seattle washington tourist map

Map of Seattle — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Seattle, Washington for travelers! Check out Seattle’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Seattle? See our Seattle Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Seattle. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Seattle map:

• Explore the best restaurants, shopping, and things to do in Seattle by categories
• Get directions in Google Maps to each place
• Export all places to save to your Google Maps
• Plan your travels by turning on metro and bus lines
• Create a Wanderlog trip plan (link to create a trip plan for the city) that keep all the places on the map in your phone
• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 20 attractions in Seattle

Chihuly garden and glass, pike place market.

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Space Needle

Museum of pop culture, ballard (hiram m. chittenden) locks.

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Fremont Troll

Seattle art museum, pacific science center, the gum wall, seattle aquarium, the seattle great wheel, smith tower, gas works park, olympic sculpture park.

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Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Discovery Park

Pioneer square, starbucks reserve roastery, westlake center, the museum of flight, top 10 restaurants in seattle.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Pho bac súp shop, archipelago, bar del corso, sushi kashiba, transportation in seattle, nearby airports, seattle–tacoma international airport, highways and major roads.

• Interstate 5 (I-5)
• State Route 99 (SR-99)
• Ballard Bridge
• Aurora Avenue North
• Alaskan Way Viaduct
• Interstate 90 (I-90)
• Mercer Street
• West Seattle Bridge
• Lake City Way Northeast
• Rainier Avenue South

Top searches in Seattle

Popular road trips from seattle, what's the weather like in seattle.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Seattle for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Seattle in January
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• Weather in Seattle in May
• Weather in Seattle in June
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• Weather in Seattle in October
• Weather in Seattle in November
• Weather in Seattle in December

All road trips from Seattle

• Seattle to Vancouver drive
• Seattle to San Francisco drive
• Seattle to Victoria drive
• Seattle to Las Vegas drive
• Seattle to Portland drive
• Seattle to Los Angeles drive
• Seattle to San Diego drive
• Seattle to Banff National Park drive
• Seattle to Astoria drive
• Seattle to Whistler drive
• Seattle to Banff drive
• Seattle to Olympic National Park drive
• Seattle to Calgary drive
• Seattle to Yellowstone National Park drive
• Seattle to North Vancouver drive
• Seattle to Monterey drive
• Seattle to Denver drive
• Seattle to Sedona drive
• Seattle to Newport drive
• Seattle to Jasper drive
• Seattle to Yosemite National Park drive
• Seattle to Jasper National Park drive
• Seattle to Bellingham drive
• Seattle to Mount Rainier National Park drive
• Seattle to Colorado Springs drive
• Seattle to Grand Canyon National Park drive
• Seattle to Salt Lake City drive
• Seattle to Kelowna drive
• Seattle to Spokane drive
• Seattle to Greater Palm Springs drive

Explore nearby places

• Bainbridge Island
• Lake Forest Park
• Normandy Park
• Mountlake Terrace
• Woodinville
• Port Orchard

All related maps of Seattle

• Map of Medina
• Map of Bellevue
• Map of Kirkland
• Map of Bainbridge Island
• Map of Newcastle
• Map of Burien
• Map of Shoreline
• Map of Manchester
• Map of Lake Forest Park
• Map of Redmond
• Map of Tukwila
• Map of Renton
• Map of Normandy Park
• Map of Kenmore
• Map of Bothell
• Map of SeaTac
• Map of Mountlake Terrace
• Map of Vashon
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• Map of Woodinville
• Map of Suquamish
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• Map of Sammamish
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• Map of Edmonds
• Map of Issaquah
• Map of Port Orchard
• Map of Keyport
• Map of Lynnwood
• Map of Kingston

Seattle throughout the year

• Seattle in January
• Seattle in February
• Seattle in March
• Seattle in April
• Seattle in May
• Seattle in June
• Seattle in July
• Seattle in August
• Seattle in September
• Seattle in October
• Seattle in November
• Seattle in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Seattle?

Get inspired for your trip to Seattle with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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Seattle   Travel Guide

Seattle Neighborhoods

Seattle is located on peninsula surrounded by several different waterways: Puget Sound to the west, Elliott Bay to the south and Lake Washington to the east. Salmon Bay, Lake Union and Union Bay (collectively known as the Lake Washington Ship Canal) also slice the city in half, with the Ballard, Fremont and University District neighborhoods to the north and the rest of Seattle's neighborhoods to the south.

Downtown, Pioneer Square and Chinatown-International District

You'll find some of the most popular tourist attractions in downtown Seattle, including the famous  Pike Place Market . Consequently, some of the best hotels  in Seattle are situated here. Downtown is also home to the city's financial centers, a bustling waterfront and many shopping and dining opportunities. Elliott Bay and a string of tidal flats downtown provide great sightseeing opportunities. Downtown also features several cultural sites like the Seattle Public Library, Benaroya Hall and the  Seattle Art Museum .

Another popular tourist attraction just south of downtown is  Pioneer Square , a historic district that was once the heart of the city. The buildings here have been restored to their previous glory, highlighting their Renaissance-Revival and Richardsonian-Romanesque architecture; the square's century-old, ornamental pergola is a particular eye-catching sight. South of Pioneer Square, sports lovers can watch the Mariners play ball at T-Mobile Park or catch a football game (or concert or soccer game) at CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks.

South of downtown and east of Pioneer Square, Chinatown-International District is Seattle's ethnic and culturally diverse enclave. Nicknamed "the I.D.," this neighborhood is one of the city's oldest. You'll encounter plenty of specialty stores here, as well as many restaurants serving Asian specialties.

Queen Anne and Magnolia

Situated north of downtown, Queen Anne is a part residential, part business district anchored by Seattle's most famous icon, the  Space Needle . This towering landmark stands more than 600 feet tall and offers a great panorama of the entire city. Another visitor favorite,  Chihuly Garden and Glass , is located right next door to the Space Needle. Many key events and concerts are held at the Seattle Center (surrounding the Space Needle), which is also home to the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Children's Museum. Just along the southern outskirts of the Queen Anne neighborhood, you'll find the  Olympic Sculpture Park . As for its moniker, the neighborhood draws its name from the architectural style seen in many of the historic mansions built in the late 19th century.

West of Queen Anne is the Magnolia neighborhood, which is mainly residential, and includes the sprawling  Discovery Park  on its northwestern edge. The park offers plenty of hiking trails and prime vistas of Puget Sound. Magnolia's main drag is McGraw Street, which is lined by trees of the neighborhood's name. Along McGraw, you'll find a smattering of restaurants, cafes and shops.

Capitol Hill and Central District

The Capitol Hill neighborhood, located northeast of downtown, showcases some of the city's oldest Victorian mansions. It's also home to a thriving gay and lesbian scene, as well as many students who attend Seattle University, young professionals and musicians. For those interested in music history, Capitol Hill was home to the famous grunge music scene in the early 1990s. Check out the acts at the Capitol Hill institution, Neumos, which is one of the most popular music venues in the city. At the northern part of Capitol Hill sits Volunteer Park, which features a conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Meanwhile, the Central District (south of Capitol Hill and east of downtown) is primarily a residential area that's historically been home to the city's black community. This part of Seattle boasts some of the oldest black churches, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church (established in 1886 and built in 1912) and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church (established in 1894 and built in 1975). Other notable Central District attractions include the Pratt Fine Arts Center and the Douglass-Truth branch of the public library.

Nestled across Salmon Bay from Magnolia in the northwest region of Seattle, this neighborhood contains some of the city's most prized historic landmarks, including the Ballard Carnegie Library and the  Hiram M. Chittenden Locks . Visitors can see the area's maritime influence on Ballard's festivals (like Seafood Fest in July) and atmosphere. Concert halls, charming eateries and lively bars line central Ballard, transforming it into a hub for music and nightlife.

The artsy, bohemian Fremont neighborhood, sandwiched between Ballard and the University District, was originally an independent town until the Seattle government annexed the area in 1891. Even now, Fremont is known for its fierce independence: Its nickname is "The People's Republic of Fremont," and its unofficial motto is "Freedom to be Peculiar." And embrace the peculiar, it does. This neighborhood offers visitors some quirky art to admire; including the Troll under the Aurora Bridge and a massive bronze sculpture of former Russian communist leader, Vladimir Lenin. The area also has popular nightlife spots, and houses offices of some of the country's largest tech companies, including Adobe Systems and Google.

University District

Seattle's University District in northeast section of the city (east of Fremont) is home to the University of Washington, and has an assortment of restaurants and nightlife options, including several bars and nightclubs. You'll encounter plenty of college students in this part of town, but Seattleites and visitors alike enjoy strolling through the neighborhood's gardens and admiring the cherry trees when they're in bloom. University Way, known as "The Ave," is the main thoroughfare in "the U District." The Ave is peppered with fun stores, coffee shops and eateries. Other top spots on campus are the Henry Art Gallery and Meany Hall, which hosts concerts, plays and dance performances.

SoDo and Georgetown

SoDo (or south of downtown) makes up the industrial heart of Seattle, while Georgetown is a popular residential area – and both are located just east of the Duwamish River. Major corporations have headquarters in SoDo, including coffee giant Starbucks. And over the years, factory buildings in both SoDo and Georgetown have slowly transformed into apartments, art galleries and trendy bars.

