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Seattle's frequent rain contributes to the lush beauty and vibrant life that make the city so special. Don鈥檛 let it deter your exploration 鈥 this city offers a diverse array of unique activities to enjoy.

Among that beauty and life is a throng of diverse and unique things to do. From experiencing the historical music scene that brought legends like Nirvana to the forefront of the industry to dining at fresh seafood joints with a beautiful mountain backdrop, here are some of my favorite things to do in the Emerald City.

1. Spend a day in Discovery Park

To get your nature fix without actually leaving the city, Discovery Park is the place to go with 534 acres of natural area to explore. As Seattle's largest green space, it's a haven for wildlife and offers stunning views of Puget Sound.

Go for a hike on the 12 miles of trails among the evergreen trees, relax or search for seashells on the sandy beach or visit the West Point Lighthouse, which has been in operation since 1881. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center tells the history of the Indigenous Duwamish who once lived on the land.

Red neon sign for the Pike Place farmers market
You'll find quirky shops and tasty world foods at Pike Place Market. Mark B. Bauschke/Shutterstock

2. Shop and eat at Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market has a special place in the heart of Seattle. This famous market, with its maze of shops and foodie spots, is a must-visit. The market is currently undergoing an exciting expansion, which includes the construction of the Overlook Walk. Scheduled to open in 2025, this elevated pedestrian bridge will connect the MarketFront Pavilion to the waterfront below, providing expansive views of Elliott Bay and a seamless route for visitors. The Overlook Walk will feature play areas for families, public plazas with seating and lush terraced landscaping, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and taking in the sights. There鈥檚 a wall where you can leave your mark with a chewed-up piece of gum 鈥 is it fascinating or unsanitary? You decide.

Watch seafood vendors fling fish from one part of the store to another. Most come for the spectacle, but the ultra-fresh filets or shellfish make for an unforgettable home-cooked meal.

Stroll around the many quirky shops like , an Indigenous-owned home goods and art shop, , a used book store with everything from modern literature to vintage favorites, or massive footwear at the . But who are we kidding? You came here to eat.

Planning tip: Go hungry. Find tasty Russian dumplings at swig some , indulge in the best mac 'n' cheese you鈥檝e ever tasted at or grab a sweet Earl Grey cookie at . With the ongoing development, you'll soon be able to enjoy your market finds while strolling along the new promenade that will link Pike Place Market directly to the waterfront, offering one of the best sunset views in the city.

3. Rock out at the Museum of Pop Culture

Not only is the Museum of Pop Culture a unique architectural wonder to admire, but the exhibitions will take you on a journey through the history of the music industry, with a special soft spot for Seattle legends Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix.

And beyond music, there are year-round showcases and events celebrating all things pop culture and entertainment. A new addition to the museum's permanent collection is an exhibit on the rise of indie video games, showcasing the creative spirit of the Pacific Northwest. Check out Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter鈥檚 collection from films like Black Panther (2018), Malcolm X (1992) and Do the Right Thing (1989).

Planning tip: If you want to give your secret desire to be a rock star a try, spend some time in the Sound Lab, where you can get in a jam studio and record your own songs.

The Space Needle restaurant with a large boat in the foreground
Taking a boat ride is an essential Seattle experience. JoyceMarrero/Getty Images

4. Ride the Puget Sound ferries

For a beautiful view of Seattle and a worthwhile day trip, take one of the many ferries in the area to another Pacific Northwest location. Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Vashon Island, or one of the San Juans provide that small-town getaway feeling without going too far.

Local tip: When you鈥檙e on the ferry, head up to the passenger deck for a full panoramic view of the Seattle skyline from one side and the beautiful Cascade Mountains on the other. Pro tip: Time your ferry ride at sunset for an unforgettable experience.

5. Have a cup of coffee (obviously)

Everyone knows Starbucks began in Seattle, but it's not the only coffee shop worth trying. With multiple cafes on every block, Seattle is considered the coffee capital of the US for a reason.

