Seattle’s frequent rain contributes to the lush beauty and vibrant life that make the city so special. Don’t let it deter your exploration – this city offers a diverse array of unique activities to enjoy.
Among that beauty and life is a throng of diverse and unique things to do. From experiencing the historical music scene that brought legends like Nirvana to the forefront of the industry to dining at fresh seafood joints with a beautiful mountain backdrop, here are some of my favorite things to do in the Emerald City.
1. Spend a day in Discovery Park
To get your nature fix without actually leaving the city, Discovery Park is the place to go with 534 acres of natural area to explore. As Seattle’s largest green space, it’s a haven for wildlife and offers stunning views of Puget Sound.
Go for a hike on the 12 miles of trails among the evergreen trees, relax or search for seashells on the sandy beach or visit the West Point Lighthouse, which has been in operation since 1881. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center tells the history of the Indigenous Duwamish who once lived on the land.
2. Shop and eat at Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market has a special place in the heart of Seattle. This famous market, with its maze of shops and foodie spots, is a must-visit. The market is currently undergoing an exciting expansion, which includes the construction of the Overlook Walk. Scheduled to open in 2025, this elevated pedestrian bridge will connect the MarketFront Pavilion to the waterfront below, providing expansive views of Elliott Bay and a seamless route for visitors. The Overlook Walk will feature play areas for families, public plazas with seating and lush terraced landscaping, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and taking in the sights. There’s a wall where you can leave your mark with a chewed-up piece of gum – is it fascinating or unsanitary? You decide.
Watch seafood vendors fling fish from one part of the store to another. Most come for the spectacle, but the ultra-fresh filets or shellfish make for an unforgettable home-cooked meal.
Stroll around the many quirky shops like Eighth Generation, an Indigenous-owned home goods and art shop, Lamplight Books, a used book store with everything from modern literature to vintage favorites, or massive footwear at the Giant Shoe Museum. But who are we kidding? You came here to eat.
Planning tip: Go hungry. Find tasty Russian dumplings at Piroshky Piroshky, swig some Rachel’s Ginger Beer, indulge in the best mac ‘n’ cheese you’ve ever tasted at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese or grab a sweet Earl Grey cookie at Three Girls Bakery. With the ongoing development, you’ll soon be able to enjoy your market finds while strolling along the new promenade that will link Pike Place Market directly to the waterfront, offering one of the best sunset views in the city.
3. Rock out at the Museum of Pop Culture
Not only is the Museum of Pop Culture a unique architectural wonder to admire, but the exhibitions will take you on a journey through the history of the music industry, with a special soft spot for Seattle legends Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix.
And beyond music, there are year-round showcases and events celebrating all things pop culture and entertainment. A new addition to the museum’s permanent collection is an exhibit on the rise of indie video games, showcasing the creative spirit of the Pacific Northwest. Check out Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s collection from films like Black Panther (2018), Malcolm X (1992) and Do the Right Thing (1989).
Planning tip: If you want to give your secret desire to be a rock star a try, spend some time in the Sound Lab, where you can get in a jam studio and record your own songs.
4. Ride the Puget Sound ferries
For a beautiful view of Seattle and a worthwhile day trip, take one of the many ferries in the area to another Pacific Northwest location. Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Vashon Island, or one of the San Juans provide that small-town getaway feeling without going too far.
Local tip: When you’re on the ferry, head up to the passenger deck for a full panoramic view of the Seattle skyline from one side and the beautiful Cascade Mountains on the other. Pro tip: Time your ferry ride at sunset for an unforgettable experience.
5. Have a cup of coffee (obviously)
Everyone knows Starbucks began in Seattle, but it’s not the only coffee shop worth trying. With multiple cafes on every block, Seattle is considered the coffee capital of the US for a reason.
You can’t go wrong with sampling espresso from practically anywhere in the city. Diva Espresso has often been left off those “best coffee shops in Seattle” lists, and it’s a shame – the coffee is outstanding. It has seven locations spread throughout the city and serves some of the best iced brews. Grab a pinwheel pastry, and your perfect order is complete.
