Quick facts
- Name: Seattle
- Founded: 1851
- Population: 750,000
- Area: 217 km²
- Known as: ‘The Emerald City’
Seattle, Washington, is sitting at one of America’s most lovely locations. It is the largest town in the Pacific Northwest, occupying a tight land bridge between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with four million individuals calling the region home in its metropolitan area. When looked at from above, with evergreen tree parks and forests, pristine blue waters and snowy white hills surround super modern skyscrapers of the city center, earning the town its nickname The Emerald City.
Together with nearby Vancouver in Canada, Seattle is the most popular tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest.
Read more: United States country spotlight
Main attractions in Seattle
There are many attractions in Seattle, both inside the city and in immediate surroundings. We are listing here only top 20-25 of them.
Space Needle. Built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, this observation deck stands at 605-ft. tall and offers panoramic city views and a rotating restaurant. Most recognizable landmark of Seattle skyline. Pike Place Market. With over a century of history, Pike Place Market is the country’s oldest continually operating farmers market and one of the most shopping area in Seattle with more than 500 shops, vendors, restaurants, and bars. Museum of Pop Culture. Located next to Space Needle, this museum houses some of the world’s most legendary pop culture artifacts. It was inspired by Jimi Hendrix.
Chihuly Garden and Glass. Located in Seattle city center, Chihuly Garden and Glass provides exhibits showcasing work inspired and influenced with artist Dale Chihuly. It consists of eight interior galleries, outdoor garden and central Glasshouse.
Seattle Center. Initially set for World Fair evet in 1962, this city core area is now main arts, sports and recreation complex, featuring museums, theaters, gardens, sports stadium, restaurants and shops. Seattle Art Museum. Founded in 1933, this museum featuring visual arts is one of the main one of its kind in Pacific Northwest. Various collections, installations, special exhibitions, and programs are organized throughout a year.
Woodland Park Zoo. This conservation are is located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood and it his home to about 300 species. Offering old time carousel, summer concerts and children indoor play space. The Museum of Flight. Located south of Seattle, this private non-profit air and space educational museum is featuring aircraft and space vehicles and historical exhibits. Seattle Aquarium. Public aquarium founded in 1970’s with ongoing conservation efforts. Popular with families and featuring underwater viewing dome.
Olympic Sculpture Park. Part of Seattle Art Museum, this nine-acre park features numerous modern art sculptures. Gum Wall. Unique and somewhat bizarre attraction, a brick wall covered with chewed-up gum in an alley under Pike Place Market.
You can place your own chewed up gum there if you want. Pacific Science Center. Science museum with interactive exhibits, featuring live science demonstrations, IMAX movie theaters, planetarium and laser shows.
Kerry Park. Small green park, but very popular with tourists as it offers great panoramic views of Seattle downtown. A must for enthusiasts of city photography. Gas Works Park. Formerly an oil plant, now popular picnic spot spread out over 20-acre green area and offering great views of the city and Lake Union. Discovery Park. Massive, 534-acres green area of wilderness, trails and beaches and featuring stunning views of Puget Sound.
Seattle Great Wheel. Iconic giant Ferris wheel, located on the waterfront, next to aquarium, offering rides in its air-conditioned gondolas, and sweeping views on the city. Pioneer Square. Historic neighborhood with late 1800s buildings, art galleries, coffee shops and trendy bars. Famous for underground tours in its subterranean streets. Puget Sound. Massive Pacific Ocean inlet and estuary featuring forested shores, diverse wildlife and the port of Seattle.
Lake Union. Picturesque freshwater lake offering various boating activities and hosts an annual wooden boat festival. Fremont Troll. Massive public sculpture under the Aurora Avenue Bridge. Built in 1990 by local artist and it is popular photo shoot location. Lake Washington. Freshwater lake popular for sport fishing. It’s the 2nd largest natural lake in Washington State.
From other attractions in Seattle we recommend: Golden Gardens Park, Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), Smith Tower, Volunteer Park and Sky View Observatory – Columbia Center.
Top things to do in Seattle
Seattle is lovely and dynamic city with many attractions to offer and it is worth exploring. It is also the main hub for further discovery of the area and starting point for many exciting excursions and tours. You can go for exciting camping tour in Canadian Rockies from here, explore Yellowstone with four days tour, or spend three days on Mt. Rainier.
If you prefer to stay within Seattle, we recommended scavenger hunt adventure, where you and your group will sure have fun! Enjoy!
Read more: Tours from and within Seattle
Festivals and events
Seattle is packed with festivals and events all year around. Here are some top recommendations.
Seattle Boat Show (January-February), Seattle Chamber Music Winter Festival (January-February), Seattle Museum Month (February), Emerald City ComiCon (March), Seattle Jewish Film Festival (March), World Rhythm Festival (April), Ballard Jazz Festival (May), Seattle International Film Festival (May-June), Chinatown-International District Dragonfest (June), Pride Festival (June), Bellevue Arts and Crafts (July), Fair Bite of Seattle (July), Seattle International Beerfest (July), Seattle Street Food Festival (July), Hempfest (August), Seattle Art Fair (August), Summer Meltdown (August), Seattle Children’s Festival (September), Borealis Festival of Light (October), Seattle Restaurant Week (October), Enchant Christmas (November-December), Seattle Marathon (November), Winterfest at Seattle Center (December).
Read more: Festivals and events in Seattle
Interesting facts about Seattle
Here are some interesting facts about this amazing city:
- Seattle is home to Starbucks, the largest coffee restaurant chain.
- Seattle has highest percentage of residents with college degree in the US.
- The first gas station in the word was opened in Seattle, in 1907.
Read more: More interesting facts about Seattle
Best time for flights to Seattle
The peak season for flights to Seattle is July, August and September. The low season for purchasing tickets is February, March and November.
Seattle is served by these airports: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Boeing Field International Airport (BFI). Direct flights to Seattle are offered by 18 airlines.
Top hotel offers in Seattle
These are current top hotel offers in Seattle. The list is updated automatically when page is refreshed.
Safe travels!