 steep steps to the top of the 75ft water tower in Volunteer Park. Built in 1907, it provides wonderful vistas…

Golden Gardens Park

Golden Gardens Park, established in 1904 by Harry W Treat, is a lovely 95-acre beach park with sandy beaches north of Shilshole Bay Marina. There are…

Fremont Troll

The Fremont Troll is an outlandish sculpture that lurks beneath the north end of the Aurora Bridge at N 36th St. The troll's creators – artists Steve…

Volunteer Park

Seattle's most manicured park sits atop Capitol Hill and is named for US volunteers in the 1898 Spanish-American War. While wandering among its leafy…

Seattle Art Museum

While not comparable with the big guns in New York and Chicago, Seattle Art Museum is no slouch. Always re-curating its art collection with new…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Things to Know

Despite its often overcast skies, Seattle is a beautiful corner of Washington State. Here are 6 things to know before you go this Pacific Northwest gem.

Best Neighborhoods

If you want to experience all that Seattle has to offer, begin by exploring these top neighborhoods.

Head out into Washington State, or even all the way to Canada, with these top day trips from Seattle.

Money and Costs

Seattle is by no means a cheap destination but with our insider tips you can vacation in the Emerald City on a tight budget.

Transportation

A growing network of public transportation makes it easier than ever to navigate Seattle. Here's how to beat rain or traffic in the Emerald City.

Free Things to Do

Seattle can be an expensive city to visit, but we've rounded up the top attractions that won't cost you a dime: 22 free things to do in Emerald City.

Traveling with Kids

How do you organize a family-friendly trip that will satisfy activity-hungry children but also be interesting for adults? The short answer: visit Seattle.

Latest stories from Seattle

Budget Travel

Feb 29, 2024 • 9 min read

Feb 7, 2024 • 8 min read

Dec 11, 2023 • 11 min read

Jul 4, 2023 • 6 min read

Jul 1, 2023 • 6 min read

Jun 28, 2023 • 5 min read

Jun 28, 2023 • 10 min read

Jun 24, 2023 • 9 min read

Jun 23, 2023 • 10 min read

Nov 8, 2022 • 6 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Seattle

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks.

Get to the heart of Seattle with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Seattle and beyond

Home » Travel Guides » United States » Washington (WA) » 55 Best Things to Do in Seattle (Washington)

55 Best Things to Do in Seattle (Washington)

The biggest city in the Pacific Northwest has a diverse population, a surplus of public parks and leafy residential neighbourhoods on surrounding hills.

Setting off the space age urban environment of the Seattle Center and the cluster of skyscrapers downtown, Seattle is ensconced in glorious natural scenery.

There’s the vastness of Puget Sound, the outline of the Olympic Mountains off to the west and the colossal mass of Mount Rainier, the most prominent peak in the United States.

You could savour these views for hours, from the elevated Kerry Park, the famous Space Needle, the Columbia Center or the Waterfront, but make time for Seattle’s museums, trendy neighbourhoods and daring architecture.

Consider getting the Seattle CityPASS to save on admission to several of our suggestions.

1. Pike Place Market

Cascading down a steep hill to the waterfront on Elliott Bay is a market of amazing proportions.

With a history going back to 1907, Pike Place Market has farmers’ stands for seasonal produce, a wealth of permanent produce stalls, four fish markets, dozens of specialty food stores for hard-to-find ingredients, a crafts market with more than 200 traders and an absurd amount of places to eat.

Give yourself as much time as possible to be tempted by the aroma of baking bread, or to browse collectibles, vinyl and retro decor in little shops.

Come early in the day to beat the crowds, but if you visit later you’ll be serenaded by the market’s talented buskers.

Over nine acres and composed of winding alleys and stairways down to lower levels, Pike Place Market is the kind of place that benefits from a bit of local perspective.

You could try the 2.5-hour tour via GetYourGuide.com , taking you to corners that only locals know about, all the while imparting interesting snippets about the site’s history.

You’ll make seven stops to sample fresh produce and artisan treats, so you won’t have to worry about going hungry. Another popular option is the Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour

2. Seattle Center

Below Queen Anne Hill at the northern fringe of Seattle’s downtown , the Seattle Center is a cultural, arts and entertainment zone on 74 acres.

This Modernist cityscape was all built for the 1962 World’s Fair, which gave a shot in the arm to the city’s economy and cultural life, and pulled in more than 2.3 million visitors.

The Seattle Center’s emblem is the Space Needle, which we’ll come to next, but as we’ll see there’s a lot more packed onto the site, from museums to performing arts venues and the 18,600-seater KeyArena.

Get there on the elevated Seattle Center Monorail, which is full of space age charm and sets off from the Westlake Center in downtown Seattle.

Make a stop at the musical International Fountain, completed for the exposition, and eschewing sculptural decoration for the parabolic shapes created by its 137 water jets.

On weekends, especially in summer, there’s always something going on in the center’s grounds.

One of the landmarks on the calendar is PrideFest at the end of June, attended by 300,000+ people.

3. Space Needle

A defining feature of Seattle’s silhouette for almost 60 years, the Space Needle is a timeless symbol for the city.

When it went up in 1962 it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi, standing at 158 metres (184 with spire). You’ll ascend the tower in a glass elevator to the observation deck at 160 metres, where you can ponder the Seattle’s towers, Mount Rainier, the islands on Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains.

Wall panels help you identify more than 60 landmarks on this panorama.

In 2017-18 a $100m renovation project installed the Loupe, which is the world’s first and only rotating glass floor.

The windows on the observation deck now have floor-to-ceiling glass panels that are unobstructed by mullions, in line with the original sketches in the early 1960s.

On the open-air deck are “Skyrisers”, tilting glass walls that you can lean on to float over Seattle from 24 different vantage points.

Recommended tour : 3-Hour City Highlights Tour

4. Chihuly Garden and Glass

The Tacoma-born glass artist Dale Chihuly has earned worldwide acclaim for his colourful and logic-defying glass sculptures.

Established at the Seattle Center in 2012, Chihuly Garden and Glass is a dazzling museum dedicated to his work.

The exhibition comprises eight galleries, a lush garden and the Glasshouse, the attraction’s astounding mainstay.

This glass and steel structure was inspired by Chihuly’s fascination for conservatories, and suspended from the ceiling is a 30-metre work in yellow, red, orange and amber that seems to change with the light throughout the day.

In the eight galleries you can get to grips with Chihuly’s career and discover how he rewrote the rulebook for glass art.

The Garden, planted with handkerchief trees, fuchsias, camellias and daylilies, is a stage for four monumental works, while the Theater screens videos with interviews and glassblowing demonstrations.

Suggested tour: Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit Tour

5. Museum of Pop Culture

Since 2000 the Seattle Center Monorail has zipped through this outlandish sheet-metal building by Frank Gehry.

Up to 2016 this was the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, before settling on the more manageable “Museum of Pop Culture”. Established by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the museum now stages changing exhibitions tackling all aspects of popular culture, be it video games, horror movies, sci-fi literature or music of all genres.

In 2019 Scared to Death featured more than 50 props and costumes from A Nightmare on Elm Street , Buffy, the Walking Dead and many more.

Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction had 150 artefacts that you’ll have seen in Blade Runner, Star Trek or Men in Black.

There was also a major exhibition, Prince from Minneapolis, complete with outfits from Purple Rain, a Prince guitar, more than 50 Prince-related artefacts, as well as the work of photographers that Prince hired to help cultivate his image.

6. Seattle Art Museum (SAM)

Anchored in downtown Seattle, the Seattle Art Museum has two other locations, at the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Asian Art Museum (closed for renovation at the time of writing). The SAM’s inventory is wide-ranging, but has an exceptional collection of Native American art from the Pacific Northwest, including basketry, textiles, masks, totem poles and other delicate carvings in stone and wood.

Gothic and early-Renaissance Italian painting is also well-represented, with works by Giovanni di Paolo, Puccio di Simone and Paolo Uccello.

Also in the collection is painting, decorative art and furniture from the Northwest, and 20th-century American art by the likes of Mark Tobey and Jacob Lawrence.

Keep an eye on the SAM’s major exhibitions: In early 2019 there was a vibrant show for Jeffrey Gibson, weaving together his Native American heritage, nomadic life, love for popular music and sexual identity.

7. Olympic Sculpture Park

A mile from the SAM’s headquarters, on a nine-acre former industrial site at the northern end of the Seattle Seawall is an outdoor gallery for the museum’s sculpture collection.

There are more than 20 works at the Olympic Sculpture Park, on a site straddling Elliott Avenue and merging with the bay-front Myrtle Edwards Park.

One of the most eye-catching pieces is Alexander Calder’s monumental Eagle, which lines up beautifully with the Space Needle when viewed from the south-west.

Other renowned artists in the collection are Roxy Paine (Split), Richard Serra (Wake), Ellsworth Kelly (Curve XXIV) and Jaume Plensa (Echo). You’ll also find it hard to resist parking yourself on one of the metallic chairs and gazing out over Puget Sound.

8. Pacific Science Center

In a Minoru Yamasaki building dating from the World’s Fair, the Pacific Science Center is a family-oriented museum bringing scientific concepts to life through hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

For a brief example, at the Insect Village you’ll discover the almost supernatural feats that insects are capable of, from carrying air in bubbles on underwater dives to lifting objects many times their weight.

“What is Reality” is a window on immersive technologies, confronting the mind-bending questions that are shaping our future.

The Tropical Butterfly House is warm and humid all year round and has hundreds of free-flying butterflies, with a different mix of species every few months.

The Pacific Science Center is one of the few attractions in the world with two IMAX theaters, planetarium and laser dome equipped with a shuddering 10,000 watt concert sound system.

Tip : Included in the Seattle CityPASS

9. Seattle Great Wheel

The giant Ferris wheel at Pier 57 is the tallest on the West Coast at more than 53 metres.

The Seattle Great Wheel may seem like a tourist trap at first glance, but has a lot going for it.

The scenery is of course spellbinding, but you’ll be able to enjoy it from a fully enclosed capsule, which is good news on rainy days or chilly nights.

The pods don’t swing, even in blustery weather, and on Friday and Saturday evenings the wheel stays open until midnight all year.

If you fancy an upgrade there’s a VIP pod with a glass floor, leather seats, champagne and line-jumping privileges.

10. Ballard Locks

Dating to 1917 and constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the busiest set of locks in the United States allows water traffic to travel between the tidal waters Puget Sound and the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

This waterway passes through Seattle’s inland freshwater lakes, via Lake Washington, Portage Bay, Lake Union and Salmon Bay, where it meets Puget Sound.

The locks have permanently changed Seattle, lowering the water level on Lake Washington and Lake Union by 2.7 metres, giving rise to many miles of new land on the lakefronts.

There’s a visitor centre detailing this eight-year project, while the sight of trawlers and pleasure yachts and barges navigating the locks is a real spectacle.

On the south side of the channel is a fish ladder used by salmon to swim to freshwater lakes or streams to spawn, and then for the juvenile fish to return to the ocean.

Spawning season is from around early June to the middle of August, and you can view the salmon through underwater windows.

Top rated tour available : Seattle Locks Cruise

11. Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

On June 6 1889 a cabinet-maker accidentally ignited a glue pot, and the ensuing Great Seattle Fire wiped out 31 blocks.

One upshot was that the reconstructed city’s streets were re-graded one to two storeys higher than the original city streets.

This helped keep the central Pioneer Square dry, as it had been built on mudflat, and prevented toilets from backing up at high tide.

It also left a cavernous subterranean space where the old storefronts used to be.

It’s exciting to explore the forgotten city, but you’ll also be told lots of humorous anecdotes about Seattle’s earthy and roguish pioneers.

Tours set off on the hour every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

The tour is named for its founder, self-taught historian Bill Speidel (1912-1988) who helped to preserve and restore Seattle’s original city centre at Pioneer Square in the 1960s.

Related tour : Seattle: Underground Walking Tour

12. Museum of Flight

A short drive south to Boeing Field in Tukwila is the largest independent air and space museum in the world.

In a city with Seattle’s aviation pedigree, it’s a trip not to pass up, especially because the central T.A. Wilson Great Gallery is a jaw-dropping steel and glass construction.

This vast space holds scores of aircraft, many suspended from the ceiling.

One of these is the Gossamer Albatross II, the backup aircraft for the first human-powered flight across the English Channel.

There’s a cockpit from a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and a de Havilland Comet, the world’s first jetliner.

Outside in the Airpark you can enter one of only four Concordes on show outside Europe, as well as the very first jet Air Force One, used by JFK, Johnson and Reagan.

There’s also a Space Gallery with NASA and Russian hardware, while the Personal Courage Gallery chronicles the feats of WWI and WWII fighter pilots.

Finally, the William E. Boeing Red Barn is the birthplace of the Boeing Airplane Company, dating to 1909 and relocated from South Lake Union in Seattle.

Book online : Admission to The Museum of Flight

13. Washington Park Arboretum

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle work together to maintain these magnificent 230 acres on the shores of Lake Washington.

You can visit free of charge every day from dawn to dusk.

Established in 1934, the Washington Park Arboretum has a top-notch winter garden, as well as world-class collections of maples, oaks and camellias.

The arboretum’s most treasured feature is the Azalea Way, a 3/4 mile walk bordered by flowering cherries, magnolias, dogwoods and of course azaleas, all framed by second-growth conifers and evergreens.

As you’d imagine, the Azalea Way is a delight in spring.

In late spring, the Rhododendron Glen is obligatory, with dozens of rhododendron bushes grouped according to species and accompanied by ferns, hardwood trees, firs, shrubs and magnolias.

The Graham Visitors Center will help you get started, and is also the departure point for deep dive tram tours around the arboretum on summer weekends.

