Top tourist attractions in Seattle, WA
Seattle has a lot of unique places to visit. The city is filled with parks, mountains, and a wide variety of natural beauty. From secluded beaches to bustling markets, there’s something for everyone.
One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Space Needle. This tower was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the Pacific Northwest.
Aside from the observation deck, the building also features a revolving restaurant. In addition, you can take a vantage point from the top of the 520-foot-tall building for a breathtaking view of the city.
Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry is a must-visit for anyone interested in the city’s history. This museum houses a collection of four million artifacts. With a range of exhibits, it’s an excellent way to learn about the city’s growth and transformation.
Another museum to check out is the Northwest African American Museum. Here you can see contemporary pieces by local artists and African art.
The Seattle Art Museum features a diverse collection of works worldwide. This art museum is home to many different types of sculptures and paintings. It is also famous for its collection of Native American artifacts.
If you’re looking for a unique view of Seattle, you can also try the Underground Tour. The tour takes visitors through the original Seattle city. While on tour, you’ll discover storefronts and ruins from the 1889 fire.
Top 15 things to do in Seattle, Washington
- Pike Place Market
- Space Needle
- Seattle Center
- Woodland Park Zoo
- Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Seattle Aquarium
- Lumen Field
- Museum of Pop Culture
- Kerry Park
- The Museum of Flight
- Gas Works Park
- The Gum Wall
- The Seattle Great Wheel
- Fremont Troll
- Green Lake Park
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is a famous market located in Seattle, Washington. It is known for its wide variety of items, including fresh foods, arts and crafts, and street buskers. Aside from the Pike Place Market, visitors will also find some shops and restaurants in the area.
The market began in 1907 as a place where farmers could sell their produce. Its founders were eight local farmers. In the years to come, the market would grow to more than seventy stalls.
Since its founding, the market has become one of the most popular places to shop in the Seattle area. The market is open daily. As a result, the market will draw up to 10 million visitors annually.
Space Needle
Space Needle, Seattle’s iconic landmark, offers visitors an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the city’s skyline. It’s the tallest building in the western United States. Since 1962, nearly 60 million people have visited the landmark.
In the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, the Space Needle is a significant part of the city’s skyline. However, the revolving glass floor in the tower’s cocktail lounge, The Loupe, is the world’s first.
The observation deck is a must-visit for anyone visiting Seattle. It provides 360-degree views of the city, and visitors can take free telescopes to see more. Several attractions include a gigantic gift shop, a wine bar, and a restaurant. You can also enjoy a fireworks show at midnight.
Other attractions in the area include the Space Needle Loop. This pedestrian pathway leads south from the entrance to a Howard S. Wright Memorial Fountain, a cinema theater, and a world-class restaurant.
Seattle Center
Seattle Center, a community arts and culture campus, is home to numerous art galleries, museums, theaters, and large-scale events. It is a civic center and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Since its opening in 1963, more than $860 million has been spent on its development.
The Seattle Center was built on the 1962 World’s Fair site. Several buildings on the site date back to this event. One is the Space Needle. This observation tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River when it was completed.
Another is the International Fountain, located in the middle of the campus. This modernist water sculpture has more than twenty spouts and programmed water patterns. In 1995, the fountain was renovated extensively.
The Sculpture Garden is located east of the Space Needle and features four distinctive artworks. Visitors can stroll through the garden on a self-guided tour.
The Center for Civil Discourse features several interactive displays, including topic cards encouraging visitors to learn and get involved. There are also several kiosks for children to participate in hands-on activities.
The Pacific Science Center is located on the waterfront. This museum features a range of exhibits and demonstrations in basic and applied science, robotic dinosaurs, virtual reality, and more. A unique aspect of the museum is that it offers multiple plans for guests to choose from.
Woodland Park Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the US and is home to more than 1000 animals. In addition to its beautiful zoo, the zoo also has a cafe, a petting zoo, and an Aviary.
