Seattle is widely recognized as the “Emerald City,” located in the greater Pacific Northwest of Washington State. There are plenty of things to do in Seattle that offer a panoramic city view from the top of the space needle, cultural vibrant scene with museums and arts, and a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, making your holiday delightful. If you are a first-time visitor, then it’s not easy for you to explore the city without a guide. If you are looking to explore Seattle, then these 15 Seattle attractions offer you some famous places and hidden gems that only locals would know about.
(Note: This article shows the exact location of the attraction, a few details of the spot, activities, and the top highlights of the place. If you are looking for things to do in Seattle this weekend, then plan a 3 to 5-day trip according to your travel style to experience all the attractions and activities mentioned below.
15 Most Popular Things to Do in Seattle, Washington
1. Shop at Pike Place Market Stores
Location: 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
Pike Place Market is the absolute place to start exploring the top things to do in Seattle. Pike Place Market is the largest public farmer’s market in Downtown Seattle. It is a historic nine-acre public market in Seattle that was founded in 1907. There are many things to see in Seattle downtown, starting from local shops to over 200 small and large businesses that grow independently. The market allows photography and filming, but it requires permission in advance and charges a flat $25 per day for filming. It is the ultimate place to experience the city’s food, culture, and waterfront views.
Top Highlights and Things to Do in Seattle Pike Market
- Watch Flying Fish
- Take a photo with the Mascot
- Have Coffee at the Original Starbucks
- Visit Gum Wall
- Check out the Flowers & Crafts shop
2. Spend time at Seattle Waterfront Park
Location: 1401 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
Downtown Seattle Waterfront Park is one of the public parks in Seattle, which spans about 20 acres from downtown to Elliott Bay. The New Seattle waterfront park is one of the best recreational places located approximately 0.2 miles from the Pike Place Market. You will reach the waterfront via Western Ave and Pike Pl if you follow the directions for 2 minutes. This waterfront park also offers waterfront parking in Seattle and free things to do in Seattle for the visitor. It hosted Seattle Waterfront Events such as the World Cup Floating Fan Zone, Indigiqueer Festival, and Spotlight at Waterfront Park.
Top Highlights and Seattle Waterfront Things to Do
- Explore Park Promenade Walking Space
- Visit Surface Street along Alaskan Way
- Experience publicly sited art installations
- Do enjoy at Waterfront Park
3. Explore Marine Life at Seattle Aquarium
Location: 1483 Alaskan Way Pier 59, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
Seattle Aquarium is located within walking distance of the Seattle waterfront. It features the marine life of the Pacific Northwest along Piers 59 and 60. It was originally established by the City of Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation in the year of 1977. Exploring the Seattle Aquarium and its maritime life is one of the best things to do in Seattle with kids. It’s only 0.2 miles from Seattle Waterfront, which takes less than 5 minutes if you walk via Western Ave highway.
Top Highlights and Things To Do in Seattle Aquarium
- Explore Piers 59 & 60
- See Marine Mammals
- Experience Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion
- Watch Giant Pacific Octopus
The aquarium needs tickets or a CityPass. So visit their official page and book Seattle Aquarium tickets.
4. Have Fun in the Seattle Great Wheel Ride
Location: 1301 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
Looking for fun things to do in Seattle? Then visit the Seattle Great Wheel. It is the largest Ferris wheel in Seattle, Washington, is located near the west coast of Seattle. The wheel is approximately 175 feet tall above the ground of Elliott Bay. It is located alongside Pier 57, which offers panoramic views of the city skyline from the top of the wheel and of Olympic Mountain. The Seattle Great Wheel is located next to the Seattle Aquarium, within 0.1 miles. Walk via Alaskan Wy road to reach in 1 minute.
Top Highlights and Things to Do in Great Wheel Seattle
- Visit view point of Iconic Sightlines
- Experience Sunset and Night Rides
- Go through the Glass Bottom VIP Gondola
5. Explore Underground at Pioneer Square
Location: 100 Yesler Wy, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
Pioneer Square is Seattle’s historic heart, known for its 19th-century Romanesque Revival brick buildings, art galleries, and subterranean history. Established in 1852, it is famous for the Seattle Underground Tour and serves as a major cultural hub. Pioneer Square is only 0.6 miles from the Seattle Great Wheel. It is a walkable distance, which takes only 15 minutes via Spring St and 2nd Ave. This place is the best place for people looking for things to do in downtown Seattle. It is the marketplace where the widespread availability of
- Pioneer Square restaurants
- Pioneer Place stores
- Pioneer Square bars
- Pioneer Square Mall
Top Highlights and Things to Do in Pioneer Square, Seattle
- Walk through the Pioneer Square underground tour
- Visit Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
- Explore Ivy-covered brick buildings
- Fun at Waterfall Garden Park
6. Spend time in the Space Needle
Location: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
Have you experienced a “flying saucer” in your real life? Sound unreal, right? Space Needle is a stunning 360-degree view place hanging in the middle of the sky. 605 feet is the height of the Space Needle observation tower located in Seattle. This is one of the best places to visit in Seattle to spend time at the top. You will experience some cool things to do in Seattle, because the view from the Space Needle offers the Seattle skyline, Mt. Rainier, and the Puget Sound clearly. It is located within walking distance, about 1.3 miles from Downtown Seattle. If you start walking via the 4th Ave highway from downtown Seattle, it takes only 30 minutes to reach the Space Needle.
