The ultimate guide to exploring Seattle

A complete guide to the city of Seattle

Created in partnership with Visit Seattle

Planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest? No doubt Seattle, Washington’s largest city, is on your itinerary. But what should you do when you get there? This guide to the best of Seattle leads you through the Emerald City's most spectacular outdoor experiences, from the peaks of Mount Rainier to the cascades of Snoqualmie Falls and the wide-open beauty of Puget Sound. If you’re not such an outdoorsy type, a three-day Seattle itinerary will whisk you around the city’s landmarks and cultural, food, and sporting highlights in one long weekend.

Picture yourself standing atop the tallest volcano in the contiguous United States or the sky-piercing Space Needle. Uncovering pop art masterpieces at MoPOP and centuries-old works at the Seattle Art Museum or exploring space and science at the Pacific Science Center. Hearing the roar of Kraken fans as Seattle’s ice hockey team scores at the Climate Pledge Arena. Or soaking up the atmosphere and flavors of Pike Place Market and eating your way around the world without leaving the zip code. In Seattle, you can do it all.

"The food scene is a big draw, and a weekend of foodie exploration is as exciting as visiting any of Seattle‘s landmarks. That said, you can’t skip a trip to the top of the iconic Space Needle for 360-degree views from 520 feet."

Have fun with these 13 activities to do in summer in Seattle

You may already know that Seattle is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., with historic landmarks and trendy neighborhoods galore. Though Seattle can’t escape its identity as a rainy Pacific Northwest metropolis, Seattle in summer is a time for outdoor activities, Puget Sound cruises, and beach days.Come June, Seattleites dawn on their SPF and head to spots like Alki Beach, Discovery Park, Lake Union, and Pike Place for their fix of warm weather fun. The rain-free forecast also means better sightseeing opportunities. Take advantage of this guide to 13 fun things to do in Seattle in summer to enjoy the city during its sunniest days.

Seattle’s 15 unmissable landmarks and historical sights

Reach for the stars at the Space Needle, take a selfie with the Fremont Troll, or explore Olympic Sculpture Park — Seattle is packed full of historical, natural, and architectural landmarks that are worth seeing. Getting to the heart of Seattle means appreciating its most important landmarks.Riding around the Seattle Great Wheel and shopping for local crafts at Pike Place Market is only scratching the surface of what makes Seattle Seattle. If you’re planning a sightseeing day or you’re in need of new ideas of what to see, use this local guide to 15 of the best landmarks in Seattle to get started.

Sleepless in Seattle: 13 things to do in Seattle at night

As the sun sets over the Emerald City, a new side of Seattle comes alive, inviting you to explore a host of nocturnal delights. Uncover the city’s spookier side on a tour of the dim passages that lurk beneath Pioneer Square, or see the stars from the top of the Space Needle, one of Seattle’s top landmarks.The beauty of Seattle is that you can do many of the same things you do in the day in the evening and have a totally different experience. This guide to the best things to do in Seattle at night is your express ticket to a fun night on the town, whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor.