Best Things To Do in Seattle

Washington State's metropolis is in an unbeatable setting: surrounded by wilderness and lapped by the waters of the Puget Sound, a strait that connects the city to the Pacific.

Seattle is nicknamed the 'Emerald City' and is one of the most dynamic cities in the United States. Whether you're in Seattle for three days or a week, there are some must-see attractions. This article illustrates the best of them.

This observation deck was designed by Edward E. Carlson for the 1962 World's Fair. From the top floor you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the city's central core, the waters of Puget Sound and snow-capped mountains in the distance.

The Space Needle is open every day of the week from 9:00 to 23:00. For a more rounded experience, I recommend booking a table at the Loupe Lounge, a revolving glass floor specialising in signature cocktails.

• Price: a standard ticket ranges from $35 to $40. For children under 12, the price ranges from $25 to $30. A good way to save money is to purchase the Seattle City Pass, the city's tourist card.
• Address: 400 Broad St

Pike Place has occupied the same corner since 1907 and is a true institution in the city. No tour should exclude it, and often one visit is not enough.

Seattle' s best food tours offer tours of the market with food tastings. It's a recommended and affordable option.

Typically, dining experiences include clam chowder, wild smoked salmon, artisanal yogurt, freshly baked biscuits and other treats.

A chocolate-covered Rainier cherry usually crowns the experience. The fruit is deliciously sweet and is characterised by a thin, yellow skin that hides a creamy flesh.

• Where: 85 Pike Street
• Price: Admission is free and food tours vary according to duration and tastings included. They can cost around €60 or more.
• Hours: Most stalls are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., though some offer breakfast from 7 a.m. or dinner until almost midnight.
• How to get there: If you're staying near a Link Light Rail station, you can take the Link Light Rail and get off at the University Street stop. Being centrally located, it's also easy to get to by bus. Find all the information about routes and timetables on the official website.

Since the Bronze Age, humans have been drawn to glass. Century after century, manufacturing techniques have improved to perfection. In Seattle, the most modern and amazing creations can be found at the Chihuly Garden and Glass, a large exhibition dedicated to glass sculptures.

The museum is located in the city centre and is open daily from 9:00 to 21:00. It consists of three main parts - a greenhouse, the surrounding garden and the galleries - plus a gourmet café and a theatre explaining the making of glass.

Its icon is the glass and steel structure hanging from the greenhouse. Orange, yellow and red flowers are suspended in the air and the perception of the colours changes with the light. If you want a tip , I recommend visiting the museum after sunset. For more ideas, I recommend the post about 10 things to see and do in Seattle at night.

• Address: 305 Harrison St
• Price: Standard admission is around $30. Seniors over 65 pay around $25, while youngsters between 5 and 12 pay around $20. Children under the age of 4 are free.
• How to get there: A good option is the monorail. The Seattle Center stop is just a few metres from the entrance.

In the state of Washington, the Pacific Ocean juts into the American mainland, creating a landscape of inlets and forested islands. A boat tour of Seattle is the perfect way to discover this stretch of ocean and can be taken in both spring and summer.

There are several routes; the easiest just cruise around the harbour while the longer ones reach the San Juan Islands, a stone's throw from the Canadian border. One of the most popular destinations is Vashon Island, a large island with charming villages and lush nature.

• Price: It depends on what you choose. A harbour cruise usually costs around €35, a longer cruise can cost upwards of €250.
• How to get there: cruises usually depart from the Seattle Waterfront, a very central location. The easiest way to get there is by Link Light Rail. The University Street stop is a short walk from the docks.

The Asian district is always worth a visit, especially if you're in Seattle in March. The neighbourhood is home to Kobe Terrace, a green area dotted with cherry trees. These trees come straight from Japan and this is the month when the first pink blossoms begin to appear. The blossom show usually continues until the end of April.

After a stroll through the garden, you can take the opportunity to do a bit of shopping. Kobo is the ideal destination for contemporary and traditional ceramics designed by Japanese artists (604 S Jackson Street). Tuesday Shop is the go-to shop for modern kimonos and other oriental garments.

• Price: free, though it's hard to leave the neighbourhood without a souvenir.
• How to get there: an easy option is the Link light rail. Get off at the International District Chinatown stop.

Discovery Park covers 534 acres and sits on a bluff overlooking the Puget Sound. Locals come here for respite and outdoor sports.

The paved trails and roads can be travelled on foot or mountain bike. You'll see forests, meadows and cliffs that shelter sandy beaches.

If you travel to eattle in spring or summer, you can take advantage of the good weather to go SUP riding. In this case, I recommend booking an individual or small group lesson at nearby Salmon Bay Paddle. Don't worry if it's your first time, it's an easy activity for all ages.

• Where: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd
• Hours: Discovery Park is open daily from 4:00 to 23:30. The visitor centre has shorter hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8.30am to 5pm.
• How to get there: Bus #24 stops in front of the West Emerson Street entrance. Bus 33 enters the park and stops near the North Parking Lot.

Seattle and aviation are inextricably linked. In all likelihood, to get here you will have travelled in a plane designed and built in this very city: the Boeing. The name pays homage to William Edward Boeing, aviation pioneer and founder of the company of the same name.