14. Seattle Central Library

In 2004 Rem Koolhaas’s glass and steel central library building became a new symbol for Seattle.

Eleven storeys and 57 metres high, the Seattle Central Library is certainly bold, with a reflective glass skin, sharp planes and overhangs caused by discrete “floating platforms”. The building is majestic from the inside, not least because of its surfeit of natural light, and can be explored on a self-guided tour or group tour (Monday to Saturday). Just inside the 4th Avenue entrance, take a peek at a piece of the automated materials handling system whisking books up to Level Two.

The Faye G. Allen Children’s Center is a wonderland for kids where they can browse books, use games and puzzles and attend story times and other programmes.

On Level Three is the Norcliffe Foundation Living Room, an inviting public space with cosy seating areas, a cafe and indoor garden and sunlight issuing through the diamond-pattern windows.

Most of the computer terminals are on Level Five at the Charles Simonyi Mixing Chamber, while the Red Floor on Level Four has 13 different shades of red on its floor, ceiling and walls.

15. Smith Tower

Before the Space Needle the tallest building in Seattle was the Neoclassical Smith Tower, the city’s first skyscraper.

This 38-storey building on Pioneer Square was the city’s first skyscraper, 148 metres high and one of the tallest towers outside of New York City at that time.

The Smith Tower is named for its financier, Lyman Cornelius Smith, who made his fortune in the typewriter business.

The Smith Tower may have been overtaken almost 60 years ago, but a visit to the observation floor 35 storeys up is something you have to do in Seattle.

For one thing, this is one of the last buildings on the West Coast to still employ elevator operators.

The tower is rich with period fittings, like latticed doors on the brass-coated elevators, banisters fashioned from onyx and the carved teak ceilings in the observation floor’s bar, which reopened with a speakeasy theme in 2016.

Available online: The Legends of Smith Tower – Observatory Access

16. Sky View Observatory

At 295 metres to its tip, the Columbia Center is the tallest building in Washington State.

When it was topped off in 1985 this skyscraper was the tallest building on the whole West Coast, though it has since dropped down to fourth on the list.

In the 2010s the Sky View observatory on the 73rd floor has been modified to give you a 360° view, while two new express elevators and a new lounge have also been modified.

Although the Columbia Center doesn’t share the Space Needle’s cachet, the view is on a whole other level but less frequented.

It’s not hard to lose all track of time watching the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier and the boats plying Puget Sound from this height, while tasteful murals will fill you in on Seattle’s past.

Book online : Sky View Observatory General Admission Ticket

17. Washington State Ferries

Can you really say you’ve been to Seattle if you haven’t crossed the Puget Sound on a ferry? Washington State Ferries (WSF) maintains the largest fleet of ferries of any operator in the United States (23), running 12 different routes on what is the fourth-largest ferry system in the world.

All of the ferries can carry a minimum of 64 cars, and even the smallest vessel can accommodate 750 passengers.

Perhaps the best trip is the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry, departing from Pier 52 and taking 40-45 minutes.

Looking back, you can appreciate the skyline and the beautiful homes and beaches of West Seattle.

Bainbridge Island is also desirable, often touted as one of the most liveable places in the United States.

On landing you could call in at the highly-rated Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

Recommended tour (includes transport by ferry) : Bainbridge Island Nature Reserve Walk with Lunch

18. Kerry Park

For the ultimate view of Seattle there’s only one place to go.

Kerry Park is on a south-facing terrace on leafy Queen Anne Hill, with a panorama that takes in all of the things that people associate with the city.

In the foreground is the Space Needle, before the towers of Downtown Seattle.

To the west is the open water of Puget Sound, while rising in the background is the snow-capped bulk of Mount Rainier.

The little park was donated to Seattle in 1927 by the lumber magnate Albert Kerry and his wife Catherine “so that all who stop here may enjoy this view”. Come in the evening when the Space Needle and wheel are dazzling, and you can trace the brightly lit ferries crossing the Puget Sound.

19. T-Mobile Park

Known as Safeco Field up to 2019, the home of the Seattle Mariners can seat 46,929 and opened in 1999. Twenty years after completion, T-Mobile Park is still a benchmark stadium, with retro-modern hints in the Art Deco-style brick facade, as well as unbroken sightlines for spectators, a retractable roof, a natural grass field and a food and drink selection that goes well beyond typical ballpark grub.

So you can branch out with a crab sandwich, tacos and margaritas, waffles or the Mariners’ now famous garlic fries.

You’ll be extra grateful that the venue and food are so good because the Mariners are one of just two MLB teams never to have played in a World Series, and are currently going through the longest play-off drought in all four major American Sports (18 years at the time of writing).

20. Woodland Park Zoo

Within a continuous patch of parkland attached to Green Lake Park in North Central Seattle, the Woodland Park Zoo is a multi-award-winning attraction.

In fact no other zoo apart from the Bronx Zoo has picked up as many prizes from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Many of the individual habitats have garnered awards, like the penguin enclosure where you can view Humboldt penguins darting underwater from a window.

And since you’re in Seattle you can observe the species of the Northwest at the Northern Trail habitat, keeping gray wolves, elk, North American river otters and brown bears.

The largest section of all is Tropical Asia, for the likes of Malayan tigers, Indian rhinos, tapirs, sloth bears and orangutans, while African Savanna hosts favourites like African lions, zebras, giraffes and ostriches.

Like all the best zoos, there’s always something going on each day like penguin feeding, a walk-through bird experience and bird of prey demonstrations with owls and hawks.

21. Seattle Japanese Garden

At the south end of the Washington Park Arboretum is a magical 3.5-acre garden laid out in the late-1950s on the supervision of the respected landscape architect Jūki Iida.

Meandering paths and benches encourage you to go slow and appreciate the garden’s water, stones, lanterns, plants, fauna, bridges and buildings.

This is one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the United States, but also one of the most authentic, and a venue for all sorts of celebrations in the Japanese calendar, like Children’s Day (5 May) and Respect for the Aged Day (16 September). On the fourth Saturday of the month in summer you can also take part in a traditional tea ceremony at the teahouse.

22. Pioneer Square

In 1852 Seattle’s founders chose modern day Pioneer Square as the heart of their settlement.

The original wooden buildings were replaced towards the end of the 19th century by the stately Romanesque Revival buildings standing today.

The neighbourhood, although a little edgy, merits a walking tour for this architecture and for its miscellany of restaurants, cafes, book shops and art galleries.

The small, irregular namesake plaza is shaded by plane trees and has an elegant Beaux-Arts shelter.

The totem pole here is a replica of a Tlingit pole carved around 1790, and stolen by Seattle businessmen on an expedition to Alaska.

It was gifted to the city on their return and quickly became a symbol of civic pride.

In 1938 the original totem pole was damaged in a fire, and a team of Tlingit carvers was commissioned to produce a replica, inaugurated in 1940.

Related tour : Seattle in One Day Tour

23. Alki Beach

When things hot up in summer, Seattleites don’t have to travel far for a day at the beach.

Arcing down to Alki Point at the tip of West Seattle, Alki Beach is a sweep of sand angled towards Elliott Bay.

The raised promenade behind has the sort of views you expect from Seattle’s coastline, encompassing Blake Island, the Olympic Mountains and the constant stream of water traffic on Puget Sound.

For curiosities there’s a scaled-down version of the Statue of Liberty, while at the beach’s northern end on Duwamish Head is a 2.3-anchor salvaged by the Nor’West Divers’ Club.

A lovely way to watch the sunset and do some stargazing is beside a campfire, and there are fire pits on the beach on a first-come-first-served basis.

Available tour : Georgetown Neighborhood and Alki Beach Tour: historic, funky and beautiful

24. Benaroya Hall

The seat of the Seattle Symphony is a striking landmark in Downtown Seattle, taking up an entire city block.

Benaroya Hall is named for the philanthropist Jack Benaroya who made the first and biggest donation towards the hall’s construction.

The venue was completed in 1998 at a cost of $120m and is renowned for its world-class acoustics.

In one creative measure, the main auditorium sits on rubber pads, insulating it from the noise of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel beneath the building.

In the lobby you can marvel at the Crystal Cascade, by famed glass sculptor Chris Chihuly.

As of 2019-20 the Seattle Symphony’s music director is Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard, taking over from Ludovic Morlot.

Among the highlights in the 18-19 season were Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Ravel’s Piano Concerto and Nielsen’s Symphony No. 2, featuring performances by important musicians like violinist Augustin Hadelich (Grammy winner in 2016), tenor Kenneth Tarver and pianist Jonathan Biss.

25. Seattle Aquarium

At Pier 59 on the Waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium shines a light on the diverse marine life of the Pacific Northwest.

The enormous tank built for the attractions in the 2007 expansion is Window on Washington Waters, showcasing local Pacific species like rockfish, lingcod, wolf eels, salmon and sea anemones from a depth of 1.5 metres to just over 18 metres.

There are dive shows three times a day in this tank (10:00, 11:30 and 12:15, plus 15:00 on weekends) and the divers answer visitors’ questions using modified masks.

Life on the Edge presents all the life found in tide-pools on the Pacific coast and around Seattle’s inland, allowing you to touch sea cucumbers and sea urchins.

In Life of a Drifter there are moon jellies and a giant Pacific octopus, while Marine Mammals is inhabited by sea otters, river otters, northern fur seals and harbour seals.

26. South Lake Union

Literally on the southern tip of Lake Union, this neighbourhood, just north-east of downtown Seattle, is a former manufacturing zone that is changing at breathtaking speed.

A century ago Bill Boeing’s first airplane factory was in South Lake Union, as was the first Model T plant west of the Mississippi.

Since the 2000s the area has quickly become a biotechnology hub, joined to downtown by the South Lake Union Streetcar and home to all sorts of research institutes, as well as campuses for Amazon and Google.

As we’ll see below, Amazon’s spectacular headquarters are just a few streets south, on the edge of downtown Seattle.

Amazon’s convenience store, Amazon Go, has two locations in South Lake Union for a bewildering peek into the future of retail.

In the space of just a few blocks there’s a massive choice of cafes, pubs and health-conscious/organic restaurants.

Kati Vegan Thai and the Portage Bay Café are two favourites.

At the recently laid out Lake Union Park check out the handsome old boats on the Historic Ships Wharf and make for the Center for Wooden Boats, which we’ll talk about later.

Cruise available : Seattle’s Favorite Sightseeing and Cocktail Cruise

27. Museum of History and Industry

There are a lot of absorbing stories hiding in Seattle’s past, and this museum in Lake Union Park’s Naval Reserve Armory building is perfectly equipped to tell them.

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) is a wonderful resource, with a collection of more than four million pieces, only 2% of which can be shown at one time The core exhibition is True Northwest: The Seattle Journey, a complete chronology for the city via 25 “snapshots”, packed with artefacts and photography.

You can delve into specific events like the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897, the foundation of Boeing in 1916 and the Red Scare Smith Act Trials of the 1950s.

Suspended in the Grand Atrium You’ll get to see the 1919 Boeing B-1, the company’s first commercial plane, and the famous “R” from the Rainier Brewing Company’s sign.

In 2014 the museum unveiled the Bezos Center for Innovation, detailing the many inventions that have come out of the Seattle area, and investigating creativity as a concept.

28. Kubota Garden

The self-taught Japanese master landscaper Fujitaro Kubota (1879-1973) was a horticultural trailblazer, using time-honoured Japanese techniques while embracing plants and trees native to the Pacific Northwest.

Running a successful gardening business in South Seattle, Kubota developed this exquisite show garden, creating hills, valleys, streams, waterfalls, ponds and rocky outcrops in 20 acres.

The Kubota Garden was a labour of love spanning five decades and purchased by the City of Seattle in 1987. In the 1990s Fujitaro’s son Tom laid out the Stroll Garden here, which has a reflecting pond hemmed by lanterns and carefully pruned pines and maples.

There are more than 220 Japanese maples in the Kubota Garden, many of which are rare and unusual varieties.

29. Gas Works Park

A park like no other, Gas Works Park is on a nub of land over the north shore of Lake Union.

From 1906 to 1956 this was the site for the Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, the remains of which were preserved rather than pulled down when the park was laid out in the 1970s.

During that process the land was decontaminated using “bio-phytoremediation” techniques, and thousands of cubic metres of rubble were piled up to form the park’s Great Mound that affords one of the best panoramas of downtown Seattle and is a prime kite-flying spot.

You can amble along the waterfront, past the two imposing sets of towers, while the old pump house has been converted into a play barn for children and the boiler house is now a picnic shelter.

Because of the site’s industrial past, there’s no access to Lake Union from this park.

30. Green Lake Park

One of Seattle’s most beloved parks is on a freshwater lake, encircled by residential neighbourhoods in North Central Seattle.

Like all of the lakes in the Seattle area, Green Lake was scooped out by the Vashon glacial sheet some 50,000 years ago, and at the beginning of the 20th century was landscaped as part of the Olmsted Plan to lay out a sequence of interconnected green spaces around Seattle.

The lake itself is 259 acres, flocked by waterfowl, and ringed by a freshly relaid 2.8-mile path for walkers, cyclists, skaters and joggers.

You can rent a canoe, dinghy, pedal boat or rowboat, and there are facilities for baseball, soccer, lawn bowls and golf (pitch & putt). The elegant bathhouse by the water is from 1927 and is now occupied by the Seattle Public Theater, for modern and contemporary plays in an intimate setting.

31. Lumen Field

Opened in 2002, the home stadium for the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and the Seattle Sounders (MLS) is in a exciting urban setting on Elliott Bay with clear lines of sight north towards downtown Seattle, and across the Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains.

