A cultural guide to Seattle
Mountain majesty surrounds a forward-thinking urban center with rich museum and dining scenes, right on the edge of the water
Your essential guide to the best things to see and do in Seattle. Find more travel inspiration for more amazing cities here.
Set along Puget Sound, flanked by the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Olympic Mountains to the west, Seattle sits among breathtaking natural beauty. This eco-conscious city is the cultural hub for the Pacific Northwest and is home to diverse culinary experiences, thrilling sporting events, and captivating museums. Whether you plan to walk the halls of one of its cultural centers or kayak the vast inlet, visitors should begin their day like a true Seattleite—with a light rain jacket in one hand and a soul-warming cup of coffee in the other.
Art & architecture
The Seattle area’s four million residents don’t seem to mind the frequent overcast days, and you probably won’t either, as the city’s famous rains tend to be light and misty. Don a waterproof outer layer and head out for a day of sightseeing, starting with one of the city’s most impressive institutions, the Museum of Pop Culture. Known as MoPOP, the museum was founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (this forward-thinking city is home to both Microsoft and Amazon). The radically creative museum offers immersive experiences and fascinating music memorabilia, plus a Jimi Hendrix exhibition and a Science Fiction & Fantasy Hall of Fame.
When you’re done, head across the street for another uniquely Seattle experience: the Space Needle. Built as a cultural centerpiece for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Futurist-style observation tower has become one of the most iconic landmarks in America. Buy your timed-entry tickets in advance and ride to the top for unparalleled views of the city, the Cascades, the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier. When you’re ready to get your feet back on the ground, make your way over to the Olympic Sculpture Park located along Seattle’s waterfront. This nine-acre, free-admission green space is peppered with contemporary sculptures and artwork—the perfect place for an afternoon stroll or picnic lunch.
Expert tips
The essentials
Fly into Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), known locally as Sea–Tac. Link light rail leaves every 8–10 minutes from the airport to Downtown and takes 38 minutes. Follow the Link light rail signage through the aerial pedestrian walkway. Taxis and rideshares take 20 minutes and can be found on the third level of the parking garage.
Accessibility
All of Seattle’s public transportation services are fully accessible. The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) offers audio guides and verbal descriptions for visually impaired visitors.
Getting around
King County Metro and Sound Transit run the bus, water taxi, and Link light rail systems. Water taxis connect Seattle to nearby islands and offer views of Puget Sound. The all-electric Seattle Streetcar has two lines that run every 10–15 minutes and connect the South Lake Union neighborhood and downtown areas. The Transit GO Ticket app allows passengers to purchase tickets online. Consider purchasing an ORCA card for seamless travel on public transportation. The Seattle Center Monorail runs through Downtown; buy tickets at the kiosk in the station by credit card or contactless payment. To explore Downtown on foot, stroll through Pike Place Market, along the waterfront, and enjoy the views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. The 27-mile Burke–Gilman Trail welcomes walkers, runners, and cyclists as they navigate parks, shorelines, and mountain views.
LGBTQ+
Seattle is a very progressive city and LGBTQ+ folks will feel welcome just about anywhere they go, but for the highest concentration of gay bars and businesses, the Capitol Hill neighborhood just east of Downtown is a great bet. Lively Pride festivities take place in late June and include the Pride in the Park kick-off festival and the city’s signature parade.
Family travel
Seattle is a great place for parents to visit with their kids in tow; lots of areas are perfect for strolling so be prepared to walk. The kids will love the controlled chaos of Pike Place Market and parents should add a few museums to the itinerary. The Seattle Aquarium is sure to delight, and an afternoon on the water for a harbor cruise (we love Argosy Cruises) is the perfect way to see the city skyline.
Food & drink
Perhaps Seattle’s second most iconic landmark is Pike Place Market. No trip is complete without stopping in to peruse the offerings from the small farmers, merchants, and craftspeople manning the stalls inside. Although, of course, you’ll have to beware the hefty fish being tossed about; it’s a tradition at the market that draws dozens of onlookers each time. Be sure to come hungry because there are nearly two-dozen restaurants and bars in Pike Place Market too.
The Pink Door is a favorite for American Italian cuisine, served with a side of cabaret or trapeze (there is no sign for this gem, just look for the dusty pink door on Post Alley). Another good bet: The Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar, beckoning with delicious fresh seafood and stunning views of the sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Outside of the market, Chinatown is a favorite for authentic fare, as well as events like the Seafair Festival parade. Seattle’s dining scene is always evolving with hot-new-thing restaurants popping up all the time—some current favorites include Filipino tasting-menu spot, Archipelago; Off Alley for continental small plates; and Spinasse for regional Italian. Meanwhile, timeless Seattle classics include The Walrus and The Carpenter oyster bar in the trendy Ballard neighborhood; and Canlis, which overlooks Union Lake, for fine dining.
An insider guide to Seattle’s spectacular shoreline
Sports
Interest in professional soccer continues to rise in the U.S., and while big names in Miami tend to hoard the headlines, true soccer lovers know that the best fans are in Seattle. Snag tickets to a Seattle Sounders FC home game anytime from March through October to watch some great soccer and feel the electric energy brought by the Emerald City Supporters club. Seattle does the “other” kind of football well too. Don your green and blue colors and catch a Seattle Seahawks game at Lumen Field. Enjoy a pre-game drink at one of the bars in nearby Pioneer Square.
Music
In the mid-’80s, the city birthed legendary label Sub Pop and big grunge names followed, like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains. The guitar-driven sound—a fusion of punk and metal—dominated American music in the 1990s and ended up leaving a permanent mark on the cultural scene in Seattle and beyond. Fans must visit the Moore Theatre in Belltown where Alice in Chains and Soundgarden recorded live albums, and pick up music-related souvenirs at the Sub Pop Airport Store at Sea–Tac.
Rich in history and Renaissance revival architecture, Pioneer Square is lovingly referred to as Seattle’s “original neighborhood.” It’s also home to the largest concentration of galleries in the city. Check some of them out on a free, self-guided art walk, held every first Thursday of the month. The Arctic Club Seattle and citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square are both great options for a home base in this area and both offer free breakfast.
In the Capitol Hill neighborhood, you’ll find dozens of bars and clubs, killer restaurants, quirky boutiques, vintage shops, and fun museums. Plus, this is the heart of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community. Sonder The Boylston provides the perfect location for exploring the area, while nearby SpringHill Suites is fully wheelchair accessible and offers a free breakfast buffet.
Sarah Driggs and Lindsay Ridenour are the creatives behind Compass + Twine, a luxury family travel blog based in Minneapolis and Houston. Their photos and content have been featured in Travel + Leisure and on CNN Travel, and they regularly contribute to Elevated magazines.
