There is no shortage of things to do in Seattle. Also known as the Emerald City because of its famous lush green forests, this Washington metropoli offers an amazing variety of things to see and do and experiences to enjoy. Seattle equally appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of urban life. And with the ocean on one side and the majestic mountains on the other, there’s no chance you’ll be bored here!
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you´ll be staying here over the weekend or are planning to spend your holidays in this attractive metropoli, at Bonzah we’ve curated a list with some of the can’t-miss spots in your Seattle itinerary.
Admire Panoramic Views From the Space Needle
The Space Needle is one of the iconic highlights of Seattle. It’s a towering structure that reaches a height of 605 feet and that has become a symbol of the Pacific Northwest. It’s one of the must-do attractions you can’t miss and that both children and adults can enjoy.
There are two different levels from which you can admire stunning panoramic views of the city. The lower level features an all-glass floor that offers one of the best ways to get an idea of just how high up you are. Just watching the street hundreds of feet below the glass floor is jaw-dropping! On the upper level there are floor-to-ceiling glass windows from where you can admire Seattle and its surroundings, including Mount Rainier on a clear day. Glass benches are set up around the perimeter that make it easy to enjoy the views and have more opportunities to take unforgettable photos. There’s even a revolving platform that allows you to stay firmly planted in one spot for an entire revolution and where you can enjoy a cocktail as well.
The Space Needle has been an integral part of the Seattle skyline since 1962. It’s tall and slender and the top flares into the shape of a flying saucer. It’s visited by more than 20 thousand people daily. In fact, you’re advised to buy tickets in advance and reserve our time.
On your way out, you’ll walk through a gift shop where you can get nice souvenirs to always remind you of your visit here.
Shop and Grab a Bite at Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continually-operating public farmers’ markets in the United States and it was opened to the public in 1907. It’s the world’s 33rd most-visited tourist attraction and it receives more than 10 million visitors every year. It overlooks the beautiful Elliott Bay and offers more than 200 vendors that sell fresh produce, dairy, meat and a variety of specialty goods including comic book, clothes, vintage goods, flower arrangements, souvenirs, gorgeous ceramics and antiques.
Pike Place Market is also a great place to grab a bite. With more than 80 restaurants and food vendors located there, you can enjoy international cuisine, a quick casual bite or a full-service fine dining.
You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the different stalls and tasting delicious dishes and treats. It’s another must-do in Seattle and it’s a lively, enjoyable atmosphere where you can also mingle with the locals.
Frolick at Seattle Waterfront
The Seattle Waterfront is one of the most iconic destinations in Seattle where you can find seafood, shops and stunning views of Puget Sound. There are also many attractions that can keep you busy for the whole day: Pike Place Market, the Great Wheel, the Olympic Sculpture Park, the Aquarium and the Seattle Art Museum are located nearby. The waterfront is dotted with several piers from where you can venture out into the water for more exciting adventures.
Seattle Waterfront runs about 2 miles beneath the elevated Alaskan Way from Pioneer Square in the south to Centennial Park and Smith Cove docks to the north.
Ride the Seattle Great Wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel is a Ferris wheel that you can ride to gaze upon the city and enjoy the scenic views from up high. There is a Glass Bottom VIP Cabin or Gondola that offers a more private ride. It’s located right down the street from PIke Place Market, in Pier 57, and offers beautiful views of Elliott Bay.
Take a ride on the Ferris wheel and see the city’s skyline, ships and boats at the marina and even Mount Rainier on a clear day. The Seattle Great Wheel is the largest Ferris wheel on the west coast and it’s 175 feet tall. It’s a popular tourist attraction all year round, especially on warm summer days so make sure you buy your tickets in advance and take advantage of the City Pass. It’s also lovely to see it at night, when it displays its 500 thousand LED lights.
The Seattle Great Wheel is quite new to the city as it was inaugurated in 2012 and it soon became an integral part of the metropoli skyline. The gondolas are comfortable, fully enclosed and they can hold up to 8 people. The ride is slow, smooth and lasts around 15-20 minutes. For your peace of mind, the pods don’t swing even if it’s windy.
Have Fun at the Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Aquarium is strategically located on the waterfront and it houses six major exhibits in a hands-on environment that’s geared toward conservation and education. There are plenty of things to see, do and touch here that you can easily spend a whole afternoon here. Make sure you check on the times for the daily diver shows and any other presentations you won’t want to miss. The exhibits are: Window on Washington, Life on the Edge, Pacific Coral Reef, Underwater Dome, Birds and Shores and Marine Mammals. One of its major highlights is the Window on Washington show which hosts every day dive reveals.
Many of the exhibits allow and inspire visitors to understand how to best conserve Pacific Northwest wildlife. The Underwater Dome is one of the most popular exhibits for people of all ages. It’s a 360-degree tank filled with hundreds of fish you find in the Puget Sound area. You can spot silver-backed open-water salmon, lingcod, sharks, rockfish and sturgeon! Kids love the Life on the Edge exhibit, which allows them to touch sea cucumbers and hermit crabs and learn about the tide pools of the Puget Sound when it is low tide.
There is also an open-air habitat for many species of birds and a marine mammal exhibit with otters and seals. You can also spot seahorses, penguins and tons of tropical fish.
Seattle Aquarium is the region’s premier resource for hands-on marine experiences and conservation education. It offers fun and exciting ways to discover more about the amazing Puget Sound and ocean wildlife. Since it was inaugurated in 1977 it’s a popular spot for locals and visitors.
Be Amazed at Chihuly Garden and Glass
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Seattle then you can’t miss the Chihuly Garden and Glass, located right near the Space Needle. Throughout six rooms and an outdoor garden to stroll, visitors of all ages can admire the colourful and vibrant glass works of the famous artist Dale Chihuly. There’s even a theatre to watch how these exquisite designs are made. Get ready to admire blown glass flowers among the natural flora of Seattle!
Chihuly revolutionised the way neon, ice, glass, acrylic paint, charcoal and other materials are used in sculpture. As you admire some of its works you can see how he transforms the way we see light, colour and form. He made flowers, fish and avant-garde sculptures all from blown glass and they are wonderful to see! You can walk beneath a wall of gigantic flowers, explore an entire huge seascape or admire an intricate vase that is at least 16 feet tall.
Chihuly Garden and Glass is one of the most colourful and delightful experiences you can enjoy in Seattle and a must-do attraction in your Seattle itinerary. Although tickets are a bit pricey, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Get Artsy at the Seattle Art Museum
Inaugurated in 1933, the Seattle Art Museum has been a staple to the city’s art scene since then. With an interesting range of installations, exhibits and collections from local, national and international artists it’s the perfect destination for art lovers. The range of works on display include Native American art, contemporary works, classic European art and historical Asian pieces. There are also paintings, textiles, sculptures and other types of art on display.
The Seattle Art Museum showcases more than 25000 works of art through three museum facilities in the city’s downtown area. The entrance to the main museum is guarded by a 50-foot Hammering Man sculpture and adjustable steel panels flank the glass walls and allow light to enter the innovative front space known as the Brotman Forum. Upon entering, visitors encounter an extraordinary display of nine sculptes white cars hanging in the air at different angles.
The museum’s inventory is wide-ranging, but it has an exceptional collection of Native American art from the Pacific Northwest and includes basketry, textiles, masks, totem poles and other delicate carvings in stone and wood. The cornerstone of the contemporary holdings is the Wright Collection, which comprises more than 200 works and documents such major art movements as Abstract Expressionism, Pop, Minimalism and Light and Space.The Museum’s renowned Asian art collection is housed in Capitol Hill, while the waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park shows off stunning contemporary sculptures from Calder and Serra amongst others.
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park is a public park full of art installations that is operated by the Seattle Art Museum. The art on display is of modern and contemporary design and spans an area of 9 acres with plenty of walking paths and greenery. It’s a beautiful place that both adults and children can enjoy.
One of the most remarkable pieces is the Seattle Cloud Cover installation, as it was designed for this specific location. It’s a glass bridge that uses laminated glass with a photographic design interlayer to showcase the changing sky of Seattle. Another stunning sculpture is Calder’s monumental Eagle. You can also admire works by Jaume Piensa (Echo), Ellsworth Kelly (Curve XXIV), Richard Serra (Wake) and Roxy Paine (Split).
