What to do in Seattle
Seattle Travel Recommendations
Welcome to Seattle, the Emerald City of the Pacific Northwest! Known for its stunning views, vibrant music scene, and coffee culture, Seattle is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Whether you're an adventure-seeker, a foodie, or a history buff, Seattle has something for everyone. In this blog post, we'll be sharing with you the top activities, restaurants, cafes, places to hike, and places to park or camp overnight in Seattle. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable trip to Seattle!
With so much to do, we highlight a few things you must do if you are visiting Seattle.
Activities
Seattle is a city full of unique activities that offer something for everyone. Each of these activities offers a unique perspective on Seattle's culture, history, and natural beauty. Whether you're interested in art, history, or outdoor adventures, Seattle has something to offer.
Activities near the space needle:
Enjoy the views on top of the Space Needle
The Space Needle is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Seattle. This iconic tower stands at 605 feet tall and offers stunning views of the city. You can take a trip up to the observation deck for breathtaking views of the cityscape.
Visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
Located at the base of the Space Needle, this museum features stunning glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly. It's a must-visit attraction for art lovers and those interested in seeing how glass art can be used to create stunning and intricate installations.
Visit the Museum of Pop Culture
Museum of Pop Culture: This museum, also known as MoPOP, celebrates popular culture in all its forms, from music and movies to video games and comic books. It's a fun and interactive way to explore the cultural impact of popular media.
Activities near the water downtown:
Pike Place Market is a must-visit attraction in Seattle. This historic market features a variety of vendors selling fresh produce, seafood, and crafts. You can also watch the famous fishmongers throw fish at the Pike Place Fish Market. Be sure to check out the original Starbucks location as well.
Visit the Seattle Aquarium
Located on the waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium is home to a variety of marine life, including sea otters, seals, and sharks. You can watch feeding shows, touch some of the animals, and learn about conservation efforts in the Pacific Northwest.
Go for a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel is a giant Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the city and Elliott Bay. It's a great way to see Seattle from a different perspective.
Take a stroll through Olympic Sculpture Park
This waterfront park features large-scale sculptures and installations by renowned artists. You can enjoy a picnic with views of Puget Sound or take a guided tour to learn more about the artwork.
Other recommendations around Seattle:
See the view from Kerry Park
Kerry Park offers one of the best views of Seattle's skyline. You can take in the view of the Space Needle and Mount Rainier in the distance.
Rent a kayak and explore the tranquil waters of Lake Union while enjoying views of Seattle's skyline.
Relax at Alki Beach
Alki Beach is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. You can take a walk along the beach, go for a swim, or watch the sunset over the water.
Take a tour of the Underground City
Beneath the streets of Seattle lies a network of tunnels and basements known as the Underground City. Take a tour to learn about the city's history and see some of its hidden treasures.
Take a tour of the Boeing Factory
This tour takes visitors behind the scenes of the Boeing factory, where they can see how airplanes are built and learn about the history of flight.
Restaurants
Seattle's food culture is unique because of its emphasis on fresh and local ingredients, as well as its love of seafood, coffee, and craft beer. The city's proximity to the ocean and fertile farmland of the Pacific Northwest make it an ideal place to source high-quality ingredients, which are used to create innovative and delicious dishes. Seattle is famous for its Seattle-style hot dog, Pacific Northwest salmon, coffee culture, and craft beer scene, among other things. Overall, Seattle offers a delicious and distinct culinary experience for visitors to enjoy.
Below, we list our favorite restaurants, starting with Pacific Northwest cuisine:
Canlis is a Seattle institution that has been serving fine dining cuisine since 1950. The menu features Pacific Northwest ingredients, including local seafood, produce, and game. The restaurant also offers stunning views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline.
The Walrus and the Carpenter is a seafood-focused restaurant in the Ballard neighborhood that sources its ingredients from local fishermen and farmers. The menu features a range of dishes, from raw oysters to grilled octopus to smoked trout dip.
This popular spot in Pike Place Market offers some of the best chowder in Seattle, as well as a variety of other seafood dishes.
The Whale Wins is another restaurant located in Ballard, offering wood-fired cuisine with a Mediterranean and Pacific Northwest influence. It has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere and is known for its communal dining experience.
Seattle's Asian cuisine is unique in that it is heavily influenced by the region's diverse population and history. The city has a large Asian population, including Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, and Thai communities, among others. As a result, there are a wide variety of Asian restaurants throughout the city, each with its own distinct style and flavor. If you are interested in Seattle’s best Asian cuisine, we recommend the below restaurants:
Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese-inspired restaurant chain that has locations all around the world, including Seattle. The restaurant is known for its delicate and delicious xiao long bao, or soup dumplings.
Vietnamese-inspired restaurant known for its pho and banh mi.
Saffron Spice is an Indian restaurant located in Capitol Hill, offering a range of classic and contemporary Indian dishes. It has a modern and elegant atmosphere and is known for its flavorful curries, tandoori dishes, and vegetarian options.
Korean-inspired restaurant offering a fusion of Korean and French cuisine.
Seattle's sushi scene is unique in that it often incorporates local ingredients and a fusion of flavors from different cultures. Many of the top sushi restaurants in Seattle focus on using high-quality, sustainable seafood and often showcase Pacific Northwest ingredients like geoduck, Dungeness crab, and wild salmon in their sushi dishes. Additionally, there is a growing trend of fusion sushi in Seattle, which blends traditional Japanese techniques and flavors with elements of Latin American or Pacific Rim cuisine. Overall, Seattle's sushi scene offers a diverse range of options and creative interpretations of traditional sushi dishes.
