Welcome to our guide to the “13 Best Things To Do In Seattle, Washington!”
Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or planning your first adventure, we’ve got all the best attractions covered. Seattle offers a delightful mix of old-world charm and modern architecture, making it feel like home no matter where you’re from. Don’t let the rain dampen your spirits; it adds to the cozy indoor vibe and lush greenery. Every corner of the city exhibits an artsy atmosphere that’s truly magical.
I’ve visited Seattle countless of times, and each trip feels like stepping into a new adventure, but I’ve always been able to visit during the summer. What sets Seattle apart is the warmth and friendliness of the locals. it’s a vibe that stays with you long after you leave.
Surrounded by the waters of Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is a paradise for water enthusiasts like me. Whether you’re into water sports or simply soaking in the views, there’s something for everyone. And let’s not forget the breathtaking backdrop of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges.
If you like to explore. Lace up your hiking boots and explore Seattle’s natural beauty or take a ferry to Bainbridge Island for a peaceful getaway. Don’t miss the chance to embark on an Argosy Cruise for a memorable experience on Seattle’s waters.
The best part? Everything is within walking distance, but if you need a break, public transportation is reliable and convenient. Whether it’s the Link Light Rail or King Metro Transit Buses, getting around is a breeze.
So, dive into the adventure and discover why Seattle is the ultimate destination for unforgettable experiences and everlasting memories!
EMBARK ON EXPLORING THE PIKE PLACE MARKET
Located in the heart of Seattle lies the renowned Public Market Center, affectionately known as Pike Market. Since its inception in 1907, this vibrant landmark has captured the imaginations of locals and tourists alike, drawing in crowds year after year. Offering a delightful fusion of flavors and culture, Pike Market is a culinary paradise, you can find artisanal shops, gorgeous flower bouquets, and fresh produce stands with the best fruits and vegetables you can imagine in town.
Don’t miss the captivating spectacle of Pike’s Fish Market, where skilled fishmongers entertain visitors with their signature fish-throwing antics, you can order fresh fish after the show and they will be delivered to your door anywhere in the USA within days. Whether you’re craving a gourmet meal, searching for unique souvenirs, or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere it’s the perfect place and the center of it all.
Pike Market promises an unforgettable experience. It’s no wonder it’s considered one of the top attractions in Seattle, and for me, it’s a must-visit spot that perfectly encapsulates the city’s charm and vibrancy, one small advice if you’d like to escape the crowds I would recommend getting there by the time they open but this is a landmark you cannot miss, one of the best things to do in Seattle.
Address: 85 Pike Street Seattle, WA 98101
MARVEL THE SPECTACULAR GLASS SCULPTURES AT THE CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS
Chihuly Garden is located adjacent to the iconic Space Needle, the remarkable garden is home to this fabulous museum created by the famous Dale Chihuly who was born in Washington and didn’t hesitate to create a Garden with over 8 galleries and a Glasshouse in his community with stunning views to the Space Needle as well, this is one of his many expositions throughout the world.
The Tickets are $29-$35 ages 13-64 It’s a beautiful experience and they have also packages for the space needle together. You can buy them here Chihuly Garden & Glass
Address: Address: 305 Harrison St Seattle, WA 981093
MAKE SURE TO PAY A VISIT TO THE ICONIC SPACE NEEDLE.
The iconic Space Needle was built in 1962 for the World’s Fair becoming a Landmark of Seattle. It’s an observation tower located in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood, a very picturesque neighborhood that has a very cozy feeling. It provides extraordinary views of downtown Seattle Skyline, the Olympic, Mount Baker, Cascade Mountains, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier. I believe this is a must-see. The Space Needle is right next to The Chihuly Garden, that’s why you can see it in this picture.
If you get to the Tower’s top house you can immerse in the 360-degree astonishing views of downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. They also offer an exclusive culinary experience. I would love to go on a romantic date there, last time it wasn’t open to the public for some reason, hopefully, I get to catch it open next time.
For Tickets: They go from $35-$39 Ages 13-64 Space Needle Tickets They also have packages with the Chihuly Garden and Glass.
For Tickets for the Space Needle as well as the Chihuly Garden: Space Needle
Address: 400 Broad St. Seattle, WA 98109
LEAVE YOUR MARK IN THE GUM WALL
The Gum Wall, birthed in the 1990s by a local band, has blossomed into a must-see attraction in Seattle. Despite its initially peculiar concept that I particularly don’t find too sanitary, the sheer diversity of colors adorning this wall renders it a true masterpiece, brimming with artistic flair and uniqueness.
