Go up the Space NeedleMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidThe 605-foot observation deck is ticketed and gives 360-degree views over the city, Puget Sound and Mount Rainier on a clear day. Timed entry, book ahead in summer.0 Add to listGo up the Space NeedleMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidThe 605-foot observation deck is ticketed and gives 360-degree views over the city, Puget Sound and Mount Rainier on a clear day. Timed entry, book ahead in summer.0 Add to list
Explore Pike Place MarketMust-See SightsWith KidsA working public market on the waterfront with fishmongers, produce stalls, flower vendors and a fair amount of tourist foot traffic. The fish toss happens at the main fish counter — easy to catch if you arrive before lunch.0 Add to listExplore Pike Place MarketMust-See SightsWith KidsA working public market on the waterfront with fishmongers, produce stalls, flower vendors and a fair amount of tourist foot traffic. The fish toss happens at the main fish counter — easy to catch if you arrive before lunch.0 Add to list
Visit Chihuly Garden and GlassMust-See SightsPaidA ticketed museum next to the Space Needle dedicated entirely to Dale Chihuly's large-scale glass sculptures. The outdoor garden section works well in daylight; the indoor exhibits are dim by design.0 Add to listVisit Chihuly Garden and GlassMust-See SightsPaidA ticketed museum next to the Space Needle dedicated entirely to Dale Chihuly's large-scale glass sculptures. The outdoor garden section works well in daylight; the indoor exhibits are dim by design.0 Add to list
Visit MoPOPMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidA Frank Gehry-designed museum covering music history, science fiction and pop culture. Ticketed, and usually a couple of hours if you're browsing properly. Good for older kids and adults.0 Add to listVisit MoPOPMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidA Frank Gehry-designed museum covering music history, science fiction and pop culture. Ticketed, and usually a couple of hours if you're browsing properly. Good for older kids and adults.0 Add to list
Walk Through Pioneer SquareMust-See SightsSeattle's oldest neighborhood, with red-brick buildings, covered sidewalks and underground tour access. Walkable in 30 minutes, or longer if you stop at the galleries. Quieter than downtown.0 Add to listWalk Through Pioneer SquareMust-See SightsSeattle's oldest neighborhood, with red-brick buildings, covered sidewalks and underground tour access. Walkable in 30 minutes, or longer if you stop at the galleries. Quieter than downtown.0 Add to list
Stroll the Seattle WaterfrontMust-See SightsWith KidsThe Elliott Bay waterfront has a walking path, the Seattle Great Wheel (a ticketed Ferris wheel), a few piers with food, and views across the sound to the Olympic Mountains. Easy and compact.0 Add to listStroll the Seattle WaterfrontMust-See SightsWith KidsThe Elliott Bay waterfront has a walking path, the Seattle Great Wheel (a ticketed Ferris wheel), a few piers with food, and views across the sound to the Olympic Mountains. Easy and compact.0 Add to list
Watch the Skyline from Kerry ParkMust-See SightsKerry Park on Queen Anne Hill is a small viewpoint with the most-photographed angle of the Seattle skyline, with Mount Rainier behind it on clear days. Gets busy at golden hour — arrive a bit early.0 Add to listWatch the Skyline from Kerry ParkMust-See SightsKerry Park on Queen Anne Hill is a small viewpoint with the most-photographed angle of the Seattle skyline, with Mount Rainier behind it on clear days. Gets busy at golden hour — arrive a bit early.0 Add to list
Visit the Museum of FlightMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidA large aviation and space museum at Boeing Field with real planes, a Concorde, a Space Shuttle trainer and an Air Force One exhibit. Ticketed and worth the trip south of downtown — treat it as a half-day.0 Add to listVisit the Museum of FlightMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidA large aviation and space museum at Boeing Field with real planes, a Concorde, a Space Shuttle trainer and an Air Force One exhibit. Ticketed and worth the trip south of downtown — treat it as a half-day.0 Add to list
Add to the Gum WallFun Side QuestsAn alley near Pike Place market where people have been pressing chewed gum onto the brick wall since the 1990s. Odd and a bit sticky. Add your piece, take the photo and wash your hands.0 Add to listAdd to the Gum WallFun Side QuestsAn alley near Pike Place market where people have been pressing chewed gum onto the brick wall since the 1990s. Odd and a bit sticky. Add your piece, take the photo and wash your hands.0 Add to list
