Known as the Emerald Metropolis, Seattle merely might be in all probability essentially the most scenic metropolitan house within the USA. The most important metropolis inside the Pacific Northwest offers friends limitless points to see and do. That’s one amongst my favourite areas to go to inside the USA.
Seattle is surrounded by evergreen forests, mountains, and water. Even for many who’re merely in Seattle for a weekend journey, it’s ample time to get pleasure from a lot of the factors of curiosity in nature or inside the metropolis. There’s no shortage of good areas to go to in Seattle.
I’ve been to cities all through my dwelling nation from coast to coast (along with Denver, Detroit, Austin, Asheville, Boston, New Orleans and many additional), and after dwelling in Seattle for two months and visiting fairly a number of cases, the Emerald Metropolis is definitely among the many many most interesting areas to go to inside the states.
On this data, I’ll introduce quite a few the excessive points to do in Seattle along with plenty of smart data that may enable you to plan an unbelievable journey.
About Seattle, Washington
Seattle is located between Puget Sound and Lake Washington and has the Olympic Mountains to the west and Cascades to the east, making for some postcard-worthy environment spherical every nook.
Sadly, it’s true that it rains fairly often proper right here. Don’t let it rain in your parade, though — there are tons of good museums and totally different indoor actions to take care of you busy when it would get a bit moist. There are various points to do in Seattle when it rains.
Seattle may be well-known for its music and sports activities actions. The grunge interval started proper right here with bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana, and it’s now a hub for indie music and underground hip-hop.
Seattle sports activities actions followers are quite a few the loudest inside the nation as they current their unwavering assist for teams similar to the Seahawks and Sounders. It really is great how one can get pleasure from all the services of a large metropolis and however so merely get out in nature.
15 Biggest Points To Do in Seattle
Proper right here’s my itemizing of the very best 15 points to do and areas to go to in Seattle. After dwelling inside the metropolis for over 2 months and visiting there many cases by the years, I’ve narrowed down my excessive picks for the easiest Seattle factors of curiosity.
1. See the Home Needle
Indubitably, in all probability essentially the most iconic landmark in Seattle is the Space Needle. Constructed for the 1962 model of the World’s Sincere, it has been a fixture inside the metropolis’s skyline ever since.
The assertion deck is 520 ft (158 meters) tall, so that you just get to get pleasure from 360-degree panoramic views. On a clear day, you might even see the entire metropolis along with pure wonders resembling Lake Union and Mt. Rainier. Making an attempt out this view is a ought to do in Seattle, and I can’t inform you what variety of cases I visited all through my time dwelling there.
Whereas the Home Needle has on a regular basis been one among many excessive areas to go to in Seattle, it’s even cooler now as a result of some extreme renovations.
A present multimillion dollar enhance added the modern lounge The Loupe, the first rotating glass flooring on this planet. Moreover they added wall-to-ceiling glass and the model new Skyrisers, which can be tilting glass benches that current for some unreal views of the city.
The Space Needle is open every day from 8 AM-midnight, with the ultimate entry at 11:15. Tickets differ from $37-$70 for adults, tickets rely on which bundle you e e book. That is no doubt one of many most interesting areas to go to in Seattle and is included inside the Seattle CityPass. See the Home Needle and the Chihuly Yard together with this ticket.
Sort out: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
2. Confirm Out the Seattle Center
The Home Needle is just one part of the massive Seattle Center. This hub of coaching, paintings, and leisure has loads occurring that you just presumably can merely spend an entire day proper right here and nonetheless not do all of it.
One in every of many excessive Seattle factors of curiosity you’ll uncover proper right here is the International Fountain. At completely various factors all by the day, the fountain is synchronized to music, making for an unbelievable current that’s pleasant for all ages.
The Seattle Center may be dwelling to Artists at Play — a cool playground designed by artists. There’s a climbing tower, labyrinth, carousel, and way more proper right here. That is no doubt one of many most interesting free points to do in Seattle and one among many first areas I’d convey friends whereas displaying them spherical.
There’s way more to see and do proper right here, along with quite a few completely totally different museums. Don’t miss the excellent Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center. They run free group excursions from Tuesday-Saturday at 2:00 PM and it’s on a regular basis free to go to.
Together with all the completely totally different factors of curiosity proper right here, the Seattle Center moreover hosts a whole bunch of events and packages all 12 months lengthy. Live performance occasions, well being programs, movement footage, festivals, and further are on faucet proper right here. You will need to look at their event calendar to see what’s occurring.
Sort out: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
3. See Chihuly Yard
The Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum is no doubt one of many hottest areas to go to in Seattle. It’s dedicated to the beautiful glasswork of Dale Chihuly, whose work might be seen in over 200 museums across the globe.