On a typical fixture Lumen Field seats 69,000 for a Seahawks game and 37,722 for the Sounders, although the capacity can be increased for big events.

If you’re not in town for sporting action, the stadium warrants a visit for the 90-minute tour.

This takes place three times a day, seven days a week in June, July and August, with a more limited schedule at other times of the year.

You’ll head into the Home Interview Room, Visit the Locker Room, go down to the field, enter a suite, the press box and climb up to the 300 Level Concourse for amazing panoramas.

32. Volunteer Park Conservatory

The best of the monuments in Capitol Hill’s Volunteer Park is a stunning conservatory modelled on London’s Crystal Palace and completed in 1912. This wrought iron and glass wonder is composed of 3,426 glass panels and houses the park’s collections of bromeliads, ferns, palms, cactuses/succulents and seasonal plants.

The heat and humidity varies from area to area and is computer controlled, rising to 27°C in the cactus house.

In this space, look for the historic jade tree, while the sago palm in the Palm House is also older than 75 years.

Other must-sees are the carnivorous plants in the Fern House, and the Palm House’s striking collection of orchids, first put together in 1921 and expanded down the years with specimens confiscated by customs.

33. Frye Art Museum

Seattle’s first free art museum opened in 1952 after the meatpacking entrepreneur Charles Frye and his wife Emma donated their collection of more than 230 paintings to the city.

The Fryes had rather conservative tastes, even for the time, and were into moody and dramatic representational art.

A big portion of the museum’s inventory is devoted to late-19th-century Munich School artists like Franz von Lenbach and Wilhelm Leibl.

They are accompanied by the likes of French landscape painter Eugène Boudin, Academic painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau, along with later acquisitions, from Edward Hopper to early-phase Picasso.

The Fryes had exacting conditions for their donation, one being that the galleries could only be illuminated by natural light.

The long-term Frye Salon exhibitions, with walls crowded with paintings, recreate the viewing experience at the couple’s home in the early 20th century.

34. Lake Union Seaplane Flight

Seaplanes have a special place in Seattle and Boeing’s history, and accelerated the city’s development in the first decades of the 20th century.

In June 1916 Bill Boeing taxied and took off from Lake Union for his Boeing Model 1 seaplane’s maiden flight, and many of the company’s subsequent aircraft were seaplanes.

With Viator you take to the skies from Lake Union in the same way for a 20-minute tour of Seattle’s skyline, taking in a bird’s eye view of the Space Needle, the Elliott Bay Waterfront , the University of Washington Campus and landmarks like CenturyLink Field while gazing down to Mount Rainier on the horizon.

There’s a recorded commentary so you won’t miss a detail on the flight.

Kenmore Air schedules a host of services from Lake Union, including flights around Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens.

Book online : Lake Union Seaplane Flight From Seattle

35. Marion Oliver McCaw Hall

Reconstructed at great expense in the early 2000s, the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall is a plush performing arts venue at the Seattle Center, seating 2,963. This is the main venue for the prestigious Pacific Northwest Ballet, a company of almost 50 dancers staging more than 100 performances of mixed repertory and full-length ballets each year.

Highlights of the 2019-2020 season were Giselle and Cinderella, as well as One Thousand Pieces, a large-scale ensemble work by renowned choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo.

Also at the McCaw Hall, the Seattle Opera’s season runs from August to late-May and is attended by almost 100,000 people.

Rigoletto, La Bohème and Cinderella (with the PNB) were on the programme for 2019-20.

36. University of Washington

There are a few reasons why you might find yourself on the University of Washington campus, which is only a few minutes from downtown Seattle and was joined to the Link light rail network in 2016. For starters there’s the highly regarded Henry Art Gallery, which has a strong collection counting more than 25,000 pieces and exhibiting the likes of Mies van der Rohe, Alexander Calder and Buckminster Fuller before they gained wider acclaim.

A permanent installation is the James Turrell Skyspace, Light Reign.

This work blends architecture, lighting and sculpture, with an oval aperture open to the sky that can be sealed by a retractable roof.

You could also catch a concert at the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater, by a renowned artist or a UW ensemble, while the Hec Edmundson Pavilion and the 70,000-seater Husky Stadium are home to the university’s basketball and college football teams, both known as the Huskies.

37. Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room

The international coffee house chain Starbucks is a famous Seattle export, opening its first store at Pike Place in 1971. On Capitol Hill, nine blocks from that historic location you can drop by the swish Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room.

This flagship can best be described as a craft distillery, but for coffee, and looks like no Starbucks you’ve ever seen.

You can watch beans being roasted, while the friendly staff can tell you anything you want to know about the Roastery’s globe-trotting selection.

There’s an “experience bar”, main coffee bar and an enticing Milanese bakery, and the menu is a little more upmarket than you might be accustomed to at Starbucks.

Think long blacks with cardamom syrup, whiskey barrel-aged cold brew and trendy coffee/tea cocktails like a limoncino shakerato or a gin matcha.

All reserve coffees are roasted on that same day, and you can order ahead to sample three in one go.

38. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center

Microsoft founder Bill Gates is another in that prestigious list of Seattleites and in 2012, a visitor center for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation opened near the foot of the Space Needle.

This has been expanded in the last few years to become a Discovery Center”. Using plenty of interactivity, the exhibits document the impact of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation around the world, as it aims to improve lives and tackle the big challenges facing the world.

In the Global Challenge gallery there’s an interactive computer generated map, making clear how issues like malnutrition and poverty affect populations, while “Get Involved” lets you get hands on and help with projects, putting together winter kits for the Northwest’s homeless and making menstrual kits for girls across the globe.

The center also collaborates with other major institutions like the American Museum of Natural History, for special exhibits.

“Countdown to Zero” for example, mapped out the fight to eradicate forgotten tropical diseases.

39. Golden Gardens Park

Right on Puget Sound, the Golden Gardens Park has knockout views over the water and across to the Olympic Mountains.

The park’s story goes back to 1907 when it was developed as a spot at the end of the new electric car lines where people could take day trips for walks, picnics and bathing at the beach.

Those activities attract Seattleites more than a century later, even if the Puget Sound water can be on the chilly side.

There are pieces of rugged coastline, grassy areas, woodland for walks, two wetlands, a pier for fishing, a boat launch and fire pits for campfires.

As with Alki Beach, there’s no better way to watch the sun slipping behind the Olympic Mountains than from the warmth of a beachside campfire.

40. The Crocodile

Hailed as the cradle of grunge rock, The Crocodile opened in 1991 and is up there with the best places to watch live music, not just in Seattle but across the United States.

The venue’s pedigree has a lot to do with that, as all the bands that came out of the city during the grunge era, like Nirvana, Mudhoney, Pearl Jam and Tad played here.

If you’re a fan of the genre then a trip to The Croc will be a long-term ambition, but it’s also a great place to catch some live independent music, whether you’re sampling the local scene or catching your favourite act on tour.

Added to that there’s a good bar, a balcony if you want to avoid the pit, and you can get a personal pizza with any toppings for a flat fee of $7.

41. City Highlights Small Group Minivan Tour

If you only have a day to spend in Seattle and want to condense as many things into as little time as possible then a tour with a local guide is the way to go.

The highly-rated City Highlights tour on GetYourGuide.com is an informative and efficient three-hour odyssey, crystallising a whole vacation into one drive.

You’ll take in the Romanesque Revival architecture of Pioneer Square, the cosmopolitan streets of the International District, the Waterfront, Seattle’s colossal sports arenas, the towers of downtown Seattle and the bold architecture of the Seattle Center.

From there you’ll climb to Kerry Park where Seattle is laid out before you, while at Ballard Locks you’ll find out about the lifecycle of the Northwest salmon and watch the flotilla of commercial vessels passing through.

42. Fremont Troll

In 1990 the Fremont Arts Council commissioned a piece of public art for space below the north end of the George Washington Memorial Bridge, as it had become a haunt for antisocial activity.

Their pick, by a team of four local artists, was the Fremont Troll, a now iconic sculpture, 5.5 metres tall and composed of 6 tons of reinforced concrete.

As a witty touch the troll holds an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its left hand, as if it has just snatched it from the road.

The work is designed to be climbed on, and in 2005 the stretch of Aurora Avenue North under the bridge was renamed Troll Avenue in its honour.

Included in : Seattle Highlights Sightseeing Tour

43. Gum Wall

Also unconventional, the Gum Wall is a gum-coated section of Post Alley, down a flight of stairs from Rachel the piggybank at Pike Place Market.

From the early 90s, audience members on their way in or out of the Unexpected Productions improv theatre would stick used chewing gum on the wall and decorate it with a coin.

Over time people have become creative, spelling out their name and composing little artworks with the gum.

The wall has been cleared three times, most recently in 2015 as chemicals in the gum were damaging the brickwork in the alley.

At that time the Gum Wall was several inches thick and estimated to have more than a million pieces.

This was just a temporary measure as the Gum Wall has been recognised as a tourist attraction since 1999 and has picked up a new coating already.

44. Dick’s Drive-In

This thriving fast food chain is a local staple but has never expanded beyond the Seattle area.

It’s easy to love Dick’s Drive-In, whether it’s for the pared-down menu (no substitutions are allowed), or for the way the chain treats its staff.

The employee benefits are the best in the fast food industry, with 100% employer paid health insurance and a $22,000 college tuition scholarship after six months of employment.

As of 2019 there were eight locations, the first of which opened in Wallingford in 1954. The fries are hand-cut fresh daily, the shakes are hand-dipped and individually whipped and all the burgers are made with 100% non-frozen beef.

45. Wing Luke Museum

A recommended stop in the Chinatown-International District, the Wing Luke Museum has a collection of more than 18,000 pieces documenting the Asian American refugee and immigrant experience in north western United States.

The museum represents 26 different ethnic groups and is the only museum in America to take this pan-Asian perspective.

The permanent display, Honoring Our Journey, explains how people from Asia arrived in the Northwest in the 19th and 20th centuries and details the livelihoods and customs of these communities.

“Chinatown-International District” goes into the rich history of the neighbourhood, while at the time of writing in spring 2019 there were several riveting exhibitions on post-war immigration from Vietnam and on Bruce Lee’s link to Seattle.

The museum’s location is its own slice of history, at the East Kong Yick Building.

Dating to 1910 and financed by Chinese immigrants, this housed the Freeman Hotel, which was a stepping stone for new arrivals from China, Japan and Philippines up to the 1940s.

46. Center for Wooden Boats

At South Lake Union, the Center for Wooden Boats promotes the maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest, but is also a centre of excellence for sailing.

You can visit the docks and workshop here for free, to see traditional boatbuilding skills in action and find out about all the tools and methods that go in to building wooden boats.

Children can make a little boat of their own on the upper floor, while out on the dock you can peruse a small fleet in perfect condition.

Most of these vessels are available for rent, and if you aren’t qualified for a sailboat you can hire a rowboat or pedal boat for a little scenic voyage on Lake Union.

Keep an eye on the Center’s program as it provides a variety of field trips, as well as the free “Sunday Sail”, a cruise aboard one of the center’s many vessels.

47. Add-a-Ball

The biggest array of vintage coin-op arcade and pinball machines in Seattle is hiding at the back of an empty lot on 36th St and Phinney.

Add-a-Ball is like a time capsule from the early-1990s and has a suitably grungy vibe, with dim lighting and improvised decor.

All attention is on the mass of 50¢ pinball machines, low-fi video games and air-hockey tables.

Strictly for grown-ups, Add-a-Ball is open from 14:00 to 02:00 with cup-holders on every machine to keep your beer within easy reach.

48. Amazon Spheres

Amazon, the multinational e-commerce company, was founded in Seattle in 1994 and has just moved its headquarters from Beacon Hill to South Lake Union.

The company’s high-tech urban campus has taken shape over the last few years, with the completion of the Day 1 and Doppler towers.

But beneath these is the most intriguing of Amazon’s new constructions.

The Spheres, nicknamed “Bezos’ Balls”, are glass biomes, where employees work and relax among 40,000 plants from cloud forest regions in 30 different countries.

There are three interconnected domes, clad with pentagonal hexecontahedron panels and standing up to four storeys tall.

The largest of the 50 or so trees in the Spheres is a 17-metre rusty fig, native to eastern Australia.

You can stop by in downtown Seattle to check out these remarkable buildings from the outside, but you can also go in if you book in advance: There are 90-minute tours of the Amazon HQ most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 and 14:00, while you can access the Spheres on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays each month for unguided visits.

49. 5th Avenue Theatre

A monumental venue seating 2,130, the 5th Avenue Theatre hosts touring Broadway musicals, but also puts on large-scale original productions of its own.

These are done by the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company, a gigantic non-profit operation employing hundreds of people.

Many of the shows premiered by the company are bound for Broadway, and in that sense the 5th Avenue Theatre is seen as a testing ground, giving a start to productions like Hairspray, The Wedding Singer and Jekyll & Hyde.

The theatre is part of the Neo-Renaissance Skinner Building, going back to 1925, and has an extravagant interior full of flourishes inspired by Chinese temples.

There’s a pair of Imperial guardian lions watching the stairway to the second level gallery, while the lobby has an stunning plaster canopy imitating bamboo.

Most eye-catching, in the auditorium is an octagonal caisson with a golden dragon at its centre and a chandelier fashioned like a pear hanging from its mouth.

50. Waterfront Park

Bookended by the Seattle Aquarium and the Seattle Great Wheel on Elliott Bay, Waterfront Park is one of the many great places to watch the sun go down in Seattle.

There are two pink metal viewing platforms here for you to appreciate downtown Seattle’s skyline, the West Seattle Bridge, the Waterfront and out onto the Puget Sound to Blake Island and the Olympic Mountains.

