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Seattle, United States

Destination Guide

Seattle

United States

Best things to do in Seattle

37 curated attractions in Seattle, United States. Handpicked for every kind of traveler.

Best time

June - September

Average temp

13°C/55°F

Budget

Expensive

Safety

Generally safe

About Seattle

Seattle is shaped by its role as the birthplace of the tech industry in the Pacific Northwest and its proximity to water. The skyline is punctuated by the Space Needle, an iconic remnant of the 1962 World's Fair, while the waterfront bustles with ferries and fishing boats. The city is home to a diverse population, many of whom work in technology, arts, and coffee. The rich cultural scene includes the Museum of Pop Culture and the Seattle Art Museum, but you'll also find green spaces like Discovery Park and Gas Works Park. Tourists often flock to Alki Beach for a view of the skyline from across the bay, though expect to share it with countless locals who know just how good it is to drink coffee while staring out at the water.

Who it's for

Ideal for those who enjoy a mix of culture and outdoor activities, as long as they don't mind a little drizzle. A poor choice for anyone seeking a nightlife; while there are bars and restaurants, they tend to close early and quieter corners of the city are more common than lively streets. If you're after a beach experience, the Pacific Northwest is not the sunny paradise you might be expecting.

Getting around

Public transport: Good

  • The downtown area is easily walkable in about twenty minutes from the waterfront to the Space Needle
  • Public transport is good and includes light rail and buses, making it easy to access neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Fremont
  • The ferry service from downtown to Bainbridge Island takes about thirty-five minutes, offering a great view of the skyline
  • Be prepared for hills if you decide to walk anywhere beyond the flat areas
Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

Food markets & food halls
Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square

Streets & neighbourhoods
Seattle Waterfront

Seattle Waterfront

Canals, harbours & waterfronts
University of Washington campus

University of Washington campus

Historic libraries & universities
Post Alley

Post Alley

Urban Attractions
Capitol Hill neighborhood

Capitol Hill neighborhood

Streets & neighbourhoods
Discovery Park

Discovery Park

City parks
Kerry Park

Kerry Park

City parks
Washington Park Arboretum

Washington Park Arboretum

Botanical gardens
Volunteer Park

Volunteer Park

City parks
Museum of Flight

Museum of Flight

Specialty & quirky museums
Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park

City parks
Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Art museums & galleries
Argosy Tours

Argosy Tours

Urban Attractions
Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners

Sports and Recreation Venues
Ballard Locks

Ballard Locks

Canals, harbours & waterfronts
Alki Beach

Alki Beach

Beaches
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center

Specialty & quirky museums
Columbia Center Sky View Observatory

Columbia Center Sky View Observatory

Observation decks & city views
Amazon Spheres

Amazon Spheres

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Seattle Center

Seattle Center

City parks
Seattle Japanese Garden

Seattle Japanese Garden

Formal & Japanese gardens
Seattle Central Library

Seattle Central Library

Historic libraries & universities
Space Needle

Space Needle

Observation decks & city views
Seattle Great Wheel

Seattle Great Wheel

Family & kids' attractions
Seattle Art Museum

Seattle Art Museum

Art museums & galleries
Smith Tower

Smith Tower

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo

Zoos
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Specialty & quirky museums
Olympic Sculpture Park

Olympic Sculpture Park

Fountains, statues & public art
Fremont Vintage Market

Fremont Vintage Market

Shopping and Markets
Fremont Troll

Fremont Troll

Fountains, statues & public art
Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks

Sports and Recreation Venues
Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Aquarium

Aquariums
Gum Wall

Gum Wall

Urban Attractions
City Hall Park

City Hall Park

City parks
Washington State Ferries

Washington State Ferries

Canals, harbours & waterfronts

Where to eat in Seattle

The places worth planning a meal around.

The Pink Door

The Pink Door

Italian · $$

★ 4.6 · 7,317 reviews

Elliott's Oyster House

Elliott's Oyster House

seafood

★ 4.3 · 7,244 reviews

Piroshky Piroshky

Piroshky Piroshky

Russian

★ 4.5 · 5,976 reviews

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung

Taiwanese · $$

★ 4.5 · 5,760 reviews

Pike Place Fish Market

Pike Place Fish Market

seafood

★ 4.6 · 4,491 reviews

Un Bien

Un Bien

Caribbean

★ 4.8 · 2,339 reviews

Things to do in Seattle

Tours, cruises and experiences, rather than places to visit.

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