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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. 31 Husky Stadium
    Venues Popular

    Husky Stadium

    Husky Stadium is the home field for the University of Washington Huskies football team, situated on the shores of Union...

  2. 32 The 5th Avenue Theatre
    Venues Popular

    The 5th Avenue Theatre

    The 5th Avenue Theatre is a historic non-profit performing arts venue in downtown Seattle, renowned for its ornate Chine...

  3. 33 Neptune Theatre
    Venues Popular

    Neptune Theatre

    The Neptune Theatre is a historic performance venue located in the University District of Seattle that originally opened...

  4. 34 Moore Theatre
    Venues Popular

    Moore Theatre

    The Moore Theatre is Seattle's oldest existing theatre, having opened its doors in 1907. It functions as a venue for liv...

  5. 35 Smith Tower
    Historical places Popular

    Smith Tower

    Completed in 1914, the Smith Tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River for nearly 50 years. The struc...

  6. 36 Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee Grave Sites
    Historical places Popular

    Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee Grave Sites

    Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee are buried at Lake View Cemetery, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Bruce L...

  7. 37 Woodland Park
    Parks Popular

    Woodland Park

    Woodland Park is a sprawling green space in Seattle located directly south of the Woodland Park Zoo. It features extensi...

  8. 38 Waterfront Park
    Parks Popular

    Waterfront Park

    Waterfront Park is a public space integrated into the ongoing Seattle Waterfront redevelopment project, situated directl...

  9. 39 Cal Anderson Park
    Parks Popular

    Cal Anderson Park

    Cal Anderson Park is a 7-acre community hub located in the heart of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. It sits directl...

  10. 40 National Nordic Museum
    Museums Popular

    National Nordic Museum

    The National Nordic Museum in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to the...

  11. 41 Beneath the Streets
    Places of interest Popular

    Beneath the Streets

    Beneath the Streets provides guided walking tours through the subterranean corridors and storefronts of Seattle’s origin...

  12. 42 Alki Beach
    Beaches and ponds Popular

    Alki Beach

    Alki Beach is a 2.5-mile stretch of sandy shoreline in West Seattle offering unobstructed views of the Olympic Mountains...

  13. 43 Miner’s Landing Pier 57 Seattle
    Amusement parks Popular

    Miner’s Landing Pier 57 Seattle

    Miner’s Landing at Pier 57 is a historical waterfront destination serving as the home of the Seattle Great Wheel and sev...

  14. 44 Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
    Museums Popular

    Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)

    MOHAI is the primary repository for Seattle's regional history, housed in the historic Naval Reserve Armory building on...

  15. 45 Museum of Illusions Seattle
    Museums Popular

    Museum of Illusions Seattle

    The Museum of Illusions Seattle is an interactive destination located in the heart of downtown, featuring over 80 exhibi...

  16. 46 Living Computers: Museum + Labs
    Museums Popular

    Living Computers: Museum + Labs

    Living Computers: Museum + Labs is currently closed indefinitely to the public, as it ceased operations in 2020 followin...

  17. 47 Jefferson Park
    Parks Popular

    Jefferson Park

    Jefferson Park is a 113-acre public space located on Beacon Hill in Seattle, offering panoramic views of the Olympic Mou...

  18. 48 Myrtle Edwards Park
    Parks Popular

    Myrtle Edwards Park

    Myrtle Edwards Park is a 1.25-mile-long public waterfront park located along the Elliott Bay shoreline in Seattle. It fe...

  19. 49 Volunteer Park Conservatory
    Parks Popular

    Volunteer Park Conservatory

    The Volunteer Park Conservatory is a historic Victorian-style glasshouse built in 1912, modeled after London's Crystal P...

  20. 50 Centennial Park
    Parks Popular

    Centennial Park

    Centennial Park is a 11-acre waterfront green space located on the Seattle waterfront along Elliott Bay. The park featur...

  21. 51 Wings Over Washington
    Amusement parks Popular

    Wings Over Washington

    Wings Over Washington is an immersive "flying theater" flight simulator located on Pier 57 along the Seattle waterfront....

  22. 52 Frye Art Museum
    Museums Popular

    Frye Art Museum

    The Frye Art Museum is a foundational cultural institution in Seattle established in 1952 by Charles and Emma Frye. The...

  23. 53 Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
    Museums Popular

    Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

    The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is located in the historic Cadillac Hotel building in Seattle's Pioneer...

  24. 54 Ravenna Park
    Parks Popular

    Ravenna Park

    Ravenna Park is a forested urban canyon spanning 50 acres in Northeast Seattle, characterized by a deep ravine and the w...

  25. 55 St. James Cathedral
    Temples Popular

    St. James Cathedral

    St. James Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, located on First Hill. The buildi...

  26. 56 Aviation Pavilion
    Museums Popular

    Aviation Pavilion

    The Aviation Pavilion is an expansive, open-air gallery serving as a primary display space for the Museum of Flight's la...

  27. 57 Matthews Beach Park
    Parks Popular

    Matthews Beach Park

    Matthews Beach Park is the largest freshwater swimming beach in Seattle, situated on the western shore of Lake Washingto...

  28. 58 Hamilton Viewpoint Park
    Parks Popular

    Hamilton Viewpoint Park

    Hamilton Viewpoint Park is an elevated public space in West Seattle that provides panoramic views of the Puget Sound, th...

  29. 59 Genesee Park and Playfield
    Parks Popular

    Genesee Park and Playfield

    Genesee Park and Playfield is a 57-acre urban green space located in Southeast Seattle on the shores of Lake Washington....

  30. 60 Westlake Park
    Parks Popular

    Westlake Park

    Westlake Park is a central public plaza located at the intersection of Pine Street and 4th Avenue in downtown Seattle. T...

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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.