You can use coin-op telescopes for a closer look, while the abstract Waterfront Fountain (1974) is made up of cast and welded bronze fashioned into cuboid forms.

51. The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour

Boeing’s Seattle production facility opened up in Everett about half an hour north of downtown Seattle in the 1960s.

The journey is worth every second, for the only publicly available tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in the whole of North America.

No aircraft enthusiast should miss the sight of 747s, 767s, 777s and 787s on the assembly line.

The plant’s employees work five-day weeks, which is worth bearing in mind because there’s less activity to be seen on weekends.

The adventure begins at the Future of Flight Aviation Center, which is brimming with Boeing components and aircraft sections.

There’s a cockpit from a 727 that you can sit in, while you can lay your hands on fuselage from the 707 and 787 Dreamliner.

You can also inspect full-size models of a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine from a 787 and a GE90 engine from a 777. The museum has loads of interactive features, like a station where you can digitally design your own aircraft, while the rooftop deck commands views over the factory and Paine Field airport.

52. Bruce Lee Grave Site

Neighbouring Volunteer to the north is the Lake View Cemetery, which, true to its name, is blessed with spellbinding views of Lake Union to the west.

It is in this beautiful setting, near the cemetery’s highest point, that you’ll find the rather unassuming graves of Bruce Lee and his son Brandon, side by side.

There’s a small bench for visitors and you can take a moment to reflect on the impact made by the two men in their tragically short lives.

53. Mount Rainier Full-Day Walking or Snowshoe Tour

Mount Rainier, so integral to Seattle’s skyline, is a dormant volcano all on its own at 4,392 metres tall.

As well as being the highest mountain in Washington State, it’s also the most prominent peak in the continental United States.

Mount Rainier is a Decade Volcano, one of 16 around the world considered worthy of study because of their history of destructive eruptions and closeness to built-up areas.

If you can’t resist the call of this monster you can embark on a day-long guided walk and snowshoe adventure from Seattle with GetYourGuide.com .

You’ll head to the national park in a luxury van with a naturalist guide, and it’s worth bringing binoculars to glimpse elk, black bears and coyotes.

You’ll see lakes, immense sweeps of forest, waterfalls and some of the mountain’s 26 glaciers.

The trip usually entails a hike on the light Nisqually Vista Trail, but if you’re up for something more challenging you need only ask.

54. Olympic National Park Tour

A teasing, ever-present outline on Seattle’s western horizon (on clear days!), the Olympic National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains some of the oldest woodland in the United States.

You can take a day-long guided excursion to this unfettered wilderness in a comfortable van with GetYourGuide.com .

The journey entails a ferry trip through the waterways of Puget Sound and then a meandering drive up to Hurricane Ridge (weather permitting) for astounding panoramas of the mountains.

On the adventure you may catch sight of black bears, black-tailed deer or Olympic marmots.

Lake Crescent on the park’s north side is unforgettable for its vivid blue waters, and from these shores you’ll be able to stride out into the park’s famous old-growth of western hemlock and Douglas fir forest, pausing for a photo of the dreamy Marymere Falls if there’s enough time.

55. Woodinville Wine Country

Go northeast of downtown Seattle and in as little as 30 minutes you’ll be in Woodinville Wine Country.

The grapes for many of the wineries here are grown in the Columbia Valley in Eastern Washington, where a few things come together to create excellent conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay.

There’s an arid climate thanks to the buffer of the Cascade Mountains, allied with sandy, gravelly soils, perfect for planting vines.

There are more than 130 wineries and tasting rooms in Woodinville Wine Country, and if you have to pick one, make it the first winery to be founded in Washington State, Chateau Ste.

Michelle (1954). If you’re just dropping by, you can try the Feature Flight of five reserve wines at the Tasting Room Bar, or set off on a 35-minute tour and tasting.

For more in-depth experiences, dedicated to Riesling, sparkling wine or the art of winemaking, are available by reservation.

Related tour : Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting

55 Best Things to Do in Seattle (Washington):

• Pike Place Market
• Seattle Center
• Space Needle
• Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Museum of Pop Culture
• Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
• Olympic Sculpture Park
• Pacific Science Center
• Seattle Great Wheel
• Ballard Locks
• Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
• Museum of Flight
• Washington Park Arboretum
• Seattle Central Library
• Smith Tower
• Sky View Observatory
• Washington State Ferries
• T-Mobile Park
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Seattle Japanese Garden
• Pioneer Square
• Benaroya Hall
• Seattle Aquarium
• South Lake Union
• Museum of History and Industry
• Kubota Garden
• Gas Works Park
• Green Lake Park
• Lumen Field
• Volunteer Park Conservatory
• Frye Art Museum
• Lake Union Seaplane Flight
• Marion Oliver McCaw Hall
• University of Washington
• Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center
• Golden Gardens Park
• The Crocodile
• City Highlights Small Group Minivan Tour
• Fremont Troll
• Dick's Drive-In
• Wing Luke Museum
• Center for Wooden Boats
• Amazon Spheres
• 5th Avenue Theatre
• Waterfront Park
• The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour
• Bruce Lee Grave Site
• Mount Rainier Full-Day Walking or Snowshoe Tour
• Olympic National Park Tour
• Woodinville Wine Country

Touropia Travel Experts

Discover the World

25 Top Tourist Attractions in Seattle

Set in one of the most scenic spots of any city in the States, Seattle is located on a narrow isthmus in between the shimmering waters of Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Surrounded by vast forests and snow-capped mountains, it is fittingly nicknamed the Emerald City. It has a plethora of parks also to be found peppering its skyscraper-studded center and multitude of diverse neighborhoods.

A very vibrant and multicultural place, there are a lot of tourist attractions in Seattle to check out. As well as being renowned for its countless coffee shops and microbreweries, the city is famed just as much for its counterculture scene as it is for spawning Amazon and Starbucks. With iconic landmarks and architectural marvels to check out alongside a wonderful waterfront, Seattle is one of the best places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.

Map of Seattle

25. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Located right in the city center is the excellent Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park which offers up a fascinating look at the gold rush of 1897. Through artifacts, exhibits, and photos, visitors learn about the discovery of the precious mineral and the lives of the thousands of ‘stampeders’ who set off from Seattle to make their fortune.

Opened in 2006, the museum is housed in the historic Cadillac Hotel with parts of the park also to be found in Skagway in Alaska. Its interactive exhibits follow the lives of five prospectors and their varying fortunes as they make their way to the glittering gold fields in the Yukon in Canada.

24. Seattle Aquarium

A fun and family-friendly place, the fantastic Seattle Aquarium lies along the city’s waterfront on Pier 59. Its enormous aquaria, tanks and pools are full of shimmering shoals of colorful fish with harbor seals, otters, and puffins also on show.

Since opening in 1977 it has been a firm favorite with locals and tourists alike due to its interesting exhibits on the Pacific Northwest’s amazing marine life. As well as seeing salmon and star fish, sea horses, and sharks, visitors can touch sea cucumbers and sea urchins in its tidal tank. Its highlight though is the humongous Window on Washington Waters aquarium which hosts daily dive shows.

23. Green Lake Park

Centered on the lovely Green Lake is a pretty park that offers up all kinds of recreation activities and outdoorsy things to do in Seattle. Besides walking, running, and cycling along the paved path that encircles the lake, visitors can also take to its tranquil waters with both canoes and pedalos being available for rent.

Formed during the last ice age, the sparkling lake and its scenic shores and surroundings have been protected as part of a park since 1905. Situated in North Central Seattle, its lush green spaces, sports facilities, and playgrounds attract lots of people with the atmospheric Seattle Public Theater also to be found within its grounds.

22. Alki Beach

Although it is located just twenty minutes’ drive to the southwest of Downtown Seattle, Alki Beach feels a world away from the skyscraper-studded center. Here you can relax on its welcoming sands, go swimming in the bay, and even enjoy stupendous views of the city rising up dramatically in the distance.

Stretching just over three kilometers in length, the beach’s soft sands are ideal for lounging on with picnic areas and volleyball courts dotted here and there. Besides ambling along its boardwalk and taking in the views, visitors can stop by its tiny replica of the Statue of Liberty, and the Alki Point Monument which commemorates the pioneers who founded Seattle.

21. Fremont Public Sculptures

Scattered about Seattle’s artsy neighborhood of Fremont are some superb public sculptures for you to check out with its colossal concrete troll being its standout sight. In total there are around ten of the arresting artworks to find with countless other murals, statues, and even neon light installations to be found in the area.

Most people, however, head straight to see the fabulous Fremont Troll which lies beneath the north end of the George Washington Memorial Bridge. Commissioned in 1990, the now iconic sculpture’s unique design and setting were inspired by Scandinavian folklore with the 5.5-metre-high troll also holding an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its hand.

20. Gas Works Park

Once home to the Seattle Gas Light Company, the antiquated old plant and its site were reimagined, redeveloped, and reopened as a public park in 1975. Now it boasts some of the best views in the city thanks to its scenic setting on the north shore of Lake Union.

As parts of the plant, its pump house and towers still remain, there are some great photos to be had of its complex array of tanks and pipes which now stand as a monument to the city’s industrial past. On top of its sublime views, scenery, and machinery, the Gas Works Park also has some lovely green spaces for you to explore.

19. Olympic Sculpture Park

Another popular place where you can enjoy both art and the outdoors is the Olympic Sculpture Park which lies along the edge of Elliott Bay, just a short drive from Downtown Seattle. Set on another former industrial site, it has over twenty terrific sculptures to admire and photograph with intriguing shapes and designs wherever you look.

While strolling along its picturesque paths, you’ll come across striking sculptures and abstract works by artists such as Alexander Calder and Ellsworth Kelly. The scenery itself is just as impressive as the Puget Sound, and Olympic Mountains can be viewed on one side with the soaring Space Needle rising up on the other.

18. Seattle Art Museum

Home to a huge collection of artworks, the marvelous Seattle Art Museum can be found right in the center of the city. While it is particularly known for its extensive collection of Native American artifacts, it also displays everything from Renaissance portraits and paintings to decorative art and furniture from the Pacific Northwest.

Since being founded in 1933, the museum’s collection has expanded considerably and now includes almost 25,000 artworks from all around the world. In addition to African, Islamic, and Oceanic art, it also has contemporary pieces by American artists for you to enjoy and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.

17. Downtown Waterfront

Seattle’s waterfront is an eclectic mixture of uses, from ocean-going freighters and state ferries crossing Puget Sound at one end to posh hotels and great seafood restaurants at the other. In between are souvenir shops, book stores, a giant Ferris wheel, the fantastic Seattle Aquarium and take-away restaurants, all with great views of Elliott Bay, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains to the west.

Grab some take-away food and head to Waterfront Park to take in the panoramic views while indulging in fresh seafood dishes. Relaxation doesn’t get much better than this.

16. Discovery Park

Sprawling over an absolutely huge area is the delightful Discovery Park which occupies the western end of the Magnolia peninsula. Once a massive military zone, it was turned into a park in 1973 with its beautiful beaches, dunes, and meadows now being very popular with locals and tourists alike.

The largest public park in the city, it encompasses lots of scenic coastline and pristine forests and is a great place to spot some local wildlife. In addition to lounging on its sands and gazing out over the Puget Sound, there are also almost twenty kilometers of hiking trails to explore which lead you past historic buildings and to the charming West Point Lighthouse.

15. Seattle Great Wheel

Towering above the city’s waterfront is the gigantic Seattle Great Wheel which boasts breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline and shimmering Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains to be spied off in the distance.

Opened in 2012 at Pier 57, the Ferris wheel is the tallest attraction of its kind along the West Coast, reaching just over 53 meters in height. From its glass gondolas guests can bask in panoramic views in all directions with sunset being a particularly memorable time of day to enjoy a ride. Now almost synonymous with Seattle’s revitalized waterfront, the Great Wheel is well worth checking out if you have the chance.

14. Sky View Observatory

Although the Great Wheel does reach a lofty height, both it and Seattle’s famous Space Needle are completely dwarfed by the Columbia Center, the tallest building in the state. From the 73rd floor of the 284-metre-high skyscraper, visitors can delight in unrivaled views from what is remarkably the highest public viewing platform west of the Mississippi River.

Alongside the building the Sky View Observatory was opened in 1985 and now offers up simply spellbinding 360-degree views of Seattle and its surroundings. Besides Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, you can also spot the majestic Mount Rainier as well as the much smaller Space Needle.

13. University of Washington

Just ten minutes’ drive to the northeast of Downtown Seattle you can find the colossal University of Washington campus which is located at the edge of Lake Union. Very highly regarded, it has lots of beautiful old buildings and gorgeous green spaces to explore and a lively yet laidback atmosphere.

Nearly as old as the city itself, the university was founded in 1861 with magnificent Gothic-Revival halls and libraries now to be found dotted about. Its main attraction however is its picturesque quad which is lined by lovely cherry blossom trees. The campus is also home to some fine museums and a theater and regularly holds both cultural and sporting events.

12. T-Mobile Park

Unlike the city’s many other parks, T-Mobile Park hosts baseball games rather than art installations and nature spots. Set just to the south of the center, the sparkling stadium is home to Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners with games been action-packed and exciting affairs.

Widely considered to be one of the prettiest ballparks in the States, it exhibits a ‘retro-modern’ style with a retractable roof on show alongside a humongous scoreboard. Besides visiting its hall of fame and museum, guests can find public artworks and statues dotted around the stadium. In addition, its seats offer up fabulous views of the pitch as well as the surrounding mountains off in the distance.

11. Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is a trendy area in the heart of Seattle’s historic district. It’s a place to see and be seen, where old Renaissance Revival buildings are filled with gift and other specialty shops, art galleries, wine bars and yuppie restaurants.

