Seattle, the largest city in the state of Washington, has an abundance of attractions to satisfy the tastes of the diverse travelers who flock here each year. Whether you’ve come to take in the amazing views, sample some of the local fare, or enjoy a concert or show, the Emerald City is guaranteed to leave you dazzled.
Pioneer Square
Seattle’s historic district is filled with boutique shopping, art galleries, nightlife activities, international dining, and sightseeing opportunities. The Pioneer Square District features 88 acres of beautifully restored architectural masterpieces, one of the largest collections of unique architecture in the United States.
Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
Explore what lies beneath Pioneer Square on Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour. Visitors walk what once served as the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of old downtown Seattle.
Pike Place Market
Opened in 1907, Pike Place market is one of the oldest farmer’s markets in the nation. Named after the central street, Pike Place runs northwest from Pike Street to Virginia Street, overlooks Seattle’s waterfront, and is famous for its fish market where employees happily throw customers’ orders from the fish table to the countertop to the register while engaging onlookers in their banter.
Benaroya Hall
Home of the Seattle Symphony, the facility occupies an entire city block in the heart of Seattle. Benaroya Hall hosts everything from art exhibitions and chamber music concerts to some of the hottest bands on the charts.
The Waterfront
Complete with shops, restaurants, excursion boats, maritime sightseeing, and gorgeous views, Seattle’s Waterfront has something to offer every visitor. This stretch is also home to many other wonderful attractions, including the Seattle Aquarium, the Olympic Sculpture Park, and Myrtle Edwards Park.
Seattle Aquarium
Located at Pier 59, the aquarium is a favorite spot for visitors of all ages and features fascinating exhibits and creatures, including a coastal tide pool, sea otters, and a giant Pacific octopus.
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Seattle Art Museum transformed this 9-acre industrial site into an outdoor haven where locals and tourists can enjoy sculpture and the breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Open daily 365 days a year, the park opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset.
Myrtle Edwards Park
This 4.8-acre park along Elliot Bay features a 1.25-mile winding bike and pedestrian path, along with views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, and Puget Sound.
The Hiram Chittenden Locks
Known locally as the Ballard Locks, this system of locks maintains the water levels of the fresh water lakes Washington and Union, prevents the mixing of sea water from Puget Sound with the fresh water of the lakes, and serves as a watery elevator to lift vessels from the saltwater of Puget Sound to freshwater levels. Visitors watch salmon swim up the fish ladders, and in summer, free weekly concerts are held on the lawns.
Seattle Center
Home of the city’s most recognizable landmark, the Space Needle, this 74-acre urban park also houses other attractions, including the Children’s Museum, Children’s Theatre, Experience Music Project, Seattle Opera, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Key Arena. Take the Space Needle elevator 520 feet straight up to the observation deck and enjoy the 360-degree view. Seattle Center is accessible by walking or by Monorail, which departs every 10 minutes from Westlake Center at Fifth and Pine Street.
Woodland Park Zoo
Enjoy 92 acres of natural habitat exhibits and wildlife in one of the country’s top zoos. The collection includes 1,090 animals, 300 animal species, 35 endangered, and five threatened animal species, 7,000 trees, more than 50,000 shrubs and herbs, and more than 1,000 plant species.