104 Best Things to Do in Seattle

The Ultimate List of Things to Do in Seattle

1. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Seattle is known for its musicians. This museum was introduced to Seattle in 2000 as the Experience Music Project. Since then, it has evolved and changed its name to reflect its wider dedication to popular culture, hence the rebranding to the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). 

The MoPOP is my husband’s favorite attraction in Seattle. If you like music or film, you’re sure to find something interesting and noteworthy in the museum. 

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2. Pike Place Market

Whether you’re visiting Seattle for the first time or hundredth time, it’s always fun to go to Pike Place Market. The market is absolutely huge and contains over 500 different vendors. We recommend that you go on a chef-guided food tour of the market!

You can try hundreds of different unique foods at the market that represent countries from all around the world. You can find French pastries, Russian piroshkis, Persian kebobs, Thai curries, Taiwanese hombows, Turkish baklava, Japanese bento, English crumpets, and much, much more.

Our guide to Pike Place Market is one of our most popular posts!

3. Gum Wall

While you’re at Pike Place Market, be sure to head down to Post Alley beneath the market. That’s where you’ll find the infamous gum wall! When you visit this Seattle landmark, you’ll likely feel a combination of utter disgust and sheer amazement. There is a lot of gum on that wall!

The tradition was started in the early 1990s when patrons would line up and stick their gum on the wall. (It’s no coincidence to me that this happened during the grunge era!) In 2015, workers pressure washed the wall to clean it. Over 2300 pounds of gum was removed! You wouldn’t know it, though, because there is plenty of gum that has collected since then.

To access the gum wall, head to Rachel the Piggy Bank (near the fish market) there is a staircase that goes down to Post Alley. Or, if you stand on the corner of Pike St. and 1st Ave (facing the market sign) the ramp down to Post Alley will be on the left. 

Tip: When you visit, be sure to bring some bubble gum to add to the wall.

4. Space Needle

The Space Needle is the most iconic symbol of Seattle. To get to the Space Needle viewing decks, you’ll take the elevator up over 500 feet. Head to the Space Needle to get one of the best views of Seattle!

The Space Needle underwent a major renovation in 2018. The outdoor viewing deck now has glass walls with glass benches (“skyrisers”) that make for some incredible photos. The Loupe on the lower viewing deck contains the world’s first and only revolving glass floor. You’ll be able to see Seattle underneath your feet! The Space Needle also has a trendy lounge for cocktails, a cafe for drinks and snacks, and a gift shop. 

Before visiting, see our complete guide to seeing the Space Needle.

5. Seattle Aquarium 

The Seattle Aquarium is another great place to visit while in Seattle. (We also think it’s one of the best activities for a rainy day in Seattle!) The majority of the exhibits are indoors, and you’ll get to learn a lot about what’s below the surface of Washington’s waters!

The aquarium is located on Pier 59. It’s within walking distance to a number of Seattle attractions, including Pike Place Market and the ferris wheel. The aquarium has six primary exhibits: Window on Washington Waters, Life on the Edge, Pacific Coral Reef, Birds & Shores, the Underwater Dome, and Marine Mammals. We especially like watching the otters play!

Before heading to the aquarium, see our full post on the Seattle Aquarium.

6. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Adjacent to the Space Needle, you will find Chihuly Garden and Glass. Dale Chihuly is one of the most famous glass artists in the world, and his studio is based in Washington. At the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, you’ll find eight different galleries and three Drawing Walls. 

Our personal favorite exhibit is the Glasshouse, which is a 40-foot-tall building that resembles a conservatory. (Pictured above.) Suspended from the ceiling is a large 100-foot-long suspended glass sculpture. 

Outside the museum, you can explore a glass garden. Chihuly’s glass pieces are blended seamlessly into the plant collection. It’s truly a unique experience to walk through this garden of glass!

7. International Fountain

Located at the Seattle Center, the International Fountain was built in 1962 as part of the World’s Fair. The fountain contains 274 water jets and LED lighting. The fountain contains four ‘super shooters’ that blast water 120 feet high into the air. 

There are five different musical shows that accompany the fountain. These include: Welcome to Seattle Center Show, Aaron Copeland’s ‘Billy the Kid,’ Duke Ellington, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and a mix from Northwest Rock ‘n Roll legends. The longest show is 12 minutes long.

On a sunny day, you’re likely to see dozens of children and adults try to touch the dome and run away before the jets resume!

See our guide The Best Hotels in Downtown Seattle to help you plan your trip!

8. Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel is a giant ferris wheel located on Pier 57. It’s the largest observation wheel on the west coast. There are 42 gondolas, one of which is a VIP cabin with a glass bottom floor. Each gondola is fully enclosed, so you can enjoy this attraction even when it rains. 