Located on the Seattle Center, the museum is reduce up into three completely totally different areas: the Yard, Inside Reveals, and the unimaginable Glasshouse. My personal favorite is the Glasshouse, nonetheless you must undoubtedly see all of them.
There’s moreover a theater that’s constantly displaying fast films of Chihuly and his work. You’ll positively must carve out a number of hours to take all of it in.
The museum is open from 8:30 AM-8:30 PM Monday to Thursday and stays open an hour afterward the weekend.
Tickets value $35-$42.50 for adults and $30-$37.50 for youngsters. Entrance to the Chihuly Yard & Glass Museum is included inside the Seattle CityPass, on this 3-hour “highlights tour” of Seattle, or this ticket which contains the Home Needle as correctly.
Lastly, for many who need to simply purchase your entrance ticket direct from the company, make sure to benefit from the free audio tour on present.
Sort out: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
4. Be a part of a Meals Tour
One of many pleasant points to do in Seattle is to eat your method all through the city on a meals tour. My personal recommendation is the Pike Place Market Chef Guided Food Tour, which lasts two hours and consists of fairly a number of bites.
Alongside one of the best ways, you’ll be taught all regarding the historic previous and custom of the market, uncover some small corporations and enjoy sampling all the great meals on present.
One different secure risk that I’ve gone on quite a few cases is the Pike Place Market Walking Food tour which includes a data, samples at seven artisanal meals stalls, and further. Changing into a member of a meals tour is no doubt one of many pleasant actions in Seattle for adults that should be in your itemizing.
5. Go to the Museum of Pop Custom
Beforehand typically referred to as the EMP (Experience Music Enterprise), the Museum of Pop Culture is no doubt one of many most interesting Seattle factors of curiosity spherical. Sooner than you head inside, you’ll must take some time to admire the beautiful setting up from world-famous architect Frank Gehry.
While you step contained within the museum, which moreover goes by MoPOP, you’ll uncover the spectacular guitar sculpture known as “If VI Was IX.” There are over 500 gadgets making up this tornado-like sculpture!
Speaking of music, the museum has quite a few eternal shows dedicated to Seattle’s most well-known rockers: Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam.
You presumably may even channel your inside rockstar of their Sound Lab or take your picture in entrance of a packed viewers of their On Stage house.
That’s not all, though. MoPop moreover has shows on fantasy, science fiction, horror, video video video games, comedy, and much, way more.
I’ve been to a great deal of museums in my travels, and this one is definitely my favorite. You will need to add it to your itemizing of cool points to do in Seattle.
MoPOP is open Monday-Friday from 10 AM-6 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM-6 PM. Tickets value spherical $35 for adults and $21 for youths.
Entrance tickets to MoPOP are included inside the Seattle CityPass. Click here to get directions.
Sort out: 325 fifth Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
6. Pike Place Market: One of many well-known Seattle factors of curiosity!
The Pike Place Market is no doubt one of many most interesting areas to go to in Seattle. Courting all one of the best ways once more to 1907, that is no doubt one of many oldest public farmers’ markets within the USA.
By procuring at Pike Place Market, you’re doing way over merely checking off top-of-the-line Seattle factors of curiosity. You’re supporting native farmers, artisans, and small corporations as correctly!
There’s loads to see (and elegance) proper right here that you just simply’ll have to be positive you come hungry and maintain awhile. Each time I visited, I not solely crammed my stomach, however moreover quite a few procuring baggage to take dwelling with me.
Together with the farmers’ market and crafts market, there are 80 consuming locations and over 200 distinctive shops. With so many decisions, it might be a bit intimidating, nonetheless for sure it’s a ought to do in Seattle. Don’t miss a food tour (listed above at #4) of this market.
It’s way over solely a market, actually. It’s a neighborhood with plenty of great initiatives, resembling a senior center, meals monetary establishment, and pre-school.
When you want to current some additional love, pay a go to to Rachel the Piggybank. Rub her snout and make a donation, and legend has it you’ll have good luck.
The market is simply closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It formally will get going at 9 AM and closes at 6 PM, nonetheless you could come proper right here as early as 6 AM for breakfast for many who’re an early riser.
Head over to their website to plan your go to and browse all the various decisions. You will discover Pike Place Market on the map here.
Sort out: 85 Pike Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
7. Have the benefit of Waterfront Park
After exploring Pike Place, you’re solely a fast stroll from Waterfront Park, the next spot on my itemizing of Seattle factors of curiosity. There are a selection of benches and picnic tables proper right here, so it’s the correct place to sit down and enjoy irrespective of delicious meals you picked up in the marketplace.
