Seattle is one of the most popular and most visited cities in the world. There are many choices to be made on a trip to Seattle, whether you have a day or a week, especially when you consider cost and crowds. Luckily you have us – we’ve listed out our favorite sights in Seattle, and the funnest things to do in the Emerald City.
- Visit Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is a wonderful, unique treasure that perches above Seattle’s Waterfront and wow’s visitors with numerous fresh food stalls, craft booths, and quirky stores within the Market and in the surrounding neighborhood. If you’re visiting from far away many of the Market businesses offer shipping, but even without spending any money Pike Place is a great way to spend an afternoon browsing, people watching, and just soaking up the energy.
Nearby: The Gum Wall, the Seattle waterfront, the Seattle aquarium. You can easily spend a whole day exploring Pike Place and the Waterfront!
Worth the Trip: The seafood stalls, the ladies selling beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers for dirt cheap, and the small eateries peppering the Market and the alleys nearby are uniquely Seattle.
Safe to Skip: Pass on the “Original” Starbucks – it’s not the original Starbucks, and the lines are long.
Website: pikeplacemarket.org
Hours: Variable
Cost: Free
Address: 85 Pike Street, Seattle WA 98101
Parking: Street parking is hard to find, plan on a nearby garage.
2. Take a Ferry Ride
The largest Ferry system in the United States, Washington State Ferries operate from 20 terminals in the Seattle area. A fun day trip is hopping on a Bainbridge Island ferry and taking a day trip to Winslow, a cute little town with plenty of unique shops and restaurants. Getting on a ferry without a car is quick and easy, and the ride to Winslow only takes 35 minutes (and you have incredible views on the way)! And it only costs only $11 or so (you only pay leaving Seattle – the return trip is free).
Worth the Trip: Be ready for some great picture opportunities – the views of the Seattle skyline from the Ferry are hard to beat, and you might see whales, Orca, or sea lions on the trip. In Winslow, The Harbour Public House has great Fish and Chips!
Safe to Skip: Don’t bring your car – it’ll be much more difficult getting on the ferry, and you won’t need it in Winslow, as everything is within walking distance.
Website: wsdot.wa.gov
Hours: 5:30am – 1:00am
Cost: $11.05/adults, 18 and under free
Address: Seattle Bainbridge Ferry Terminal
3. Check Out Seattle Center
The site of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center has a few activities that are fun for adults and children. Pacific Science Center is a huge hands-on museum with countless exhibits, including dinosaurs, a live butterfly room, IMAX, and usually a popular and fascinating traveling exhibit of some kind. The Chihuly Museum of Glass is a newer museum featuring beautiful and unique glasswork from the famous Seattle artist Dave Chihuly. The Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) features fun and geeky exhibits from popular music, movies, and more. And the ubiquitous Space Needle is a great place for one-of-a-kind Seattle views.
Worth the Trip: MOPOP is great, and unlike almost any other museum. Pacific Science Center is also fun, especially for kids that need some time to burn off some energy!
Safe to Skip: It pains us to say, but maybe the trip of the Space Needle isn’t worth it. The lines can be long, the cost is high ($49 per person, but you can bundle with other nearby places for a good discount), and the views are unique but not necessarily “can’t miss”. It rates a solid “meh” from us.
Website: https://www.seattlecenter.com/
Hours: Variable
Cost: Variable, depending on venue
4. Visit Fremont, Seattle’s Most “Seattle” Neighborhood
The ubiquitous Seattle neighborhood, Fremont has a bit of everything. Do you want to see a troll? Fremont has that. Do you want to sample beer at a list of local breweries? There are plenty of those. Quirky shopping? Beautiful parks? Lenin statue? Check, check, and check.
First, you need to see the Fremont Troll. He’s under the bridge on Troll Ave, and makes for a very “Seattle” picture. And if you like looking at weird history, check out the Lenin Statue on N. 36th Street. It was on display in the Czechoslovak Republic until 1989 at the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when it was “rescued” and brought here. And this Lenin like to dress up for the holidays! For shopping the Sunday Street Market is very popular, and on other days antique malls and boutiques throughout the neighborhood are great. Fun a fun family outing check out the nearby Ballard Locks for a up-close look at boats making the journey from Puget Sound to Union Bay. And for the over 21 crowd, the excellent tour of Fremont Brewing is fun!
Website: Visit Ballard
5. Take a Hike
The reason almost everyone loves Seattle is the natural beauty, and one of the best ways to take it all in is by getting out of the city and seeing some nature. There are countless nearby places to go and things to do – here’s a short list of our favorites!
Camping Hiking:
Hoh Rain Forest – the only rainforest in the continental US, it is incredibly beautiful, but also a bit harder to get to (it’s roughly 4-5 hours from Seattle).
Mt. Rainier – iconic and amazing, there’s a reason the main lodge is called Paradise. It’s also much closer to Seattle, with tons of options of places to stay and ways to get there.
There are great hikes (or walks) within Seattle that get you out of the hustle and bustle of the city, and you can get there by bus or Uber, such as the 560 acre Discovery Park, or the unique 230 acre Washington Park and Arboretum.
Kayaking/Boating:
You can rent kayaks and paddleboards at parks on many of the lakes in and around Seattle, which is a great way to see a different view of the area. On Lake Union in the heart of the city you can also rent small electric boats for pretty cheap – you can even rent a hot tub boat (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like it is).
Picnic:
Or just take it easy and skip all that, go to a local grocer and get some snacks, and visit one of Seattle’s many quiet parks, such as Gas Works Park, Kerry Park, or Seattle Center. It’s cheap, fun, and easy!
Honorable Mentions that Didn’t Quite Make the List
Pioneer Square/Underground Seattle – The historical heart of the city, home of the very interesting Seattle Underground Tour, the Klondike Goldrush Museum, and Waterfall Park.
Capitol Hill – The other quintessential “Seattle” neighborhood, with great shops, restaurants, and parks.
Boeing Tour/Museum of Flight – You can tour a Boeing Aircraft Factory in Everett, north of Seattle, and see the largest factory in the world, or visit the Museum of Flight in South Seattle, both of which are great!
Snoqualmie Falls – A beautiful 270′ waterfall outside Seattle, next to a high-end resort and spa.
Seattle Waterfront Cruise – You can take day-long or evening cruises that go down the Seattle Waterfront, or through the Ballard Locks and into Union Bay or Lake Washington.
There’s a good reason that Seattle is one of the most visited cities in the world. It’s very beautiful and there’s plenty to do, whether you’re a family looking for budget fun or you’re looking for a more adult excitement. Just visit!