Our Favorite Things to Do in Seattle

Seattle is a city that will always have a dear place in our hearts. Situated between the Puget Sound and overlooking Elliott Bay, it offers bustling city life, mountain vistas, and water views all at once.

Nicknamed the Emerald City for its evergreen tree-covered landscape, Seattle boasts a vibrant and diverse cultural scene and is home to some of the world's most famous companies. 

If you're visiting the Emerald City, here is our list of awesome things to do in Seattle, starting with downtown attractions. Whatever activities you choose, you'll have a blast in Seattle no matter what time of year you visit!

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Where to Stay in Seattle

You ideally want to be downtown where all the action is, though it is the most expensive. Here are some recommended hotels.

Expect to pay around $250 USD a night minimum in downtown Seattle.

• The Maxwell Hotel - A Staypineapple Hotel: Nice hotel near the Space Needle with pineapple cookies, and other amenities. Dog friendly, clean, comfortable rooms and super plush bed. They have two other properties in University District at UW (University Inn and Watertown).
• Mayflower Park Hotel: Just a few blocks away from Pike Place Market is this cute historic hotel with polished rooms and suites. Clean, comfortable, very nice staff.
• Ace Hotel Seattle: Trendy hotel with shared and private rooms a few blocks away from Pike Place Market.
• Hotel Max: A few blocks from Pike Place Market. Boutique hotel with small rooms but they have happy hour and friendly staff. Very cozy.
  

There are several neighborhoods in Seattle so if you are renting a car, you can stay in one of the outlying neighborhoods for a bit cheaper accommodation. You can find more Airbnbs in the local neighborhoods as well.

How to Get Around Seattle

For just one or two days in Seattle, you don't necessarily have to rent a car in Seattle. If you're staying in downtown, you can perfectly walk to the downtown attractions. Uber and Lyft are readily available if you want to venture outside.

There is also the local city bus that goes to other neighborhoods like Fremont, U District, Wallingford, etc. However, if you are staying longer and want to see other places besides downtown Seattle, then we recommend you to rent a car.

Our Favorite Things to Do in Seattle

As someone who used to live in Seattle and now visits often as a tourist, here are our favorite things to do in Seattle. Many of these activities are for first time visitors.

For repeat visitors, we highly recommend to get out and see more of Washington state, one of the most beautiful states in the United States. Its nickname isn't the Evergreen state for nothing!

You can consider a day trip to Mount Rainier (on your own or as a 1 day tour), a hike in the Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National forest or even do a road trip around Washington state. 

Seattle CityPass

For those who are considering to visit several attractions in downtown Seattle and hit the highlights, we recommend to get the CityPass. The Seattle CityPASS includes tickets to the Space Needle, Argosy Cruises, Chihuly Garden & Glass, MoPOP Museum and the Seattle Aquarium. Save $$ by purchasing the city pass rather than buying individual tickets!

Go Up the Space Needle

As the most iconic building in Seattle, this is number one on the list. The Space Needle is an integral component of what makes Seattle, Seattle and this funky 650 foot tall (106 meters) building is one not to miss.

We highly recommend going up the Space Needle to get great views of the city. It’s one of the best ways to see Seattle in all its glory and a classic tourist that shouldn't be missed. See as far as Mount Rainier, the Puget Sound, the Olympic mountain ranges, the Cascades and all of the city of Seattle. 

The Space Needle Platform is floor to ceiling glass with an outdoor observation deck that now has open air glass walls and glass benches. *Our photo taken right before this reconstruction.*

The Space Needle offers two different general ticket options.

General Admission: Choose from three time slots. Morning, afternoon and night. Morning is the cheapest ticket ($35 USD per adult). Afternoon and night are $5 more ($40 USD per adult).

Day/Night Pass: Includes two visits in one day to experience the needle during the day and then at night. Night visit is valid for the last three hours the needle is open. $67.50 USD per adult.

If you purchase the Seattle CityPASS, you get tickets to the Space Needle included.