West Seattle

South of downtown and west of the Duwamish River sits West Seattle, which comprises several smaller neighborhoods. Alki Point in West Seattle is considered the original founding point of the city, and its beach is a fan favorite for sunbathing, jogging and people-watching. Thanks to its hilly terrain and verdant landscape, West Seattle also attracts more active travelers; Lincoln Park and Schmitz Preserve Park feature trails for hikers and bikers to take advantage of. Meanwhile, hungry travelers will find a variety of cuisine and libations available at "The Junction," a collection of restaurants and bars found at the intersection of California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street.

Rainier Valley

Also commonly referred to as Southeast Seattle, Rainier Valley is bordered by Lake Washington to the east, the Central District to the north and SoDo and Georgetown to the West. This neighborhood is known for being one of the nation's most diverse, inhabited by residents of multiple races who speak many different languages. And as the people vary, so do the offerings in this section of Seattle. You'll find a plethora of restaurants dishing out flavorful food in this neighborhood, as well as special events like the monthly live music festival Beatwalk in Columbia City (the northern section of Rainier Valley).

Across Lake Washington about 10 miles east of the city center, Bellevue is the Seattle's largest suburb and a major economic hub. This area gets its name from the "beautiful view" it provides of the Olympic and Cascade mountains. Bellevue boasts dining hot spots, a number of notable hotels and many of its own attractions, including the Bellevue Botanical Garden, several shopping complexes and numerous parks.

Seattle is a large metropolitan area, so abide by all the precautions you would normally follow in a major city. The University District and Broadway can attract the homeless, and those areas are sometimes intimidating for travelers. In general, tourist areas are routinely patrolled by police and remain safe at night.

Explore More of Seattle

Things To Do

Best Hotels

When To Visit

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Welcome to Seattle

A vibrant city surrounded by unrivaled natural beauty, seattle boasts world-class attractions, a renowned arts and culture scene, major sports teams, and more. it’s a city that offers the best of both worlds—from sailing to shopping and museums to mountains. and it’s all waiting for you to explore. no matter where you come from, what you look like, or whom you love, you can find community, acceptance, and opportunity here. we can’t wait to welcome you to the emerald city, travel professionals:.

We would love to connect! Learn more about what’s new and what resources we have available .

Top Things to Do

Food & drink.

Dreamy islands, scenic drives, and gorgeous natural wonderlands are a quick car, ferry, or seaplane ride away.

One of the most notable things about Seattle is the number of world-class activities, from exquisite dining to breathtaking art, that fit into the accessible city. Another alluring aspect of this area is the plentiful day-trip and weekend destinations nearby, making it easy to have Seattle as your home base or as a jumping-off point for a tour of. Go on and choose your next adventure.

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Fun Facts About Seattle

Did you know.

Seattle is surrounded by three national parks and has more than 485 parks within city limits.

Washington is the second-largest wine-producing state in the US.

289 cruise ship stops are scheduled in Seattle for 2023

There are more than 700+ bars and restaurants within city limits

Washington has more than 1,050 wineries , 420 breweries , and 100

To learn more interesting facts about Seattle, click here. >>

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25 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Seattle, WA

Written by Brad Lane Updated Mar 21, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Seattle is like its own planet in the Pacific Northwest. Its gravitational pull is hard to avoid as the biggest city in the region, enticing with a broad selection of outdoor and indoor attractions alongside a vibrant community. I find something new that adds to the sparkle of the Emerald City with every visit, especially in the summer, when the entire city shines after winter's frequent drizzles.

Visitors may conjure the image of the Seattle Space Needle when envisioning a trip to Seattle. And this 605-foot spire is well worth the visit, especially the surrounding Seattle Center, home to other attractions like Chihuly Garden and Glass and Climate Pledge Arena. But peel Seattle back beyond these renowned tourist destinations, and the city has so much more to explore.

You'll never see everything in a single day or weekend. I once stayed for an entire month and felt pressed for time. That's because between seaside parks, underground tours, immersive museums, and iconic spots like Pike Place Market, things to do in Seattle span all hours of the day and throughout the year. Luckily, there are plenty of coffee shops to aid in making the most out of a vacation.

Prepare to explore the sunny side of Seattle my list of the best attractions in Seattle.

1. Seattle Center & the Space Needle

2. pike place market, 3. discovery park, 4. chihuly garden and glass, 5. go underground in the pioneer square historic district, 6. learn about puget sound at the seattle aquarium, 7. woodland park zoo, 8. mohai: the museum of history & industry, 9. watch boats pass at hiram m. chittenden locks (ballard locks), 10. take a water taxi to alki beach park, 11. wander the galleries at the seattle art museum, 12. take a trip to the museum of flight, 13. whale watch from seattle, 14. get lost at the washington park arboretum, 15. catch the sunset at gas works park, 16. walk around green lake, 17. find fun at the museum of pop culture, 18. ride the seattle great wheel, 19. sunbathe on a seattle beach, 20. picnic at volunteer park, 21. explore the olympic sculpture park, 22. head to the international district, 23. meet the fremont street troll, 24. dive into the living computers: museum and labs, 25. experience benaroya hall, where to stay in seattle for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in seattle, wa, best time to visit seattle, wa.

Seattle Center, home to the Space Needle, is often included on a first trip to Seattle. And for good reason. These iconic attractions were first built for the 1962 World's Fair and have since been converted into an entertainment complex and park area with a long list of community attractions.

This public space is also home to the Museum of Pop Culture and Chihuly Garden and Glass , two of the best museums in Seattle (and two of my favorite). Restaurants and shopping also line the pedestrian paths across campus, alongside ample public areas for wandering or sitting down and people-watching. This is especially true at the International Fountain with its orchestrated waterspouts and light shows.

The newest addition to Seattle Center is Climate Pledge Arena . This state-of-the-art sports venue is home to the Seattle Kraken, freshly minted into the NHL during the 2021/22 season. Seattle's best radio station, KEXP, also operates out of a studio in the Seattle Center, giving music fans a reason to gather.

Despite all the other world-class attractions in Seattle Center, the Space Needle claims the most international fame. And while the paid trip to the top of the Space Needle has some of the classic frills of a tourist trap, the view atop is indeed spectacular and worth the few hoops required to jump through.

It's a moderate admission price to get to the top of the Space Needle, and when I visited during a midweek morning in August, I waited about 45 minutes in line for my ride to the top. I opted out of the commemorative photograph taken after the elevator ride, but I spent extra time exploring inside and outside.

Anyone with a fear of heights should not go to the top of the Space Needle. But as someone with unlimited trust in the guardrails and glass-bottom floors, I didn't want to go back down once I got up. Plan to spend at least half of the day if you want to ride to the top. Sunny weather is certainly the most preferred forecast, though a rainy day could provide an exciting ambiance.

Address: 400 Broad Street, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.spaceneedle.com

Pike Place Market is another busy tourist area worth a visit. It offers an authentic taste of the maritime culture associated with the city, comprising a wide range of vendors on the two bustling levels floors near the waterfront.

Fish, fruit, vegetables, and all sorts of odds and ends tantalize the taste buds and camera lenses. And keep an eye out for fresh fish flying through the air from the Pike Place Fish Market . If you don't have the hotel facilities for cooking seafood, head to one of the 80 local restaurants and bakeries or pick up goodies to bring home from one of the specialty foods stores.

In addition to plentiful food choices, there are more than 200 proprietor-operated shops that range from antiques and collectibles to bookstores and quirky specialty shops. The historic nine-acre shopping haven includes a crafts market with 225 local and regional creators.

Although it's possible to spend all day admiring each stall in Pike Place Market, typically, it's only a part of a touristic day. The market is in the central downtown area, surrounded by several other places to visit. Visitors can also check out the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57 within a short walk.

Address: 1st and Pike Streets, Seattle, Washington

Official site: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

Discovery Park covers nearly 550 acres and is the largest park in the city and one of the top beaches in Seattle . It's located on a point protruding into the sound from the Magnolia neighborhood, west of downtown. Coastline, forest, and meadows comprise much of the park's landscape, with dirt and paved trails winding throughout.

I headed straight to the West Point Lighthouse on my first visit to Discovery Park, which required about a two-mile hike from the Discovery Park Visitor Center and park entrance. The lighthouse was immediately recognizable as the popular photo destination that it is. But the actual view in person, including an expanse of the Olympic Mountains backdropping Puget Sound, made me understand why it's such a popular Seattle destination.

A paved trail parallels the beach that extends from either side of the lighthouse, offering great views across the water the entire way. The entire network of trails is sprawling within the park, but abundant signage makes navigating throughout the 500-plus acres fairly easy. I never lost reception in the park, either, so I could use my online maps to navigate.

Discovery Park is the former site of Fort Lawton, and some of its military history remains today. An Environmental Learning Center is also onsite at the Visitor Center, hosting interactive exhibits, information about the park, and education programs for all ages.

Address: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, Washington

If you're heading to the Seattle Center for the Space Needle, be sure to budget at least some time to check out the next-door Chihuly Garden and Glass. The colorful exhibits of this world-renowned museum display and explore the work of innovative glassblower Dale Chihuly - a Tacoma native.

Chihuly's work is known for using glass as a purely artistic medium and creating captivating sculptures. And captivated I was while walking through the eight darkened galleries of the museum, illuminated by glass gardens and densely packed exhibits. It gets a little crowded in these galleries but easy enough to stand still and admire the artistry.

The Glasshouse is the capstone of a visit under the shadow of the Space Needle. An amorphous glass sculpture hangs delicately above this beautiful rotunda encapsulated by glass, changing colors and appearance with the arcing sun above. Between the galleries and the grand Glasshouse, expect to spend between ninety minutes and two hours at the museum (minimum).

