7 Fun Sights to See in Seattle (Other Than the Space Needle)

Last weekend, we finally checked something off our bucket list: Seattle, Washington. A rare trifecta of a cheap flight, hotel, and car rental in a city we’ve never been to was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. We didn’t have a lot of time there, though, so we did a lot of research on exactly how we wanted to spend our short trip to the Emerald City.

We had so many sights to see in Seattle that our itinerary didn’t include the Space Needle to make this trip as budget-friendly as possible (spend less = travel more!).

Instead, we got our Space Needle experience from our stay at the Best Western Executive Inn. We had a fantastic view of the Space Needle right from our room, located just about a block away.

Our two days in Seattle were packed with (mostly free!) sights around the city. Here are highlights from our 7 favorite places around this beautiful city:

The Best Sights to See in Seattle Downtown Area

Plan a whole day to get in all the Seattle sights to see downtown. The area is very walkable, but bike rentals are available to zip between areas a little quicker.

1. Seattle Center

Find it: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109 

With our hotel just steps away from this area, we made this our first stop. The Seattle Center is probably best known for the Space Needle, but there is so much more to see and do here. Other top attractions include Chihuly Gardens & Glass and the Museum of Pop Culture. If you want to skip entrance fees for these activities, as we did, you can also walk through the gardens. Check out the art installations and spend some time at the playground, Artists at Play – a hands-down favorite for the kids.

We spent only about an hour here but could have easily stayed a lot longer. To check out all the events, activities, and attractions, visit the Seattle Center website for more information when planning your trip.

2. Pike Place Market

Find it: the intersection of Pike Place and Pike Street.

Pike Place Market is definitely a sight to see. Especially when you get the opportunity to see the fish throwing in action (which we are disappointed that we missed this in each of the three times we went by there). Walk throughout the market to see the fresh seafood and produce, plus other goods for sale. The stop here also gave the kids a peek into the fishing industry that is so important to that area.

There are a few other fun stops to make in the Pike Place Market area:

The Gum Wall

When you see Rachel the Piggy Bank (you’ll know when you see her – she stands right on the corner of Pike Place and Pike Street), take the nearby stairway down to the alley. Right around the corner, you’ll immediately see walls covered with ABC (Already-Been-Chewed) gum and smell the lingering fruity scents of all the gum. It’s as gross as it is kind of cool to see, but the kids made their own contribution to the wall anyway.

Original Starbucks

Find it: 1912 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101

It took us TWO tries to get this one right. We knew this was here but didn’t note precisely where before we left. I searched for details with my iPhone in hand while we were on the go. The first results from the “original Starbucks” Google search all pointed to 1st and Pike, about a block from the Public Market. But when we stepped through the doors, we were honestly a little disappointed. It really didn’t look any different from all the other Starbucks.

As we were strolling along Pike Street the next day, we looked up to see a Starbucks. One that actually looked different – even from the outside. That was the original Starbucks! If you go, make a note to visit the Pike Street location, not 1st and Pike! No food is sold at this location, only beverages, and location-exclusive merchandise.

3. Bell Street Pier

Find it: 2225 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121

Instead of the sweeping views from the Space Needle, we opted for the views from the Observation Deck at the Bell Street Pier. This rooftop is perfectly positioned for 360-degree views over the water AND of the city. For even better views of the mountains and islands, there are (coin-free) binoculars placed across the deck. It’s also an excellent spot for a picnic lunch at one of the many tables.

The pier can be accessed via the Bell Street Pedestrian Bridge at Elliot Ave or by taking the stairs on Alaskan Way.

4. Bainbridge Island Ferry

Find it: 801 Alaskan Way Pier 52, Seattle, WA 98104 (Seattle Terminal)

The Bainbridge Ferry is a commuter ferry that takes cars, bikes, and people across Elliot Bay to Bainbridge Island. Passenger fares for this 35-minute ride are only collected on the Seattle side, so you pay once for a round trip. This was the only thing we did in Seattle that charged a fee, but the total fare for 2 adults and 3 kids was under $30. For an additional fee, you can bring your car along on the boat for an opportunity to explore further into the island. We left the rental car at the hotel, opting for a walking tour of the island.

The ferry ride on its own is a fun activity, but there are a lot of great spots around the island to explore. The main street, Winslow Way, is lined with shops and restaurants. There is also a trail to walk along the water, with a playground nearby.

We spent less than two hours there since we wanted to catch the ferry back in time for the sunset. We didn’t quite see all we wanted, so we recommend spending a few hours on the island.

Best Sights in Seattle Just Outside of Downtown

We spent another day and a half driving around outside of downtown for more fun sights to see in Seattle that were a little more unique. We also made a last-minute decision to head out of town to Snoqualmie, and it’s worth the visit if you have the time on your Seattle itinerary.

5. Chittenden Locks and Fish Ladder

Find it: 3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107

The best travel experiences are when you learn about something you never really knew existed. For this trip, it was watching the boats go through the locks.

The locks (also known as the Ballard Locks), we learned, are in place as a way to get boats upstream. Boats move into the locks, the gates close, and the water level rises. Once the water is level with the other side of the locks, the front gate opens, and boats make their way to Lake Washington.

On the other side of the waterway is the Fish Ladder. With the locks in place for boats, the fish ladder is in place to help the salmon maintain their natural migration patterns. While they say there is some activity all year long, the best viewing is in late summer/early fall. We didn’t see any fish during our January visit, but it was still interesting to see – and we really hope to make it back to see the fish in the peak season.

For more information on the locks and the fish ladder, visit the US Army Corps of Engineers, which maintains both areas.

6. Fremont Troll

Find it: Troll Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

The troll under the bridge is a fun but quick stop. It’s also a unique opportunity for the kids to climb on a sculpture! Local artists created this sculpture in 1990, which stands almost 20 ft tall.

You’ll find the troll under the Aurora Bridge, at N. 36th Street at Troll Avenue N.

7. REI: The Flagship Store

Find it: 222 Yale Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

As an outdoor loving family, we couldn’t miss a stop at the biggest location of one of our favorite stores: REI. Even if shopping for outdoor gear isn’t at the top of your list, it is still a fun stop. There is a little “hike” to the store entrance from the parking garage. This location is not only huge but has some unique Seattle branded clothing that I haven’t seen in other locations (a perfect souvenir!) AND a playground for the kids.

Bonus: Snoqualmie Falls

Find it:  6501 Railroad Ave SE, Snoqualmie, Washington, 98024

This one is a bonus because it’s not actually in Seattle. Still, a quick adventure outside of the city was highly recommended, and it was the perfect addition to this trip.

It’s just a short walk from the parking lot to a viewing area where you can see the falls. For even better views, a 1/2 mile hike leads to the base of the falls. While we were up for a longer walk, it was just what we needed for that PNW experience.

After spending time at the falls, head into the town of Snoqualmie for a local brew at Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom. You’ll find this unassuming spot on Falls Ave, just one street over from the main street in town. On your way, keep an eye out for the old train cars and engines along the side of the road. You can walk the sidewalk there for an up-close view of these old cars. (Check out the video below for a preview of the old train cars you’ll see here.)

What are your favorite things to do in Seattle? Let us know what we should add to this list of the best sights in Seattle!

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