Seattle is a city known for its rainy days (it’s not really that much), but that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the outdoor attractions in this beautiful city. There are many activities and unique things to do in Seattle, no matter the weather and that is why it is one of our favorite destinations!
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You must do a few things if you’re visiting Seattle for the first time.
One is to visit some of the city’s most iconic attractions, such as Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
From Japanese sushi to exquisite Washington wineries, there is something for everyone in this fun city.
And last, don’t forget about Seattle’s beautiful natural scenery and unique outdoor activities.
Here are some remarkable things to do and see when you visit Seattle compiled by our Travel Makes Me Happy Team.
Also, don’t forget to check out our Summer Travel Deals guide!
Best 20 Things to do in Seattle
It is great to visit Seattle year-round because there are so many fun activities to do and things to see on your trip.
We also picked our favorite restaurants to visit in Seattle in a new article that will help you plan how to experience Seattle’s culinary scene.
Table of contents
- Best 20 Things to do in Seattle
- 1. Iconic Seattle Space Needle
- 2. Pike Place Market
- 3. Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit
- 4. Seattle Center
- 5. Washington Park Arboretum
- 6. Starbucks Reserve Roastery
- 7. Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
- 8. Fremont Troll
- 9. Seattle’s Discovery Park Activities
- 10. Georgetown Neighborhood
- 11. Underground Tour
- 12. Pioneer Square
- 13. Mount Rainier
- 14. Snoqualmie Falls Tour
- 15. Miner’s Landing Attractions
- 16. Eat Fresh Pacific-Northwest Seafood
- 17. Chinatown-International District
- 18. Seattle Wine Tasting Tour
- 19. See Some Great Seattle Street Art
- 20. Whale Watching Tour Experience
- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about visiting Seattle
- Best Hotel Options for Your Seattle Trip
- Unique Things to do in Seattle Final Thoughts:
- Other Travel Resources
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1. Iconic Seattle Space Needle
Since it opened on April 21, 1962, the Space Needle symbolized Seattle’s innovative and forward-thinking spirit.
It is located at Seattle Center and stands at 605 feet tall.
The Space Needle has a long wait time on Saturdays and Sundays, so it’s best to visit during the week.
The breathtaking view from the top is complemented by a glass-floored area for those seeking an extra thrill. There’s even a restaurant at the top!
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Fun Fact: The clothing/gear store, Eddie Bauer started in Seattle!
2. Pike Place Market
If you’re in Seattle, don’t miss the vibrant and historic Pike Place Market.
It’s one of the best things to do in downtown Seattle! Wander through the market, taking the time to look at all the different vendors.
The market is a popular spot for tourists, with permanent stands filled with local fruits, and vegetables throughout the year.
There are also several fish markets, butchers, flower shops, bakeries, dairy and specialty vendors, and a wide range of restaurants.
It’s a must-visit in downtown Seattle! Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the market any time of the day. You can also try a chef-led food tour in Pikes Place.
Some great Seattle tours to check out:
- Seattle Undrground Tour
- Seattle Space Needle and Chihuly Garden Entry
- Seattle Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise
3. Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit
The Chihuly Garden is a great place to spend some time if you’re looking for something else unique to do before or after visiting the Space Needle.
This exhibit showcases Dale Chihuly’s artistic prowess across eight galleries and three display walls.
The Museum of Glass is a forward-thinking institution that fosters creativity and imagination while honoring the artists.
The highlight of the garden is arguably the Glasshouse, a stunning 40-foot-tall creation by Chihuly.
It’s also a great place to visit if you’re looking for good food or just want to relax in one of the many gardens.
There’s a monorail nearby that links to downtown to try as well.
4. Seattle Center
The Seattle Center is the perfect destination for a weekend full of fun and activities.
With attractions like the International Fountain and The Space Needle, you won’t run out of things to do. There’s also fountains and places to just sit and hang out.
