Summary of Attractions in Downtown Seattle
Downtown Seattle, established in the mid-nineteenth century during the gold rush era, presents a striking contrast as a vibrant, modern city with merely a few historical structures amidst its dynamic skyline, which includes a remarkable seventy-six story skyscraper.
Although Seattle is synonymous with Starbucks, Downtown Seattle offers a plethora of activities beyond just coffee consumption. With a picturesque view overlooking the expansive Elliott Bay, Downtown Seattle’s waterfront serves both social and industrial purposes. Visitors can observe cargo ships being loaded while enjoying rides on one of the United States’ most significant Ferris wheels, or leisurely walk along the pier and indulge in fresh seafood before consulting a palm reader under glassy-eyed shrunken heads.
Diversity aptly captures the essence of Downtown Seattle. Discover these fifteen premier activities within Downtown Seattle to truly appreciate its vibrant character.
1. Seattle Great Wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel, towering at one hundred seventy-five feet, is located on Pier 57 of Downtown Seattle’s central waterfront. Guests can ride in one of the wheel’s forty-two gondolas, ascending for breathtaking views of the downtown skyline and across Elliott Bay.
Each ride lasts between twelve and twenty minutes, ensuring a minimum of three complete revolutions, allowing ample opportunity to capture stunning photographs and enjoy the sights.
For a premium experience, consider the VIP gondola, which features a transparent glass floor along with a complimentary drink and souvenir t-shirt. Timing your visit for sunset or evening hours offers a magical experience.
2. Olympic Sculpture Park
Art and nature converge at the Olympic Sculpture Park on Western Avenue in Downtown Seattle. This distinct public park occupies eight and a half acres and features geometrically designed paths that meander around twenty unique sculptures.
The diverse artistic installations range from a vivarium showcasing fungi and moss on a tree trunk to benches resembling eyes, fountains with twin jets, and a vividly colored glass bridge.
The park also includes a slender beach area facing the bay, providing a tranquil space for contemplation regarding the profound meanings of the sculptures. Additionally, there is a small auditorium available for outdoor events.
3. Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market, one of the oldest functioning farmers’ markets in the United States, has been a staple in Downtown Seattle since the early 1900s. Located on 1st Avenue, it offers stunning views of the bay while captivating visitors with its vibrancy.
Meander through the alleys filled with fresh produce sold by local Washington farmers, followed by exploration of over two hundred shops and eighty-plus restaurants. Open daily, the market is teeming with activity, allowing guests to partake in cooking classes with professional chefs, guided walking tours, or observe artists at work in various studios.
Pike Place Market is an enduring tradition in Downtown Seattle and is not to be missed.
4. Harbor Cruise
Embark on a relaxing one-hour sail from Pier 55 on an open-topped boat that navigates through Downtown Seattle’s harbor. An expert guide narrates intriguing historical insights and anecdotes about Downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and Puget Sound.
The cruise takes you through the bustling cargo ship area before leading along the waterfront, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Downtown on one side and the majestic Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges on the other.
5. Seattle Art Museum
Located on 1st Avenue, the Seattle Art Museum is an essential stop in Downtown Seattle. The museum’s facade features an impressive fifty-foot tall metal sculpture known as the Hammering Man, symbolizing laborers and their efforts, and swings its hammer four times per minute, providing an excellent photo opportunity.
Inside, the museum operates multiple exhibition floors, showcasing collections from diverse cultures around the world. It features art ranging from ancient American works to contemporary pieces, including Australian Aboriginal art presented across various mediums.
6. Crab Pot
Seafood is predominant in Downtown Seattle’s culinary scene. For a rustic yet flavorful experience, visit the Crab Pot located at Pier 57.
Featured on the television program ‘Man V Food’, this establishment is renowned for its Seafeasts. Opt for the Alaskan platter, and expect a lavish display of various seafood topped generously with crab.
The ambiance is casual, with paper tablecloths, a rustic tile floor, and the necessity of bibs, as indulging in crab can be a messy yet enjoyable affair.
7. The Spheres
The Spheres comprise three large glass orbs situated at Amazon’s headquarters on 7th Avenue in Downtown Seattle. These structures were designed as an innovative workspace for employees and house approximately forty thousand species of cloud forest plants, creating a tropical environment within the urban landscape of Downtown Seattle.
During your visit to Amazon HQ, consider taking a tour of the Understory to learn about the Spheres’ creation and significance. While the Understory is accessible seven days a week, the Spheres themselves are open to view only on select Saturdays, requiring a reservation in advance. A comprehensive tour of Amazon HQ includes a visit to the Spheres.
8. The Diller Room
The Diller Room stands as a speakeasy-style bar on 1st Avenue in Downtown Seattle, situated in what formerly served as the foyer of the Diller Hotel, a prominent lodging for travelers during the Klondike gold rush.
This bar captures the speakeasy aesthetic, featuring elements of polished wood and bare brick that evoke the ambiance of a classic British pub.
Choose from an extensive cocktail menu, relax in the plush leather seating, and easily imagine yourself transported back to the days of prohibition.
9. Klondike Gold Rush Museum
The Klondike Gold Rush Museum, located on 2nd Avenue in Downtown Seattle, provides an insightful exploration of the gold rush’s impact on Seattle through numerous exhibits and artifacts from that era.
Visitors can learn about historical figures of that period by viewing a series of short films, discover the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, and watch live demonstrations of gold panning.
Although small, the Gold Rush Museum offers a compelling look at the events that shaped contemporary Seattle.
10. Starbucks Reserve & Roastery
Gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of coffee culture by visiting the Starbucks Reserve and Roastery located on Pike Street in Downtown Seattle.
Witness the entire coffee-making process, starting from the arrival of raw beans to their roasting and subsequent grinding. Savor the finished product served in numerous variations, from classic espresso to a unique triple eight-ounce package of clover brewed reserve blends, leaving you thoroughly educated about coffee.
Interested in visiting the original Starbucks store? It is located just nine blocks away, offering an excellent opportunity to balance your caffeine intake with a pleasant walk between the two locations.
11. Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
Explore the bizarre and whimsical at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop located at Pier 54 on Downtown Seattle’s waterfront. This unique establishment serves as both a museum and a shop, featuring peculiarities and oddities.
Encounter petrified mummies, collections of shrunken heads, and other intriguing oddities such as two-headed animals or chickens with four legs.
Curious about your future? For a small fee, consult Estrella, the Gypsy Fortune Teller, who will provide a card with your fate printed on it.
12. Space Needle
Although technically located just outside Downtown Seattle, the Space Needle is essential for obtaining unparalleled views of the city. Standing at six hundred fifty feet tall, this iconic tower is a landmark that offers grand vistas of Downtown, the waterfront, and surrounding mountains.
The lower deck features a revolving glass floor, while the upper deck showcases floor-to-ceiling glass walls and transparent benches that allow for extraordinary selfies against the city skyline. For the adventurous, experiencing the virtual bungee jump offers an exhilarating perspective of Downtown Seattle.
13. Paramount Theater
The Paramount Theater, situated within a historic building in Downtown Seattle, originally opened in the late 1920s as both a cinema and music venue.
Today, it serves as a luxurious multi-purpose performing arts center, featuring an intricately designed ceiling, a balcony, and seating for nearly three thousand attendees.
This venue, located on Pine Street, regularly showcases prominent Broadway productions, concert performances, and musicals, including renowned shows like ‘Cats’, ‘The Lion King’, and ‘School of Rock’.
14. Pinball Museum
Experience the nostalgic world of pinball at the Pinball Museum on Maynard Avenue in Downtown Seattle. This unique venue features fifty antique pinball machines spanning from the early 1960s to the 2000s.
Guests are encouraged to play on any of the machines, ensuring a lively atmosphere filled with flashing lights and ringing sounds, along with cheers from high-score accomplishments.
Pinball offers an entertaining and surprisingly addictive experience, so be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time here. Should you need a refreshment, the museum provides a selection of vintage sodas.
15. Westlake Center
Indulge in retail therapy at the four-story Westlake Center shopping mall in Downtown Seattle. Located on Pine Street, this glass-fronted commercial facility hosts a variety of prominent shops and dining options.
From luxury jewelry boutiques to artisanal cosmetics and designer clothing, an array of outlets awaits exploration.
After a shopping spree, consider stopping for a fresh juice or relishing a coffee at the iconic Starbucks, a quintessential Seattle experience. Enjoy your time!