For a more immersive experience with impressive views, visit the the Loupe Lounge (21+, closed summer). It has a revolving glass floor on the 500 foot level of the Space Needle!

Visit Chihuly Glass Museum

Brighten up a dark winter day or add more color to the long summer days with a visit to the spectacular Chihuly Garden and Glass. This is a must-see in Seattle, especially if you love art.

If you do not have the Seattle CityPASS, general admission tickets are ~$27-37.50 USD per adult and can be purchased online or at the door. Purchase them online to avoid waiting in line.

Open daily at 10 AM. Expect to take around 2 hours at the museum.

After your visit, head over to the next spot on our list of things to do in Seattle, just a short walk away.

Visit Pike Place Market

This is the second most iconic place in Seattle: Pike Place Market. The historic market is full of local treasures and is so much fun to browse.

Dedicate a few hours to Pike Place Market so you can take your time to try different food stands, restaurants, and coffee shops and go shopping. We also recommend visiting the Urban Garden on the rooftop for some peace and quiet and nice views.

You can spend a good 2-3 hours at the market browsing the stalls, shopping and eating a lot.

If you're a foodie, here are our favorite places to eat: Prioshky Prioshky, Pike Place Chowder, Delaurenti Food and Wine, Cinnamon Works, Los Agaves, The Crumpet Shop, Pike Place Fish Market. We HIGHLY recommend a Pike Place food tour for a very interesting, enriching and yummy experience. 

Also don't forget a stop at the gross Gum Wall (if it's still there. Sometimes they clean it but then people start sticking gum back on soon after).

Be a Rockstar at the Museum of Pop Culture

The Museum of Pop Culture is dedicated to music, science fiction and arts. Visitors can rock out on drums, make their own concert video and see the guitars of famous rock musicians.

The Museum rotates their special exhibits so it's different every few months. Sometimes they'll highlight a certain music group, holiday, special event, etc.

This museum is definitely a must visit for adults to channel their inner musician. Ever dreamed of being a rock star? Let it out in their Sound Lab and record your own concert!

You can purchase tickets as part of the Seattle CityPASS or separately for around $28 USD per adult. Open Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Wednesdays closed.

Plan for at least 2 hours at the museum.

Geek Out at the Pacific Science Center

Families cannot miss the Pacific Science Center to let their kids embrace their inner scientist. With a Planetarium, butterfly house, water exhibits, dinosaur exhibits, little kids area, space exhibits and so much more, kids of all ages will be entertained for hours at the Science Center. They also have an IMAX theater with documentaries.

I personally have the fondest memories of the Pacific Science Center as a kid. My love of science and wildlife definitely came from there!

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Open 10 AM to 5 PM with last admission at 4 PM. Holidays have special hours. You can choose to visit the Pacific Science Center as one of the choices of the Seattle CityPASS.

Discover the Underwater World at the Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium is dedicated to the education and conservation of native species of the Puget Sound so visitors can learn about this unique region of the Pacific Northwest. Get up close and personal with the special creatures of the PNW.

Though small, the aquarium is an excellent place for families and anyone who loves wildlife. They have many exhibits such as the Puget Sound Fish, marine mammals, birds and shores, the Great Pacific Octupus, salmon, tropical pacific, windows on Washington waters and the underwater dome.

If you have never seen or heard of the Puget Sound or know anything about the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium is a great introduction to the underwater world.

Open everyday 930 AM to 6 PM. Last entry at 5 PM. Part of the Seattle CityPASS or you can purchase tickets online/at the door for ~$36 USD per adult. Plan at least 2-3 hours at the aquarium.

When you finish your Seattle Aquarium visit, walk over to Pier 57 for the next recommended thing to do in Seattle on our list.

Check Out Downtown Views on the Great Wheel

For more views of downtown Seattle, take a ride on the Great Wheel at Pier 57. It’s a fun way to see Seattle from 175 feet (53 meters) high up in the sky. 

Rides are around 10-20 minutes depending on the season. Each ride is three full revolutions.

