15 Best Things to Do in Seattle (Must-See Places)

Known as the Emerald City, Seattle just might be the most scenic metropolitan area in the United States. The largest city in the Pacific Northwest offers visitors endless things to see and do. This is one of my favourite places to visit in the USA. Seattle is surrounded by evergreen forests, mountains, and water. Even if … Read more

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Known as the Emerald City, Seattle just might be the most scenic metropolitan area in the United States. The largest city in the Pacific Northwest offers visitors endless things to see and do. This is one of my favourite places to visit in the USA.

Seattle is surrounded by evergreen forests, mountains, and water. Even if you’re just in Seattle for a weekend trip, it’s enough time to enjoy many of the attractions in nature or in the city. There’s no shortage of great places to visit in Seattle.

I’ve been to cities all over my home country from coast to coast (including Denver, Detroit, Austin, Asheville, Boston, New Orleans and many more), and after living in Seattle for two months and visiting numerous times, the Emerald City is definitely among the best places to visit in the states.

In this guide, I’ll introduce some of the top things to do in Seattle along with lots of practical info to help you plan a great trip.

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 scenery around every corner.

Unfortunately, it’s true that it rains quite often here. Don’t let it rain on your parade, though — there are tons of great museums and other indoor activities to keep you busy when it gets a bit wet. There are plenty of things to do in Seattle when it rains.

Seattle is also well-known for its music and sports. The grunge era started here with bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana, and it’s now a hub for indie music and underground hip-hop.

Seattle sports fans are some of the loudest in the country as they show their unwavering support for teams like the Seahawks and Sounders. It really is amazing how you can enjoy all the amenities of a big city and yet so easily get out in nature.

15 Best Things To Do in Seattle

Here’s my list of the top 15 things to do and places to visit in Seattle. After living in the city for over 2 months and visiting there many times over the years, I’ve narrowed down my top picks for the best Seattle attractions.

1. See the Space Needle

Without a doubt, the most iconic landmark in Seattle is the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 edition of the World’s Fair, it has been a fixture in the city’s skyline ever since.

The observation deck is 520 feet (158 meters) tall, so you get to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see the entire city along with natural wonders such as Lake Union and Mt. Rainier. Checking out this view is a must do in Seattle, and I can’t tell you how many times I visited during my time living there.

While the Space Needle has always been one of the top places to visit in Seattle, it’s even cooler now thanks to some serious renovations.

A recent multimillion dollar upgrade added the classy lounge The Loupe, the first rotating glass floor in the world. They also added wall-to-ceiling glass and the new Skyrisers, which are tilting glass benches that provide for some unreal views of the city.

The Space Needle is open daily from 8 AM-midnight, with the last entry at 11:15. Tickets range from $37-$70 for adults, tickets depend on which package you book. This is one of the best places to visit in Seattle and is included in the Seattle CityPass. See the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden together with this ticket.

Address: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States

2. Check Out the Seattle Center

The Space Needle is just one part of the massive Seattle Center. This hub of education, art, and entertainment has so much going on that you could easily spend an entire day here and still not do it all.

One of the top Seattle attractions you’ll find here is the International Fountain. At different points throughout the day, the fountain is synchronized to music, making for a great show that’s fun for all ages. 

The Seattle Center is also home to Artists at Play — a funky playground designed by artists. There’s a climbing tower, labyrinth, carousel, and much more here. This is one of the best free things to do in Seattle and one of the first places I’d bring visitors while showing them around.  

There’s much more to see and do here, including several different museums. Don’t miss the excellent Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center. They run free group tours from Tuesday-Saturday at 2:00 PM and it’s always free to visit.

In addition to all the different attractions here, the Seattle Center also hosts thousands of events and programs throughout the year. Concerts, fitness classes, movies, festivals, and more are on tap here. Be sure to check their event calendar to see what’s going on.

Address: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States

3. See Chihuly Garden

The Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum is one of the most popular places to visit in Seattle. It’s dedicated to the stunning glasswork of Dale Chihuly, whose work can be seen in over 200 museums around the world.

Located at the Seattle Center, the museum is split into three different areas: the Garden, Interior Exhibits, and the incredible Glasshouse. My personal favorite is the Glasshouse, but be sure to see them all.

There’s also a theater that’s constantly showing short videos of Chihuly and his work. You’ll definitely want to carve out a couple of hours to take it all in. 

The museum is open from 8:30 AM-8:30 PM Monday to Thursday and stays open an hour later on the weekend.

Tickets cost $35-$42.50 for adults and $30-$37.50 for kids. Entrance to the Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum is included in the Seattle CityPass, on this 3-hour “highlights tour” of Seattle, or this ticket which includes the Space Needle as well.

Finally, if you prefer to simply purchase your entrance ticket direct from the company, make sure to utilize the free audio tour on offer. 

Address: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States

4. Join a Food Tour

One of the most fun things to do in Seattle is to eat your way across the city on a food tour. My personal recommendation is the Pike Place Market Chef Guided Food Tour, which lasts two hours and includes numerous bites.

Along the way, you’ll learn all about the history and culture of the market, find some small businesses and enjoy sampling all of the amazing foods on offer. 

Another solid option that I’ve gone on several times is the Pike Place Market Walking Food tour which includes a guide, samples at seven artisanal food stalls, and more. Joining a food tour is one of the fun activities in Seattle for adults that should be on your list.

5. Visit the Museum of Pop Culture

Formerly known as the EMP (Experience Music Project), the Museum of Pop Culture is one of the best Seattle attractions around. Before you head inside, you’ll want to take some time to admire the stunning building from world-famous architect Frank Gehry.

Once you step inside the museum, which also goes by MoPOP, you’ll notice the impressive guitar sculpture called “If VI Was IX.” There are over 500 instruments making up this tornado-like sculpture! 

Speaking of music, the museum has several permanent exhibits dedicated to Seattle’s most famous rockers: Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam.

You can even channel your inner rockstar in their Sound Lab or take your picture in front of a packed audience in their On Stage area. 

That’s not all, though. MoPop also has exhibits on fantasy, science fiction, horror, video games, comedy, and much, much more.

I’ve been to a lot of museums in my travels, and this one is definitely my favorite. Be sure to add it to your list