Sights and landmarks in Seattle

84 sights worth seeing in Seattle: landmarks, galleries, monuments and viewpoints.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 84.

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.
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
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Cal Anderson Park
A very popular park on sunny days. It includes a signature fountain and pond, a basketball court, tennis and softball fields, and a playground. Great for peoplewatching, and you can often see groups of people doing activities varying from hackeysack to drum circles to freeze tag to bike polo to twirling around with colorful scarves.
SeeNorth
Carkeek Park
The century-old trees and surprisingly steep terrain surrounding a small valley give the impression that you're far from the city. Excellent for a walk in the woods. Walkable beach below the train tracks.
6AM-10PM dailyFree
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Chapel of St. Ignatius
A hidden gem, this small campus chapel was described by architect Stephen Holl as "seven bottles of light in a stone box". It is probably the most notable religious building built in Seattle in the last fifty years.
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Chihuly Garden and Glass
This museum provides a look at the inspiration and influences that inform the career of artist Dale Chihuly. The on-site exhibition hall contains eight galleries and three drawing walls, offering visitors a comprehensive look at Chihuly’s significant series of work. The centerpiece of the museum is a glasshouse with a suspended 1,400-piece, 100-foot-long sculpture. Also on the grounds is a lush garden, which serves as a backdrop for four monumental sculptures and other installations.
Mon-Thu 10AM–10PM, Fri-Sun 10AM-11PM; last ticket sold one hour prior to closing; combined tickets with Space Needle available$19 adults, $17 seniors, $12 children, children 3 and under free
SeeSodo-Georgetown
Connections Museum Seattle
Museum of Communications
A museum of antique telephone equipment, although "warehouse" might be a better description than museum, with racks upon racks crammed full of equipment. Many exhibits are kept functional, including mechanical and electronic switches, telephone poles, and antique telephones. Tours take at least an hour, but will go on for 2-3hrs you have strong technical interests and lots of questions. The building itself is still owned by CenturyLink.
Sun 10AM-3PMCash-only $5/adult, $2/child
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
SeeBallard
Edith Macefield "Up" House
Edith Macefield received worldwide attention in 2006 when she turned down an offer of $1 million to sell her house to make way for a five-story commercial development. Instead, the Ballard Blocks project was built surrounding her 108-year-old farmhouse. While production of the film Up, based on a strikingly similar premise, started two years before, Disney acknowledged the story with a promotional tie-in.
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Fishermen's Terminal
Carefully wander the docks (avoiding stepping on ropes or nets) and look at the boats. Many of them sell fresh crab or fish right off of the boat in season. Much of the Alaska crab fishing fleet moors here (or elsewhere in Lake Union) during the off-season, including vessels featured in the long-running Deadliest Catch television series. Visit the Fishermen's Memorial dedicated to all of those who have lost their lives at sea while engaged in commercial fishing.
SeeFremont
Fremont Rocket
A 53' Cold War rocket, improved with neon space blasters and a smoke generator in the engine bay, towers over the corner of N. 35th Street and Evanston Avenue.
SeeFremont
Fremont Troll
Strikingly large (photos generally don't do it justice), the Troll is a concrete statue under the Aurora Bridge clutching a full size Volkswagen Bug in its grip. The statue is notable enough to even gets its own street name - just off of N. 36th Street on Troll Avenue.
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Frye Art Museum
A small private collection of modern art with rotating contemporary exhibitions. Parking is always available and the place is worth a visit.
Tue-Sun 11AM-5PM, Thu 11AM-7PMFree
SeeFremont
Gas Works Park
"Gasworks" is Wallingford's oddly endearing refuge along the north part of Lake Union — prominently featuring the rusting, hulking remains of the city's old gasworks piping and machinery. More conventionally, a solitary bump of a hill offers the ideal spot for kite flying and views across the lake of sailboats, float planes landing, and downtown Seattle at sunset. Generally quiet but exceptionally crowded during the 4th of July for firework shows.
4AM-11:30PM dailyFree
SeePioneer Square-International District
Grand Opera House
Formerly the city's leading theater. Only its exterior survives as the shell of a parking garage.
SeeWest
Hamilton Viewpoint Park
Hamilton Viewpoint Park rests above the beaches of Alki facing downtown Seattle. Located adjacent to the Seacrest Ferry Dock.
4AM-1130PMFree
SeeSodo-Georgetown
Hat & Boots Park
See a 44 ft wide cowboy hat and a 22 ft high boot in this park.
4AM-11:30PM daily
SeeUniversity District
Henry Art Gallery
One of the biggest contemporary art galleries in Washington, The Henry shows well-known contemporary and modern artists of visual media, as well as an annual exhibition of the UW's Master of Fine Arts students.
Thu Fri 11AM-9PM, Sat Sun 11AM-4PM$10 general, $6 seniors, free for UW students and staff, free for everyone on first Thursdays
SeePioneer Square-International District
Hing Hay Park
A small park in the center of Chinatown. Though you're not too likely to see old folks doing tai chi or playing checkers, it still has character.
6AM-10PM
SeeBallard
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Ballard Locks
Linking the freshwater Lake Union and the salt-water Puget Sound across a height difference of 22 feet, the locks allow boats to cross the Lake Washington Ship Canal, relying solely on the force of gravity. A salmon ladder with a viewing gallery allows visitors to witness the salmon migration, which with different species allow for viewing throughout most of the year, but preferably mid to late summer. Adjacent is the Carl S English, Jr Botanical Garden. Guided tours weekdays 1PM and 3PM; weekends 11AM.