The park is dwelling to 2 completely totally different platforms the place you could get pleasure from some unbelievable views.
On a clear day, you could even see the Olympic Mountains inside the distance. There are coin-operated telescopes proper right here that may enable you to get an excellent greater take a look on the atmosphere. You will need to try the Waterfront Fountain as correctly.
One of many pleasant points to do in Seattle is taking a visit on the Seattle Great Wheel. This massive Ferris wheel is open from Monday to Thursday from 11 AM-10 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10 AM-11 PM and Sunday from 10 AM-10 PM.
Tickets value $16 for adults and $11 for youngsters. You even have the selection of splurging for a VIP ticket ($50) for his or her luxurious gondola and a memento t-shirt.
Waterfront Park is an excellent spot to unwind after a large day of sightseeing in Seattle. It’s located between Pier 57 and 59. Click here to get directions.
Sort out: 1401 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
8. Day Journey to Mount Rainier
In case you have got some additional time in Seattle, ponder doing a day journey out to Mount Rainier, which is an lively stratovolcano inside the Mount Rainier Nationwide Park. That’s my personal favorite spot for climbing inside the house.
This towering volcano is 14,400 ft (4,390m), and inside the nationwide park, you’ll uncover fairly a number of actions on present, along with climbing, tenting and mountaineering.
For vacationers on a day journey, climbing alongside one among many many trails is a best option. All through the winter months, you could commerce your climbing boots for current sneakers and nonetheless profit from the paths.
The highly-rated Evergreen Escapes runs full-day, small group excursions to Mount Rainier, which can be tailored to your well being ranges.
Included inside the journey are transportation, a knowledgeable naturalist, lunch, snacks, and entrance prices. To be taught additional about this excessive journey from Seattle, click here.
Within the occasion you’d need a tour to Mount Rainier with the climbing optionally obtainable, check out this popular tour on a minibus.
9. Take a Cruise
Whereas Seattle seems good on land, it seems even greater from the water! Taking a cruise spherical Elliot Bay and the Puget Sound is unquestionably one of many pleasant points to do in Seattle.
Your decisions for cruising differ from a straightforward 1-hour harbor journey to in a single day getaways. On these journeys, I’ve seen fairly a number of sea birds, seals, and even dolphins.
On the worth vary end, you could merely take one among many native ferries to learn from the views. The ferry to Bainbridge Island solely costs $8.50 for adults and $4.25 for youths, and the return journey is free. It’s a nice methodology to spend a day with out spending a ton of cash.
Argosy Cruises has been in enterprise for 70 years and their excursions are an unbelievable various for Seattle sightseeing.
They’ve seven completely totally different decisions, along with their one-hour cruise of Elliot Bay and the Seattle Harbor the place you’ll get pleasure from a very narrated journey, great views of the Seattle skyline, and on clear days, of Mount Rainier. A cruise with Argosy is unquestionably included inside the Seattle CityPass for many who choose to go that route.
10. Stroll Through Washington Park Arboretum
The Washington Park Arboretum is definitely one of many beautiful Seattle factors of curiosity to go to. It’s my go-to various for a quiet afternoon.
This scenic park has miles upon miles of trails and is a dwelling assortment of crops. It’s a first-rate occasion of why Seattle is known as the Emerald Metropolis and a surprising place to spend quite a few hours.
Spring is a extremely regarded time to go to the park as a result of azaleas which may be in bloom. Come proper right here inside the fall and in addition you’ll see Japanese maples and strawberry timber, making a vibrant tapestry of colors.
The arboretum is open every day from dawn to dusk and is no doubt one of many most interesting free areas to go to in Seattle. Moreover they’ve quite a few completely totally different excursions and programs along with decisions for birding and boating. Confirm their website for all of the small print.
While you’re proper right here, it’s correctly worth it to pay the doorway cost for the Japanese Yard ($8 for adults and $4 for youths). They’ve free guided excursions from April to October at 12:30, and you may additionally get pleasure from a traditional Japanese tea ceremony proper right here for an extra $10.
It’s a little bit of slice of Japan correct proper right here in Seattle!
Click here to get directions to the arboretum. The Japanese Yard is inside the southwest nook of the park. You will need to add a stop proper right here to your itemizing of areas to go to in Seattle.
Sort out: 2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle, WA 98112, United States
11. Go to the Seattle Art work Museum
Art work lovers might want to experience the Seattle Art Museum, which actually consists of three completely totally different companies: the precept museum, the Asian Art work Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park.
