Seattle Bucket List (16 Things You Can’t Miss in Emerald City)

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Planning a trip to Seattle? You’re in for a good mix of foggy mornings, fresh seafood, waterfront views, and neighborhoods packed with personality. From iconic spots like Pike Place Market to local favorites tucked down hidden alleys, there’s a lot to see—and eat—while you’re here.

This Seattle bucket list rounds up the can’t-miss experiences: a mix of classics, a few surprises, and all the things that give the city its charm. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a while, these are the spots that deserve a spot on your list.

Pike Place Market is one of those places that just feels like Seattle.

It’s noisy in the best way—people chatting, street musicians playing, fishmongers tossing salmon through the air at the famous Pike Place Fish Market. That flying fish thing? It started as a way to stand out—and now it’s a show that draws a crowd every time. The guys there are friendly, funny, and seriously good at what they do.

Pike Place Market / Seattle Bucket List 

Pike Place Fish Market / Seattle Bucket List

Pike Place Fish Market / Seattle Bucket List

For a cozy break from the buzz, head upstairs to Storyville Coffee. It’s tucked above the market with big windows, comfy seating, and some of the best espresso in town. It’s the kind of place where you sit down “just for a minute” and end up staying an hour.

Hungry? Start at Piroshky Piroshky, where the scent of warm, buttery pastries pulls you in before you even see the line. Whether you go sweet or savory, it’s all made fresh and packed with flavor.

Piroshky Piroshky / Seattle Bucket List 

Piroshky Piroshky / Seattle Bucket List 

Then swing by Daily Dozen Doughnut Co. for a bag of mini doughnuts that are hot, sugary, and borderline addictive.

Shopping-wise, don’t miss Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Sosio’s Fruit & Produce, or the quirky treasures at Golden Age Collectables. You’ll leave with your hands full and your heart happy.

PRO TIP: Want a deeper dive into the market’s flavors and stories? Consider booking the Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market. This 2-hour tour offers tastings at multiple stops and insider knowledge from a local chef.

Just around the corner from Pike Place, down a slightly sketchy-looking set of stairs, you’ll find one of Seattle’s strangest little landmarks: the Gum Wall. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—an entire alley wall (and then some) completely covered in chewed gum. Sounds gross? It kind of is. But it’s also colorful, creative, weirdly photogenic, and very Seattle.

It started in the ’90s when people waiting in line for a comedy show at the Market Theater started sticking their gum to the wall. At first, folks tried to clean it off. Then the city leaned into it. Now it’s layers deep and still growing—part art installation, part germ museum. People spell out names, make little hearts, or just add to the rainbow splatter of it all.

The Gum Wall / Seattle Bucket List 

You can’t come to Seattle and not see the Space Needle—it’s the city’s most recognizable landmark.

Built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, this 605-foot tower has been part of the skyline ever since, standing tall through storms, sunbreaks, and countless selfies. Whether you’re viewing it from below or heading up to the top, it’s a must-see!

Space Needle / Seattle Bucket List 

The elevator ride is quick—just 41 seconds to the top—and once you’re there, the view is wild. On a clear day, you’ll see Mount Rainier in one direction and the Puget Sound in the other, with the city unfolding below like a map.

The observation deck even has glass floors and open-air glass walls now, thanks to a major renovation, so if you’re not afraid of heights, lean in.

Space Needle / Seattle Bucket List 

GOOD TO KNOW: Tickets can sell out, especially in summer, so book ahead if you can. And if you go at sunset? Magic!

If you want to see Seattle from a different angle—literally—hop on a harbor cruise. It’s one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to take in the city’s skyline, Mount Rainier (when it decides to show up), and all the ferries, cargo ships, and sailboats moving through Elliott Bay.

The whole thing takes about an hour, and you don’t have to do anything but sit back and enjoy the view.​

Harbor Cruise / Seattle Bucket List 

​Most cruises leave from Pier 55 or 56 and loop around the harbor with a guide pointing out landmarks, little bits of Seattle history, and even the occasional sea lion if you’re lucky. It’s equal parts chill and informative, which makes it great whether you’re brand new to the city or showing it off to someone else.​

PRO TIP: These cruises are operated by Argosy, the local company that’s been doing this for over 70 years. If you’re planning ahead, you can grab your tickets here to make sure you get your preferred time—sunset is especially stunning!

Perched right on Pier 57, the Seattle Great Wheel is hard to miss—and honestly, it’s worth the ride.

At 175 feet tall, it was once the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast, and the views from the top are exactly what you’d hope for: Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, the downtown skyline, and if you’re lucky, even a glimpse of Mount Rainier.

Each gondola is fully enclosed (and climate-controlled), so it’s a year-round experience—even in Seattle’s famously unpredictable weather.

The ride lasts about 15–20 minutes and includes three full rotations, which gives you plenty of time to take it all in without feeling rushed.

PRO TIP: Go just before sunset for golden light and the most stunning views—it’s when the city and the water both really shine. Plus, if you time it right, you’ll get to see the skyline light up as day turns to night.

Seattle Great Wheel / Seattle Bucket List 

View from the Seattle Great Wheel / Seattle Bucket List 

Right next to the Space Needle is Chihuly Garden and Glass. It’s a museum dedicated to the work of Dale Chihuly, a Tacoma-born glass artist whose sculptures are colorful, larger-than-life, and unlike anything else.

Think blown glass that looks like underwater worlds, floating orbs, and chandeliers that seem to grow like coral.

The exhibit flows through indoor galleries, a glasshouse, and a beautifully landscaped outdoor garden where the art blends with nature.

PRO TIP: If you’re already planning to visit the Space Needle, look into buying combo tickets to save a bit. Try to go in the late afternoon for fewer crowds, and hang around after sunset when the sculptures in the garden light up.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Seattle’s Underground Tour is as quirky as it is fascinating!

Beneath the streets of Pioneer Square lies a hidden network of passageways and old storefronts, remnants of Seattle’s original city before it was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1889.

On this tour, you’ll step down into these underground spaces and hear tales of the city’s early days—complete with wild stories of outlaws, fire, and a whole lot of mud.

The tour guides are full of personality, offering humor alongside history as they lead you through dark, often cramped passageways that were once bustling sidewalks. It’s a great way to take a break from the usual tourist attractions and learn about Seattle’s past from a whole new perspective.

Seattle Underground Tour / Seattle Bucket List

Seattle Underground Tour / Seattle Bucket List

PRO TIP: The tours can sell out quickly, so booking ahead is a good idea. Wear comfortable shoes—while the tour is mostly indoors, you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces down there. It’s a fun way to see the city from a completely different angle.

Waterfront Park, located along Seattle’s bustling waterfront, stretches from Pier 59 to the Olympic Sculpture Park, offering spectacular views of Elliott Bay, the Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains. It’s a great spot to walk, relax, or enjoy a picnic, with plenty of seating available along the water.

The park is also home to public art installations and is a short walk from popular attractions like the Seattle Aquarium and the Great Wheel.

Waterfront Park / Seattle Bucket List 

Waterfront Park / Seattle Bucket List 

The very first Starbucks opened in 1971 at 2000 Western Avenue—but what you’re visiting today at 1912 Pike Place is the company’s second (and now iconic) location, which has been operating since 1976.

This store is considered the birthplace of the brand as we know it, and it still proudly features the original brown siren logo and old-school wooden interiors. It’s a small space, packed with history—and often packed with people too.

The Original Starbucks / Seattle Bucket List 

PRO TIP: Lines can be long, especially midday, so try going early morning or late afternoon. If you’re a collector, you’ll find exclusive Pike Place-branded mugs and merchandise you can’t get anywhere else. Whether you’re a coffee lover or just into iconic spots, this one’s worth the detour.

The Museum of Pop Culture, better known as MoPOP, is one of Seattle’s most eye-catching buildings, with its wavy, colorful exterior designed by architect Frank Gehry.

But the real magic is inside, where music, movies, video games, and sci-fi collide. Whether you’re a die-hard Nirvana fan, a horror movie buff, or just curious about pop culture history, there’s something here that’ll grab your attention.

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Permanent exhibits cover everything from Seattle’s grunge roots (with actual guitars and stage gear from Nirvana and Pearl Jam) to iconic costumes and props from franchises like Star Trek, The Lord of the Rings, and Marvel.

There’s even a whole section dedicated to indie games and interactive sound labs where you can try your hand at mixing or playing instruments.

PRO TIP: Buy your tickets online to skip the lines—and give yourself at least 1.5 to 2 hours inside; it’s bigger than it looks.

If you need a break from the noise of the city, this is where you go!

Tucked away in the Magnolia neighborhood, Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest green space—over 500 acres of trails, forest, bluffs, and beach. It feels like you’ve stepped out of the city and into the Northwest wilderness, all without leaving town.

One of the best ways to explore it is the Loop Trail, a 2.8-mile path that winds through everything from tall evergreens to open meadows.

