Best things to do in Seattle

Pike Place Market

The busting Pike Place Farmers Market in downtown Seattle has provided the local people with producer-priced goods for decades. Today, more than 100 farmers and fishmongers continue the tradition, with a focus on local and organic food. They're joined by more than 150 local craftsmen and artists, along with street performers, dozens of restaurants and numerous speciality shops. Interestingly, the world's first Starbucks coffee shop opened here in 1971, and is still brewing up its famous beverage on the original site. At the north end of the market, Victor Steinbrueck Park provides a popular grassy place to lounge in the sun. Events are hosted at the market, such as the May Flower Fest Market and Sunset Supper at the Market.

Website www.pikeplacemarket.org

Admission

Free

Seattle Space Needle

Anyone who has seen a picture of the Seattle skyline will be familiar with Seattle's internationally recognised symbol, the futuristic Space Needle. Visitors can get to the top of the historic landmark using one of the elevators that travel at ten miles an hour, reaching the observation deck within 43 seconds. Visitors can ascend the 607ft (185m) building as far as a revolving observation deck 520ft (158m) above the city, where high-powered telescopes are positioned to allow you to pick out the city sights. There is a revolving restaurant on top of the tower that allows visitors to take in every part of the panoramic views while enjoying a meal.

Website www.spaceneedle.com

Museum of Pop Culture

Housed in a bizarre building at the base of the Space Needle is one of Seattle's most popular attractions, the Museum of Pop Culture. Its exhibit on Jimi Hendrix features artefacts associated with the rock legend, and remains the biggest drawcard at the museum. Other collections include the general history of American popular music, and another dedicated to Seattle's other famous musician, Kurt Cobain. Displays range from the first electric guitars to interactive rooms where visitors try their hands on turntables or playing instruments. A Science Fiction Hall of Fame honours the lives, works and ongoing legacies of some of the world's most influential science fiction writers, among them Ridley Scott, George Lucas and H.G. Wells. The museum is also the venue for numerous concerts.

Website www.mopop.org

Seattle Art Museum

Jonathon Borofsky's massive steel kinetic sculpture Hammering Man stands outside the Seattle Art Museum, and what sits within are ranges of exhibits covering European and American art, from ancient art to contemporary pieces. Currently the museum has over 23,000 pieces, with recent acquisitions of artists such as Graves, Trabellesi and Hokusai. Free guided tours of the different collections are offered. The museum has a focus on collecting and exhibiting art from around the world, covering many cultures and time periods including Mesoamerican art and Aboriginal Art. The Asian Art Museum is affiliated to the original and is located at 1400 East Prospect Street, filled with Asian art from as far back as the 2nd century, while the Olympic Sculpture Park is a permanent outdoor exhibition of sculptures, including Eye Benches I, Father and Son and Schubert Sonata.

Website www.seattleartmuseum.org

Pioneer Square

South of downtown, the district of Pioneer Square features more than 20 blocks of historic buildings, galleries and a great nightlife. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park recalls the days when Seattle was a jumping off point for hopefuls heading for the goldfields. Another visitor favourite is the unique Underground Tour, taking in the sunken storefronts of the original 'Skid Road', where timber used to be slid down to the steam-powered mills on the shores of Elliott Bay. On the first Thursday of every month, all art galleries and museums remain open for the evening, serving snacks and drinks and allowing visitors to mingle and visit while looking at the artwork on display.

Website www.pioneersquare.org

Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight consists of a six-story glass and steel construction, which was the original Boeing factory and used to be one of the mainstays of Seattle's economy. It covers the entire history of flight right up to the space programme. Inside is a collection of more than 130 aircraft, including a replica of the Wright Brothers' first glider and the original Air Force One used by Eisenhower. Other acquisitions include a British Airways Concorde and NASA's Full Fuselage Trainer. Temporary exhibitions keep things interesting, while restoration work on various aircraft is constantly ongoing at the museum, with two to four new acquisitions every year and about twelve aircraft being worked on at any one time.

Website www.museumofflight.org

Puget Sound Islands

Ferries depart regularly from the Seattle piers, carrying passengers to the many islands in scenic Puget Sound. On the tip of the Kitsap Peninsula is the city of Bremerton, where travellers will find the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Museum and the USS Turner Joy (one of 18 Forrest Sherman-class destroyers of the United States Navy), and Bainbridge Island, which has its own winery. Winslow is a small historic town with fine restaurants and a great view of Seattle, while Vashon Island is an artists colony. Further afield are the San Juan Islands, with their miles of unspoilt beaches and state parks. Travellers can go whale-watching, kayaking or cycling, or partake in a round of golf or a run on well-kept trails.

