Tourist Attractions in Seattle

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Seattle

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Seattle

Modern, dynamic and glittering with glass skyscrapers, Seattle is pressed against Eliot Bay by the Cascade Mountains. The city’s many observation decks offer magnificent views of the bay and a mesmerising panorama of the cityscape against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Here you can spend long hours admiring the surroundings. A well-developed ferry network is at the service of lovers of sea walks, which can be used to reach the most remote corners of the coast.

Almost all man-made sights belong to the modern era. Tourists can learn about the history of the city in one of the local museums. The charm of Seattle lives in numerous parks, hides among the night lights of skyscrapers and shows itself in all its glory during magnificent sunsets.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Seattle

Space Needle

 4.6/5

46162 reviews

The tower was built in 1961 in the futuristic “googie” style, which was popular in the United States in the 1950-60s. The opening was timed to coincide with the start of the World Expo in Seattle. The length of the structure is 184 metres. At a height of 159 metres there is an observation deck and a restaurant “SkyCity”. From here you can see the panorama of the city, Elliot Bay with islands, Cascade Mountains. Space Needle can withstand the most powerful hurricane and earthquake with a magnitude of more than 9 points.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM

Pike Place Market

 0/5

A public market that began operating in 1907. It sells seafood, farm goods, handicrafts by local craftsmen, books and antiques. The market became popular with tourists because it is an improvised stage for street singers, actors, comedians and clowns. Pike Place Market is home to an incredible number of small restaurants.

Fremont Troll

 4.5/5

9383 reviews

A sculpture located in a Seattle neighbourhood under the J. Washington Bridge. The figure of the fairy-tale creature is made of concrete and rebar. A whole group of local sculptors worked on it. The reasons for its creation are quite trivial – there used to be a rubbish dump under the bridge. In order to finally get rid of it, it was necessary to occupy the space with something. So in 1990 the Fremont Troll appeared.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

The Gum Wall

 4.2/5

10379 reviews

A peculiar city landmark, which is a wall covered from top to bottom with chewing gum. It all started in 1993, when students standing in the queue to the theatre box office started to stick coins here with gum out of boredom. Until 1999, the authorities tried to fight this outrage, but then gave up. Since then, the wall has become a tourist attraction.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

T-Mobile Park

 4.7/5

20333 reviews

A baseball arena equipped with a sliding roof. The stadium is the home stadium for the Seattle Mariners. Its stands can accommodate up to 55 thousand spectators. The arena is suitable not only for baseball games, sometimes it hosts American football competitions, as well as performances of wrestlers. The stadium was erected in 1999 in the Art Nouveau architectural style.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Lumen Field

 4.6/5

16827 reviews

Another city stadium, adapted for holding competitions in various sports. The Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders football teams play here. The arena was built in 2002 near Seattle’s business district. Century Link Field Park sometimes hosts concerts and exhibitions. The venue can accommodate up to 72,000 spectators depending on the type of event being held.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Seattle Public Library - Central Library

 4.7/5

1401 reviews

The City Library consists of a network of book collections (27 branches in total). The main office is housed in an eleven-storey glass and steel structure in the destructivist style, designed by R. Koolhaas in 2004. It can be called one of the most prominent structures in the city. The book collection was founded in 1890, and today it holds more than 2.5 million copies.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Chihuly Garden and Glass

 4.7/5

19822 reviews

American glassblowing artist D. Chihuly has created a huge number of sculptures over the course of 40 years, which are now exhibited in several dozen museums around the world. The Glass Garden in Seattle is one of his most famous projects. It is located in the centre of the city and is an open-air exhibition of the artist’s works. Here glass flowers and trees “grow”, shimmering with all possible colours.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The Museum of Flight

 4.8/5

14433 reviews

A private museum dedicated to space and aviation. It is located on the territory of the very first Boeing factory. The exposition includes more than 150 aeroplanes produced at different times, as well as a collection of parts and models of spaceships. The museum was founded in 1956. There are several interactive exhibits, including an air traffic control centre where you can learn about what goes on in the airport control room.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Museum of Pop Culture

 4.6/5

16332 reviews

The museum exposition will interest music and film lovers. It is divided into thematic sections: musical, costume and sci-fi. The last one is dedicated to such legendary films as “Alien”, “Star Trek”, “The Fifth Element”, “Star Wars”, “Terminator”. The museum has quite a lot of interactive exhibits. For example, visitors are invited to play the guitar themselves or make a musical arrangement.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)

 4.6/5

1749 reviews

The collection tells visitors about the history of Seattle since the end of the XVIII century. The museum is divided into 10 halls, each of which is dedicated to a historical event or process: the industrial boom of the XIX century, the great fire of 1989 and other important incidents. There is a small park next to the museum, where you can take a walk after the tour.

