The Best 37 Things to Do and Tourist Places to Visit in Seattle, WA

November 1, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 2668 Views

Seattle is a city in the King County of Washington state in the United States of America. The city sits on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Some of the best things to do in Seattle, Washington include exploring museums, art galleries, historical attractions, entertainment venues, food joints, and natural landscapes.

The region has 4,000 years of history of human settlement. The region was occupied by Native Americans until Europeans began settling here during the 1800s. The city was named Seattle in honor of a tribal chief named Si’ahl. The archeological museums, cultural centers, art museums, and historical sites are some of the best places to visit in Seattle, Washington to learn about the early history of the region.

One of the biggest events in the city’s history was the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1800s. This period brought a lot of people to this place and created many interesting things to see in Seattle for tourists. The city is also associated with several industries and has been the birthplace of several famous companies like Microsoft and Amazon. You can explore Seattle tourist attractions like the Museum of Industry to learn about the association of the city with several industries. The city also has museums dedicated to aviation and maritime history.

The city is also the birthplace of bands and musical celebrities like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and many more. You can take a Seattle sightseeing tour concerning homes, favorite places, and performance venues concerning these artists.

Seattle is also blessed with a variety of natural landscapes including mountains, coastline, lakes, forests, streams, and more. Some of the most popular Seattle activities include hiking, skiing, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and so on. The city’s port also offers a variety of boat cruises wherein you can ride the waves in a variety of waves. Many of the boat tours, and seaplane tours, also have guides narrating the story of the city and major Seattle tourist spots.

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Table of Contents

The Top 37 Tourist Places to Visit in Seattle in 8 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. Pioneer Square

The pioneer square has been around since 1852 and is known for its architecture, cafes, art galleries, boutique stores, and nightclubs. This is the place for top things to do in downtown Seattle. It is the place of origin for several walking tours concerning art, architecture, history, and food. Among these Art Walk, Seattle Underground Tour, and Trail of Treasure are the most popular. You will need about an hour for this place.

If you are for a limited time in Seattle, then I suggest you should go for a 3 Hour Seattle City Tour.

2. Waterfront Park

This waterfront park extends from Pier 57 to Pier 59. The park is one of the best places to visit in Seattle, Washington for amazing views of the ocean. The park has walking trails and coin-operated telescopes. These can help you see various landmarks of the city. You will need 20 to 30 minutes for this park.

3. Seattle Art Museum

Popularly known as SAM, this museum is dedicated to visual arts. The museum has a collection of more than 25,000 artworks originating from Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Mediterranean, and Europe. You will come across some of the finest things to see in Seattle at this museum including decorative arts, paintings, sculptures, art installations, design pieces, and more. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

4. Pike Place Market & Food Tour

This is one of the oldest farmers’ market in the USA. The market has shops, cafes, restaurants, craft stores, and street food stalls. Exploring this place is one of the most fun things to do in Seattle, Washington. You will find fresh produce, food items, handicraft pieces, artworks, street food, craft beverages, and more. You will need about an hour to explore the market. You can also take a 2-hour food tour of this market to explore a variety of cuisines from different food joints along with popular shopping stores.

I suggest you should book a Chef Guided Food Tasting Tour at Pike Place Market.

5. Olympic Sculpture Park

This beachside public park is also an outdoor sculpture museum. The park is home to some of the most renowned sculptures such as the Wake by Richard Serra, Split by Roxy Paine, Chess by Bunyon, Eagle by Alexander Calder, Three Benches by Louise Bourgeois, and many more. It is one of the most prolific Seattle tourist attractions for art admirers. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this sculpture park.

6. Space Needle

This 182 meters tall tower is the iconic Seattle attraction. The tower’s design was inspired by sketches by Edward Carlson. The observation deck of this tower gives amazing views of the entire city. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to enjoy the views from this tower.

You should take your Admission Ticket to Space Needle in advance. Most people prefer to buy a Combo Ticket of Space Needle + Chihuly Garden and Glass.

7. Chihuly Garden and Glass

This art collection exhibits the work of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. The central attraction of this collection is the 12 meters tall glasshouse. The entire exhibition is divided into a garden outside the glasshouse, interior exhibits, and the glasshouse itself. It is one of the most intriguing Seattle tourist spots. You will need about an hour or so to tour this exhibition.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to Chihuly Garden and Glass in advance. But if you also want to visit Space Needle on the same day, then I suggest you should get a Combo Ticket of Chihuly Garden and Glass + Space Needle.