Its proximity to Quest and Safeco fields make it popular with sports fans on game days. Established in 1852 as Seattle’s first downtown, Pioneer Square is home to the century-old Smith Tower, once the tallest building on the West Coast. Visitors, who want to know what Seattle was like before it was destroyed by fire in 1898, may want to take an underground tour.

10. Woodland Park Zoo

When in town, a very popular place to visit is the award-winning Woodland Park Zoo which is home to an astounding array of animals from all around the world. Located right next to Green Lake Park in North Central Seattle, its sprawling site has countless naturalistic exhibits for you to explore.

Since starting out as a small menagerie over a hundred years ago, the zoo’s collection has expanded considerably and now includes over 300 different species. As well as jaguars and grizzlies you can spot Malayan tigers, gorillas, and Indian rhinos with exotic birds and creepy crawlies also on show.

9. Kerry Park

Despite its tiny size, Kerry Park boasts the most iconic view of the city from its setting on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill. From its prominent hillside visitors can gaze out over Downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, and Elliott Bay with the mighty Mount Rainier to be spied rising up dramatically in the background on clear days.

A must-visit, the park is named after the couple who donated its land to the city in 1927 ‘so that all who stop here may enjoy its view’. Besides basking in its beauty and snapping photo after photo of its spectacular sunsets, there is also the interesting abstract Changing Form sculpture to check out.

8. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Lying almost at the foot of the Space Needle is another of the city’s major attractions – the Chihuly Garden and Glass. Offering up a fascinating insight into the life and work of Dale Chihuly, a local sculptor, its galleries are full of the world-renowned artist’s colorful and creative glass sculptures.

Since opening in 2012 in the Seattle Center, the astonishing exhibition has been a firm favorite of locals and tourists alike. While wandering around the sitem you’ll come across gorgeous glassworks in all different sizes, shapes, and colors with the light-filled glasshouse and its arresting installation being its undoubted highlight.

7. Museum of Pop Culture

Contemporary pop culture stars at the MoPOP Museum, which combines music and sci-fi into a most unique experience. Founded in 2000 by Paul Allen, Microsoft’s co-founder, the museum offers battle of the band competitions, film festivals and changing exhibits that frequently go on the road, around the United States and around the world.

Touches of fantasy and horror, as well as video games and science fiction literature can be found throughout the museum. The Museum of Pop Culture includes hands-on activities, rare artifacts from the pop music world and a sculpture made from more than 500 guitars.

6. Washington State Ferries

If you’re after a quintessential Seattle experience, then you can’t beat crossing the Puget Sound on one of the Washington State Ferries. While the big boats connect residents and commuters alike to the countless communities and islands that lie nearby, tourists too will enjoy the scenic ride due the phenomenal views on offer.

Numbering over twenty in total, the largest fleet of ferries in the States take visitors from Seattle to places such as Bainbridge Island, Port Townsend, and Vashon Island. Along the way you can bask in beautiful views of not just the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains but also the city’s skyline and its surroundings behind you.

5. Ballard Locks

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are a beehive of activity on hot days as boats of all types transfer from the salty Puget Sound to the freshwater lakes of Washington and Union. Known locally as the Ballard Locks for the Seattle neighborhood they’re found in, the locks were named after Hiram Chittenden, a major with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer in the early 1900s – the locks opened in 1917.

The facility also includes the Carl English Botanical Garden and fish ladders. Because the locks are popular with locals who like to watch boats go through the locks, parking can be difficult to find on summer weekends.

4. Museum Of Flight

The Museum of Flight is the largest private air and space museum in the world. The museum is home to vintage planes, planes that have flown in wars, a retired Air Force One jet, and a space shuttle exhibit.

Located at King County International Airport, known locally as Boeing field, the museum features an interactive air traffic control tower exhibit. Other planes on display include a replica of the Lockheed Electra Amelia Earhart flew on her last flight, a British Airways Concorde, and a World War I fighter plane.

3. Boeing Factory

Travelers who aspire to build their own airplanes or who just want to learn more about how planes are manufactured definitely will want to tour the Boeing factory where 747s, 777s and the 787s (Dreamliner) are made.

This Boeing plant is located in Everett, about 25 freeway miles north of Seattle. Operated by the Future of Flight Aviation Center, these are the only tours of commercial airplane factories offered in North America. Besides touring the factory at Paine Field, visitors get an opportunity to design their own planes.

2. Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market got its start in the early 1900s when housewives revolted against rising prices of onions in grocery stores. Today, it’s one of the biggest tourist draws not only in Seattle, but also Washington State. Gorgeous fresh produce looks like it might have been arranged by an artist. Fish fly through the air as fish mongers toss it from icy trays to the wrapping stand.

Funky boutiques can be found on lower floors; cheese and bread shops are in an annex across the street. Located in downtown Seattle, the market is open daily. Pike Place Market is also home to the first Starbucks store. Established in 1971 it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seattle.

1. Space Needle

Built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the Space Needle has come to symbolize the Emerald City more than anything else. At 605 feet (184 meters) tall, it dominates Seattle’s skyline. A revolving observation tower sits at 520 feet above the ground, offering ever-changing views of Seattle for miles around, including Puget Sound and the far-off Olympic Mountains.

A revolving restaurant is on a lower level. Sunset is a good time to ride the elevator, which climbs at the speed of 10 miles per hour, to the top to see a twinkling Seattle below.

Share this post:

15 Free Things to do in Seattle

12 Best Things to do in Olympic National Park, Washington

12 Best Things to Do in Tacoma, Washington

12 Best Things to Do in Spokane, WA

10 Best Cities to Visit in Washington State

12 Best Beaches in Washington State

10 Best Places to Visit in Washington State

11 Best Things to do in Vancouver, WA

27 Best Things to Do in Washington State

15 Most Charming Small Towns in Washington

Reader interactions.

September 5, 2020 at 10:58 am

One of the nicest small towns in Washinngton state is Milton filled with history of the whole region. In the middle of the huge rivalry between Seattle and Tacoma.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

The Ultimate 20 Things To Do In Seattle Washington That You Cannot Miss

From must-see attraction sites, great outdoor activities and parks to cultural and history sites, seattle wa is one of a kind city.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Key Takeaways
• 1.2 Overview of Things to Do in Seattle Washington
• 1.3.1 1. Space Needle
• 1.3.2 2. Pike Place Market
• 1.3.3 3. Chihuly Garden and Glass
• 1.3.4 4. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
• 1.3.5 5. Seattle Aquarium
• 1.4.1 6. Kerry Park
• 1.4.2 7. Discovery Park
• 1.4.3 8. Green Lake Park
• 1.4.4 9. Gas Works Park
• 1.4.5 10. Washington Park Arboretum
• 1.5.1 11. Pioneer Square
• 1.5.2 12. Seattle Art Museum
• 1.5.3 13. Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
• 1.5.4 14. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks)
• 1.5.5 15. Fremont Public Sculptures
• 1.6.1 16. Woodinville Wine Country
• 1.6.2 17. The Museum of Flight
• 1.6.3 18. Whale Watching
• 1.6.4 19. Underground Tour of Pioneer Square
• 1.6.5 20. Water Taxi to Alki Beach Park
• 1.7 Conclusion

The Best of 20 Things to Do In Seattle Washington – Must-Visit Sites

Welcome to Seattle, the Emerald City! This bustling metropolis on the west coast is known for its stunning natural beauty, thriving arts scene, and eclectic mix of cultures.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time resident, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in this vibrant city.

With so many options available, it can be overwhelming trying to decide how to spend your time here. But fear not – we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 things to do in Seattle that are guaranteed to make your trip unforgettable.

From iconic landmarks like the Space Needle to hidden gems like local farmer’s markets, there’s something for everyone on this list.

So grab your coffee (Seattle is famous for it!) and get ready for an adventure in one of America’s most dynamic cities.

Key Takeaways

• Seattle is a bustling metropolis with a mix of cultures and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.
• The top 20 things to do in Seattle include iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and hidden gems like local farmer’s markets.
• Outdoor activities and parks in Seattle offer something for everyone, including kayaking and paddle boarding opportunities, birdwatching, and guided walking tours.
• Seattle has world-class museums and galleries, such as the Seattle Art Museum, MOHAI, and the Museum of Flight, as well as unique experiences like the Underground Tour of Pioneer Square and whale watching tours.

Overview of Things to Do in Seattle Washington

There are many places to visit in the Washington State, such as Spokane , Tacoma and Bellevue , just to name three. These cities have something unique to offer.

However, you’re in for a treat as we take you on a journey to explore the top 20 things to do in Seattle, WA! This bustling city has so much to offer, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time resident, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in Seattle.

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, Seattle boasts an impressive array of attractions that cater to all interests.

From exploring the great outdoors at Mount Rainier National Park to indulging your taste buds with fresh seafood at Pike Place Market, there’s no shortage of things to do in this vibrant city.

So sit back, relax, and get ready as we guide you through the top 20 must-see attractions in Seattle, Washington!

Must-See Attractions in Seattle

If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, don’t miss out on these must-see attractions !

Take in the stunning views of the city from the top of the iconic Space Needle.

Get lost in the bustling energy and delicious smells at Pike Place Market.

Marvel at the intricate glass sculptures at Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Explore music history at MoPOP, and get up close with marine life at Seattle Aquarium.

1. Space Needle

Visiting the Space Needle is a must-do experience for anyone wanting to capture the essence of Seattle’s skyline. This iconic attraction stands tall at 605 feet and offers panoramic views of the city that are simply breathtaking.

Located in the heart of Seattle Center, the Space Needle is one of the top attractions in Seattle that draws millions of tourists every year. If you’re up for an adventure, take a ride in one of the elevators that’ll get you to the top in just under 45 seconds!

Once you’re there, soak up the views from every angle on its observation deck or dine at its revolving restaurant – SkyCity. The Space Needle has been a symbol of innovation since it was built back in 1962 and continues to be an engineering marvel today.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience when exploring Seattle!

2. Pike Place Market

When at Pike Place Market, don’t miss out on the opportunity to watch the famous fish toss and indulge in some of the best seafood Seattle has to offer.

This bustling marketplace is located in the heart of downtown Seattle on the waterfront, making it a must-visit destination when strolling around the city.

With over 100 years of history, Pike Place Market has become a beloved landmark for both locals and tourists alike.

Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, artisanal crafts, or just some good old-fashioned people-watching, Pike Place Market has something for everyone.

Wander through the narrow alleys and take in all the sights and sounds of this vibrant marketplace.

From street performers to local artists selling their wares, there’s always something fun happening at Pike Place Market.

So be sure to add it to your list of top 25 things to do in Seattle!

3. Chihuly Garden and Glass

You can’t miss the stunning Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, located in the heart of Seattle. This iconic museum is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

As soon as you enter, you’ll be greeted by an explosion of color and creativity that will take your breath away.

Here are three things you won’t want to miss at Chihuly Garden and Glass:

• The outdoor garden: Step outside and immerse yourself in the beauty of Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures set against a backdrop of lush greenery. It’s truly a feast for the senses.
• The museum tour: Take a guided tour through the galleries to learn about Chihuly’s artistic process and see some of his most famous works up close.
• Combo tickets : If you’re looking to make a day out of it, grab a combo ticket with another major Seattle attraction like the Museum of Pop Culture or Seattle Center. You won’t regret spending time exploring Pioneer Square before heading over here!

4. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

The Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP, is a fascinating destination that showcases the intersection of music, pop culture, and technology. Located in Seattle, Washington State, this museum boasts a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits that highlight the evolution of pop culture from the 1950s to present day.

Whether you’re a fan of rock and roll, sci-fi movies, or video games, there’s something for everyone at MoPOP.

One of the highlights of MoPOP is the Sound Lab exhibit where visitors can play various musical instruments like guitar, drums, and keyboards. You can even record your own song in one of their soundproof recording booths.

The museum also features rotating exhibits on popular TV shows like The Walking Dead and Star Trek, as well as interactive displays on science fiction movies like Blade Runner and Alien.

With so much to see and do at MoPOP, it’s no wonder why it’s become one of the top things to do in Seattle for both tourists and locals alike!

5. Seattle Aquarium

Now that you’ve explored the Museum of Pop Culture, it’s time to dive deep into the underwater world at the Seattle Aquarium. Located on Pier 59 in downtown Seattle, this is a must-visit tourist attraction when visiting Seattle.

As soon as you step inside, you’ll be captivated by the vibrant colors of Puget Sound’s marine life. From playful sea otters to majestic octopuses and colorful schools of fish, there’s so much to see and explore here.

You can even touch some of the creatures in tide pools or watch divers feed the animals during scheduled feeding times.

Don’t miss out on visiting Window on Washington Waters exhibit where you can get up close with salmon swimming upstream!

Here are three highlights for your visit:

• Visit ‘Life on the Edge’ exhibit to learn how different types of marine organisms survive along rocky shorelines.
• Catch a glimpse of giant Pacific octopuses living in their habitat at ‘Octopus Cove’.
• Watch harbor seals swim gracefully through water during ‘Seals & Sea Lions’ show.

The Seattle Aquarium is one of those things to see in Seattle that will leave a lasting impression no matter your age or interests. So head down to Pier 59 and discover all that this amazing aquarium has to offer!

Outdoor Activities and Parks

If you’re looking to spend some time outdoors in Seattle, you won’t be disappointed.

From beautiful parks to stunning viewpoints, there’s something for everyone.

You can’t miss Kerry Park for its picturesque views of the city skyline, or Discovery Park for its miles of hiking trails and beach access.

And if you’re looking for a more laid-back experience, Green Lake Park is perfect for picnics and paddle boating.

