Seattle is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the US, full of breathtaking natural beauty and home to a bustling arts and cultural scene, there’s truly something for everyone. From gorgeous views of Mount Rainier and spectacular sunsets over Elliott Bay, to sightseeing adventures on Lake Union and shopping at Pike Place Market, there’s no shortage of amazing things for you to experience in this beautiful Pacific Northwest city. In fact, there are so many things to do in Seattle that it’s almost overwhelming figuring out where to begin! When we lived in Seattle, we had the opportunity to thoroughly explore numerous neighborhoods, parks, restaurants, and attractions. From famous attractions to hidden gems, we’ve compiled a list of the 40 best things to do in the Emerald City!
Discovery Park
Discovery Park, the largest park in Seattle, lines the shores of the Puget Sound and is a wonderful combination of dense forests, sandy beaches, open prairies, and steep bluffs overlooking the Puget Sound. The panoramic views and solitude found along the 12-miles of hiking trails within Discovery Park, make it hard to believe that you’re still within Seattle city limits!
Hike the Discovery Loop Trail to the South Beach Trail to visit the West Point Lighthouse. This picturesque lighthouse, situated at the westernmost point of the city, provides unobstructed views across Puget Sound complemented by a mountainous backdrop with Mt. Rainier to the west and the Olympic Mountains to the east.
Keep your eyes out for harbor seals and sea lions frolicking in the waves as you enjoy the spectacular view of the sunset sinking behind the Olympic Mountains!
Museum of Pop Culture
At the foot of the Space Needle sits a museum like no other, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). MoPOP is a museum dedicated to celebrating pop culture with dozens of exhibits and interactive experiences. Exhibits cover a wide range of interests, from the art of fantasy, horror, and science fiction film, television, and literature to visual histories of hip-hop, punk, and rock and roll music. Practice your DJ skills or rock out with electric guitars, drums, and more in front of a virtual audience in the Sound Lab, peruse a massive collection of artifacts, including personal instruments, handwritten lyrics, and original photographs in exhibits dedicated to Seattle-natives Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana, or peruse the Guitar Gallery, including a giant guitar sculpture made of more than 500 guitars. However you choose to spend your time at MoPOP, you’re sure to be left in awe!
Tip: The Seattle Public Library offers library members free tickets to several museums in the area, including MoPOP and the Seattle Aquarium. You can reserve your free tickets here! For non-library members, consider purchasing a CityPASS to get discounted admission to several museums and top Seattle attractions!
Space Needle
When in Seattle! Built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, the Space Needle soars 520 feet above the city and is one of the most prominent landmarks in the Seattle skyline. Measure up the Space Needle in Seattle Center Park as you gaze up at the massive tower, or splurge for a ticket to go up to the top! You can also get a discounted ticket through CityPass if you plan to visit other popular ticketed attractions in Seattle.
The top observation deck is open air and has glass walls for 360-degree unobstructed views of Puget Sound and the city below. One floor below the observation deck is The Loupe, the world’s first rotating glass floor, allowing visitors to gaze down beneath their feet at the park below.
Kerry Park
Located on Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park is a small but remarkable park renowned for offering breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline. It attracts photographers from far and wide on clear days who seek to capture the iconic cityscape, with the majestic Mount Rainier serving as a magnificent backdrop.
For fans of Grey’s Anatomy, a must-see destination is the “intern’s house,” prominently featured throughout the show, just a block away at 303 W Comstock Street.
Root for the Home Team
If you’ve heard of “The Twelfth Man”, then you already know that Seattleites are devout supporters of their home team. With several stadiums right in the downtown area, there are plenty of opportunities to live like a local, and root for the home team! Feel the roar of the crowd at Lumen Stadium as you cheer on the Seahawks or the Sounders, take in views of the skyline at T-Mobile Park as you root for the Mariners, or head to Climate Pledge Arena to watch Seattle’s newest team, the Seattle Kraken, as they compete at the base of the Space Needle!
To truly live like a local, head to Dick’s after the game for a celebratory burger…you can thank us later! ๐
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Seattle is known for having a multitude of glass artists, the most prominent among them, is Washington native, Dale Chihuly, who is world renowned for his colorful and elaborate glass art installations. The Chihuly Garden and Glass museum showcases Chihuly’s masterpieces, featuring hundreds of glass sculptures of varying degrees of color and complexity. There is a beautiful four story glass house which serves as a stunning backdrop to take in the colorful works, or enjoy a meal at the restaurant located inside as you marvel at the vibrant sculptures overhead.