You can鈥檛 go wrong with sampling espresso from practically anywhere in the city. has often been left off those 鈥渂est coffee shops in Seattle鈥 lists, and it鈥檚 a shame 鈥 the coffee is outstanding. It has seven locations spread throughout the city and serves some of the best iced brews. Grab a pinwheel pastry, and your perfect order is complete.

Support Black-owned in Ballard, which gives back to the community through youth development programs.

Planning tip: If you must venture to a Starbucks, make it the Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill. You can try menu items like pizza and tiramisu and special brews like espresso martinis not found in a normal store.

A man in drag performs for a crowd at a drag show during a Seattle PrideFest event in Capitol Hill, Seattle
Capitol Hill is Seattle's LGBTIQ+ neighborhood. Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images

6. Watch a drag show in Capitol Hill

Catching a drag show, eating brunch at an excellent restaurant or viewing some eclectic street art are just snippets of what the Capitol Hill area has to offer.

This LGBTIQ+ friendly neighborhood has rainbow crosswalks, lots of queer-owned nightlife and a park to relax in an ultimately special pocket of the city. Watch some of your favorite RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race performers and local Seattle queens lip sync up a storm at or .

One of the best restaurants in the neighborhood is , an all-day and all-night spot where you feast on everything from deviled eggs (with dill) to pesto linguine. And always leave room for the strawberry shortcake with Chantilly cream. Right next door, you can find , an ice cream parlor with local flavors like honey lavender.

7. Take a ride up the Space Needle

The city icon, which is as synonymous with Seattle as the letters S-E-A-T-T-L-E, was built for the 1962 World鈥檚 Fair and in 2018 got a face-lift to bring it into a new era.

Although it's no longer Seattle's tallest structure, one million annual visitors still squeeze into the Space Needle鈥檚 slick, speedy elevators to enjoy views that are best described as awesome. Granted, tickets are expensive, and you'll be elbow-to-elbow with tourists, but stop complaining and get in line: this is an essential Seattle pilgrimage.

Local tip: Get up early to have the Needle all to yourself.

A person lies on grass looking out over a lake with boats on it. The city skyline is on the other side of the lake
Want to go boating, SUP-ing or just chill by the water? Lake Union is the place for you. Getty Images

8. Get out on the water at Lake Union

Lake Union is the central spot in Seattle to enjoy all things aquatic. Formed by glacial erosion over 12,000 years ago, Lake Union offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, seaplane journeys and even hot tub boat rentals.

And if being on the water isn鈥檛 your specialty, you can enjoy the lake from the land at Gas Works Park, which has a lovely view of the Space Needle, especially at night.

If you鈥檙e up to the challenge, you can walk or run the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop, which takes you 6 miles around the perimeter, with plenty of houseboats to admire. For a unique experience, paddle up to Gasworks Brewing and enjoy a refreshing pint. You won鈥檛 be the only one in a swimsuit.

9. Enjoy 厂别补迟迟濒别鈥檚 public art

Seattle likes to display its art out in the open with no holds barred. You鈥檒l even find art installations underground in the Link stations, like the 鈥渁partment windows鈥 in the U District station. Sculptures and statues decorate parks, streets and squares, from the menacing stone troll underneath a Ballard bridge (see #16!), to the iconic Jimi Hendrix statue, to the existential Waiting for the Interurban.

厂别补迟迟濒别鈥檚 sculpture park, an outpost of the Seattle Art Museum, spreads its 3D works across a landscaped space overlooking Elliott Bay.

10. Bike through Colman Park

Head south along Lake Washington Blvd E through the very upscale Madrona Park neighborhood and you鈥檒l end up at Colman Park. The entire lakefront stretch between here and Seward Park is parkland. This is an especially good area for cycling. On the weekends, the boulevard is closed to cars, making it a cyclist's paradise.

11. Dine in Belltown

If you鈥檙e unsure where to eat and don鈥檛 have anything specific in mind, Belltown is where to go. With over 100 restaurant options covering every cuisine you can imagine, you won鈥檛 have a problem finding something to sate your appetite.

For hearty Italian pizza, head to for its Classic Sausage. If you need a sushi fix, try . should be your brunch stop if you need a serving of Southern-inspired breakfast foods. And for some Caribbean eats, is a must (try the jerk chicken plate). Drink some ales in the warehouse-style tasting room at .

