Choose from 50 Fun Things to Do in Seattle
Safeco Field
Practical Info
Mt. Rainier National Park
- Day trips from Seattle typically last about 10 hours, so prepare for a long day.
- The Longmire, Sunrise, and Paradise areas of the park offer visitor information, special permits, gift shops, dining, and other services.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; even if you’re not planning to hike, you’ll likely take short walks to reach viewpoints.
- Pets are allowed in limited areas but must be on a leash.
- Helmets are required when biking.
- There is no gas available in the park, but gas stations can be found in nearby towns.
Pioneer Square
- Walking tours are the best way to get to know the neighborhood’s history and cultural offerings.
- Pioneer Square deserves two visits: one to patronize the local boutiques galleries during daylight hours, and one to sample the bustling nightlife.
- Parking around Pioneer Square can be tough. Plan to join a guided tour with transportation or arrive via public transportation.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Practical Info
Lake Union
- Activities on and around Lake Union are great for families and active travelers.
- The weather can change rapidly in Seattle, so bring warm and waterproof layers.
- You’ll experience lots of sun exposure on clear days, so wear sunscreen.
Waterfall Garden Park
Practical Info
Mount St. Helens
- Visiting Mount St. Helens will enthrall a range of travelers, including families with young children, serious hikers, photographers, and geology buffs.
- Wear layered clothing, as alpine weather can change quickly. The Pacific Northwest is often rainy, so a raincoat is advisable.
- Mount St. Helens’ visitor centers are easily accessible by car. Visitor centers have restrooms, helpful staff, and gift shops.
Johnston Ridge Observatory
Practical Info
Lake Washington
- Outdoor enthusiasts, Seattle sightseers, and city slickers looking for an urban escape will love a day at Lake Washington.
- Expect summer crowds at the most popular beaches, Madison Park Beach and Denny Blaine Park.
- Seward Park, at the south end of Lake Washington, is the nexus for the lake’s perimeter path, perfect for pedestrians and bicyclists.
University of Washington
Practical Info
Leavenworth
Practical Info
Museum of Flight
- The Museum of Flight is appropriate for history buffs, aviation enthusiasts, and families.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible and offers restrooms, a café, and a gift shop.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking through the museum’s exhibits.
Pacific Science Center
- While not aimed only at children, the Pacific Science Center is a great fit for families.
- Pair a trip with a ride to the top of the Space Needle, which stands nearby.
- Buy your tickets online and skip the line.
- The museum is wheelchair-accessible.
Myrtle Edwards Park
Practical Info
Woodland Park Zoo
In Woodland Park, up the hill from Green Lake Park, the Woodland Park Zoo is one of Seattle's greatest tourist attractions, consistently rated as one of the top 10 zoos in the country. It was one of the first in the nation to free animals from their restrictive cages in favor of ecosystem enclosures, where animals from similar environments share large spaces designed to replicate their natural surroundings.
The Woodland Park Zoo thrills with superb attractions including such exhibits as a tropical rain forest, two gorilla exhibits, and an African savanna. One of the best exhibits is the brown bear enclosure, which realistically resembles an Alaskan stream and hillside. Another highlight is the elephant forest, where the zoo’s pachyderms have plenty of space to rumble around. For kids, there’s the farm-animal area and the interactive Zoomazium, where kids can see what its like to be wild animals.
Practical Info
Woodland Park Zoo is located in North Seattle, about 20 minutes from downtown. To get here by car, take Interstate-5 north to Exit 169, then west to the South Entrance at North 50th Street and Fremont Avenue North. You can also get here from downtown by bus.
Dining options at Woodland Park Zoo include the Rainforest Food Pavilion for fine dining and the Pacific Blue Chowder House for seafood under the sun. If you have time, stop by the Zoo Store to for animal toys and an array of books, jewelry, arts, and crafts.
Queen Anne Hill
- Be prepared for a lot of walking, as the neighborhood’s many charms are best experienced on foot.
- Queen Anne has many steep streets and sidewalks, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- Photography buffs will find plenty to photograph, from viewpoints to landscaping to unique architecture.
Seattle Aquarium
- The Seattle Aquarium appeals to many types of travelers, including families with kids and ocean science buffs.
- The Seattle Aquarium is wheelchair accessible, and there are ASL interpreters and sighted tour guides for deaf, blind, and visually impaired groups.
- Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture your unforgettable memories here.
Kerry Park
Practical Info
Pike Place Market
- The main and north arcades are the most popular areas at Pike Place Market.
- Save some pocket change for Rachel, the bronze charity piggy bank that serves as Pike Place Market’s unofficial mascot. Look for her under the Public Market Center sign.
- For a little respite or a picnic lunch, head over to Victor Steinbrueck Park, at the north end of the market at the intersection of Pike Place, Virginia Street, and Western Avenue. (Look for the two towering totem poles.) Other nearby nearby attractions include the Seattle Art Museum, Waterfront Park, and the Seattle Aquarium.
Original Starbucks
- The original Starbucks is often crowded, with a line out the door. It moves quickly, but if you want to avoid it altogether, come first thing in the morning.
- The café is a draw for tourists of all stripes, but coffee buffs and Starbucks fans will especially love it.
- Pike Place Market and the original Starbucks are wheelchair accessible.