Note: The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum is also included in CityPass!
Underground Tour
In 1889, the Great Seattle Fire burned most of the city to the ground – when rebuilding the city, Seattle built on top of the remnants of old buildings and alleyways. Under the city streets of Pioneer Square, the remnants of the former city are still intact and the Seattle Underground Tour is the only way to wander through the underground city. The tours include a comical narration of the city’s history, and are an absolute must-do for history buffs, and even for non-history buffs, the tour is equally entertaining!
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
We aren’t big coffee drinkers, so this wasn’t a big one on our list, but it’s all the craze among Starbucks lovers! The roastery is where master roasters hone their craft and concoct some of Starbucks’ most rare coffees. It’s also one of the only places in the world you can get a fresh cup of Starbucks coffee a few minutes after it’s roasted. The 15,000 square foot facility roasts all its beans in house and offers a huge selection of rare blends to try, so go ahead and order a coffee flight tasting to try Starbucks like you never have before!
Seattle Spheres
The Seattle Spheres are two giant glass dome botanic gardens, that are filled with more than 40,000 plants from the cloud forest regions of over 30 countries. Built by Amazon, the spheres are intended to be an office space that fosters a connection to the natural world. The office space is so beautiful, that it has become a popular destination in the city to view unique plants from around the world. You can visit the Seattle Spheres for free the first and third Saturday of each month, and can make a reservation up to 15 days in advance.
Elliott Bay Trail
The Elliott Bay Trail is a scattered collection of paved trail segments running along the Puget Sound, from Lumen Field in the south, to Smith Cove in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood. Combined, the trail makes up about 7-miles total, with the best section of the trail starting right at Olympic Sculpture Park headed north through Myrtle Edwards Park. There are always plenty of electric bikes and scooters available to rent right in front of Olympic Sculpture Park, or you can simply run or walk the trail for wide-open views of the sound! Stop at Pocket Beach to enjoy the sound of waves tumbling pebbles onto the shore while taking in views of the Space Needle overhead!
Museum of Flight
Okay, so technically, the Museum of Flight is located in Everett, but if you are geeks about all things travel like us, then it is worth the Uber! Sign-up for the 90-minute Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing tour that covers the history and future of flight and includes entry to the Boeing factory. You get to go behind the scenes and see where Boeing aircraft is made and tested. Go ahead and fulfill your childhood fantasy of becoming a pilot, as you step into the Boeing cockpit!
Tip: The Museum of Flight offers free entry on the first Thursday of each month!
Ride the Ferry to Bainbridge Island
Heading out on the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island is an experience like no other. Whether you’re visiting for the day or planning a longer stay, the stunning views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains make it worth it. Along the way, you’ll be able to spot some of Seattle’s famous landmarks including Mt. Rainier, the Space Needle and in the distance, Orcas Island. Once on Bainbridge Island, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking trails, kayaking and beachcombing. With its charming downtown streets, food stops offering delicious local cuisine and breathtaking views of Elliott Bay, Bainbridge Island is definitely worth a visit when traveling to Seattle!
Ferries regularly depart from Alaskan Way (right near Pike Place Market) to Bainbridge Island and other nearby islands, you can check the schedule here.
Hot Tub Boat on Lake Union
Experience the breathtaking Seattle skyline while soaking in a hot tub situated in the heart of Lake Union! Both Lake Union Hot Tub Boats and Hot Tub Boats provide rentals of 6-person hot tub boats, allowing you the freedom to navigate throughout the lake. Witness seaplanes gracefully landing on the water nearby, admire the captivating sights of Gas Works Park and the charming houseboats in proximity, or anchor your boat in the center of the lake for an up-close encounter with the magnificent Space Needle!
Smith Tower
Everyone has heard of the Space Needle, and tourists eagerly flock to its’ observation deck. However, there is a lesser known observation deck in Seattle that is equally as stunning, and is a fraction of the cost. Smith Tower Observatory offers breathtaking, 360-degree views of Seattle from an open-air viewing deck, that is accessed on one of the only Otis, man-operated elevators remaining today! The elevator attendant is decked out in a period appropriate costume making you feel like you’ve stepped into the past. After taking in the views from the top, grab a drink at The Lookout, Smith Tower’s rooftop bar on the 22nd floor!
