As a Seattleite that has travelled to 100+ countries, I still say Seattle is among the most interesting cities in the world. The “Emerald City” and “Birthplace of Grunge” is also the “Coffee Capital of the U.S.” making the rainy days alright. Its mountains and maritime scenery always remind an outdoor adventure is less than an hour away. After living here for 20 years, I’m glad to share my 30 Seattle top places to explore.
About Seattle
Seattle is uniquely on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Seattle also lies between 2 mountain ranges, the Olympics on the peninsula and Cascades to the east. Mt. Rainier is the most visible mountain from Seattle standing at 14, 410 feet (4,392 m) high. The dramatic backdrop of mountains along with the sound and lakes offers a city with astounding natural beauty. Interestingly, Seattle has the most recreational boats per capita out of any U.S. city.
The Seattle area was inhabited by the Native Americans for more than 4,000 years. The city is named after Chief Seattle, the leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish people in the Elliot Bay area. Today’s Pioneer Square was the birthplace of Seattle in 1852.
Seattle is known for being the origin of many legendary musicians over the last century, such as, Jimi Hendrix and Heart. Seattle is also the birthplace of Grunge Music beginning in the late 80’s – 90’s. The local record label, Sub Pop, signed on Grunge giants, such as, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney. Pearl Jam also established their band in Seattle in the 90’s.
As the Coffee Capital in the U.S., you can find a coffee shop almost anywhere.
Starbucks originated here in Pike Place Market. One of the best antidotes to a rainy, winter day is a cozy coffee shop. Many other giant companies started in Seattle, such as, Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Expedia, REI and Alaska Airlines.
The Seattle area is the cloudiest region in the United States. The climate is temperate, warm-summer Mediterranean. Its winters rarely get snow and the summers are dry and warm. Seattle is known for its rainy season lasting from November to April. However, it’s often just drizzly. Actually, Seattle doesn’t even rank among top 30 cities for rainfall in the U.S.
How to Get Around Seattle
The new Light Link Rail in Seattle is amazing. The green line goes along the I-5 corridor from south of the Sea-Tac Airport up to Lynnwood. It stops near most the places mentioned in this article. The blue line on the east side goes from Redmond to southern Bellevue. The plan is for the rail to soon link Seattle with the east side. The iconic Seattle Monorail goes between Seattle Center and Westlake.
The King County Metro Buses get you to places more off the beaten path. Trip Planning Metro provides the bus schedules for all locations. Also, Lime Electric Bikes and scooters are a fun way to get around the city.
Related: Washington State Travel Guides
30 Seattle Top Places to Explore
Pike Place Market
If you only do one thing in Seattle, you must go to Pike Place Market! Established in 1907, it’s the oldest continuously running market in the U.S. Also, the market is the most popular attraction in the city for both tourists and locals. In the heart of downtown, it’s perched on a hill overlooking the waterfront.
The multi-storied market is filled with more than 500 shops and vendors. It’s a foodie and cultural delight with fresh seafood, flowers, produce, art, bakeries, shops, restaurants, bars and more. At the iconic entrance, you see the market mascot, Rachel the Piggy Bank and the fishmongers’ throwing tradition.
One of the best ways to enjoy the market is to do a food tour. Popular stops to not miss include the original Starbucks, Pikes Place Chowder, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese and Piroshky Piroshky. Another highlight includes the colorful, but gooey gum wall near the haunted Ghost Alley.
Check out my YouTube Video on Pike Place Food Tour!
Central Waterfront
Easily accessible from the Pike Place Market, the Central Waterfront is another popular place to explore. The newly renovated waterfront extends along Elliot Bay with the backdrop of the Olympic mountains. Its inviting promenade takes you to iconic landmarks, such as, Waterfront Park, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Great Wheel and Miner’s Landing.
The waterfront is the ideal place to get some legendary seafood at restaurants, such as, Elliot’s Oyster House, Ivar’s Acres of Clams and Anthony’s Pier 66. At the historic Edgewater Hotel, The Brim is the only over-water coffee shop in the city.