The Art Plaza and Collections Café is next to the Greenhouse, offering a lovely place to sit and enjoy hourly glassblowing demonstrations. The plaza abuts the garden, where visitors find Chihuly's work presented within a natural environment, enhancing the flow and depth of the glass.

Address: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.chihulygardenandglass.com

Pioneer Square is the city's historic heart, marked with a 60-foot totem pole. It's an area of town that retains much of its historic character distinct from modern parts of downtown, including beautiful Victorian-era buildings. Smith Tower stands out for its imposing height (42 stories), with an observation deck on the 35th floor that's ideal for sightseeing.

In the same neighborhood, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park remembers the surge of prospectors who departed for the Yukon during the 1897 Klondike Gold Rush. This monumental event brought new prosperity to Seattle, the marketed "Gateway to the Gold Fields."

Something to know about visiting Pioneer Square in modern times is that the area is an example of some of the city's urban challenges. Expect to see Seattle's un-housed population while visiting, and while statistically, it's a safe place to visit, it's a spot to take out earbuds and pay attention to your surroundings.

I elected to explore Pioneer Square by going underground and joining the expedition on the famous Bill Speidel's Underground Tour . This 75-minute tour explains how the current city streets were established after the 1889 Great Seattle Fire and dives into the legacy of the almost forgotten underground sidewalks. It turned out to be a great experience that allowed me to get more comfortable with the area under the wings of a tour guide.

The non-profit Seattle Aquarium operates on the downtown waterfront, just a short walk from the Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57. Through several live animal exhibits, the aquarium captivated my attention the entire afternoon and inspired my interest in the nearby Puget Sound.

The Window on Washington's Waters is the first exhibit encountered at the aquarium. This 120,000-gallon tank has nothing but good views thanks to its 40-foot-wide window, leaving plenty of room for kids to gather near the front at this popular family attraction.

The tide pool touch tanks tend to be the next area of attraction at the aquarium. This is also a popular attraction for kids, but I'll admit I spent most of my time at the museum reaching into the water to gently put my fingers on sea anemones and other colorful invertebrates.

The aquarium is also home to various marine mammals, including different kinds of seals and otters. Thanks to the tank designs, you get to see these playful residents above and below water. And wandering throughout the museum are staff members ready to answer any questions and engage with visitors.

The aquarium is open seven days a week. Expect to spend at least a few hours at the aquarium, if not more. It's also in a touristy part of Seattle's waterfront, with tons of lunch spots nearby to enjoy after a visit.

Address: 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/

Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo is a 92-acre facility with many threatened and endangered species from around the globe. This AZA-accredited facility was the first to create naturalistic exhibits, and its 300 different species range from Asian and African elephants to snow leopards, jaguars, lemurs, and grizzly bears.

It's a popular family attraction, although, as an adult, I was tired after a half-day walking the enormous complex. And I didn't partake in any of the daily programs, animal feedings, or educational lectures throughout the week, nor did I ride on the solar-operated carousel.

If you're here in the summer, consider visiting first thing when the zoo opens, or stick around until it's about to close. Many animals will ride out the heat of the day in their enclosures.

Visitors can book an animal experience tour for a real treat, allowing animal lovers to get up close to some of the zoo's most fascinating wildlife, often with the chance to feed or touch the animals. Experiences include the opportunity to meet giraffes, penguins, lemurs, and other residents.

Address: 601 N 59th Street, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.zoo.org

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) celebrates Seattle's position as a leader in innovation and industry, showcasing this legacy with planes hanging from the ceiling and other engaging exhibits across three levels.

The True Northwest exhibit takes tourists on a journey through the region's history, from indigenous cultures through the present, exploring how geography and cultural events like the Klondike Gold Rush shaped the Emerald City.

Permanent collections in the museum's main gallery include a wide range of historical objects, from vintage clothing to locally invented products. Visitors also enjoy 360-degree views of the city using an authentic WWII-era Tang periscope in the Maritime exhibit.

The museum's third major gallery focuses on how local inventors have put the region at the forefront of innovation and new technology. It includes interactive exhibits and a chance to get a sneak peek at concepts being explored.

Adjacent to MOHAI, The Center for Wooden Boats is another popular community attraction. This non-profit strives to provide public access to water recreation and maritime travel. The center offers workshops, public sailboat adventures, and rentals throughout the week.

Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://mohai.org

These busy locks northwest of Seattle Center are also known as the Ballard Locks. They are a fascinating work of engineering in Salmon Bay, constructed to keep the saltwater of Puget Sound separate from the freshwater of Lake Washington while also providing a boat elevator between the two.

Commodore Park and the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Center are on either side, connected by a bike path that crosses the Locks. This path may be impeded by passing boat traffic. But you can get close to the action, and I spent extra time just watching boats, big and small, transfer from one waterway to the other.

Besides watching the boat traffic move between Puget Sound and the lakes, I recommend checking out the fish ladder in Commodore Park, where salmon struggle upstream. On the other side of the locks, the Botanical Center is a quieter spot to rest and appreciate well-tended gardens.

Tourists can take a narrated sightseeing cruise along the canal, which offers various views of some of the city's most iconic features, like the Space Needle, the Great Ferris Wheel, and even the houseboat community featured in Sleepless in Seattle . The tour typically lasts 2.5 hours and includes transportation back to the starting point.

Address: 3015 NW 54th Street, Seattle, Washington

Alki Beach Park is a popular destination in West Seattle with a lot of history. It's where the first white settlers landed in 1851, greeted by Chief Seattle and his tribe. Today, it's a 2.5-mile linear park and a guaranteed busy place when the weather is nice.

But with ample sand and space to stretch out some volleyball nets, overcrowding isn't always the biggest issue on summer weekends. Instead, finding a parking space can sometimes require extra patience. To avoid the hassle of parking, it's much easier to hop on a water taxi from Pier 50 in downtown Seattle. The water taxi drops you off at the eastern end of Alki Beach Park.

Timing a visit to Alki during low tide opens a world of tide pool exploring. A 2.5-mile concrete pathway parallels much of the beach, and benches and local businesses line much of this route, offering plenty for an afternoon of exploring.

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is downtown, one block from Pike Place Market. It's a massive repository for world-renowned art and a must-see for casual observers and enthusiasts alike. I spent just over two hours here, including time spent in a special Monet exhibit I paid extra for.

The museum's collection is spread across four floors of expansive gallery space. The bottom three floors feature rotating exhibits and pieces from the permanent collection. Some permanent displays include Native American, European, and Islamic Art. The museum also houses a robust collection of contemporary and modern art.

SAM also oversees two other prominent art facilities for even more aesthetic pleasure. SAM also operates the Olympic Sculpture Park, less than a mile to the north on the waterfront, which is free to enjoy. And in Volunteer Park, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, SAM also operates the Seattle Asian Art Museum .

Address: 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/

Seattle's Museum of Flight is home to a wide array of airplanes, educational exhibits, and flight-related historical objects. The museum is open Thursday through Monday, and many visits take the entire day. Alongside general admission, the museum offers premium experiences that lend access to behind-the-scenes exhibits.

An outdoor gallery displays the largest aircraft in the collection, including a Concorde, the first jet Air Force One, and military planes like the B-17F Flying Fortress. The indoor Great Gallery at the museum gives onlookers the thrill of seeing many of the aircraft suspended in flight. The Lear and Space galleries focus on space travel, both its history and future.

History buffs will especially love the Personal Courage Wing, dedicated to the critical role of aviation during World War I and II. Exhibits include 28 restored fighter planes, personal stories of pilots and air support troops, and interactive experiences like a flight simulator.

Address: 4097, 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.museumofflight.org

The city-defining waters of Puget Sound host a wide array of marine life. This proximity to a wild habitat gives residents and visitors a unique opportunity to see the landscape's largest mammals.

While several types of whales enjoy the water close to the city, it's often orcas that are sought out. The summer is considered the best time to see orcas from Seattle, specifically between mid-June and early September.

Watchful tourists can spot whales from the shore without boarding a boat. Spots along the western banks of Seattle, like Alki Beach and Golden Gardens , offer some of the best vantage points. Patience and a little help from resources like the Orca Network go a long way in spotting whales from the Seattle shore.

Several whale-watching boat tours are also available from Seattle. In years past, boat noise and boat disturbance became known contributors to declining orca populations. When booking a whale-watching tour, consider finding a company like Puget Sound Express with a long track record of responsible practices.

Covering over 230 acres in the Madison Park neighborhood northeast of downtown, the Washington Park Arboretum is the best spot to step away from the city. It's co-managed by the city of Seattle and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, and it's open every day to the public, free of charge.

Among the expansive green space, the arboretum maintains several specific gardens. A few notable paths include the jaunt through Rhododendron Glen and Azalea Way – the historic heart of the park. Visitors can also expect to encounter Japanese maples and a 2.5-acre plot devoted to New Zealand native plants.

Self-guided and guided tours are available at the arboretum. Guided excursions include Tram Tours , which navigate the entire park in an hour. If you're trying to walk through the whole park, plan for at least this same amount of time. For more information and trail maps, visit the Graham Visitors Center near the northern border.

Official site: https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/washington-park-arboretum/

Gas Works Park is on the northern shoreline of Lake Union , with a fantastic view across the water toward the downtown skyline. Alongside this shimmering view of boats and buildings, the park also has several pieces of eye-catching infrastructure.