Support Black-owned Black Coffee Northwest in Ballard, which gives back to the community through youth development programs.
Planning tip: If you must venture to a Starbucks, make it the Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill. You can try menu items like pizza and tiramisu and special brews like espresso martinis not found in a normal store.
6. Watch a drag show in Capitol Hill
Catching a drag show, eating brunch at an excellent restaurant or viewing some eclectic street art are just snippets of what the Capitol Hill area has to offer.
This LGBTIQ+ friendly neighborhood has rainbow crosswalks, lots of queer-owned nightlife and a park to relax in an ultimately special pocket of the city. Watch some of your favorite RuPaul’s Drag Race performers and local Seattle queens lip sync up a storm at Queer/Bar or Julia’s on Broadway.
One of the best restaurants in the neighborhood is Oddfellows Café + Bar, an all-day and all-night spot where you feast on everything from deviled eggs (with dill) to pesto linguine. And always leave room for the strawberry shortcake with Chantilly cream. Right next door, you can find Molly Moon’s, an ice cream parlor with local flavors like honey lavender.
7. Take a ride up the Space Needle
The city icon, which is as synonymous with Seattle as the letters S-E-A-T-T-L-E, was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and in 2018 got a face-lift to bring it into a new era.
Although it’s no longer Seattle’s tallest structure, one million annual visitors still squeeze into the Space Needle’s slick, speedy elevators to enjoy views that are best described as awesome. Granted, tickets are expensive, and you’ll be elbow-to-elbow with tourists, but stop complaining and get in line: this is an essential Seattle pilgrimage.
Local tip: Get up early to have the Needle all to yourself.
8. Get out on the water at Lake Union
Lake Union is the central spot in Seattle to enjoy all things aquatic. Formed by glacial erosion over 12,000 years ago, Lake Union offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, seaplane journeys and even hot tub boat rentals.
And if being on the water isn’t your specialty, you can enjoy the lake from the land at Gas Works Park, which has a lovely view of the Space Needle, especially at night.
If you’re up to the challenge, you can walk or run the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop, which takes you 6 miles around the perimeter, with plenty of houseboats to admire. For a unique experience, paddle up to Gasworks Brewing and enjoy a refreshing pint. You won’t be the only one in a swimsuit.
9. Enjoy Seattle’s public art
Seattle likes to display its art out in the open with no holds barred. You’ll even find art installations underground in the Link stations, like the “apartment windows” in the U District station. Sculptures and statues decorate parks, streets and squares, from the menacing stone troll underneath a Ballard bridge (see #16!), to the iconic Jimi Hendrix statue, to the existential Waiting for the Interurban.
Seattle’s sculpture park, an outpost of the Seattle Art Museum, spreads its 3D works across a landscaped space overlooking Elliott Bay.
10. Bike through Colman Park
Head south along Lake Washington Blvd E through the very upscale Madrona Park neighborhood and you’ll end up at Colman Park. The entire lakefront stretch between here and Seward Park is parkland. This is an especially good area for cycling. On the weekends, the boulevard is closed to cars, making it a cyclist’s paradise.
11. Dine in Belltown
If you’re unsure where to eat and don’t have anything specific in mind, Belltown is where to go. With over 100 restaurant options covering every cuisine you can imagine, you won’t have a problem finding something to sate your appetite.
For hearty Italian pizza, head to Rocco’s for its Classic Sausage. If you need a sushi fix, try Shiro’s. Biscuit Bitch should be your brunch stop if you need a serving of Southern-inspired breakfast foods. And for some Caribbean eats, Jerk Shack is a must (try the jerk chicken plate). Drink some ales in the warehouse-style tasting room at Cloudburst Brewing.
