21 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Seattle

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Aglow at the foot of the Space Needle is the vibrant work of Washington State native Dale Chihuly. Chihuly Garden and Glass is a permanent art collection comprised of the Exhibition Hall, the Garden, the Glasshouse, and several galleries, all showcasing the glass master's colorful pieces.

Pendleton Woolen Mills Exhibit at Chihuly Garden and Glass

What inspires the masterful Dale Chihuly, you ask? Blankets.

Not your run-of-the-mill granny knits, Pendleton Woolen Mills' heirloom-quality pieces have been in production since the mid-19th century. A colorful selection from Chihuly's vast collection can be seen at Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Bookstore Bar & Cafe

Bukowski knew the trick: Books and booze go hand in hand. Inspiration is poured into a glass at bibliophile-faved watering hole the Bookstore Bar & Cafe.

Space Needle

The Space Needle is the universally recognized landmark in Seattle's skyline. Atop the iconic observation tower is the rotating SkyCity Restaurant and the Observation Deck. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi.

Space Needle Observation Deck

With just the naked eye, you can get a panoramic view of the Emerald City—as far as Mt. Rainier on the rare clear day, even—from the Space Needle's Observation Deck. But for even more of an eyeful, peek through the Observation Deck's telescopes.

Pike Place Market

A trip to Seattle isn't complete without a visit to the 107-year-old Pike Place Market, where shoppers can find produce, flowers, artisanal cheeses, ready-made foods, and world-renowned fishmongers.

Coffee

Seattle is the place to find a fine-brewed cup of coffee. After all, the coffee giant Starbucks originated in Seattle in the early '70s. More than 23,000 coffee shops later, you can still visit the first Starbucks storefront at Pike Place Market, where it has lived since 1977.

Market Theater Gum Wall

Arguably as iconic a Seattle landmark as the Space Needle, the Market Theater Gum Wall is where a great many have left their (chewy) marks. The infamous wall has been featured as the background in wedding photos and in a Jennifer Aniston flick, and it has earned its spot as the second-germiest tourist attraction in the world … gross, yet weirdly awesome.

Seattle Waterfront

Seattle's waterfront is known for its shops, restaurants, aquarium, overwater hotel, Ferris wheel, cruise-ship dock, ferry terminals, and fishmongers.

Seattle Great Wheel

At 175 feet tall, the aptly named Seattle Great Wheel offers great views of Elliott Bay; a great setting at Pier 57 among shops, restaurants, and attractions; and a great 12-minute ride on any of its 42 climate-controlled gondolas.

Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square, known as the original skid row, was popular for the parlor houses, brothels, and gambling dives that once dotted the neighborhood. The Pioneer Square of today is recognized for its wrought-iron Victorian pergola, authentic Tlingit totem pole, and Seattle Underground tours—all in a scenic National Register of Historic Places-listed district.

Seattle Underground

When the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 wiped out a large portion of the Emerald City's downtown area, hardy citizens rebuilt a new downtown on top of the ashes. Today, the remains of the subterranean city are known as the Seattle Underground. While many of the passageways are in disrepair and therefore closed off, guided tours are available to any urban adventurer.

CenturyLink Field

Home to the Seahawks, Seattle's CenturyLink Field is quite possibly the loudest, proudest place in the world. Seahawks fans, officially nicknamed the 12th Man, provide deafening cheers and taunts that have been registered at a decibel reading of 137.6—only about 13 decibels away from ruptured eardrums.

University of Washington

Praised as one of the nation's few "Public Ivies" (public universities that provide curricula comparable to those of Ivy League schools), UDub, with its sprawling cherry-tree-lined campus, is a must-see destination in Seattle.

Capitol Hill

Known for its varied places of worship, its nightlife (plus its after-hours eateries), and its many bookstores, Capitol Hill is one of the most diverse areas in Seattle. Here, it's commonplace to see historical mansions comfortably situated alongside apartment complexes.

Elliott Bay Book Company

"A Kindle aroused in me a desire to pick it up and read it," said no bibliophile ever. Old-school, sure, but that's part of the charm of the independently run Elliott Bay Book Company, whose stacks have been luring Seattle book lovers for more than four decades. And Elliott Bay Book Company is aptly located: Seattle is the U.S. city with the most bookstores and libraries per capita.

Volunteer Park

Volunteer Park in Seattle's Capitol Hill is home to the Volunteer Park Conservatory, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and a water tower with an observation deck that offers 360-degree views of the Emerald City. A Seattle landmark, Isamu Noguchi's Black Sun sculpture (fondly referred to as "The Doughnut"), is also found at the park.

Golden Gardens Park

For a bit of outdoor fun, Golden Gardens Park offers beaches, sand dunes, wetlands, hiking trails, boat launches, and wildlife viewing—all overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Gas Works Park

Once the site of a coal-gasification plant, Gas Works Park is now a 20-acre waterfront recreational area that often hosts concerts, rallies, fireworks displays, and film crews. Gas Works Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

EMP Museum

The EMP Museum, formerly known as the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, gathers together music and pop culture through exhibits, including culturally significant collections on Seattle greats Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix as well as non-area stars who've contributed substantially to their crafts.

Fremont Troll

Another illustrious Seattle landmark, the Fremont Troll hides underneath the Aurora Bridge with an actual Volkswagen Beetle in his grip. Passersby are encouraged to climb the 18-foot-high sculpture and look into his hubcap eye or even stick their head in his nostril—a great photo op.

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