On the basic museum, you’ll uncover a strong assortment of paintings from all corners of the globe. It’s recognized for its intensive collections of Native American and Northwest Coast paintings. There are over 25,000 completely totally different inventive endeavors on present proper right here, so take your time.
Together with the precept museum, you may additionally pay a go to to the Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s located solely a mile away (click here for directions), so it’s easy to go to every. As quickly as an industrial web site, it’s now a free public park full of distinctive sculptures.
The paintings museum is open from 10 AM-5 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday-Sunday. It’s closed on Tuesday nonetheless stays open until 9 PM on Thursday.
Tickets are $29.99 for adults, $19.99 for faculty college students and youngsters ages 15-18, and free for youngsters 14 and beneath. Within the occasion you happen to be in town on the first Thursday of the month, it’s free for everyone! Click here for directions.
Sort out: 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
12. Go to the Museum of Flight
Within the occasion you’re critical about air and home, you’ll must embrace the Museum of Flight in your Seattle itinerary. There are over 150 airplane on present proper right here along with a whole bunch of artifacts and footage.
There’s ample to see and do to spend quite a few hours proper right here, so it’s a nice level to do in Seattle when it rains (which happens pretty typically!).
A major highlight is the Aviation Pavilion, which choices a strong assortment of unusual airplanes. There are WWII bombers, the first Boeing 747, and even the first jet Air Energy One. You presumably may even board a number of of them!
Together with all the airplane, they’ve a great deal of fascinating shows to try, which change typically. Click here to view a listing of current shows and see what’s arising.
The Museum of Flight is open every day from 10 AM-5 PM. Tickets value $25 for adults and $16 for youths. On the first Thursday of every month, the museum stays open from 5-9 PM and it’s utterly free to enter. Click here to buy your tickets on-line for top-of-the-line Seattle factors of curiosity. You will discover the Museum of Flight on the map here.
Go to the Boeing Manufacturing unit
For these airplane fanatics, you may additionally go to the Boeing Future of Flight at the Boeing Manufacturing unit, which is about 30 miles (50 km) from the city and top-of-the-line components of curiosity near Seattle, Washington. I had an unbelievable and informative time the day I went, far exceeding my expectations.
On the tour, you’ll check out the Boeing manufacturing facility with an space data and see planes at diverse phases of assembly. Plus, you’ll wander throughout the 28,000-square-foot Aviation Gallery and try the shows and reveals. Click here to e e book your tickets to the Boeing Manufacturing unit and Approach ahead for Flight.
13. Watch Some Expert Sports activities actions
People in Seattle are crazy about their sports activities actions, they normally particular their love for his or her teams very loudly.
The reality is, Seahawks followers have twice set the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd noise at a sporting event. The group refers to their passionate followers as a result of the “12s,” as they primarily act as a result of the twelfth participant. My ears rang from days after a selected playoff recreation.
The Seahawks (NFL) play their dwelling video video games at Lumen Field. The stadium may be dwelling to the Seattle Sounders FC, which have been selling out dwelling video video games since their debut in MLS ten years up to now. Within the occasion you may deal with to realize a ticket, you’re in for a good time.
All through the summer season season months, you could catch the Mariners (MLS) at T-Mobile Park. With spherical 80 dwelling video video games per season, there’s an important probability they’ll be in town for many who’re visiting between Might and September.
Given that 2021-2022 season, Seattle lastly has an NHL team, the Seattle Kraken, which performs on the newly renovated Climate Pledge Arena inside the Seattle Center.
Pleasurable actuality: Means once more in 1917, the Seattle Metropolitans have been the first American group to win the Stanley Cup. The NHL wasn’t even an element in the meanwhile, as a result of it obtained started later that yr.
14. Experience Discovery Park
Whereas there are various great inexperienced areas inside the Emerald Metropolis, Discovery Park really takes the cake. That’s a very powerful park in Seattle and is dwelling to spherical 12 miles of improbable trails. It moreover has seashores, sand dunes, cliffs, meadows, and way more.
If it’s your first time on the park, your most interesting wager is to start out with the Loop Path. This 2.8-mile-long path goes by the use of the center of the park and branches out to totally different trails for many who actually really feel like exploring extra.
Try and make all of it one of the best ways out to the West Stage Lighthouse, the place you could get pleasure from some unimaginable views of the mountains and water.
Discovery Park is located on Magnolia Bluff overlooking the Puget Sound. Click here for directions. It’s positively one of many picturesque of all the Seattle factors of curiosity and is correctly nicely well worth the effort to reach.
Sort out: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199, United States
15. Be a part of an Underground Tour
Rounding out my itemizing of cool points to do in Seattle is taking an fascinating underground tour.
