Top Things to See and Do When Visiting Seattle

Seattle is known as the Emerald City and is the central hub of the Puget Sound. As a primary shipping port for the West Coast and one of the closest major U.S. cities to Asia, Seattle has a lot to offer and brings hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Several cruise ships also dock at Seattle on their way to Alaska and other destinations. This post is going to focus on the top things to see and do when visiting Seattle.

What Seattle is famous for is its seafood, the grunge scene, the Space Needle, and the gorgeous greenery and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. There’s also a lot of attraction for local beer and the Seattle coffee culture. 

When you visit Seattle, there are several top things to see and do.

Top Things to See and Do When Visiting Seattle

Most travelers who visit Seattle have heard about the iconic Space Needle and Pike Place Market, where you can buy fresh seafood, produce and handmade gifts, or check out the gross but one-of-a-kind Gum Wall. These places should definitely be on your must-see list, but there are some other less touristy attractions that this beautiful city has to offer, including: 

Visit Volunteer Park and Lake View Cemetery

For a mostly free and fun outdoor adventure on a beautiful day, Volunteer Park is a large, grassy park on Capitol Hill, one of the more popular Seattle neighborhoods. Pack a picnic lunch and bring your blanket and a good book to stretch out in the sunshine. The park is home to the Seattle Asian Art Museum ($15 admission, open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and the Black Sun sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. You can see 360-degree views of Seattle and Bellevue across Lake Washington from the old water tower, but be prepared to climb 107 steps up a spiral staircase to the top. Next door, the Lake View Cemetery is the final resting place of some of the city’s most iconic celebrities including Bruce Lee and Princess Angeline, the daughter of the city’s namesake, Chief Sealth.

Enjoy Seafood at a Local Spot

With its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the abundance of marine life near Seattle, you will want to enjoy some fresh seafood when you visit the city. There are dozens of local seafood restaurants offering everything from oysters and different kinds of fish, to crab and even geoduck. 

Sip a Perfectly Crafted Cappuccino or Latte 

Seattle is well known for its coffee culture, and there are hundreds of local coffee shops where you can sip an artfully-made hot beverage. The baristas often take their craft to the next level with cool ‘art’ to finish off your coffee drink as they mix the espresso with the milk (most coffee shops offer soy, oat, or nut milk if you are lactose intolerant). 

Find Fantastic Freshness at a Neighborhood Farmers Market

In addition to the famous Pike Place Market, Seattle’s farmers’ market scene has grown a lot in recent years. Many neighborhoods have a weekly farmers’ market that operates year-round, regardless of the weather. The Ballard and Fremont markets are two of the largest. You can shop fresh produce, local foods, handmade gifts, flea market finds, and more, and then get delicious street food from a wide variety of food trucks. 

Take a Tour at Theo Chocolate Factory 

If you love chocolate, there are several Seattle brands to sample while you’re here. Fran’s Chocolates is one of them, but if you are looking for a more up-close experience, head to the Theo Chocolate Factory in Fremont to take a tour ($12 per person). They make award-winning chocolate that is organic, fair trade, and made from scratch before your eyes. 

Top Things to See and Do When Visiting Seattle

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