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 incredible attractions and things to do in Seattle draws many of these 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.
Best Things to Do in Seattle
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.
Visitors can go to the Space Needle's observation deck for unparalleled 360-degree views of Seattle and the surrounding area. You can see Elliott Bay and spot Mount Ranier from the top of the Space Needle. There's a lot to know about this landmark, so be sure to check out our blog entry on the Space Needle and our video tour of Seattle shown above.
Pike Place Market
Founded in 1907, Pike Place Market is a Seattle icon considered as 'the soul 'of the city. The nine-acre farmers' market, which is close to the waterfront and Elliot Bay in the downtown area, is one of the oldest continuously operated farmers' markets in America.
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, and various eateries showcasing cuisine from different parts of the world.
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
Right next to the Space Needle in Seattle Center, you'll find the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition center, dedicated to showcasing the work of blown glass artist and Tacoma native Dale Chihuly. Opened in 2012, this museum features marvelous, colorful glass sculptures that will likely keep art lovers mesmerized. It could easily be the highlight of your visit to the Emerald City.
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
Located just a few miles away from Seattle in Tacoma is America’s Car Museum. The museum opened in 2012 and showcases 350 automobiles for visitors to view and learn about.
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 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
Located on the corner of Yester Way and 2nd Avenue, Smith Tower is the oldest skyscraper in the city. Built in 1914, it held the title of the tallest building west of the Mississippi River at the time. While it is now dwarfed by other buildings in the city, its claim to fame is the observatory that's still open to the public. Guided tours of exhibits, elevators, and the observatory are offered to enlighten visitors about the building's history.
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
While the Columbia Valley in Eastern Washington is best known for its wine production, wine lovers visiting Seattle don’t have to travel that far to experience the best of the wineries and vineyards in Washington. Out in Woodinville, less than 30 minutes from Seattle, you’ll find a concentration of wineries worth exploring. With a number of good wineries in the area, there are numerous wine-tasting tours available. However, one winery stands out here.
Chateau Ste Michelle is the oldest winery in the region. The winery has a large parcel of land in Woodinville, where they have an iconic French-style chateau. Here, the winery hosts wine-tasting events, some of which offer wines from their best collections.
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.
Other popular wineries in Woodinville include Novelty Hill Januik, Long Shadows Vintners, and JM Cellars. Our Seattle tour video features the wineries we visited.
Seattle Great Wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel is a Ferris wheel at the city’s famous Pier 57 on Elliot Bay. Standing at a height of 175 feet, at the time of its opening in 2012, it was the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast. Today, along with catching a ride on the wheel, you can also take advantage of private dining at the Fisherman’s Restaurant or elect to dine at any of the numerous other eateries on the pier.
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
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).
It houses a remarkable number of exhibits and airplanes, including very popular ones like the eighth British-built Concorde aircraft which was operated by British Airways, the first presidential jet plane (Air Force One), and the only remaining intelligence-gathering Lockheed M-21 Blackbird.
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
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.
At a height of 14,417ft, Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain in the state of Washington. It is the highlight of a visit to Rainier National Park, a haven for lovers of the outdoors, as you'll find countless activities to indulge in. These include hiking, mountain climbing, and fishing while enjoying breathtaking close-up views of the mountain.
The Spheres
Surrounded by a handful of Amazon high-rise office buildings, The Spheres is a unique glass and steel structure in the heart of downtown Seattle. Built with the aim of introducing elements of nature often lost in the concrete jungle of a big city like Seattle, this urban arboretum (botanical garden with trees and shrubs) adds a 'green touch' to the city. While the company owns the building, parts of it are open to the public but you will need to register to visit the indoor gardens. Even if you have no interest in exploring the interior of the building, you should take a selfie or two here while you're in Lake Union.
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
There's a lot to see in the city of Seattle and neighboring parts of the state of Washington. If you're not staying for long, chances are you won't be able to visit all the tourist attractions. The next best thing is to take a ride on the 'flying theater' called the 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 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.
Visitors can explore various attractions, from the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), which offers fascinating insights into Seattle's rich past, to the Center for Wooden Boats, where you can rent a classic sailboat or take a peaceful paddle on Lake Union.
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 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.
Visitors to the falls can learn about this rich heritage through informational displays at the park and explore the nearby Salish Lodge, which sits atop the falls and offers luxurious accommodation and a fine dining experience.
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.
FORTLOC Seattle Tour - Exploring the Emerald City
Airport
Transportation
- Bus: King County Metro and Sound Transit provide bus service to a variety of area destinations.
- Taxi: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport offers both flat Rate taxis and metered taxis. Taxis are stationed on the 3rd floor of the parking garage on the north and south curb.
- Train: Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail provides transit to and from the airport.
Ride Hailing
Uber, Lyft, Wingz, Blacklane
Popular Local Cuisine
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.
Best Time to Visit
What you've heard is true. It rains a lot in Seattle, and it can be very gloomy, with dark clouds hanging over the city for days. Certainly not what you want on a vacation. The best time to visit Seattle is in the late spring and early summer months. There's less chance of rain, and the weather is nice and warm. Early fall may not be a bad idea, but there's are higher chance of rain. However, it's worth noting that the summer months can get very hot and that's also the peak period. However, Seattle isn't a major tourist city, so it's not too bad.
Historical Weather by Month
Seattle, USA