Before becoming a park, Gas Works was the site of an industrial coal gasification plant. This history is still readily apparent, as many historic structures are now reclaimed into public art pieces. Some of the old facility is even now incorporated into playground equipment and park structures.

A large earthen mound with a paved trail offers an excellent vantage point of all the park has to offer. Here, towels and blankets punctuate the elevated spot as people enjoy the lakeside ambience. Come sundown, the entire area comes under a special glow as the last bit of day reflects off the water.

Green Lake is an approximately 260-acre lake north of downtown. A popular residential area of the same name borders the eastern and northern edges of the water, and a 2.8-mile multi-use paved trail circles the entire lake, connecting several places to spend the day.

East Green Lake Park is one of the most popular pitstops. Here, sandy shoreline and ample green space abound with people throughout the warmer months. Popular things to do at the park include volleyball, swimming, and lounging about close to the water. Boat rentals are also available.

Opposite East Green Lake on the northern shoreline, West Green Lake Beach offers similar amenities on a slightly smaller scale. On the southern end of Green Lake, connected by the paved multi-use trail, Woodland Park and the Woodland Park Zoo offer their own day of things to do.

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is a top attraction within the Seattle Center . It's next to the Space Needle, and with a colorful and fluid-like building, it's hard to miss when visiting this central tourist district.

MoPOP dedicates itself to telling the continuing story of modern culture. Exhibits span three levels and include hundreds of artifacts, including costumes, guitars, and a constant stream of memorabilia. Among other subjects, the permanent collection relates to the world of horror movies, the sci-fi universe, and the meteoric rise of the 90s grunge band Nirvana. And new exhibits frequently rotate on display.

The museum is open daily. Plan to spend a few hours wandering the eye-catching and sometimes interactive displays. The museum also regularly hosts events, including movie nights from their ever-evolving list of "100 Horror Films to See Before You Die."

Address: 325 5th Avenue N, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://www.mopop.org/

The Seattle Great Wheel is a 175-foot-tall Ferris Wheel on Pier 57 on the downtown waterfront. It's just minutes from Pike Place Market and easily visible from the Seattle Aquarium . For many, taking a revolution is a quintessential downtown experience.

The Great Wheel spins seven days a week. Depending on the crowd size, a ride on the Great Wheel takes approximately 20 minutes. During that time, a revolving view of Elliot Bay and downtown keep the ride captivating. Although the wheel spins on rainy days, blue skies offer the best experience.

The Great Wheel is only one part of the larger Miners Landing on Pier 57. Other tourist attractions include a classic carousel and a unique "flying theater" known as Wings over Washington. The area also has an ample supply of souvenirs and gifts available.

Water surrounds all sides of Seattle. The saltwater of Elliot Bay and Puget Sound offer lapping waves to the west, and Lake Washington has freshwater to the east. While this doesn't mean the entire outer edge of the city is a sandy beach, the marine landscape does offer a few incredible shorelines to enjoy.

On Puget Sound, beaches at places like Golden Gardens and Carkeek Park rank high as local favorites. These two beaches offer some of the most spacious sandy stretches in the city and are popular for all beach-related activities. The world-famous Discovery Park also has a Puget Sound shoreline with a sandy beach bisected by a scenic lighthouse.

The east side of Seattle, on Lake Washington, also has several shoreline areas with sand. Matthews Beach Park , in Northeast Seattle, is one of the largest. It features a designated swimming area with lifeguards, a swimming platform, and ample green space to lay a blanket down.

Read More: Top-Rated Beaches in the Seattle Area

In the north Capitol Hill neighborhood, Volunteer Park features a century-old conservatory with tropical plants and trees. Visitors can also find simple attractions within the park like walking trails, sports facilities, a children's play area, and picnic grounds.

It's simply a lovely park to wander through and is especially a nice place to bring a blanket to enjoy a picnic or casual hangout with a view. A historic water tower in the park offers a circular staircase to ascend for a 360-degree view of the entire area.

The lush green space also encompasses the Seattle Asian Art Museum (a branch of the larger Seattle Art Museum downtown), where galleries display Chinese, South Asian, and Southeast Asian art; decorative arts; and textiles.

Address: 1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, Washington

The Olympic Sculpture Park is free and open to the public year-round, positioned at the edge of Elliott Bay. Some of its more remarkable sculptures are the Eye Benches and a glass bridge titled Seattle Cloud Cover . Many Seattle residents and tourists come to the park to wander the day away and photograph or admire the installations.

The park's setting is as significant as its artwork. The space underwent an environmental transformation from a post-industrial brownfield site to an ecologically balanced green space that includes a salmon habitat and employs sustainable practices like rainwater collection.

The inland entrance to the park is on Western and Broad Street, and the park follows a "Z" trail down to the waterfront. The trail passes by the PACCAR Pavilion with more art inside. This open community space also has a café and available window seating.

The park is maintained by the Seattle Art Museum , which is located one mile away, close to Pike Place Market . The museum's collections include artwork from around the globe and across millennia, as well as an extensive gallery dedicated to the art of Native Americans in the northwest.

Address: 2901 Western Ave, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park

To the east of Pioneer Square is the colorful International District, where Japanese and Chinese shops and restaurants dominate the street scene. There are many things to do here, but the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is a must. This museum charts the history of Asian immigration. It's named for Wing Luke, a Chinese American who was the first Asian American elected official in Washington.

Another fun place to visit within the International District is the Seattle Pinball Museum . This hands-on museum doesn't just relate the colorful history of these popular arcade accessories, it encourages visitors to flick the flippers of countless pinball games. The surrounding district is also filled with several international restaurants and cultural centers.

Address: 719 S. King Street, Seattle, Washington

The Fremont Troll is the result of a public art competition that took place over three decades ago. It was an effort to clean up a notorious dumping ground beneath the Aurora Bridge. Now, with a few fresh coats of paint over the years, the Fremont Street Troll has solidified itself as a city attraction and success in urban planning.

The most popular thing to do at the troll is to pose for a picture. The enormity of the sculpture comes into view in real life while standing next to his long stringy fingers and peering up to his singular metal eye. It only takes a quick visit to check out the troll under Aurora Bridge, five miles north of downtown.

Living Computers Museum and Labs is a techie's heaven, packed with items and interactive opportunities that look at the history of computers, modern accomplishments, and future potential.

Their extensive vintage collection includes some of the first computers, as well as exhibits that look into the lives and work of the geniuses who revolutionized the personal computer and beyond, including Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Paul Allen.

The museum's philosophy is that visitors cannot fully appreciate technology without experiencing it, so the majority of exhibits encourage interaction. Visitors can experience cutting-edge virtual reality, take a simulated drive in a self-driving car, and even sit down to write some code for their very own video game. Other topics include robotics, artificial intelligence, and the world of Big Data.

Address: 2245 1st Ave S, Seattle, Washington

Official site: www.livingcomputers.org

Benaroya Hall is Seattle's premier arts venue and seats 2,500 for Seattle Symphony concerts. The performance hall is downtown, across the street from the Seattle Art Museum . Look for the large glass art sculpture by Dale Chihuly, featured prominently in the lobby. It's similar to the works at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle Center and at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

Benaroya Hall presents a variety of shows and performances. The Seattle Symphony is a staple exhibition, but this beautiful concert hall also features folk performances, family concerts, and lively speaker series. Whatever show brings you to Benaroya Hall, the decadent 2,500-seat auditorium itself adds to the experience of visiting.

Address: 200 University Street, Seattle, Washington

Official site: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/benaroyahall

We recommend these great hotels in the city center, near top attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle:

• Inn at the Market : This eco-friendly, luxury, boutique hotel is convenient for sightseeing, with its Pike Place Market location. Enjoy water views, the rooftop deck, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
• The Maxwell Hotel - A Staypineapple Hotel : For mid-range rates, funky decor, an espresso bar, a free shuttle, and an indoor pool, this is the place.
• Best Western Executive Inn: With affordable pricing and a location near the Seattle Center and the Space Needle, it's hard to beat this Best Western.
• Comfort Inn & Suites Seattle: This budget-friendly hotel offers affordable rates, clean rooms, free Wi-Fi and parking, laundry facilities, and free breakfast.

The best time to go to Seattle is in the drier season between mid-June and mid-October . The city comes to life this time of year, with sunny skies, outdoor festivals, and blooming mountain landscapes. Seattle is in full swing in the summer, with millions of tourists checking out top attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.

Some say that summer in Seattle starts on July 5th, just in time for fireworks to dry out from the 4th of July. The truth is that rain can extend well into the first couple of weeks of July. The summer season in Seattle really begins any time after the clouds break in July. Everyone in the city tries to take full advantage of the sunny weather this time of year after a wet winter and spring.

To avoid the biggest summer rush , the autumn months are the best time to travel to Seattle. Hotel availability tends to go up after Labor Day Weekend, and the weather remains warm throughout the beginning of the season. Increased precipitation should be expected later into October. Cultural events like the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival occur throughout the fall.

A small caveat to summer travel in Seattle is wildfire smoke that blows in from across the American West and British Columbia. A few smoky days are nearly guaranteed during the Seattle summer, and how many depends on several variable conditions. While it's hard to predict months in advance when wildfire smoke will blow through, it's worth monitoring a week or so prior to traveling. If the wildfire smoke is heavy enough, it's ill-advised to engage in rigorous outdoor activity.

