Super Seattle Sightseeing Vacations
A trip to the Pacific Northwest should include several
days of sightseeing in Seattle.
Often touted as one of the best places to live or raise a family in the U.S., Seattle is also a great place to visit. A Seattle sightseeing vacation should be on everyone's list of "things to do and places to see."
About the City
Seattle is a town literally surrounded by water, with the Puget Sound on one side and the 18-mile long Lake Washington on the other. You'll find the Olympic Mountains if you travel west of the city and the Cascade Range on the east.
Seattle's first settlers came in the 1860s and were mostly trappers, traders, lumberjacks, and missionaries…all men and no women. Asa Mercer, founder of the Territorial University, traveled east and brought back brides for the lonely bachelors, so the story goes, and the city began to prosper.
The city was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1889 but hearty settlers rebuilt using more durable materials and Seattle continued to grow. Many of the buildings in modern-day Seattle were created for the 1962 U.S. World's Fair and are still enjoyed today as popular tourist attractions.
What to See
As is typical of a larger city, there's a whole myriad of things to do in Seattle and sightseeing is certainly a favorite activity among visitors to this fun destination. If you're only spending a day or two in Seattle, you'll probably need to pick and choose among the museums, parks, historical sites, and other famous attractions.
Here are a few places or activities you won't want to miss:
The Space Needle: Probably Seattle's most famous landmark and sightseeing attraction, the Space Needle stands 605 feet high and was built for the 1962 World's Fair. The views from the outside observation deck are spectacular and there's a revolving restaurant at the top as well.
Experience Music Project (EMP): Housed in what's definitely the most unusual building in the city, this museum is dedicated to exploring the history of American popular music. The free-form metal building was designed by Frank O. Gehry and contains tons of interactive exhibits and lots of fun music memorabilia. This is a great family museum and no one will be bored!
The Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Asian Art Museum: Located at two different sites, these museums both offer the art aficionado amazing collections of various art mediums. The former includes a renowned collection of African, Asian, and Northwest Coast Indian art while the latter houses incredible displays of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean arts and crafts.
Pike Place Market: Opened as a farmer's market in 1907, Pike Place is a true cultural experience. You'll love the street musicians, quirky shops, and incredible seafood here as well as the divine view of the waterfront from the complex's Pike Street Hillclimb. Be sure to stop at the seafood stand and watch the employees toss the fish to each other!
Sightseeing Tours
Ride the Ducks: This is, by far, the most amusing yet informative sightseeing tour in Seattle. Guests ride a World War II amphibious vehicle through the streets of the city and into the waters of Lake Union, while learning about the history of the city. The guides are silly, the music is loud (think Disco Duck!), and you'll have the opportunity to quack at passers-by. Tons of fun!
Underground Tour: When Seattle burned to the ground in 1889, much of the new town was built atop the old ruins. This tour takes you on an incredible journey through subterranean sidewalks and storefronts, where you'll learn about Seattle's history in the aftermath of the fire. The guides are humorous and the stories memorable! This is a Seattle sightseeing must!
If You Go
Because the sightseeing choices are so vast in Seattle, plan ahead. Consult reputable travel guidebooks or the internet for information on sights and activities that might interest you and your family and map out a plan for your time in this wonderful city.
Of course, you can be flexible if need be, but if your itinerary is set before you arrive, you're sure not to miss the best of Seattle sightseeing.