Seattle is a beautiful city with plenty of cool spots to explore. It's a great place for a vacation, but it can also be frustrating when trying to plan out what to do.
To get the most out of your trip, you should make sure you hit all the best places to visit in Seattle. Here are some of our favorite ones to check out!
1. Kerry Park
Kerry Park is one of the city's best-loved spots to take in a view. Located on the top of Queen Anne Hill, this small park has unobstructed views of the Space Needle, Elliott Bay and Mount Rainier.
It's a popular spot for both tourists and locals alike to snap their favorite Seattle picture. It's a great place to hang out and have fun with the kids, too.
The views are also pretty cool at night, when the city's lights shine and the skyline is illuminated with colorful shades. Plus, there's an art installation called "Changing Form" by Dorris Chase inside the park.
2. Museum of Pop Culture
Formerly known as the Experience Music Project (EMP), this edgy, futuristic museum designed by Frank Gehry is one of the most famous and popular attractions in Seattle. Housed on the Seattle Center grounds, it’s an eye-catching building that many say resembles a smashed guitar.
Inside, MoPOP has exhibits on a variety of topics. Some include a collection of costumes and ball gowns from Disney movies, while others focus on science fiction and fantasy.
3. Museum of Flight
If you're an aviation buff, the Museum of Flight is a must-visit. Here, you'll find a huge collection of military and commercial aircraft from around the world.
You can even climb up inside some of these aircraft. The main building is incredibly well done, and there's also a massive WWI & WWII section where you can learn about the history of aviation.
This is one of the best museums for kids in the area, and a must-visit when you're in Seattle! The docents are very knowledgeable and fun to talk with.
4. Seattle Central Library
The Seattle Central Library is an architectural masterpiece in downtown Seattle. It is a must visit place for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of Seattle.
A stunning building with great public art and a large collection of books, the library is one of the best places to go in the city. It is also a must-visit for anyone who wants to get a panoramic view of the city.
This unique building was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and his firm OMA. Its design is meant to reflect the changing nature of libraries in the modern age.
5. Lumin Field
One of the biggest sports venues in the Pacific Northwest, Lumen Field (formerly CenturyLink Field and Qwest Field) is home to the NFL Seattle Seahawks football team and Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders. It also plays host to concerts and other events year-round.
The venue is also a great place to catch live music, especially during the Seahawks/Sounders football seasons. Bands such as U2, The Rolling Stones, Metallica, and more often perform here.
It’s a good idea to book your tickets for a Seahawks game early as seating is limited and often sell out. But there’s still plenty to do in Seattle while the games are on, from museums and shopping to cafes and bars.
6. Washington Park Arboretum
Washington Park Arboretum is a 230-acre park that's a gorgeous retreat from Seattle's hustle and bustle. It's a joint project of the University of Washington and Seattle Parks and Recreation, and it's open to the public every day.
The Arboretum is home to a variety of exotic plants, including azaleas, rhododendrons, oaks, conifers, camellias, magnolias, and Japanese maples. Spring is a great time to explore the Arboretum, when the azaleas on Azalea Way are in bloom.
The park also has a wetlands area and a 3.5-acre garden dedicated to Japanese flora. It's one of the best places to visit in Seattle, and a must-see for nature lovers.
