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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. 91 Judkins Park and Playfield
    Parks Known locally

    Judkins Park and Playfield

    Judkins Park and Playfield is an expansive 19-acre urban park situated in Seattle's Central District. The park serves as...

  2. 92 East Portal Viewpoint
    Places of interest Known locally

    East Portal Viewpoint

    East Portal Viewpoint is a compact urban park located directly above the western entrance of the Mount Baker Tunnel, whi...

  3. 93 Pioneer Square
    Parks Known locally

    Pioneer Square

    Pioneer Square serves as the historic heart of Seattle, featuring the city's original neighborhood core established in 1...

  4. 94 Statue of Lenin
    Historical places Known locally

    Statue of Lenin

    The Fremont Lenin is a 16-foot-tall bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin located in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. Orig...

  5. 95 Northacres Park
    Parks Known locally

    Northacres Park

    Northacres Park is a 20.7-acre community green space in the Haller Lake neighborhood featuring a fenced off-leash dog ar...

  6. 96 Denny Blaine Park
    Parks Known locally

    Denny Blaine Park

    Denny Blaine Park is a small, tiered public park located on the shore of Lake Washington in Seattle's Madrona neighborho...

  7. 97 Schmitz Preserve Park
    Parks Known locally

    Schmitz Preserve Park

    Schmitz Preserve Park is a 53-acre old-growth forest sanctuary located in West Seattle. The park features a dense canopy...

  8. 98 Red Square
    Places of interest Known locally

    Red Square

    Red Square is the central plaza of the University of Washington's Seattle campus, notable for its distinct red brick pav...

  9. 99 Jack Block Park
    Parks Known locally

    Jack Block Park

    Jack Block Park is an industrial-themed public space situated on a former log storage yard on the southwestern shore of...

  10. 100 Aubrey Davis Park
    Parks Known locally

    Aubrey Davis Park

    Aubrey Davis Park is a multi-use green space uniquely situated on the lid of the Interstate 90 floating bridge tunnel on...

  11. 101 Hing Hay Park
    Parks Known locally

    Hing Hay Park

    Hing Hay Park serves as a primary social hub in Seattle's Chinatown-International District, spanning 0.6 acres. The park...

  12. 102 Commodore Park
    Parks Known locally

    Commodore Park

    Commodore Park is a waterfront park located along the Ship Canal in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, offering direc...

  13. 103 Fremont Peak Park
    Parks Known locally

    Fremont Peak Park

    Fremont Peak Park is a neighborhood pocket park in Seattle offering elevated views of the Olympic Mountains and the surr...

  14. 104 Connections Museum
    Museums Known locally

    Connections Museum

    The Connections Museum Seattle showcases the evolution of telecommunications through a extensive collection of vintage t...

  15. 105 Jimi Hendrix Park
    Parks Known locally

    Jimi Hendrix Park

    Jimi Hendrix Park is a 2.5-acre public space in Seattle's Central District designed to honor the legacy of the legendary...

  16. 106 Magnolia Park
    Parks Known locally

    Magnolia Park

    Magnolia Park is a waterfront municipal green space situated on the western bluff of the Magnolia neighborhood in Seattl...

  17. 107 Montlake Playfield Park
    Parks Known locally

    Montlake Playfield Park

    Montlake Playfield Park is a multi-purpose recreational facility located in Seattle's Montlake neighborhood. The park fe...

  18. 108 Oxbow Park
    Parks Known locally

    Oxbow Park

    Oxbow Park is a specialized urban greenspace located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, primarily known for hous...

  19. 109 Water Tower Observation Deck
    Places of interest Known locally

    Water Tower Observation Deck

    The Water Tower Observation Deck is located at the highest point of Seattle's Volunteer Park, providing 360-degree panor...

  20. 110 Othello Playground
    Parks Known locally

    Othello Playground

    Othello Playground is a 2.5-acre public recreational space located in the Rainier Valley neighborhood of Seattle. The si...

  21. 111 Lake Washington
    Natural attractions Known locally

    Lake Washington

    Lake Washington is the second-largest natural lake in Washington state, spanning approximately 22,000 acres. It serves a...

  22. 112 Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
    Temples Known locally

    Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church

    Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a Dominican-run parish located in the University District of Seattle. The church fe...

  23. 113 Me-Kwa-Mooks Park
    Parks Known locally

    Me-Kwa-Mooks Park

    Me-Kwa-Mooks Park is a 20-acre natural area in West Seattle featuring a mix of forest trails, open meadow, and Puget Sou...

  24. 114 Union Station
    Historical places Known locally

    Union Station

    Union Station in Seattle is a historic Beaux-Arts railway terminal designed by Daniel Burnham and completed in 1911. It...

  25. 115 Laurelhurst Park
    Parks Known locally

    Laurelhurst Park

    Laurelhurst Park, officially known as Laurelhurst Playfield, is a community-focused recreational space located in the re...

  26. 116 Mount Baker Park
    Parks Known locally

    Mount Baker Park

    Mount Baker Park is a 13-acre public space located along the western shoreline of Lake Washington in Seattle. The park f...

  27. 117 Hat & Boots Park
    Parks Known locally

    Hat & Boots Park

    Hat & Boots Park, officially known as Oxbow Park, is a distinct Seattle green space featuring two oversized, wood-frame...

  28. 118 Montlake Bridge
    Places of interest Known locally

    Montlake Bridge

    The Montlake Bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge carrying Montlake Boulevard over the Montlake Cut of the Lake Washin...

  29. 119 Kinnear Park
    Parks Known locally

    Kinnear Park

    Kinnear Park is a historic 14-acre green space perched on the steep southern slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. Establ...

  30. 120 Marshall Park
    Parks Known locally

    Marshall Park

    Marshall Park is a compact 0.6-acre neighborhood pocket park located atop Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. It features a mani...

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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.