Seattle waterfront is where many ferries and water tours begin on the Elliot Bay. Just to name a few, Sailing Seattle offers sunset excursions and Salish Sea Tours offers narrated catamaran tours. Also, the iconic Seattle ferry terminal is here.
Take a Ferry Ride
Perhaps, one of the most iconic things to do in Seattle is take a ferry ride. The WSDOT ferries offer a glimpse into the essence of the Pacific Northwest. The scenic journey across Puget Sound shows the vibrant Seattle skyline, Mt. Rainier and marine life.
From the Seattle waterfront, you can catch a ferry to Bainbridge Island. In Edmonds, ferries go to Kingston on the Olympic peninsula. Also, the Mukilteo ferry goes to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Here’s the WSDOT Ferry Schedule.
Just one block from Pike Place Market is the Seattle Art Museum. It houses over 25,000 pieces of its permanent collection. The museum rotates exhibits with a wide variety from ancient Egyptian to contemporary. Hammering Man, a 48-foot-tall sculpture stands at museum entrance. He is the symbol of SAM, representing the labor force and importance of work in society. On first Thursday of each month, admission is free.
Pioneer Square
The historic Pioneer Square was Seattle’s birthplace in 1852. Originally, the Denny party landed at Alki Point then a year later migrated to Pioneer Square. Chief Seattle was already there as the leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish people. He attempted to form alliances with the settlers. However, by 1865, Native Americans became banned from the city.
Today, the heritage of the Salish people is commemorated in their indigenous art and story-telling in the neighborhood. The Iron Pergola and Tlingit Indian Totem stand in the center of the square.
Pioneer Square is home to other historic landmarks, such as, the Smith Tower, King Street Rail Station, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Also, the Pioneer Square Habitat Beach and Waterfall Garden Park provide natural sanctuaries. The notorious Skid Row, started in Pioneer Square referring to a road where they slid logs. It later became synonymous with the rowdy neighborhoods known for bars, brothels and homelessness.
After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, Pioneer Square became rebuilt. It was a good excuse to redesign the town, being flooded 2 times/day from the tide. They elevated the town, constructing over the original neighborhood with Victorian brick buildings. Interestingly, they preserved the underground city that is available today for the entertaining Seattle Underground Tours.
Explore Seattle Coffee Culture
As the “Coffee Capital of the U.S.” visitors must taste and smell like a local what makes Seattle buzz! Really, coffee shops are everywhere, but there are some iconic places to not miss. Especially during Seattle’s rainy winter months, there nothing like a cup of joe to perk you up.
A good start is Pike Place Market with 3 iconic coffee shops. The original Starbucks is here. My favorite is Ghost Alley Espresso near the Gum Wall. Others consider Storyville the best coffee here upstairs overlooking the market. Another iconic coffee stop downtown includes Monorail Espresso.
In Ballard Cardoon and Root are 2 local favorites. Also, Victrola Espresso is on Capitol Hill. Fremont’s Aroom is popular for its Vietnamese coffee
The Amazon headquarters innovated The Spheres in the downtown Denny Triangle area. This exhibits the urban workplace at a whole new level. The Spheres house more than 40,000 plants from 30 different countries in cloud forest regions. The horticulture works with nearby greenhouses for rotations. The Spheres are open to the public for free by reservations only. Times available are on first and third Saturday of each month from 10 am to 6 pm.
Belltown
This hip neighborhood lies between downtown and lower Queene Anne. Belltown is known for its eclectic restaurants, art and music culture. This includes its historic live music venue for Grunge at The Crocodile. This is where legends, such as, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Mudhoney played before they became famous. Also, the Moore Theatre has been here since 1907. Mountain Rose Herbs Store is a health utopia with organic herbs, spices, teas, tinctures and oils.
The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) created the Olympic Sculpture Park in 2007. It stretches along the Elliot Bay between the Central Waterfront and Myrtle Edwards Park. It’s free with permanent and temporary outdoor sculpture exhibits. This provides an incredible green space with views of the Olympic Mountains and small beach on Puget Sound.
Seattle Center
The Space Needle is the symbol of Seattle and the main hub at Seattle Center. However, there’s much more to this center in the Queen Anne neighborhood. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle stands 605 ft (184 m) high. An elevator takes you to the top with a 360-degree viewing platform, bar and rotating restaurant.
Other popular venues at the Seattle Center include the colorful Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Pacific Science Center, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Also, the Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases the lifeworks of the famous, local glass-blowing artist, Dale Chihuly.
Queen Anne Hill
The 456-foot hill known as Upper Queen Anne is named after its historic homes built in this architectural style from the 19th century. There is even a website mapping out all the staircases that take you to its hilltop. Queen Anne Historical Society is a good source for the history. Queen Avenue N. is the main corridor for shopping and restaurants.
Most importantly, Queen Anne hill is all about the views. The iconic Kerry Park provides the best view of the Seattle skyline including the Space Needle. (First Picture) Just one block from Kerry Park at 303 West Comstock is Meredith’s home in Grey’s Anatomy. Walking west nearby is the Parsons Gardens as a quiet sanctuary. Across the street is the Marshall Park Viewpoint with fantastic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains in the background.
West Seattle
The West Seattle peninsula is a historic gem with incredible beach walks and views. The original settlers of Seattle, the Denny Party first landed at Alki Point. One of the best ways to get there is by West Seattle Water Taxi from Pier 50 on the waterfront. It takes you to the Seacrest Dock near the Alki Trail. The Alki Trail offers one of the best views of Seattle’s downtown skyline at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Walking west on the trail, the views open up to the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. Also, the trail takes you to the iconic Alki Beach.
The West Seattle community offers an upbeat area, filled with amazing restaurants, shops and culture. Lincoln Park is a local favorite with more beaches and trees. Also, another botanical gem is the Seattle Chinese Garden at the South Seattle College.
Chinatown / International District – CID
Seattle’s CID is a vibrant fusion of Asian cultures, especially the Chinese and Japanese. The Seattle Light Rail conveniently stops here at the Chinatown gate, marking the western entrance. Built in 2007, this 45-foot-tall steel structure includes 8,000 ceramic tiles.
The bustling community is filled with many of Seattle’s original Chinese restaurants. Also, for foodies, the Uwajimaya is a massive Asian supermarket here. The Wing Luke Museum exhibits the contributions of the Asian Pacific Americans. It features a Bruce Lee exhibit celebrating his local connections as a martial arts instructor in this community. (Bruce Lee is buried in Seattle’s Capitol Hill.) The Kobe Terrace is a nice park with cherry trees. Also, it features a stone lantern gifted by Seattle’s sister city, Kobe, Japan.
SoDo District “South of Downtown”
This neighborhood has transformed immensely over the years. Formerly, the area was mostly industrial with lots of warehouses, railroad tracks and manufacturing. The Kingdome (1976 -2000) marked a shift, opening up the neighborhood for professional sports and concerts.
Now, SoDo is the professional sports hub of Seattle. Lumen Field is home to the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Sounders (MLS). This massive stadium is known for being one of the loudest in the world. Guided tours are available on days when there are no games. Adjacent to Lumen Field is the T-Mobile Park, home to the Seattle Mariners. With its retractable ceiling, the views are spectacular. It also hosts concerts and other events.
The food and art scene in SODO is an eclectic array of restaurants, bars, breweries and galleries. The SoDo Track is a 2-mile open art museum along the public transit corridor. It showcases over 50 colorful murals by artists portraying motion, speed and progress. Also, an industrial icon in the neighborhood is the Old Rainier Brewery.
Museum of Flight
Located in Tukwila, the Museum of Flight is the largest non-profit air and space museum in the world. It’s located in south Boeing Field. Here you can learn the history of flight through more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft exhibits. A highlight is the glass Great Gallery tracing the history of aircraft. There is even a multisensory experience tour with the Space Shuttle Trainer. The museum is open daily and free on the first Thursday of each month.