Don’t forget to check out Gas Works Park and Washington Park Arboretum as well both offer unique experiences in different parts of the city.

6. Kerry Park

Located in Queen Anne, Kerry Park offers stunning panoramic views of Seattle’s skyline and the iconic Space Needle. It is one of the essential things to do when visiting Seattle if you want to capture breathtaking photos and enjoy the beauty of this vibrant city.

The park sits atop a hill, making it an ideal spot for taking in sweeping views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, and Elliot Bay. Kerry Park is not just a place for sightseeing; it also offers green spaces for relaxation and recreation.

The park features well-manicured lawns, benches where you can sit while enjoying a picnic or reading your favorite book. There are also walking paths that lead visitors through the lush gardens filled with plants native to the Pacific Northwest.

Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Kerry Park should be on top of your list as it provides unparalleled views of the Seattle skyline that will leave you in awe.

7. Discovery Park

As you wander through Discovery Park, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of the city and entered a serene, natural oasis. This 534-acre park is one of Seattle’s largest green spaces and offers stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.

Here are three reasons why Discovery Park is worth a visit:

• Walking tours: The park offers guided walking tours that allow visitors to explore its diverse ecosystem, which includes forests, meadows, and beaches. These tours are led by knowledgeable guides who share interesting facts about the flora, fauna, and history of the area.
• Birdwatching: With over 270 species of birds recorded in the park, it’s no wonder that Discovery Park is a popular destination for birdwatchers. The park’s varied habitats attract a wide range of birdlife throughout the year.
• Pacific Northwest beauty: From rugged coastline to dense forested areas to open fields with wildflowers blooming in springtime; Discovery Park showcases some of what makes Washington State so special! Whether you’re looking for a short hike or just want to enjoy some beautiful scenery on your next trip out West – this place should definitely be on your list!

8. Green Lake Park

Get ready to soak up some sunshine and enjoy a relaxing day at Green Lake Park! This beautiful park is one of Seattle’s most popular destinations for locals and visitors alike.

With its stunning views of the lake, lush greenery, and abundant wildlife, you’ll find plenty of ways to unwind here. Take a stroll around the lake or rent a kayak to explore its calm waters.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, head over to nearby Lake Union for some paddleboarding or kayaking with a view of the city skyline.

Don’t miss out on visiting the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum while in Seattle as well as Washington Park Arboretum where you can learn about plants native to this region.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful afternoon picnic spot or an active day outdoors, Green Lake Park has something for everyone on your Seattle trip!

9. Gas Works Park

You’ll be amazed by the spectacular views of Seattle’s skyline from Gas Works Park, a former gasification plant turned public park.

This park is one of the most popular and unique Seattle attractions that you can visit during your day trip to downtown Seattle.

Not only will you enjoy breathtaking views of the city, but you’ll also have fun exploring the industrial remnants of the old gas works site.

Gas Works Park offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as picnicking, kite flying, and playing frisbee with friends. The park is also home to a play area for kids and a fenced off-leash dog park that makes it perfect for pet lovers.

With its beautiful scenery and fascinating history, Gas Works Park is definitely a fun and unique spot to explore when visiting Seattle.

10. Washington Park Arboretum

Now that you’ve experienced the industrial charm of Gas Works Park, it’s time to explore the natural beauty of Seattle.

One spot you definitely don’t want to miss is the Washington Park Arboretum. Located just a few miles east of downtown, this 230-acre park is home to more than 20,000 trees and shrubs from around the world.

As you wander through its winding paths and gardens, you’ll learn about Seattle’s history as a hub for botanical research and conservation. You’ll also get breathtaking views of Lake Washington and Mount Rainier that are sure to leave an impression on you.

Whether you’re a nature buff or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, visiting Washington Park Arboretum should be at the top of your list of things to do in Seattle.

Cultural and Historical Sites

If you’re interested in exploring Seattle’s rich cultural and historical heritage, there are several must-see sites that you won’t want to miss.

Pioneer Square, for example, is the city’s oldest neighborhood and is home to a wealth of Victorian architecture, art galleries, and boutique shops.

The Seattle Art Museum boasts an extensive collection of Native American and Asian art, while the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) offers fascinating exhibits on the region’s history from prehistoric times to present day.

Don’t forget to check out the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks), which provide a vital link between Lake Washington and Puget Sound, as well as Fremont Public Sculptures – a quirky outdoor art exhibit featuring dozens of whimsical sculptures scattered throughout the neighborhood.

11. Pioneer Square

Explore Pioneer Square, where you can delve into Seattle’s history and architecture while enjoying the vibrant art scene. This historic neighborhood is one of the oldest in Seattle, dating back to the 1800s. It was originally called ‘Skid Road’ because logs were skidded down Yesler Way to Henry Yesler’s sawmill at the waterfront.

Today, Pioneer Square is home to a variety of boutique shops, restaurants, and galleries. Take a stroll through Occidental Park and admire the Tlingit totem pole or head underground for a tour of Underground Seattle.

The city was rebuilt on top of itself after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, so there are many hidden tunnels and passageways beneath your feet.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Seattle, be sure to visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Pioneer Square is just a short drive from downtown Seattle but feels like a world away.

The district offers an eclectic mix of Victorian Romanesque Revival architecture juxtaposed with modern buildings that house tech startups and co-working spaces.

Whether you’re looking for an afternoon outing or an evening adventure, Pioneer Square has something for everyone.

Stop by Zeitgeist Coffee for a latte before browsing through vintage vinyl records at Easy Street Records & Café or catching live music at The Central Saloon – it’s been operating since 1892! Whatever your interests may be, make sure Pioneer Square is on your list when visiting Seattle.

12. Seattle Art Museum

You’ll love the Seattle Art Museum, which features a diverse collection of art from around the world. Located in downtown Seattle, this museum is a must-visit if you’re exploring the city.

The exhibits are thoughtfully curated and showcase a range of art styles and mediums.

During your visit to Seattle, make sure to add the Seattle Art Museum to your list of best things to do. From ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces, there’s something for everyone at this museum.

After exploring the galleries, take a stroll along the nearby waterfront or grab some food in one of the many restaurants in the area.

The Seattle Art Museum is truly a gem in this vibrant city!

13. Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)

Now that you’ve explored the Seattle Art Museum, it’s time to head over to another must-visit museum in Seattle – the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI).

Located on Lake Union, MOHAI is a fascinating space that showcases the rich history and culture of Seattle. This isn’t your typical museum experience – MOHAI offers interactive exhibits that allow visitors to engage with the past and present of this vibrant city.

Here are four things you won’t want to miss during your visit to MOHAI:

• Explore the maritime exhibit, which highlights Seattle’s role as a major port city.
• Take a stroll through ‘True Northwest,’ an exhibit showcasing what makes Seattle unique.
• Check out some vintage automobiles in ‘Faster: 100 Years of Boeing and Beyond.’
• Don’t forget to make time for ‘Bezos Center for Innovation,’ where you can learn about some of Seattle’s most innovative thinkers.

Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for something fun to do in Seattle, MOHAI is definitely worth adding to your list of things to do.

With its engaging exhibits and beautiful location on Lake Union, this museum will give you a new appreciation for all that this amazing city has accomplished throughout its rich past.

14. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks)

If you’re in the mood for a unique outdoor experience, head over to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, also known as Ballard Locks.

Located on the Seattle waterfront, this popular attraction offers visitors a chance to watch boats navigate through the locks and even spot some salmon swimming upstream. It’s definitely one of the best ways to experience what Seattle has to offer.

Aside from watching boats pass through and seeing fish swim upstream, there are other activities you can do at Ballard Locks.

Take a stroll along the botanical garden or have a picnic with friends and family while enjoying scenic views of Lake Washington.

And if you have time, visit the Woodland Park Zoo which is just a few minutes away from here. With all these attractions in one place, you’ll never run out of things to do at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks!

15. Fremont Public Sculptures

Explore Fremont’s quirky side with its collection of public sculptures, one of the top things to do in Seattle. This neighborhood is known for its fun and funky vibe, and these sculptures add to the area’s charm.

The most famous sculpture here is undoubtedly the Fremont Troll, a giant troll statue located under the Aurora Bridge. It’s a must-visit spot for those looking for something unique and unforgettable.

But there are many other sculptures worth checking out in Fremont as well. For example, you’ll find a Lenin statue here that was brought over from Slovakia in 1995.

There’s also a rocket ship sculpture, an interurban railcar sculpture, and even a statue of Vladimir Nabokov (who lived briefly in Seattle).

Whether you’re an art lover or just looking for some fun photo opportunities, exploring Fremont’s public sculptures is definitely worth your time when visiting Seattle.

Unique Experiences and Day Trips

If you’re looking for unique experiences and day trips in Seattle, there are plenty of options to choose from. Take a trip to Woodinville Wine Country and sample some of the best wines from local wineries.

Or visit The Museum of Flight, where you can explore the history of aviation and even board a real Boeing 747 jumbo jet. Want something more adventurous? Go whale watching or take an underground tour of Pioneer Square.

And don’t forget to hop on a water taxi to Alki Beach Park for stunning views of the city skyline and a relaxing day at the beach.

16. Woodinville Wine Country

Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of Woodinville Wine Country, just a short drive away from Seattle.

Here you’ll find world-renowned wineries and lush vineyards that make for an unforgettable visit.

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply enjoy sipping on a glass of red or white, there’s something for everyone in this charming wine country.

Make sure to plan your visit ahead of time so that you can fully experience all that Woodinville has to offer.

From tastings at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery to touring the beautiful gardens at Columbia Winery, there are plenty of things to do and see in this picturesque town.

After a day spent wandering through vineyards and sampling delicious wines, head back to Seattle’s bustling Emerald City and take in the stunning views from the top of the iconic Seattle Great Wheel a perfect end to your Pacific Northwest adventure!

17. The Museum of Flight

Now that you’ve explored the scenic Woodinville Wine Country, it’s time to switch gears and experience the thrill of aviation at Seattle’s Museum of Flight.

This popular attraction is a must-visit for anyone looking to dive into the history and science behind flight.

Located just south of downtown Seattle, the Museum of Flight boasts an impressive collection of aircrafts, ranging from early planes like the Wright Flyer to modern jets like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Visitors can also explore interactive exhibits that showcase various aspects of aviation, including space travel and military aviation.

With so much to see and learn, it’s no wonder this museum is considered one of the top 25 things to do in Seattle.

So whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about how we’ve been able to conquer the skies, make sure to add this exciting destination to your itinerary!

18. Whale Watching

Exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, you cannot miss the opportunity to witness the majesty of Orcas and Humpbacks in their natural habitat by going whale watching. Seattle offers several options for whale watching tours, including San Juan Island and nearby waters.

These tours give visitors a chance to see these magnificent creatures up close while also enjoying stunning views of Mount Rainier and Lake Washington.

If you’re planning to visit Seattle, make sure to add whale watching to your itinerary! This experience is sure to be memorable, whether you’re traveling with family or friends. So hop on a boat and get ready for an adventure unlike any other one that will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty.

19. Underground Tour of Pioneer Square

Don’t miss out on the fascinating Underground Tour of Pioneer Square in Seattle, one of the top 25 things to do in the city. This tour takes you back in time to explore the hidden underground passages that were once at street level before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll learn about Seattle’s history and see remnants of its past such as storefronts and sidewalks from more than a century ago.

Here are three reasons why this tour is a must-do when visiting Seattle:

• It’s a unique way to experience Pioneer Square and learn about the city’s history.
• The underground passages offer a glimpse into what life was like in early Seattle.
• The stories shared by the guides are both engaging and informative, providing an entertaining educational experience for all ages.

So add this tour to your list of things to do while in Seattle, and uncover some of the city’s hidden treasures with the Underground Tour of Pioneer Square!

20. Water Taxi to Alki Beach Park

Hop on the water taxi to Alki Beach Park and enjoy the stunning views of Seattle’s skyline from a different perspective. This ride isn’t only scenic, but it’s also convenient as it takes you directly to West Seattle, where Alki Beach Park is located.

Once you arrive at the park, there are plenty of activities to do for a full day at Alki Beach. Start your day off by exploring the beach and enjoying the views of Puget Sound. If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a bike or kayak to explore even further.

Take a break from outdoor activities and visit some nearby attractions such as the Seattle Pinball Museum or the Seattle Public Library in the area. Whatever your interests may be, spending a day at Alki Beach Park in West Seattle is definitely worth checking off your list of things to do while visiting Seattle.

Overall, you’ll find that Seattle is a city full of unique experiences and must-see attractions that are sure to leave you wanting more.

From the iconic Space Needle to the lively Pike Place Market, there’s always something fun to do and exciting to see in this vibrant metropolis.

Whether you’re a foodie looking for delicious cuisine or an outdoor enthusiast seeking adventure, Seattle has it all.

So what are you waiting for? Plan your next visit to Seattle and discover its many treasures for yourself.

With so many things to do and places to explore, there’s never been a better time to experience all that this incredible city has to offer.

From stunning vistas of the Pacific Northwest landscape to world-class museums and galleries, Seattle truly has something for everyone.

Don’t miss out on all the fun – book your trip today and start exploring!

What do you think?

Written by Christine Kaufmann

15 Things To Do In Bellevue Washington – Best Attractions and Activities

18 Fun Things To Do In Freeport TX – Top Attractions, Outdoor Activities

© 2024 forfyi.com All Rights Reserved

Username or Email Address

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Privacy policy.

To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. %privacy_policy%

Add to Collection

Public collection title

Private collection title

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.

20 Unique Things to do in Seattle, WA.

Seattle is a city known for its rainy days (it’s not really that much), but that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the outdoor attractions in this beautiful city. There are many activities and unique things to do in Seattle, no matter the weather and that is why it is one of our favorite destinations!