The macarons at Lady Yum are so pretty it might be hard picking between eating them or snapping a few photos. A few flavors include classic vanilla bean, espresso fudge, salted caramel, honey lavender, and of course, chocolate.
12. See a performance at LANGSTON
This Byzantium Revival building began life in 1915 as a synagogue for a congregation of Orthodox Jews. By 1969 the demographics of the neighborhood changed and the building was reintroduced as the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, named after the famed Black American poet and social activist.
In 2016, the nonprofit LANGSTON organization took over programming events in the space to highlight Black art and culture in Seattle. Visitors can catch musical performances, plays, poetry events, and film festivals. Whether you’re interested in contemporary issues or timeless classics, LANGSTON offers a diverse array of cultural experiences.
13. Wander through the Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, often called the Ballard Locks, offer a unique experience where you can watch boats transition between Lake Union’s freshwater and the saltwater of Puget Sound, dropping 22 feet in the process. Adjacent to the locks is the fish ladder, built in 1976, which helps salmon navigate upstream to their spawning grounds in the Cascade headwaters. During spawning season, from mid-June to September, you can watch salmon make their incredible journey through underwater viewing windows. The fish ladder is also a prime spot to observe sea lions chasing the salmon. Nearby, the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens and a visitor center with a small museum add to the experience, making the Ballard Locks a must-see in Seattle.
14. Toast to Seattle beer culture in Ballard
A one-time fishing village founded by Nordic immigrants, the Ballard neighborhood has been reincarnated as Seattle’s beer capital with enough bars in its own right to satisfy a city. Boldly experimental, Ballard’s small breweries concoct big flavors that are served in a cornucopia of drinking establishments.
There are nano-breweries, brewpubs, old-school biker hangouts all over Seattle (try Backfire Moto), tasting rooms, whiskey bars (try The Ballard Cut), sports bars, dives peddling rock music, and bars with book corners. A must-visit is Fremont Brewing, known for its massive urban beer garden perfect for a sunny day out. Once you’re done with the booze, you can immerse yourself in Ballard’s unique National Nordic Museum and a necklace of waterside parks.
15. Marvel at the genius of the Chihuly Garden & Glass
Opened in 2012 and reinforcing Seattle’s position as a leading city of the arts, this exquisite exposition of the life and work of dynamic local sculptor Dale Chihuly is possibly the finest collection of curated glass art you’ll ever see.
It shows off Chihuly’s creative designs in a suite of interconnected dark and light rooms before depositing you in an airy glass atrium and – finally – a landscaped garden in the shadow of the Space Needle. Glassblowing demonstrations are a highlight. The outdoor garden, with its striking glass sculptures that blend seamlessly with nature, is particularly breathtaking at night when illuminated.
16. Hunt the Northwest Trolls across Seattle
Seattle’s public art scene has a whimsical new addition: the Northwest Trolls. These giant hand-built sculptures by Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo can be found across various locations in the Pacific Northwest, each telling a unique story that blends environmental sustainability with Scandinavian folklore.
Start your troll-hunting adventure in Seattle by visiting “Bruun Idun” in Lincoln Park. This troll, crafted from recycled materials, is part of a broader project that includes several other trolls around the region, each with its own backstory and environmental message. Another Seattle-based troll, “Frankie Feetsplinter,” stands guard outside the National Nordic Museum in Ballard, inviting visitors to explore both the sculpture and the museum’s rich cultural exhibits.
If you’re up for a short ferry ride, head over to Bainbridge Island to meet “Pia The Peacekeeper” in Sakai Park. This troll, located just a mile from the ferry terminal, is accessible by a short, ADA-compliant trail. For those looking to explore even further, “Jakob Two Trees” in Issaquah and “Oscar the Bird King” on Vashon Island offer more opportunities to engage with these creative and environmentally conscious installations.
These trolls are not just for show – they’re meant to be touched, photographed and enjoyed by all ages. Just remember, while you’re free to interact with the trolls, climbing is not allowed in order to preserve these installations for future visitors.
