Sightseeing In Seattle: Museums, Tours And Other Must Sees

There's plenty to see and do in Seattle. Whether you're from out of town, or a Seattle native, be sure to check out the many sights and attractions listed below:

Burke Museum - A rumbling volcano, real dinosaur skeletons, and a stunning collection of Northwest Coast ceremonial masks await you. Get up-close to an Ice Age mastodon and a tantalizing array of prehistoric artifacts. [On the University of Washington campus (NE Seattle)]

Center for Wooden Boats - A hands-on maritime museum. Watch master craftsmen at work and visit the collection of nearly 100 handcrafted, historic, restored wooden boats. Go for a row or a sail. [South Lake Union]

Chinatown Tour - Discover Seattle's Chinatown. Unique, historical, educational and fun! Tours available with a 6-course Dim Sum lunch, 8-course Chinese banquet, or without meals. [Downtown (International District)]

EMP (Experience Music Project) - Interactive music museum, exploring modern music from it's roots to the present day, with an emphasis on Rock and Roll. [Seattle Center]

Fishermen's Terminal - See the Northwest Fishing Fleet and buy fresh salmon and halibut right off the boat. Several shops including (what else?) seafood and Northwest handicrafts. 2 excellent seafood restaurants. [Northwest Seattle]

Gas Works Park - Formerly the site of a natural gas plant, which is now retired, and brightly painted. Great views of Lake Union and downtown Seattle. Popular site for picnicking and kite flying. Check out the mysterious sun dial at the top of the mound.

Golden Gardens - Popular beach park. Picnicking, people & boat watching, swimming (in the summer). Great place to watch the sun set over the Olympic Mountains.

(The) Locks - Officially called The Hiram M Chittenden Locks, but locally called just "The Locks". These 2 locks (1 large and 1 small) allow for boats and ships to travel from Puget Sound (salt water) to Lake Washington (fresh water), and traverse a height difference of 21 feet. Go face-to-face with Salmon in the windowed fish ladder. [Northwest Seattle]

Museum of Flight - 54 vintage to current airplanes and jet fighters. Visit the "Red Barn", the birthplace of the Boeing Company. Fascinating and educational! [South Seattle]

Museum of History and Industry - Journey back into Seattle's past with an amazing assortment of artifacts, photos and fun activities. [Near University District (NE Seattle)]

Pacific Science Center - Hands-on science exhibits, educational programs, planetarium, laser light shows and 2 IMAX theaters. [Seattle Center]

Pike Place Market - World famous. Fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, crafts...all sold by the producers. Lots of cool little shops on the lower levels. Restaurants. [Downtown]

Seattle Aquarium - View more than 350 species of animals and plants living in Puget Sound. Hands-on tidepool. Sea otters and giant Pacific octopus. Underwater dome. [On the waterfront, downtown Seattle]

Seattle Art Museum - Fine and ancient art. Traveling exhibits. [Downtown Seattle]

Seattle Center Monorail - Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Monorail travels from the Seattle Center to the Westlake Mall.

Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum - Gangsters, gumshoes and gambling are some of the exhibits featured here. Also, learn about Seattle's notorious history, infamous criminals, weaponry and more! [Downtown Seattle]

Seattle Underground Tour - Visit streets and storefronts that were abandoned in 1907 after the Great Fire of 1889. [Downtown, Pioneer Square]

Space Needle - 605 feet tall, casual or elegant dining, observation deck...Seattle's most famous landmark...built for the 1962 World's Fair. [Seattle Center]

Waterfront Streetcars - These run the full length of Seattle's Waterfront to the International District (Chinatown). [Downtown]

Woodland Park Zoo - 92 acre park featuring over 300 animal species! Visit the Trail of Vines, Northern Trail, Tropical Rain Forest, Elephant Forest and the African Savanna. The adjacent Rose Garden has 260 different varieties. [North Seattle]

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop - This is a "MUST SEE"! One of the coolest places to visit in Seattle! See Sylvester and Sylvia, 2 petrified mummies...shrunken heads...old time music machines...a mermaid..and many, many more oddities. [On the waterfront, downtown Seattle]

Downtown Seattle Skyline

Scenic View Spots - Here are some of the best, and certainly the most well known, spots to photograph downtown Seattle from:

Alki Beach [map] in West Seattle not only has a great view of downtown Seattle, but also of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. It's a great place to take shots of the Ferries.

Gasworks Park [info & map] in Northeast Seattle has a view of downtown Seattle across Lake Union. Great place to watch the sailboats, kayakers and people flying kites.

Jose Rizal Park [map] on North Beacon Hill has a great view from the South of downtown Seattle overlooking I-5. This is a popular spot for local TV stations to do news from.

Kerry Park (W Highland Drive, between 2nd Ave W and 3rd Ave W, just off of Queen Anne Ave N) on Queen Anne Hill [map] is likely the most photographed from spot in Seattle. The view (see photo above) is an incredible 180° from Capitol Hill to Puget Sound.

Space Needle - The 360° view from the observation deck is truly unsurpassed. Stay and have a light snack, or a full meal.

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