Editor’s note on links: We may receive a commission that costs you nothing extra on any links in our articles and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks so much for your support!

You must do a few things if you’re visiting Seattle for the first time .

One is to visit some of the city’s most iconic attractions, such as Pike Place Market and the Space Needle .

From Japanese sushi to exquisite Washington wineries, there is something for everyone in this fun city.

And last, don’t forget about Seattle’s beautiful natural scenery and unique outdoor activities.

Here are some remarkable things to do and see when you visit Seattle compiled by our Travel Makes Me Happy Team.

Also, don’t forget to check out our Summer Travel Deals guide !

• Best 20 Things to do in Seattle

It is great to visit Seattle year-round because there are so many fun activities to do and things to see on your trip.

We also picked our favorite restaurants to visit in Seattle in a new article that will help you plan how to experience Seattle’s culinary scene.

Table of contents

1. iconic seattle space needle, 2. pike place market, 3. chihuly garden and glass exhibit, 4. seattle center, 5. washington park arboretum, 6. starbucks reserve roastery, 7. ballard (hiram m. chittenden) locks, 8. fremont troll, 9. seattle’s discovery park activities, 10. georgetown neighborhood, 11. underground tour, 12. pioneer square, 13. mount rainier, 14. snoqualmie falls tour, 15. miner’s landing attractions, 16. eat fresh pacific-northwest seafood, 17. chinatown-international district, 18. seattle wine tasting tour, 19. see some great seattle street art, 20. whale watching tour experience, faq (frequently asked questions) about visiting seattle, best hotel options for your seattle trip, unique things to do in seattle final thoughts:, keep reading for more great travel tips and articles:.

Find The Best Travel Accessory Must-Haves at Amazon! See The Deals !!

Since it opened on April 21, 1962, the Space Needle symbolized Seattle’s innovative and forward-thinking spirit.

It is located at Seattle Center and stands at 605 feet tall.

The Space Needle has a long wait time on Saturdays and Sundays, so it’s best to visit during the week.

The breathtaking view from the top is complemented by a glass-floored area for those seeking an extra thrill. There’s even a restaurant at the top!

Fun Fact : The clothing/gear store, Eddie Bauer started in Seattle!

If you’re in Seattle, don’t miss the vibrant and historic Pike Place Market .

It’s one of the best things to do in downtown Seattle! Wander through the market, taking the time to look at all the different vendors.

The market is a popular spot for tourists, with permanent stands filled with local fruits, and vegetables throughout the year.

There are also several fish markets, butchers, flower shops, bakeries, dairy and specialty vendors, and a wide range of restaurants.

It’s a must-visit in downtown Seattle! Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the market any time of the day. You can also try a chef-led food tour in Pikes Place.

Some great Seattle tours to check out:

• Seattle Undrground Tour
• Seattle Space Needle and Chihuly Garden Entry
• Seattle Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise

The Chihuly Garden is a great place to spend some time if you’re looking for something else unique to do before or after visiting the Space Needle.

This exhibit showcases Dale Chihuly’s artistic prowess across eight galleries and three display walls.

The Museum of Glass is a forward-thinking institution that fosters creativity and imagination while honoring the artists.

The highlight of the garden is arguably the Glasshouse, a stunning 40-foot-tall creation by Chihuly .

It’s also a great place to visit if you’re looking for good food or just want to relax in one of the many gardens.

There’s a monorail nearby that links to downtown to try as well.

The Seattle Center is the perfect destination for a weekend full of fun and activities.

With attractions like the International Fountain and The Space Needle , you won’t run out of things to do. There’s also fountains and places to just sit and hang out.

We hung out here a lot and had coffee at the cafe at the bottom of the Space Needle a couple of times.

The park is a popular destination for hikers and cyclists, with miles of trails that weave through lush vegetation.

It’s a beautiful example of how Seattle’s natural environment can be enjoyed, and it’s a great place to spend an afternoon if you’re looking for peace and quiet.

The Japanese Garden is a great place to visit while you’re in town. They offer free guided tours from April to October. You can also enjoy a traditional tea ceremony for an extra $10.

Seattle is known for its innovative coffee scene and being the birthplace of Starbucks. [we have an article on the Old San Juan coffee scene too!]

If you’re looking for a unique coffee experience, check out the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room.

Located at 1124 Pike Street ( not in Pikes Place Market ), it’s a place where you can watch coffee being roasted from start to finish.

You can also sample different flavors of coffee before deciding on your purchase.

It is a much better option than waiting in line at the original location at Pikes Place Market! We had no trouble getting a table and being able to sit and enjoy our coffee.

The Locks are two locks that connect Lake Union to the Puget Sound. Boats enter the locks, the gates close, and the water rises or falls according to their destination.

There are two locks on the side of the canal: one large and one smaller, to accommodate different size ships.

Visitors can get up close, safely behind safety rails, and watch as the water level rises and lowers in the lock system.

The concrete allows traffic to move smoothly between the two bodies of water without any saltwater from the sound contaminating the lake’s freshwater. They are regarded by locals as an engineering marvel.

If you’re interested in how lock systems work or just enjoy watching boats of all sizes on the water, this unique attraction is worth checking out.

This is a fun and free activity that draws locals and tourists alike.

There are some great restaurants in the area to check out too!

Check out Fremont’s quirky troll sculpture if you’re in the mood for some Seattle history. It was initially built for the city’s art contest to improve the area around the bridge in 1990. It has an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its left hand!

There’s other great public art in Seattle, but seeing the troll is definitely a unique experience. It’s also close to a weekend market to check out.

The Freemont area has some funky shops and a great vibe! Check it out on a Freemont neighborhood tour !

A trip to Discovery Park is a great way to feel like you’re leaving the bustling city behind without actually exiting city limits.

The park is enormous and takes up the western end of the Magnolia neighborhood.

There are plenty of trails to explore, a lake for fishing, and playgrounds for the kiddos.

It’s also home to the Seattle Aquarium (the photo of the lighthouse above that we saw from the boat tour is the one at Discovery Park).

Georgetown is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Seattle!

The neighborhood has restaurants, cafes, dispensaries, breweries, and bars that give lots of options for unique things to do.

Still, the main action is along Airport Way South. You can browse vintage shops in the area or check out graphic novels at Fantagraphics.

Sweet treats from Matcha Man Ice Cream and Tayaki or pop over to Deep Sea Sugar, and Salt for some of the best cakes and cupcakes in town will be sure to please.

The Great Seattle Fire destroyed many structures in the city in 1889. Because of that, there are underground tunnels that the city rebuilt itself over the old, burned-out husks of shopfronts and sidewalks.

Today, you can explore these underground tunnels through an interesting guided walking tour .

Be prepared–the underground landscape may be challenging to navigate because you’ll find six flights of stairs, uneven terrain, and spotty lighting. An underground tour is definitely a unique thing to do in Seattle!

Pioneer Square is a popular tourist destination and unique area in Seattle.

It’s full of interesting architecture and some of the city’s most eclectic shops and restaurants.

For a creative and unique shopping experience, explore the local art scene, antiquities shops, bookstores, and rug stores within a few blocks radius.

After browsing these establishments, cap off your visit by enjoying a bite to eat and sampling some craft cocktails at one of the neighborhood’s lively craft cocktail bars.

Mount Rainier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington State.

The 14,400-foot volcano in Mount Rainier National Park offers numerous activities such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing.

A hiking trip or guided tour to this unique volcano is one of the most adventurous things to do near Seattle.

Mount Rainier National Park has more than 260 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy.

The park features a variety of wildflower meadows, snowy volcanic precipices, deep verdant forests, and gushing waterfalls. These natural attractions are waiting to be explored by visitors.

Washington State’s most famous (and unique) waterfall is Snoqualmie Falls .

It is a 270-foot waterfall surrounded by a two-acre park with an observation deck, hiking trails, gift shop, and lodge.

This is the state’s most prominent natural water feature and receives more visitors than any other natural site in Washington.

Snoqualmie Falls is a great natural attraction easily accessible from the parking lot. The paved paths make it easy for anyone to explore the falls.

Combine this amazing waterfall with a visit to beautiful wineries and lunch ! We loved it so much that we went back to experience it twice (The photos above and of the wineries below are from the tour).

The name Miner’s Landing came from the gold strike of 1897 when a ship laden with gold and happy miners docked at the pier.

This is a fun area to explore activities in downtown Seattle including the Seattle Great Wheel and Waterfront Park.

During your visit, be sure to stop by one of the restaurants with a Pacific-style menu. The Crab Pot, The Salmon Cooker, and The Fisherman’s Restaurant are all great options.

We visited Ivars Fish Bar and had halibut and chips while feeding their famous seagulls. It was a unique experience because we were so suprised that the seagulls were so calm.

You can’t visit Seattle and NOT visit one of their fantastic seafood restaurants.

For an upscale experience, head to  Elliott’s Oyster House . They have the best happy hour specials, and you must try the Dungeness crab.

For a more casual seafood experience, head to Duke’s Seafood and Chowder.

You can wine and dine on their patio and have fantastic views of the Space Needle and skyline. You must try the clam chowder and sourdough bread.

C hinatown-International District is a bustling district with many restaurants sure to satisfy your hunger.

The smells emanating from the eateries are incredible, and you’re guaranteed to find something you love here. It’s a multi-cultural district with Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese.

A unique thing to do besides experiencing the cuisine is to order bubble tea and take a walk around the neighborhood for some sightseeing!

If you can only make it to a handful of shops, make Uwajimaya a top priority. This enormous Asian grocery store is crammed with imported treats and ready-to-eat meals, from sushi to traditional Japanese candies.

Washington is known for its excellent wine, and Woodinville is a great place to taste it.

It’s about a 30-minute drive from Seattle, and there are more than 100 wineries in the area.

This is a great day-trip and unique thing to do for a little time away from the Seattle city center.

Woodinville Wine Country, the tourism board for the area, offers deals and discounts at area wineries.

You can taste some outstanding wines at DeLille Cellars Tasting Room, Columbia Winery, and Matthews Winery.

We did the small group Snoqualmie Falls and Wine Tasting Tour that picked us up at our hotel in the downtown area of Seattle and it was the highlight of the trip !

The tour was the perfect activity a couple of days before a cruise to Alaska and the experience was great. We even stopped at an Austrian chocolate factory (Boehm’s) on the way back.

Seattle has great public funding for art so it can seem like there is an art sculpture or street art on every block!

Check out some other art installations in the Freemont neighborhood or really everywhere you look in Seattle.

There are some great art sculptures at Seattle Center as well. This is one of our favorite Free unique things to do in Seattle.

The relatively mild climate in Seattle makes it a perfect place to take an epic whale-watching tour .

The peak season is from June through September, but they can also be spotted from May through October.

Some common sightings are orcas, humpback, or minke whales. There are strict regulations so that the tours respect the distance and give the whales their space.

Seattle, like any large city, has areas that are safer than others. Generally, the tourist areas and downtown are safe, but it’s always advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

The best time to visit Seattle is during the summer months, from June to September. The weather is typically warm and sunny, and there’s a lower chance of rain compared to other times of the year. However, even in the rainier months, Seattle offers plenty of indoor activities.

A 3-4 day trip is usually enough to cover the major attractions in Seattle, such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. However, if you plan to explore the city more deeply, including its neighborhoods, parks, and nearby attractions like Mount Rainier, a week might be more suitable. Seattle makes a great pre or post cruise visiting spot!

Some of the must-see attractions in Seattle include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Museum of Pop Culture. Nature lovers shouldn’t miss Discovery Park and Washington Park Arboretum. Foodies will love the city’s world-class seafood restaurants and coffee culture.

Seattle has a comprehensive public transportation system, including buses, light rail, and even ferries. The city is also very walkable, especially in areas like downtown. For destinations further away, rideshare services or rental cars are good options.

• The Fairmont Olympic Hotel – 411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101. This historic hotel, situated in the heart of downtown Seattle, is the epitome of luxury. Built in 1924, the Fairmont Olympic combines timeless elegance with modern amenities. The hotel features spacious rooms, a fitness center, a beautiful indoor pool, and several on-site dining options. Its location is ideal, being close to Pike Place Market and other major attractions.
• Four Seasons Hotel Seattle – 99 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101. The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers a blend of luxury and comfort, with rooms boasting stunning views of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound. This hotel is known for its fantastic customer service, plush bedding, and a rooftop infinity pool. Its prime location puts you steps away from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum.
• The Edgewater Hotel – 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121. The only waterfront hotel in Seattle, The Edgewater offers captivating views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Each room is elegantly furnished with a gas fireplace and a European spa-inspired bathroom. The hotel’s restaurant, Six Seven, serves delicious Pacific Northwest cuisine. Its unique location offers easy access to the downtown area while providing a peaceful retreat.
• Hotel Andra – 2000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121. This boutique hotel, located in the vibrant Belltown district, offers Scandinavian-inspired design and warm hospitality. It’s just a short walk from the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, and numerous restaurants and bars. The hotel’s restaurant, Lola, serves Mediterranean and North African cuisine, and is a local favorite.
• The Inn at the Market – 86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101. This boutique hotel offers an intimate, tranquil retreat right in the heart of Pike Place Market. Rooms feature chic decor and offer views of Pike Place Market, the cityscape, or Puget Sound. Guests can enjoy the rooftop deck, perfect for watching the sunset over the water. Its unparalleled location provides direct access to the vibrant market, downtown shopping, and many of Seattle’s best restaurants.

There is always something fun and worthwhile to do in Seattle.

Whether exploring the bustling cityscape or taking a hike in the nearby forest, there is always something interesting waiting for you.

