You think of your friend in the US or someone in Amazon who shifted to the US, and the chances are that you’ll end up thinking about Seattle. Plus, if you have Amazon Prime, you must have seen the beautiful wallpaper of the Space Needle or the Great Wheel at least once in your life. Something similar happened the other day when we watched TV, and I happened to see the Great Wheel wallpaper.
It made me miss the good old days when we traveled so easily. I was supposed to visit the US again in 2020 before the pandemic stuck. Unfortunately, I cannot do much about what happened, but I can share some snippets from my previous trips.
So, in this blog, I’ll be talking about the 15 best things to do in Seattle.
So, onward we go.
1. Visit the Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square is where the settlers first settled in and built their home in the Seattle area. It is full of marvelous architectural pieces, art galleries, and old-school cafes and bookstores. One of the best places to go in Seattle. This place has to be the best thing to do in the Seattle list of history buffs. The game Klondike’s adventures have its relation to this place only, more specifically to the Klondike Gold Rush Museum. The Museum speaks about Seattle’s involvement in the 1890s mass migration to Canada’s Yukon region. The Smith Tower, built in 1914, offers a spectacular view of the city from its 35th floor.
2. Bask in the glory of the Space Needle at Night
The space needle- the wonderfully beautiful piece of architecture that has adorned the screensavers and wallpapers of multiple electronic devices. Built-in 1962 to be a part of the World Fair, the Space Needle makes one of the best Seattle Sightseeing attractions. Not only does the Space Needle provide exceptional panoramic views of the downtown, but one can also see the Puget Sound, the Cascades, and the Olympic Mountains from here.
This Space Needle built in 1962 has been changed significantly now because of the recent renovations. These renovations include Skyrisers and the Loupe- the world’s first revolving glass floor, both of which make the space needle to be a must on your list of best things to do in Seattle.
3. Shop at the Pike Place Market
No matter what you do in Seattle, the Pike Place Market is one of the best places to go in Seattle. Not only is it the most visited landmark, but it is an amazing place to visit for foodies too. So head to the Pink Door, which serves the delicious Italian Grub, visit the Pike Place for one of the best clam chowders and go to Lowell’s for Seattle Joes’ Scramble of sausage spinach and mushroom. And when you are done with these, make sure you visit The Crumpet Shop someday and visit it before lunch because they usually sell out completely by then.
4. Love Coffee? Visit the Seattle Barista Academy
Another one on our list of the best things to do in Seattle is visiting the Seattle Barista Academy, which offers three-hour classes for javaholics. You’ll get a detailed insight into the North American coffee scene and even get to get your hands dirty and make some. What ups it further is that you can also learn the latter beginner art here and learn to brew the perfect espresso. However, make sure that you book well in advance or not get a seat there.
5. The Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57
The Seattle Great Wheel is for those who love adventures and are not afraid of heights. The wheel has about 500,000 LED lights and rides ranging between 12 to 20 minutes. The ferry wheel is about 52 meters and has dinner service starting at $150 per person. The food variety is exquisite, and you can always pair your meal with a glass of wine.
There are vegetarian menu options available as well. The tickets can be purchased from the counter on the visit, or you can always book them in advance online. For kids under the age of 2 years, the rides are free. For adults (12 years+), the tickets cost around $14, $9 for kids above the age of 2, and $12 for senior citizens above 65. Avoid expecting, as the movements can cause nausea and vomiting.
6. Wine tasting at the Chateau Ste. Michelle
Seattle has its very own league of wineries that you shouldn’t miss out on tasting. The Chateau Ste. Michelle has a legacy of making dreamy, delicious, and ravishing wines. This Washington-based winery is known for its dedication to serving nothing but the best when it comes to flavors. Made from vinifera grapes, expect a wave of friable acidity while the sophisticated tastes rinse your palette.
The place is open for visitors on weekdays starting from 11 am to 5 pm, whereas on weekends, the winery welcomes people till 7 pm. You can either have a prior booking made or can register on arrival – both are an option.