Go Whale Watching
The Puget Sound is home to 72 resident orcas, making Seattle’s surrounding waterways one of the most popular places for whale watching in the United States! Though orcas can be seen in Seattle year-round, the best time to spot them is between May and September when they are hunting the salmon that are active in the area. In addition to orcas, you can also spot humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales, harbor seals, sea lions, dolphins, and a variety of birds. Reserve a whale watching tour with FRS Clipper, departing directly from Pier 69 in downtown Seattle, where the company goes as far as offering a guarantee of whale sightings or your trip is free!
Brewery Crawl
Seattleites love their craft beer and they are darn good at making it! Did you know that the city of Seattle has the third highest number of breweries in America? With over 153 breweries in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, and more than 60 in Seattle proper, you can’t visit Seattle without trying at least one! Washington Beer Blog provides a helpful map that lists all of the breweries in the area, making it easy to plan your own brewery crawl.
For an enjoyable experience, I suggest visiting Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, known for its cluster of breweries conveniently situated within a short walking distance of each other, allowing for convenient strolls from one brewery to the next. Some of our personal favorites are Stoup Brewing, Fremont Brewing, Reuben’s Brews, Cloudburst Brewing, and if you love sours like I do, Great Notion Brewing.
Seattle Great Wheel
Experience the thrill of riding the iconic Seattle Great Wheel! Situated on Pier 57, the Great Wheel offers breathtaking views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay from a height of 175 feet. Once you reach the pinnacle, you’ll be treated to captivating vistas of the city skyline and bustling shopping districts, including the renowned Pike Place Market below. Don’t pass up the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Seattle’s most beloved attractions! And if you’re in the mood for an indulgence, you can even enjoy a four-course meal during your ride!
Waterfall Garden Park
Where else can you see a beautiful waterfall in the middle of a bustling city? Waterfall Garden Park, complete with a 22-foot artificial waterfall, is a hidden oasis tucked right in the middle of the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood. Rest your feet for a bit while taking in the views of the falls in this hidden gem of a park!
Sip Your Way Through Wine Country
We all know of Napa and Sonoma, but you might be surprised to discover that Washington state boasts its own wine country, with over 1,000 wineries! Just 20 miles from downtown Seattle, the town of Woodinville is the home to over 100 wineries and tasting rooms! Among those, Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington’s oldest and most celebrated, enjoy a tasting in the French-style mansion or grab a glass to sip on as you wander the gorgeous, 105-acre property. If you visit during the summer, you can even enjoy the outdoor concert series hosted by Chateau Ste. Michelle!
Pioneer Square Art Walk
Every first Thursday of the month, Seattle’s historic, Pioneer Square neighborhood welcomes visitors to enjoy the numerous esteemed galleries, working artist studios, and exhibition spaces that line the streets here. In addition to free entry to the galleries, they even offer free parking when attending the event. First Thursday Art Walk started in 1981 and was the very first art walk in the United States, and continues to thrive and bring the community together to enjoy the incredibly talented and artsy neighborhood that is, Pioneer Square.
To enjoy free parking during the event, you’ll need to park in one of the three parking garages listed below, and grab a parking voucher from one of the galleries that you visit!
Butler Garage at 114 James Street
Frye Garage at 117 3rd Avenue South
450 Alaskan Way Garage
Sail Lake Union (For free!)
As part of its mission to provide access to maritime heritage, The Center for Wooden Boats offers free sailboat rides on Lake Union. Once a month, they host Public Sail, during which volunteer skippers and crew members take passengers on a free 45-minute to 1-hour ride on the lake. From the water, you can enjoy scenic views of the Space Needle, Gas Works Park, and the charming houseboat community on Lake Union.
The Center for Wooden Boats also offers the Public Peadpod Program, where you have the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary one-hour rowboat rental on designated days. To secure your free rental, simply visit The Center for Wooden Boats’ online reservation system.
Ballard Locks
The Ballard Locks, also referred to as the Ballard Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, serve as a crucial connection between the Puget Sound, Lake Union, and Lake Washington. To accommodate variations in water levels, all vessels are required to pass through these locks, which effectively raise or lower the water within, ensuring safe passage for boats. Witness the ingenious engineering at work as boats gracefully navigate through the locks, then, walk across the bridge to the fish ladder to watch migrating salmon jumping through the ladder. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for playful harbor seals and sea lions as they hunt the migrating salmon!
Note: The best time to see migrating salmon is from June through September!
Seattle Aquarium
Located on the Puget Sound, and across from Pike Place Market, Seattle Aquarium is easy to access, and is honestly one of the best aquariums that we have visited! The aquarium features numerous species native to the Pacific Northwest, giving you a glimpse into the water that lies beneath your feet. We especially love how interactive the aquarium is, allowing visitors to touch starfish, sea anemones, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the species of sea urchins and anemones found in the Pacific Northwest are not poisonous to humans? Yeah, I learned that too…so touch away!
Tip: The Seattle Public Library offers free tickets for library members, to several museums in the area, including MoPOP and the Seattle Aquarium. You can reserve your free tickets here! For non-library members, purchase a CityPASS to gain discounted admission to several museums and top Seattle attractions!
Beach Bonfire
The best thing about Seattle, is that you don’t have to choose between nature and city-life, they have the perfect blend of both! So eat and shop your way through downtown, then finish the day with a bonfire on the beach! Alki Beach in West Seattle, and Golden Gardens in Ballard, both have free first-come, first-served beach fire-pits available for use starting at 4 PM. Grab your friends, and some firewood, and relax by the fire as you watch sea lions bob in the waves as the sun sinks behind the distant Olympic mountains! You’ll quickly discover why this is one of our favorite Friday night spots!
Note: We never had an issue getting a fire-pit, but have heard that the fire-pits can be claimed fairly quickly in the summertime, so get there early!
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is one of Seattle’s most popular attractions, and for good reason! This public market has so many unique things to enjoy, from ostrich eggs for sale to the iconic “flying salmon”, you will never run out of things to see and do here! Buy a gorgeous, and shockingly cheap, bouquet of flowers, explore the vendor tables selling their craft, and sample some of the delicious foods offered at the market.
With a wide variety of cuisines available at the market, and honestly some of the best food in Seattle, this is the perfect place to stop and grab something to eat. I highly recommend trying a curry beef hom bow from Mee Sum Pastry and a Russian pastry from Piroshky Piroshky!
Be sure to walk out to the deck on the back-side of the market to take in sweeping views of Puget Sound and towering Mount Rainier in the distance!
Gas Works Park
Looking straight across Lake Union and onto the Space Needle, Gas Works Park offers superb views of the city skyline! This industrial plant, turned park, is the perfect place to soak up a sunny, Seattle day while watching sea-planes take-off, and land, on Lake Union.
Fremont Troll
If you enjoy quirky art installations, then the Fremont Troll is a must see! In true troll fashion, the Fremont Troll lives beneath a bridge in the Fremont neighborhood. The sculpture was originally constructed as part of an art competition, aiming to clean-up the area under the bridge, but has since become a Seattle icon. You can find the troll hiding under the north end of the Aurora Avenue Bridge.
Seattle Gum Wall
Seattle has no shortage of quirky photo ops, and the Seattle Gum Wall is no exception! Located in Post Alley just below Pike Place Market, the Seattle Gum Wall is a brick wall covered in thousands of pieces of chewed bubble gum! Grab a stick of your favorite gum, and leave your mark on Seattle by adding a piece to the gross, yet oddly beautiful collection!
Olympic Sculpture Park
Nestled along the waterfront adjacent to Myrtle Edwards Park, Olympic Sculpture Park provides visitors with breathtaking vistas of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. This free sculpture garden showcases an impressive collection of artwork by local, regional, and international artists. With its large scale installations and iconic works like Alexander Calder’s Eagle sculpture, it’s easy to spend an afternoon walking the trails, admiring the sculptures or simply enjoying time outdoors.
Seattle Public Library
Seattle Public Library is the perfect place to escape on one of Seattle’s notoriously rainy days! The 11-story library is an architectural marvel, complete with an innovative “Books Spiral” on the top floors. With 11-stories worth of space, there is no shortage of cozy spots to snuggle up with a good book!
Pier 66
Stroll to the end of Pier 66 for an epic view of the skyscraper-lined Elliott Bay, and the Seattle Great Wheel in full display. This view is especially epic at night when the skyline is ablaze with lights!
This lively pier also serves as a departure point for various harbor cruises and ferry rides, allowing you to explore the surrounding waterways and witness the city from a different perspective.
Seattle Center
Size-up the 600-foot Space Needle in Seattle Center. Find a grassy spot in the open field and marvel up at the needle’s sheer height, then explore all that the park has to offer. Catch a light show at the International Fountain Mall (think Bellagio Fountains of Seattle), or enjoy one of the several free concerts hosted in the park throughout the year! You can even participate in free yoga classes during certain times of the year. You can check the calendar of events here.