We hung out here a lot and had coffee at the cafe at the bottom of the Space Needle a couple of times.
5. Washington Park Arboretum
The park is a popular destination for hikers and cyclists, with miles of trails that weave through lush vegetation.
It’s a beautiful example of how Seattle’s natural environment can be enjoyed, and it’s a great place to spend an afternoon if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
The Japanese Garden is a great place to visit while you’re in town. They offer free guided tours from April to October. You can also enjoy a traditional tea ceremony for an extra $10.
6. Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Seattle is known for its innovative coffee scene and being the birthplace of Starbucks. [we have an article on the Old San Juan coffee scene too!]
If you’re looking for a unique coffee experience, check out the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room.
Located at 1124 Pike Street (not in Pikes Place Market), it’s a place where you can watch coffee being roasted from start to finish.
You can also sample different flavors of coffee before deciding on your purchase.
It is a much better option than waiting in line at the original location at Pikes Place Market! We had no trouble getting a table and being able to sit and enjoy our coffee.
7. Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
The Locks are two locks that connect Lake Union to the Puget Sound. Boats enter the locks, the gates close, and the water rises or falls according to their destination.
There are two locks on the side of the canal: one large and one smaller, to accommodate different size ships.
Visitors can get up close, safely behind safety rails, and watch as the water level rises and lowers in the lock system.
The concrete allows traffic to move smoothly between the two bodies of water without any saltwater from the sound contaminating the lake’s freshwater. They are regarded by locals as an engineering marvel.
If you’re interested in how lock systems work or just enjoy watching boats of all sizes on the water, this unique attraction is worth checking out.
This is a fun and free activity that draws locals and tourists alike.
There are some great restaurants in the area to check out too!
8. Fremont Troll
Check out Fremont’s quirky troll sculpture if you’re in the mood for some Seattle history. It was initially built for the city’s art contest to improve the area around the bridge in 1990. It has an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its left hand!
There’s other great public art in Seattle, but seeing the troll is definitely a unique experience. It’s also close to a weekend market to check out.
The Freemont area has some funky shops and a great vibe! Check it out on a Freemont neighborhood tour!
9. Seattle’s Discovery Park Activities
A trip to Discovery Park is a great way to feel like you’re leaving the bustling city behind without actually exiting city limits.
The park is enormous and takes up the western end of the Magnolia neighborhood.
There are plenty of trails to explore, a lake for fishing, and playgrounds for the kiddos.
It’s also home to the Seattle Aquarium (the photo of the lighthouse above that we saw from the boat tour is the one at Discovery Park).
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10. Georgetown Neighborhood
Georgetown is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Seattle!
The neighborhood has restaurants, cafes, dispensaries, breweries, and bars that give lots of options for unique things to do.
Still, the main action is along Airport Way South. You can browse vintage shops in the area or check out graphic novels at Fantagraphics.
Sweet treats from Matcha Man Ice Cream and Tayaki or pop over to Deep Sea Sugar, and Salt for some of the best cakes and cupcakes in town will be sure to please.
11. Underground Tour
The Great Seattle Fire destroyed many structures in the city in 1889. Because of that, there are underground tunnels that the city rebuilt itself over the old, burned-out husks of shopfronts and sidewalks.
Today, you can explore these underground tunnels through an interesting guided walking tour.
Be prepared–the underground landscape may be challenging to navigate because you’ll find six flights of stairs, uneven terrain, and spotty lighting. An underground tour is definitely a unique thing to do in Seattle!
12. Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square is a popular tourist destination and unique area in Seattle.
It’s full of interesting architecture and some of the city’s most eclectic shops and restaurants.
For a creative and unique shopping experience, explore the local art scene, antiquities shops, bookstores, and rug stores within a few blocks radius.
After browsing these establishments, cap off your visit by enjoying a bite to eat and sampling some craft cocktails at one of the neighborhood’s lively craft cocktail bars.
13. Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington State.
