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United States Seattle travel guide
19 things to do in Seattle, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Seattle
- Space Needle — observation tower in Seattle, Washington, United States (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Museum of Pop Culture — museum in Seattle, Washington, USA (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Seattle Art Museum — art museum in Seattle, Washington (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Seattle Center — arts, educational, tourism and entertainment center in Seattle, Washington, United States (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Henry Art Gallery — university art museum in Seattle, Washington (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Seattle Aquarium — public aquarium in Seattle, Washington, U.S. (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Seattle Asian Art Museum — art museum in Seattle, Washington (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Paramount Theatre — theatre and movie theater in Seattle, Washington, United States (visit ≈ 20 min)
- St. James Cathedral — Catholic cathedral in Seattle (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Freeway Park — park in Seattle, Washington, USA (visit ≈ 45 min)
- 5th Avenue Theatre — theater in Seattle, Washington, United States (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Gas Works Park — park in Seattle, Washington, USA built on the site of a former gasification plant (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Pacific Science Center — non-profit organization in the USA (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Moore Theatre — theater in Seattle, Washington, U.S. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Kerry Park — park in Seattle, Washington, United States (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Father and Son — fountain (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Occidental Park — park in Seattle (visit ≈ 15 min)
- McCaw Hall — opera house in Seattle, Washington, United States, home to Seattle opera (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Frye Art Museum — art museum in Seattle (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Seattle walking itinerary
Starting point: Downtown / Pike Place. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 5.1 km · 6,850 steps · 1 h 8 min on the way): Seattle Aquarium → Space Needle → Seattle Center → Museum of Pop Culture
- Day 2 (≈ 9.5 km · 12,780 steps · 2 h 6 min on the way): Seattle Asian Art Museum → Paramount Theatre → St. James Cathedral → Seattle Art Museum
Where to stay in Seattle
- Downtown / Pike Place: The market, shopping and light rail close by.
- Belltown: Bars and restaurants within walking distance of the Space Needle.
- Capitol Hill: Lively nightlife, cafés and an LGBTQ+-friendly scene.
- Pioneer Square: Brick buildings, galleries and the stadiums nearby.
- Fremont: A quirky area with odd sculptures and a canal-side path.
Getting from the airport to Seattle
- Seattle–Tacoma (SEA): Link light rail Line 1 ≈ 40 min.
Getting around
Downtown is walkable; Link light rail and buses cover most of the city. Pay with an ORCA card or your phone.
Classic places to eat
- Canlis: An elegant family restaurant above Lake Union since 1950.
- Ivar’s Acres of Clams: Fish and chips on the pier since 1938.
- Elliott’s Oyster House: Oysters on the waterfront since 1975.
- Dick’s Drive-In: Fast, cheap local burgers since 1954.
- Piroshky Piroshky: Russian-style hot buns at Pike Place.
- Le Panier: A French bakery at Pike Place since 1983.
- Pike Place Chowder: Award-winning chowder in the market.
- Original Starbucks (Pike Place): At this address since 1976, the chain’s oldest store.
Romantic views
- Kerry Park (Sunset): The Space Needle, the city and Mount Rainier in one view.
- Gas Works Park (Sunset): A grassy hill on Lake Union facing the skyline.
- Olympic Sculpture Park (Sunset): Outdoor sculptures facing the sound and the Olympic Mountains.
- Seattle Japanese Garden (Afternoon): A calm Japanese garden with a pond inside the Arboretum.
Football stadiums in Seattle
- Lumen Field: Home of Seattle Sounders FC
Good to know before visiting Seattle
- Fine: Carrying open alcohol in the street is banned in most cities.
- Fine: Cannabis remains illegal federally: banned in national parks, airports and across state lines.
- Fine: Declare fruit, vegetables, meat and other food at customs; undeclared items are fined.
- Warning: The drinking age is 21; bars and shops ask for ID.
- Warning: Healthcare is very expensive; get comprehensive travel medical insurance.
- Price tags exclude sales tax, which is added at the till.
Extra rules for Washington State / Seattle
- Fine: Open alcohol containers are banned in public.
- Warning: Cannabis is legal for 21+, but public use is banned.
- Transit uses the ORCA card or app.
- Emergency: 911
- Plugs: A/B, 120V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: Tipping 18–22% in restaurants is all but mandatory; $1–2 per drink at bars.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection — ESTA, Wikivoyage — United States of America, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Seattle travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Seattle?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 17 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Seattle?
- Highlights: Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Center and Henry Art Gallery. The map has 19 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Seattle?
- Downtown / Pike Place: The market, shopping and light rail close by. Other options: Belltown, Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square and Fremont.
- How do you get from the airport to Seattle city centre?
- Seattle–Tacoma (SEA): Link light rail Line 1 ≈ 40 min.
- How do you get around Seattle?
- Downtown is walkable; Link light rail and buses cover most of the city. Pay with an ORCA card or your phone.
- What is the emergency number in Seattle?
- Emergency: 911.
- Do you tip in Seattle?
- Tipping 18–22% in restaurants is all but mandatory; $1–2 per drink at bars.
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