Open time

Seattle Art Museum

 4.6/5

5687 reviews

The museum was based on the Seattle Fine Arts Society and the Washington Art Association. In 1933, a monumental Art Deco building designed by C. F. Gould was erected for the collection. It now houses a branch of the museum, and the main exhibition moved to Park Avenue in 1991. Another division, the Olympic Sculpture Park, opened to the public in 2007.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Benaroya Hall

 4.8/5

3977 reviews

The concert hall where the city’s symphony orchestra performs. It is considered one of the best venues in the world due to its excellent acoustics and luxurious finishes. Benaroya Hall was erected in 1998. Most of the funds for its construction were donated by philanthropist D. Benaroya. The hall consists of two auditoriums. The larger one can accommodate up to 2.5 thousand people, the smaller one is designed for 500 spectators.

Open time

University of Washington

 4.7/5

1712 reviews

The institution was founded in 1861. Today it is one of the largest in the northwestern United States. Among its graduates, eight are Nobel Prize winners. The university is housed in several buildings. Of particular note is the Susallo Library, which is located in a neo-Gothic mansion. The structure of the university includes the Burke Museum of Natural History and the Henrie Art Gallery.

Open time

Columbia Center

 4.6/5

3548 reviews

The city’s grandest skyscraper, designed by C.L. Lindsay and built in 1985 (almost 300 metres high). From the outside it looks as if it consists of three towers, in fact it is a single structure. On the 73rd floor of Columbia Centre there is an observation deck from where you can take spectacular photos. On the 74th and 75th floors there are restaurants, conference halls and a library.

Open time

Seattle Aquarium

 4.4/5

18431 reviews

An oceanarium and research centre located on the waterfront of Elliot Bay. It opened in 1977 and is visited by about 900,000 people annually. In the aquarium you can see many representatives of marine fauna: exotic fish, seals, sea beavers, seals, sharks, as well as birds living on the shore. There is a souvenir shop and a café on the territory of the oceanarium.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

The Seattle Great Wheel

 4.5/5

9354 reviews

The Ferris wheel was built in 2012. It reaches a height of 53 metres, making it the largest of its kind on the north-west coast. The wheel’s 42 cabins accommodate 300 people. One ride includes three full revolutions. This is enough time to take panoramic photos of Seattle and Elliot Bay. A trip on the wheel is a great way to diversify a tourist’s leisure time.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Ballard Bridge

 4.1/5

220 reviews

The locks were created to maintain fresh water levels in Lakes Union and Washington. They were built from the mid-19th century to the 20s and 30s of the 20th century. Tourists come to watch ships pass through the locks, as well as to walk through the nearby parks and see the sea lions that line the waterfronts. During the weekends, the place can get quite crowded and it is difficult to find a parking space.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Woodland Park Zoo

 4.6/5

19558 reviews

The menagerie is located in the park of the same name. It occupies an impressive area of 37 hectares. The zoo is home to several hundred species, of which 5 are endangered and 35 are threatened with extinction. The inhabitants live in thematic zones with “talking” names: “African Savannah”, “Vine Trail”, “Elephant Forest”, “Tropical Forest”. Sometimes, due to the large size of the enclosure, an animal is not so easy to see.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Kerry Park

 4.8/5

15802 reviews

A small park of 0.5 hectares, which was donated to Seattle by the Kerry couple in 1927. One of the main attractions of the place is the observation deck. It has long been favoured by photographers who come here to shoot stunning sunrises and sunsets, as well as a mesmerising night panorama of the city. The park is no less popular with couples in love and romantically inclined singles.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Gas Works Park

 4.7/5

10304 reviews

The city park, where impressive industrial structures stand among green lawns and trees. This is a former gasification plant from the early 20th century. Instead of dismantling the defunct plant, the authorities decided to build a park around it and leave the buildings as a memento for posterity. Today you can see the plant not only from the outside, but also take a fascinating tour through its empty corridors.

Open time

Green Lake Park

 4.7/5

9016 reviews

Green Lake is situated on the shore of a large lake. Here you can take a walk in good weather, have a picnic on the green lawn, have a barbecue in a special area or take a boat ride. At any time of the year the park is full of runners, cyclists and just people on foot. Next to Green Lake there is a residential area built up with small picturesque houses.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Discovery Park

 4.8/5

7345 reviews

The city’s largest urban park with extensive green space adjacent to the shores of the bay and 20 kilometres of walking paths. Despite the magnificent views and the opportunity to observe marine life and birds, reviews of this place are quite contradictory. Some tourists complain about the smell of sewage and the suspicious people who roam the park in the evenings.

Open time

Monday: 4:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Tuesday: 4:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Thursday: 4:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Friday: 4:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Saturday: 4:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Sunday: 4:00 AM – 11:30 PM

Alki Beach

 4.7/5

1551 reviews

The beach is located in the west of Seattle on the territory of the peninsula of the same name, just in the very place where the first Europeans landed and founded a settlement in the middle of the XIX century. The water here is quite cool, so it is not always comfortable to swim, but visitors are provided with an excellent tan and fresh sea air. On the beach there are restaurants with interesting cuisine and bungalows where you can stay for a few days.

Open time

Washington State Ferries

 3.3/5

59 reviews

Washington State has the largest ferry fleet in the United States. The network of routes covers the coast like a huge spider’s web. Interestingly, most of the ferries are named after Indian names. One of the main tourist attractions in Seattle is a boat trip on one of these vessels. You can embark on the journey from one of the many terminals located in the city.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed