Seattle is the jewel in the West Coast crown. Majestic mountains, lush, green forests, and glistening waters surround this vibrant metropolis. Unlike other destinations, Seattle is famous for its gray skies and rainy conditions, which locals say are fundamental to the city's core identity. We created this handy list of iconic attractions to help you plan like a Seattleite, all while staying under budget.
Take in a 360-degree view of Seattle and its spectacular natural surroundings atop its most famous attraction, the Space Needle. Experience the bustling city from a new perspective: 520-feet above the ground. Tilting glass walls and the Needle's rotating glass floor, called "The Loupe," offers great photo opportunities. Purchase a CityPASS to Save 31% on not only your visit to the Space Needle but other top Seattle attractions as well.
With so much to see across Seattle, it's no wonder that one of the most popular things to do here is to take to the sky. Adrenaline offers a 20-minute seaplane excursion with unparalleled aerial perspectives of the city's major landmarks and natural wonders. You'll see the Seattle Seahawks Stadium, Puget Sound, Queen Anne Hill, and more. Or, try one of Adrenaline's other amazing sky-high experiences, like an hour-long, hot air balloon flight, perfectly timed for you to catch a gorgeous Seattle sunset.
There's no shortage of entertainment in Seattle. No matter what you enjoy, whether it's a musical, a theatrical production, or ballet, you'll find a wide range of options available throughout the year. From the Pacific Northwest Ballet's "Beer and Ballet" performances to a whole list of Broadway plays, there's something for everyone. A good way to get into the Seattle theatre scene is to use TodayTIX to find exclusive tickets for up to 50% off regular price.
MoPOP, AKA Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture, is a stainless-steel-and-aluminum-shingled architectural marvel (not to mention a perfect photo opp for your Instagram). Immerse yourself in the museum's wide range of hands-on entertainment, historical, and pop symbol exhibitions. Record your own songs in the multimedia Sound Lab. Explore multiplayer games in the Indie Game Revolution gallery. Experience incredible light shows and musical performances as they explode across a 60-foot HD LED screen.
Everyone has heard of Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft. What you may not know is that Boeing's Future of Flight Aviation Center is just 25 minutes north of Seattle, and the facility is open seven days a week for guided tours. You'll find great tour options from Customized Tours, with packages that include a four-hour tour and expert guide, transportation to and from the facility, and a behind-the-scenes look at the production floor during the manufacturing process.
Aside from deepsea divers, few of us ever get the opportunity to see marine life in their underwater habitats. The 400,000-gallon Seattle Aquarium creates an up-close-and-personal way to explore the connections between otters, seals, Puget Sound fish, whales, and other sea life. You'll find six major exhibits at the aquarium, along with a selection of interesting, entertaining, hands-on experiences. The aquarium is one of the five local attractions that offer a 49% discount on admission using CityPASS.
Planespotters and military aviation enthusiasts aren't the only ones who'll enjoy the Museum of Flight, the world's largest private air and space museum. Explore 25 acres of rare aircraft and artifacts throughout a wide array of permanent exhibits. You'll have the opportunity to see Air Force One, the famous Concorde airliner, and the original Boeing 747. Those who dream of flying can try out one of the flight simulators or immerse themselves in one of the museum's other interactive activities. Purchase your admission tickets online at Orbitz for additional savings.
One of the most visually breathtaking attractions in Seattle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, is also one of the most well-known art installations in the country. The glass-and-steel, 40-foot tall Glasshouse installation houses a 100-foot, suspended sculpture of vibrant red, orange, yellow, and amber glassworks, created by artist Dale Chihuly. This landmark exhibition also has eight galleries featuring his work. Stroll through the Garden to experience glass and crystal icicle sculptures surrounded by dogwoods, handkerchief trees, and other local fauna. You can purchase same-day tickets at the admission counter, and if you use CityPASS, you can save 49% off the price of admission.
If you're more into science than art, you can still use your CityPASS to save. It's accepted by the Pacific Science Center as well. Spend the day exploring a realistic, Mesozoic Era dinosaur exhibit. Observe the lives of butterflies in the Tropical Butterfly House. Seek out the mysteries of the universe in the Willard Smith Planetarium. The Pacific Science Center also offers exceptional special events throughout the year. Take in a film at the center's two state-of-the-art IMAX theaters and or immerse your senses in one of the fascinating sound and laser show performances.
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