• Center for Wooden Boats
• Central Freeway Park
• Children's Museum
• Coast Guard Museum
• Frye Museum
• Fun Forest Amusement Park
• Kingdom (demolished)
• Klondike Gold Rush NHP
• Maritime Heritage Museum
• Omnidome Film Experience
• Pacific Science Center
• Pike Place Market
• Pioneer Square
• Seattle Aquarium
• Seattle Art Museum
• Seattle Center
• Smith Tower
• Space Needle
• Washington State Convention & Trade Center
• Wing Luke Asian Museum

More on Washington

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

25 Top Tourist Attractions in Seattle

By Carl Austin · Last updated on May 4, 2024

Set in one of the most scenic spots of any city in the States, Seattle is located on a narrow isthmus in between the shimmering waters of Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Surrounded by vast forests and snow-capped mountains, it is fittingly nicknamed the Emerald City. It has a plethora of parks also to be found peppering its skyscraper-studded center and multitude of diverse neighborhoods.

A very vibrant and multicultural place, there are a lot of tourist attractions in Seattle to check out. As well as being renowned for its countless coffee shops and microbreweries, the city is famed just as much for its counterculture scene as it is for spawning Amazon and Starbucks. With iconic landmarks and architectural marvels to check out alongside a wonderful waterfront, Seattle is one of the best places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.

Map of Seattle

25. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Located right in the city center is the excellent Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park which offers up a fascinating look at the gold rush of 1897. Through artifacts, exhibits, and photos, visitors learn about the discovery of the precious mineral and the lives of the thousands of ‘stampeders’ who set off from Seattle to make their fortune.

Opened in 2006, the museum is housed in the historic Cadillac Hotel with parts of the park also to be found in Skagway in Alaska. Its interactive exhibits follow the lives of five prospectors and their varying fortunes as they make their way to the glittering gold fields in the Yukon in Canada.

24. Seattle Aquarium

A fun and family-friendly place, the fantastic Seattle Aquarium lies along the city’s waterfront on Pier 59. Its enormous aquaria, tanks and pools are full of shimmering shoals of colorful fish with harbor seals, otters, and puffins also on show.

Since opening in 1977 it has been a firm favorite with locals and tourists alike due to its interesting exhibits on the Pacific Northwest’s amazing marine life. As well as seeing salmon and star fish, sea horses, and sharks, visitors can touch sea cucumbers and sea urchins in its tidal tank. Its highlight though is the humongous Window on Washington Waters aquarium which hosts daily dive shows.

23. Green Lake Park

Centered on the lovely Green Lake is a pretty park that offers up all kinds of recreation activities and outdoorsy things to do in Seattle. Besides walking, running, and cycling along the paved path that encircles the lake, visitors can also take to its tranquil waters with both canoes and pedalos being available for rent.

Formed during the last ice age, the sparkling lake and its scenic shores and surroundings have been protected as part of a park since 1905. Situated in North Central Seattle, its lush green spaces, sports facilities, and playgrounds attract lots of people with the atmospheric Seattle Public Theater also to be found within its grounds.

22. Alki Beach

Although it is located just twenty minutes’ drive to the southwest of Downtown Seattle, Alki Beach feels a world away from the skyscraper-studded center. Here you can relax on its welcoming sands, go swimming in the bay, and even enjoy stupendous views of the city rising up dramatically in the distance.

Stretching just over three kilometers in length, the beach’s soft sands are ideal for lounging on with picnic areas and volleyball courts dotted here and there. Besides ambling along its boardwalk and taking in the views, visitors can stop by its tiny replica of the Statue of Liberty, and the Alki Point Monument which commemorates the pioneers who founded Seattle.

21. Fremont Public Sculptures

Scattered about Seattle’s artsy neighborhood of Fremont are some superb public sculptures for you to check out with its colossal concrete troll being its standout sight. In total there are around ten of the arresting artworks to find with countless other murals, statues, and even neon light installations to be found in the area.

Most people, however, head straight to see the fabulous Fremont Troll which lies beneath the north end of the George Washington Memorial Bridge. Commissioned in 1990, the now iconic sculpture’s unique design and setting were inspired by Scandinavian folklore with the 5.5-metre-high troll also holding an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its hand.

20. Gas Works Park

Once home to the Seattle Gas Light Company, the antiquated old plant and its site were reimagined, redeveloped, and reopened as a public park in 1975. Now it boasts some of the best views in the city thanks to its scenic setting on the north shore of Lake Union.

As parts of the plant, its pump house and towers still remain, there are some great photos to be had of its complex array of tanks and pipes which now stand as a monument to the city’s industrial past. On top of its sublime views, scenery, and machinery, the Gas Works Park also has some lovely green spaces for you to explore.

19. Olympic Sculpture Park

Another popular place where you can enjoy both art and the outdoors is the Olympic Sculpture Park which lies along the edge of Elliott Bay, just a short drive from Downtown Seattle. Set on another former industrial site, it has over twenty terrific sculptures to admire and photograph with intriguing shapes and designs wherever you look.

While strolling along its picturesque paths, you’ll come across striking sculptures and abstract works by artists such as Alexander Calder and Ellsworth Kelly. The scenery itself is just as impressive as the Puget Sound, and Olympic Mountains can be viewed on one side with the soaring Space Needle rising up on the other.

18. Seattle Art Museum

Home to a huge collection of artworks, the marvelous Seattle Art Museum can be found right in the center of the city. While it is particularly known for its extensive collection of Native American artifacts, it also displays everything from Renaissance portraits and paintings to decorative art and furniture from the Pacific Northwest.

Since being founded in 1933, the museum’s collection has expanded considerably and now includes almost 25,000 artworks from all around the world. In addition to African, Islamic, and Oceanic art, it also has contemporary pieces by American artists for you to enjoy and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.

17. Downtown Waterfront

Seattle’s waterfront is an eclectic mixture of uses, from ocean-going freighters and state ferries crossing Puget Sound at one end to posh hotels and great seafood restaurants at the other. In between are souvenir shops, book stores, a giant Ferris wheel, the fantastic Seattle Aquarium and take-away restaurants, all with great views of Elliott Bay, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains to the west.

Grab some take-away food and head to Waterfront Park to take in the panoramic views while indulging in fresh seafood dishes. Relaxation doesn’t get much better than this.

16. Discovery Park

Sprawling over an absolutely huge area is the delightful Discovery Park which occupies the western end of the Magnolia peninsula. Once a massive military zone, it was turned into a park in 1973 with its beautiful beaches, dunes, and meadows now being very popular with locals and tourists alike.

The largest public park in the city, it encompasses lots of scenic coastline and pristine forests and is a great place to spot some local wildlife. In addition to lounging on its sands and gazing out over the Puget Sound, there are also almost twenty kilometers of hiking trails to explore which lead you past historic buildings and to the charming West Point Lighthouse.

15. Seattle Great Wheel

Towering above the city’s waterfront is the gigantic Seattle Great Wheel which boasts breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline and shimmering Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains to be spied off in the distance.

Opened in 2012 at Pier 57, the Ferris wheel is the tallest attraction of its kind along the West Coast, reaching just over 53 meters in height. From its glass gondolas guests can bask in panoramic views in all directions with sunset being a particularly memorable time of day to enjoy a ride. Now almost synonymous with Seattle’s revitalized waterfront, the Great Wheel is well worth checking out if you have the chance.

14. Sky View Observatory

Although the Great Wheel does reach a lofty height, both it and Seattle’s famous Space Needle are completely dwarfed by the Columbia Center, the tallest building in the state. From the 73rd floor of the 284-metre-high skyscraper, visitors can delight in unrivaled views from what is remarkably the highest public viewing platform west of the Mississippi River.

Alongside the building the Sky View Observatory was opened in 1985 and now offers up simply spellbinding 360-degree views of Seattle and its surroundings. Besides Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, you can also spot the majestic Mount Rainier as well as the much smaller Space Needle.

13. University of Washington

Just ten minutes’ drive to the northeast of Downtown Seattle you can find the colossal University of Washington campus which is located at the edge of Lake Union. Very highly regarded, it has lots of beautiful old buildings and gorgeous green spaces to explore and a lively yet laidback atmosphere.

Nearly as old as the city itself, the university was founded in 1861 with magnificent Gothic-Revival halls and libraries now to be found dotted about. Its main attraction however is its picturesque quad which is lined by lovely cherry blossom trees. The campus is also home to some fine museums and a theater and regularly holds both cultural and sporting events.

12. T-Mobile Park

Unlike the city’s many other parks, T-Mobile Park hosts baseball games rather than art installations and nature spots. Set just to the south of the center, the sparkling stadium is home to Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners with games been action-packed and exciting affairs.

Widely considered to be one of the prettiest ballparks in the States, it exhibits a ‘retro-modern’ style with a retractable roof on show alongside a humongous scoreboard. Besides visiting its hall of fame and museum, guests can find public artworks and statues dotted around the stadium. In addition, its seats offer up fabulous views of the pitch as well as the surrounding mountains off in the distance.

11. Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is a trendy area in the heart of Seattle’s historic district. It’s a place to see and be seen, where old Renaissance Revival buildings are filled with gift and other specialty shops, art galleries, wine bars and yuppie restaurants.

Its proximity to Quest and Safeco fields make it popular with sports fans on game days. Established in 1852 as Seattle’s first downtown, Pioneer Square is home to the century-old Smith Tower, once the tallest building on the West Coast. Visitors, who want to know what Seattle was like before it was destroyed by fire in 1898, may want to take an underground tour.

