Seattle's Top 25Things to Do

1. Explore Seattle Center

Conveniently reached from downtown on foot or with a quick one-mile ride on the retro-cool Seattle Center Monorail, dynamic Seattle Center contains a dazzling array of world-class arts and cultural attractions. Created for the 1962 World’s Fair, the 74-acre campus is equal parts civic plaza and social hub. In addition to several world-class museums, you’ll find a bustling food hall, lush lawns and ornamental trees, alluring art installations, graceful fountains, the world’s first carbon-neutral sports arena, and some of Seattle’s most esteemed theaters and concert venues.

Get your bearings and prepare for jaw-dropping views of the city, Elliott Bay, and the surrounding mountains, by catching a 43-second elevator ride to the observation deck of the iconic 605-foot-tall Space Needle. Back on the ground, check out several outstanding museums: The dazzling indoor and outdoor exhibits at Chihuly Garden and Glass showcase the colorful art of locally born, world-renowned glassblower Dale Chihuly. Music, science fiction, and pop culture all come together at the fascinating, Frank Gehry–designed Museum of Pop Culture, whose exhibits cover everything from the history of indie video games and horror films to Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix. At the family-friendly Pacific Science Center, explore galaxies near and far in the planetarium, get up close and personal with colorful creatures in the Tropical Butterfly House, maneuver a two-ton granite ball, and much more.

Among the top echelon of dance companies in the world, Pacific Northwest Ballet performs a variety of classical and modern shows in Seattle Center’s beautiful McCaw Hall, which also hosts performances of the acclaimed Seattle Opera.

2. Eat and shop your way through Pike Place Market

From the iconic red market sign and Rachel the Piggy Bank to the gum wall, the original Starbucks cafe, dozens of diverse eateries, more than 225 local artisans selling their wares, the famous fish-tossing tradition, and talented street musicians, there are enough sights and sounds at Pike Place Market to pack a day (or more). The open-air MarketFront plaza offers fantastic views of Elliott Bay, and Overlook Walk—which opened in 2024—is a beautifully landscaped elevated park that connects Pike Place to the Seattle Aquarium and the city’s newly redesigned waterfront.

3. See the Seattle Art Museum—three way

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) dates back to the 1930s and is one of the West Coast’s most important art museums. The striking main branch is located downtown—just look for the 48-foot-tall Hammering Man sculpture—and houses a varied collection of artwork that spans multiple eras and geographic regions. Take the time to visit the nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park, an outdoor extension of the museum that’s open to the public for free about a mile away at the waterfront. It’s home to nearly 20 large-scale installations and offers sweeping views of Elliott Bay. Don’t miss exploring SAM’s impressive Asian art collection at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, located amid the greenery of Capitol Hill’s beautiful Volunteer Park.

4. Wander the waterfront

The city’s bustling waterfront, which is easily accessed from downtown, has undergone a phenomenal transformation and renaissance in recent years, featuring landscaped pedestrian and bike promenades, parks and playgrounds. In 2024, the beloved Seattle Aquarium opened a spectacular new wing devoted to the Indo-Pacific’s Coral Sea, Ocean Pavilion—it’s steps from the existing buildings, where you can view and learn about salmon, sea otters, and more.

Rising 175 feet above Pier 57, The Seattle Great Wheel provides a unique sightseeing perspective on the city. Ride in one of the air-conditioned gondolas to see the city, water, and mountains on the horizon. Adjacent Miner’s Landing holds eateries and souvenir stands as well as another terrific attraction, Wings over Washington, an interactive theater that virtually transports you to some of the state’s most stunning natural wonders, like Mount Rainier and the San Juan Islands.

Nearby Pier 62 provides an expansive space to soak up city and bay views and enjoy free arts and cultural programming and fitness classes. The new Pioneer Square Habitat Beach helps reestablish natural shoreline characteristics, including shallow waters and riparian vegetation.