The Seattle Great Wheel classic ride is $20 USD per adult. They also offer a VIP private gondola with a glass floor, four leather seats and stereo for $50 USD per adult. Tickets have to be purchased at the office or online. VIP tickets are first come first serve.

To be honest, I thought it was a bit pricey for the ride and I definitely don't recommend it as a "MUST DO." It was one of those "do once, never again" type of activities. We have never ridden a ferris wheel in any other city, so it was kind of fun to do. If you have any one in your group or any kids who would just love this type of activity, then I say go for it!

Cruise Around the Harbor

There are many ways to see Seattle and going on a harbor cruise is one of them. You can see all of downtown and the port from the water on a one hour guided Seattle Harbor Tour with Argosy Cruises.

This one hour narrated cruise sails peacefully around the harbor for stunning views of the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline. We went in January so it was cold, but luckily it didn't rain. We actually got some fantastic photos of the clouds hovering low over the city.

This specific Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour is part of the Seattle CityPASS. They also offer a longer 120 minute cruise on their Locks Cruise. You’ll see 3 Seattle neighborhoods and go through the Hiram M. Chittendon Locks on this narrated experience with a full service bar on board.

Relax at Gasworks Park

On a sunny day, Gasworks Park is just spectacular. It used to be the former Seattle Gas Light company plant and was converted into a public park. Nowadays, visitors come to walk, run, relax, fly kites and enjoy all the beautiful city views.

How to get to Gasworks Park: Driving is the easiest. Parking is extremely limited on summer weekends and holidays.

Uber would be your next best option if you do not have a car.

After Gasworks, you can check out Fremont or Wallingford. Two cute neighborhoods near UW with lots of good food. You can also walk along the Burke Gilman trail to the South UW Campus along the waterfront and visit UW, our next item on the list.

See the Cherry Blossoms at UW

This only happens once a year so you need to be here during the right time. The cherry blossoms at UW quad are one of the most anticipated events, especially as tired-of-winter Washingtonians anxiously await the start of spring. Usually blooming at the end of March, the cherry blossoms lining the quad are a spectacular sight to see.

If you're not here during cherry blossom time, you can still visit the UW campus which is gorgeous. Visit Drumheller Fountain that has a view of Mount Rainier on a clear day. The Suzzallo library is one of the most beautiful collegiate libraries and is known for being the "Harry Potter library."  You can also visit the Burke Museum of Natural History on North Campus. 

See Seattle from Kerry Park

Kerry Park is a really small park in Queen Anne Hill with one of the best views of Seattle. We went at night to see downtown Seattle at night, but sunset is the most popular time to go to the park. 

Many photographers, locals and tourists go up here to see the city since it offers one of the best lookout spots around.

It gets pretty crowded at sunset so go early if you want to get that photo of Seattle. Capture the perfect “postcard” shot of the Emerald City here!

Location of Kerry Park in the link. If you drive, go early as parking may be really limited during the summer.

Visit International District and Eat!

Seattle’s international district for having some of the best Asian and ethnic food around. You can find delicious Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Japanese restaurants, cafes, bakeries and much more in the International District.

Shop at Uwajimaya to stock up on all your Asian goodies and get your fill of dim sum, ramen, dumplings, barbecue and more. We love Jade Garden, Honey Court, Henry’s Taiwan Kitchen, Mike's Noodle House, Oasis Tea Zone, Hong Kong Bistro, Purple Dot, Boiling Point, and Samurai Noodle but there are so many places to enjoy.

Learn About the History of Seattle on an Underground Tour

Seattle has a fascinating history and you can take an underground tour to learn all about it (and find out why it’s underground!). It’s a highly interesting and educational 75 minute tour that doesn’t feel like a history lesson at all.

Discover the original Seattle, learn about its beginnings and how it became the beloved city it is today. This is a must for history lovers!

Book your Seattle Underground History tour here. We also did the Bill Speidel's Underground tour and they offer a Paranormal Experience.