10. Woodland Park Zoo

When in town, a very popular place to visit is the award-winning Woodland Park Zoo which is home to an astounding array of animals from all around the world. Located right next to Green Lake Park in North Central Seattle, its sprawling site has countless naturalistic exhibits for you to explore.

Since starting out as a small menagerie over a hundred years ago, the zoo’s collection has expanded considerably and now includes over 300 different species. As well as jaguars and grizzlies you can spot Malayan tigers, gorillas, and Indian rhinos with exotic birds and creepy crawlies also on show.

9. Kerry Park

Despite its tiny size, Kerry Park boasts the most iconic view of the city from its setting on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill. From its prominent hillside visitors can gaze out over Downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, and Elliott Bay with the mighty Mount Rainier to be spied rising up dramatically in the background on clear days.

A must-visit, the park is named after the couple who donated its land to the city in 1927 ‘so that all who stop here may enjoy its view’. Besides basking in its beauty and snapping photo after photo of its spectacular sunsets, there is also the interesting abstract Changing Form sculpture to check out.

8. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Lying almost at the foot of the Space Needle is another of the city’s major attractions – the Chihuly Garden and Glass. Offering up a fascinating insight into the life and work of Dale Chihuly, a local sculptor, its galleries are full of the world-renowned artist’s colorful and creative glass sculptures.

Since opening in 2012 in the Seattle Center, the astonishing exhibition has been a firm favorite of locals and tourists alike. While wandering around the sitem you’ll come across gorgeous glassworks in all different sizes, shapes, and colors with the light-filled glasshouse and its arresting installation being its undoubted highlight.

7. Museum of Pop Culture

Contemporary pop culture stars at the MoPOP Museum, which combines music and sci-fi into a most unique experience. Founded in 2000 by Paul Allen, Microsoft’s co-founder, the museum offers battle of the band competitions, film festivals and changing exhibits that frequently go on the road, around the United States and around the world.

Touches of fantasy and horror, as well as video games and science fiction literature can be found throughout the museum. The Museum of Pop Culture includes hands-on activities, rare artifacts from the pop music world and a sculpture made from more than 500 guitars.

6. Washington State Ferries

If you’re after a quintessential Seattle experience, then you can’t beat crossing the Puget Sound on one of the Washington State Ferries. While the big boats connect residents and commuters alike to the countless communities and islands that lie nearby, tourists too will enjoy the scenic ride due the phenomenal views on offer.

Numbering over twenty in total, the largest fleet of ferries in the States take visitors from Seattle to places such as Bainbridge Island, Port Townsend, and Vashon Island. Along the way you can bask in beautiful views of not just the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains but also the city’s skyline and its surroundings behind you.

5. Ballard Locks

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are a beehive of activity on hot days as boats of all types transfer from the salty Puget Sound to the freshwater lakes of Washington and Union. Known locally as the Ballard Locks for the Seattle neighborhood they’re found in, the locks were named after Hiram Chittenden, a major with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer in the early 1900s – the locks opened in 1917.

The facility also includes the Carl English Botanical Garden and fish ladders. Because the locks are popular with locals who like to watch boats go through the locks, parking can be difficult to find on summer weekends.

4. Museum Of Flight

The Museum of Flight is the largest private air and space museum in the world. The museum is home to vintage planes, planes that have flown in wars, a retired Air Force One jet, and a space shuttle exhibit.

Located at King County International Airport, known locally as Boeing field, the museum features an interactive air traffic control tower exhibit. Other planes on display include a replica of the Lockheed Electra Amelia Earhart flew on her last flight, a British Airways Concorde, and a World War I fighter plane.

3. Boeing Factory

Travelers who aspire to build their own airplanes or who just want to learn more about how planes are manufactured definitely will want to tour the Boeing factory where 747s, 777s and the 787s (Dreamliner) are made.

This Boeing plant is located in Everett, about 25 freeway miles north of Seattle. Operated by the Future of Flight Aviation Center, these are the only tours of commercial airplane factories offered in North America. Besides touring the factory at Paine Field, visitors get an opportunity to design their own planes.

2. Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market got its start in the early 1900s when housewives revolted against rising prices of onions in grocery stores. Today, it’s one of the biggest tourist draws not only in Seattle, but also Washington State. Gorgeous fresh produce looks like it might have been arranged by an artist. Fish fly through the air as fish mongers toss it from icy trays to the wrapping stand.

Funky boutiques can be found on lower floors; cheese and bread shops are in an annex across the street. Located in downtown Seattle, the market is open daily. Pike Place Market is also home to the first Starbucks store. Established in 1971 it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seattle.

1. Space Needle

Built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the Space Needle has come to symbolize the Emerald City more than anything else. At 605 feet (184 meters) tall, it dominates Seattle’s skyline. A revolving observation tower sits at 520 feet above the ground, offering ever-changing views of Seattle for miles around, including Puget Sound and the far-off Olympic Mountains.

A revolving restaurant is on a lower level. Sunset is a good time to ride the elevator, which climbs at the speed of 10 miles per hour, to the top to see a twinkling Seattle below.

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September 5, 2020 at 10:58 am

One of the nicest small towns in Washinngton state is Milton filled with history of the whole region. In the middle of the huge rivalry between Seattle and Tacoma.

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Visitors’ Guide & Map Request

Get the Official Washington State Visitors’ Guide — our handy resource that you can order or view online.

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12 of the best things to do in Washington State

May 6, 2024 • 9 min read

Experience the best of Washington State with this guide to the top things to do © Joel Rogers / Getty Images

Washington’s headline act is its natural environment .

This intricate jumble of deep inlets, high mountains, thick forest, and broad river valleys sprinkled with fruit trees is best enjoyed through some form of self-powered human propulsion, be it on foot , on skis, on two wheels, or with a paddle in your hand.

Playing a more than adequate supporting act are the culture-loaded cities. The region is famed for its glass art, farmers markets, brewpubs, indie music venues and viticulture. For an overarching view of the Lower 48’s most northwesterly state, balance your time between urban and rural.

1. Admire the surreal glass art of Dale Chihuly in Seattle

Eclipsed only by Venice for its innovative glass art, Seattle brings together the magnificent works of Tacoma-born master, Dale Chihuly, in the bright confines of  Chihuly Garden and Glass , a beautifully curated museum that lies in the shadow of the iconic Space Needle . One of the largest galleries in the US devoted to one artist, the exhibition rooms present a dazzling kaleidoscope of orbs, sunbursts and delicate crystal.

Detour: Next door to Chihuly and equally extravagant in design is the super-modern  Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) an obligatory musical stop in a city that blessed the world with Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix and Heart, among others.

2. Hike the summer meadows of Paradise on Mt Rainier

Few have the time or tenacity to make it to the glaciated 14,411ft summit of Mt Rainier (the Lower 48’s fifth highest mountain) but substantially more people manage to travel by vehicle to the profuse flower meadows at the national park hub of  Paradise . Overlooked by the mountain’s snow-capped dome, this vast natural playground anchored by the handsome Paradise Lodge built in 1916 marks the start of several paths, including the five-mile-long Skyline trail which leads hikers through endless alpine blooms to a 7100ft viewpoint called Panorama Point.

Need more hiking inspiration? Here are Washington State's best walking trails

3. Rent a bike and investigate the “Pig War” on San Juan Island

Largely rural and crisscrossed by a web of winding lanes demarcated by tangled hedgerows, the diminutive San Juan archipelago might have been designed with cycling in mind. Its second largest landfall, San Juan Island, has an unusual history showcased in a  national historical park that explores the legacy of one of North America’s most peculiar “conflicts”. The 1859 “Pig War” is the name given to a protracted military stand-off between the Americans and the British over the newly established international border where the only casualty was a local pig. You can find out more about how direct conflict was avoided, and level heads prevailed at two historically themed “camps” located at opposite ends of the island.

Detour: Afterwards, ferry your bike over to nearby Lopez Island, a 30-sq-mile slice of rural tranquility that’s home to a farmers market, vineyard and spring cycling race.

Excited by the idea of an adventure to San Juan Islands? Check out the First timer's guide to plan your trip. 

4. Visit one of the US’s finest Indigenous archaeological sites in Neah Bay

Of the many Native American tribes in Washington State, few have preserved their history as eloquently as the Makah, a whaling people who have inhabited the blustery northwestern tip of Washington since time immemorial. In 1970, a Pacific storm uncovered the remains of an ancient Makah village on the coast near Ozette, prompting the site to be comprehensively excavated by a group of American archaeologists working alongside tribal members. Rather than relocate the findings, which included whaling weapons, canoes, spears, and longhouses, the 55,000+ artifacts have been kept on the Makah reservation where they are now displayed in a superb museum in the Makah village of Neah Bay.

Detour: If you’ve traveled this far west, press on to Cape Flattery , 7 miles beyond Neah Bay, the most northwesterly point of the mainland US, a dramatic promontory perched high above the raging Pacific. 

5. Wander off the grid in Stehekin

Refreshingly detached from Washington's wider highway network by imposing mountains,  Stehekin is an isolated community in the North Cascades that’s impossible to reach by road. To get there, visitors must either catch a boat or seaplane across Lake Chelan, or hike in through the exhilarating wilderness of North Cascades National Park .