Have Fun at the Museum of Pop Culture
Located in the Seattle Centre, the Museum of Pop Culture or MoPOP explores the fascinating and varied aspects of pop culture. Its striking building by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry with its ultra-contemporary design is hard to miss. MoPOP is really fascinating. Visitors can enjoy interactive, hands-on experiences as well as intelligent insights. It’s home to one of the biggest collections of contemporary pop culture objects.
Some of the exhibits are: Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic, cool artefacts such as the hat belonging to the Wicked West of the West from the Wizard of Oz and weapons from The Lord of the Rings.
Other captivating exhibits include Heroes and Villains: The Art of Disney Costume; Nirvana: Talking Punk to the Masses, and Guitar Gallery, each with fun pop items that you won’t find anywhere else. At Sound Lab, let your inner DJ come to life with their studio-grade equipment. There are also rotating exhibits dedicated to local musicians such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam or Jimi Hendrix and areas dedicated to iconic films, gaming and other conversation starters..
This museum is right next to the Space Needle and it’s one of the must-do experiences in Seattle.
Go To the Ballard Locks (Hiram M. Chittenden Locks)
The Ballard Locks or Hiram M. Chittenden Locks is a waterway bridge that links Lake Union, Lake Washington and Puget Sound together. It’s a boat or ferry ride that will give you an up-close appreciation of the city’s famous lakes. It’s particularly attractive for children, who will have a blast on deck as they watch boats passing by and the locks open and close. In addition, you’ll be able to see fish travel through the incredible man-made route called the Fish Ladder via viewing glasses in the hull. Spawning season is from around early June to mid August and visitors can watch the salmon through underwater windows.
The Locks allow traffic to pass from one the next without the saltwater of the sound contaminating the freshwater of the lake. On any given day, you can see leisure boats, tiny kayaks or enormous fishing vessels making their way through. The spot is a popular landmark in Seattle and has more boat traffic than any lock in the US. They were opened in 1917 and named in honour of US Army Major Hiram Martin Chittenden.
The Ballard Locks are open to visitors daily from 7am to 9pm and can be found in northwest Seattle’s Ballard District. There are guided tours available that depart from the visitor centre but the plaques by the locks are quite informative anyway if you don’t like tours.
Ride the Seattle Centre Monorail
The Seattle Centre Monorail is a transportation staple that can take you to many of the breathtaking attractions of the city. If you want to leave downtown and visit the Space Needle, the International Fountain or the Chihuly Garden and Glass, you can hop aboard the Seattle Monorail and travel via a realm above the streets. It’s a legacy from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and it whisks you along for a 2-minute elevated ride that connects the Seattle Center to the heart of downtown Seattle’s shopping district and offers stunning views of the city.
The trains leave every 10 minutes. Dogs are allowed on the monorail if they are leashed and well-behaved.
Don’t Miss the Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight in Seattle is the world’s largest private air and space museum. You can admire rare aircrafts on display and actual-sized spacecrafts which are all part of aviation history. You can join the aviation tour, climb inside the simulator and fly a plane above a virtually-depicted Seattle or hang out at the 3D movie theatre.
The Museum of Flight is absolutely fascinating with 23 acres of more than 160 aeroplanes and spacecrafts, countless artefacts, interactive displays and exhibits. The collection is spread both indoors and outdoors and there’s even a children’s Flight Zone with hands-on activities that children find captivating.
There’s a copy of the Lockheed Electra that Amelia Earhart flew on her remaining flight, a British Airways Concorde and a World Battle I fighter aeroplane. It’s the place to go for aviation geeks. There are simulators for flying a jetpack and landing a plane, and you can climb into the cockpit of a SR-71A Blackbird reconnaissance plane or a full-scale mock-up of an F/A-18L Hornet fighter. The Space Gallery is home to a Soyuz capsule and NASA’s Full Fuselage Shuttle Trainer, the actual trainer used by every shuttle astronaut.
Featuring historical aircrafts dating back to a replica of the 1896 Biplane Glider, as well as several plans from the WWI, inter-war and WWII eras and several modern Boeing aircrafts, it’s an unmissable spot for aviation buffs of all ages.
