Things to Do in Seattle

The Space Needle deserves a spot at the top of your what to do in Seattle list. An icon of the Seattle skyline and perhaps the city’s most famous landmark, the Space Needle delivers unparalleled 360-degree views from its flying saucer-like observation deck perched 520 feet high. Built for the 1962 World Fair, the Space Needle has become a premier tourist attraction, drawing over a million visitors yearly. Take the elevator up to ‘The Loupe’ level to gaze out at downtown Seattle, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay, and beyond through floor-to-ceiling glass. Enjoy a meal or coffee at the revolving glass-walled restaurant as Seattle slowly passes by underneath. The Space Needle perfectly encapsulates some of the best things to experience in Seattle.

A bustling Seattle landmark, vibrant Pike Place Market is home to dozens of charming owner-operated shops, cafés, and restaurants brimming with the city's freshest gourmet treats, from just-caught seafood and oven-hot artisan breads to antique stores with one-of-a-kind wares. Get wonderfully lost, meandering through a maze of rainbow-colored walls, tiny winding walkways, and stalls spilling into the streets. See flying salmon soar at the fishmongers, sample tangy craft cider and spirits, relish in handmade confections' sweet and salty aromas, and watch artisans craft jewellery, glassware, and souvenirs. From the world's first Starbucks store to the iconic neon Public Market Center sign towering overhead, Pike Place seems packed with classic Seattle nostalgia and mouth watering local flavors begging to be explored.

Step into coffee nirvana at Starbucks Reserve Roastery - a sprawling industrial warehouse-turned-shrine celebrating coffee. You can closely watch small-batch beans being roasted on a custom cask line while learning all about sourcing, culture, and craft from passionate baristas. Sip your way through an ever-changing menu of unique libations like nitro cold brew, cascara fizz, and aged-rum barrel-aged coffee concoctions as you wander through various distinct bars and lounge spaces spread out across multiple floors. Indulge your senses with experiential coffee flights, exclusive coffee seminars, and tastings that highlight one-of-a-kind beverages you won't uncover anywhere else in Seattle's prolific cafe scene. The Roastery allows you to immerse yourself in Starbucks' heritage while exploring new frontiers of creative coffee innovation in the birthplace of the global coffee giant.

Soaring over 175 feet into Seattle's skyline, the immense Great Wheel is a can't-miss Seattle thing to do, promising breathtaking bird's-eye views of the sparkling Elliott Bay waterfront. Enjoy climate-controlled comfort within your glass-enclosed gondola cabin as you gently ascend over Pier 57 for those iconic, picture-postcard vistas where the city skyline meets the deep blue Pacific waters, along with panoramas stretching from the Olympic Mountains to Mount Rainier on clear days. Whether gliding over the pier day or night, Seattle's colossal Ferris wheel dazzles with over 300,000 beautiful LED lights, further amping up the magical energy that comes alive on the pier below. - from selfies with loved ones to romantic date nights for two, the Great Wheel never ceases to feel like a grand carnival-style celebration.

 The Museum of Pop Culture (or MoPOP) is a one-of-a-kind celebration of contemporary pop culture fandom among stuff to do Seattle. With iconic exhibits spanning sci-fi, fantasy, music, comics, and video games, it’s easy to lose hours wandering the funky building designed by Frank Gehry. Learn about legends like Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana, pose with Batman and Wonder Woman, remix video game soundtracks, and geek out over fantastical worlds. Catch a film in the Sound Field theatre with 360-degree screens for an immersive experience. With fun activities and events year-round, like trivia nights and concert series, MoPOP is a dynamic hub of arts and entertainment, defining the Seattle scene.

For gorgeous city views, kayak on scenic Lake Union, with downtown Seattle’s ever-changing skyline shimmering in the background. Glide peacefully across the water under the Aurora Bridge, weaving between floating homes, lush lakeside parks, and funky houseboats. See seaplanes take off and land, and get views of tech campuses like Amazon and Tableau Headquarters, plus historic sites like the Center for Wooden Boats Museum. Rent a kayak or book a guided tour that often includes opportunities to stroll ashore and stretch your legs, taking in lake sights like the Museum of History and Industry.

Spanning 1.5 acres next to Seattle Center, the Chihuly Garden is an oasis of glass artistry featuring the bold, dynamic sculptures of globally renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Wander through collections of monumental installations interwoven with nature, like neon-swirl macchia forests, Technicolor reeds, and towering crystal towers stuff to do Seattle. Gaze in awe at the Glasshouse’s enormous 100-foot-long sculpture suspended overhead while appreciating Chihuly’s passion for blending dramatic hues and shapes on a grand scale. The gardens perfectly showcase his Pacific Northwest inspiration, with art growing wildly out of lush green backdrops for a magical effect. Especially alluring at night when illuminated like rainbow jewels under the moon, it’s a must-visit for art admirers seeking what to do in Seattle.

Both Discovery Park and Snoqualmie Falls offer epic hikes where verdant old-growth forests, panoramic mountain vistas, and breathtaking waterfalls transport you into pristine Pacific Northwest nature just minutes from Seattle. Follow wooded trails to hidden coves along Puget Sound at Discovery Park, spotting bald eagles; venture through feathery ferns under a canopy of maples and Douglas firs at the base of tumbling 276-foot Snoqualmie Falls. Or embark on an unforgettable alpine day trip, summiting Mt. Si, Mt. Teneriffe, or Mt. Rainier to overlook the sea of Salish valleys and the Cascade Range unfolding beneath rugged glaciated peaks.  

Embark on a quintessential Pacific Northwest adventure with a day trip sailing the pristine San Juan Islands on a whale-watching expedition, passing lush evergreen islands, salty harbors, and towering Mount Baker views. Spot leaping orcas, porpoises, and grey whales as you learn about conservation efforts while admiring island personalities from tranquil Lopez to posh Orcas. Or wander through colorful lavender blooms on romantic, creative Lopez Island, rewarding with farm-to-table dining, locally made artisan gifts, and breathtaking sunsets over surrounding seascapes teeming with diverse marine wildlife at every turn.

Seattle Center is the city's thriving living room - spanning 74 acres. The a vibrant campus of world-class museums, arcing fountains, state-of-the-art performance venues, and iconic modern architecture that fosters arts, sports, and cultural celebrations defining the soul of the Emerald City. Under the signature glass canopy of the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition hall, visitors can twirl among the artist's larger-than-life abstract sculptures glowing in hues of fire-orange, ocean-blue, and golden yellow against a backdrop of the Space Needle. At KEXP's gathering space, check out up-and-coming indie bands broadcast to the world or established groups booked for exclusive album debut concerts as the public lounge encourages communal dancing. The home crowds at Climate Pledge Arena and T-Mobile Park stadiums roar louder here, rooting for their beloved Seahawks and Mariners, striving for championships.