Seattle is like its own planet in the Pacific Northwest. Its gravitational pull is hard to avoid as the biggest city in the region, enticing with a broad selection of outdoor and indoor attractions alongside a vibrant community. I find something new that adds to the sparkle of the Emerald City with every visit, especially in the summer, when the entire city shines after winter’s frequent drizzles.
1. Head to the International District
The International District is to the east of Pioneer Square. It is a very colourful area with lots of Japanese and Chinese shops and restaurants. Check out the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. It’s one of the best things to do here. In this museum, you can learn about the past of Asian immigration. In Washington, Wing Luke was the first Asian American elected figure. The park is named after him.
In the International District, the Seattle Pinball Museum is another fun spot to check out. This interactive museum not only tells the interesting history of these fun gaming items, but it also lets people flick the flippers of many pinball machines. There are also a lot of foreign restaurants and cultural centres in the area around the park.
- Address: 2901 Western Ave, Seattle, Washington
2. Explore the Olympic Sculpture Park
People can visit the Olympic Sculpture Park for free all year long. It is right on the edge of Elliott Bay. The Eye Benches and the Seattle Cloud Cover glass bridge are two of its most interesting works. Many people from and visiting Seattle spend the day in the park, where they can walk around, take pictures, and look at the art pieces.
The park’s setting is just as important as its art. The area changed from a brownfield site that used to be an industrial site to a green place that is good for the environment, has a salmon habitat, and uses eco-friendly methods like collecting rainwater.
Western and Broad Street is where you can enter the park from the inside. The park has a “Z”-shaped walk that leads down to the water. The path goes by the PACCAR Pavilion, which has more art inside. There is a café and window seating in this open community area.
3. Picnic at Volunteer Park
Volunteer Park in the north Capitol Hill neighbourhood has a greenhouse with tropical plants and trees that is over 100 years old. The park also has simple things to see and do, like walking paths, sports facilities, a play area for kids, and picnic areas.
You can just walk around this beautiful park, but if you bring a blanket, you can enjoy a lunch or just relax with a view. In the park, there is an old water tower with a circular ladder that you can climb to get a view of the whole area.
The lush green area also includes the Seattle Asian Art Museum, which is a branch of the larger Seattle Art Museum downtown. The museum has galleries that show art from China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, as well as textiles and decorative arts.
- Address: 1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, Washington
4. Sunbathe on a Seattle Beach
Seattle is surrounded by water on all sides. The west has waves from Elliot Bay and Puget Sound, which are saltwater. The east has waves from Lake Washington, which is freshwater. Although this doesn’t mean that the whole edge of the city is a beach, the water does have some beautiful shorelines to enjoy.
People in the area really like the beaches at Golden Gardens and Carkeek Park on Puget Sound. These two beaches have some of the widest stretches of sand in the city and are popular for all kinds of beach sports. Discovery Park, which is popular all over the world, also has a beach on Puget Sound with sand and a beautiful lighthouse in the middle.
On the east side of Seattle, on Lake Washington, there are also a number of sandy beaches. One of the biggest is Matthews Beach Park in Northeast Seattle. It has a swimming area with lifeguards, a platform for swimming, and lots of grassy areas where you can lie down a blanket.
5. Ride the Seattle Great Wheel
The 175-foot-tall Seattle Great Wheel is a Ferris wheel that is located on Pier 57 on the downtown harbour. It can be seen from the Seattle Aquarium and is only minutes away from Pike Place Market. For many people, taking a revolution is the perfect way to experience downtown.
The Great Wheel turns every day of the week. A trip on the Great Wheel can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how many people are riding. A rotating view of Elliot Bay and downtown keeps the ride interesting during that time. The wheel turns even when it’s raining, but the best time is when the sky is clear.
The Great Wheel is just one part of Pier 57’s Miners Landing. There is also a standard carousel and a one-of-a-kind “flying theatre” called Wings over Washington that people can enjoy. There are also a lot of goods and gifts in the area.
6. Find Fun at the Museum of Pop Culture
One of the best things to do in the Seattle Centre is to visit the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). The building is next to the Space Needle and looks like a flowing, colourful shape. It’s hard to miss when you’re in this busy tourist area.
MoPOP is dedicated to telling the story of modern society over time. There are three floors of exhibits with hundreds of items, such as costumes, guitars, and a never-ending stream of memorabilia. The fixed collection has things about horror films, sci-fi, and the meteoric rise of the grunge band Nirvana in the 1990s, among other things. And new exhibits are often put on show.
You can visit the museum any day. You should plan to spend a few hours looking at the interesting and sometimes interactive displays. The museum also has events all the time, such as movie nights with films from their ever-changing list of ‘100 Horror Films to See Before You Die’.
- Address: 325 5th Avenue N, Seattle, Washington
7. Walk around Green Lake
Green Lake is a lake that is about 260 acres and is north of downtown. The eastern and northern edges of the water are surrounded by a famous residential area with the same name. A 2.8-mile multi-use paved trail goes around the whole lake and connects several places to spend the day.
One of the most famous places to stop is East Green Lake Park. During the warmer months, this beach with sand and lots of green space is full of people. Volleyball, swimming, and just hanging out by the water are all popular things to do at the park. It is also possible to rent boats.
West Green Lake Beach is on the northern shore, across from East Green Lake. It has some of the same amenities as East Green Lake, but on a smaller size. Woodland Park and the Woodland Park Zoo are on the southern end of Green Lake. They are linked by a paved multi-use trail that you can use for many things.
FAQ’s
Q1. Why is the Space Needle a must-visit in Seattle?
The Space Needle is a well-known sign of Seattle, and it offers stunning views of the city and the countryside. People can take the lift to the top and enjoy the SkyCity restaurant and viewing deck with views in all directions.
Q2. What makes Pike Place Market a popular destination?
The famous Pike Place Market has a view of Elliott Bay. It is known for its fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, and handmade goods. People who come can see the famous fish-throwing custom, look around in interesting shops, and eat at a variety of restaurants.
Q3. Why visit Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle?
The stunning glass statues of Dale Chihuly can be seen in the Chihuly Garden and Glass, which is an immersive art experience. The show has rooms inside and a beautiful garden outside with glass installations.