8. Experience Music Project (Museum of Pop Culture)

This art museum is dedicated to contemporary pop culture. The museum was designed by Frank O. Gehry. It is designed using 21,000 cut and shaped shingles of aluminum and stainless steel. The museum houses a collection of popular culture, horror movies, science fiction, costumes, video games, music albums, hand-written song lyrics, and more. This is one of the most fun Seattle activities for anyone. It is an art museum that does not require in-depth knowledge of art to enjoy. You will need at least an hour and a half to tour this museum.

9. Kerry Park

Spread over 1.26 acres on Queen Anne Hill, this park is best known for its great views of the city, Bainbridge Island, and West Seattle Peninsula. The park is also adorned with Dorris Chase’s Changing Form sculpture. It is also facilitated for a variety of outdoor activities to do in Seattle, Washington. The park has green spaces, sports grounds, viewpoints, and more. The park was most famously featured in the film “10 Things I Hate About You”. You will need about an hour to explore this park.

Day 2

1. Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour

Spread over 28,000 sq. ft., this aviation museum exhibits massive airplanes and artifacts concerning the history of flight. It is one of the most interesting places to go in Seattle. The Boeing Tour gives insight into the manufacturing process of various airplane models including 747, 7676, 777, and 787. You can also see true-size models of this plane. The museum also has many interactive exhibits including a simulation of the Boeing 727 cockpit. You will need at least 2 hours to tour this museum when you visit Seattle.

2. Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks

Also known as Ballard Locks, these serve as the link for ships to cross between Lake Washington & Lake Puget Sound. The former is a freshwater lake while the latter contains salt water. Opened in 1917, these locks maintain freshwater levels in Lake Washington and Lake Union while preventing the salt water of Lake Puget Sound. The parade of motorboats, yachts, sailboats, and other vessels at the Locks is a must-see in Seattle. You will need about an hour to explore this historical site.

I suggest you should go for a Boat Tour of Ballard Locks.

3. Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)

Also known as MOHAI, this museum is home to more than 4 million artifacts. The museum looks at the history of the Puget Sound area and the industries that flourished here. It is one of the most insightful museums to explore during a Seattle vacation. MOHAI has interactive exhibits and life-size models concerning a variety of industries. You will need about an hour from Seattle travel to tour this museum.

4. The Center for Wooden Boats

If you want to experience the maritime history and live aspects of a sailor’s life, this is the perfect place to be. You can rent several types of boats to experience controlling them. The center also sheds light on the history of these vessels and how they are built. You can also participate in workshops to build, fix, row, or sail the boats. These are some of the coolest things to do in Seattle, Washington and you will need about an hour for this experience.

5. Asian Art Museum

Housed in an Art Deco building, designed by Carl F. Gould, this museum exhibits classical, modern, and contemporary artworks from Asia. You will see works originating from India, the Himalayan Region, Korea, Japan, China, and so on. The building housing this museum is among the interesting places to see in Seattle. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

6. Volunteer Park & Conservatory

This park comprises botanical gardens and a conservatory. The design of the conservatory is inspired by the Crystal Palace of London. This glass, wood, and iron structure exhibit classic victorian design elements. It is one of the most attractive Seattle sights. The botanical gardens are divided into several houses based on different types of plants. These include Fern House, Bromeliad House, Seasonal House, Palm House, and Cacti & Succulent House. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this park.

Day 3

1. Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

The museum is named after Wing Luke, former Assistant Attorney General of Washington state who rose from his humble origins as the son of a laundryman. This museum focuses on the history of Asian American communities. It is one of the interesting attractions of Seattle, Washington that sheds light on a usually overlooked part of history. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this museum.

2. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

This historical park comprises 4 sites dedicated to the gold rush period of the 1890s. It is one of the top Seattle attractions for its historical significance. This period saw thousands of people abandon their professions and families in search of gold. This park looks at the history, reasons, modus operandi, and noteworthy events during the period. You will need about an hour and a half to tour this historical park.

3. Columbia Center / Sky View Observatory

Reaching 282,900 meters, this is the tallest building in Washington state. The building has restaurants, retail outlets, clubs, and an observatory. The building has some of the best things to do in Seattle, Washington for shopping, dining, nightlife, and city views. The Sky View Observatory sits on the 73rd floor and offers a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this building.

I suggest you should get your Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket of Sky View Observatory in advance.

