The 15 Best Downtown Seattle Activities & Things to Do
Seattle is a vibrant city located in Washington State. It is the jewel of the pacific northwest and known for amazing seafood, unique culture and natural beauty. Since the city has so much to do, it can be hard to choose which downtown Seattle activities to prioritize.
I have lived in the Seattle area my entire life. I grew up in a suburb of the city, then went to school at the University of Washington Seattle.
As a lifetime Seattleite, I have spent many weekend exploring the city, playing tourist, and enjoying the fantastic restaurants.
While this list includes some of the main tourist attractions, it also includes some hidden gems. I recommend seeing it all because touristy places are that way for a reason and the local attractions will provide a glimpse into the local culture.
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My Top Three Picks: Things to Do in Seattle
Seattle Underground Walking Tour
✅ Learn the history of downtown Seattle
✅ Explore the underground tunnels of the city
✅ One hour boat tour of Elliott Bay
✅ See the Space Needle and Seattle Great Wheel
What to do In Downtown Seattle
1.Pike Place Market
Yes, the Pike Place Market is super touristy but that is okay! Some Seattle activities are so touristy because they are essential places to visit.
The fun stalls and landmark stores of the market make it a must visit. Some must see places in the market include:
Flying fish– another super touristy attraction but its iconic! Wait around the fish counter for someone to order to see fish flung across the counter.
The Pink Door– this is my favorite restaurant in Seattle. It is delicious Italian food in a unique setting. If dining for lunch, sit out on the patio and admire the views of Puget Sound. If visiting for dinner, plan to see aerial performers while you eat.
Local vendors– there is a stretch of the market with stalls of local artists and farmers. Taste fresh fruit, buy some local crafts, and pick up an affordable and beautiful bouquet.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese– visit this store to see them making the cheese and sample some as well. If you are here during a mealtime or want a good snack, you must get the mac and cheese. It lives up to its name as the “world’s best”.
Wander around and explore different stores- there are a ton of hidden gems in the market and I am always finding new places worth seeing
To visit the market, I recommend taking this chef’s tour or taking a self-guided tour with the help of my complete guide to Pike Place.
2. Tour the Seattle Underground
The Seattle Underground was founded in 1865, when the first settlers arrived in the area. The city was built atop of a gorge that was filled with debris and waste from the nearby logging industry.
As the city grew, an underground network of tunnels was created to house retail stores, saloons, and other businesses. Over time, these tunnels were abandoned and filled with mud until they were rediscovered in 1965.
Since then, tours have been conducted through this mysterious below-ground world. I highly recommend a Seattle Underground tour that is equal parts spooky, historical, and entertaining.
This underground tour is a must-do activity in downtown Seattle. This underground tour covers 4 blocks of the historic Pioneer Square and three different underground tunnels.
Along the tour, you will learn about the history of the city, including the famous fire. You will also hear spooky and comedic stories that makes the tour extremely entertaining.
Check prices and availability to explore Underground Seattle
3. Seattle Harbor Cruise
Since I’ve moved to Arizona, the thing I’ve missed most about Seattle is the water. You cannot beat the view of the Seattle waterfront on a sunny day.
This harbor cruise is only an hour long, but provides views of all the city skyline. It goes around the Elliott Bay area which has views of the Seattle Great Wheel, Space Needle, and most of downtown.
This boat tour is also a great downtown Seattle activity to get off your feet for a bit and relax.
Check prices and availability of this harbor cruise
4. Experience Seattle Coffee Culture
Seattle is a coffee-lovers paradise. I’d say the top two things Seattle is known for are rain and coffee. While rain is a bummer, coffee is delicious!
With numerous cafés, roasteries, and independent coffee shops scattered around the city, Seattle has a thriving coffee culture. The city’s diverse selection of artisanal coffee blends rival some of the best in the world.
From the very first Starbucks to high-quality neighborhood coffee shops, you never need to go far to find a cup of joe.
This Seattle Coffee Culture tour is a great way to learn all about the culture and taste the best varieties. The tour is in the Capital Hill neighborhood, which is a cultural center of Seattle.
You will visit a few neighborhood coffee shops, learn about coffee history, and the brewing process. In addition, the local guide will provide insider tips about the area and answer any of your questions.
Check prices and availability of this coffee tour
5. Ride in a Hot Tub Boat
If you are looking for a unique activity in Seattle, this is for you. You can rent a boat that doubles as a hot tub to cruise around South Lake Union.
The entire boat is a hot tub, so wear your swimsuit. The water is warmed by a wood burning stove on the boat, so it stays warm your entire trip.
I recommend this activity for the summer, fall, or spring. In the winter, it gets too cold, even with the warm water.
6. Visit the Chihuly Garden of Glass
I’m not a huge museum person, but one of my favorites is the Chihuly Garden of Glass, which showcases the glass blown artwork of Dale Chihuly.
There are more than 2,000 pieces of Chihuly’s art throughout the museum, with colors and shapes that are mesmerizing.
The museum also offers interactive activities such as glass blowing and guided tours to give visitors an all-encompassing experience of this unique art form.
7. Explore MoPOP and the Seattle Center
The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is a nonprofit museum in Seattle dedicated to contemporary popular culture.
Founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, MoPOP houses a vast collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the world of music, science fiction, pop culture, movies, television, video games, and others.
The museum offers interactive exhibits like the Sound Lab, where visitors can create their own songs using a variety of instruments.
It also features an extensive array of artifacts from iconic films like Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings as well as a variety of unique educational programs for all ages.
MoPOP is located in the Seattle Center, which has other museums, large parks, and is walking distance to the Space Needle.
8. See the City from Above at the Space Needle
The Space Needle is a Seattle icon, soaring 605 feet into the sky and offering incredible views of the city and its surroundings.
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it has become an intrinsic part of the Seattle skyline and a very popular tourist attraction.
While some say the Space Needle is overrated, I don’t think you can beat the observation deck to take in the breathtaking views of Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and more.
9. City Views from Kerry Park
Kerry park is a small neighborhood park in an area known as Queen Anne. The best part of the park is the stunning view of the city!
I recommend going at night to get a beautiful skyline view including the iconic Space Needle.
Bring a picnic to have a romantic date night or just settle in for sunset. It will be crowded, but you should be able to find space on the grass.
10. Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park, located on the north shore of Lake Union in Seattle, is a 19.-acre public park and the only remaining coal gasification plant in the United States.
It is an open park with two enclosed structures: the remnants of a coal gasification plant that operated from 1906 to 1956, and a storehouse built around 1910.
The site has been preserved as a reminder of Seattle’s industrial past and as a place for visitors to enjoy stunning views of the city skyline.
In addition to its historical significance, Gas Works Park is known for its colorful landscape, featuring large grassy fields, pathways lined with trees, hillsides covered with wildflowers, and artwork installations throughout the park.
11. Explore Capitol Hill Neighborhood
One of my favorite downtown Seattle activities is wandering the eclectic neighborhoods. Capitol Hill is a fun, quirky Seattle neighborhood that will give you a small taste of Seattle culture.
Walk the streets and wander into shops that interest you- you really can’t go wrong!
Swing by Optimism Brewing for some locally brewed beer and fun food truck bites.
12. Go to a Local Sports Game
Good or bad, Seattleites love our sports teams. Depending on which sport is in season, a Mariners, Sounders, Kraken and a Seahawks game are must-do downtown Seattle activities.
Baseball: Although the Mariners aren’t the best team, the tickets are cheap, the stadium is nice, and nothing really beats baseball on a warm day.
Soccer: For a super fun American soccer experience, catch a Sounders game! The crowd is electric, and the team has had a lot of success the past few seasons.
Football: To experience the full power of the 12th man, go to a Seahawks game and be ready to yell loud.
Hockey: Seattle just got a hockey team and a newly renovated arena, if you’re here during hockey season, plan to check out the brand new Seattle Kraken.
13. Wander Discovery Park
Discovery park is just outside of downtown Seattle but will transport you to the outdoors. Follow the various walking paths around the park to see some of the natural beauty that Seattle has to offer.
Make sure to make your way down to the beach for the best views or to the lighthouse for the above iconic picture.
You can also explore the park on a guided electric bike tour
14. See the Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle is a 9-acre public park that is owned by the Seattle Art Museum.
It’s home to works from some of the world’s most acclaimed artists, including Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois, Richard Serra and Henry Moore.
In addition to the artwork, there are also many trails for jogging or walking, picnic areas and public restrooms.
15. Ferry Ride to Bainbridge Island
One of the lesser-known Seattle activities involves getting out of the city. Channel your inner Derek Sheppard (where are my Grey’s Anatomy fans at) and take a ferry boat across the Sound to Bainbridge island.
Board the ferry at the downtown terminal, either in your car, on bike, or on foot. Ferry prices will vary by which transportation method you choose.
While you can try to time the ferry schedule, I recommend arriving at your leisure as the wait time should always be under 45 minutes.
On the boat ride, make sure to go out on the deck and soak in the views. If you have time, wander around the cute town of Bainbridge or wander the beaches.
If you don’t have time, the ferry ride is a fun activity in itself. Look back at the city from the water for some of the best skyline photography in Seattle.
What activities to Skip in Seattle
While there are many great things to do in Seattle Washington, there are some things I recommend skipping. These activities aren’t bad, but there are better ways to spend your time and money.
- Seattle Great Wheel
- Columbia Tower Observation Deck
- Klondike Gold Rush Museum
Best Hotels in Downtown Seattle
Thompson Seattle
- Contemporary luxury hotel with a sleek design and an excellent location near Pike Place Market.
- It features a popular rooftop bar, a high-end restaurant, and well-appointed rooms with modern amenities.
Four Seasons Seattle
- This hotel is known for its prime location on the waterfront, offering stunning views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
- It features upscale accommodations, a spa, a rooftop infinity pool, and a renowned restaurant.
Fairmont Olympic
- Historic luxury hotel in downtown Seattle.
- It boasts classic elegance and a convenient location.
- The hotel offers fine dining, a fitness center, a spa, and opulent rooms.
Summary of the Best Things to Do in Downtown Seattle
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- 21 Incredible Weekend Trips from Seattle (within 5 hours)
- The Best Shops In Pike Place Market: Complete Pike Place Market Guide
- Easy Hikes Near Seattle | Best Western Washington Hikes For Beginners
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