A ticket or CityPass is required to enter the Space Needle. You will reserve a ticket through the official site of the Space Needle. And enjoy the structure like a mid-century-modern saucer at the top of a needle in the sky. It is the famous symbol of Seattle built for the 1962 World’s Fair, who create a must-visit attraction for tourists.
Top Highlights and Attractions in the Space Needle
- Experience The Loupe (Revolving Glass Floor)
- Skyrisers
- Visit The Sunset Bar
- Have food at TipTop Cafe
- Take Oculus Selfie
7. Explore the Glasshouse at Chihuly Garden and Glass
Location: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
Chihuly Garden and Glass is one of the most beautiful attractions in Seattle, located just next to the Space Needle. This place indicates a garden and a centerpiece glasshouse to make the place more attractive. This Seattle glass museum offers colourful plants, trees, and flowers to complement the entire outdoor space. Whereas the 100-foot-long glasshouse is structured with red, yellow, and orange, which makes the Chihuly Garden a must-visit place for the first-time visitor.
Top Highlights and Chihuly Garden and Glass Things to Do
- Explore Glasshouse
- Walk inside the Garden
- Visit the Indoor Gallery for
- Persian Ceiling
- Chandeliers
- Winter Brilliance
- Sealife Room
- The Theater and Hot Shop
8. Have Fun at the Museum of Pop Culture
Location: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
Museum of Pop Culture is a modern nonprofit museum in Seattle. Enjoying pop culture is one of the unique things to do in Seattle for young adults. It is a dynamic place founded by Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder) in the year of 1997. It is a 140,000-square-foot contemporary cultural area that offers fantasy, film, music, science fiction, gaming, and fashion. The exterior architecture of the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle is pretty impressive due to the colourful and fluid design by the Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. You need to cover just 0.6 miles from the Chihuly Garden and Glass via John St and Taylor Ave N to reach the Mopop building in just minutes.
Fun at the Museum of Pop Culture is the best thing to do in Seattle at night. But it required tickets or a CityPass to enter. Advice to book your passes from the official MoPOP Admissions page.
Top Highlighted Things to Do in Seattle Museum of Pop Culture
- Explore The Guitar Gallery
- Visit Seattle’s Music Legends(Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix)
- Enjoy the Interactive Sound Lab
- Indie Game Revolution
- Check out the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame
9. See Multi-Attraction at Kerry Park
Location: 211 W Highland Dr, Seattle, WA 98119, United States
Kerry Park is a small urban park of approximately 1.26 acres spanning Queen Anne Hill. It is a common park as other offer a quiet atmosphere and scenery. But it offers a wonderful and clear view of multiple attractions like the Seattle skyline, Elliot Bay, Mount Rainer, and the Space Needle that other parks do not offer.
Top Highlights at Kerry Park Viewpoint
- See Mount Rainier Backdrop
- Night view of illuminated ferries
- The “Changing Form” Sculpture
- See Bayview-Kinnear Park
10. Have Coffee at Starbucks Coffee Company
Location: 1124 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
Starting your morning with a wonderful coffee from the original Starbucks store is an inexperienced things to do in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is known for its espresso-based beverages and premium roasted coffees. Choose a drink from Starbucks ‘ drinks menu and enjoy your morning with your partner or family. They built their headquarters in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1971 at Pike Place Market, later it growth their business and became a multinational label. The price of Starbucks coffee is available from $3.5 to $6.95.
What to do inside Seattle Starbucks Coffee Company
- View of the original Starbucks logo
- Experience the virtual reservation queue
- Suffer Exclusive Merchandise
- Feel 1970s Historical Aesthetics
11. Take a Look at the Art Collection at the Seattle Art Museum
Location: 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
Exploring the Seattle Art Museum is one of the unique things to do in Seattle to experience a historic museum and culture, which was established in 1933. It is the largest visual arts institution in the Pacific Northwest who operating from 3 distinct locations. The location includes the Downtown Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Olympic Sculpture Park. The downtown Seattle Art Museum is the most expensive site among the other two museums because it offers a massive global collection of contemporary art, African art, Native American and Pacific Northwest Coast art, and European masterpieces. It is only 1 mile from Seattle Starbucks Coffee Company, accessible by walking.