This hidden gem is near Columbia City neighborhood on the shores of Lake Washington. The park spreads out over 300 acres on a peninsula with a 2.4-mile biking path around the shoreline. It offers one of the best views of Mt. Rainier in the Seattle area. Also, the park offers walking trails through old-growth forests and views of Mercer Island. Plus, it has an amphitheater, native plant garden, art studio and boat launch options.
Discovery Park
Seattle’s largest park is Discovery Park on the Magnolia Bluff. The park is known for its spectacular views of Puget Sound and both the Olympic and Cascade Mountain Ranges. The park is on the former Fort Lawton grounds in the Magnolia neighborhood.
It provides 2 miles of tidal beaches and numerous hiking trails. Even more, it offers various ecosystems, such as, meadows, forests, sea cliffs, dunes and streams. Overall, it’s a naturalist’s dream with biodiverse flora and fauna, especially birdlife. The Discovery Park Lighthouse stands at the westernmost point of the park.
Capitol Hill
Just east of Downtown Seattle is the vibrant Capital Hill neighborhood. This bustling area is the counterculture community with LGBTQ hotspots. It’s a vibrant place to explore with eclectic restaurants, bars, shops and nightlife.
In Capitol Hill, you can pay tribute to the local, musical legend, Jimi Hendrix. His life-size bronzed sculpture stands on the intersection of Broadway and Pine Streets. It’s called The Electric Lady Studio Guitar. The sculpture is part of a statue collection in the neighborhood, including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry. Also, another local legend, Bruce Lee, is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Capitol Hill.
The gorgeous Volunteer Park is in Capitol Hill. It includes a conservatory and amphitheater. Also, the park is known for its incredible dahlia garden during the summertime. The Seattle Asian Art Museum is also inside the park with incredible views of the Seattle skyline out front. Also, south of Volunteer Park is “Millionaire’s Row” along 14 Avenue E, one of Seattle’s wealthiest neighborhoods.
Lake Union Neighborhood
Lake Union is a natural lake just north of downtown Seattle. Its part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal between Lake Washington and Puget Sound. South Lake Union Park lies just north of downtown Seattle. This incredible green space is home to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and Center for Wooden Boats. The lake is also home to many houseboats, including the one from Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan romcom, You’ve Got Mail.
There are many places along the lake to rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. Sea planes also land and take off of Lake Union. Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop is a 6.4-mile mostly flat urban trail. It goes around the shores of the entire lake for bikers, walkers and joggers.
Gasworks Park
Spread out along the northern shores of Lake Union is the iconic Gasworks Park. This upcycled park showcases rusty, metal ruins from a gasification plant operated from 1906 to 1956. Some of the ruins are painted and reconditioned for a children’s play area. It’s strangely artistic and intriguing to have the ruins standing on very scenic hills overlooking the boats on Lake Union and the Seattle skyline.
It is a magical place and always gets me in a good state of mind to be there. Many people go there for picnics and kite-flying. Also, on top of the hill is a sundial. This park offers one of the best venues in Seattle for watching fireworks on Independence Day.
The Burke-Gilman Trail is a popular trail that follows the old Burlington Northern Railroad. This trail is a very popular for biking, walking and running. Stretching more than 12 miles, it starts in Ballard’s Golden Gardens. Then, it continues through Fremont, past Gasworks Park, by the University of Washington and finishes at Log Boom Park in Kenmore, connecting to the Sammamish River Trail.
Fremont Neighborhood
The Fremont neighborhood stretches out along the Fremont Cut or canal of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The Burke-Gilman Trail goes along the canal with Gasworks Park nearby.
Fremont is facetiously referred to as “The People’s Republic of Fremont.” It represents a counterculture, although the neighborhood has become more gentrified lately. It is buzzing with eclectic restaurants, shops, bars and breweries. Fremont is famous for its Summer Solstice Parade with the nude Solstice Cyclists.
