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Things to do in Seattle

Things to do in  Seattle

Welcome to Seattle

Set on the Puget Sound, with Mount Rainier framing the distinctive skyline, Seattle showcases an energetic mix of urban cool with rugged natural beauty. For an overview and incredible views, head to the top of the Space Needle. Back at ground level, browse the bustling stalls of Pike Place Market or brush up contemporary life at the Museum of Pop Culture. The Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Boeing factory provide more indoor diversions. Experience nature with a boat trip to the nearby islands or a day trip to the mountains. And when it rains, duck into one of Seattle’s famous coffee shops.

Top 15 attractions in Seattle

Space Needle

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Seattle’s Space Needle, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most distinctive icons, rises 605 feet (184 meters) above the city. Once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River at the time of its construction—built for the 1962 World’s Fair—the tower features a rotating lounge and an observation deck at 520 feet (158 meters) with 360-degree panoramic views over Seattle and its surroundings.More

Pike Place Market

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Every day from dawn to dusk, Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market buzzes with locals and tourists alike, who come to browse the 150 stalls of fresh seafood, produce, flowers, artisanal products, and local art, as well as see the numerous street performers wandering throughout.More

Seattle Waterfront

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When a city has an enviable location on a large body of water, like Puget Sound, the waterfront becomes a top attraction. This is definitely true in Seattle, where the nearly 20-block stretch along the water is home to restaurants, hotels, markets, shops, and more than a dozen piers.More

Seattle Center

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Spread across 74 acres (30 hectares) in the heart of the city, Seattle Center was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and today houses many of the city’s top attractions. This is where you’ll find the Space Needle, International Fountain, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pacific Science Center, Museum of Pop Culture, and Seattle Children’s Museum.More

Pioneer Square

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Pioneer Square, where Seattle’s founders first settled in 1852, is a bustling district in the southwest corner of downtown Seattle. The shop- and nightlife-laden neighborhood takes its name from the small, triangular cobblestone plaza known as Pioneer Square Park, and features a bust of Chief Seattle, an ornate pergola, and a totem pole.More

Mt. Rainier National Park

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One of the oldest national parks in the United States, Mt. Rainier National Park was established in 1899 to preserve the wilderness surrounding Mount Rainier. Encompassing 369 square miles (956 square kilometers) of old-growth forests, wildflower meadows, glacial scenery, and wildlife, it’s a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.More

Lake Union

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Just north of downtown Seattle, the glacially carved freshwater Lake Union is ringed with houseboats—including the one made famous by the movieSleepless in Seattle—and home to numerous recreational opportunities. The lake is a true urban gem, contributing to Seattle’s high standard of living.More

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

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Learn about the annual phenomenon of salmon spawning at Seattle’s Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, known locally as the Ballard Locks, where three types of Pacific salmon pass through the fish ladder during the summer months on the way upriver to their spawning grounds.More

Chihuly Garden and Glass

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Glass artist Dale Chihuly, famous for his whimsical sculptures, was born in Tacoma but has left his mark on Seattle. Fans can revel in his colorful creations at the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum at Seattle Center. The facility includes a 100-foot (30-meter) glass sculpture, theater, and Chihuly retrospective, plus an outdoor garden.More

Lake Washington

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More than just the second-largest lake in all of Washington State, Lake Washington defines Seattle as a city intimately tied to the water. Residents and visitors alike come to Lake Washington to connect with the natural beauty of the landscape, which includes views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.More

Olympic National Park

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Olympic National Park covers a huge swath of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, encompassing rugged coastline, towering mountain ranges, temperate rain forests, and wildflower-filled lowland meadows. Home to some of the biggest stretches of old-growth forest remaining in the US, this misty Pacific Northwest park is the ultimate outdoor escape.More

Snoqualmie Falls

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Fans of Twin Peaks will recognize Washington state’s iconic Snoqualmie Falls, an epic cataract that drops 270 feet (82 meters) in one single, massive rush. Travelers can hike down to the base of the falls, take in the views from the side of the falls, or walk a winding boardwalk along Snoqualmie River for a look from the bottom.More

