Being a tourist in Seattle means that you will never be bored, if you’re doing it right. Seattle is one of those great cities that has something for everyone. If you are visiting the PNW for the weekend or a life long resident, these are the best things to see in the Emerald City.
You need to see the space needle at least once. This iconic symbol of Seattle was build in 1962 for the World’s Fair and has the best view of the entire city. Plus, the needle had a recent face lift and now has a glass floor. See the city from a bird’s eye view; just be warned the elevator ride up is not the fainthearted.
Pay tribute to some of the greatest art exhibits at SAM. The museum is a great way to get in touch with you inner art critique on a drizzly, gray day and catch one of the exhibits that are on rotation. You can view collections such as modern and contemporary, African, Meso-American, Ancient Mediterranean, Islamic, European, Oceanic and Australian Aboriginal, Asian, American, and decorative arts.
Another iconic Seattle toursty activity is the Pikes Place, and it lives up to the hype. Local venters sell everything from hand made jewelry to flowers. Grab some cider donuts and watch the fish venders throw the fish across the aisle. Don’t forget to go down to the lower levels and explore all the trinket shops below.
It’s sticky, it’s germy, and its covered in gum. Local legend has it that the small theater located on this street asked its audience not to chew gum in the theater, so the disgruntled guests stuck their gum on the wall outside. It’s an odd way to start a tourist location, but Seattle is not your typical city. Take a picture with it, careful stick some gum on it, but for the love of God, do not touch it.
Chinatown is one of the coolest places to go wonder around. If you are craving some bubble tea or some authentic hun boas, head down to the touristy part of Seattle’s international district. Also, make sure you stop by Uwajimaya, which is a large supermarket with a food court and gift shop with many Studio Ghibli souvenirs.
Head across the bridge over to the U district to go shopping through a slew of unique stores. Shop anywhere from vintage boutiques to many authentic, hole in the wall eateries. You could also head up the UW campus to stroll through the cherry trees in the court yard.
Some of the best views of Seattle are from the notorious Puget Sound Ferries that run to the little island’s and into the peninsula. Grab a ferry and see Seattle from the water view with the green and mountains behind it in all its beauty. This will also allow you to venture into a small port town (if you choose to step off when the ferry docks) and see some of the niche shops and grab a bite to eat.
See the creatures that live in the PNW Sound up close and personal. This aquarium, located down on the pier, encompass the Seattle spirit of educate and preserve as you can view the sea life swirl through the kelp and rocky bottoms. Make sure to see if you can stop by when they are throwing one of their many events from Deaf Community Day to Adult Swim, which is a 21+ event that serves drinks and has a live DJ.
One of the newest structures in Seattles Belltown area are the Amazon Rainforest spheres, which are giant glass spheres had hold up to 40 different kind of species of plants. Although designed for meeting spaces, the spheres can be visited on a public day. Grab lunch from one of the many different restaurants surrounding this area and spend a relaxing afternoon in one of the futuristic spheres.
Capitol Hill is one of those places that truly captures the young heart of Seattle. This district of Seattle has a great mix of bar, restaurant, coffee shops and niche small stores. Grab a cup of coffee from Victrola Roasters and visit the Jimmy Hendrix statue up on Broadway. However, the best time to experience Capitol Hill is in the nightlife. Choose from a variety of unique bars and feel right at home in the nightlife.
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