Travel Tip: If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, consider buying a Seattle CityPASS. You’ll be able to save money if you plan on visiting multiple attractions. 

9. Wings Over Washington

The Wings Over Washington attraction is located near the ferris wheel. After you book your admission tickets, you’ll be strapped into a theater seat and you’ll experience the most state-of-the-art theater in the world. The theater uses 5k cameras, laser projection, surround sound, and more to offer a very realistic look at the geography of Washington State.

10. Olympic Sculpture Park

The Olympic Sculpture Park is a 9-acre waterfront park that is free to the public. The park contains a total of 20 outdoor sculptures that you can enjoy as you walk along the path. Pictured above is Beverly Pepper Perre’s Ventaglio III (1967).

11. Pacific Science Center

The Pacific Science Center is an interactive science museum located in Seattle. In addition to a number of engaging exhibits, the Pacific Science Center has a planetarium, laser dome, virtual reality game, and two IMAX theaters.

12. Starbucks Reserve Roastery

A lot of people visit “the original Starbucks” at Pike Place Market, but I would recommend that you instead visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. The main reason is because “the original Starbucks” actually isn’t the original Starbucks (it’s the second), and that location tends to be crowded with tourists. It’s really no different than any other Starbucks, so in my opinion it’s not worth the hassle. Instead, I recommend that you visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery! At the roastery, you can learn all about how Starbucks makes its famous coffee. They offer scheduled tours, and they have an impressive menu. I recommend that you try one of their tasting flights for a truly unique experience!

13. Take an Ice Cream Cruise

Take an Ice Cream Cruise with Seattle Water Tours! The cruise is typically open on weekends and departs from Lake Union Park. The cruise is 45-minutes long and contains a narrated tour. Of course, there’s ice cream and treats for sale on board!

14. Rent a Hot Tub Boat

Looking for a unique activity to do in Seattle? Try renting a hot tub boat on Lake Union! At the time of this writing, it costs $400 to rent the boat for two hours. Each boat can fit up to six people. The boats are easy to navigate with a joystick. Because they have a top speed of 5 miles per hour, you don’t need to have a special boater’s license to rent one. The company will provide you with a dry box for phones and valuables, as well as a portable bluetooth speaker so you can listen to music. Regardless of the season, you’ll be able to enjoy the best views from the lake in style and comfort!

15. Ride the Monorail

The monorail is a convenient method of public transportation downtown, but it’s also fun in-and-of itself as a Seattle attraction. The monorail cruises through the city and is an excellent way to get a lay of the land. It also drives right through the MoPOP! Young children will especially enjoy riding the monorail. Trains depart every 10 minutes, so it’s easy to hop and off. The monorail has two stations: Westlake Center Station (5th Avenue and Pine Street) and the Seattle Center Station (right next to the Space Needle). 

16. Seattle Art Museum

The Seattle Art Museum is a great place to spend a rainy day. Inside, you’ll see a number of art exhibits that will get you thinking and feeling. The museum has special exhibitions dedicated to artists from Native American, Asian American, and Muslim backgrounds. 

17. Seattle Public Library: Central Library

One of the most unique buildings in Seattle is the Seattle Central Library. The building is 11 stories tall and features a glass and steel honeycomb design. The library also features a “Red Floor”, which is colored in 13 shades of red. It’s one of the most photographed areas of the library. Whether or not you plan on sitting down and reading for awhile, walking through the library on a rainy day is worth a visit if you have never been inside before!

18.  Edith Macefield’s House (The Up House)

The Edith Macefield House is commonly known as the Up house of Disney fame. The house belonged to Edith Macefield, who refused to sell the home even after developers offered her increasing amounts of money. Because she would not sell the home, developers built around the house! The home is a symbol of the changing landscape of Seattle. 

19. Sky View Observatory at Columbia Tower

At 933 feet, the Columbia Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the Pacific Northwest. As you’d expect, the tower also holds commanding views of the city. The Sky View Observatory is located 73 stories up the tower. There’s a cafe and a bar at the observatory, so you can definitely grab a cocktail and enjoy the sunset. (Which is when we recommend visiting!) We recommend that you purchase tickets for the Sky View Observatory in advance! 

20. Kerry Park

If you’ve seen a postcard of Seattle, chances are the photo was taken from Kerry Park. It has one of the best views of the city! What I like about this park is that you can clearly see the Space Needle. The Space Needle isn’t as tall as many of the skyscrapers nearby, so you really need to find a viewpoint that has the right angle to see the Space Needle fully. From Kerry Park, you have that perfect viewpoint. On a clear day, you can also see Mount Rainier in the distance. When that happens, it’s pure magic.

21. Woodland Park Zoo

One of our favorite things to do in Seattle is visit the Woodland Park Zoo. (We like it so much, we purchased an annual membership!) The zoo has over 900 animals from over 250 distinct species. The animals are grouped by regional habitats. Currently the Woodland Park Zoo has 11 exhibits: Africa Savanna, Assam Rhino Reserve, Australia, Molbak’s Butterfly Garden (temporarily closed for refurbishments), Humboldt Penguin Exhibit, Living Northwest Trail, Temperate Forest, Trail of Adaptations, Tropical Asia, Tropical Rainforest, and Ambassador Animals. We especially like seeing the red panda and the baby gorilla when we visit. 

22. Pike Brewing Company

Pike Brewing Company is located within Pike Place Market. Stop by for some delicious handcrafted beers. They also have a beer museum! You might also want to check their website to see if their brewery tours have resumed. 

23. Paramount Theatre

The Paramount Theatre is where to go to see major musical and theatre productions in Seattle. The theatre has been open since 1928 and is a historic landmark. 

24. Gas Works Park

This park was the former site of the Seattle Gas Light Company’s gasification plant. Many of the original structures were never cleared from the park, so there are a bunch of rusty structures in the center of the park. (Which are fenced off from the public.) It’s a popular spot for photographers because of the industrial vibe!

Gas Works Park is on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is 19 acres and sits on the north shore of Lake Union. Across the lake, you’ll have direct views of the downtown Seattle skyline. A large grassy knoll gives plenty of space for picnics, frisbee, and sunbathing. A sundial at the top of the hill is a popular place for taking photos. We think one of the best views of the city is from the top of the hill.

25. University of Washington Campus

I might be biased because I’m an alumna, but the University of Washington has one of the most beautiful campuses you will ever see! I recommend visiting a few places: Suzzallo Library (the old stonework and large cathedral windows will make you feel like you are at Oxford), Drumheller Fountain (on a clear day you can see Mount Rainier behind the fountain), Red Square (centrally located on campus), and the Quad (especially beautiful when the cherry blossoms bloom in the spring). 

26. Golden Gardens Park

This might be the best sandy beach in Seattle. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see across the Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains. The beach also has volleyball courts, seasonal fire pits, a fishing pier, boat launch, and an off-leash area for dogs.

27. Dick’s Drive-In

With multiple locations in the greater Seattle area, you are sure to find a Dick’s Drive-In near you. This burger joint is extremely popular with locals. Dick’s Drive-In has been a Seattle staple since 1954. This to-go service counter (no indoor dining) makes fresh cheeseburgers that are delicious and affordable. I would say that Dick’s Drive-In is to Washington what In-and-Out Burger is to California.

28. Northwest African American Museum

The Northwest African American Museum is dedicated to sharing the stories and histories of African Americans in the Pacific Northwest. The museum is filled with exhibitions that feature visual arts, music, crafts, and literature. 

29. Virtual Reality

Have you ever tried virtual reality gaming? We just tried it for the first time during a date night, and we had an absolute blast! We recommend that you try Sandbox VR. They have some really unique immersive experiences.

30. Seattle Asian Art Museum

This museum was newly renovated and features artworks and displays that showcase the diversity within Asia. The galleries are arranged by themes, instead of being constricted by geographical region. The museum is located within a beautiful Art Deco building that was built in 1933. 

31. Ballard Locks (Hiram M. Chittenden Locks)

 

The locks in Ballard are a fun place to watch the boats pass through to Lake Union. It’s an impressive sight to see the locks fill with water and then slowly drain the water to let the boats through. There’s a visitor center as well as a fish ladder too. One of the best ways to experience the locks is by taking a narrated cruise through them! 

32. Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

The underground tour is one of the most popular tours in Seattle. Although I’ve lived here nearly my entire life, I only recently completed the tour and got to look at Seattle’s underground! After the Great Fire of 1889, the city of Seattle was rebuilt on top of the old city. That means that beneath the busy streets of Seattle lies the old storefronts and sidewalks. You’ll learn all about the hidden history of Seattle when you go on this tour.

33. Victrola Coffee

Seattle is known for its coffee, and Victrola sells some of the best coffee in town. If you can only visit a handful of coffee shops in Seattle, make sure that this one is on your list. They were voted as the Best Coffee Shop in Seattle by Travel and Leisure, and they were also rated as one of Food & Wine’s Top Cafes in America. (The only cafe in Seattle to be recognized.)

34. McCaw Hall

In 2003, McCaw Hall opened to the public as a renovation of the Seattle Opera House. If you want to watch the Pacific Northwest Ballet or listen to the Seattle Opera, this is the place to go. The auditorium seats 2,900 people. I’ve watched several Seattle Opera shows, and it’s always a great night out on the town.

35. Green Lake Park

Green Lake is one of the Seattle’s most popular urban, green spaces. There is a 2.8-mile paved loop around the lake, which is extremely popular for pedestrians and cyclists alike. There are plenty of grassy areas for lounging, as well as sports fields, water rentals, and a playground.

36. 5th Avenue Theatre

The 5th Avenue Theatre opened in 1926. It is one of Seattle’s most famous landmarks, and it hosts a multitude of theater productions each year. I’ve watched half a dozen productions at the 5th Avenue Theatre, and I’ve enjoyed each one!

37. Fremont Canal Park

A nice place to go for a walk is at Fremont Canal Park. The park is located on the northern side of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The park is adjacent to the water and has a nice, flat walking path.

38. Burke Museum

The Burke Museum at the University of Washington focuses on natural history and culture. They have exhibits that focus on biology, archaeology and fossils, Northwest Native Art, and contemporary culture. On the first Thursday of each month, admission is free. 

39. Seattle Pinball Museum

The Seattle Pinball Museum contains over 50 pinball machines. It’s open for children 7 years old or older. With a single admission fee, you can then enter and play as many games of pinball as you’d like. At the time of this writing, admission is $20 for an adult and $17 for a child.

40. Seattle Spheres

In the middle of downtown, you will find two giant glass spheres. The Seattle Spheres were built to provide urban office employees a place to connect with nature. The spheres are filled with more than 40,000 plants from over 30 countries. The spheres were funded by Amazon for use for their employees, but they are open to the public on select dates. With a reservation, you can typically visit on the first and third Saturday of each month for free.

41. Paddle Board or Kayak at Lake Union

At the Agua Verde Paddle Club, you can rent stand up paddle boards, two-person kayaks, and single kayaks. I have gone several times, and it’s a really fun way to see the city from a unique perspective! You can choose to paddle toward the houseboats, Gas Works Park, or the UW Arboretum. If you’d don’t have much paddling experience, that’s not a problem at all. You can also book a tour with a guide.

42. Dr. Jose Rizal Park

Dr. Jose Rizal Park is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle. This park is located in the southside of Seattle, so you’ll have a view of the city of Seattle to the north and Elliott Bay to the west. The park is named for Jose Rizal, who is a national hero in the Philippines. Photographers often take photos of traffic going up Interstate-5 and into the city. 

43. The Nest Rooftop Bar

The Nest Rooftop Bar is located within the Thompson Hotel in downtown Seattle. As its name suggests, it’s a bar on the rooftop with stunning views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. The bar is surrounded by skyscrapers, so it really feels like you have a bird’s eye view of the city. The Nest is also a two-minute walk away from Pike Place Market, so it’s easy to combine both activities in a day. The bar is open for adults 21 and over, and it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It’s a very popular bar with limited space, so reservations are strongly encouraged. 

44. Pier 54 

On Pier 54, you can find two notable Seattle businesses: Ivar’s Acres of Clams and Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. Ivar’s is a very popular seafood restaurant in Seattle. The curiosity shop was founded in 1899, so it’s one of Seattle’s oldest businesses. The shop sells souvenirs and unique gifts.

45. Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight is one of the largest aviation museums in the world. There are a variety of aircraft and spacecraft for viewing at this museum. Learn about untold stories of World War II, see aircrafts from the 1930s, and see a contemporary duplicate of the Sputnik 1 satellite.

46. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center

At the Discovery Center, there are numerous exhibits worth exploring. The exhibits address topics such as global challenges and fighting disease. 

47. Westlake Center

Westlake Center is where to go for shopping in Seattle. There are 17 stores in the center itself, and dozens more within walking distance. Underneath Westlake Center is also a light rail stop.

48. Washington Park Arboretum

Located along the shores of Lake Washington, the Washington Park Arboretum contains 230 acres of plants and wildlife. You can start your visit at the Graham Visitors Center, and then you can take one of the many trails through the woods or along the shore. We especially love visiting during the fall when all of the colors start to change. There’s also a Japanese Garden (requires an entrance fee) located at the south end of the Arboretum. 

49. Flatstick Pub Indoor Mini Golf

Flatstick Pub has a 9-hole, indoor mini golf course. We just went to their South Lake Union location, and they have some of the most creative miniature golf courses I have ever seen! After 7pm, they are open for adults 21 years and over only. They have a full bar, so grab a pint and play some golf. It makes for a fun date night!

50. Fine Dining at Canlis

Canlis is Seattle’s most well-known fine-dining restaurant. The restaurant has been a Seattle icon and has been serving the people of the city, as well as visitors, for over 70 years. The restaurant has received multiple James Beard awards and nominations. Their menu is outstanding, and they have one of the best wine lists in the world. Their restaurant also has some of the best views of the city, so you are really getting the best of everything when you dine at Canlis.