Seattle Aquarium

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The cold, dark waters around Seattle hide an abundance of marine life, from orca whales to giant Pacific octopus to otters and salmon. The Seattle Aquarium helps visitors access this rich underwater world without getting wet. The experience involves touch tanks, daily dive shows, and plenty of exhibits showing off the area’s sea life.More

Kerry Park (Franklin Place)

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For views of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, and Mount Rainier, the hilltop Kerry Park (Franklin Place) is hard to beat. Popular with photographers, Kerry Park looks out across the city skyline, the leafy streets of the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood, and Puget Sound, where you can spot ferries leaving the Seattle waterfront for the San Juan Islands.More

Myrtle Edwards Park

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A prime Elliot Bay location gives Myrtle Edwards Park gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier. This shoreline park is walking distance from top downtown attractions, and offers a paved trail for pedestrians and cyclists that spans the 4.8-acre (1.9 ha.) green space.More
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Trip ideas

5 Ways to Get Out on the Water in Seattle

5 Ways to Get Out on the Water in Seattle

How to Spend 2 Days in Seattle

How to Spend 2 Days in Seattle

Pike Place Fishmonger Tips for Selecting Seafood

Pike Place Fishmonger Tips for Selecting Seafood

Top activities in Seattle

Seattle Harbor Cruise

Seattle Harbor Cruise

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HK$327.45
Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

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HK$754.59
Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours
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Pike Place Market Tasting Tour
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Pike Place Market Tasting Tour

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Best of Mount Rainier National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour
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Mt. Rainier Day Tour from Seattle
Special Offer

Mt. Rainier Day Tour from Seattle

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HK$1,269.16
HK$1,493.13  HK$223.97 savings
Day Trip from Seattle to Victoria on the Victoria Clipper
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Seattle 4-Hour City Tour

Seattle 4-Hour City Tour

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3 Hour Seattle City Tour
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3 Hour Seattle City Tour

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HK$706.35
Half-Day Guided Tour of Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls
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Seattle Locks Cruise - One-Way Tour

Seattle Locks Cruise - One-Way Tour

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HK$433.65
Seattle's Favorite Sightseeing and Cocktail Cruise
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Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

What people are saying about Seattle

Seattle overview
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Dbassk
, May 2023
Seattle overview
The trip to Snogualmie falls was breath taking and Terry made it a great photo opportunity.
Good day in the park
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Wayne_M
, May 2023
Good day in the park
I enjoyed the water features and waterfalls and the short hikes.
Superb City Tour!
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Anna_W
, May 2023
Superb City Tour!
A nice way to see the areas in Seattle and a few hidden gems too!
Great Tour
star-5
Kris_K
, May 2023
Great Tour
Took a small bus to the falls, locks, troll and Kelly Park.
Enjoyable Day!
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Martha_N
, May 2023
Enjoyable Day!
This is a fairly active tour to a spectacular wilderness national park that incredibly packs in many informative stops and walks within, including Paradise and Narada Falls, in one day from Seattle.
First visit to Seattle
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Perpetua_C
, May 2023
First visit to Seattle
I found the Tour to be the perfect way to see the many different parts of the city.
Informative Scenic Cruising
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cjones6057
, May 2023
Informative Scenic Cruising
Very informative talk from Erin about the city and harbour area as well as places to visit in Seattle.
Must see
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Jerome_A
, May 2023
Must see
Able to see the main attractions of downtown Seattle.
Amazing Tour
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Jessica_G
, May 2023
Amazing Tour
The tour was a perfect way to see Seattle.
Taste of Seattle.
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Jennifer_P
, May 2023
Taste of Seattle.
What perfect day to view the falls !
A must do for Seattle
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Julie_S
, Apr 2023
A must do for Seattle
It was really nice to see the different neighborhoods of Seattle and all of the main attractions.
Awesome Seattle experience
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Anne_M
, Apr 2023
Awesome Seattle experience
Will is very personable and he gave us tips about other things to do and places to eat after the tour was done.
Taste of Seattle.
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Jennifer_P
, Apr 2023
Taste of Seattle.
A great selection of stores to visit and taste testing.
Awesome!
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KeithRoger_G
, Apr 2023
Awesome!
My wife and I had a great time seeing and learning Seattle’s history and attractions.
The underworld of Seattle
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Sasha_L
, Apr 2023
The underworld of Seattle
It’s amazing to see the whole city rising out of the mud in the historic photos.
A must do!
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Mary_C
, Apr 2023
A must do!
My 16 year old daughter and I only had 2 days to see Seattle and this tour showed us so much in just 3 hours!
Great tour for locals and visitors!
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Jonathan_B
, Mar 2023
Great tour for locals and visitors!
I’d recommend this tour anytime to visitors and locals in Seattle!
Excellent places to visit...
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Neil_S
, Feb 2023
Excellent places to visit...
Excellent places to visit and taste.
Great tour - worth the $$ for sure!
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Al_K
, Jan 2023
Great tour - worth the $$ for sure!
We were only in Seattle for a day and chose this cruise as one of our activities.
Great guide.  Excellent...
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Tom_S
, Jan 2023
Great guide. Excellent...
This tour helped so much to decide what we wanted to see throughout the city.

