20 Best Things to Do in Seattle

Seattle has a way of blending skyline views, waterfront charm, and cultural depth into one unforgettable city experience.

Seattle, also known as the Emerald City, is situated in the state of Washington in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The city is located between Lake Washington and Puget Sound and has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1851 and the famous Great Fire of 1889. It is famous for a wide range of things, including its coffee culture, music scene, diverse culture, delicious food scene, and a wide range of attractions that draw visitors from all over the world.

From exploring Pike Place Market and trying fresh seafood, riding the famous Seattle Great Wheel to enjoy breathtaking views of the city skyline, to exploring music, pop culture, and film at the Seattle Museum of Pop Culture, or unwinding and enjoying picnics in the green areas of Discovery Park, there is something for everyone in this city. Below is the list of the 20 best things to do in Seattle. Check them out and make your trip a memorable one!

The Space Needle is one of the most famous Seattle attractions that was opened for the 1962 World’s Fair and rises to a height of 605 feet above Seattle's center. A 41-second elevator will take you to the 520-foot observation deck, offering breathtaking views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the downtown skyline. The highlight of the Space Needle is the revolving glass floor of the Loupe Lounge that offers a unique, see-through experience to visitors. Make sure to visit early or at sunset to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.

Pike Place Market is a historic attraction in Seattle since 1907 and is famous for its fresh seafood, flowers, handcrafted items, and colorful artisan stalls. You can do a variety of things here, including taking pictures with Rachel the Piggy Bank, visiting stores that offer pottery, antique items, and regional mementos, and watching fish fly at the Pike Place Fish Market. Savor fresh fruit, Russian pastries at Beecher’s and Piroshky Piroshky, or enjoy a drink at Radiator Whiskey. Don’t forget to visit the MarketFront’s rooftop terrace for breathtaking views of the harbor.

Chihuly Garden and Glass is situated next to the Space Needle and features a 100-foot-long glasshouse and eight galleries that display Dale Chihuly’s exquisite glasswork. Visitors can explore immersive artwork, take part in interactive student activities, or attend the Refract Glass Festival. The museum also has a small theater, a café, shop areas, a garden, and interior exhibitions. The highlights of the museum include the imposing 40-foot glasshouse and vibrant outdoor gardens. You can also combine the trip with the nearby Seattle Center and MoPOP to enhance the experience.

The Fremont Troll is an eighteen-foot-tall sculpture that is situated on Troll Avenue beneath the Aurora Bridge, holding a real Volkswagen Beetle with a California license plate. It was created in 1990 by artists including Ross Whitehead, Donne Walter, Will Marten, and Steve Badanes, and is inspired by Scandinavian legend. The sculpture weighs 13,000 pounds and is made of steel, wire, and concrete. It was formerly home to a time capsule containing a bust of Elvis Presley. The troll is a well-known piece of public art in Seattle and draws both tourists and photographers.

The Seattle Art Museum is one of the best Places to visit in Seattle for art lovers. The museum includes three main sites: the downtown main museum, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park. The museum is home to a 25,000-piece collection and features artworks like Eagle by Alexander Calder, The Judgment of Paris by Lucas Cranach the Elder, Inopportune: Stage One by Cai Guo-Qiang, and Wake by Richard Serra. Moreover, visitors can also explore modern and Asian art and visit outdoor sculptures and museum libraries for study and research.

The Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP, is one of the most exciting Seattle attractions that honors pop culture, science fiction, and music. This Frank Gehry-designed structure was founded by Paul Allen and is home to several interactive displays on icons like Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana, as well as fantasy items from Star Wars. Visitors can also explore the interactive Sound Lab and On Stage or admire the enormous IF VI WAS IX guitar sculpture. The museum also hosts several special events, seminars, and live performances, making it a great place to visit for fans of music, film, and art.

Kerry Park is a 1.26-acre viewpoint that is situated on Queen Anne Hill and offers one of the best views of Seattle’s skyline. Visitors can view the Space Needle, Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, and Elliott Bay from the park on clear days. The park also features several benches, beautiful landscaping, and a stairway that leads to the nearby Bay View Kinnear Park. The park is especially stunning during sunrise and sunset when the city lights and colorful skies create stunning backdrops for pictures.

The Seattle Great Wheel is situated on Pier 57 and stands 175 feet high and extends 40 feet over Elliott Bay. It was opened in June 2012 and served as the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast. The wheel features 42 climate-controlled enclosed gondolas, including a VIP gondola with a glass floor and red leather seats for an enhanced experience. The ride lasts 12 minutes with three complete rotations and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, the harbor, and downtown Seattle. The tickets are reasonably priced, making it ideal for families, couples, and photographers.

When looking for unique Things to do in Seattle, visiting the Gum Wall stands out as one of the best options. It is situated in Post Alley beneath Pike Place Market and is a colorful brick wall coated with chewed gum. It started in the early 1990s when people from the neighboring Palace Theater stuck gum to the wall, eventually developing into a unique tourist destination. The wall is 15 feet high and 50 feet wide and features an ever-changing display of community creativity. It is very popular for photos in Seattle.

