Exploring Seattle: A Guide to the Top Things to Do
Seattle is one of the most beautifully located cities in the United States, thanks to its views of Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The area is popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts and boasts fantastic hiking, kayaking, cycling, and rock climbing. In recent years the city has become a foodie destination thanks to the many shops and restaurants of Pikes Place Market. The most famous culinary item to come out of Seattle would be their particular brand of coffee shops.
01 Stroll through Seattle's Waterfront
This scenic stroll is a can't-miss for visitors of every interest. Explore 20 piers filled to the brim with premium shops, attractions, and some of the freshest seafood in the Northwest. Each pier is completely one-of-a-kind, so there's always something new to discover. Ride the Seattle Great Wheel to experience panoramic views of Puget Sound from the air, or take a ferry cruise to enjoy whale watching along the coast. Sip local microbrews at eclectic restaurants and bars, shop your heart out at Pike Place Market, or visit the world-famous Seattle Aquarium to get an up-close glimpse of aquatic life.
02 Visit the iconic Gum Wall
Standing 8 feet tall and 54 feet wide, Seattle's iconic gum wall is covered in a whopping 250,000+ pieces of gum, according to Unexpected Productions. Performers from this group, which is Seattle's oldest improvisational theater company, started the wall back in the 1990s, and the trend continues to this day. It may be located down an unassuming alleyway, but this astounding collection of chewable treats is so quintessentially Seattle that you won't find anything else quite like it. Instagram opportunities abound, and don't forget to leave your own chewy mark on this iconic attraction!
03 Take a coffee tour
Coffee lovers rejoice — Emerald City takes its reputation as a caffeine capital seriously, delivering dozens of innovative tours around town. You'll explore world-renowned roasteries, cafes, and historical attractions along the way, such as the legendary venues that started the city's grunge scene. Go behind the scenes of the roasting process and learn what goes into your favorite blends from the industry's top names. Visit a plethora of innovative coffee shops and sample some of the world's best beans, all while learning more about the history, counterculture, and the impact of this caffeinated beverage around the world.
04 Explore the underground city
Discover Seattle's own version of Pompeii buried deep beneath the city. Guided tours through Seattle's underground explain its unique story as you'll explore a network of ruins destroyed and buried after an 1889 fire. Storefronts and preserved buildings are clearly visible, giving you a glimpse into the city's past during the Yukon Gold Rush when over 100,000 people passed through Seattle. Experienced tour guides tell tall tales of times long past, while the savory Doc Maynard's Public House keeps your hunger cravings covered.
05 Hike up Rattlesnake Ledge
Capture panoramic views of Mount Washington from this scenic spot, which reaches an elevation of over 2,000 feet at its highest point. The forested trail is well-maintained and relatively busy, making it doable for adventurers of every ability level. Not only can you admire striking flora and fauna along the way, but you'll spot eye-catching views of the Cedar River, Rattlesnake Lake, and Mount Si deep into the distance. This is one hike you don't want to miss.
06 Check out the Space Needle
The is the first thing that comes to mind when most people think about Seattle. It was built in 1962 as part of the World's Fair, and since that day, over 2 million people have traveled to the top of the tower to take in the views. If you want to spend time enjoying the views of the mountains and the Olympic Peninsula, have a meal at the Sky Restaurant at the top of the Space Needle.
07 Tour the Museum of Flight
Discover the history of flight at this fascinating museum. There are over 150 planes, spacecraft, and artifacts housed in the building. Altogether the collection spans the entire history of flight, from the Wright brothers to modern jets and flights to the moon. Older children will love the interactive flight zone that includes two hang-glider flight simulators and a section that teaches children how planes are built.
08 Be a tourist at the Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market has a unique setup with a number of lower levels that house antiques and collectibles shops. The main level is a large farmers market with a wide variety of stores. Pike Place Market began operating in 1907 and is the oldest continually running farmers market in the United States.
09 Catch a game at T-Mobile Park
T-Mobile Park is home to the Seattle-based baseball team, the Seattle Mariners. The stadium has a clever retractable roof system that allows games to continue in any weather. Food trucks often park outside the stadium so you can grab a delicious meal before or after the game.
10 Chill out on Green Lake Park
Green Lake Park is set in the center of the city of Seattle, making it a popular place for office workers to enjoy a bit of greenery during their lunch hour. Take a stroll on the 2.8-mile trail that goes around the lake and enjoy looking at the different species of trees, birds, and flowers that occur in the park. There are a number of authentic coffee shops nearby for those needing some caffeine after their walk.