7. A Visit to Fremont
Fremont is known for its Bay Area Rapid Transport System, is one of its kind, and is responsible for ferrying passengers from the area to San Francisco. Aside from having a great transportation system, Fremont has many restaurants, shopping areas, and cafes to visit and enjoy a hearty meal. Fremont is also a popular hiking spot and has ample hiking opportunities to explore.
8. A Must-do Trail at Mount Si.
Mount Si. is a popular trail spot where dogs (on leash) are allowed. With its majestic scenic beauty and an exhilarating 3 to 4-hour trail, visit this place for an experience of a lifetime. It is noteworthy that you will need a Discover Pass (costs about $30). The best months to visit are between May and October. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, wear shoes with adequate cushioning and support as Mount Si. is 4,167 feet tall and is 4 miles long. The place is about an hour’s drive from Seattle and if you are planning a visit, keep a day aside to explore this place.
9. Explore the Under Streets
Seattle as we know it today has kept its history well-kept and maintained. The under streets are a peek into Seattle’s old and not so forgotten streets that run underground. The new roads and streets are built on top of it, and the old streets (now underground) are open for tours. PReserved well in time, you can see the shops along with street names.
The exploration is guided and takes an hour at the most. You can see the old pipeline system, how shops were set up and old remains. The under streets were abandoned after a fire from the liquor shop broke and consumed most of the under streets while causing an estimated $8 million worth of damage. Nearly 5,000 lost their livelihood, and the underlines were closed for business.
10. The Iconic Museum of Pop Culture
If you are a pop-culture enthusiast, this is the place you must visit. The MoPOP has an extensive range of displays and offers a pop culture experience of its own. It showcases iconic moments as seen on TV, has a plethora of rock n roll music to vibe to, science fiction portrayals and sci-fi iconic moments, and more! The quality of entertainment is worth the time. The tickets cost around $23 to $28, and the time spent here will be engaging, enlightening, and worth it!
11. Visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center
The Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center is so enigmatic, even the ones afraid of flying can enjoy being here! The center offers a detailed tour that captures the fascination of people who are always intrigued by the aviation industry.
The Boeing Factory Tour is closed for visits usually, but you can explore other areas like the Boeing Store, the Gallery, and the Sky Deck. These spots have safety measures in place, ensuring you have a safe and wonderful time at the center.
12. The Museum of History & Industry
The history of industries as we know today is fascinating, and this Museum is a great place to witness that! The MOHAI has a wide range of displays that signify the discoveries and technological advances made ages ago. In addition, the Museum has many books, maps, manuscripts, artifacts representing Seattle’s history, and a series of photos that give a glimpse from the past. The tickets range from $13 to $20. History is always changing, and this Museum captures those changes with grace!
13. Relish the beauty of the Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum has to be on the list of places to see in Seattle for all the art lovers out there. The Museum houses an extensive collection of Native American and Pacific Northwest Artworks. The kind of art pieces that you see here is simply diverse. Try and visit on a Thursday if you can for then the entry is free of cost. However, if you wish to explore this beauty in peace, do not even think of visiting on a Thursday. You may also check out the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is pretty close to the Seattle Art Museum if you want to dig the American history more.
14. Cherish the old times at the Triple Door
I am not sure why, but I am reminded of the iconic The Doors every time I think of the Triple Door, I am reminded of the iconic The Doors! Well, the triple Door is a beautiful vaudeville theatre that was built in the 1920s. This place is a must-visit for those who love music because Triple Door is one of the top live music venues in the Northwest region. However, you may not necessarily want to visit a full-blown concert. Hence, this place holds an award-winning restaurant, the Wild Ginger, and the Musicquarium Lounge for some amazing happy hour cocktails.
15. And lastly, for some lip-smacking foods, visit the Tom Douglas restaurants.
This chain is more iconic than you may imagine. It is an emotion in its own right- a history that you need to absorb! Hence, while Tom Douglas is amazing in terms of the food it serves, these restros also form a major part of the list of the best things to do in Seattle. Some of my tried and tested favorites here include Triple coconut Cream Pie, the Thin Crust Wood-fired Pizza, and the Fish fry!
And if you are looking for your next adventure after an adventure packed Seattle tour, Costa Rica is worth a trip for the exotic locations and to try out world’s best coffee!
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