The Museum of Flight pays homage to the city's industrial tradition. Its large hangars house a myriad of aircraft and in some cases you are allowed inside. The jewel in the crown is the legendary Air Force One, the flying fortress reserved for US presidents. The model on display in Seattle was used by Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.

• Address: 9404 E Marginal Way S
• Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Price: An adult ticket costs about $25. If you are travelling to Seattle with children between the ages of 5 and 12, you are entitled to a reduced fare of around $15. Seniors over 65 will be charged about $20. Admission is free every first Tuesday of the month.
• How to get there: The Museum of Flight is located near King County International Airport. You can easily get there on the 124 city bus. The nearest bus stop is East Marginal Way S & S 96th Pl.

There are many neighbourhoods worth seeing, but if I had to choose one, it would be Ballard. If the International District concentrates the Asian community, Ballard is the neighbourhood of Scandinavian immigrants. Indeed, Swedes and Norwegians arrived here in the late 19th century to work in the district's fisheries.

Perhaps its biggest attraction is the Ballard Locks, a series of locks that connect Lake Washington to the Puget Sound. If you travel to Seattle in June, July, August or September, you'll see salmon defying the current by swimming upstream.

The district is also known for its microbreweries- there are plenty of options! A must is usually Reuben's, known for its IPAs and Roggenbier (rye beer). You can also opt for Stoup or Lagunitas.

• Price: free (beers not included)
• How to get there: To get to Ballard from downtown, the best option is the 40 bus. Get off at the 24th Ave NW & NW 70th St stop.

Snoqualmie Fall is one of the most famous waterfalls in the United States. The waterfall is 82 metres high and if you've heard of it, it's probably because it's featured in the series "Twin Peaks". A trail connects the lower part of the falls with the highest part, is approximately two kilometres long and is suitable for all ages.

Along the way you will learn about the customs of the natives and get a few pills about the local flora and fauna.

To avoid crowds, it's best to hike to Snoqualmie from Seattle early in the morning and avoid weekends. The park surrounding the waterfall is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. This is definitely one of the best hikes from Seattle.

• Price: Admission is free but there is a $5 parking fee.
• How to get there: If you're going on your own and not on a tour, you'll have to drive the 202 motorway to Fall City. Alternatively, you can take Interstate 90 and leave it at exit 25. In either case, once you're off the main road, just follow the signs to Fall City.

First of all, the monorail is not the ramshackle invention featured in a famous Simpsons episode, but a cheap and safe means of transport. In Seattle, convoys have been running through the city since 1994, carrying an average of 2 million passengers a year.

It's worth hopping on board for a rare panoramic view of the metropolis. It's not very long but it runs through downtown Seattle and hits some of the city's landmarks.

The Seattle Center terminus is within walking distance of the Space Needle overlook, the Pacific Science Center, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum and much more.

• Price: A single ticket costs just over $3. Children under 18, people with disabilities and seniors over 65 pay about $1.5.

Since the 1970s, Seattle has been home to a large Vietnamese community and it's easy to find a good Pho, the typical noodle and beef soup garnished with lime and fresh basil.

Ba Bar is a chain specialising in Vietnamese food and has three outlets in the city. Other recommended restaurants include Tamarind Tree (1036 South Jackson Street) and Pho Viet Anh (2621 5th Avenue)

The Asian community in the metropolis is not limited to Vietnam. Seattle is home to many people of Japanese descent, and the availability of fresh fish has spurred the opening of several sushi restaurants.

If you want to play it safe, I recommend booking a table at Maneki (304 6th Avenue) or Sushi Kashiba (86 Pine Street Suite).

In general, Seattle is known for its seafood. The surrounding waters are home to salmon, oysters, crabs, giant clams and other seafood delicacies.

If you're looking for a good meal, try The Walrus and the Carpenter (4743 Ballard Avenue), Ray's Boathouse (6049 Seaview Avenue) or Rock Creek (4300 Fremont Avenue).

Like other cities in the United States, the Emerald City is also transformed during the month of December. Festive decorations and Christmas markets adorn the city, and if you're a sports fan, you can head to the Climate Pledge Arena for an ice hockey game.

In December, the weather is usually rainy, although snowfall is rare. However, you can still enjoy winter sports by taking a trip to Mount Rainier, which is about 100 miles from the city. For more information I recommend reading our post on 10 things to see and do in Seattle at Christmas.

When to visit Seattle

Whenever you go, Seattle has a lot to offer. To help you with your plans, I've put together these little guides by month so you don't miss out on the best things to do depending on which month you choose for your trip:

• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in January
• 10 Things to See and Do in Seattle in February
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in March
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in April
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in June
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in July
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in August
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in September
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in October
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in November
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in December

Or maybe you want to know by time of year:

• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in Spring
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in Summer
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in Autumn
• 10 things to see and do in Seattle in Winter

Another piece of advice I give you for your trip to the American city is to plan your Seattle Airport Transfers in advance, which is essential to avoid wasting time on arrival. Also, I recommend that you take a look at our post about the Settle tourist bus, as it can be very useful for getting to know the city in a short time.

If you are still doubting how much time to spend visiting Seattle, that obviously depends on your interests, but I'll give you a hand with our articles on things to see and do depending on the length of your trip:

• What to see and do in Seattle in 2 days
• What to see and do in Seattle in 3 days
• What to see and do in Seattle in 4 days
• What to see and do in Seattle in 5 days