5. Take to the water

Don’t miss the boat getting an up-close look at Seattle’s scenic bodies of water, from wildlife-rich Puget Sound to rippling Lake Union and Lake Washington. One quintessential way is by riding one of the distinctive green-and-white Washington State Ferries that depart from downtown to the nearby, bustling communities of Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. You can also enjoy the scenery on a Seattle Water Taxi from downtown to West Seattle, home to laid-back Alki Beach, and pastoral Vashon Island.

The esteemed tour company Argosy Cruises has an extensive menu of delightful seaside adventures, including narrated tours of the Ballard Locks to holiday-time Christmas Ship™ Festival cruises featuring carolers and twinkling lights. Waterways Cruises offers the opportunity to feast on a delicious dinner or brunch while soaking up panoramas of the city skyline and Olympic Mountains. Seattle’s Tall Ship, a classic wind-powered 85-foot gaff-rigged schooner, is one of the more striking tour boats plying the region’s waters.

You get to propel your own boat on a guided paddle around Elliott Bay with West Seattle’s  Alki Kayak Tours. Favorite ways to navigate the generally calm waters of Lake Union, while admiring downtown’s modern skyline, are by renting an easy-to-navigate 10-passenger boat from the Electric Boat Company, or lazing away an afternoon with friends while soaking in the 104-degree waters of a Lake Union Hot Tub Boat.

6. Rise above it all

A terrific way to fully appreciate Seattle’s breathtaking natural setting is on a flightseeing tour with Kenmore Air. Board the floatplane at Lake Union for an exhilarating takeoff, leisurely flight, and gentle landing back on the water. Or hop into a basket and float peacefully over the surrounding countryside on a sunrise or sunset ride with Seattle Ballooning. Perhaps you’re seeking more of an adrenaline rush? The experienced guides at Snohomish Skydiving offer exhilarating tandem jumps, which are open to beginners and take place from an altitude of between 8,000 and 14,000 feet.

If you’re an aviation buff, take note: Seattle’s fascinating Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space collections in the country, with flashy exhibits like the Space Gallery and dozens of meticulously restored planes. Just 25 miles north in Mukilteo you’ll find another premier aerospace attraction, Boeing Future of Flight, which offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the Boeing 777 assembly line.

7. Catch a big game

In this city of diehard sports fans, there’s usually a game in town any time of year. Cheer on the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park, one of baseball’s prettiest ballparks (with gourmet food, to boot!), or root for the Seattle Seahawks (football), Sounders FC (men’s soccer), and the Reign FC (women’s soccer) at neighboring Lumen Field.

At Seattle Center, eco-friendly and state-of-the-art Climate Pledge Arena is home to the Seattle Kraken hockey team and the Seattle Storm women’s basketball team. And in Tukwila, rugby fans can watch the Seattle Seawolves at Starfire Sports Complex.

8. Capture the perfect shot

Several spots around town have vantage points for taking amazing Insta-worthy photos, one of the most famous being Kerry Park. From this hilltop perch in historic Queen Anne, you’re treated to breathtaking views of the Space Needle and downtown’s soaring skyscrapers set against a backdrop of Elliott Bay and (on clear days) Mount Rainier. Other green spaces that appeal to shutterbugs include West Seattle’s Seacrest Park, with its panorama across Elliott Bay of downtown, and Capitol Hill’s Volunteer Park, where Isamu Noguchi’s Black Sun sculpture memorably frames the skyline. Another smart strategy is to take an elevator up to the Sky View Observatory, on the 73rd floor of downtown’s striking Columbia Center building.

9. Step through history in Pioneer Square

Seattle’s original downtown abounds with stately historic buildings in Romanesque Revival style and an ever-growing slate of cool shops and restaurants. Take an afternoon or more to explore Pioneer Square’s ivy-covered buildings and pop into bars, boutiques, and hidden gems, like Waterfall Garden Park. A block away at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, thoughtful exhibits explain the city’s role as an embarkation point for fortune-seekers during the 1890s gold rush in Canada’s Yukon Territory.