The macarons at are so pretty it might be hard picking between eating them or snapping a few photos. A few flavors include classic vanilla bean, espresso fudge, salted caramel, honey lavender, and of course, chocolate.

12. See a performance at LANGSTON

This Byzantium Revival building began life in 1915 as a synagogue for a congregation of Orthodox Jews. By 1969 the demographics of the neighborhood changed and the building was reintroduced as the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, named after the famed Black American poet and social activist.

In 2016, the nonprofit took over programming events in the space to highlight Black art and culture in Seattle. Visitors can catch musical performances, plays, poetry events, and film festivals. Whether you're interested in contemporary issues or timeless classics, LANGSTON offers a diverse array of cultural experiences.

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle at sun set
The Hiram M Chittenden Locks provide a perfect setting to relax and watch ships. Moelyn Photos/Getty Images

13. Wander through the Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, often called the Ballard Locks, offer a unique experience where you can watch boats transition between Lake Union鈥檚 freshwater and the saltwater of Puget Sound, dropping 22 feet in the process. Adjacent to the locks is the fish ladder, built in 1976, which helps salmon navigate upstream to their spawning grounds in the Cascade headwaters. During spawning season, from mid-June to September, you can watch salmon make their incredible journey through underwater viewing windows. The fish ladder is also a prime spot to observe sea lions chasing the salmon. Nearby, the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens and a visitor center with a small museum add to the experience, making the Ballard Locks a must-see in Seattle.

14. Toast to Seattle beer culture in Ballard

A one-time fishing village founded by Nordic immigrants, the Ballard neighborhood has been reincarnated as 厂别补迟迟濒别鈥檚 beer capital with enough bars in its own right to satisfy a city. Boldly experimental, Ballard's small breweries concoct big flavors that are served in a cornucopia of drinking establishments.

There are nano-breweries, brewpubs, old-school biker hangouts all over Seattle (try ), tasting rooms, whiskey bars (try ), sports bars, dives peddling rock music, and bars with book corners. A must-visit is , known for its massive urban beer garden perfect for a sunny day out. Once you鈥檙e done with the booze, you can immerse yourself in Ballard's unique National Nordic Museum and a necklace of waterside parks.

15. Marvel at the genius of the Chihuly Garden & Glass

Opened in 2012 and reinforcing 厂别补迟迟濒别鈥檚 position as a leading city of the arts, this exquisite exposition of the life and work of dynamic local sculptor Dale Chihuly is possibly the finest collection of curated glass art you'll ever see.

It shows off Chihuly's creative designs in a suite of interconnected dark and light rooms before depositing you in an airy glass atrium and 鈥 finally 鈥 a landscaped garden in the shadow of the Space Needle. Glassblowing demonstrations are a highlight. The outdoor garden, with its striking glass sculptures that blend seamlessly with nature, is particularly breathtaking at night when illuminated.

16. Hunt the Northwest Trolls across Seattle

厂别补迟迟濒别鈥檚 public art scene has a whimsical new addition: the . These giant hand-built sculptures by Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo can be found across various locations in the Pacific Northwest, each telling a unique story that blends environmental sustainability with Scandinavian folklore.

Start your troll-hunting adventure in Seattle by visiting "Bruun Idun" in Lincoln Park. This troll, crafted from recycled materials, is part of a broader project that includes several other trolls around the region, each with its own backstory and environmental message. Another Seattle-based troll, "Frankie Feetsplinter," stands guard outside the National Nordic Museum in Ballard, inviting visitors to explore both the sculpture and the museum鈥檚 rich cultural exhibits.

If you鈥檙e up for a short ferry ride, head over to Bainbridge Island to meet "Pia The Peacekeeper" in Sakai Park. This troll, located just a mile from the ferry terminal, is accessible by a short, ADA-compliant trail. For those looking to explore even further, "Jakob Two Trees" in Issaquah and "Oscar the Bird King" on Vashon Island offer more opportunities to engage with these creative and environmentally conscious installations.

