Seattle, Washington may not be as rainy as its reputation would have you believe—in fact, it doesn’t even make the top 10 rainiest cities in the US—but this gorgeous port town has plenty to offer. Whether you’re hoping to commune with nature in the Pacific Northwest or sample the finest coffees the city that Starbucks calls home has to offer, Seattle will serve up some mossy, caffeinated realness that keeps you coming back for more. Keep reading for a list of some of the best things to see while you’re in the Emerald City.
Museum Of Flight
The Museum of Flight is a great place to visit if you or your family are interested in aviation. The museum offers guided tours during which you’re able to get up close and personal with planes from different eras of aviation. Some planes you might encounter include the first primitive glider that was developed by the Wright Brothers and also the first ever “Air Force One”. You’ll want to give yourself at least two or three hours to explore, as this museum is spacious. The admission to the museum is a reasonable $19 for adults and just $11 for kids aged 5-17.
Washington Park Arboretum
The Washington Park Arboretum is a perfect destination if you’re hoping to spend a little time in nature but don’t have time to leave the city for a hike in the surrounding mountain ranges. With over four thousand species of plants and trees, the Arboretum offers visitors the option of strolling along the gently winding paths or even canoeing amongst the water lilies and local waterfowl.
The park is roughly two-hundred acres, so an hour or two is plenty of time to see the park without missing anything. Have a little extra time? At the southern end of the Arboretum is the charming Seattle Japanese Garden complete with gorgeous Japanese Maples and ponds full of placid koi fish.
CenturyLink Field
Football fans will love a visit to this stadium just south of Downtown Seattle: it’s the home field to Superbowl Champions the Seattle Seahawks. If you’re lucky enough to be in town during football season, grab a ticket to see the Seahawks in action and join in the fun. If there’s no game during your stay, you can still arrange for a guided two-hour tour of the stadium. You’ll even be able to go on the field itself!
Woodland Park Zoo
If you have young kids they would be delighted by a visit to the Woodland Park Zoo. The zoo is situated over ninety-two acres, and it features over a thousand animals and over three hundred species. Some of the animals you’ll get to see playing, eating and resting are flamingos, black bears, penguins, elephants and even gorillas.
There are even bird shows with a trained handler who will show falcons and other birds of prey as they fly, simulate hunting, and come to rest on the handler’s arm. Strollers are available to rent and there are plenty of dining options both inside the zoo and in the charming Phinney Ridge neighborhood surrounding it.
Smith Tower Chinese Room & Observation Deck
If you’re looking for a glimpse of Seattle history (and for a stellar view of the entire city), then you should definitely check out the view from the Smith Tower’s Observation Deck. You’ll be able to see the gorgeous Olympic Mountains across the Puget Sound, Downtown Seattle’s gorgeous skyline, Mount Rainier to the south, and more from high atop this historical skyscraper. For architecture enthusiasts, the 35th floor plays home to the Chinese room and it is not to be missed. Take a ride in the same gleaming, still-operating elevators originally installed in Seattle’s first major skyscraper!
No matter how much time you have to spend in Seattle, you’ll find something charming and unique that excites you.