All about Seattle

When to visit

Pack a jacket and umbrella no matter the time of year, as Seattle lives up to its overcast reputation. It takes a little luck, but summer days can fly by without rain, and locals risk the chance by packing outdoor festivals. Summer highlights include big outdoor celebrations such as Seattle International Beerfest and Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival.

Getting around

Seattle has a robust public transit system, with light rail trains, buses, and two streetcar lines. There’s also a monorail that connects downtown Seattle with the Seattle Center (where the Space Needle and many of the city’s top museums are located). The city is also relatively easy to navigate by car, but note that parking options downtown can be both scarce and expensive.

Traveler tips

Chocolate Lovers won’t want to miss the chance to visit the Theo Chocolate factory in the Fremont neighborhood. The informative chocolate tours are lots of fun, especially because participants are rewarded with free samples. If you’re short on time, you can just head straight to the on-site factory shop, where you can buy special chocolate items not available in retail stores, such as the Peppermint Polly, a thick, oversized peppermint cream covered with dark chocolate.

Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
PDT (UTC -8)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English

People Also Ask

Is it always cold in Seattle?

No. While Seattle is no stranger to chilly weather, it's rare for temperatures to drop below freezing, and summers in the city are generally warm and sunny. However, because Seattle gets a lot of rainfall, especially, between October and April, it often feels colder than it actually is outside.

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How can I spend 2 days in Seattle?

Consider devoting day one of a 2-day trip to Seattle to downtown attractions such as the Central Waterfront, Pike Place Market (home to the first Starbucks store), and the Seattle Art Museum. On day two, head to the Seattle Center, home to the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the famous Space Needle.

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What's Seattle best known for?

Seattle is known for its lush surroundings, and it’s easy to get out into nature without straying far from the city—just be prepared for a bit of rain. The Emerald City is also the birthplace of Starbucks and Amazon, and the grunge music movement of the 1990s has long been associated with the city.

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What do locals do for fun in Seattle?

When it comes to having fun, Seattleites have plenty of options. Football fans can check out Seahawks games, while those more fond of the arts have access to ample museums and concert venues. Seattle is also popular with outdoorsy folks, and its proximity to trails, forests, and waterways makes it easy to get out and explore.

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What should you not miss in Seattle?

Seattle’s most popular attractions include Pike Place Market—the site of the first Starbucks—and the iconic Space Needle. There are also tons of great museums, including the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Pop Culture, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass. It’s also worth exploring subterranean Seattle on the famous Underground Tour.

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Is Seattle close to Canada?

Yes, Seattle is only a 2-hour drive from the border with Canada. If you have a car, it's possible to visit Vancouver, British Columbia, as a day trip from the Emerald City. Simply pack up your travel documents and drive north on the Interstate 5 until you reach the border.

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What part of Seattle should I visit?

Seattle has plenty of neighborhoods worth exploring, each with its own unique charm. Downtown is great for history and big-city vibes, while Uptown’s Seattle Center features a large concentration of attractions. Ballard is the place to go for dining and shopping, while up-and-coming SODO is a celebrated for its large concentration of wineries.

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Seattle information

Number of Attractions

53

Number of Tours

326

Number of Reviews

23,329

Currency

USD
Frequently Asked Questions
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