Seattle packs an outsized number of attractions into a compact downtown core. From the iconic Space Needle to the working waterfront of Pike Place Market, the city rewards walking between sights. Most major attractions cluster within a 2km radius of downtown, and the Link Light Rail connects Sea-Tac Airport to Westlake Center in 38 minutes for US$3.25. Here are the top things to do in Seattle, organized by category, with practical details on hours, prices, and how to avoid the lines. Also see our Seattle weather by month for more planning information.
Things to Do in Seattle: Iconic Landmarks
Space Needle
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the 184m (605ft) Space Needle is Seattle’s defining landmark. The 2018 renovation added floor-to-ceiling glass panels and the world’s first revolving glass floor (The Loupe) at the observation level. General admission is US$35-42.50 for adults, US$26-32 for kids 5-12, depending on time of day. Buy tickets online for a specific time slot to avoid 45-minute waits at peak hours (11am-3pm). The SkyCity restaurant was replaced by the Loupe Lounge, a rotating cocktail bar on the upper level. Open daily 10am-9pm (extended hours in summer). The entrance is at Seattle Center, reachable via the Monorail from Westlake Center (US$3.50 one-way). Pro tip: go at sunset and stay until the city lights come on; you can re-enter the glass floor level after your initial visit on the same ticket. Also see our best time to visit Seattle for more planning information.
Pike Place Market
Operating since 1907, Pike Place Market spans 9 acres with 220+ independently owned shops, 70+ restaurants, and the famous fish-throwing fishmongers. It’s open 365 days a year: the main arcade runs 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday and 9am-5pm Sunday, but individual vendor hours vary. The original Starbucks at 1912 Pike Place opened in 1971 and usually has a 30-45 minute line; the Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill (1124 Pike St) has no line and a better experience. Don’t miss the gum wall in Post Alley, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese (watch cheese-making through the window), and Piroshky Piroshky for Russian pastries (the beef and cheese is US$8). The market is free to enter; food and crafts are paid individually. Morning visits (before 10am) are least crowded. Also see our Seattle events and festivals for more planning information.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Right next to the Space Needle at Seattle Center, this museum showcases Dale Chihuly’s blown-glass sculptures across indoor galleries and an outdoor garden. The Glasshouse, a 30m conservatory with a suspended 1,340-piece red and orange installation, is the highlight. Tickets are US$32-36 for adults, US$19-22 for youth 5-12. The combo ticket with the Space Needle saves about US$10. Allow 1.5-2 hours. Open daily 9am-7pm (until 8pm Friday-Sunday in summer). The garden is particularly photogenic at golden hour when sunlight hits the glass sculptures. Also see our Seattle neighborhoods guide for more planning information.
Things to Do in Seattle: Museums and Culture
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Housed in a Frank Gehry-designed building at Seattle Center, MoPOP covers music, sci-fi, fantasy, and gaming. Permanent exhibits include the Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses gallery, a Jimi Hendrix collection, and the Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic hall with props from Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings. The Sound Lab lets you play guitars, drums, and keyboards in soundproof rooms. Admission is US$28 for adults, US$19 for youth. Open daily 10am-5pm. Plan 2-3 hours. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame inductee wall and the massive Sky Church video screen (18m x 10m) are free to see in the lobby. Also see our where to stay in Seattle for more planning information.
Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
SAM’s downtown location at 1300 First Avenue houses a strong Native American and Pacific Northwest collection alongside international contemporary art. The 15m-tall Hammering Man kinetic sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky marks the entrance. Admission is US$29.99 for adults, free on the first Thursday of each month. Closed Tuesdays. Open 10am-5pm Wednesday-Monday. The Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park (Capitol Hill) is SAM’s sister location and re-opened in 2020 after a US$56 million renovation. Olympic Sculpture Park, SAM’s free waterfront outdoor gallery 1km north, is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Also see our Seattle travel tips for more planning information.
The Museum of Flight
Located 12km south of downtown near Boeing Field, this is the largest independent air and space museum in the world. Highlights include the original Boeing 747 prototype (Air Force One from the Nixon/Reagan era), a Concorde, and a Space Shuttle trainer. The Vietnam War-era outdoor Aviation Pavilion is covered but unheated. Admission is US$26 for adults, US$18 for youth. Open daily 10am-5pm. Plan 3-4 hours. It’s a 25-minute drive from downtown or take the 124 bus from 3rd and Union (45 minutes). Best visited on a rainy day since most exhibits are indoors.
Things to Do in Seattle: Outdoor and Nature
Discovery Park
Seattle’s largest park at 534 acres in Magnolia, Discovery Park has 19km of trails through forests, meadows, and along bluffs overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The 2.8-mile Loop Trail takes about 1.5 hours and passes the 1881 West Point Lighthouse. Free entry and free parking. Open daily 4am-11:30pm. The South Beach trail descends to a driftwood-covered beach with tide pools at low tide. Check tide tables before visiting: the beach largely disappears at high tide. No dogs allowed on the beach.
Kerry Park
This small hillside park on Queen Anne Hill delivers the postcard view of downtown Seattle with Mount Rainier in the background (on clear days). It’s a 10-minute drive or 25-minute walk uphill from Seattle Center. Free. The best photos happen at sunrise when Rainier catches alpenglow, or at sunset when the city lights reflect off Elliott Bay. The park is tiny (about 0.5 acres) so expect crowds at sunset in summer. Marshall Park, 2 blocks east at 7th Ave W and W Highland Dr, offers an identical view with far fewer people.
Washington State Ferries to Bainbridge Island
The 35-minute ferry ride from Colman Dock (Pier 52) to Bainbridge Island costs US$9.25 round-trip for walk-on passengers (free on the return from Bainbridge). It’s the cheapest harbor cruise in town and delivers panoramic views of the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains. Ferries run roughly every 50-90 minutes depending on time of day. The Bainbridge Island terminal is a 5-minute walk to Winslow’s main street with restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (free admission). On summer weekends, arrive 30 minutes early or you might miss your sailing.
Things to Do in Seattle: Neighborhood Explorations
Fremont Troll and Gas Works Park
The Fremont Troll is a 5.5m concrete sculpture under the Aurora Bridge clutching an actual Volkswagen Beetle. It’s one of Seattle’s most photographed oddities and free to visit (N 36th St at Troll Ave). A 10-minute walk away, Gas Works Park sits on the site of a former coal gasification plant with preserved industrial structures and a 60m kite-flying hill with views of downtown across Lake Union. Free entry, open 6am-10pm. Great for picnics on summer evenings when seaplanes land nearby on the lake.
Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks connect Puget Sound to Lake Washington and Lake Union, raising and lowering boats 2-8m depending on tide. The fish ladder lets salmon climb from saltwater to freshwater spawning grounds, with underwater viewing windows operating June through October. Free admission and free guided tours (45 minutes) run March-November at 1pm and 3pm on weekends. The Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden adjacent to the locks has 500+ plant species. Open daily 7am-9pm. The peak salmon run is mid-July when you’ll see 2,000-4,000 fish per day through the viewing windows.