Whether it is your first time visiting Seattle or if you’ve been many times, these unique things are fun activities to do when you’re in town.

It’s also great to fit a few in before and after an Alaska cruise that leaves from the port in Seattle.

Have you tried any of our favorite things to do in Seattle or do you have other favorites? Drop us a line and let us know!

Other Travel Resources

We were mentioned as a local  Seattle, WA  expert on the Redfin blog! Check out the article we were featured in:  Uncover the Best of Seattle: The Ultimate Seattle Bucket List

If you are planning a Seattle vacation, make sure to check out our 9 travel tips article to help with planning.

Victoria, British Columbia is a great weekend trip idea and is easy to get to from Seattle!

We have an article on some great hiking spots in Arkansas if Mt. Ranier seems intimidating or if you love hiking!

• Most Beautiful Wineries in Napa Valley Top 15 You Must Visit
• What’s your travel style?
• Quick Weekend Trip Destination Ideas
• Best Craft Cocktails in Orlando and Where to Find Them
• The Club MSY Airport Lounge Review
• Local Seattle Bucket List

1 thought on “20 Unique Things to do in Seattle, WA.”

I’ve done quite a few of those. Now, I need to plan another visit.

Comments are closed.

• Nation & World

Summer’s most popular destinations, according to Google

Spring may have just started, but it’s not too early to start planning for this year’s busy summer travel season, especially if you want to make sure your preferred flights and hotels don’t sell out. But maybe you haven’t yet settled on a destination, whether you’re seeking a desirable spot on U.S. soil or are in search of something overseas.

Perhaps you’re in need of a little inspiration or you’d just like to know where everyone else is headed so you can avoid encountering big crowds. In either case, you’ll benefit from hearing about 2024’s most searched-for summer travel destinations, according to Google Flights data. To inform its rankings, Google compiled the number of searches by U.S. users for each destination with travel dates from June 1 to Aug. 31.

Some of Google Flights’ top 20 are the usual contenders, although there are a few surprises thrown into the mix. London appears to be the top choice among U.S. travelers this summer, with Paris right on its heels in second place. This should come as no surprise, seeing as the Paris Olympics are right around the corner.

In third place comes Tokyo, rising up from eighth position on last year’s list, followed by Rome in fourth and New York City in fifth. Cancún, a perennial warm-weather favorite among Americans, fell from second place on the 2023 list to sixth place this year. The 2024 list also welcomes newcomers Madrid and San Juan, which took spots 18 and 20, respectively.

Several more popular domestic destinations made it into the top 20, including Boston, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and Seattle, although this year saw Chicago and San Francisco drop off the list.

Google Flights also shared with The Points Guy its rankings for the top five most searched-for global destinations when it came to a few niche market segments: couples, families and solo travelers. Interestingly, Turks and Caicos was the one place that made it into the top five in all three categories.

Here are all the rankings:

Google Flights top 20 summer destinations

• Cancún, Mexico
• Orlando, Florida
• Athens, Greece
• Los Angeles
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• San Juan, Puerto Rico

Summer’s top destinations for couples

• Turks and Caicos
• The Poconos, Pennsylvania
• The Maldives
• Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Summer’s top destinations for families

• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Summer’s top destinations for solo travelers

• Bali, Indonesia
• Acadia National Park, Maine

Most Read Life Stories

• In-N-Out is coming to Southwest Washington in 2025
• Dim sum hot spot Sun Sui Wah opens in Bellevue
• Manolin, Machiavelli and more recent restaurant closures around Seattle
• Chipotle to pay $2.9 million for alleged Seattle wage violations
• 3 great spots for lunch in Tacoma’s Lincoln International District

Google Flights reveals top summer travel destinations of 2024

Tips for booking airline trips.

Brian Kelly, Found of The Points Guy, shares important tips for anyone looking to fly.

Are you looking to book a vacation this summer? 

Google Flights has revealed the top searches on its platform by people in the U.S. who are looking to travel between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2024.

Check out the full list below and some popular recommendations for each.

Top Summer 2024 destinations on Google Flights

Apparently, London is calling.

The most searched destination on Google Flights for summer 2024 is at the ready. 

Along with arts and culture aplenty, shop ‘til you drop in the land of Big Ben on Sloane Street.

Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as the Big Ben. (Credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

This drag in the Knightsbridge neighborhood has the famed department store Harrods, along with the city’s flagship Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani and more. 

FROM FLORIDA TO WASHINGTON, BRAND NEW HOTELS IN AMERICA TO CHECK OUT IN 2024

Post up at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah. Where you can also experience an afternoon tea and enjoy access to private Cadogan Gardens with tennis courts. 

This year, it’s Google Flights' number two most-searched-for destinations for summer 2024 is Paris, likely thanks to the Olympics taking place there in July and August. 

To get to the City of Light, you might want to consider booking on a smart-cost long-haul airline like French bee, which also offers flight and train packages if you want to say, "Cheers" in Champagne and clink Cabernet Sauvignon glasses in Bordeaux.

VACATION DESTINATIONS ARE OFTEN CHOSEN FROM POPULAR BOOKS ON THE SHELF, STUDY SAYS: SEE IF YOU'VE READ THESE

In Paris, consider making your stomping grounds the InterContinental Paris Le Grand or Kimpton St Honoré Paris, both veritable jewels in this romantic city.

Last year, the cherry blossom season in Japan reportedly brought in the highest number of travelers since the country re-opened its borders to travelers following the coronavirus pandemic. 

But Tokyo is just as exciting and vibrant in the summer, where you can visit Imperial Palace, the primary resident of the Emperor of Japan in tranquil park-like environs; scope out the Kanda Myojin, a shrine created some 1,270 years ago; partake in a traditional tea experience and much, much more. 

Call it a night at Hoshinoya Tokyo, which bills itself as a "high-rise ryokan." (A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese Inn.)

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC REVEALS ITS 20 ‘BEST OF THE WORLD’ ADVENTURES TO CHECK OUT IN 2024

In Rome, travelers may plan on stuffing themselves with spaghetti and gelato.

You’re also at one of the world’s cultural capitals. 

Here, you may want to visit the Palazzo Massimo (National Museum of Rome), which has great Classical sculptures and art, the Capitoline Museums atop Capitoline Hill and the Ara Pacis Museum, which is designed by the architect Richard Meier. 

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY APP LETS YOU BOOK EXCLUSIVE HOTEL AMENITIES MINUS THE OVERNIGHT STAY 

Consider reserving plenty of time for the Borghese Gallery, tucked inside the serene Borghese Gardens, which has some of the most spectacular surviving Bernini sculptures around, including his "Apollo and Daphne."

To up your cultural ante, head to the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, a private art collection in the ornate Palazzo Doria Pamphilj and the National Museum of the Palazzo di Venezia, a Renaissance-era palace with bucolic gardens and a museum. 

5. New York

Whether you fly into LaGuardia Airport or John F. Kennedy International in New York or Newark Liberty International Airport in neighboring New Jersey, some say there’s no place like New York. 

There’s no shortage of things to do here, but some suggest the newly-launched Ghostbusters Guide to NYC (NYCTourism.com/Ghostbusters) in partnership with Sony Pictures on the recent debut of, "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?"

Consider staying at the Plaza Hotel and round out your NYC experience with the property’s famed afternoon tea in the magnificent Palm Court. 

TAX RETURN TOURISM: BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL USING THE MONEY YOU GET BACK 

For something more budget-friendly, try the Moxy NYC Times Square or the Freehand New York in the Flatiron District.

You may decide to plop down at Waldorf Astoria Cancun or Hilton Cancun, at this beach destination in Mexico that lands on Google Flights' number six spot.

At the Waldorf Astoria Cancun, you’re in an oasis of mangroves that's located 15 minutes from Cancun International Airport.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC RANKS TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR NEW 'WORTH A TRIP' SERIES: HERE ARE THE TOP SPOTS IN THE US

If you choose, you could also settle into all-inclusive mode at Hilton Cancun, which boasts 12 dining experiences, nightly activities and a kids' club and teen zone, according to Google Flights.

Whether you’re venturing to Orlando for Walt Disney World or zooming through the headwaters of the Florida Everglades on an airboat tour, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in these parts. 

Catch shut-eye at Evermore Orlando Resort, a new $1.5 billion luxury resort that opened this year and brings a dreamy, man-made beach to the landlocked city.

8. Las Vegas

The biggest draw in Sin City these days seems to be the Sphere, a high-tech, dome-shaped entertainment venue that opened in 2023. 

But arguably, Vegas wouldn’t be Vegas without living it up on The Strip. 

To do that, you may want to stay at the pyramid-shaped Luxor, where you can catch the Blue Man Group performing or people-watch at the outdoor pool.

There’s also the Play Playground, an adults-only hub that is brimming with fun physical games, team games, puzzles and more. 

5 TIPS FOR FAMILY TRAVEL THAT COULD MAKE THE EXPERIENCE HAPPIER, HEALTHIER AND MUCH MORE MEMORABLE

Or, set up shop at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, which has a five-acre pool, a spa and TAO Beach Dayclub. 

Seattle is a city of many wonders. 

The home of Starbucks and Amazon, stroll around the Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Pop Culture or Chihuly Garden and Glass located next to the Space Needle at Seattle Center. 

Or, enjoy more active hiking at the Burke-Gilman Trail, the Seward Park outer loop, or the Snow Lake Trail, less than an hour away from downtown Seattle.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Plus, Seattle really shines in the summer thanks to its gorgeous weather, waterfront happenings and walks along the Puget Sound, and Pike Place Market’s outdoor dining coming to life.  

Sneaking into the top 10 is Greece’s largest and capital city.

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH), you’re likely going to be hungry. 

Though you’d be hard-pressed to find a meal that doesn’t dazzle your taste buds, some options include Volvi Souvlaki for its affordable and souvlaki (meat skewers) and gyros (souvlaki stuffed in pita with accouterments like tomatoes, onion and tzatziki), Stone Athens for seafood and Acropolis scenic vistas and Abibayio for delectable Greek fare. 

You may want to visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon, so try a pit-stop at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, in less touristy Kallithea and then cross the bridge and browse the eateries and boutiques along the pier. 

Find more updates on this story at FOXBusiness.com.

• 1-877-932-4259
• My Account Hello Credits My Account Log out

Holland America Line Enhances Entertainment with New Productions, Music Lineup and Destination-Specific Performances

New headliner shows anchor an expanded slate of entertainment offerings fleetwide

Seattle, Wash., April 11, 2024 — Holland America Line is adding to its award-winning entertainment lineup with the introduction of several new mainstage experiences in 2024. Four new shows will put a fresh spin on the classic cruise production format. Additional new productions tailored to various regions will provide a variety of performances focusing on the local culture where ships are cruising.

Beyond the mainstage, Holland America Line is adding Rolling Stone Lounge to more ships and enhancing its popular Billboard Onboard music experience.

“Over the past several years we’ve built one of the strongest entertainment experiences at sea, working with world-class musicians and dancers,” said Bill Prince, vice president of entertainment and enrichment. “Adding these new theater experiences continues to build on our momentum.”

Beginning in February 2024, the cruise line is set to debut four shows reuniting singing and dancing in a new mainstage experience. These concert-style productions are fronted by three multi-talented headliners, who will be supported by an ensemble of singers and dancers.

The new shows are:

·         “Song & Dance”: Set on a studio backlot, two leading men front a concert of musical numbers from Broadway, Hollywood and more.

·         “Class Act”: Las Vegas goes to sea in this elaborate production, celebrating iconic female performers of the concert and nightclub stage.

·         “All That!”: Be a part of our studio audience as we present our take on the classic TV variety shows of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Headliners share the spotlight combining singing, dancing and a bit of comedy.

·         “Hey, Mr. DJ”: Iconic radio DJs introduce songs from the ’60s through today in this concert of pop hits. 

These new shows will be the anchor for entertainment programming. They debuted on Eurodam in February 2024, followed by Rotterdam, Zuiderdam and Nieuw Statendam by the end of June with more ships to follow.

Complementing the new shows on the mainstage, Holland America Line is featuring productions specific to each region so guests will experience a different lineup when they cruise in Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, South America and other areas around the world.

Unique Programming for Specific Regions

Caribbean cruises on Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam will feature the unique orchestral steel drum concerts of Island Magic playing a versatile repertoire ranging from traditional island sounds to unique versions of classical and pop songs. Cruises to Canada and New England on Volendam and Zuiderdam will introduce the new show Breton Thunder , an authentic Nova Scotia music experience highlighting the area’s European roots. Sailings on Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam in Europe will feature classical string music with the Chordial Chamber Trio and Pantheon , a dynamic group of European tenors .

Alaska cruises will continue to feature the elite members of the Step One Dance Company, who blend innovative choreography with artistic video projection to create truly immersive experiences. Major Fourth will also take the stage with four singers delivering impactful harmonies that cover all genres and decades. Sailings in Alaska will also feature a new program called Destination: Alaska . This show is aimed at getting guests excited about the destination and will highlight shore excursions they can book to make the most of their cruise.

Rolling Stone Lounge , which showcases a seven-piece band playing everything from rock to pop to R&B, was added to Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam in December 2023. The music venue has already been a staple on board Noordam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam and Westerdam. Billboard Onboard will embrace an updated piano bar concept through the lens of Billboard’s chart-topping hits, with a different music theme each evening. B.B. King’s Blues Club continues to be the centerpiece of the music scene on Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam. Meanwhile, a live, classical music trio will be featured on select European voyages on the mainstage, and on Grand and Legendary Voyages in the Explorer’s Lounge.

Entertainment offerings vary by ship depending on the length of the cruise and destination of the ship.