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Seattle

257 attractions · United States of America

Seattle
United States of America

Things to do in Seattle

257 attractions · United States of America

Photo: Jordon Kalilich, Public domain

Washington State, United States of America · 47.600, -122.317

About Seattle

Seattle is a major Pacific Northwest coastal hub characterized by its hilly geography, proximity to expansive water bodies, and status as a global technology and aerospace center. The skyline is anchored by the iconic Space Needle and the nearby Museum of Pop Culture, which reflect the city's architectural and cultural ambitions. Visitors can explore local ecosystems at the Woodland Park Zoo or walk through the unique, glass-filled landscape of Chihuly Garden and Glass. The city maintains a significant maritime economy and serves as a primary gateway to the rugged wilderness of Washington State.

Good to know

  1. 1

    Seattle was the site of the first gas station in the United States, established in 1907 by Standard Oil of California.

  2. 2

    The city is built on top of a subterranean network of original streets and storefronts known as the 'Seattle Underground', created after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

  3. 3

    Seattle contains more houseboats than any other city in the United States, particularly concentrated in the Lake Union area.

  4. 4

    Despite its reputation for constant drizzle, Seattle actually receives less annual precipitation than cities like New York, Boston, or Atlanta.

  5. 5

    The city's name is an Anglicized version of 'Si'ahl', the name of the Suquamish and Duwamish chief who was a signatory to the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott.

Plan your visit to Seattle

Best time to visit

July through September, when the region experiences its driest, sunniest weather and the maritime landscape is most accessible.

How many days

3-4 days, sufficient to explore the downtown core, major museums, and nearby parks.

Getting around

The city features a combination of the Link light rail, King County Metro buses, and a walkable downtown, though renting a car is often preferred for reaching outlying attractions.

Where to stay

Downtown and Belltown offer proximity to major waterfront sites, while Capitol Hill provides a higher density of dining and nightlife options.

Budget

Expensive; accommodation and dining costs in the city rank significantly above the national average.

Top things to do in Seattle

The 257 most popular places in Seattle.

Filtered by
  1. 1 Space Needle
    Places of interest Very popular

    Space Needle

    The Space Needle is a 605-foot-tall observation tower originally built for the 1962 World's Fair. It features 'The Loupe...

  2. 2 Pike Place Market
    Places of interest Very popular

    Pike Place Market

    Pike Place Market is a nine-acre historic district in Seattle known for its multi-level layout and active fish-throwing...

  3. 3 Seattle Center
    Venues Very popular

    Seattle Center

    Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and family gathering space located at 305 Harrison St in Seattle, Washington. O...

  4. 4 Chihuly Garden and Glass
    Museums Very popular

    Chihuly Garden and Glass

    Chihuly Garden and Glass is an exhibition space dedicated to the studio glass works of artist Dale Chihuly, located at t...

  5. 5 T-Mobile Park
    Venues Very popular

    T-Mobile Park

    T-Mobile Park is an outdoor baseball stadium with a retractable roof located in the SoDo district of Seattle. It serves...

  6. 6 Woodland Park Zoo
    Zoos Very popular

    Woodland Park Zoo

    Woodland Park Zoo is a 92-acre zoological facility in Seattle focused on wildlife conservation and habitat simulation. I...

  7. 7 Kerry Park
    Parks Very popular

    Kerry Park

    Kerry Park is a 1.26-acre public park located on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington. Donated to t...

  8. 8 Museum of Pop Culture
    Museums Very popular

    Museum of Pop Culture

    The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is housed in a Frank Gehry-designed building at the base of the Space Needle in Seattl...

  9. 9 Lumen Field
    Venues Very popular

    Lumen Field

    Lumen Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle serving as the home turf for the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Seattle So...

  10. 10 Seattle Aquarium
    Zoos Very popular

    Seattle Aquarium

    The Seattle Aquarium is situated on Pier 59 on the downtown Seattle waterfront, featuring a focus on the marine life of...

  11. 11 Gas Works Park
    Parks Popular

    Gas Works Park

    Gas Works Park is an iconic 19.1-acre public space built on the site of a former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification...

