United States
Coffee, mountains, and water on three sides
Explore Washington →The Pacific Northwest's flagship city — espresso obsessed, surrounded by water, and a 90-minute drive from glaciated peaks in three directions.
When to go
July–September are the driest, warmest months. Skies open up after the 4th of July.
Getting around
Walk downtown. The Link light rail reaches the airport, Capitol Hill, and the U District. Ferries cross to Bainbridge Island.
Don't miss
The top places to start with if you only have a day or two — the essentials before you go deeper.
No. 01 · Landmark
A 1907 public market and the original Starbucks
Nine acres of farmers, fishmongers, craftspeople, and small restaurants over Elliott Bay — including the flying-fish counter and the first Starbucks across the street.
Read more →No. 02 · Landmark
605 feet of 1962 World's Fair futurism
Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Needle's recently renovated observation deck has a rotating glass floor and unobstructed views of Mount Rainier and the Olympics.
Read more →No. 03 · Museum
Dale Chihuly's blown-glass installations beside the Needle
A permanent exhibition of Tacoma-born Chihuly's most ambitious glass sculptures, including the 100-foot Glasshouse and a Persian Ceiling.
Read more →4 hand-picked
A curated mix of landmarks, neighborhoods, and museums worth your time in Seattle, United States — grouped by type below.
2 places
1 place
1 place
4 neighborhoods
Seattle hugs the water between Puget Sound and Lake Union — base above the market or up on the Hill and you can ferry, walk, or roll to everything.
Market, waterfront, the original Starbucks
Best for: Wake up to flying fish and ferry horns
Coffee shops, music venues, bookstores
Best for: Night owls and indie travelers
Scandinavian heritage, breweries, Sunday market
Best for: Foodies and repeat visitors
Design hotels, dinner spots, Space Needle next door
Best for: Stylish central stays
If you only have a long weekend in Seattle.
Day 1
Pike Place Market at opening, fish-throw show, lunch on the waterfront, Seattle Art Museum, sunset at Kerry Park.
Day 2
Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, MoPOP, lunch in Belltown, evening in Capitol Hill.
Day 3
Ballard farmers market, Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, brewery lunch, afternoon ferry to Bainbridge Island for sunset.