Join in on the fun by contributing your piece of gum to this extraordinary mosaic! Situated adjacent to the Pike Place Market, tucked away in an alley,
Address: 1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
RENT A WOODEN BOAT AT THE CENTER FOR WOODEN BOATS.
This is one of the best things to do in Seattle for us. It feels like you are in the past or a storybook. A very unique experience that I never get tired of, plus you can also see how they build the boats. The whole experience is extraordinary. You’ll also be helping promote northwest maritime heritage through education, interpretation, and hands-on experience in building, maintaining, and using historic small craft.
This is located at Lake Union Park the address is: 1010 Valley St, Seattle, WA 98109
For tickets: The Center For Wooden Boats They have different kind of boats to choose from.
STROLL IN THE SEATTLE GREAT WHEEL.
This Is the largest observation wheel in the whole West Coast. I loved to experience a 360-degree view of this fabulous city and Elliot Bay. Here I shared some views from the top. It was fantastic! Unquestionably one of the best things to do in Seattle. Right Next to the Great Wheel, you can find this place called Wings Over Washington. They offer a short virtual reality ride over Washington and it is a super fun ride.
Address: Pier 57 – Miners Landing 1301 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98101
For tickets and more info: Seattle Great Wheel
PAY A VISIT TO A TROLL.
In the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, beneath the George Washington Memorial Bridge, stands the Fremont Troll—a public sculpture crafted by a group of four artists during the 1990s after winning a Fremont Arts Council competition for designs to improve the freeway underpass, which then was a dumping ground.
The troll is an iconic attraction that is worth a visit, I find this extremely unique and cute! especially for its unique and quirky design. It portrays a troll holding a real-life Volkswagen Beetle, which adds to its whimsical charm. The sculpture has become a symbol of the Fremont neighborhood and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Make sure to bring your camera to capture some memorable photos with this larger-than-life troll!
Address: North 36th St, Troll Ave N, Seattle, Washington 98103.
DO NOT MISS THE CHANCE TO VISIT THE SEATTLE SPHERES.
My immense love for nature makes me adore the way the Spheres are designed, it showcases more than 40,000 plants from the cloud forest regions of over 30 countries, and the spectacular architectural design teaches what’s missing in workplaces nowadays. This is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Seattle.
Studies suggest that spaces that embrace biophilic design can inspire creativity and even improve brain function. With thousands of plants in a variety of natural spaces, The Spheres will provide an immersive and interesting experience to Amazonians and visitors.
A little note: if you are planning on visiting the Spheres you need to make a reservation, sometimes a month in advance to get in. Here is the link: Go to where it says BOOK A VISIT Link: https://www.seattlespheres.com/the-spheres-weekend-public-visits
Next door is the Amazon shop that is always been a curiosity for me since in LA we don’t have one yet. You would need to download the Amazon app specially for this place and you won’t need to check out at a register, this is a super cool feature, they just charge you to your app for whatever you already have chosen from the stands. So whatever you took they already know.
Main Website: Seattle Spheres
Address: 2111 7th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
LIVE MUSIC AT THE DIMITRIOU'S JAZZ ALLEY
This is a beautiful Jazz Club located in Downtown Seattle bringing the best musicians to perform there. It opened in the 1980s and has been bringing Jazz Music to Seattle for over 4 decades accompanied by fine dining, my favorite dish is the Chicken Piccata, so great!! I love the atmosphere of the place. Great for a romantic night out. One of the best things to do in Seattle and of course to see my husband play makes it the best place.
Address: Sixth and Lenora Bldg. 2033 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
For Tickets: Jazz Alley
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE AT THE WASHINGTON PARK ARBORETUM.
The Washington Park Arboretum is a free and beautiful escape from the crowded places around the city. To access this fantastic place you can get there by public transportation, ride share, or rental car. They give you a map when you get in, make sure to follow it because this place is huge. We never got to see the Japanese Garden because we got so lost in this marvelous place. This is also one of the best free things to do in Seattle.
To fully appreciate the tranquility and natural beauty of the Washington Park Arboretum, I recommend taking a stroll along its scenic trails. The arboretum is home to a remarkable diversity of plant species, making it a haven for all nature lovers.
Whether looking for a peaceful retreat or a place to reconnect with nature, the Washington Park Arboretum is an ideal destination for a rejuvenating outdoor experience.