4. Seattle Central Library

More than the books, this library is admired for its architecture. It is one of 150 America’s favorite structures. This glass and steel building was designed by Rem Koolhaas and Prince-Ramus. It is one of the best places to visit in Seattle, Washington if you admire the unique modern architecture. The library is home to 1.45 million books and also has several artworks and artifacts. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this building.

5. Frye Art Museum

This museum is dedicated to the life and works of renowned artist Charles Fyre. Aside from paintings and sculptures by Fyre are among the most mesmerizing things to see in Seattle. The museum also exhibits artworks by other artists from the 19th century to contemporary times. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

Day 4

1. Kubota Garden

This park is designed like a Japanese Garden and was developed by Fujitaro Kubota, a Japanese immigrant. The park has pools, carved stones, waterfalls, waterfalls, gardens, Japanese structures, bamboo groves, and walking trails. It is one of the most peaceful Seattle tourist attractions. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this park.

2. The Museum of Flight

This museum is dedicated to the history of flight. You will see a variety of aircraft such as fighter jets, commercial airplanes, old flying vessels, and so on. The exhibits include more than 150 real aircraft, some of which are associated with major historical events. It is among the most fascinating Seattle attractions. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to The Museum of Flight in advance.

3. Bellevue Botanical Garden

This park has cultivated gardens with a variety of plants and trees hailing from different parts of the world. It also has wetlands and a natural forest. The nature trails of this park are among the most popular outdoor activities to do in Seattle, Washington. You will need an hour to explore this park.

4. Japanese Garden

This park is quite similar to Kubota Garden but has a more vibrant expression of Japanese culture. It is one of the most popular Seattle tourist spots for the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. You can also take guided tours of the garden which give insight into botany as well as Japanese culture. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this garden.

5. Washington Park Arboretum

Situated on the shore of Lake Washington, this 230 acres park blends natural landscape and recreational facilities. You can explore a variety of adventurous Seattle activities in this park such as hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, and more. The park is also known for the variety of flowers, plants, and trees creating beautiful natural scenes. The park is especially popular among artists and photographers. You will need about 2 hours to explore this park.

Day 5

1. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

This museum has a collection of over 16 million artifacts concerning geology, zoology, botany, archeology, culture, religion, and more. It is a must-do in Seattle for tourists with children as the museum has several interactive exhibits and activities for young ones. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

2. Henry Art Gallery

Also known as the “The Henry”, this art gallery houses more than 25,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art. It contains paintings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, costumes, visual arts, and more. You will need about an hour from Seattle sightseeing to explore this art gallery.

3. Woodland Park Zoo & Rose Garden

The zoo has more than a thousand animals belonging to over 300 species. Some of the popular animals in this zoo include Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, Bears, rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, zebras, ostriches, snow leopards, and many more. The zoo also has a variety of fun things to do in Seattle, Washington for family tourists including animal interactions. The rose garden has 3,000 plants featuring 200 types of roses. You will need at least 2 hours to explore the zoo and the rose garden.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket for Woodland Park Zoo in advance.

4. Green Lake Park

Spread over 323 acres, this park is built around Green Lake. The park has facilitated a variety of outdoor activities to explore when you visit Seattle. This includes jogging, nature trails, swimming, boating, cycling trail, and so on. It is also a well-known spot for bird watching. You will need an hour or so to tour this park.

Day 6

1. Pacific Science Center

This science museum is spread over an area of 7.1 acres. The museum used technology to create mind-blowing exhibits that look surreal and futuristic at the same time. It also sheds light on various scientific advancements and the future of technology. You will need 2 hours from Seattle travel to explore this place.

2. Seattle Aquarium

This place houses a variety of birds and marine animals like otters, seals, dogfish, octopus, starfish, rays, corals, puffin, oystercatcher, and many more. It is among the popular places to go in Seattle for families. You will need about an hour to explore this aquarium.

3. The Seattle Great Wheel

Situated on Pier 57, this Ferris wheel stands 53 meters tall. You get to see numerous places to see in Seattle from this wheel. The ride takes about 20 minutes.

4. National Nordic Museum

This museum focuses on the history and culture of the Nordic countries, namely Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway. The museum covers over twelve thousand years of history focusing on politics, culture, lifestyle, fashion, religion, traditions, historical events, and more. You will need about an hour from Seattle travel to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket for National Nordic Museum in advance.