Physical isolation has helped foster Stehekin’s unique character. Home to a historic homestead, an organic garden, and a Seattle-quality wilderness bakery, this is a place to sidle up to nature unhindered by the distractions of the 21st-century news cycle. Rent a bike, grab an oar, or mount a horse and enjoy the simple pleasures of life before the internet and cell phones.

Planning tip: The quickest and most popular hiking route to Stehekin starts on Hwy 20 and tracks 23 miles south across the spectacular 5392ft Cascade Pass. It’s mostly snow-free from late June to late September. See the  national park website for more information.

Looking for more fantastic places to visit in Washington? Here's our guide to the best

6. Watch nature rejuvenating at Mt St Helens

The hot-headed stratovolcano that blew its top here in May 1980 is a more peaceful place these days with nature slowly recolonizing its post-apocalyptic blast zone. For anyone with a passing interest in volcanology, this is an obligatory geology lesson made infinitely more poignant (and fascinating) since the area was designated a  National Volcanic Monument in 1982.

The mountain’s 52-mile approach road (Hwy 504) harbors four different information portals headed up by the Silver Lake Visitors Center at mile 5 and the Johnston Ridge Observatory at mile 52. Both offer an educational assortment of movies, scientific panels, and interpretive trails explaining the finer details of what happened on that fateful day. There’s nowhere else like it in America.

7. Feel the full force of the wild west on Ruby Beach

Battered by sporadic storms and lashed by churning Pacific breakers,  Ruby Beach on Washington’s western shoreline is a windswept swathe of sand and rocks guarded by eroded sea-stacks and littered with piles of tree-trunk-sized driftwood. Come here for bracing walks amid wild ocean scenery looking out for bald eagles and colorful starfish. A short forest path descends from Hwy 101 to the beach at the mouth of Cedar Creek.  

Detour: Drive 32 miles inland to the less blustery but equally primeval world of the Hoh rainforest, an enchanting domain of lichen-heavy trees and dripping ferns.

Wondering when the best time to visit Washington State is? Check out our seasonal guide

8. Embrace spring tulips and daffodils in La Conner

Tiny  La Conner (population 965) packs a sizable punch with its classy B&Bs, niche shops and vivid fields of daffodils, tulips and irises that reach their zenith in spring. Sitting pretty on the flat delta of the fertile Skagit River Valley with the snowy tip of Mt Baker winking in the distance, the town, whose small street grid is lined with salt-of-the-earth restaurants and a trio of arts orientated museums, exudes the air of an upmarket rural retreat. Not surprisingly, it’s gained a reputation as a tranquil weekend getaway for stressed-out Seattleites. For full floral immersion visit the Roozengaarde Display Garden just outside town.

Planning tip: The highlight of La Conner's cultural calendar is the annual Skagit County Tulip Festival in April, an orgy of garden-hopping and florally themed selfies.

9. Sip New World wine in Walla Walla

Washington currently has 20 geographically defined wine growing regions or AVAs each with their own subtleties and nuances but, when it comes to overall tourist infrastructure, there’s only one contender:  Walla Walla .

Sequestered in the state’s well-irrigated southeastern corner, the town and its environs produce what are widely regarded as being the best “new” vintages in the US in more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms. Propping up the tourist economy are all the necessary ingredients of a vibrant viticulture: a handsome Main St, a warm, dry climate, and a clutch of fine restaurants that pair memorable vinos with well-nurtured local food.

10. Cross-country ski around Winthrop and the Methow Valley

Cross-country skiing is invariably confined to small parks and designated resorts but, in the Methow Valley, around the compact town of Winthrop, you can ski for days, from hut to hut and lodge to lodge, along 120 miles of interconnected trails run by a  local non-profit .

The best starting point is the  Sun Mountain Lodge , a self-contained adventure haven with its own trail network perched atop a hill above Winthrop. From here, ski trails link down to the bucolic Methow Valley where several more rustic-chic lodges can rehabilitate your fatigued legs at the end of an invigorating day on the tracks.

The lightly populated valley is bookended by the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it community of Mazama and charming Wild West-themed Winthrop.

Planning tip: Hwy 20, the main road across the North Cascades to Winthrop is closed between late-November and April due to snow blockage. To reach the valley from Seattle during the ski season, you’ll need to take US 2 over Stevens Pass to Wenatchee before switching to Hwys 97 and 15.

11. Go Bavarian in Leavenworth

Leavenworth , Washington’s meticulous recreation of a cute Bavarian village, sits in a spectacular pocket of the Cascade Mountains that’s eerily redolent of the Alps. The former lumber town’s metamorphosis came about in the 1960s when the re-routing of the cross-continental railway threatened to put it unceremoniously out of business. Swapping tree-chopping for tourism, community authorities promptly reinvented Leavenworth with a picturesque German theme complete with gabled “fachwerk” houses, geranium-stuffed flower boxes and bars plying beer and bratwurst. The result is remarkably authentic. Tourists pull over in their droves, not just for the kitschy  nutcracker museum and lederhosen wearing restaurant-staff, but for the numerous hiking, rock-climbing and backpacking opportunities that await in the adjacent  Alpine Lakes Wilderness .

12. Spend a night in Spokane’s historic Davenport hotel

Washington’s second largest metropolis and capital of the so-called “Inland Empire” doesn’t get the same name-recognition as Seattle or Tacoma. Yet urban underdog Spokane is home to one of the grandest hotels in the US, the opulent  Davenport , a deluxe Renaissance-Revival five-star that’s been charming presidents and movie stars since 1914.

Even if you don’t plan on staying the night in one of its historically elegant rooms, it’s worth dropping by this venerable institution to admire the exquisite lobby or nurse a martini beneath the stained-glass ceiling of the in-house Peacock Lounge.

Detour: When in Spokane it would be remiss not to visit downtown Riverfront Park , site of the 1974 World’s Fair, with its SkyRide gondola, hand-carved carousel, and close-up views of powerful Spokane Falls .

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AWW Media [US]

12 Stunning Washington Lighthouses You Have to See

Posted: May 6, 2024 | Last updated: May 6, 2024

Washington State is home to rugged coastal landscapes that have vexed mariners for centuries. With fierce winds, frigid waters, and quickly changing conditions that can turn a sunny day into a life-or-death situation, the need for navigational aids is an absolute necessity.

For centuries, lighthouses were the main way to aid ships to the inner coastal waters or around treacherous rocks. These buildings could be seen sometimes up to 20 miles offshore and were a beacon for mariners after making a long trip up the West Coast or across the Pacific.

While some of the lighthouses in Washington remain operational today, many have been decommissioned. They are now tourist destinations for folks who want a glimpse into how life may have looked 100+ years ago along the coast.

Let’s take a trip through the lighthouses of Washington as they range from remote outposts to cozy buildings just miles from bustling downtown Seattle.

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse – Ilwaco, Washington

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse stands on the north side of the dangerous Columbia River Bar: an area also known as the Graveyard of the Pacific for the 100s of shipwrecks that litter the area.

The lighthouse is located within Cape Disappointment State Park and requires a 2.4-mile round-trip hike to get there. It sits high on a bluff with incredible views of the Columbia River Bar and Oregon’s Fort Stevens State Park to the south.

Despite its somewhat rough appearance, the lighthouse is still operational and used as a navigational aid. A small shack next to the lighthouse is staffed by Coast Guard personnel who assist ships transiting the bar during rough weather conditions.

North Head Lighthouse – Ilwaco, Washington

Also located within Cape Disappointment State Park, the North Head Lighthouse sits just to the North of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and looks out directly over the expansive Pacific Ocean. During the summer months, the lighthouse is open to tours that will even take you up to the top, where you can take in the views and check out the lens.

The nearby light keeper’s quarters are available as a once-in-a-lifetime vacation rental experience.

Grays Harbor Lighthouse – Westport, Washington

At 107 feet tall, the Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the third tallest on the West Coast and the tallest in Washington State. Located in Westport, Washington, it stands watch over the entrance to Grays Harbor as it has since it was built in the late 1800’s.

Today, visitors can take tours of this still-operational lighthouse where, on a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of Mt. Rainier from the top.

Mukilteo Lighthouse – Mukilteo, Washington

Located just north of Seattle in the nearby city of Mukilteo, the Mukilteo Lighthouse is one of the few wooden lighthouses on the West Coast. Because of its location on the east side of Puget Sound where it is protected in part of nearby Whidbey Island, the lighthouse isn’t subjected to the harsh conditions that most other lighthouses in the area have to contend with.

The lighthouse still serves as a working navigational aid, and the attached Victorian-style home, which was once used by the Coast Guard, is now a museum run by the city.

Alki Point Lighthouse – Seattle, Washington

The Alki Point Lighthouse, along with the nearby West Point Lighthouse, watches over Elliot Bay and provides navigational help to the frequent marine traffic coming in and out of Seattle. Originally, the only guidance for ships navigating these waters was a lantern hung on the side of a barn. In the early 1900s, the lighthouse was built and still stands in its current location.

The lighthouse is operated by the Coast Guard, which occasionally offers tours of the space.

West Point Lighthouse – Seattle, Washington

Alki Point’s neighbor to the north, the West Point Lighthouse, stands as Discovery Park’s crown jewel. This lighthouse is notable in that it was the last lighthouse in Washington to be fully automated. For the first 100 years of operation, a lightkeeper was required to manage the original kerosene-powered and, eventually, electric-powered light.

