Best things to do in Seattle

Seattle Essentials

Seattle’s identity is anchored by the historic Pike Place Market and the futuristic Space Needle, a legacy of the 1962 World’s Fair. This selection highlights the city’s architectural diversity, from the glass-clad Seattle Central Library to the neo-classical Smith Tower. Visitors can explore aviation history at the Museum of Flight, witness the engineering of the Ballard Locks, or delve into the subterranean ruins of Pioneer Square. Cultural landmarks like MoPOP and the Chihuly Garden and Glass sit alongside scenic viewpoints like Kerry Park, offering a comprehensive look at the city's landscape and history.

Seattle Essentials — Map

MarmadukePercy / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Pike Place Market

Historic public market and shopping area known for local products, fresh produce, and a vibrant atmosphere.

Yatharth / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Space Needle

184-meter tall observation and restaurant tower featuring panoramic aerial views of the city, mountains, and surrounding areas. It includes revolving observation decks and a rotating restaurant with unique architectural design.

Jrcla2 / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is an exhibit in the Seattle Center directly next to the Space Needle, showcasing the studio glass of Dale Chihuly.

Peter Collins / CC BY-SA 2.0

D

MoPOP: Museum of Pop Culture

The Museum of Pop Culture or MoPOP is a nonprofit museum in Seattle, Washington, United States, dedicated to contemporary popular culture.

Another Believer / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Kerry Park

Kerry Park is a small public park and viewpoint on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington, United States.

Danleo / CC BY 2.5

F

Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight is a private non-profit air and space museum in the Seattle metropolitan area.

Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Ballard Locks and Ship Canal

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, or Ballard Locks, is a complex of locks at the west end of Salmon Bay in Seattle, Washington's Lake…

Laura Choate / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel is a 53-meter tall giant Ferris wheel at Pier 57 on Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington, United States.

I

Underground Tour

The Seattle Underground is a network of underground passageways and basements in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle, Washington,…

MarmadukePercy / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Olympic Sculpture Park

The Olympic Sculpture Park, created and operated by the Seattle Art Museum, is a public park with modern and contemporary sculpture in…

Siobhan Doyle / CC-BY-SA

K

Gum Wall

The Gum Wall is a brick wall situated beneath Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle, Washington, United States.

John Anderson / CC BY-SA 2.0

L

Starbucks

The Pike Place Starbucks store, also known as the Original Starbucks, is the first Starbucks store, established in 1971 at Pike Place…

Eric Hunt / CC BY 2.5

M

Seattle Central Library

The Seattle Central Library is the flagship library of the Seattle Public Library system.

IvanAndreevich / Public domain

N

Smith Tower

Smith Tower is a skyscraper in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States.

Other Lists

Editor's Choice Seattle's Hidden Gems Seattle Art & Sculptures Seattle Performing Arts Seattle Parks & Nature Seattle Museums & Heritage Seattle Landmarks & Views