See Seattle From the Air

Seattle is a beautiful city surrounded by water, mountains and a volcano not too far away. To see all of that from above is a special treat in the summer. We took a 20 sightseeing ride on a seaplane from Lake Union with Kenmore Air and got amazing views of Seattle and all the neighborhoods.

If you want to do something special for your loved ones birthday, anniversary or just cause, a seaplane ride is a wonderful gift.

They also offer scenic flights to Mt. Rainier/Mt. St Helens, San Juan Islands, Lake Washington and South Sound. Costs starting at $119 USD per person.

Spend a Day with Animals at the Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo aims to educate the public about conservation and provide quality care to their animals. It’s a great place to take kids and take a look at the various plants, insects, mammals and marine animals.

The Woodland Park Zoo is not right in downtown Seattle. It is about a 15 minute drive (~6 miles). You can Uber or drive which is the fastest. There is a public bus but it takes awhile.

You can get tickets as one of the choices from the Seattle CityPASS

Go to a Concert at the Showbox

The Showbox has been around since 1939 and has hosted a huge number of artists that have gone on to make it big. Not only that but Seattle is the birthplace of grunge so you’re sure to find some new favorites.

You can check The Showbox’s website for upcoming events and then buy tickets in person or on the AXS website. I've seen several shows at the Showbox and it's always been super fun. 

Watch a Seahawks, Sounders, Storm or Mariners Game

Seattle hasn’t always been known for having a great sports team. Our biggest win was probably the Superbowl in 2014! Despite that, it's super fun to go to a football game or soccer match. Seattle fans are known for being some of the loudest so you can cheer your heart out with the locals. 

Though there is no basketball team, we still have our Mariners, Sounders, Storm, Kraken and our beloved Seahawks.

Have a Picnic at Lake Union

Lake Union is best enjoyed on a hot summer day where you can go swimming, kayaking, canoeing or stand up paddling boarding. From the lake you can see I-5, Gasworks Parks and other Seattle neighborhoods.

There are several waterfront restaurants or you can grab some food to go and eat it there. We highly recommend 20 OZ Tea for bubble tea. The Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee Grave Sites are near Lake Union in case you are interested in seeing that. 

Take the Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Take the Washington State Ferry across the Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island, once named the second best place to live in the United States by CNN. It’s a quaint seaside town with a rural essence but modern city thinking, surrounded by dense forests, parks, gardens, reserves, wildlife and hills

If you can, we highly recommend to spend a full day on the island or even stay a couple nights in the summer. You can camp or book a cute cabin/lodge/hotel to enjoy the island’s nature.

The Bainbridge Island ferry from Seattle goes across the Puget Sound and takes about 35 minutes.

 The fee for Seattle – Bainbridge Island is $10.25 USD per adult 19+ foot passengers and $14.65 USD for standard vehicle and drivers. 

The fee for Bainbridge Island – Seattle is free for foot passengers and costs $14.65 for standard vehicles and a driver. 

Learn About the Evolution of Flight

Seattle is an important city in the aviation world. To learn more, visit the Museum of Flight to learn more about the evolution and importance of air travel and airplanes.

The Museum has a ton of fascinating exhibits all about the history of aviation and space travel. In fact, it’s the biggest one in the world! It’s located in South Seattle, 9 miles south of downtown Seattle, so you’ll need to drive or Uber there.

The Museum of Flight is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Open 10 AM to 2 PM on December 24th.

Tickets are free the first Thursday of each month from 5 - 9 PM.

General admission is $26 USD per adult, $18 USD per youth (5-17) and $22 for seniors 65+. Get your Museum of Flight tickets here.

Walk Around Green Lake Park

A beloved park in Seattle, Green Lake is full of locals out enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest sunshine. The 2.8 mile path goes all the way around for people to walk, run, bike, roller blade, roller skate or walk their dog.

After walking around the lake, you can fill up at Beth’s Cafe on Aurora Ave. They’re famous for their 12 egg omelets! Adam from Man VS Food visited once and he was SO close to finishing. This is a fun, funky cafe that's best to go with friends for big classic American breakfasts.