Woodland Park Zoo is situated in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle. The zoo covers 92 acres and features indoor and outdoor exhibits. It is open all year round.
The Woodland Park Zoo is home to more than 900 animals, including gorillas, lions, penguins, and wolves. You can see them in the African Savanna, Tropical Asia, and Temperate Rainforest.
Aside from the zoo’s beautiful and fascinating animals, you can also learn about the life cycles of various creatures. For example, you can learn about stinging scorpions. Alternatively, you can also visit the family-friendly Zoomazium play area.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Chihuly Garden and Glass is a museum featuring the work of Dale Chihuly. It is located in Seattle, Washington. The museum opened in 2012.
Chihuly Garden and Glass features glass sculptures from Chihuly’s collection. These are displayed in themed rooms. There is also a cafe and retail space. A free audio tour is available.
The artwork of Chihuly changes with the seasons and the natural light. The centerpiece of the garden is the Pacific Sun sculpture. This sculpture is lighted at night. It is made from Chihuly’s signature glass and is illuminated in the park.
The Chihuly Museum of Glass is a 40-foot-tall structure that contains glass forms that mimic nature. In addition, there are undulating glass ribbons, fanciful “flowers” in the outdoor garden, and sea creatures.
Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium is a great place to learn about ocean life. It features an aquarium, an underwater observation dome, and a touch pool. There’s also a scuba diving demonstration and a kids’ storytime. This is a must-see destination if you’re in the area.
One of the best things about the Seattle Aquarium is that it is free for children under three. So you can save a few dollars by visiting on a weekday. And the aquarium is open for the holidays as well.
The Seattle Aquarium has a 120,000-gallon aquarium that features colorful fish and sea urchins. Visitors can also look at a 12-foot ring of luminous moon jellies.
You should check out the new Crashing Waves exhibit in Seattle. It’s the giant tank in the aquarium, and it’s a lot of fun.
Lumen Field
Lumen Field is a football and music venue located in Seattle, Washington. The stadium is home to the National Football League’s Seattle Seahawks and Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC. This facility has been the site of many memorable moments in both sports.
It also has a large parking structure south of the stadium and numerous parking lots. Despite the relatively small stadium size, the seats are well-padded and comfortable.
Some of the most notable concerts and events have been hosted here. U2 has played here, Leafy Green has performed, and Ed Sheeran has performed. However, these events are not all the facility has to offer.
In addition to the sporting events, various food and beverage options are available. For example, you can try the best of Chinatown International District’s banh mi sandwiches or clam chowder. If you are looking for a more luxurious experience, the Lumen Field Tunnel Club provides all-inclusive premium food and drink options.
Museum of Pop Culture
If you’re a fan of movies, television, music, and science fiction, then you’ll love the Museum of Pop Culture. Formerly known as the Experience Music Project, this museum is located near Seattle’s Space Needle and offers many exhibits.
You’ll find a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits, as well as fun programs. The Guitar Gallery, for example, showcases exhibits honoring the likes of Jimi Hendrix. Visitors can also try to create a tune in the Sound Lab. There are even sections devoted to Seattle bands.
MoPOP’s mission is to bring pop culture to life through interactive experiences. Guests can learn about the history of popular music through interpretive films. They can also use artifacts and photographs to learn about the music that inspired them. It’s a great place for kids and adults of all ages.
Kerry Park
Kerry Park is one of the most popular locations to take photos in Seattle. In addition, it is a great location to spend time with friends and enjoy the stunning views of the city.
The park has some great features, including a playground. There are also several art installations in the park. One is a sculpture called “Changing Form.” This sculpture is a 15-foot-tall hollow steel structure.
One of the park’s best features is its sweeping view of Downtown Seattle. You can see Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier, and the Space Needle. Another good feature is the area that is dedicated to children.
The park is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. It is a brief walk from the many nearby bus stops.
The Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight in Seattle is the world’s largest independent air and space museum. This institution features more than 160 historic aircraft and spacecraft, including an original Concorde jet. Located on 15 acres of land in the Boeing Field near Seattle, Washington, the Museum of Flight also offers dozens of interactive exhibits.
Founded in 1965, the Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Its primary focus is to show visitors how aviation and space have shaped the world. Visitors can view original fighter planes from WWI and WWII and the first Air Force One.
The Museum of Flight also offers a variety of exhibits, including a full-motion flight simulator. In addition, a unique feature of the Museum of Flight is its “Kids’ Flight Zone,” which allows children to experience the cockpit and controls of various airplanes.
Gas Works Park
Seattle’s Gas Works Park is one of the city’s most popular parks. It is located near Lake Union and has panoramic views of the city. The park is filled with industrial structures that have been converted into artwork. In addition, there are picnic tables and fire pits.
The park opened to the public in 1975. Since that time, it has become an iconic symbol of Seattle. In addition to its scenic beauty, the park has also hosted many athletic competitions, concerts, and kite-flying activities.
However, some residents and tourists have questioned the safety of the park at night, mainly since several homeless individuals have been found in the park.
The city will renovate the play area between September and January to improve the park. This includes adding more traditional playground equipment and a camera obscura. Additionally, the history of the Gas Works will be painted on a tower.
The Gum Wall
If you’re going to visit Seattle, WA, one of the things you should see is the Gum Wall. This gizmo is a collective art installation that has been around for several decades. Originally gum covered, the wall is now an interactive art piece constantly being added to and reclaimed.
The gum wall is a must-see in Pike Place Market. The wall is one of the top free attractions in Seattle. It’s not hard to see why.
The Gum Wall is a collective art project that started in the 1990s when locals began sticking gum to Pike Place Market’s walls. Over the past 30 years, it has grown from one wall to over 50.
In the early 2000s, the Gum Wall became a significant focus of the media. While some people think the wall is a gimmick, others are impressed by the scale and the colorful array of gum.
The Seattle Great Wheel
If you plan a vacation to the Seattle area, you will want to check out the Great Wheel. This large Ferris wheel sits on the waterfront of downtown Seattle and provides panoramic views of the city.
The Seattle Great Wheel is a local landmark open to visitors daily. It has a three-revolution ride and offers breathtaking views.
On clear days, you can see Seattle’s skyline and Puget Sound. It’s one of the best attractions in the area. A ride lasts about fifteen minutes. You can purchase tickets online or at the ticket booth. For a more memorable experience, book a VIP gondola.
These gondolas are climate-controlled and feature heated seats. In addition, some gondolas have glass bottoms that add excitement. Another great feature of the Seattle Great Wheel is its LED lights. They change color, swirl, and are programmed for specific events.
Fremont Troll
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Seattle is the Fremont Troll. This sculpture is located under the Aurora bridge in Fremont. It is 18 feet tall and made of concrete.
The troll is part of the Scandinavian folktale Three Billy Goats Gruff. The story is about goats crossing a bridge guarded by a troll.
Designed to clean up the area, the troll’s creators decided to put it under the bridge. They did this to clear the area of homeless people, squatters, and drug dealers.
The design was based on the Norwegian fairy tale. Two University of Washington architecture students worked with Steve Badanes to create the troll. The troll is a big one, weighing in at 13,000 pounds. It is an interactive sculpture that visitors can take part in.
Green Lake Park
Green Lake Park is located in north Seattle and is one of the most popular parks in the city. It is an excellent place for family fun, picnicking, and hiking.
It is also a great place to see a variety of exotic wildlife. In the summer months, the park is busy with people taking advantage of the many activities offered. A paved path around the lake is 2.8 miles long, making it ideal for both walkers and runners.
The path is divided into lanes for both wheeled and pedestrian users. Wheeled users are not allowed on the inner part of the paved path. But, on the outer part, you can pedal, skate, or use a scooter.
The park is popular with locals and visitors alike. It is perfect for joggers, cyclists, and walkers of all ages.
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