These trolls are not just for show 鈥 they鈥檙e meant to be touched, photographed and enjoyed by all ages. Just remember, while you鈥檙e free to interact with the trolls, climbing is not allowed in order to preserve these installations for future visitors.

17. Visit the Seattle Underground Tour

Beneath the bustling streets of Seattle lies a hidden world that tells the tale of the city鈥檚 past. The takes you on a fascinating journey through the subterranean passageways that once served as the main roadways and storefronts in the late 19th century. Following the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the city rebuilt on top of the old streets, leaving behind a network of tunnels that now offer a unique glimpse into the city鈥檚 history. This guided tour is both educational and entertaining, providing insight into the challenges and triumphs of 厂别补迟迟濒别鈥檚 early days.

18. Ride the Seattle Great Wheel

For a different perspective on the city, hop on the Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57. This 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay and, on clear days, even Mount Rainier. Each gondola is enclosed, making it a great year-round activity, rain or shine. Whether you ride during the day or at night when the wheel is illuminated with vibrant colors, it鈥檚 an experience that provides some of the best aerial views of the city.

19. Take flight with Wings Over Washington

Located on Pier 57 near the Seattle Great Wheel, is a state-of-the-art flying theater that takes you on an aerial adventure across the state of Washington. This touristy experience uses cutting-edge technology to simulate a flight over iconic locations like Mount Rainier, the Olympic National Forest and the San Juan Islands. Complete with wind, mist and scent effects, Wings Over Washington is a fun, kitschy way to explore the diverse landscapes of the Pacific Northwest without leaving the city.

20. SoDo: brews, bites, and baseball

Be sure to hop on the Link and have lunch in SoDo at , which offers gluten-free beer and food options 鈥 perfect for fueling up before catching a Mariners game at T-Mobile Park, renowned for its stunning views. If baseball isn鈥檛 your thing, SoDo is also home to the Museum of Flight, one of the largest air and space museums in the world, featuring an impressive collection of aircraft and interactive exhibits.

SoDo features the , a premier concert venue that hosts a variety of live performances in an intimate, industrial-style setting. Whether you're into sports, technology, or live music, SoDo has something for everyone.

Seattle planning tips

Deciding on trip length:

Yes, three days is enough time to get a taste of what Seattle has to offer, but if you can squeeze in a fourth day, do it. Focus on key attractions like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the Museum of Pop Culture, and mix in some outdoor activities like a visit to Discovery Park or a ferry ride on Puget Sound.

Must-have foods:

Don't leave Seattle without trying its fresh seafood, especially the Pacific Northwest's renowned salmon. Pike Place Market is a great place to sample seafood, whether you prefer a sit-down meal or grabbing some fresh catch to cook at home. For a unique Seattle treat, try the Seattle Dog 鈥 a hot dog topped with cream cheese and grilled onions.

Popular outdoor activities:

Seattle is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular activities include hiking in Discovery Park, kayaking on Lake Union and cycling along the Burke-Gilman Trail. The city's proximity to mountains and water makes it easy to explore nature even while staying close to urban amenities.

Family-friendly activities:

Families will enjoy the Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo and the Pacific Science Center. The Chihuly Garden & Glass and Museum of Pop Culture also offer exhibits that appeal to both adults and children.

Best way to spend one day:

Start your day with breakfast at Pike Place Market, then head to the Space Needle for a morning view of the city. Spend your afternoon exploring the Museum of Pop Culture and Chihuly Garden & Glass, and wrap up with a scenic ferry ride on Puget Sound. End the day with dinner in Belltown, sampling the diverse culinary offerings of the neighborhood.

Best way to get around:

厂别补迟迟濒别鈥檚 Link Light Rail is an efficient and convenient way to travel from the airport to downtown and beyond. With stops that connect you to major attractions, you can easily explore the city without a car. The Link Light Rail is particularly convenient for travelers flying into Seattle鈥揟acoma International Airport 鈥 just download the app on your phone, hop on with your suitcases and head straight into the heart of the city. Seattle is also a very walkable city, with excellent public transit options, making it easy to get around.

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