  12. 12 The Seattle Great Wheel
    Amusement parks Popular

    The Seattle Great Wheel

    The Seattle Great Wheel is an iconic giant observation wheel located at Pier 57 on the downtown Seattle waterfront. Stan...

  13. 13 Paramount Theatre
    Venues Popular

    Paramount Theatre

    The Paramount Theatre is a historic 2,800-seat performance venue in downtown Seattle known for its ornate Beaux-Arts and...

  14. 14 Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
    Places of interest Popular

    Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks

    The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks serve as the vital passage between the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of th...

  15. 15 Alki Beach Park
    Parks Popular

    Alki Beach Park

    Alki Beach Park is a 135-acre stretch of sandy shoreline in West Seattle offering expansive views of the Puget Sound, th...

  16. 16 Fremont Troll
    Places of interest Popular

    Fremont Troll

    The Fremont Troll is an 18-foot-tall mixed-media sculpture located directly beneath the north end of the George Washingt...

  17. 17 Washington Park Arboretum
    Parks Popular

    Washington Park Arboretum

    The Washington Park Arboretum is a 230-acre living plant museum managed through a partnership between the University of...

  18. 18 Golden Gardens Park
    Parks Popular

    Golden Gardens Park

    Golden Gardens Park is a premier seaside destination in Ballard featuring expansive views of Puget Sound and the Olympic...

  19. 19 Discovery Park
    Parks Popular

    Discovery Park

    Discovery Park is Seattle's largest city park, encompassing 534 acres of diverse ecosystems including forests, meadows,...

  20. 20 The Gum Wall
    Places of interest Popular

    The Gum Wall

    The Gum Wall is a brick surface located in Post Alley beneath Pike Place Market, characterized by thousands of pieces of...

  21. 21 Olympic Sculpture Park
    Parks Popular

    Olympic Sculpture Park

    The Olympic Sculpture Park is a 9-acre outdoor museum and green space operated by the Seattle Art Museum. It occupies a...

  22. 22 Seattle Art Museum
    Museums Popular

    Seattle Art Museum

    The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) features a global collection spanning from ancient history to contemporary installations wi...

  23. 23 Pacific Science Center
    Museums Popular

    Pacific Science Center

    The Pacific Science Center is a nonprofit science museum located at the Seattle Center campus, originally built for the...

  24. 24 Volunteer Park
    Parks Popular

    Volunteer Park

    Volunteer Park is a 48-acre public park located in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, established on land purchased by...

  25. 25 International Fountain
    Places of interest Popular

    International Fountain

    The International Fountain is the centerpiece of Seattle Center, featuring a 22-foot-tall dome that shoots water in sync...

  26. 26 Carkeek Park
    Parks Popular

    Carkeek Park

    Carkeek Park is a 220-acre watershed in Northwest Seattle featuring diverse ecosystems including a tidal beach, forest,...

  27. 27 Pier 55
    Places of interest Popular

    Pier 55

    Pier 55 is a central waterfront hub in Seattle serving primarily as the primary departure point for Argosy Cruises. The...

  28. 28 Lake Union Park
    Parks Popular

    Lake Union Park

    Lake Union Park is a 12-acre waterfront site located on the southern shore of Seattle's Lake Union. The park features a...

  29. 29 Seattle Japanese Garden
    Parks Popular

    Seattle Japanese Garden

    The Seattle Japanese Garden is a 3.5-acre strolling pond garden designed by landscape architect Juki Iida in 1960. It se...

  30. 30 Sky View Observatory - Columbia Center
    Museums Popular

    Sky View Observatory - Columbia Center

    Sky View Observatory is located on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center, the tallest building in Seattle at 967 feet. I...

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Frequently asked

How many attractions are there in Seattle?

Aventuro lists 257 curated attractions in and around Seattle, sorted by popularity.

What's the top attraction in Seattle?

Space Needle is the most popular place to visit in Seattle right now.

What kind of attractions does Seattle have?

The largest category is parks, with 122 places to explore.

Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?

Travellers also explore Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Boston.