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The best things to do in
Seattle

Language:   English

Currency: USD

Sales Tax: 10.25%

Seattle may not be the first American city that comes to mind when considering a trip around the United States. Yet, Seattle offers travelers a unique experience that no other American city can provide. Some parts of Seattle make it feel like a small town with local shops and quirky museums despite being home to over three-quarters of a million people. Seattle happens to be FORTLOC's home base, but we're not biased when we claim it is the best city to visit in the Pacific Northwest.

The Emerald City (as it's known by many) welcomes millions of visitors each year. A combination of the incredible attractions and things to do in Seattle drew many of the travelers to the city. So why is Seattle called the Emerald City? Well, it's not because you'll find emeralds all over the city. It has nothing to do with the capital of Oz land (from The Wizard of Oz) either. Seattle got the nickname because of the evergreen trees you'll find in the city and its environs. So, it's more about the 'Emerald Green' color than anything else.

More importantly, the Emerald City has a diverse population, with many businesses emphasizing the need for equity and inclusion. This community philosophy has facilitated the presence of a variety of things to do in Seattle that should cater to the yearnings of most visitors regardless of their tastes and preferences.

FORTLOC Seattle Tour - Exploring the Emerald City

Seattle Space Needle

Seattle Space Needle

The Space Needle is the signature symbol of Seattle. The iconic landmark was constructed in 1962 for the World’s Fair. Since it was built, it has become Seattle’s most popular tourist attraction. The structure is 605 ft tall and at one time was America’s tallest structure west of the Mississippi River.

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

Despite its age, the market remains a vibrant part of the city and epitomizes the diversity Seattle is known for. Here, you'll find numerous shops run by local farmers, craft shops, different kinds of eateries, and other small businesses (not to mention the numerous street performers).

Pike Place Market is best known for the tradition of fish-throwing between the fishmongers'. Maybe you've come across this in one of many documentaries that have featured it. While most people are happy to watch from a safe distance, you can convince the fishmongers to allow you to participate. You should try your skills at catching a fish or two and have a companion capture the moments. However, if you're wondering, catching the fish is as difficult as it appears.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Many of these sculptures are handmade and show off the impressive creativity of the artist. The attraction has three main display areas: the garden, the interior exhibition area, and the glasshouse.

The glasshouse is the most interesting part of the museum with the main attraction 100-foot-long suspended sculpture. It changes its appearance as the natural light it is exposed to varies as the day goes by. Also popular among visitors is the bar, where you'll be treated to creative cocktails, local beer and wine, and seasonal menus within a space decorated with art by Dale Chihuly.

America’s Car Museum

America’s Car Museum

A large portion of the cars on display in the museum was donated by the family of Harold LeMay. LeMay was a local entrepreneur and a longtime car collector.

America’s Car Museum is home to unique exhibits displaying a variety of cars from classic automobiles to power vehicles. A trip to the museum isn’t just a stroll down memory lane but a lesson on the great cars that traversed America’s highways and byways. The museum hosts a variety of events and temporary displays throughout the year.

Discovery Park

Discovery Park

Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest greenspace and a retreat for locals from the city. The park contains hiking and running trails that span 11.81 miles. Discovery Park sticks out into Puget Sound and takes visitors to the very edge of the bay.

Visitors will find diverse landscapes including forests, fields, and beaches. Discovery Park is also home to a wide range of animals and plants. The large park is a must-see for any nature lover or outdoor activity enthusiast. It’s a great place to burn off some calories from all those exquisite Pacific Northwest cuisines you may have indulged in.

Smith Tower

Smith Tower

The observatory, which sits on the 35th floor, gives the Space Needle a run for its money when it comes to offering panoramic views of the city, including the Elliot Bay waterfront. While it can't quite match the views offered by the Space Needle, the building has a certain chic to it. The 35th floor also houses a cocktail bar offering handcrafted cocktails with barrel-aged liquor and creative menus. If you happen to be meeting business partners or maybe have a reunion with old friends, you can take advantage of the meeting package to host 20 or more people.

Wine Tasting in Woodinville

Wine Tasting in Woodinville

In addition to wine tasting, Chateau Ste Michelle has a large store filled with a variety of red and white wines to delight oenophiles. You’re likely to find the right selection for your wine cellar here. Beyond offering wine tasting, the winery also hosts summer concerts on the grounds, where you can enjoy delightful performances by some of your favorite artists.

Seattle Great Wheel

Seattle Great Wheel

If you choose to visit at night, you’ll be treated to the light show which runs on weekends. Powered by over 500,000 LED lights, the show is likely to be a hit with all visitors to the pier.