Be sure to visit the city’s earliest skyscraper, Smith Tower, built in 1914. A ride in the vintage, manually operated elevator leads to the 35th-floor observatory and the Prohibition–themed Temperance bar. For a different kind of vantage point, Seattle Underground Tour offers highly entertaining narrated strolls through Pioneer Square’s subterranean passageways, and Beneath the Streets gives engaging walks that tell stories about the neighborhood’s once-infamous Red Light District and its colorful LGBTQIA+ history.

10. Experience the cultural confluence of Chinatown–International District

The ornate 45-foot-tall Chinatown Gate, decorated with more than 8,000 imported tiles, welcomes you to this diverse neighborhood, known for its incredible food scene. After eating your fill of everything from pho to sushi to soup dumplings, rest for a moment on a park bench in festive Hing Hay Park, before continuing to the Wing Luke Museum, which is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Asian Pacific American experience. Then play on vintage machines to your heart’s content at the Seattle Pinball Museum, and shop for Asian snacks and cute gifts at the impressive Uwajimaya supermarket.

11. Discover Ballard’s maritime and Nordic heritage

Well-known for its many independently owned boutiques, bistros, and craft breweries, historic Ballard was settled extensively by Scandinavian immigrants. With a sleek contemporary design, the National Nordic Museum spotlights the history and culture of Nordic people in Seattle and throughout the country. It’s a stone’s throw from Ballard’s working waterfront along the Lake Washington Ship Canal, where you can observe the “boat elevator” at the century-old Ballard Locks. The locks provide a maritime connection, via several bodies of water, between freshwater Lake Washington and briny Puget Sound. Windows let visitors view salmon making their way up the facility’s fish ladder, and the adjacent Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden is laced with pathways lined with rhododendrons, fan palms, and roses.

12. Stroll around South Lake Union

In the always bustling Lake Union neighborhood, just northeast of downtown, you can view seaplanes and boats of all kinds, including the floating home from Sleepless in Seattle. Much of the action is centered on 12-acre Lake Union Park, which is home to compelling interactive exhibits at the 50,000-square-foot Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI). Next door, the Center for Wooden Boats offers rentals and tours and is filled with informative nautical displays. Other features at this family-friendly park include a model boat pond, lush gardens, fountains and public art, and a footbridge that crosses the lagoon and provides easy access to peaceful Goose Beach. Have a bite to eat at one of the lakefront eateries or international restaurants for which this burgeoning district is increasingly known.

13. Get to know Seattle as an innovation hub

Speaking of South Lake Union, this vibrant neighborhood is at the heart of the city’s dynamic technology and innovation scene, which you can learn more about during your visit to Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI). Then continue over to the captivating Seattle Spheres, which contain “living walls” with an incredible array of flora from more than 30 countries. These glass domes anchor the campus headquarters of Amazon, which is one of the many innovation-driven companies based in Seattle—others include Boeing, Starbucks, and Microsoft. It’s a short walk to Seattle Center to visit the sleek Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center, where you can explore thought-provoking exhibits that shine a light on pressing public health challenges and the innovative solutions developed by the foundation to reduce global economic, health, and educational inequality. Look for engaging questions posted throughout exhibits, such as “What skills can you use to change the world?”

Although you’ll find the Original Starbucks in Pike Place Market, you can sample this legendary company’s newest creations, from exclusive beverages to cutting-edge brewing methods, at Capitol Hill’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery, a Willy Wonka–esque coffee wonderland, complete with a coffee library and tasty food—there’s even a mixology bar dispensing cocktails. You’ll find a second Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the SoDo district, on the ground floor of the company’s stately world headquarters.

14. Leaf through a book at the Central Library

In the heart of this book-loving metropolis that’s earned a UNESCO designation as a City of Literature, spend time amid the stacks of one of the world’s most architecturally distinctive libraries. Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the gleaming Seattle Central Library boasts enough glass to cover more than five football fields. Head to the 10th floor for a light-filled reading room with peekaboo views of Elliott Bay, or take a self-guided cell phone tour by dialing 206.686.8564.

