Seattle is an exciting vacation destination with much to see and do. The greater Seattle region contains a number of popular attractions and places to explore. Visitors to this area sometimes enjoy visiting Mount Rainier National Park and other spectacular outdoor gems outside the city, while others prefer to keep their explorations closer to Seattle’s downtown area. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll be glad you spent several days in this beautiful area.

Here are ten of the best things to do in the Seattle area during your stay:

1. Admire Stunning Artwork and Garden Landscapes. Chihuly Garden and Glass is one of Seattle’s most popular attractions. Located next to Seattle’s Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass displays the breathtakingly beautiful artwork of Dale Chihuly, a famed fine artist who works in glass. His stunning works of art are displayed in eight galleries, three drawing walls, and a 40-foot tall Glasshouse. The garden here also features some of Chihuly’s exquisite glass sculptures in a lovely area landscaped with flowers, plants and trees. Chihuly Garden’s Collections Café is convenient spot to enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner during your visit.

2. Explore Pioneer Square. Pioneer Square is Seattle’s “first neighborhood” and is known for its historic Renaissance Revival architecture. Visitors can step back in time and explore the area, which is filled with shops, restaurants, art galleries and murals. Waterfall Garden Park is a beautiful area in Pioneer Square that contains a 22-foot man-made waterfall with patio seating nearby. Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park and the Iron Pergola are additional highlights as well. Adventurous travelers enjoy exploring the underground tunnels beneath Pioneer Square on tours, learning about the fascinating history of Seattle’s first settlement and the pioneers who lived there.

3. Enjoy Puget Sound. Seattle visitors typically marvel at the beauty of Puget Sound, which provides a scenic backdrop to the city. Puget Sound is a paradise for nature lovers. Travelers can drive to Whidbey Island and Vashon Island, take a day trip to Blake Island State Park, or enjoy a pleasurable ferry ride to Bainbridge Island or the San Juan Islands to explore the region’s rich natural treasures. Whales can sometimes be seen along the way.

4. Soar Over Washington. Take an virtual flying adventure over the stunning state of Washington at Wings over Washington, a “flying theater” experience offered at Seattle’s Pier 57. Reportedly one of the most state-of-the-art theaters, Wings over Washington includes 5K cameras, virtual reality systems, laser projection and a phenomenal surround sound system. Once guests are strapped into their theater seats, Wings over Washington takes them soaring upward on a flight across the state of Washington, viewing the Olympic National Forest, Mount Rainer, Snoqualmie Falls, the San Juan Islands and other sites.

5. Sample the Food. Seattle has a vibrant foodie scene, which is showcased on a number of popular culinary tours. Pike Place Market is a favorite destination on these excursions and it’s a great stop for all kinds of travelers as well. There’s always something new and unique to see, sample or buy at Pike Place Market. With numerous bakeries and restaurants, Pike Place Market can be a perfect place to dine. Starbucks also got its start at Pikes Place Market. Visitors can savor the coffee at Starbuck’s “original” store across from Pikes Place Market and sample a variety of brews at Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room.

6. Take A Ride on The Seattle Great Wheel. Located at Pier 57, The Seattle Great Wheel is the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast of the United States, soaring 174 feet into the air. The Ferris wheel was constructed in 2021 and it is covered in 500,000 LED lights. Colorful light displays typically take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and custom light shows are also offered as well. Riders on The Seattle Great Wheel can enjoy spectacular views of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound and the magnificent mountains surrounding Seattle. Great Wheel Private Dining pre-set dinners featuring food from The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar is available, too.

7. Visit Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Rainier National Park is America’s fifth-oldest national park, and it’s also one of the most scenic. Located just a few hours’ drive from downtown Seattle, it’s quite easy for visitors to add a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park to their vacation. Many travelers prefer to stay here for several days, however, to fully enjoy the park’s scenic beauty. Rising to over 14,400 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier’s glaciers and volcanic peak can often be seen by airline passengers as they fly into Seattle. Of the more than 235,000 acres that make up this national park, 97% have been designated as Wilderness areas. There are beautiful lakes, rivers and an extensive trail system to explore here. Some of the most popular activities include hiking, fishing, bicycling, wildflower viewing, ranger-led programs, and taking in the park’s stunning vistas.

8. Take In the Views. Built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the towering Space Needle is a key part of Seattle’s iconic skyline. It’s been featured in blockbuster movies and television shows, too. Visitors can take a quick elevator ride to the Observation Deck and enjoy panoramic views of Mount Rainier and the city skyline from 520 feet above sea level. Another popular spot for 360 degree scenic views is the Sky View Observatory, located downtown in Seattle’s Columbia Center. Located high in the sky at over 900 feet above sea level, the Sky View Observatory is the tallest public viewing spot located west of the Mississippi River. On a clear day, observatory guests can see Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, the Olympic Mountains, the Cascade Mountains, Elliott Bay, the city of Seattle and much more.

9. Marvel at Snoqualmie Falls. Just about a half-hour’s drive east of Seattle lies beautiful Snoqualmie Falls. More than 1.5 million people come to visit Snoqualmie Falls each year. Visitors are often spellbound, as water from this spectacular waterfall drops nearly 270 feet to the base below. The area features a two-acre park, upper and lower observation decks, the Salish Lodge, a gift shop and hiking trails.

10. Learn About Aviation. The Seattle region is the home of Boeing Airplane Company, and aviation has been a major part of Seattle’s business landscape for many years. It’s fitting, therefore, to have a world-class aviation museum here. The Museum of Flight is located on twelve acres about ten minutes from downtown Seattle. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum showcases over 85 exhibits, flight simulators, airplanes, spacecraft, and interactive activities. Some favorites include the supersonic Concorde, an Apollo Command Module and the cool Kid's Flight Zone area.