Olympic National Park

Outdoor enthusiasts revel in the wilds of the Pacific Coast, with its glacier-capped mountains, ancient forest and fascinating biological diversity. About 95 percent of the park is a designated reserve, protecting the unique ecosystem on the Olympic Peninsula. Visitors can go mountain biking, horse-riding canoeing and kayaking, as long as they bring their own kit. Fishing in the 3,000 miles (4828km) of rivers and streams is particularly popular, as is hiking. But the weather can be temperamental so travellers should dress accordingly. Also, it's unsafe to drink the water so bringing water is essential.

Website www.nps.gov/olym

Seattle Aquarium

Located on the waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium provides a window into the amazing marine life of the Pacific. The Underwater Dome is one of the largest exhibits, providing 360 degree views of creatures such as sharks, sturgeons and skates, while Marine Mammals features cute seals and sea otters. Touch pools contain animals such as sea stars and urchins, while live dive shows take place three times a day. Other exhibits at the Seattle Aquarium are Life Of A Drifter, Puget Sound Fish and Tropical Pacific. The aquarium has a big focus on environmentalism, taking care to educate visitors about marine conservation, while also hosting events for kids and Halloween.

Website www.seattleaquarium.org

Washington State Ferries

A quintessential part of Seattle, ferrying is a culture and way of life to its residents, with many commuting to work across the Union Lake and Elliot Bay areas. If possible, visitors should try to plan sight-seeing of the city around several ferry trips going from point to point, allowing for maximum sightseeing. Trips to local attractions such as the San Juan Islands and Victoria in nearby Canada are on offer. Travellers should be sure to remember their passport and any other necessary and valid travel documents before embarking on a ferry ride to Victoria.

Website www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

Alaskan Ferry

Large cruise ships regularly travel to major ports in Alaska, though a better, smaller option is the Alaskan Ferry. Departing from Bellingham Washington, these large ferries travel around the major coastal towns of Canada, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Alaskan Peninsula. The landscape is staggering, revealing hundreds of craggy forest-dense islands and coastlines. Eagles, killer whales, bears, and other wildlife are all part of the view. The months of operation are May to September, when the weather is bearable and sunshine illuminates most of the 'night' hours, making the days long so there is plenty of time to fit in lots of sight-seeing. Costs vary greatly on length of voyage and accommodation. Most ferries rent cabins, but those in tune with Alaska's pioneer spirit can pitch a tent on deck or just use a blanket. However, if travellers do choose to go with a cabin, there are some very comfortable options available. It's possible to plan an extensive tour of Washington's, Canada's, and Alaska's coast lines, stopping off at various points of interest along the way. Special fares are available throughout the year upon request.

Website www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml

San Juan and the Gulf Islands

Located off the northwest coast of Washington, the San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands are separated by nationality but form part of the same scenic archipelago. Much of the area is a surprisingly dry and sunny reprieve in the northwest, with little island communities, great wildlife and the open water providing a retreat from the mainland. Seemingly out of a Norman Rockwell painting, the islands contain many little farms and fisheries, and agri-tourism has become an important part of the island's tourist trade. The wine farms host guests in charming cottages overlooking vineyards, where they learn more about grape and wine cultivation. Friday Harbour is San Juan's largest town and an enchanting tourist destination.

Website www.visitsanjuans.com

Woodland Park Zoo

Located in Green Lake, the Woodland Park Zoo is a great place to take the kids for a day out exploring and meeting the animals. Kids will love the African elephants, Arctic foxes, sloth bears and red pandas or snowy owls, Chilean flamingos and golden eagles. There's also a fantastic variety of invertebrates such as spiders and butterflies, with over 1,100 animals from more than 300 species included in the zoo's collection. The animals' enclosures are carefully landscaped to include all kinds of interesting exotic plant life, and there is also a rose garden for peaceful strolling.

Website www.zoo.org

Seattle

Things to do in Seattle

Pike Place Market

Seattle Space Needle

Museum of Pop Culture

Seattle Art Museum

Pioneer Square

Museum of Flight

Puget Sound Islands

Olympic National Park

Seattle Aquarium

Washington State Ferries

Alaskan Ferry

San Juan and the Gulf Islands

Woodland Park Zoo

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Pike Place Market

Admission

Seattle Space Needle

Museum of Pop Culture

Seattle Art Museum

Pioneer Square

Museum of Flight

Puget Sound Islands

Olympic National Park

Seattle Aquarium

Washington State Ferries

Alaskan Ferry

San Juan and the Gulf Islands

Woodland Park Zoo