A controversial statue of Vladimir Lenin stands here. It was taken from Slovakia during the fall of Communism in the 90’s and placed here by a local. Other landmarks include the Fremont Rocket, Waiting for the Interurban sculpture and the famous Fremont Troll. The 18-foot (5m) concrete troll was created in 1990 underneath the Aurora Bridge. It is crushing a Volkswagen Beetle and is a fun photo op.
Ballard Neighborhood
The historic Ballard neighborhood is the traditional community of the Scandinavian seafarers. Today, it’s a vibrant area with landmarks, such as, Ballard Locks, National Nordic Museum and Shilshole Bay Marina. The legendary Ray’s Boathouse Restaurant is on the bay. Its Golden Gardens Park is one of the best places in Seattle to catch a stunning sunset. This was the original neighborhood that I moved to in Seattle back in the 80’s. So, I know this neighborhood well.
Ballard is a hotspot for festivals, restaurants and breweries. It’s home to more breweries than any other neighborhood in Seattle. The Ballard Farmer’s Market runs every Sunday.
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or Ballard Locks connect the end of the Lake Washington Canal to the waters of Puget Sound. This complex of locks carries more boats than any other in the U.S. Visitors are welcome to cross the locks and witness the excitement. The salmon ladder viewing area is on the Magnolia side of the locks.
Alongside the locks is the lush Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens. Also, at the entrance is an iconic stop for seafood at The Lockspot Cafe. One of my favorite things to do is order some halibut takeaway here and sit on the banks of the locks watching the boats.
University of Washington Campus / U-District
A great way introduction to the U-District or University District, is head over to the “Ave” or University Avenue. This thriving throughfare is buzzing with eclectic, international restaurants, bars, cafes, bookstores and shops. In the alley next to the University Bookstore is Café Allegro, one of Seattle’s oldest coffee shops. The bustling University District Farmer’s Market for art and local food vendors happens on Saturdays.
The “U-Dub” campus is home to the massive University of Washington, with more than 46,000 students. It’s world renowned for it academics and research. The campus is also known for its incredible architecture, museums and gardens. The Suzzallo Library stands out for its intriguing Gothic architecture. Its interior is equally inviting with many quiet places to study, especially the Grand Reading Room.
The gardens on “U-Dub” campus are stunning and a must-see anytime of the year for free.
The Quad is known for being the best place in Seattle to see the cherry blossoms. Here, the 30 Yoshino cherry trees bloom in mid to late March. Overall, there are about 100 cherry trees on campus. Rainier Vista frames Mt. Rainier in the background of the Drumheller Fountain surrounded by rose gardens. My favorite is the UW Medicinal Herb Garden, displaying about 1,000 medicinal plants from all over the world. Also, the Burke-Gilman Trail goes around the outskirts of the U-District and campus.
Two incredible museums and Husky Stadium are here on the campus. The newly constructed Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture even includes outdoor gardens to reflect on all you learned in the museum. Nearby is the Henry Art Gallery. If you’re a Husky fan, don’t miss a game at the Husky Stadium on the shores of Lake Washington.
Washington Park Arboretum
This pristine sanctuary along the shores of Lake Washington displays more than 230 acres of gardens and walking trails. Graham Visitors Center is a good place to start with trail guides, snacks, water and restrooms. Overall, the Pacific Connections Gardens displays plants from 5 continents.
Azalea Way is especially popular in spring. It is a 3/4 mile walk through the heart of the Arboretum, showcasing azaleas, flowering cherries, magnolias and dogwoods with a backdrop of evergreen trees and second growth conifers. Another favorite is Rhododendron Glen or the Woodland Gardens with 2 ponds, a stream and trees. Also, the waterfront trails along Lake Washington go through Marsh and Foster Island.