17. Visit the Seattle Underground Tour
Beneath the bustling streets of Seattle lies a hidden world that tells the tale of the city’s past. The Seattle Underground Tour takes you on a fascinating journey through the subterranean passageways that once served as the main roadways and storefronts in the late 19th century. Following the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the city rebuilt on top of the old streets, leaving behind a network of tunnels that now offer a unique glimpse into the city’s history. This guided tour is both educational and entertaining, providing insight into the challenges and triumphs of Seattle’s early days.
18. Ride the Seattle Great Wheel
For a different perspective on the city, hop on the Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57. This 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay and, on clear days, even Mount Rainier. Each gondola is enclosed, making it a great year-round activity, rain or shine. Whether you ride during the day or at night when the wheel is illuminated with vibrant colors, it’s an experience that provides some of the best aerial views of the city.
19. Take flight with Wings Over Washington
Located on Pier 57 near the Seattle Great Wheel, Wings Over Washington is a state-of-the-art flying theater that takes you on an aerial adventure across the state of Washington. This touristy experience uses cutting-edge technology to simulate a flight over iconic locations like Mount Rainier, the Olympic National Forest and the San Juan Islands. Complete with wind, mist and scent effects, Wings Over Washington is a fun, kitschy way to explore the diverse landscapes of the Pacific Northwest without leaving the city.
20. SoDo: brews, bites, and baseball
Be sure to hop on the Link and have lunch in SoDo at Ghostfish Brewing, which offers gluten-free beer and food options – perfect for fueling up before catching a Mariners game at T-Mobile Park, renowned for its stunning views. If baseball isn’t your thing, SoDo is also home to the Museum of Flight, one of the largest air and space museums in the world, featuring an impressive collection of aircraft and interactive exhibits.
SoDo features the Showbox SoDo, a premier concert venue that hosts a variety of live performances in an intimate, industrial-style setting. Whether you’re into sports, technology, or live music, SoDo has something for everyone.
Seattle planning tips
Deciding on trip length:
Yes, three days is enough time to get a taste of what Seattle has to offer, but if you can squeeze in a fourth day, do it. Focus on key attractions like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the Museum of Pop Culture, and mix in some outdoor activities like a visit to Discovery Park or a ferry ride on Puget Sound.
Must-have foods:
Don’t leave Seattle without trying its fresh seafood, especially the Pacific Northwest’s renowned salmon. Pike Place Market is a great place to sample seafood, whether you prefer a sit-down meal or grabbing some fresh catch to cook at home. For a unique Seattle treat, try the Seattle Dog – a hot dog topped with cream cheese and grilled onions.
Popular outdoor activities:
Seattle is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular activities include hiking in Discovery Park, kayaking on Lake Union and cycling along the Burke-Gilman Trail. The city’s proximity to mountains and water makes it easy to explore nature even while staying close to urban amenities.
Family-friendly activities:
Families will enjoy the Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo and the Pacific Science Center. The Chihuly Garden & Glass and Museum of Pop Culture also offer exhibits that appeal to both adults and children.
Best way to spend one day:
Start your day with breakfast at Pike Place Market, then head to the Space Needle for a morning view of the city. Spend your afternoon exploring the Museum of Pop Culture and Chihuly Garden & Glass, and wrap up with a scenic ferry ride on Puget Sound. End the day with dinner in Belltown, sampling the diverse culinary offerings of the neighborhood.
Best way to get around:
Seattle’s Link Light Rail is an efficient and convenient way to travel from the airport to downtown and beyond. With stops that connect you to major attractions, you can easily explore the city without a car. The Link Light Rail is particularly convenient for travelers flying into Seattle–Tacoma International Airport – just download the Sound Transit app on your phone, hop on with your suitcases and head straight into the heart of the city. Seattle is also a very walkable city, with excellent public transit options, making it easy to get around.
This article was first published May 26, 2021 and updated Sep 19, 2024.