Visit Fremont Troll

A quirky statue in Fremont, the troll under the bridge has become a popular place for Seattlelites and tourists to visit. It was created by four local artists who won the Fremont Arts Council with the goal to clean up the area under the bridge.

The Fremont Troll is on N 36th ST in the Fremont neighborhood. There’s also a park with interesting sculptures nearby, the Moss Turtle Public Sculpture.

Watch a Sunset at Alki Beach Park

It’s hard to imagine that Seattle has beaches but Alki is one of the few and the best. Encompassing Elliot Bay beach in West Seattle, Alki is a popular place to walk along the beach, play volleyball, eat good seafood or hangout during the long days of summer.

Parking can be very limited and tight in the summer so go early to enjoy the whole day there. Enjoy yummy seafood from Duke’s Seafood or Alki Beach Cafe.

Go to One of the Festivals/Fairs

There are a good handful of festivals, fairs and events going on Seattle all throughout the year but mostly in the summer. My favorite one is Bite of Seattle because it’s centered around food which is awesome. This always happens at the end of July.

There is also Bumbershoot, an international music and arts festival which is always on Labor Day weekend. Seattle Seafair is always in July. Capitl Hill Block Party is held every July with music and food.

Take a Day Trip to Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is one of the most famous natural landmarks in Washington. With many trails, waterfalls and rivers to discover, Mount Rainier makes for an amazing day trip to explore the great outdoors.

There are companies that offer one day Mount Rainier trips or if you rent a car, you can drive down on your own and enjoy the magnificent great outdoors. It is about a 1.5 hour drive from Seattle to Mount Rainier. 

**The national park now requires visitors to pre-purchase tickets for timed entry reservations. DO NOT FORGET if you are visiting during the summer which is the busiest time. Do NOT be late as they are timed entrances! More information and buy tickets here on the Mount Rainier National Park service page.

The best place to go is the Paradise, the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center. It has ample parking and easy trails from there such as the Nisqually Vista Trail.

If you visit in the summer months like July and August, roads will be no problem. If you’re visiting May/June, roads may not be open yet as there will still be snow.

For the outdoor and mountain lover, we highly recommend staying a couple nights. You can stay at Paradise Inn or at the many small B&B’s or Airbnbs in the area. With more time, you can visit more places or do some great hikes to see waterfalls and beautiful viewpoints.

Go for a Day Hike

Thanks to all the protected forests, national parks and reserves around, there are some truly epic hikes in Seattle. If you have a car, we highly recommend to strap on your hiking shoes and get outside! You don’t have to drive too far for some amazing hikes. Rattlesnake Ledge is only a 45 minute drive from downtown and is one of the easiest trails.

Issaquah and Snoqualmie are home to incredible hikes in Washington state like Mount Si, Dirty Harry’s Balcony and Mailbox Peak. Do not miss out on a hike during the summertime to see why Seattle is world famous for the great outdoors.

If you don't have a car, book a day trip to do a waterfall hike at Snoqualmie!

Go Snowboarding/Skiing

With that being said, Washington state also has excellent snow sports. With several places just a 45 minute drive away, you can be sliding down mountains in no time.

There are places 45 minutes away from Seattle. Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain and Snoqualmie are just to name a few.

Ski and snowboard season starts around November/December. You can purchase lift tickets at the door or in advance online. 

Conclusion of Things to Do in Seattle

This is a small sampling of all the fun things to do in Seattle but it should give you some great ideas to jot down for your next trip. Rain or shine, there’s no denying that Seattle is a fun city with plenty to see, eat, drink and do.

Although summer is ultimately the best time to visit Seattle for the weather, don't be afraid to visit in the fall, winter or spring. In the winter, you can enjoy the mountains and snow. In the fall, there are plenty of autumn activities and the spring is amazing, as nature starts to pop with the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, cherry blossoms at the UW Quad and the farmer's markets opening again!