If you’re traveling with kids, then don’t miss the Artists at Play Plaza and Playground. Heck, even if you don’t have kids with you, it’s still worth a visit, this playground is epic!
Woodland Park Zoo Rose Garden
With over 200 different varieties of roses, the Woodland Park Zoo Rose Garden is filled with color and the glorious aroma of roses! Though the zoo itself charges admission, the 2.5 acre rose garden is completely free. The garden is open year-round, but it’s best to visit when the garden is in full bloom between May and August.
Take a hike!
Have I already mentioned that Seattle has tons of outdoor activities? Well, I meant it! From wooded trails set among snow-capped peaks to emerald lakes surrounded by lush evergreens, there’s no shortage of stunning hikes to experience, all within a short drive from the city centre. Whether you’re looking for a challenging climb up Mount Si or a leisurely stroll through Discovery Park, there’s something for everyone when it comes to enjoying the outdoors in Seattle! So if you’re visiting and want to get the most out of your trip, be sure to pack your hiking boots!
Washington Park Arboretum
Located on the shores of Lake Washington, this 230-acre urban oasis features lush gardens, winding paths, and tranquil streams, making it the perfect setting for a peaceful walk or bike ride. With over 6-miles of trails, visitors can explore all types of habitats including meadows, wetlands, coniferous and deciduous forests, featuring plants from around the world. So if you’re looking to experience some of Seattle’s natural beauty, the Washington Park Arboretum is definitely worth a visit! In the spring, be sure to view the vibrant azalea blooms and rhododendrons found along the Azalea Way trail!
Green Lake
Green Lake is a neighborhood in Seattle, that is centered around the lake from which it derived its name, Green Lake. With a 2.8-mile path winding around the lake’s edge, visitors can explore lush wetlands and peaceful woodlands while taking in stunning views of distant snow-capped mountains, serene meadows and historic bridges. The lake is also home to plenty of local wildlife including ducks, herons and bald eagles. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a more intense workout, Green Lake is the perfect place to get active on a sunny day!
After working up an appetite, head across the street for lunch at the popular, and incredibly delicious, Bongos!
Volunteer Park Conservatory
The Volunteer Park Conservatory is a tranquil oasis located in the center of Seattle that has remained virtually unchanged since its establishment in 1912. Built in the style of a Victorian greenhouse, visitors can explore this stunning botanical garden which contains several different rooms featuring various species of plants from around the world. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing way to spend an afternoon or seeking inspiration for your next gardening project, a visit to the Volunteer Park Conservatory is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.
Admission is usually $4/adult, but you can snag free admission on the first Thursday and Saturday of each month!
Frye Art Museum
Frye Art Museum, located in the heart of Seattle, is a free-admission art museum showcasing the collection of Charles and Emma Frye. Founded on a mission to preserve and display art that inspires ideas and encourages thoughtful conversations, this unique museum features an expansive collection of American and European painting from the 19th and 20th centuries. With rotating exhibitions and a variety of educational programs, visitors can take advantage of interactive experiences that explore topics such as art history, visual culture, contemporary issues and more. Whether you’re looking to admire timeless masterpieces or learn more about the creative process involved in making art, you’ll find something to pique your interest at the Frye Art Museum!
Silent Reading Party
On the first and third Wednesday of each month, the Sorrento Hotel hosts a unique event called the Silent Reading Party. At this gathering, participants are invited to bring a book and spend an hour in quiet, uninterrupted reading, accompanied by candlelight and gentle music as servers offer drinks and snacks for purchase. Whether you’re looking for a creative escape from your busy life or looking to connect with other literary enthusiasts, the Silent Reading Party is the perfect place to enjoy some much-needed relaxation!
Note: The Silent Reading Party at the Sorrento Hotel has grown in popularity over the past few years, prompting the need for tickets to be reserved in advance. You can purchase a ticket on the Sorrento Hotel Events page.
Visit a Game Board Cafe
Seattle is home to several board game cafes where you can rent games from the store’s collection and play them in store. Of these, Mox Boarding House is a local favorite that is the hub for tabletop games. This board game cafe has a “game library” with over 400 different games to choose from! Catan? Code Names? Sequence? They have it all! They also have a full menu and beers on tap to keep you fueled throughout your gaming, so grab a table and settle in!
Meeples Games is another popular option to check-out!