The city is also rife with independent bookstores, many of them specializing in specific genres, from cookbooks to poetry. There are a few popular book vendors in Pike Place Market, and others located in Seattle’s many exciting shopping districts, from the University District to Capitol Hill.

15. Relax in Seattle’s green spaces

From tiny slivers of greenery to expansive swaths of gardens and forests, the Emerald City contains nearly 500 municipal parks. Some standouts include distinctive Gas Works Park, whose design incorporates elements of the early 20th-century gas plant that originally occupied this dramatic 19-acre site on Lake Union. Offering access to Elliott Bay beaches along with myriad recreational facilities, Discovery Park is home to a dramatic lighthouse, and in colorful West Seattle, Alki Beach Park and Lincoln Park offer scenic waterfront promenades.

On a hilly peninsula that juts into beautiful Lake Washington, Seward Park is ideal for boating, swimming, and bird-watching. You can also rent boats of all different types to enjoy in the gentle waters of Green Lake Park. At 48-acre Volunteer Park, walk amid the carefully tended ornamental trees and fragrant flower gardens. For more ideas about how to enjoy the Emerald City’s network of gorgeous green spaces, see our list of Seattle’s Top Parks.

16. Catch a performance in the Historic Theatre District

Several meticulously preserved early 1900s performance spaces in downtown Seattle present first-rate plays, musicals, and concerts, including the city’s oldest venue, the Moore Theatre, which opened in 1907. On the second Saturday of the month, you can take a free, behind-the-scenes tour of this historic venue. With its radiant chandeliers, the Paramount Theatre, which dates to 1928, hosts traveling Broadway shows and plenty of other performances—including dance, jazz, comedy, and concerts.

Artistic expression and civic engagement come together at ACT Contemporary Theatre, where there’s an emphasis on new works from local playwrights, with shows happening on two stages. Musical theater comes to life at the ornate 5th Avenue Theatre, with architecture inspired by China’s Forbidden City, Temple of Heavenly Peace, and Summer Palace. Since its grand opening in 1926, it has hosted several world premieres. Set in a former church that dates to 1916 and was built in the Roman Revival style, with a central dome featuring a decorative oculus, Town Hall Seattle is an engaging community gathering place that presents events of all kinds, from author conversations to candlelight concerts.

17. Go whale watching

Right off Seattle’s curving shoreline, magnificent gray and humpback whales as well as giant black-and-white Orcas that weigh an average of eight tons thrive year-round in Puget Sound. If you’re lucky, you may spy one or even a pod of these graceful creatures from land, but your greatest chance of seeing them is by booking one of the city’s many boat tours devoted to whale watching. The knowledgeable crews on these cruises know where to look, from a safe and respectful distance, and they’ll also point out the myriad of other creatures that roam these waters, including harbor seals, sea lions, porpoises, and all kinds of seabirds, from common murres to double-crested cormorants.

18. Sample local ales in a craft brewery

Some say it’s the many sources of pure water. Others note the abundance of barley and hops grown in Washington state. Whatever the reason, Seattleites adore locally produced craft beer. The city supports more than 70 breweries, most of them with taprooms and sometimes open-air beer gardens. You’ll also find hundreds of bars and restaurants with thoughtfully curated, regionally focused beer menus. The Seattle beer scene continues to evolve, and enjoying your time at a local brewpub or beer hall is about more than great sipping. Many of these convivial hangouts warmly welcome families and offer an array of games and diversions, some feature food trucks, and quite a few have dog-friendly decks or patios.

19. Nosh your way through town on a food tours

Sure, you could try experiencing the city’s acclaimed food scene by checking out a few of the city’s buzz-worthy restaurants—great options abound in virtually every neighborhood. But one of the most delicious and informative ways to lean into Seattle’s remarkable culinary scene is on an expert-led food tour. Some of these mouthwatering strolls promise a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible wealth of vendors and stalls at Pike Place Market. Others provide a sampling of certain foods and beverages for which Seattle is famous—think donuts, coffee, chocolate, wine, and more. All you need to bring is your appetite and your culinary curiosity.

