Historic places in Seattle

31 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Seattle.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

DoWest
Alki Kayak Tours
seasonal guided sea kayak tours for beginners and experts exploring the natural & human history of Elliot Bay and Puget Sound. They also offer a range of rentals along Alki beach – including stand up paddle boards, quad and inline skates, bicycles and fishing boats.
SeeWest
Alki Point Lighthouse
Historic Lighthouse on Alki Point a short walk from Alki Beach sometimes offers public tours but can at be at least partially seen from the road.
DoPioneer Square-International District
Beneath the Streets' Red Light District Tour
An adults-only tour with a focus on the "underside" of underground history: prostitution, gambling, drinking and vice. 18 and older. Tours last 90 minutes.
Thu-Mon 6:30PM$22
SeeUniversity District
Burke Museum
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Washington's oldest and largest natural history museum. In addition to exhibits on evolution and dinosaur skeletons, there is an emphasis on native peoples of the Northwest Coast, local ecosystems and windows into the day-to-day work of researchers. Most galleries have non-linear arrangements that reward wandering to whatever catches your eye. Highlights include colorful contemporary and historic crafts from Native artists, a well-preserved T. rex skull and the only dinosaur fossil found in Washington.
Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM, first Thu of each month 10AM-8PM$24 general, $22 seniors, $16 students and youth, children 3 and under free, free for everyone first Thursday of every month
DoQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Climate Pledge Arena
The region's largest sports arena is home to the NHL's Seattle Kraken, the WNBA's Seattle Storm, and college men's basketball games of the Seattle Redhawks (Seattle University), as well as a major concert venue. It was built for the 1962 World's Fair. The arena's interior was completely gutted and rebuilt for the Kraken, but its original exterior remains intact, maintaining its historic listing. Tours not available; if you want to see the inside, you have to attend an event.
BuySouth
Columbia City Farmer’s Market
Over 40 Washington State farmers and small food vendors make this market a popular weekly destination; market days are full of the colors and sounds of shoppers from around the world who live and work in this historic neighborhood.
Wed 3-7PM, May 1-October 16
DrinkDowntown
Diller's Room
Classic cocktail bar with a historic vibe and extensive drink selection. Happy hour is from 4PM to 6PM with $1 off drinks and $12 pizza.
Daily 2PM-2AM
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Discovery Park
The largest park in the city can be thought of as Seattle's unofficial central park given its huge, somewhat secluded nature, with a number of trails that meander through the green forests down to the lighthouse at the beach. Discovery Park used to be an army installation called Fort Lawton, and several of the fort's buildings remain. The park features the highest point in the city and wildlife you don't typically find in a large city. A visitors' center with information about the wildlife living in the park and the best trails to hike are in the center of the park. The visitor center is closed until summer 2027.
4ː30AM-11PM
BuySodo-Georgetown
Filson Flagship Store
On the 2nd floor of the headquarters building. The 6,500-square-foot store features historic artifacts from Pacific Northwest industry and limited-edition items not available anywhere else.
EatPioneer Square-International District
Fort St. George
A restaurant/bar that serves homey Japanese food and pseudo-Western Japanese dishes like spaghetti with cod roe and curry rice. Popular with exchange students and occasional Seattle Mariners.
Sun-Thu 11:30AM-midnight, Fri Sat 11:30AM-1AM
BuyUniversity District
Gargoyles Statuary
A unique shopping experience for Gothic or history buffs, this store is replete with atmosphere and has one of the most creative product displays in the area. Authentic replicas of medieval, Romanesque and Gothic statuary peak out at you from all corners of this shop while ambient strains of Gregorian chant or 'Dead Can Dance' play over the store's sound system.
SeePioneer Square-International District
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park - Seattle Unit
A key attraction in the Pioneer Square area, this is the Seattle branch of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the remainder of which is in Alaska. The site highlights the city's key role as the "Gateway to the Gold Fields" for most of the Klondike stampeders of 1897-1898. National Park Service Rangers and volunteers staff the museum and can provide information and perspective not only on the gold rush but also on Seattle's past. The museum contains many artifacts and historical photographs related to the Gold Rush, and movies about the gold rush and Seattle's history are shown upon request (except in summer, when they're shown on a regular schedule). Rangers also conduct free walking tours of the Pioneer Square area in the summer and demonstrate gold panning to school groups.