Beneath The Streets is no doubt one of many hottest Seattle factors of curiosity. On this pleasant and tutorial tour, you’ll uncover subterranean sidewalks and storefronts which have been constructed on excessive after the Great Fire of 1889.
This one-hour tour takes you beneath Seattle’s streets to find three underground passageways, relationship once more to the Nineties. I can nonetheless bear in mind the feeling of being transported to a distinct world whereas venturing into these darkish areas.
This highly-rated tour is pleasant for everyone and cheap at $29. That is no doubt one of many additional distinctive points to do in Seattle when it rains that you just simply obtained’t must miss. Click here to be taught additional regarding the tour.
Nature Journeys in Seattle
Sure, there are tons of pleasant points to do in Seattle metropolis itself, nonetheless given that location is appropriate on the water and there’s loads beautiful nature shut by, you ought to go away the city to find a bit extra. Listed below are quite a few of the very best journeys:
- Snoqualmie Falls and Twin Falls: These beautiful waterfalls are located merely spherical an hour from Seattle, making it an unbelievable half-day journey. In any case, the falls are surrounded by beautiful pure magnificence as correctly – making it an unbelievable journey from the city. Click here to learn more and e e book your spot.
- Go Crusing: What greater methodology to get out on the water than on a 70foot sailboat?! On this unimaginable journey, you’ll have epic views of downtown Seattle & Mount Rainier. Click here to learn more and enjoy Seattle one of the best ways the locals do.
- Have the benefit of Whale Watching: Orcas, humpback, grey and minke whales all frequent the waters proper right here. This journey leaves from Anacortes…and 95% of the time, whales are seen! Not solely that, nonetheless you’ll see totally different wildlife by the journey. Click here for details.
FAQs About Visiting Seattle
Options to a couple of your typically requested questions on visiting Seattle.
There are so many pleasant points to do in Seattle! Whether or not or not you’re into nature, museums, meals, or sports activities actions, there’s one factor for you. The very best pleasant actions are day-tripping to Mt. Rainer for some climbing and epic views, testing the bustling Pike Place Market, and listening to reside music on the Tractor Tavern, The Crocodile, or Dimitrou’s Jazz Alley.
By far, the very best attraction in Seattle for vacationers is the Home Needle. This ticket consists of the Home Needle and the Chihuly Yard and Glass.
I imagine that 3-5 days is an environment friendly time frame for Seattle sightseeing. That method, you could spend a full day journey at Mt. Rainer, and one different day having enjoyable with a lazy day on the waterfront and at Pike Place Market. Completely different days is perhaps spent testing the precept factors of curiosity (Home Needle, Chihuly Yard, museums, and so forth.), and finally, your last full day is perhaps spent on the water taking a cruise, or changing into a member of a meals tour.
There are so many meals it’s best to attempt in Seattle, plenty of which can be seafood due to the metropolis’s location on the ocean. Don’t miss oysters, salmon, geoduck, and sushi. Plus, it is a should to attempt a Seattle Canine (hotdog, Seattle vogue!), espresso, and pho (Vietnamese soup).
Utterly Seattle is a walkable metropolis, although to reach positive areas, like seashores or neighborhoods exterior of downtown, driving or taking public transportation is essential.
Now You Know What to Do in Seattle
These are merely quite a few the numerous fascinating points to do in Seattle. There’s rather more occurring inside the Emerald Metropolis, along with a great deal of totally different parks, seashores, museums, excursions, and a complete lot additional.
With some additional time in Seattle, you may additionally profit from the varied great day-trip options. Inside quite a few hours, you may discover your self exploring Mt. Rainier or Olympic Nationwide Park. Or perhaps you’d comparatively go visit a waterfall and taste some wine. The alternatives for journey really are limitless!
After two months dwelling in Seattle and many subsequent visits, I think about I’ve expert the easiest the Emerald Metropolis has to provide.
*Pictures on this submit are courtesy of Shutterstock.
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Seattle truly sounds like a gem of a city! I love how it’s surrounded by nature yet still offers all the perks of a big city. The mix of mountains, water, and forests must make it feel like you’re in a postcard every day. I’ve always wondered, though, how do locals deal with the constant rain? Does it ever get overwhelming, or is it just part of the charm? The museums and indoor activities sound like a great backup plan, but I’d love to know if there’s a specific spot you’d recommend for a rainy day. Also, how’s the food scene in Seattle? I’ve heard it’s amazing, but I’d love to hear your take on it. What’s one thing you think every visitor absolutely *must* do in Seattle? I’m already planning my trip!
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.