Seattle’s 8 Must-See Attractions
Space Needle photo uploaded by stovak
Blog reader Jill asks: We are coming to Seattle the end of January 2008 and will be there for 3 weeks. My husband is there on business. Is it safe for me to explore the city without him during the day? What would you suggest is THE BEST to see while there? He will be able to explore the city with me on weekends.
Go Seattle Card answers: First off, as a fellow female traveler, I want to assure you that I feel very safe walking around Seattle during the day. In fact, several sources include Seattle as one of the safest cities in the US. See here and here for more details on safety rankings. Now, onto the fun stuff…
I looked up TripAdvisor’s top rated Seattle attractions and was surprised to discover that the Space Needle is #20. I’m surprised, because that is probably the most iconic piece of Seattle’s skyline and the views are just incredible up there! Here’s what I’d consider my personal favorite things to do in Seattle.
- Space Needle features 360 degree views of beautiful Puget Sound. It takes only 41 seconds to reach the Observation Deck 520 feet above ground.
- Pike Place Market recently celebrated their 100th anniversary and the market still maintains much of its old-fashioned charm (though, unfortunately, not the 1907 prices). Watch out for flying fish!
- Experience Music Project (EMP) is a new fixture to the Seattle Center area, and already it’s become a favorite among visitors of all ages for its interactive exhibits exploring (mostly) contemporary music.
- Pacific Science Center is near the EMP and the Space Needle and boasts over 300 hands-on science exhibits for all ages (full disclosure: this was also the site of my senior prom. A little nerdy, but true).
- Museum of Flight chronicles the history of aviation, from the Wright Brothers and beyond. Boeing’s major airplane plant is located north of Seattle, so planes are a big part of the local economy.
- Pioneer Square was Seattle’s first neighborhood. It was the site of the original Starbucks and includes Gold Rush National Park.
- Argosy Harbor Cruises offer an hour long cruise around Elliott Bay with views of major landmarks like the Space Needle and Seattle Center.
- Seattle Center hosts tons of performances, festivals, sporting events, and more, so check their event schedule before you go.
For more tips on visiting Seattle, check out Shannon’s Weekend in Seattle.
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Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.
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