The 14,400-foot volcano in Mount Rainier National Park offers numerous activities such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
A hiking trip or guided tour to this unique volcano is one of the most adventurous things to do near Seattle.
Mount Rainier National Park has more than 260 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy.
The park features a variety of wildflower meadows, snowy volcanic precipices, deep verdant forests, and gushing waterfalls. These natural attractions are waiting to be explored by visitors.
14. Snoqualmie Falls Tour
Washington State’s most famous (and unique) waterfall is Snoqualmie Falls.
It is a 270-foot waterfall surrounded by a two-acre park with an observation deck, hiking trails, gift shop, and lodge.
This is the state’s most prominent natural water feature and receives more visitors than any other natural site in Washington.
Snoqualmie Falls is a great natural attraction easily accessible from the parking lot. The paved paths make it easy for anyone to explore the falls.
Combine this amazing waterfall with a visit to beautiful wineries and lunch! We loved it so much that we went back to experience it twice (The photos above and of the wineries below are from the tour).
15. Miner’s Landing Attractions
The name Miner’s Landing came from the gold strike of 1897 when a ship laden with gold and happy miners docked at the pier.
This is a fun area to explore activities in downtown Seattle including the Seattle Great Wheel and Waterfront Park.
During your visit, be sure to stop by one of the restaurants with a Pacific-style menu. The Crab Pot, The Salmon Cooker, and The Fisherman’s Restaurant are all great options.
We visited Ivars Fish Bar and had halibut and chips while feeding their famous seagulls. It was a unique experience because we were so suprised that the seagulls were so calm.
16. Eat Fresh Pacific-Northwest Seafood
You can’t visit Seattle and NOT visit one of their fantastic seafood restaurants.
For an upscale experience, head to Elliott’s Oyster House. They have the best happy hour specials, and you must try the Dungeness crab.
For a more casual seafood experience, head to Duke’s Seafood and Chowder.
You can wine and dine on their patio and have fantastic views of the Space Needle and skyline. You must try the clam chowder and sourdough bread.
17. Chinatown-International District
Chinatown-International District is a bustling district with many restaurants sure to satisfy your hunger.
The smells emanating from the eateries are incredible, and you’re guaranteed to find something you love here. It’s a multi-cultural district with Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese.
A unique thing to do besides experiencing the cuisine is to order bubble tea and take a walk around the neighborhood for some sightseeing!
If you can only make it to a handful of shops, make Uwajimaya a top priority. This enormous Asian grocery store is crammed with imported treats and ready-to-eat meals, from sushi to traditional Japanese candies.
18. Seattle Wine Tasting Tour
Washington is known for its excellent wine, and Woodinville is a great place to taste it.
It’s about a 30-minute drive from Seattle, and there are more than 100 wineries in the area.
This is a great day-trip and unique thing to do for a little time away from the Seattle city center.
Woodinville Wine Country, the tourism board for the area, offers deals and discounts at area wineries.
You can taste some outstanding wines at DeLille Cellars Tasting Room, Columbia Winery, and Matthews Winery.
We did the small group Snoqualmie Falls and Wine Tasting Tour that picked us up at our hotel in the downtown area of Seattle and it was the highlight of the trip!
The tour was the perfect activity a couple of days before a cruise to Alaska and the experience was great. We even stopped at an Austrian chocolate factory (Boehm’s) on the way back.
19. See Some Great Seattle Street Art
Seattle has great public funding for art so it can seem like there is an art sculpture or street art on every block!
Check out some other art installations in the Freemont neighborhood or really everywhere you look in Seattle.
There are some great art sculptures at Seattle Center as well. This is one of our favorite Free unique things to do in Seattle.
20. Whale Watching Tour Experience
The relatively mild climate in Seattle makes it a perfect place to take an epic whale-watching tour.
The peak season is from June through September, but they can also be spotted from May through October.