Top Highlights and Things to Do in Seattle Art Museum
- Classic view of Hammering Man
- Visit Large Northwest Native Art Collection
- Check out The Great Wave Art
12. Wonderful view at Bainbridge Island Ferry
Location: Seattle Ferry Terminal, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
Bainbridge Island Ferry is one of the best Seattle places to visit for waterfront activity that is connected to the Seattle Art Museum via a 57-minute ferry. It offers a beautiful view of the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier while traveling on the ferry. The Bainbridge weather is mostly sunny in the summer season, which attracts more visitors to enjoy a ferry ride. The Bainbridge Island ferry terminal charges approximately $11.35 for an adult aged 19 to 64.
Top Highlights and Things to Do on the Bainbridge Island Ferry
- View of Snow-capped peaks of Mountain Vistas
- View of Stunning Skyline
- Take the offer of Cabin Amenities
- View of wooden Sculpture The “Troll” Hunt
13. Explore the Large Aircraft Hub at the Museum of Flight
Location: 9404 East Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108, United States
Experience the wonder of flight at the Museum of Flight. It is the largest private space museum in the world. This is a non-profit Seattle aviation museum where over 130 aircraft and spacecraft, thousands of artifacts, and millions of rare photographs indicate the history of flight to the visitor. This is a informative and educational places to visit in Seattle that offer a large aircraft in open air, galleries, and a children’s playground. The Museum of Flight requires a ticket. Make sure to pre-book your ticket before entering.
Top Highlights and Things to Do in the Seattle Museum of Flight
- Explore Modern Aircraft Gallery
- Talk with Space Shuttle Trainer
- See the Aviation Pavilion
14. Enjoy Public Amenities at Discovery Park
Location: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199, United States
Explore the largest public park in Seattle, which spans about 534 acres of lush forests, beaches, and sea cliffs. Once upon a time, this place was well known for an active military base from 1898, but after 2012, it converted in to a urban sanctuary attraction. This coastal place offers some free activities in Seattle that make your trip interesting. For the visitor having their own vehicle, the Discovery Park South parking lot is open to serve. For kids, the discovery park playground is open for ages 2 to 12 to play outdoor games.
Top Highlighted Things to Do in Seattle Discovery Park
- The Loop Trail
- West Point Lighthouse
- Wildlife Viewing
- Daybreak Star Center
15. Enjoy Fremont Troll in the Evening
Location: North 36th Street, Troll Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, United States
Fremont Troll is one of the best things to visit in Seattle, because it is made of concrete offer a public sculpture under the George Washington Memorial Bridge. It is an 18-foot sculpture famous for clutching a car under its hand, and the car is a real Volkswagen Beetle. The clutched car has a real number plate from California. It was built in 1990. Steve Badanes and his team, who made the Fremont Troll. This is a troll under the bridge in Seattle located approximately 2.7 miles from Kerry Park and 5 miles from Downtown Seattle. You can travel from both places by public transport. It is a public attraction, so you do not need Fremont Troll tickets to visit.
Top Highlights to Experience in Fremont Troll
- See a real Volkswagen Beetle
- Watch Interactive Posing of Sculpture
- Visit Troll Knoll Forest
One attraction point to another attraction point is very short to travel through a local bus. If you are an individual traveller or two, then you prefer public transport or a street route to explore. But if you are with your family or group of friends, then a Washington charter bus is the right option for you. The service no need for any guidance, is free from public bus hassle & crowd.
Best Place for Food and Lodging in Seattle
There are multiple lodging options and restaurants in Seattle. Every type of food serves the visitor according to their choice. The food types include fresh Pacific Northwest seafood, Modern American food, Seattle hot dogs, and Asian-inspired cuisines. On the other hand, lodging options are available from budget-friendly to expensive.
Restaurants Near Seattle: Petra Mediterranean Bistro, P. F. Chang’s, Tulio, All Water Seafood & Oyster Bar, Bakery Nouveau, The Pink Door, Chan Seattle, and Tilikum Place Cafe.
Lodging near Seattle:
| Lodges | Price |
| Inn at the Market | Start From $314 |
| Mayflower Park Hotel | Start From $207 |
| Hotel Sorrento | Start From $173 |
| Mediterranean Inn | Start From $233 |
| The Paramount Hotel | Start From $193 |
| The Edgewater Hotel | Start From $383 |
(Disclaimer: These lodging prices are extracted from tripadvisor.com according to recent values in 2026. Somehow, the price may be lower or higher depending on the season and festivals. It’s advised to recheck the price before booking any hotel.)
Conclusion
Seattle is one of the best places to visit in Washington. This place is not only a famous city and a tourist hub to explore, but it also combines iconic attractions, local favorites, cultural landmarks, and outdoor places that offer a mind-blowing experience to every first-time visitor.