Museum of Flight

Museum of Flight

Seattle is the birthplace of the Boeing Company, and the city has long had a connection to aviation. While the company's headquarters has since moved to Chicago, it still maintains a large presence in and around the city. The Seattle Museum of Flight is an independent non-profit museum located in King County International Airport (also known as Boeing Field).

The museum has a dedicated wing for airplanes from World War I and II. There, you will find an array of fighter planes that saw battle. The military wing also has plenty of interesting true-life stories from soldiers who fought in both wars.

Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier

While Mount Rainier isn't within the city, it is visible from multiple locations in and around Seattle. Its imposing size may just keep you staring at it in wonder. It is so large that you'll think you can reach out and touch it in certain spots even though it's tens of miles away.

The Spheres

The Spheres

Opened in 2018, The Spheres is quickly becoming an iconic structure in the Lake Union part of Seattle and has been one of the most popular attractions in the city since its opening. While the 'giant cocoon' structure may not appeal to some, it adds a certain allure to the city. It's also a favorite relaxation spot for Amazon employees working in the area. You may even notice some of them holding meetings in the employee-only areas through the glass walls.

Wings Over Washington

Wings Over Washington

Also located on Pier 57, the theater has state-of-the-art 5K equipment for capturing the best of Washington state and presenting these views on a ride that offers the illusion of flying across these attracts in an immersive way. Places you'll fly over include Olympic National Forest, Mt. Rainier, and Snoqualmie Falls.

South Lake Union

South Lake Union

South Lake Union is Seattle's most vibrant and rapidly evolving neighborhoods. It is a must-visit destination for tourists seeking a mix of modern urban life and serene waterfront beauty. This area has gone through redevelopment in recent years and is now a hub for technology, innovation, and culture.

The neighborhood's proximity to the water makes it ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply strolling along the picturesque shoreline. In addition to its outdoor and cultural offerings, South Lake Union boasts a thriving food scene with many dining options that cater to all tastes.

The area is home to trendy restaurants and breweries that serve everything from fresh seafood to innovative global cuisine. After a day of exploring, visitors can unwind at one of the many lakeside cafes or bars, enjoying a drink and viewing seaplanes landing on the water.

Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic natural landmarks. About 30 miles from Seattle, it plunges 268 feet and is nearly 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls. Its powerful cascade is breathtaking, especially during the rainy season when the river's water volume is high.

The falls are surrounded by lush forests, providing a picturesque setting that attracts over 1.5 million visitors each year. The nearby trails allow a more immersive experience of the area's natural beauty.

Beyond its natural beauty, Snoqualmie Falls holds cultural significance for the native American Snoqualmie Tribe, which considers it a sacred site. The mist from the falls is believed to be the connection between Heaven and Earth, and the area has been a spiritual gathering place for centuries.

Kerry Park

Kerry Park

Kerry Park, perched on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill, offers one of the most iconic views of Seattle's skyline. This small, charming park is a favorite spot for locals and tourists, providing a stunning panoramic vista that captures the city's most famous landmarks.

From Kerry Park, you can see the Space Needle standing tall against the backdrop of downtown skyscrapers, with the shimmering waters of Elliott Bay in the foreground. On clear days, Mount Rainier majestically looms in the distance, adding to the beautiful scenery.

The park is very popular at sunset when the city lights begin to sparkle. This creates a picture-perfect moment that has featured in countless postcards and movies.

Beyond its renowned view, Kerry Park is also a peaceful retreat within the city. It is a small park, but its well-manicured lawns and art installations, like the notable "Changing Form" sculpture, make it a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

It's a popular spot for photographers, couples, and anyone looking to soak in one of the best views in Seattle. We captured a great vista of the downtown area from Kerry Park for our Seattle video tour. You’ll see it in the introductory part of the tour.

Seattle is a port city and industrial hub. Today, it is a popular tourist city thanks to its great landmarks, museums, and culture. If you fancy an America city getaway that is different from your typical destination, Seattle offers everything and more for you to explore.

Weather

Seafood Chowder

Local Favorite: Seafood Chowder

New England is famous for its clam chowder, and the Pacific Northwest has its own version of the soup that is served up in Seattle. Seattle's seafood chowder uses loads of bacon, locally sourced seafood, and massive chunks of chopped potatoes. The seafood added to the chowder depends on the chef and restaurant you choose to dine in. You may find some with salmon, rockfish, or perhaps crab. A hearty bowl of seafood chowder is the perfect meal on a cold, wet Seattle day or throughout those cooler winter months. Seattle's Pike Place claims to serve up the city's best chowder.

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