Looking for 100 cool things to do in Seattle? You have come to the right place. Seattle offers a vibrant mix of attractions for locals and visitors alike. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, the Emerald City has something for everyone, regardless of weather or interests.
Explore Pike Place Market for fresh seafood, local crafts, and the famous fish-throwing tradition. Beyond this bustling marketplace, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the Space Needle, take a relaxing ferry ride across Puget Sound, or discover the unique exhibits at the Museum of Pop Culture.
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate Seattle’s abundant green spaces, including Discovery Park and the Washington Park Arboretum. Coffee lovers can tour the original Starbucks or sample artisanal brews at numerous independent cafes throughout the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
Quick Picks: Seattle’s Top Must-Do Experiences
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Seattle offers visitors an array of unforgettable experiences. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, the Emerald City has something for everyone.
Pike Place Market stands as Seattle’s most famous attraction. Watch fishmongers toss fresh catches and browse local crafts while sipping exceptional coffee from the original Starbucks.
The Space Needle provides breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, Puget Sound, and surrounding mountains. For the brave, try the rotating glass floor experience called “The Loupe.”
Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases stunning glass art installations that merge beautifully with the landscape. The colorful exhibits are particularly magical at sunset.
Water lovers shouldn’t miss a Washington State Ferry ride. These affordable trips offer spectacular city skyline views and possible orca sightings.
For music enthusiasts, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) celebrates Seattle’s rich musical history from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana.
Don’t forget to explore the Underground Tour in Pioneer Square to discover Seattle’s quirky history beneath the streets.
Pike Place & The Waterfront: Seattle’s Heartbeat
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This iconic area represents the soul of Seattle, where locals and visitors alike gather to experience authentic city culture. The bustling market and scenic waterfront offer some of the city’s most memorable experiences.
Explore Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market stands as Seattle’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market, dating back to 1907. The market sprawls across nine acres with over 200 independent shops, 80 restaurants, and hundreds of vendors.
Watch the famous fish-throwing ritual at Pike Place Fish Market where employees toss fresh catches through the air. Don’t miss the original Starbucks store located on Pike Place, though be prepared for a line during peak hours.
The lower levels contain a fascinating mix of specialty shops selling everything from handmade crafts to vintage collectibles. Visit the Gum Wall in Post Alley for an oddly colorful (if slightly unsanitary) Seattle tradition.
For food lovers, sample fresh-baked goods at Piroshky Piroshky or cheese at Beecher’s where you can watch cheese-making through glass windows.
Walk The Waterfront
Seattle’s waterfront offers stunning views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. The recently renovated Pier 62 provides open space for relaxation and occasional public events.
The Seattle Aquarium showcases local marine life including playful sea otters, colorful fish, and a mesmerizing underwater dome. Nearby, the Great Wheel stands 175 feet tall, offering panoramic views from climate-controlled gondolas.
Take a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island (35 minutes each way) for spectacular city skyline views and a charming island town exploration. For history buffs, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on Pier 54 displays quirky artifacts and oddities dating back to 1899.
Waterfront Park provides peaceful benches for watching harbor activities and features interesting public art installations that change periodically.
Local Tip: Best Time To Go, Crowd-Avoidance Strategies
Visit Pike Place Market before 10am on weekdays to avoid the tourist crush and watch vendors setting up their displays. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are particularly calm compared to weekend madness.
For the best deals, show up about an hour before closing when vendors often discount produce and seafood rather than storing it overnight.
Pro parking tip: Use the Pike Place Market Garage on Western Avenue, which often has spaces when street parking is impossible. Have your parking validated at market businesses for reduced rates.
Rainy winter weekdays offer a uniquely authentic Seattle market experience with minimal crowds. Local restaurants like Matt’s in the Market become much easier to access during these quieter periods.
The waterfront is most serene during sunset in autumn months when summer tourists have departed but weather remains mild enough for comfortable exploration.
Views To Remember: Skyline, Mountains, And Water Meets
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Seattle offers some of the most breathtaking views in the country, where urban skyline, majestic mountains, and shimmering waters create unforgettable panoramas. Visitors can experience these views from various vantage points throughout the city.
Best Observation Points
The Space Needle stands as Seattle’s most iconic observation point at 605 feet tall. Visitors enjoy 360-degree views from its recently renovated observation deck with glass floors that create a floating sensation.
Kerry Park in Queen Anne offers postcard-perfect skyline views without admission fees. This small park presents the classic Seattle vista with the Space Needle framed by Mount Rainier on clear days.
Columbia Center Sky View Observatory provides Seattle’s highest public viewpoint on the 73rd floor. At nearly 1,000 feet high, it offers more comprehensive views than the Space Needle at a lower price point.
Smith Tower, Seattle’s first skyscraper, features an outdoor observation deck with vintage charm and spectacular views from Pioneer Square.
Photogenic Viewpoints
Gas Works Park offers unique industrial-meets-nature photography opportunities. The rusty remnants of the former gasification plant create interesting foreground elements with Lake Union and downtown as backdrops.
Alki Beach in West Seattle provides panoramic city views across Elliott Bay. The waterfront path stretches 2.5 miles, offering multiple angles of the skyline reflecting on the water.
Jose Rizal Bridge presents an unobstructed eastern view of downtown, particularly stunning during morning light when the sun illuminates the cityscape.
Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest green space, features dramatic bluff overlooks where photographers capture the Olympic Mountains across Puget Sound.
When And Where To Capture Seattle’s Iconic Sunsets
Summer offers Seattle’s most spectacular sunsets, particularly from June through September when skies tend to be clearest. The Golden Hour typically occurs between 8-9:30 PM in summer.
Olympic Sculpture Park combines art with sunset views, as the sun dips behind the Olympic Mountains across Elliott Bay. The zigzagging path provides multiple composition options.
Hamilton Viewpoint Park in West Seattle remains less crowded than Alki Beach while offering equally stunning sunset panoramas of the skyline.
Waterfront piers (especially Pier 66) provide unobstructed western views perfect for sunset. The ferries crossing Elliott Bay create moving elements that add interest to photos.
For winter sunsets, try Lake Union Park where shorter days mean you can catch gorgeous 4:30 PM sunsets reflecting on the water.