5. Seattle Underground Tour

The underground pathways begin with Pioneer Square and spread over several kilometers. These routes are 120 years old and are intricately linked to the birth of the city as well as several historical events. You will need about 2 hours to explore the underground network when you visit Seattle.

I suggest you should go for an Underground History Tour in Seattle.

Day 7

1. Mount Rainier National Park

This ice-caped mountain is a must-see in Seattle vacation and is popular for a variety of activities such as nature trails, mountain climbing, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, mountain biking, trekking, cross-country skiing, and more. The mountain also has a rich variety of plants, trees, birds and animals. You will need at least a day and a night to experience this majestic mountain and its attractions. You can also explore this mountain through a seaplane tour where the pilot narrates facts and stories about the mountain while you glide over the slopes.

I suggest you should book a Day Trip to Mount Rainier National Park in advance. And if you have limited time and want to see Mount Rainer National Park, then I suggest you should go for a Seaplane Tour of Mount Rainer.

Day 8

1. Tillicum Village

A four-hour boat cruise across Puget Sound takes you to Blake Island where you can explore the Tillicum Village. The place is popular among Seattle, Washington attractions as a cultural experience. Actors dressed in costumes and masks narrate the stories of indigenous tribes of the region. You will also see traditional longhouses and several shows within them. The village is also well known for its unique cuisine and seafood. You will need about 5 to 6 hours for this experience.

2. Seattle Harbour Cruise

This cruise ride includes a tour of Elliot Bay & the Seattle Harbour. The ship floats alongside the city’s waterfront. A guide narrates the history of the city, its landmarks, and the city’s shipping terminal. You need about 2 hours for this experience.

I suggest you should book your Ticket for the Seattle Harbour Cruise Trip in advance.

If you are looking for more places to visit in Seattle, check out the sections below. We have put together an exhaustive list of attractions and activities to explore in and around the city.

Things to do in Seattle

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Seattle

Space Needle
Museum of Pop Culture
Chihuly Garden & Glass
Seattle Art Museum
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Museum of Flight
Ballard Locks
Museum of History & Industry
Seattle Public Library
Frye Art Museum
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Volunteer Park
The Center for Wooden Boats
National Nordic Museum
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Henry Art Gallery
Seattle Asian Art Museum
Volunteer Park Conservatory
Seattle Children’s Museum
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Seattle Pinball Museum
West Point Lighthouse
Kidquest Children’s Museum
Living Computers Museum
Northwest African American Museum
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Bruce Lee & Brandon Lee Grave Sites
Alki Point Lighthouse
Center for Urban Horticulture
USS Turner Joy

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Seattle

Discovery Park
Lake Union
Seward Park
Lake Washington
The Bloedel Reserve
Lake Green
Carkeek Park
Lincoln Park
Luther Burbank Park
Saint Edward State Park
Mercer Slough Nature Park
Schmitz Preserve Park
Seahurst Park

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Seattle

Seattle Aquarium
Woodland Park Zoo & Rose Garden
Kerry Park
The Seattle Great Wheel
Gas Works Park
Seattle Center
Washington Park Arboretum
Golden Gardens Park
Pacific Science Center
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Lumen Field
Kubota Garden
Green Lake Park
Seattle Japanese Garden
Warren G. Magnuson Park
Alki Beach Park
The Showbox
Waterfront Park
Waterfall Garden
Lake Union Park
Bellevue Downtown Park
Freeway Park
Myrtle Edwards Park
Novelty Hill Januik Winery
The Triple Door Lounge
Dr. Jose Rizal Park
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Carl Anderson Park Reflecting Pool
Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
JM Cellars
Tillicum Village
Manchester State Park
Woodland Park
Columbia Winery
Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden
Ravenna Park

Shopping in Seattle

Pike Place Market
The Pacific Place
Downtown
Nordstorm Downtown Seattle
Ballard Farmers Market
Westlake Center
Chinatown International District
The Shops at Braven
South Lake Union Saturday Market
Redmond Town Center
Waterfront Market
Ballard Neighborhood
Pioneer Square
Georgetown Trailer Park Mall

Beaches & Islands in Seattle

Alki Beach
Blake Island
Elliot Bay
Gene Coulon Beach
Juanita Beach
Meydenbauer Bay
Madison Park Beach
San Juan Islands
Bainbridge Island

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Seattle

Hiking
Trekking
Mountain Climbing
Boat Cruise
Paddle Boarding
Swimming
Kayaking
Canoeing
Seaplane Tour
Airplane Tour
Whale Watching
Island Ferry Trip

Sightseeing in Seattle

Pike Place Market
The Gum Wall
Fremont Troll Sculpture
Smith Tower
Seattle Waterfront
Skyview Observatory
Paramount Theatre
International Fountain
Occidental Square
Pioneer Square
Pier 66

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Seattle

Please Note: The places marked with * are historically and culturally significant.