The Seattle Japanese Garden is located in the southwest section of the Washington Park Arboretum. It is open from March 1 – November 30, Tuesday through Sunday. Overall, there are winding paths through a meditative atmosphere with a pond, streams, trees, flowers, stones, bridges and lanterns. Also, check times for tea ceremonies and garden tours. Spring flower bloom and fall foliage are noteworthy times to visit.
Magnuson Park
The Warren G. Magnuson Park along the shores of Lake Washington is the second largest park in Seattle. In northeast Seattle, it offers more than 4 miles of walking trails. Various landscapes and views connect visitors with nature among the lake, trees, wetlands and brush. It also provides a beach, community center and boat launch.
Also, the park has many landmarks and historical sites as a former Naval airfield. It features more than 20 brick and metal structures from the 1930’s and 40’s, many in an Art Deco style.
Viretta Park / Kurt Cobain Memorial Bench
Viretta Park is in the Denny-Blaine neighborhood. It’s located south of the former home of Kurt Cobain. The park’s wooden bench facing Lake Washington Blvd. serves as a memorial to Kurt, covered in graffiti messages to him. Nirvana fans gather at the park on the anniversary of Kurt’s birthday on February 20 and death on April 5.
Green Lake Park
Green Lake is one of the busiest parks in Seattle and a local favorite. The small lake offers a 2.8-mile inner track around the lake for bikes and pedestrians. Also, an outer, dirt track encircles the lake alongside the road. The trees and birdlife thrive here among native flora and fauna. The lake provides 2 beaches with lifeguards, one on the east side and the other on the west.
Greenlake Boathouse on the northeast side rents out small boats, such as, kayaks, pedal boats, paddle boards and rowboats.
Woodland Park Zoo
The Woodland Park Zoo on Phinney Ridge exhibits more than 800 animals and 250 species. These include some of the world’s most critically endangered species. It’s divided into many different climate zones with unique habitats. The zoo also holds seasonal events, such as, ZooTunes in the summer. These concerts with popular artists support the zoo’s animal care. Another interesting event is the Wild Lanterns light shows in November and December.
Outside the zoo is the renowned Woodland Park Rose Garden. This pesticide-free garden showcases 3000 roses from 200 different varieties. When the flowers die off, they feed them to the animals, such as, the gorillas.
Carkeek Park
This large park is an incredible green space in north Seattle near the Blue Ridge and Broadview neighborhoods. The park offers 6 miles of trails through a forested ravine, meadows, wetlands and a beach. There is a picnic area with beach and tide pool access over a pedestrian, railroad bridge. Also, the park has creeks with salmon-filled streams. From October to December, you can see the chum salmon here.
The Carkeek beach is one of the best in Seattle for exploring tide pools at low tide. The colorful starfish, jelly fish and crab are scattered everywhere. The park is also known for its plentiful resident and migratory birds.
Edmonds
This small waterfront city lies about 30 minutes north of Seattle. Edmonds is known for its accessible beaches and thriving art galleries. The Kingston Ferry crosses over from here for an Olympic Peninsula getaway. The Edmonds Fishing Pier is clean and accessible for visitors. Popular beaches include the Marina Beach Park, Meadowdale Beach Park and Picnic Point Park.
Every June, the Edmonds Art Festival operates one of the premier art festivals in the Pacific Northwest. The Cascadian Art Museum is near the waterfront. Also, the travel guru, Rick Steves lives here and operates his Rick Steves Travel Center open on Saturdays.
Enjoy Seattle!
As a Seattleite, I must say this top 30 list doesn’t even scratch the surface. Plus, less than an hour away are mountains, Puget Sound, lakes and hiking trails. Seattle is the ultimate balance of nature and culture with limitless things to experience. Be sure to check out my articles below on top Seattle day trips.
Read Next on Seattle Day Trips!
Ultimate Guide to Mt Rainier National Park
Mt St. Helens Day Trip Itinerary
20 Amazing, Must-Do Hiking Trails in Washington State
Amazing Olympic Coast 2-Day Itinerary
Five Top Hiking Trails at Deception Pass State Park