Address: 2300 Arboretum Drive East Seattle, WA 98112
Main Website: Arboretum Foundation
TAKE A SEAPLANE RIDE TO FLY OVER THE CITY.
If you would like to get a fun and beautiful scenic flight around Seattle tour through the city this is the best place to go. They are extremely helpful, friendly, and informative. They also have a little souvenir store if you need anything last minute.
For reservations and more info: Kenmore Air
THE SEATTLE CENTER
Where arts are performed in many ways and family gatherings are a must. More than 30 cultural, educational, sports, and entertainment organizations that reside on the grounds, together with a broad range of public and community programs, create thousands of events on the 74-acre campus and attract over 12 million visitors each year.
I never get enough of this place, This is right by where the Chihuly Garden is located, and the Space Needle. Seattle Center resides on Indigenous land; the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. They also have the Seattle Children’s Museum.
This is a must see, for me one of the best things to do in Seattle. The Pike Place Market is more traditional and historic in a way but this exposes an incredible amount of art projects and landmarks that are extraordinary. I wish many cities took art as seriously as Seattle does. That’s why Seattle is one of my favorite getaways.
Address: Seattle Center 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
Main Website: The Seattle Center
RENT A BOAT HOUSE
Seattle Washington has a long history of logging and shipbuilding, originally houseboats were intended to house loggers who worked by the water back in the day. Over time they were acquired by residents who intended to use them as their summer homes and now it could be a super fun Airbnb.
MORE BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO SEE
This is a wonderful big city, There is way more to see than my favorites mentioned here. Here you can discover more beautiful places to visit.
1. Museum of Pop Culture
Their mission is to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities.
For Tickets: Mopop.org
2. Olympic Sculpture Park
Honoring the Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people.
Address: 2901 WESTERN AVENUE, SEATTLE, WA 98121
3. Seattle Art Museum
Their exhibit includes global art collections, temporary installations, and exhibitions from around the world bridge cultures and centuries.
Tickets: Seattle Art Museum
Address:
4. Boeing Future Of Flight
The Boeing Everett Factory is an airplane assembly facility built by Boeing in Everett, Washington, United States. It sits at the northeast corner of Paine Field and includes the largest building in the world by volume at 13,385,378 m³ and covers 98.7 acres. The entire complex spans both sides of State Route 526. Tickets are $12
Tickets: https://www.boeingfutureofflight.com/
Address: 8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, WA 98275
BEST PLACES TO EAT
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
This is my absolute favorite mac and cheese and their cheese is spectacular as well, I had to take home the best. You can also see how they make the cheese. I have some videos on my Instagram if you would like to see them. There is usually a line to get in but they go quickly, can’t wait to go back!
This is located right by the Pike Place market but across the street from the fish market, if you love cheese you cannot miss this place, it’s one of the best things to do in Seattle for me. It’s a do-not-miss destination for us on all of our trips to Seattle.
Main Website: https://beechershandmadecheese.com/pages/pike-place-market
Address: Pike Place Market 1600 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101
Storyville Cafe
Loved the freshness of the coffee and also the pastries were extraordinary! I loved the vibe of the place even though it was crowded. Completely worth it. They even gave us a free mug for visiting for the first time. Can’t wait to go again! To find this place you need to go to the building across the fish market and go to the second floor. Kind of tricky to find but that makes it even more interesting, it’s like a hidden gem in the middle of the crowd.
Main Website: https://storyville.com/
Address: 94 Pike St #34 Seattle, WA 98101
There are many other places but I just named my favorites. You can also try.
Markets Grill at the Pike Place Market. Great fish Sandwiches.
The world-famous Pike Place Chowder. The lines are long! So go with time.
Crepe de France
La Parisienne French Bakery
Theo’s Chocolate Factory. This is a factory of chocolate, they even give you a tour showing you the whole process.
Conclusion:
Seattle is an amazing city with tons of cool stuff to do! From the Space Needle’s awesome views to the quirky Gum Wall, there’s something fun around every corner.
Whether you’re checking out Pike Place Market or hanging out at the Seattle Center, you’re in for a treat, It’s hard to say which are the Best Things to do in Seattle because every time we discover something new.
Plus, the locals are super nice, and there’s always something creative happening. So, plan your trip and see for yourself why Seattle is such a special place! Let me know in the comments which are the best things to do in Seattle for you and your family if you have ever visited.
I haven’t been able to visit during winter but I’m sure it would be a super fun adventure!
OTHER ADVENTURES YOU MIGHT ENJOY
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