Falafel Salam
Margaux
Westlake Center
Mr. West
Ray’s Boathouse
Aerlume
13 Coins Bellevue
Pesle Rock
Andaluca
Seattle Biscuit Company
Annapurna Cafe
Off The Rez
Dan Gui Sichuan Cuisine
Caffe D’arte
Ono Authentic Hawaiian Poke
Anthony’s Pier 66 & Bell Street Dinner
Cafe Juanita
Cocoa Banana
FlintCreek Cattle Co.
Rock Creek Seafood
Cafe Munir
Counter Culture Center
Beast Cleaver
Pike Place Chowder
The Chicken Supply
Marjorie
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Frelard Tamales

Where to Stay in Seattle?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Seattle. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Seattle.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Seattle

How to Reach Seattle?

By Air

The Seattle Tacoma International Airport sits about 30 minutes outside the city. You can get direct flights to visit Seattle from Dublin, Mexico City, Montreal, Toronto, Paris, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Pittsburg, San Francisco, San Jose del Cabo, Victoria, Vancouver, Washington DC, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dubai, Taipei, Helsinki, Reykjavik, Doha, Calgary, Singapore, and so on.

You can get use the metro, buses, and cabs to get to the city from the airport.

By Road

The city is connected to the rail network through 4 Amtrak routes, namely: Cascades, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Sounder Commuter Rail. The train network connects Seattle to several cities including Portland, Tacoma, Los Angeles, Glacier National Park, Minneapolis, Vancouver, and many more.

You can reach Seattle by bus from several cities in the USA. But, this mode of transport is preferable if you are traveling from neighboring states, otherwise, you are in for a long ride.

If you are planning to visit Seattle by road, you should head for routes I-5, I-90, or I-405.

By Water

You can get direct ferries to reach Seattle from Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Vashon Island, San Juan Islands, and Southworth. The city also serves as a docking point for several cruise ships.

Image Reference

Pioneer Square – Ming-yen Hsu / Flickr
Waterfront Park – Shoot_It_RAW / PixaBay
Seattle Art Museum – Meg J / Flickr
Pike Place Market – Ashley98lee / Wikimedia Commons
Olympic Sculpture Park – jan zeschky / Flickr
Space Needle – Andrew Malone / Flickr
Chihuly Garden and Glass – Care_SMC / Flickr
Experience Music Project (Museum of Pop Culture) – arcticpenguin / Flickr
Kerry Park – jpellgen (@1179_jp) / Flickr
Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour – Can Pac Swire / Flickr
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks – GD Taber / Flickr
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) – Alan Samuel / Flickr
The Center for Wooden Boats – David Wilson / Flickr
Asian Art Museum – Gexydaf / Flickr
Volunteer Park & Conservatory – Pattie OLoughlin / PixaBay
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience – Orin Blomberg / Flickr
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Jasperdo / Flickr
Columbia Center / Sky View Observatory – Frank Fujimoto / Flickr
Seattle Central Library – Abhay Bharadwaj / PixaBay
Frye Art Museum – Blake Handley / Flickr
Kubota Garden – Alireza Borhani / Flickr
The Museum of Flight – Ian Abbott / Flickr
Bellevue Botanical Garden – Henry Huey / Flickr
Japanese Garden – Ted / Flickr
Washington Park Arboretum – Cindy Shebley / Flickr
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture – Alyx Dellamonica / Flickr
Henry Art Gallery – Frank Fujimoto / Flickr
Woodland Park Zoo & Rose Garden – Christine A / Flickr
Green Lake Park – rbaire / Flickr
Pacific Science Center – Ron Clausen / Wikimedia Commons
Seattle Aquarium – Omar Bárcena / Flickr
The Seattle Great Wheel – Shoot_It_RAW / PixaBay
National Nordic Museum – ECTran71 / Wikimedia Commons
Seattle Underground Tour – -JvL- / Flickr
Mount Rainier National Park – Harold Litwiler / Flickr
Tillicum Village – Brian Sterling / Flickr
Seattle Harbour Cruise – gd19 / PixaBay