11 Get grungy at the Museum of Pop Culture
The Seattle music scene was famous around the world in the early 1990s as grunge became a big part of the music world. The Museum of Pop Culture celebrates that part of musical history and a number of other musical genres. A separate section is home to a collection of memorabilia from the Star Wars franchise and a variety of items from horror movies set in the surrounding area.
12 Connect with the future via the Living Computer Museum
Seattle is known as the home of a number of famous tech companies and is a very intellectual city. This museum houses a collection of working versions of computers from their earliest days to modern laptops and tablets. You can interact with the computers and have fun learning about the early days of computing. This is a great place to take children to show them how things used to be.
13 Check out the Pacific Science Center
The Pacific Science Center was built for the World's Fair in Seattle in 1962. You will find a number of interactive exhibits explaining the world of science to children as young as 3. There is a popular IMAX theatre that shows new and interesting scientific shows from around the world. The butterfly house and laser lights show is fun for the whole family.
14 Ride the Seattle Ferris Wheel
Enjoy the spectacular views of Puget Sound, Elliot Bay, and the city of Seattle from this 175-foot Ferris wheel. Each gondola is fully enclosed, so you can enjoy your ride even if the infamous Seattle weather is rainy and windy. The gondolas hold up to 8 people, so the whole family can ride at the same time.
15 Take the kids to the Woodland Park Zoo
This is one of the best zoos in the United States. The enclosures are very large, and the animals have plenty of space to roam. Great care has been taken to make sure that the exhibits match the natural habitats of each animal. Children under the age of 8 will love the Zoomazium, which houses nature-themed areas, games, and interactive exhibits. There are a number of restaurants in the zoo, but you are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the lawns if the weather is sunny.
16 Marvel at the Chihuly Garden and Glass
Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle is a permanent art exhibition that opened in 2012, and it has been a popular attraction both with tourists and locals ever since. Here you can explore the stunning glass-blown pieces of art crafted by the renowned artist Dale Chihuly. The exhibition features an indoor section with eight galleries and three "drawing walls," a Glasshouse (like a greenhouse, but with glass-blown flowers), and an outdoor section where Chihuly's work integrates with the lush greenery.
17 Enjoy the awe-inspiring Olympic Sculpture Park
This outdoor Sculpture Park is a section of the Seattle Art Museum, and it's filled with artworks by iconic sculptors like Claes Oldenburg, Alexander Calder, and Roxy Paine. Not only is the displayed art impressive, but the location itself is also rather spectacular. When you've had your fill of culture, you can sit back in the shade and turn your attention to the magnificent view that stretches from Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains. The Sculpture Park is located just a few blocks from the Space Needle, so combining those two sights can make for a great day.
18 Relax, and recharge at Discovery Park
Discovery Park is Seattle's largest green space. This is a great place to spend time if you're feeling outdoorsy but not quite ready to leave town. The park covers over 500 acres in northern Seattle, and here you'll find hiking trails, beaches, meadows, and dunes to explore. One essential stop is the West Point Lighthouse which you reach by following the North Beach Trail. If, instead, you opt for the South Beach Trail, your reward is a fantastic view of Mount Rainier and Seattle's skyline. Discovery Park has something for everybody, with a cultural center, a tennis facility, and a playground for kids.
19 Get cultured and visit the Seattle Art Museum
This impressive museum houses one of America's most outstanding collections. Here you can enjoy a wide range of quality art, from historic European paintings to contemporary sculpture. The museum spreads over three different locations, as it also links to the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park. Don't miss this eclectic collection, and be sure to set aside enough time, as you will need a few hours to see everything. The permanent collection of African art and the display of Native American artists' work are among the gems you don't want to miss.
20 Hike Mount Si
About 30 miles east of Seattle's city center sits the beautiful Mount Si, offering plenty of great hiking opportunities. This can be a great place for hikers to warm up before taking on the more challenging trails of Mount Rainier. The trail up to the summit is an 8-mile hike back and forth. The views from the mountain are stunning, but the hike can be quite challenging, and it is probably not the best place to start if you're a complete novice. Less experienced hikers can instead get great practice and beautiful nature experiences on the trails in Discovery Park. If you have not yet booked a hotel, visit Tripadvisor to find the best one for you.
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Scroll Down
for the Next Article