Some common sightings are orcas, humpback, or minke whales. There are strict regulations so that the tours respect the distance and give the whales their space.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about visiting Seattle
Seattle, like any large city, has areas that are safer than others. Generally, the tourist areas and downtown are safe, but it’s always advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
The best time to visit Seattle is during the summer months, from June to September. The weather is typically warm and sunny, and there’s a lower chance of rain compared to other times of the year. However, even in the rainier months, Seattle offers plenty of indoor activities.
A 3-4 day trip is usually enough to cover the major attractions in Seattle, such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. However, if you plan to explore the city more deeply, including its neighborhoods, parks, and nearby attractions like Mount Rainier, a week might be more suitable. Seattle makes a great pre or post cruise visiting spot!
Some of the must-see attractions in Seattle include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Museum of Pop Culture. Nature lovers shouldn’t miss Discovery Park and Washington Park Arboretum. Foodies will love the city’s world-class seafood restaurants and coffee culture.
Seattle has a comprehensive public transportation system, including buses, light rail, and even ferries. The city is also very walkable, especially in areas like downtown. For destinations further away, rideshare services or rental cars are good options.
Best Hotel Options for Your Seattle Trip
- The Fairmont Olympic Hotel – 411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101. This historic hotel, situated in the heart of downtown Seattle, is the epitome of luxury. Built in 1924, the Fairmont Olympic combines timeless elegance with modern amenities. The hotel features spacious rooms, a fitness center, a beautiful indoor pool, and several on-site dining options. Its location is ideal, being close to Pike Place Market and other major attractions.
- Four Seasons Hotel Seattle – 99 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101. The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers a blend of luxury and comfort, with rooms boasting stunning views of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound. This hotel is known for its fantastic customer service, plush bedding, and a rooftop infinity pool. Its prime location puts you steps away from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum.
- The Edgewater Hotel – 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121. The only waterfront hotel in Seattle, The Edgewater offers captivating views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Each room is elegantly furnished with a gas fireplace and a European spa-inspired bathroom. The hotel’s restaurant, Six Seven, serves delicious Pacific Northwest cuisine. Its unique location offers easy access to the downtown area while providing a peaceful retreat.
- Hotel Andra – 2000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121. This boutique hotel, located in the vibrant Belltown district, offers Scandinavian-inspired design and warm hospitality. It’s just a short walk from the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, and numerous restaurants and bars. The hotel’s restaurant, Lola, serves Mediterranean and North African cuisine, and is a local favorite.
- The Inn at the Market – 86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101. This boutique hotel offers an intimate, tranquil retreat right in the heart of Pike Place Market. Rooms feature chic decor and offer views of Pike Place Market, the cityscape, or Puget Sound. Guests can enjoy the rooftop deck, perfect for watching the sunset over the water. Its unparalleled location provides direct access to the vibrant market, downtown shopping, and many of Seattle’s best restaurants.
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Unique Things to do in Seattle Final Thoughts:
There is always something fun and worthwhile to do in Seattle.
Whether exploring the bustling cityscape or taking a hike in the nearby forest, there is always something interesting waiting for you.
Whether it is your first time visiting Seattle or if you’ve been many times, these unique things are fun activities to do when you’re in town.
It’s also great to fit a few in before and after an Alaska cruise that leaves from the port in Seattle.
Have you tried any of our favorite things to do in Seattle or do you have other favorites? Drop us a line and let us know!
Other Travel Resources
We were mentioned as a local Seattle, WA expert on the Redfin blog! Check out the article we were featured in: Uncover the Best of Seattle: The Ultimate Seattle Bucket List
If you are planning a Seattle vacation, make sure to check out our 9 travel tips article to help with planning.
Victoria, British Columbia is a great weekend trip idea and is easy to get to from Seattle!
We have an article on some great hiking spots in Arkansas if Mt. Ranier seems intimidating or if you love hiking!
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I’ve done quite a few of those. Now, I need to plan another visit.