20. Tour the outdoors with a guide

Seattle is surrounded by incredible natural scenery, including soaring mountain peaks, driftwood-strewn beaches, tranquil temperate rainforests, and mesmerizing waterfalls. A reputable tour outfitter (and there are many serving the area) can whisk you from downtown Seattle to the most alluring places, and during the most beautiful times to witness them.

Several companies offer single- and multi-day excursions to western Washington’s three breathtaking national parks—Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades—as well as the enchanting San Juan Islands. Other tours focus on even closer-in adventures, like rafting on the Skykomish River, snowshoeing at Snoqualmie Pass, mountain biking in the Cascade foothills, and hiking in North Bend.

21. Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture

Named for Chief Si’ahl, once the chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish people, the city of Seattle has deep Indigenous roots. You can explore Native culture, both historic and contemporary, by visiting some outstanding museums as well as the cultural centers operated by several local tribes. At these community-focused places, you can sometimes attend annual events, such as the Seafair Indian Days Powwow in July. Another excellent way to interact with and support the region’s Indigenous communities is by shopping for handcrafted artwork and Native-designed gifts at some of the city’s Indigenous-focused galleries.

22. Meet the animals of Woodland Park Zoo

Since 1899, Woodland Park Zoo has fostered the conservation of wildlife from around the world and intrigued visiting animal lovers. A pioneer in naturalistic, immersive landscaping, this lush 92-acre zoological garden is home to more than 1,000 animals and some 300 species. Observe sloth bears, Malayan tigers, orangutans, and Indian rhinos in the extensive Tropical Asian section before moving through some of the other beloved exhibits—an African Savanna with giraffes and lions, a butterfly garden, and a Living Northwest Trail based on Denali National Park and housing a grizzly bear, elk, river otters, and more. Near the south entrance, the free 2.5-acre Woodland Park Rose Garden showcases more than 3,000 plants. The adjacent Seattle Sensory Garden, with its tactile and aromatic plantings and interactive design elements, offers visitors of all ages and abilities an immersive nature experience.

23. Browse local wares in lively retail hubs

Home to welcoming neighborhoods teeming with fashion-forward boutiques, well-curated housewares stores, and other one-of-a-kind retailers, Seattle offers a vibrant shopping scene. Nordstrom’s flagship store in downtown Seattle overflows with both local and national emporia. Nearby, Pike Place Market features more than 225 independently owned shops carrying crafts, clothing, kitchen items, books, and more.

Up the hill in diverse Capitol Hill, mixed in with the dozens of cool restaurants and LGBTQIA+-popular bars, you’ll discover urbane lifestyle shops stocked with both sensible and whimsical gifts and goodies. Historic Ballard, particularly along Ballard Avenue and Market Street, is another hot spot for stylish wares and clothing.

Near the University of Washington campus, gracious University Village is a landscaped open-air hub of both upscale chains and independent boutiques. And a short drive north, next to Tulalip Resort & Casino, shop for attractively priced goods from more than 125 well-known retailers at Seattle Premium Outlets.

24. Listen to a concert at a live music club

From grunge to hip hop to alternative rock, Seattle has long been one of the nation’s live music incubators, the hometown of such celebrated acts as Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Heart, Fleet Foxes, Brandi Carlile, Pearl Jam, and many others. Multiple shows in virtually every genre take place around town throughout the week, at the city’s dozens of inviting venues, from intimate neighborhood bars to high-profile concert halls that seat thousands.

25. Go wine tasting

As Washington has blossomed into one of the world’s premier wine destinations, Seattle has seen an influx of winery tasting rooms, especially in the formerly industrial SoDo district, just south of Pioneer Square, and in nearby Georgetown. Several top vintners based in eastern Washington’s famous AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) have branches here in the city, but you can also discover up-and-coming, locally-owned urban wineries.

Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Seattle, you can explore more than 130 wineries and tasting rooms in Woodinville, which has evolved into western Washington’s hub of winemaking. A handful of companies offer full-day wine-tasting excursions both to Woodinville and different Seattle neighborhoods.