Another popular sushi spot in Seattle, Shiro's Sushi Restaurant offers high-quality sushi with a focus on traditional techniques and fresh ingredients.
Umi Sake House is a Japanese-inspired restaurant that offers a range of sushi options, as well as small plates and entrees. The restaurant is known for its creative rolls and extensive sake list.
Chef Shiro Kashiba's restaurant is considered one of the best sushi spots in Seattle. The restaurant offers a range of sushi options, including nigiri and sashimi, as well as omakase-style dining.
Cafés
Seattle is known for its coffee culture, and it's not hard to see why. The city is home to some of the world's most famous coffee roasters and cafes, including Starbucks, Tully's Coffee, and Seattle's Best Coffee. But Seattle's coffee scene goes beyond these big names, with a thriving cafe culture that offers a wide variety of coffee shops and roasters to explore.
Here are five of the top cafes to check out in Seattle:
This is Starbucks' flagship location, and it's a must-visit for any coffee lover. The roastery is a massive 30,000 square foot space that includes a coffee bar, a roasting room, and a bakery. Here, you can enjoy specialty coffee drinks and learn about the roasting process.
This is where it all began for Starbucks, and it's a historic landmark that's worth a visit. Located in Pike Place Market, this location features the original Starbucks logo and serves up the classic drinks that made Starbucks famous.
While not strictly a coffee shop, Top Pot Doughnuts is a Seattle institution that's worth a stop. The cafe offers a variety of hand-forged doughnuts, along with coffee and espresso drinks made with locally roasted beans.
This local favorite has been roasting coffee in Seattle since 2000. The cafe features a variety of single-origin coffees, as well as espresso drinks and pour-over coffee.
This specialty coffee shop offers a unique coffee experience, with a focus on the science and art of coffee brewing. The cafe offers a rotating selection of single-origin coffees, as well as espresso drinks and other specialty beverages.
Overall, Seattle's coffee scene offers something for every coffee lover, from big-name roasters to small, local cafes. Be sure to check out these top cafes to get a taste of what Seattle has to offer.
Hiking
Seattle's reputation as a hiker's paradise is well-deserved, and there are many reasons why hiking is such a popular activity in the area. One of the most significant factors is the city's location, which puts it in the heart of the Pacific Northwest's stunning natural landscapes. The Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east offer a vast array of hiking opportunities for all skill levels, from gentle forested walks to challenging mountain climbs.
The diversity of Seattle's hiking trails is another reason why the city is such a fantastic destination for hikers. There are hikes that take you through old-growth forests, past glacial lakes, and up to the top of mountains with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Whatever your preferences, you'll find a trail that suits your needs and abilities in Seattle.
Beginner:
Discovery Park Loop Trail (2.8 miles)
This trail is located in the heart of Seattle and offers stunning views of the Puget Sound. The trail is mostly flat and offers a great opportunity for a leisurely stroll or a trail run.
Franklin Falls Trail (2 miles)
This trail is located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and features a beautiful waterfall as its main attraction. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for intermediate-level hikers.
Twin Falls Trail (3.5 miles)
This trail is located in the Snoqualmie Region and features a beautiful waterfall as its main attraction. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
Intermediate:
Rattlesnake Ledge Trail (4 miles)
This 4-mile round trip hike is a popular destination for hikers of all skill levels, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Cedar River watershed.
Mount Si Trail (8 miles)
This challenging 8-mile round trip hike takes you to the top of Mount Si, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains.
Poo Poo Point Trail (7.2 miles)
This trail, located in the Issaquah Alps, takes hikers up to a popular paragliding spot with incredible views of the surrounding area. The trail can be steep in some areas, but the payoff is worth it.
Advanced:
Mailbox Peak Trail (9.4 miles)
This trail is located in the Snoqualmie Region and is one of the most challenging hikes in the area. The trail takes hikers up to an old mailbox at the summit, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Lake Serene Trail (7.2 miles)
This trail is located in the Stevens Pass area and takes hikers through old-growth forest and up to a beautiful alpine lake. The trail is challenging but well worth the effort.
Snow Lake Trail (7.2 miles)
This trail is located in the Snoqualmie Region and takes hikers up to a stunning alpine lake. The trail is steep in some places but offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains.
Overall, Seattle's hiking trails offer an incredible opportunity to explore the great outdoors and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. So, whether you're an experienced hiker or just starting out, lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails – adventure awaits!
Parking/Camping (near Seattle)
Seattle has several options for overnight parking, including street parking, designated overnight parking areas, and local campgrounds. However, overnight parking regulations and fees vary depending on the location and time of year, so it's important to research and plan accordingly. Here are some options to consider:
Note, please use your caution when parking near downtown Seattle as this is a high theft area. We recommend parking outside the city, e.g. at Northgate Transit Center, and taking the lightrail into the city.
Street parking
In some neighborhoods, street parking is free overnight, but it can be difficult to find a spot. It's important to check the posted signs for any parking restrictions or time limits.
Designated overnight parking areas
Seattle has several designated areas where overnight parking is allowed for a fee. These include the Seattle Center and the Northgate Transit Center. Fees vary depending on the location and duration of parking.
This campground is a casual campground located in Auburn, WA. It has a handful of spots available and is one of the better local campsites within a 30 minute radius of Seattle.
This state park in Issaquah offers a variety of campsites, as well as boat rentals and fishing.
KOA offers campsites near Seattle.
This park in Carnation offers a variety of campsites, as well as river access for fishing and swimming.