Queen Anne Hill is a residential area in the northwest part of Seattle that rises 456 feet above Puget Sound and is well known for its beautiful viewpoints and historic Queen Anne-style residences. The neighborhood was formed by glaciers and was formerly inhabited by Native American tribes. Today, it features charming streets, parks, and famous spots like Queen Anne Boulevard with ornamental walls and streetlights. Visitors can also explore local cafés and shops, stroll along the beautiful staircases, and relax in the peaceful neighborhood while enjoying the scenic city and waterfront views.

The underground tour of Seattle by Bill Speidel allows you to explore the secret tunnels beneath Pioneer Square, which were established during the Great Fire of 1889, which destroyed a large portion of the city. Visitors can walk through interconnected underground pathways and long-forgotten shops while guides tell fascinating stories about the early settlers. The tour lasts 75 to 90 minutes and provides a unique look into Seattle’s past by showing how the city has been rebuilt over its old streets. Tickets are available online or at 614 First Avenue.

Ballard Locks, also known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, connect Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Puget Sound. The locks were constructed in 1917 and allow vessels of different sizes to rise and fall as water levels change, making it a fascinating sight for visitors. Moreover, the location is also home to a fish ladder where you can spot Pacific salmon migrating seasonally. Visitors can also visit the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens, explore waterfront paths, and take photos. Don’t forget to enjoy food like chowder at the nearby Chinook’s for an enhanced experience.

Pioneer Square is a historic neighborhood in Seattle that was rebuilt after the 1889 Great Fire with late nineteenth-century brick and stone structures. Visitors can explore a wide range of stores here, including Arundel Books, Magic Mouse Toys, and The Lemon Grove. If you want food or drink, visit Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar, Merchant’s Café and Saloon, or Firn Bar at Populus Seattle. You can also try creative cocktails nearby by visiting Four Diamonds and Damn the Weather. It’s a must-see location for people looking for unique architecture, history, food, and shopping in one place.

Explore the wonders of whale watching in Seattle, which is home to orcas, humpback whales, and gray whales, by going on whale-watching tours. You can board a boat from Seattle, Edmonds, or the San Juan Islands with knowledgeable guides who show you animals like seagulls, sea lions, and porpoises along the way. Make sure to have your camera and binoculars so you can safely observe the whales from a distance. If you are looking for more adventure, take a kayak ride with Crystal Seas for an up-close experience. Several tours are available, including San Juan Safaris, FRS Clippers, and Puget Sound Express.

Discovery Park is the largest green area in Seattle, covering 534 acres and spanning the Magnolia neighborhood with forests, bluffs, and prairies. Visit the 2.8-mile Discovery Loop Trail that offers beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound, explore the ruins of Fort Lawton within the park, or visit the historic West Point Lighthouse. This area is also abundant with wildlife, making it great for birdwatching and nature walks. Moreover, you can also visit the Daybreak Star Cultural Center, which offers educational activities for families.

Woodland Park Zoo was founded in 1899 and is a 92-acre animal haven that combines realistic and engaging exhibitions with conservation. Explore Tropical Asia, home to Indian rhinos, sloth bears, Malayan tigers, and orangutans, or visit the African Savanna to see giraffes and lions. You can see colorful species at the butterfly garden or spot grizzly bears, river otters, and elk along the Living Northwest Trail. Moreover, the zoo is also home to the free Woodland Park Rose Garden and Seattle Sensory Garden near the south entrances that offer engaging plant experiences to visitors.

Downtown Seattle is home to several beautifully restored historic theaters that offer top-notch performances. Visit the Moore Theatre, which is the oldest theater in the city and provides free behind-the-scenes tours every second Saturday. You can also go to the Paramount Theatre, which was constructed in 1928 and presents Broadway productions, concerts, comedy shows, and jazz. Other options include Union Arts Center, presenting new plays by regional authors, or the 5th Avenue Theatre, which is inspired by China’s Forbidden City and features musical theater.

Seattle is a sports-loving city and offers visitors lots to celebrate all year long. Visit T-Mobile Park, which is admired for its views and fine dining, and is a great place to see the Seattle Mariners play. Football fans can visit the neighboring Lumen Field, home to the Seattle Seahawks, as well as the women’s Reign FC and men’s Sounders FC soccer teams. If you are a basketball fan, visit Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle Center to see the Seattle Storm. Lastly, check out the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila to watch rugby.

The Chinatown International District of Seattle welcomes visitors with its 45-foot-tall Chinatown gate, which is decorated with more than 8,000 imported tiles and offers a lot for visitors. Foodies can enjoy anything from sushi and pho to soup dumplings at nearby restaurants, history lovers can explore the Wing Luke Museum, which honors Asian Pacific American history and culture, while nature enthusiasts can relax in Hing Hay Park. You can also take part in interactive activities at the Seattle Pinball Museum or explore the Uwajimaya supermarket to enhance the experience.

Seattle is a paradise for book lovers and is considered a UNESCO City of Literature. Visit the Seattle Central Library, which was designed by Rem Koolhaas and features large glass walls and a light-filled 10th-floor reading area with beautiful views of Elliott Bay. Self-guided cell phone tours are available for visitors to explore the magnificent structure. Moreover, in addition to the central library, the city is also home to several independent bookshops in areas like Capitol Hill and the University District that specialize in various genres. Pike Place Market is also home to a number of well-known bookshops.

Reserve your room at Crown Inn Seattle and experience a convenient, budget-friendly stay just minutes from the Space Needle and downtown highlights.