Washington attractions

The Seattle Great Wheel is a can’t-miss icon that speaks to the fun-loving nature of the city’s residents. One of the biggest Ferris wheels in the US, the Seattle Great Wheel features enclosed gondolas that afford spectacular coastal views. It stands above 175 feet (53 meters) and weighs in at more than a quarter of a million pounds.

Seattle’s funky, irreverent, and always colorful Fremont neighborhood is a vibrant place to explore. The area bills itself as the “Center of the Universe,” and it’s a hotbed of interesting landmarks. Visitors stroll along the scenic Ship Canal and grab coffee, artisan chocolate, craft beer, or a full dinner at one of Seattle’s best restaurants.

Often simply referred to as the ID, the Chinatown-International District is the multiethnic center of Seattle’s Asian community. The neighborhood is also one of the city’s oldest, its rich history highlighted by museums, festivals, and cultural centers. Many visitors come for the food—dim sum, banh mi, sushi, and more.

The University of Washington is not only one of the West Coast’s oldest and most prestigious universities, but it is also an idyllic place for Seattle visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Set on the Union Bay waterfront, the campus boasts historic architecture, tranquil gardens, and extensive walking trails.

You can’t miss this colorful shrine to pop culture and creativity. When architect Frank Gehry designed the shimmering exterior, he made one of Seattle’s most eye-catching landmarks. From rock music to science fiction, film, and video games, it’s an immersive experience that includes interactive exhibits and treasured memorabilia.

The Seattle Mariners’ home field at T-Mobile Park (formerly known as Safeco Field) is a shrine to the city’s beloved baseball team. It’s also a Seattle skyline landmark, with seating for nearly 50,000 fans and a retractable roof. Whether you’re watching the Mariners play or touring the stadium, the park is a top pick for baseball lovers.

This picturesque beach on the shore of Elliott Bay runs a narrow 2.5-mile strip between Alki Point and Duwamish Head. Known as the site of the first white settlers in Seattle, its sandy shores attract as many cyclists, joggers and bladers as beachcombers and sun worshipers and storm chasers. Public restrooms, picnic areas, an art studio and bathhouses make it the perfect destination for a day of outdoor fun with family and friends. And impressive views of the Puget Sound and Seattle skyline make it one of the most scenic strips of sand in Washington.

Tiny Waterfall Garden Park, in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, offers a peaceful respite from the surrounding streets, with tables, chairs, and benches that invite a relaxing visit. Planted with trees and flowers native to Japan, the park commemorates the original location of the United Parcel Service.

Fishermen’s Terminal is the home port of most of the North Pacific and Puget Sound fishing boats, many of whom spend several months on the open sea before returning to Seattle. It doesn’t come as a surprise, that one of the main attractions of the terminal is the fresh fish. On big boards, the catch of the day – be it salmon, halibut or crab – is advertised and ready to be taken home and thrown in a pan. But those who can’t wait that long can also get their seafood fix at one of the restaurants right at the port. Chinook’s, Bay Café and the Highliner Pub offer great views of the Fishermen’s Terminal and are also popular hangout spots for the crews.At the very center of Fishermen’s Terminal, hundreds of names are inscribed on a big bronze and stone memorial to commemorate all those who have died at sea and to serve as a reminder of the dangers of commercial fishing. Every month, a memorial service is held and new names are added to the list. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the blessing of the fleet, an annual event held in March at the start of the halibut fishing season or attend the Fishermen’s Fall Festival in September. But even if you’re there on a regular day, a walk on the docks through the rows and rows of moored commercial fishing boats can be very impressive.

With views across the Puget Sound, Cascade Mountains, and Olympic Mountains, 534-acre (216-hectare Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest city park. Tidal beaches here give way to forests, cliffs, and sand dunes, with walking trails throughout. Wildlife ranges from shore birds to seals, and the park’s West Point Lighthouse is a landmark.

The quintessential mode of travel for exploring the islands of Puget Sound, Washington State Ferries offer transportation, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing. Hop on a ferry in Seattle and arrive at one of the many picturesque islands across the bay within an hour—all while avoiding traffic and enjoying Seattle skyline views.

Seattle was a stopover on the rush to find gold in Alaska, and the city grew rich by selling supplies to would-be miners. Discover that wild, short-lived era at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Seattle Unit in Seattle, where documentary films and two floors of exhibits tell the stories of bold explorers from the city’s early days.

Seattle has a long history of aviation innovation. It’s here that the first Boeing aircraft was assembled and the company headquartered for decades. At the Museum of Flight, aircraft enthusiasts can trace the history of aviation from the Wright brothers through modern space exploration and air travel.

Locals flock to Seattle’s Gas Works Park for its grassy hills and steampunk-esque former gas plant structures. Set at the northern end of Lake Union, visitors come to fly kites, picnic, watch sailboat races, and take in skyline views. This National Historic Landmark appeared in the 1999 movie10 Things I Hate About You.

Built atop one of Seattle’s steepest hills, this neighborhood is named for its abundance of Queen Anne–style architecture—charming, well-maintained homes with manicured gardens. In this inviting area you’ll discover leafy staircases, viewpoints, and quaint parks, and at its very top perch restaurants, cafés, and boutiques.

Mount St. Helens’ infamous eruption on the morning of May 18, 1980, punched a 1,300-foot (396-meter) hole in the volcano and sent fire and ash raining down the mountainside. Visitors today can view the mountain’s crater, spot wildlife, see the country’s youngest glacier, and witness the surrounding forest’s recovery.