7AM-9PMFree
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Skills Park
I-5 Colonnade
Built underneath a section of 12 elevated lanes of Interstate Highway 5, the I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Skills Park consists of several mountain bike skills trails, including novice, intermediate, and advanced sections, a dirt jumping section, pump track, and trials area. Skills classes, organized by the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, are occasionally held at the park.
4AM-11:30PM
SeeSouth
Jefferson Park
Seattle's sixth largest park at 45.2 acres, this park designed by the Olmsted Brothers offers unparalleled views of the Duwamish River, downtown and the Olympic Mountains. It is the home to the Jefferson Park Golf Course, Jefferson Park driving range, Jefferson Skatepark, tennis courts (lighted), basketball courts, the Jefferson Community Center, Jefferson Lawn Bowling, and Beacon Mountain an ecologically oriented playscape with a water park in the summer.
4AM - 11:30PM
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Kerry Park
A photographer's paradise, this is perhaps the most obvious spectacle in Queen Anne. This park affords the quintessential view of Downtown Seattle with the Space Needle in the foreground, and (depending on the weather) Mount Rainier and the Cascades, as well as across the Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island.
6AM-10PM
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
SeeSouth
Kubota Gardens
In 1927 Fujitaro Kubota bought of logged-off swampland in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of Seattle and began his garden. Kubota Garden has since grown into a stunning landscape that blends Japanese garden concepts with native Northwest plants. Kubota was a horticultural pioneer when he began merging Japanese design techniques with North American materials in his display garden in 1927. The Gardens are a spectacular setting of hills and valleys, interlaced with streams, waterfalls, ponds, bridges, and rock outcroppings with a rich array of plant material.
Daily 6AM-10PMFree
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
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Lakeview Cemetery
Incorporated in 1872, Lakeview Cemetery is set on a hillside with views of Lake Union, the Cascades, Lake Washington and the Olympic Mountains. The site holds the final resting places of Seattle's first families, many with diverse backgrounds. Many come to pay tribute at the graves of Bruce Lee and his son Brandon.
Summer 9AM-8PM; spring 9AM-6PM; winter 9AM-4PMFree
SeeWest
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a big, wild park, next to the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock, serving Vashon Island and Southworth. Lincoln Park has lots of walking paths, picnic areas, beautiful trees, and beach. Unlike Alki Beach, it's quite pebbly and full of driftwood. To reach the park: come across the West Seattle Bridge into West Seattle, bear left at the "Y" intersection at Fauntleroy. Stay on Fauntleroy all the way to the park. Follow the signs to the ferries.
4AM-11:30PM dailyFree
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Madison Park
Activities include swimming, bathhouse, restaurants, tennis court (with lights), and great views of the floating bridge and the Cascades. Lifeguards patrol the area during the summer, which creates a safer playground for kids, but it's still a beautiful park to hang out for teens and adults.
4AM-11:30PM
SeeNorth
Maple Leaf Park
This area used to be a reservoir. It is now drained, replaced by a wide open green area locals used for playing, but the water tower is still standing. As it is the highest spot in North Seattle, you can catch a wonderful panorama of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, the Cascades, Lake Washington, and partially blocked Olympic Mountains.
SeeDowntown
Miner's Landing at Pier 57
Named for once being the main departure point during the Seattle gold rush, Miner's Landing now hosts a food court and a variety of gourmet restaurants, a sports merchandise store, a carousel for kids and the Seattle Great Wheel.
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
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Museum of Pop Culture
MoPOP
An excellent pop culture museum housed inside a visually striking building designed by Frank Gehry to "evoke the rock 'n' roll experience", with exhibits on all manner of popular culture: film, television, music, video games, fashion, etc. There's a particular focus on science fiction and Seattle musicians, with a sci-fi hall of fame and exhibits dedicated to Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana. Top-notch special exhibits have included the likes of David Bowie, Star Trek, the Marvel comic and movie universe, and Minecraft. There are many interactive exhibits, but don't expect to get a turn without a long wait. Outside, the large playground is a big hit with kids.
Summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day) 10AM-7PM daily; rest of year 10AM-5PM daily$28 adults, $25 seniors/students, $22 military, $19 youth, children 4 and under free. $2 discount if purchased online. Additional $8 for special exhibit. Outdoor playground free
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
SeePioneer Square-International District
Nihonmachi Alley
Japantown (Nihonmachi) once stretched 20 blocks, but the residents were forced into internment camps during World War II, and Nihonmachi never fully recovered. This alley features murals and exhibits of four landmark businesses that persisted after incarceration.
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.
SeePioneer Square-International District
Occidental Park
This urban park is best known for its four totem poles carved by local artist Duane Pasco. It also has bocce courts, ping pong and foosball tables.
6AM-10PMFree

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