Daily 9AM-5PM except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's DayFree
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Lake Union Park
Home to the Center for Wooden Boats and the Museum of History and Industry. Spray park open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
4AM-11ː30PM
DoSodo-Georgetown
Lumen Field
Home to Seattle's beloved Seahawks American football team since 2002 and Sounders soccer club, plus the women's soccer club Seattle Reign, Lumen Field is an impressive open air sports arena with great views beyond the goal posts. It was also host to 6 matches during the 2026 World Cup. The stadium itself is notorious for being deafening while the so-called 12th Man cheers for the Seahawks. If you can't make it to the game, you can join a tour to see a glance of the history of the teams that call the spot home. Tours are held Fridays and Saturdays at 12:30PM and 2:30PM for $12, $5 for child ages 4-12, $8 ages 65+.
SeeSodo-Georgetown
Museum of Flight
A massive air and space museum, near the original Boeing factory. The museum consists of an indoor area that is further divided into the history, jet age, airport operations, and space travel, and an outdoor section where you can sneak inside retired airplanes. The collection includes 131 aircraft and spacecraft ranging from wood and fabric crates to the SR-71, Space Shuttle Trainer, a retired Air-Force One and a Concorde. It's arguably better than even the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum in the other Washington. Tours to the vicinity of the airport inside a van are available, but most spots do not allow cameras for security purposes! The Museum offers a large educational outreach program including weekend family workshops, the Aerospace Camp Experience (ACE) summer day camp, and an aviation high school.
Daily 10AM to 5PM except 1st Thu of month 10AM to 9PM$20 adults, $12 youth (5-17), children (4 and under) free, $17 active military and seniors (65+). Lower fares available for groups of more than 10 people. Free on first Thursday of the month from 5PM until 9PM
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Museum of History and Industry
MOHAI
The museum focuses on the history of Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region, with exhibitions focusing on the maritime history of the city and the rise of the region's technology industry, as well as a set of changing exhibits.
Daily 10AM–5PM, Thursdays until 8PM$25 adults, $20 seniors, children under 14 free; free first Thursday of the month
SeeBallard
National Nordic Museum
Documents the history of Scandinavian immigration to Seattle, with rotating art exhibits and a permanent collection of historical artifacts. Julefest includes discounted admission and a Christmas market.
Tue–Sun 10AM–5PM$20 adults, $16 seniors, $15 college students, $10 children above 5 yrs, under 5 free
SeeSouth
Northwest African American Museum
Short but powerful museum on the history of Blacks in the Northwest.
Wed 11AM-5PM, Thu 11AM-7PM, Fri-Sun 11AM-5PM$7 adult, $5 children 4-12, students, seniors; free the first Thursday of every month
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Northwest Nikkei Museum
Japanese Cultural Community Center of Washington
Small exhibits relating to the history of nikkei (Japanese immigrants) in the Pacific Northwest.
Mon-Fri 10AM-5PMFree
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Northwest Seaport/Maritime Heritage Center
Home to a number of historic ships, including a schooner, a tugboat, a fireboat, a lightship, a steamer, and several others.
DrinkPioneer Square-International District
Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee House
The result of a unique renovation, Panama Hotel is both a teahouse and historical museum. Fine tea connoisseurs appreciate the wide selection of quality teas. The Panama Hotel once housed the personal belongings of interned Japanese Americans who had to sell their homes and abandon their businesses. The belongings that were never claimed, including pieces of furniture and a piano, are on display here.
BuySodo-Georgetown
RE∙PC
Used computers and electronics. With a wide and ever-changing selection that includes vintage oscilloscopes and audio amplifiers, modern high-powered servers and network routers, and accessories like printers, piano keyboards, and joysticks, geeks may have a hard time walking out empty-handed. Everything is well organized, so you can easily find any cables or components you're looking for. A small free museum showcases computers that were exceptional and pivotal in the history of computer technology.
Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM
SeePioneer Square-International District
Smith Tower
Built in 1914, the Smith Tower was Seattle's first skyscraper, and the tallest building on the West Coast for nearly half a century before being overtaken by the Space Needle. Uniformed attendants operate the old copper and brass elevators from which you can peer into the different floors and offices as you ascend, an experience most people today have probably only witnessed in old movies. The outdoor Observatory on the 35th floor wraps completely around the four sides of the tower, providing panoramic views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, including Mt. Rainier, as well as of Elliott Bay, Downtown Seattle, and Pioneer Square. The interior of the 35th floor contains a speakeasy-themed bar, formerly known as the Chinese Room for its ornately carved ceiling and a number of decorative flourishes imported from China in the early 20th century. There is an excellent 45 minute guided tour with a very knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide (separate admission fee) about Seattle's history from the 1920s and beyond that is available. Also, there is an excellent independent coffee shop (Caffe Vita) in the Smith Tower (hours M–F: 7AM-5PM, Sa–Su: 8AM–3PM). Washington state residents can get admission for only $18 (with Washington state ID) and after 4pm Monday to Thursday admission is available to all for only $18 to the observation deck and bar only (museum not included for this price).
Mon-Wed Noon-7PM, Thu and Sun Noon-8PM, Fri and Sat Noon-9PMSelf tour and observatory: adults $27, seniors/military $24, students/children 5-13 $21, under 5 Free, locals with Washington state ID $18. Guided 45 minute tour is additional
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
South Lake Union Discovery Center
An introduction to the neighborhood, with displays explaining the history of South Lake Union. There is also a model of the whole neighborhood in the building.
11AM-6PM daily
EatDowntown
The 5 Point Cafe
Seattle's oldest restaurant, serving huge portions of American comfort food since 1929. The full menu is served 24 hours every day. Full bar with stiff drinks, over 25 local beers and liquors. Great jukebox and an eclectic mix of regulars and locals, tourists, politicians, young hipsters, freaks and grouchy old men. Free wifi. Outdoor seating. This is a true piece of Seattle history not to be missed.
24 hours
EatBallard
The Walrus and The Carpenter
Excellent oyster bar in a restored historic building. No reservations; the wait is often 1-2 hours unless you get there very early. The adjacent Barnacle bar is a great place to wait while sipping Italian aperitif cocktails and antipasti.
Daily 4-10PM
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Water Tower
The 1906 tower at the highest point of Capitol Hill has an observation deck at the top, with views from the Cascades to the Olympics interspersed with a series of panels explaining the history of Seattle's Olmsted-designed park system. The views are somewhat obstructed by metal grates, but the clever photographer can work around them. No elevator - the only way up is the staircase wound around the water tank, seven stories high.
10AM-sunsetFree
SeePioneer Square-International District
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
The Wing
The first Smithsonian affiliate in the Pacific Northwest, this museum features exhibits and programs related to pan-Asian American art, history, and culture. Admission includes a first-come-first-served guided tour of the preserved rooms in its historic 1910 building: an import grocery store, rooms of a hotel and a Chinese family association (allow 45-60 minutes). Neighborhood walking tours are also offered on weekends. Bruce Lee fans will enjoy the exhibits of his personal items. They are open until 8PM on the first Thursday of the month.
Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM$25/adult, $22/senior, $18/students, $15/child
Do Not mapped
Argosy Cruises
Boat tour company with special dinner and sightseeing cruises. The most common tour is the hour-long Harbor Cruise on Elliott Bay, which offers excellent views of the Space Needle, Downtown skyline, freight harbor, and usually some sea lions, with a barrage of informative commentary about local history or interesting ships or cargo passing through that day. The Locks Cruise is a 2-hour one-way trip (in alternating directions) through the locks separating Elliot Bay and Lake Union, with an optional bus ride if you prefer a round trip. Seasonal cruises include the Summer Views Cruise with a sunset on Puget Sound, and Husky Football Cruises on Lake Washington before the games. Most cruises offer a decent full-service bar with large drinks and some snacks.
Cruise schedule varies by season. Ticket booth: Daily 10AM-4:05PMHarbor cruise $30.50. Locks cruise $42.50, bus connection $5 additional. Discounts for kids 4-12 and seniors
DoSodo-Georgetown Not mapped
Georgetown Art Attack
Local artisans present a stellar array of visual and performing arts throughout the historic industrial arts corridor. Featured studios include the Georgetown Arts and Cultural Center, Vecta Photo, the Georgetown Atelier, Nautilus Studio, Krab Jab Studios, and Tenaya Sims.
Every second Sat of the month, 6-9PM
EatDowntown
Palace Kitchen
Tom Douglas' upscale saloon is a hit any time of day.
Daily 4:30PM-1AM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Seattle (CC BY-SA 4.0).