If you follow the signs down to the shoreline, you’ll eventually reach West Point Lighthouse, a picture-perfect spot at the edge of Puget Sound. On clear days, the view stretches all the way to the Olympics.

Discovery Park / Seattle Bucket List 

Discovery Park / Seattle Bucket List 

PRO TIP: The walk to the lighthouse is gorgeous but steep; if mobility is a concern, you can get a parking permit at the Visitor Center.

Gas Works Park might be one of the most unique parks in the country. It is part peaceful green space, part industrial time capsule.

Sitting on the north edge of Lake Union, the park is built on the site of a former coal gasification plant, and many of the old metal structures were left standing. Instead of tearing them down, the city turned them into public art—and now, they’re an iconic part of the skyline.

Gas Works Park / Seattle Bucket List 

Gas Works Park / Seattle Bucket List 

Gas Works Park might be one of the most unique parks in the country. It is part peaceful green space, part industrial time capsule.

Sitting on the north edge of Lake Union, the park is built on the site of a former coal gasification plant, and many of the old metal structures were left standing. Instead of tearing them down, the city turned them into public art—and now, they’re an iconic part of the skyline.

Tucked under the north end of the Aurora Bridge, the Fremont Troll is one of Seattle’s weirdest and most beloved public art pieces. Clutching a real Volkswagen Beetle in one massive hand, this 18-foot-tall concrete sculpture looks like it just crawled out of a fairytale.

It was created in 1990 as part of an art competition to reclaim the space under the bridge, and it’s been drawing curious visitors ever since.

Fremont Troll / Seattle Bucket List 

The Troll lives in Fremont, a neighborhood that proudly calls itself “the Center of the Universe,” and the vibe matches: offbeat, artsy, and just a little rebellious.

PRO TIP: If you’re exploring Fremont, don’t stop at the Troll—walk a few blocks down and check out the Fremont Sunday Market, quirky shops, or grab coffee from a local spot. It’s one of Seattle’s most colorful neighborhoods, and the Troll is just the beginning.

If you’ve ever seen a postcard of Seattle, chances are it was taken from Kerry Park.

This tiny viewpoint on Queen Anne Hill offers one of the most iconic views in the city—Space Needle front and center, with downtown, Elliott Bay, and (on a clear day) Mount Rainier rising in the background.

It’s not a big park, just a small grassy slope and a few benches, but the view packs a punch.

Locals and photographers flock here daily, but sunset is when it really shines. As the sun drops behind the Olympics, the whole city lights up in soft golds and oranges, and you can watch the skyline slowly shift into twinkling night. It’s romantic, reflective, and a must for any first-time visit to Seattle.

View from Kerry Park at Sunset / Seattle Bucket List 

View from Kerry Park at Sunset / Seattle Bucket List 

PRO TIP: It gets busy at golden hour, especially in the summer—arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset to grab a good spot. And if you’re feeling adventurous, walk a bit uphill to Highland Drive for a quieter, equally stunning view.

Just south of downtown, near Boeing Field, the Museum of Flight is the largest independent air and space museum in the world.

With over 175 aircraft and spacecraft on display, it’s a dream for aviation lovers—and surprisingly fun for casual visitors too. You can walk through a Concorde, peek inside a NASA space shuttle trainer, and even step aboard Air Force One from the Kennedy era.

Museum of Flight / Seattle Bucket List 

Museum of Flight / Seattle Bucket List 

The museum covers everything from the early days of flight to modern jets and space exploration. There are full-size fighter planes hanging overhead, hands-on flight simulators, and entire exhibits dedicated to World War I and II aviation history. Kids love the interactive galleries, and there’s enough variety here to keep everyone engaged.

PRO TIP: Set aside at least 2–3 hours—it’s way bigger than it looks. Book your tickets in advance.

The Ballard Locks, officially called the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, built in 1917, are still fully operational, moving boats between Lake Union and Puget Sound every single day.

It’s fun to just stand there and watch—the water levels rise and fall, the giant gates swing open, and everything from sailboats to tugboats glide through.

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks / Seattle Bucket List 

One of the coolest parts? The fish ladder, built right into the locks to help salmon migrate upstream. You can actually go below ground and watch them swim past underwater windows—especially magical during salmon season in late summer. It’s a rare peek into the natural rhythms of the Pacific Northwest, right in the middle of the city.

The Fish Ladder at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks / Seattle Bucket List 

PRO TIP: Plan to spend some time walking the grounds—the botanical garden nearby is beautifully kept, with quiet paths and over 500 species of plants. And don’t skip the visitor center if it’s open—there’s a lot of fascinating history behind how Seattle’s waters were shaped.