There are no public tours of the inside of the lighthouse, but visitors can walk through the park down to the beach where the lighthouse sits and enjoy the views out over Puget Sound

Point No Point Lighthouse – Hansville, Washington

Built in 1879, the Point No Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Puget Sound. Located on Point No Point on the west side of the sound, this 30-foot-tall lighthouse was, for years, an extremely isolated location for the lightkeepers, as no roads led to the area, and all supplies were delivered by boat.

Today, the lighthouse is the main attraction of Point No Point Park, which is managed by the county. The nearby lightkeeper’s quarters are still standing and can be rented as a vacation home for those seeking a unique lodging experience. Don’t worry; taking a boat to the area is no longer required.

Admiralty Head Lighthouse – Whidbey Island, Washington

The Admiralty Head Lighthouse is a well restored, 30 foot tall lighthouse on the western side of Whidbey Island. The lighthouse itself has been decommissioned as a navigational aid for over 100 years now and today it stands within Fort Casey State park where visitors can tour the grounds and peek inside the lighthouse.

Browns Point Lighthouse – Tacoma, Washington

One of the smallest lighthouses you’ll find almost anywhere, the Browns Point Lighthouse was originally set up as a lantern on a 12 foot tall post. Later on a wooden framed lighthouse was built followed by the current version in 1933.

The grounds around the lighthouse still hold the original light keepers cottage where a volunteer lives and provides tours every Saturday.

Point Robinson Lighthouse – Vashon Island, Washington

Standing on the idyllic Vashon Island since 1885, the Point Robinson Lighthouse is a near identical twin to the Alki Point Lighthouse located just to the Northeast. This lighthouse has a long history as an active navigational aid and the light keepers quarters were staffed until the late 1980s!

Today the lighthouse stands within Point Robinson park where locals and visitors can enjoy access to the water, peek around the lighthouse, and even stay in one of the two restored keeper’s cottages.

New Dungeness Lighthouse – Sequim, Washington

Standing as the second oldest lighthouse in Washington, the New Dungeness Lighthouse has been in continuous operation watching over the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca since 1857. Originally the lighthouse stood at 100 feet tall but structural issues resulted in it being lowered to its current height of 63 feet.

The lighthouse is located at the end of the Dungeness Spit which juts 5 miles out into the Strait. Members of the New Dungeness Light Station Association staff the lighthouse 24/7 and run tours every day of the week.

Lime Kiln Lighthouse – San Juan Island

Standing watch over the ominously named Dead Man’s Bay, the Lime Kiln Lighthouse is one of the newer active lighthouses in Washington. It was first lit in 1914 and is still an active navigational aid today.

The light helps ships navigating the swift currents that run through Haro Straits between San Juan Island and Victoria Island. During the summer months the lighthouse is open to visitors through tours with Lime Kiln Point State Park.

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Airport and In-City Transportation

Seattle is easy to navigate with a wide variety of smart transportation options.

Link Light Rail

Sound Transit’s Link light rail makes trips from Angle Lake Station to the Northgate through downtown Seattle making 16 stops along the way, including downtown Seattle and SEA Airport. Trains arrive every 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day, and take about 40 minutes to travel between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Westlake Station in downtown Seattle.

Schedule: Mon-Sat, 5:00am–1:43am (last northbound train from the airport Westlake Station departs at 11:44pm) Sun, 6:00am–12:34am (last northbound train from the airport to Westlake Station departs at 11:14pm)

Adult Fare: $2.25–$3.50; more >>

soundtransit.org

King County Metro Transit

King County Metro Transit provides bus service in downtown Seattle and outlying neighborhoods in King county. Download the mobile app for on-the-go transit information, available for iPhone and Android.

Schedule: Timetables and route maps can be found on the King County Metro Transit website .

Adult Fare: $2:75–$3.25 (ORCA cards); more >>

kingcounty.gov

These transit passes can be used on streetcars, light rail, buses, and more. ORCA cards cost $3; load an all-day regional transit pass onto an ORCA card for $8. Transit pass value covers $3.50 per ride.

orcacard.com

Seattle Streetcars

South lake union :.

The line connects the South Lake Union neighborhood to Seattle’s vibrant downtown core, consisting of 1.3 miles, nine stops, and full of shops and restaurants as well as Lake Union’s 12-acre waterfront park.

Schedule: Mon-Thu, 6am-9pm Fri-Sat, 6am-11pm Sun & Holidays, 10am-7pm

No service  on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

First Hill :

This line consists of 10 stops and stretches 2.5 miles, connecting to Link light rail  at the Capitol Hill and International District stations, the  Sounder Commuter Rail  and  Amtrak  intercity rail at the King Street Station, and  Metro Transit  buses at several points.

Schedule: Mon-Sat, 5am-1am Sun & Holidays, 10am-8pm

Adult Fare: $2.25 (coins, credit, ORCA cards); $4.50 (all-day pass); more >>

seattle.gov/transportation/getting-around/transit/streetcar

Get Tickets via a Mobile App

Download mobile app Transit GO Ticket to purchase digital tickets for King County Metro Buses and Water Taxi, Sound Transit Light Rail and Sounder, Seattle Streetcar, and Kitsap Transit. The app is available on the Apple Store and on Google Play.

Seattle Center Monorail

The iconic Seattle Center Monorail travels between Westlake Center in downtown and Seattle Center at the base of Queen Anne hill. Regular operating hours are between 7:30am and 11pm, Monday-Friday, and from 8:30am to 11pm, Saturday & Sunday. Trains depart every 10 minutes and the trip takes only 2 minutes each way. One-way fare for adults is $3.00. Schedules, information and FAQs are on the Seattle Center Monorail website .

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 7:30am-9:00pm Sat-Sun, 8:30am-9:00pm

Fare: $3.00 (one way; ORCA cards accepted)

seattlemonorail.com

Taxis, Limos, Town Cars & Ride Sharing

At SEA Airport, taxis and ride-sharing companies are available on the third floor of the parking garage. One-way rides between the airport and downtown range from $40-$55. To arrange for a limo, town car or taxi ride in advance, use any of the travelers’ information boards in baggage claim or visit the ground transportation information booth on the third floor of the parking garage. Contact our concierge team at the Seattle Visitor Center for referrals for specific transportation companies based on your personal travel needs.

In downtown Seattle, Lyft , Uber , and metered taxis offer in-city transportation from local drivers. All rides can be scheduled using smartphone apps.

Rental Cars & Car Sharing

All car rental companies providing service at SEA Airport are located in the off-site car-rental facility. Dedicated shuttle buses run 24/7 to pick up passengers outside baggage claim at the north and south ends of the main terminal. If you prefer to enjoy the city using public transit when first arriving, car rentals are available at multiple downtown Seattle locations. Ask our Seattle Visitor Center team for referrals or assistance.

Visitors can rent vehicles by the hour from Zipcar or by the minute from GIG Car Share .

Shuttles & Courtesy Vehicles

Ride-share, door-to-door vans, and airport shuttle services are available to passengers at the Ground Transportation Plaza on the third floor in the SEA Airport parking garage. Premier Airport Shuttle Seattle offers shared and private shuttle service starting from $33 per person to Downtown Seattle hotels and also offers regularly scheduled Seattle cruise ship transfers. Hotel courtesy shuttles pick up and drop off passengers on the 3rd floor of the airport parking garage at Islands 1 & 2.

Bike & Scooter Sharing

Seattle is a bike and scooter-friendly city. If you’re visiting, it’s easy to find a ride no matter where you are. Open your Uber app and select the ‘2-Wheels’ option from the top menu to quickly and easily reserve a nearby Lime bike or scooter for $1, plus varying rates per minute. All rentals are dockless and include an electric assist that provides a boost up to 15mph. Or try VEO ‘s Cosmo-e bike, suitable for a range of physical abilities and preferences. The Cosmo-e provides users with the option of pedaling or using the throttle to get where they need to go.

Electric scooters also dot the streets of Seattle, adding an alternative way to move through the city. Keep an eye out for options from Bird , LINK , WHEELS , and SPIN to enjoy this unique app-based mode of transportation.

Travel by Rail

Five train routes service Seattle’s King Street Station, just south of downtown. Sound Transit’s Sounder commuter train spans Everett, north of Seattle, to Lakewood, south of Tacoma. Amtrak has three routes: Coast Starlight travels between Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. Amtrak Cascades travels between Vancouver, BC; Seattle; Tacoma; Portland; Salem; and Eugene. Empire Builder travels between Chicago; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Spokane; Portland; and Seattle. Rocky Mountaineer offers a high-end travel option between Seattle; Vancouver, BC; and the Canadian Rockies.

Paid street parking and parking garages, both covered and outdoor, provide visitors with ample options when driving into downtown.

Paid street parking is in effect Monday-Saturday and is generally limited to 2, 4, or 10 hours (all-day). Learn more about paid street parking here .

You can find convenient and affordable parking garages at downtownseattle.org/parking or through SpotHero , the nation’s leading parking reservations app. With SpotHero, search for daily, weekly, or monthly parking facilities and enjoy the convenience of booking a parking spot at your destination ahead of time, ensuring you have a space when you arrive.

Transportation Partners

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)

• Address 1201 F Street NW ste. 250, Washington, DC 20004
• Phone (206) 963-8445

To The Mountain Shuttle

• Address 1815 N 50th St, Seattle, WA 98103
• Phone (206) 886-8879

Butler Seattle

• Address 14306 193rd Place NE, Bldg A, Woodinville, WA 98072
• Phone (206) 233-9233

Royal Caribbean Group

• Address 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132

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