Comprised of the lands and shores between Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands, Deception Pass is the most visited state park in all of Washington state. Beaches, tide pools, and trails offer access to its seafront areas, and there are also lots of freshwater activity options on the park’s three lakes. Boating, swimming, and fishing are possible in both areas.The park is especially known for its excellent hiking options, with over 30 miles of trails through its scenic wilderness. Horse and bike trails, as well as numerous camping facilities, offer even more ways to enjoy the forested outdoors.Wildlife is also frequently spotted in the many coves and cliffs. Deer, elk, foxes, and otters are often seen, as well as a variety of fish and birds. The iconic Deception Pass Bridge is also worth a visit, seamlessly blending in with its natural surroundings and particularly beautiful at sunset.

Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s most vibrant neighborhoods—and it’s one of contrasts. There’s the quiet, leafy streets sporting mansions and well-manicured lawns, and then there’s a happening restaurant, bar, and nightclub scene at the neighborhood’s center. There’s something for everyone here.

There are a few viewpoints along the road leading from highway I-5 to Mount St. Helens, but the best (and closest to the volcano) is the Johnston Ridge Observatory.The Johnston Ridge Observatory is at the end of State Route 504, and the visitor center overlooks not only the yawning crater of Mount St. Helens but also a huge swath of the blast zone. Exhibits walk visitors through what happened on the morning of May 18, 1980, as well as the scientific history that led up to that enormous eruption. There are trails that begin at the Observatory for day hikes, including a half-mile trail that offers great views into the crater.Johnston Ridge is named for the volcanologist David Johnston, who was surveying changes in Mount St. Helens in May of 1980 when it finally erupted. He was never found.

On a dramatic expanse facing Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle features massive works of art by influential modern artists such as Ellsworth Kelly, Beverly Pepper, Tony Smith, and Richard Serra. In addition to the art, visitors enjoy walking and biking paths, a pocket beach, and picnic areas.

Wraparound windows mean views in every direction from Seattle’s Sky View Observatory, which is perched 73 floors above downtown streets. On clear days, the panorama stretches from Mount Rainier in the south to Mount Baker in the north, with a foreground of skyscrapers and colorful landmarks at the edge of the sparkling Puget Sound.

Located in downtown Seattle, the Seattle Art Museum has a wide-ranging collection, from Native American masterpieces to cutting-edge installations. This Seattle institution, known affectionately as SAM, is a playground for art lovers; temporary exhibitions with creative flair ensure every visit is as fresh as the first.

Sip wine in a French-inspired chateau with lush grounds at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Vineyards, one of Washington’s oldest wineries. Because the award-winning wines are produced with grapes grown across the state, they provide a great introduction to the diversity of Washington terroir, just a short drive from Seattle.

One of the longest lava tubes in North America, the Ape Cave Lava Tube, is in southwest Washington near Mount St. Helens.Ape Cave is in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest south of Mount St. Helens, the Washington volcano that erupted in memorable fashion in May 1980. The lava tube wasn't created by the 1980 blast, however; a logger discovered it in the early 1950s, and local Boy Scouts known as the Apes did the first extensive surveys of the tube before providing the cave its name. It's believed the tubes were formed about 2,000 years ago, but these lava formations are unusual for this part of the world – most volcanoes in the area don't produce the kind of fast-flowing lava that formed the Ape Cave tubes.There are two lava tubes at Ape Cave. The upper tube is larger, although the lower tube is easier to explore. Ape Cave is the longest continuous lava tube in the country at about 2.5 miles in total, and one of the longest on the continent.

A sprawling patchwork of forest, meadows, and beautiful gardens on Bainbridge Island, the 150-acre (60-hectare Bloedel Reserve is a natural haven with views of Puget Sound. Hiking trails wind through woodlands and rolling grass, while the Japanese garden, reflection pool, and moss garden offer quiet spots for contemplation.

Designed to resemble a Bavarian village, the mountain town of Leavenworth attracts visitors with its beer gardens, sausage houses, and adorable—albeit slightly inauthentic—interpretations of traditional German architecture. It's also a major Christmas destination, with a Nutcracker Museum and an annual Christmas market.

Situated under the iconic Space Needle, Seattle’s Pacific Science Center is a museum of delight, wonder, and mystery. Visitors can explore the diversity of life in a tropical butterfly house, gaze at the stars in the planetarium, test their puzzle-solving skills in the Puzzle Palooza, and explore hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Downtown Seattle wraps this scenic bay—part of the larger Puget Sound—with waterfront neighborhoods, parks, and piers by the dozen. It’s the starting point for scenic cruises and the ferries to the San Juan Islands, and a beautiful place to watch sunsets. Not only that, a long list of Seattle attractions are found on the shoreline here.

The award-winning Woodland Park Zoo re-creates savannah, jungle, tropical rain forest, and other exotic landscapes on a 92-acre (37-hectare) campus by Seattle’s Green Lake. Full of furry, feathered, and scaly residents from across the globe, the Woodland Park Zoo is a leader in wildlife conservation and a kid-friendly Seattle attraction.

High-tech exhibits in this free visitor center highlight the foundation’s philanthropic work around the world, with displays on issues including global poverty, infectious disease, and water access. Interactive features let visitors explore the data behind each of these problems, with the chance to brainstorm solutions and create a media campaign.