Nicknamed the “Emerald City” due to its lush evergreen trees and year-round greenery, Seattle, Washington is a culturally engaging city beloved by long-time residents and visitors alike. For at least 4,000 years before European settlers arrived in the early 1850s, the area that is today Seattle was populated by the Indigenous Duwamish and Suquamish peoples. Despite its reputation for foliage, Seattle actually receives less rain annually than New York and Houston, but the many parks and outdoor spaces throughout the urban area are home to natural wonders not found in other modern cities. Today, Seattle consistently ranks as one of the most literate cities in the U.S., largely since a high percentage of its residents holds college degrees. Major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing have centralized hubs in Seattle. From massive skyscrapers to protected forest parks, Seattle has plenty to do and see for visitors of all stripes. Book travel with Gray Line Worldwide and create the Seattle vacation of your dreams!
Tour Expert, Gray Line Seattle
Constructed in just 400 days, the Space Needle was built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, which was themed “Man in the Space Age.” Standing at 605 feet tall, the Space Needle was the tallest building in the U.S. west of the Mississippi River at the time of its completion. Its design was inspired by a German radio tower and combines imagery of a flying saucer and giant balloon. Designed to withstand earthquakes of up to 9.0 magnitude and winds up to 200 miles per hour, the Space Needle plays host to spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks shows and over 60 million visitors since its opening. Visitors can ascend to the observation deck – located at a height of 520 feet overlooking downtown Seattle – in 41 seconds via one of the building’s elevators capable of hitting 10 miles per hour. In 2018, the Space Needle unveiled the Loupe, the world’s first revolving glass floor that allows guests to look down over the city while rotating.
Officially opening in 1907, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously operating public farmers’ markets in the United States. It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and spans over nine acres with multiple levels. Attracting more than 10 million annual visitors, the market is the most popular tourist destination in Seattle and home to over 220 independently owned shops, including artisans, craftspeople, and food vendors. Local farmers and cultivators can sell their produce directly to consumers, and about 500 people actually live in residential homes within the market itself. One of the more famous elements of Pike Place Market include fishmongers throwing fish to each other as part of the shopping experience, a tradition originally birthed out of convenience and elevated to a modern-day artform.
Located at Seattle Center right next to the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum opened in 2012. Featuring a Glasshouse, the museum was designed to resemble a conservatory inspired by historic buildings like Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and the Crystal Palace in London. The Chihuly Museum is dedicated to works by Dale Chihuly, an artist born in Washington and heavily influenced by his home state. Inside the Glasshouse, there is a centerpiece installation that is 100 feet long with over 1,340 individual pieces. The museum features eight galleries that showcase various themes like the Glass Forest, Pacific Sun, and Persian Ceiling. The outdoor section of the museum is home to a green garden that integrates Chihuly’s sculptures with the natural landscape. Visitors can attend glassblowing demonstrations and order food and drinks from the on-site bar.
Lake Union is a freshwater lake located entirely within the city of Seattle. The lake’s basin was created approximately 12,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, and its contours span about 600 acres. For generations, Lake Union served as a summer fishing ground for the Duwamish tribe. During the 19th century, however, it experienced significant industrial run-off and overuse until reclamation efforts commenced several decades later. Lake Union connects to Lake Washington via the Montlake Cut and flows into Puget Sound through Fremont Cut and the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Modern-day visitors can explore Gas Works Park, Lake Union Park, and the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) along its shores. Water lovers can take advantage of the many rental establishments nearby and spend time boating, jet skiing, or kayaking on the lake.
Opening in 1977, the Seattle Aquarium is situated on Pier 59 of the Elliott Bay waterfront, which makes it directly accessible to visitors in the area. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Seattle Aquarium attracts over 800,000 guests each year and educates approximately 50,000 students through hands-on programs. The aquarium features six major exhibits across its three main buildings, which include Pier 59, Pier 60, and the Ocean Pavilion. Opened in 2024, the Ocean Pavilion houses a 325,000-gallon tank that showcases delicate reef ecosystems. Popular things to do in the aquarium include the Window on Washington Waters (a 120,000-gallon tank simulating the coastal waters of Washington), Crashing Waves (an exhibit that replicates the intertidal zones of Washington shores), and Life on the Edge (interactive touch pools with marine life). The Underwater Dome is a particular highlight as it gives visitors a 360-degree view of Puget Sound marine life and fish species.
When you first view the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), you’ll likely be in awe of the building’s undulating metallic facade that resembles an electric guitar. Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, the exterior is just the first step into a journey through this cultural treasure house. With collections of artifacts relating to popular music’s history, the museum has memorabilia and clothing from Jimi Hendrix and the members of Nirvana (among many other famous musicians). Stand-out exhibits include Contact High (a visual history of hip hop), Hidden Worlds (dedicated to films produced by Laika, including “Coraline”), and Fantasy Worlds of Myth and Magic (an immersive display that shows beloved films like “The Princess Bride”).
Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest public park and spans 534 acres on the shores of Puget Sound. Accessible via the Magnolia neighborhood, this park is filled with diverse landscapes, including forests, beaches, and meadows. Originally, the land was used for Fort Lawton, a U.S. Army facility established in the late 1800s. After World War II, local residents advocated for the area’s transfer to the City of Seattle and formally opened what is now Discovery Park in 1972. The landscape got its name from Captain George Vancouver’s ship – the HMS Discovery – which explored Puget Sound in 1792. Follow your feet along the park’s 11.81 miles of trail, make a stop at the Visitor Center, or just enjoy the great outdoors.
Pioneer Square is generally recognized as Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Established in 1852, the area experienced massive destruction during the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. As a result, the district was rebuilt so that its streets were raised and buildings were above the typical floodline. The original storefronts transformed into basement levels, which created a mysterious underground system for souls willing to brave it. Plan a guided tour of the underground and get humorous and spooky insight alike into Seattle’s storied past.
Officially known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, the Ballard Locks were constructed between 1911 and 1917. The locks were designed to connect Lake Union and Lake Washington to the Puget Sound via a canal. This significant engineering feat allowed boats to navigate between freshwater and saltwater systems while managing water levels. Today, the locks are recognized as one of the busiest in the United States and facilitate the transit of approximately 40,000 vessels annually. Check out the Visitor Center and Museum to learn more about the locks’ history and participate in immersive activities.
Underneath Seattle’s Aurora Bridge sits the Fremont Troll, a sculpture created in 1990 by Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter, and Ross Whitehead. The troll is made of concrete, weighs about 13,000 pounds, and stands 18 feet tall. Famously depicted clutching a real Volkswagen Beetle with a California license plate, this monument was designed as part of an art competition held by the Fremont Arts Council. Its intended goal was to transform a littered and neglected area beneath the bridge into a whimsical haven for the arts. As a cultural icon of Seattle, the troll is available for the public to access. If you visit Seattle during October, you might get to participate in “Trolloween,” a birthday celebration for the troll that features live music and a costume parade.
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Excellent experience, highly recommend.
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Great experience, would recommend.
Very easy.
Reliable, efficient and comfortable.
Easy to do.
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