Catch the Fish TossFun Side QuestsThe fishmongers at Pike Place Fish throw whole salmon across the counter and to each other — a real working technique that's also become a performance. Show up around mid-morning when the market is busiest and the toss is easiest to film.0 Add to listCatch the Fish TossFun Side QuestsThe fishmongers at Pike Place Fish throw whole salmon across the counter and to each other — a real working technique that's also become a performance. Show up around mid-morning when the market is busiest and the toss is easiest to film.0 Add to list
Walk a Block in the Rain Without an UmbrellaFun Side QuestsSeattle locals are known for walking through drizzle without an umbrella. Pick a rainy block and hood up rather than reaching for cover. Low stakes, genuinely fun to try.0 Add to listWalk a Block in the Rain Without an UmbrellaFun Side QuestsSeattle locals are known for walking through drizzle without an umbrella. Pick a rainy block and hood up rather than reaching for cover. Low stakes, genuinely fun to try.0 Add to list
Meet the Fremont TrollFun Side QuestsA large concrete sculpture under the Aurora Bridge in Fremont — a troll clutching a real Volkswagen Beetle. Free to visit, easy to find, and the pose opportunities are obvious.0 Add to listMeet the Fremont TrollFun Side QuestsA large concrete sculpture under the Aurora Bridge in Fremont — a troll clutching a real Volkswagen Beetle. Free to visit, easy to find, and the pose opportunities are obvious.0 Add to list
Order a Pour-Over at Victrola CoffeeLocal FoodLocal RitualsVictrola Coffee Roasters on Pike Street in Capitol Hill is a Seattle specialty-coffee staple. Order a pour-over, find a seat by the roaster window, and take your time with it.0 Add to listOrder a Pour-Over at Victrola CoffeeLocal FoodLocal RitualsVictrola Coffee Roasters on Pike Street in Capitol Hill is a Seattle specialty-coffee staple. Order a pour-over, find a seat by the roaster window, and take your time with it.0 Add to list
Pinch the Space Needle Between Two FingersFun Side QuestsStand a few blocks from the Space Needle, hold two fingers up toward it, and frame the shot so it looks pinched between them. Overcast days work fine — you don't need blue sky.0 Add to listPinch the Space Needle Between Two FingersFun Side QuestsStand a few blocks from the Space Needle, hold two fingers up toward it, and frame the shot so it looks pinched between them. Overcast days work fine — you don't need blue sky.0 Add to list
Walk the Green Lake Loop at DawnActiveLocal RitualsGreen Lake has a 2.8-mile paved inner loop that's a Seattle morning staple. The crushed-granite path on the inside is reserved for runners; the outer path is for walkers and bikes. Gets busy by 8am on weekends.0 Add to listWalk the Green Lake Loop at DawnActiveLocal RitualsGreen Lake has a 2.8-mile paved inner loop that's a Seattle morning staple. The crushed-granite path on the inside is reserved for runners; the outer path is for walkers and bikes. Gets busy by 8am on weekends.0 Add to list
Run the Elliott Bay Trail at Myrtle EdwardsActiveLocal RitualsA flat, waterfront stretch through Myrtle Edwards Park along Elliott Bay with views of the Olympics and incoming ferries. Good for a 3-5 mile out-and-back run — turn around at Smith Cove or whenever you're ready.0 Add to listRun the Elliott Bay Trail at Myrtle EdwardsActiveLocal RitualsA flat, waterfront stretch through Myrtle Edwards Park along Elliott Bay with views of the Olympics and incoming ferries. Good for a 3-5 mile out-and-back run — turn around at Smith Cove or whenever you're ready.0 Add to list
Dodge the Jets at the International FountainFun Side QuestsWith KidsSummerThe International Fountain at Seattle Center fires water jets in patterns timed to music. Kids can run through the jets, and someone will absolutely get drenched. Bring a towel on warm days.0 Add to listDodge the Jets at the International FountainFun Side QuestsWith KidsSummerThe International Fountain at Seattle Center fires water jets in patterns timed to music. Kids can run through the jets, and someone will absolutely get drenched. Bring a towel on warm days.0 Add to list
Tackle the Giant Slide at Artists at PlayActiveWith KidsA large kids' playground at Seattle Center designed by artists — a 35-foot slide, climbing structures and outdoor instruments. Free and right next to the Space Needle. The slide is genuinely fast.0 Add to listTackle the Giant Slide at Artists at PlayActiveWith KidsA large kids' playground at Seattle Center designed by artists — a 35-foot slide, climbing structures and outdoor instruments. Free and right next to the Space Needle. The slide is genuinely fast.0 Add to list
Watch salmon take the stairsFun Side QuestsWith KidsSummerThe Ballard Locks fish ladder has underwater windows where you can watch salmon pushing upstream. It's free and best timed for summer when the salmon run is active. Worth the short drive to Ballard.0 Add to listWatch salmon take the stairsFun Side QuestsWith KidsSummerThe Ballard Locks fish ladder has underwater windows where you can watch salmon pushing upstream. It's free and best timed for summer when the salmon run is active. Worth the short drive to Ballard.0 Add to list
