Best Travel Guide Seattle, Washington

Seattle, WashingtonGuide was updated: 2024-08-30

Welcome to 'The Emerald City', with its 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!

Do & See

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Pacific Science Center

Washington's premier institution for fun and engaged learning sparks curiosity in all ages with its award-winning interactive exhibits and programs. Spend a few hours exploring the IMAX theater, Laser Dome, planetarium shows, live science demonstrations, and the tropical butterfly house.

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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.

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Population:	749,256 Metropolitan area: 4 million (2023)
Currency:	US Dollar, $1 = 100 cents
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 10am to 8pm or later. Most bars and clubs close around 2am.
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–5pm

United States

Seattle, Washington

Do & See

Space Needle

Pike Place Market Food Tour

Seattle Aquarium

Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour

Pacific Science Center

Woodland Park Zoo