The Best Travel Guide to Seattle, Washington

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Seattle

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North America United States Seattle, Washington

Overview

Seattle, Washington The guide was updated: 2023-09-28

Welcome to 'The Emerald City' — a blend of laid-back and progressive vibes. As Washington State's largest city, Seattle is not just the home of the iconic Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Chihuly Garden and Glass, but also the birthplace of grunge and global coffee joints like Starbucks and Tully’s. Forget the rainy reputation; Seattle often outshines it with more sun than you'd expect!

Facts

Population:	749,256 Metropolitan area: 4 million (2023)
Currency:	US Dollar, $1 = 100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	911
Newspapers:	The Seattle Times — www.seattletimes.com Seattle Weekly — www.seattleweekly.com Seattle Post-Intelligencer — www.seattlepi.com Seattle Chinese Post (Chinese language) — seattlechinesepost.com Washington Free Press — wafreepress.org The Stranger — www.thestranger.com
Website:	visitseattle.org
Opening hours:	Most stores are open all week from 10 am to 8 pm or later. Most bars and clubs close around 2 am.
Tourist information:	Visit Seattle 701 Pike Street (Lobby of the Washington State Convention Center), Seattle, WA +1 206 461 5888 visinfo@visitseattle.org Open Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm

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Section in Seattle, Washington

A Seattle Double Decker Tour is an easy way to see the best sites of Seattle. Hop on or off at any attraction, or ride the entire loop for a complete tour. A lake cruise will give a uniquely different view of the city and its waters. Some lake tours offer dining options to enjoy while you take in spectacular waterfront views. Or, you can enjoy Seattle from both land and water on a one-of-a-kind Duck Tour aboard a WWII amphibious landing craft. Whichever you choose, a tour is a perfect, family-friendly way to explore the many sights, sounds and attractions of Seattle. In addition to the Space Needle, Seattle's most recognizable landmark, visitors should be sure to include a visit to the world-renowned Seattle Art Museum (called SAM by locals). Popular outdoor activities include whale-watching tours, winery visits and the 270-foot waterfall at Snoqualmie Falls is a shutterbug's delight. Top off any day in Seattle with a wide choice of museums, live music venues and neighborhood coffee shops.

Space Needle

Space Needle

Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle is 605 feet high with an observation deck at 520 feet and the rotating SkyCity restaurant at 500 feet. From the top of the Needle one can see not only the Downtown Seattle skyline, but also the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay and surrounding islands.

Pike Place Market Food Tour

Pike Place Market Food Tour

Experience a variety flavors, smells and sounds at one of Seattle's most famous (and beloved) landmarks — Pike Place Market. Browse the 150 stalls of fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and local art. Then enjoy tastings from fresh produce and smoked salmon to local pastries and much more.

Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium is the ninth largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance and the region’s premier resource for hands-on marine experiences and conservation education. The Seattle Aquarium offers fun, exciting ways to discover more about the amazing Puget Sound and our world's one big ocean.

Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour

Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour

Choose from a variety of tours, many with dining options, from Elliot Bay and Seattle Harbor. The tours provide wonderful views of the Seattle skyline, waterfront and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.

Pacific Science Center

Pacific Science Center

Washington's leading institution for fun and engaged learning allures curiosity in people of all ages and inspire creative thinking with its award-winning, interactive programs and exhibits. Spend some hours here and explore the IMAX® movie theater, Laser Dome, planetarium shows, live science shows and the tropical butterfly house.

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

Open since 1907, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continually operated public farmers' markets in the United States. Overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, the Market is a place of business for many small farmers, craftspeople, and merchants. Pay attention to the "Caution Low Flying Fish" sign as you approach the Pike Place Fish Market, famous for hurling each customer's fish across the counter for wrapping.

Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo

Seattle's 92-acre, award-winning zoo exhibits nearly 1,100 animals representing almost 300 different animal species – from tiny insects to the largest land mammal on the planet, the African elephant. Beside hosting beautiful animals, the Woodland Park Zoo provides shops and some dining options.

Museum of Flight

Museum of Flight

Enjoy an all-encompassing aviation experience displaying a massive collection of flying machines from the first primitive gliders to today’s most modern aircraft. The tour includes a stop at the “Red Barn" which was the original manufacturing facility for Boeing.

Seattle Art Museum

Seattle Art Museum

SAM (as it's called by locals) is an internationally renowned museum with three distinct venues including the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park. You can easily wander around for hours and explore the art from different time periods and countries.

EMP Museum

EMP Museum

Explore some of the most significant moments in rock music, science fiction and popular culture. With its roots in rock 'n' roll, Experience Music Project, commonly known as EMP, serves as a gateway museum, reaching multi generational audiences through their collections, exhibitions and educational programs.

Chihuly Garden & Glass

Chihuly Garden & Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass provides a look at the inspiration and influences that formed the career of artist Dale Chihuly. Located at Seattle Center, Chihuly Garden and Glass includes an Exhibition Hall with eight galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse and a lush Garden. The Glasshouse presents a suspended 1,400-piece, 100-foot-long sculpture; and the Garden is a backdrop for four monumental sculptures and other installations.

Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens

South of Seattle lies the beautiful Mount Saint Helens, a national forest that houses a sleeping volcano. In close cooperation with the visitor center you can buy the necessary passes and permits to go camping and hiking. Additionally, they also pride themselves as a small museum with quite interesting exhibits. Leave the urban world behind you and dive back into nature by visiting this exquisite location.

Reptile Zoo

Reptile Zoo

If you don't get squeamish from creatures with more than 8 eyes then visiting the Reptile Zoo might be a great idea. With it's location outside of the city, north east of Seattle, it might be quite a drive, but definitely worth it. The Reptile Zoo has everything ranging from snakes to turtles to alligators and even arachnids. Plus, if you've always had a thing for having your own reptile, the zoo gives expert advice on how to start as a beginner.

K1 Speed

K1 Speed

The wind through your hair, becoming teary eyed from the sheer speed, this is what will happen as you enjoy the 4 wheeled beasts on the tracks. Race around using 20-horsepower electric karts in an indoor environment. This is what K1 Speed offers, and they do it well. They offer a special 'Arrive and Drive' option which is especially handy for tourists as you can come and can race a 14 lap race right away with no strings attached. Gear up to race against your friends, family or even the K1 staff.

Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant

Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant

Get ready for a day of fun! The Family Fun Center in Tukwila makes sure that you will have an awesome day filled with high-energy activities. From batting cages, to bowling, bumper cars and laser tag, they have it all. There are fun things to do for people of all ages, so be sure to visit them when you're going around Seattle.

Olympic Sculpture Park

Olympic Sculpture Park

A beautiful and iconic park of Seattle is located on Western Avenue and features an amazing combination of both art and nature. It is interesting to mention that the admission is free, and allows you to observe all art on your own leisure. Some of these interesting art pieces include 'Neukom Vivarium' which is a large greenhouse with various plants and trees. Another piece is the Schubert Sonata, a painted steel sculpture to honor musical composers. So when the weather allows it, visit the park and be amazed.

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