The best things to do in Seattle right now

Every city needs a freakishly tall structure with overpriced champagne, right? Well, this is Seattle’s. The space needle was originally constructed to be part of the 1962 World’s Fair and boasts the most incredible views of the city. From here, you can see the Cascades, Olympic Mountains and more, and it’s had several renovations to make it really shine. Now, there are tilting glass walls (called Skyrisers), which make you feel like you’re floating, and a revolving glass floor to make you dizzy. If you worked up a thirst or appetite, grab locally sourced snacks, coffee, beer and wine at the Atmos Café, or check out the Atmos Wine Bar. Additionally, post renovations, The Loupe Lounge is now open and serving cocktails as the world’s first revolving bar.

Is it a weekend away in a new city if you didn’t spend hours people-watching in a square? No, is the answer. And Seattle has just the thing. Pioneer Square is Seattle’s oldest neighborhood and features everything you need for the perfect afternoon—cafés, bookstores and lovely architecture, to name a few. While you’re there, head to the  Klondike Gold Rush museum, and then check out the Smith Tower, which for a while was the tallest building on the West Coast and boasts some pretty spectacular views. This is also the spot for the brilliant Bill Speidel's Underground Tour, where you can learn about Seattle’s underground passages, dark tunnels and subterranean passageways. 

A unique visual experience, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum showcases the epic work of Northwest glass artist Dale Chihuly with a series of mind- and glass-blowing indoor and outdoor installations. The sculptures range from the elegant to the extravagant, particularly in the garden, where plants and glass pieces tangle in a blaze of colors. Refraction means an entirely different experience in different weather conditions—but permanent Instagram gold. It also pairs well with a Space Needle visit, as the museum is just steps away from the famous landmark.

A famous market and a must-see, no matter the length of your trip. It is the most visited landmark in the city (impressive for a market, right?) and a fabulous place for foodies to indulge in tasty grub. Sleuth out the rosy entrance to hidden local favorite the Pink Door, which serves up deliciously fresh Italian grub. Other great options for sit-down lunch include Pike Place Chowder—serving some of the best clam chowders this side of Boston—and Lowell’s, where you can tick the Seattle Joe Scramble (sausage, spinach, and mushrooms) off of your gastronomical bucket list. Skip over to the other side, and you can discover another of Pike Place's secret foodie havens The Crumpet Shop, though they have been known to sell out by lunchtime. 

I grew up visiting family on this nearby island and always appreciated its juxtaposition to the skyscraper-lined city. Whether we were taking walks in the 150 acres of gardens, ponds and meadows in the beautiful Bloedel Reserve, combing the beach or spotting sea life off the boardwalk, it was always a welcome reprise. On a more somber note, the Bainbridge Island Japanese-American Exclusion Memorial is a must-visit. It tells the story of the island’s Japanese residents during World War II.

To this day, the 35-minute ride is one of my favorite recommendations to out-of-town visitors. Like NYC’s Staten Island Ferry, the Bainbridge Island Ferry is a splendid way to eyeball a significant amount of Seattle’s highlights swiftly—and cheaply. But before you head back, stop for a treat at one of the West Coast’s finest ice cream parlors, Island Cool (formerly Mora Iced Creamery), where flavors include cheesecake with raspberry jam and mojito.

Located a short drive from downtown in Tukwila, the Seattle Barista Academy offers three-hour classes for javaholics. If you’re a fan of the black stuff, the epicenter of the North American coffee scene is the perfect place to get your hands dirty. Learn everything from beginner latte art to how to brew the perfect espresso in the span of an afternoon. Pro tip: Better book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Born from a popular food truck, Marination Ma Kai serves up mouthwatering Hawaiian-Korean fusion food at an ace location on the glistening waterfront. Board the West Seattle water taxi at Pier 50, and 15 minutes later, you’ll arrive in Seattle's take on the tropics. With jaw-dropping views from its patio, this restaurant makes you feel like you are on an island. For eats, opt for a pork katsu sandwich with kimchi (beware the spice, though) or say aloha to some sexy (their word, not ours) tofu tacos.

The Seattle Great Wheel, on Pier 57, is one of the largest of its kind in North America, and gondolas are fully enclosed for rain-or-shine rides. The views from this 175-foot-high Ferris wheel more than compensate for its corniness. From the top, you’ll enjoy a grand panorama of the city, the Pacific Ocean, and—if you’re lucky—the Olympic Mountains. First opened in 2012, the wheel isn't a particularly old landmark, but that hardly matters. Besides, you can expect fantastic views when you're going for a ride, and the wheel itself lights up, providing the Seattle skyline with a little razzle-dazzle.

This park covers all of the Bailey Peninsula, and its lush, old-growth forest (some of the trees are more than 250 years old) is a popular escape from the urban jungle. A forested 300-acre peninsula jutting out into Lake Washington, Seward Park is only a 20-minute drive (or taxi ride) from downtown Seattle, but it feels like a different world. With beaches, boating, tennis courts, and hiking trails, it’s an excellent day-trip option for all ages.

MoPOP is Seattle’s tribute to the history of Northwest music, from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana and much more. Celebrating all things pop culture and science fiction, the exhibition space is wrapped inside a fluid Frank Gehry design. Play in your own virtual rock band while learning about the region’s rich rock legacy, or geek out in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. It is conveniently located in the Seattle Center, next door to the Space Needle and Chihuly Glass.

Washington prides itself on its wine—and Chateau Ste. Michelle (less than 20 miles from Seattle) is the state’s oldest and most celebrated winery. A turreted French-style mansion surrounded by 105-acre grounds, Ste. Michelle produces chardonnay, cabernet, merlot, riesling, and other varietals that visitors can taste during regular tasting sessions. If you visit during the warmer months, don't miss the popular summer concert series on the winery's pristine lawn.

"De libertas quirkas" ("the freedom to be quirky"), is the unofficial motto of Fremont, Seattle's indie enclave. Home of the Fremont Troll, the hip nabe has some of Northwest's best vintage stores and independent boutiques. Among the highlights are PIPE + ROW, an expertly curated boutique known for its unique accessories, and Show Pony, which champions local designers and is a mine of affordable fashion. If you are into record collecting, don't miss Jive Time, where you can pick up used vinyl for a fraction of the retail price. Finally, for all the bookworms, Ophelia’s Books, home to a great selection of used and new titles, is a can’t miss!

Officially named the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, these labyrinthine waterways linking the Puget Sound with Lake Washington and the Ship Canal are one of the city's most popular attractions. On sunny days, people flock to the waterside and the neighboring Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden—one of the most beautiful green spaces in the city. If the sun is out, many will kick back dockside or stroll on the swinging walkways to watch the boats come and go. In late summer and early fall, head to the Salmon Ladder on the other side of the locks, where you can see migrating salmon in the underground viewing room.

Seattle’s coolest neighborhood has something for everyone. It’s also one of the city’s oldest areas. Many side streets still have the old brick roads that used to be everywhere; the Capitol Hill soundtrack might as well be the rolling sound of tires suddenly going from pavement to red stone. The compact neighborhood has a great density of my favorite coffee shops such as Espresso Vivace, Analog and Caffe Vita (which supplies beans to many cafes around Puget Sound), performance art spaces (check out Exit Space Dance, Velocity Dance Center and Capitol Hill Comedy Bar), and shops (from bookstores to thrift shops), all in the heart of the city. Additionally, don’t miss the Frye Art Museum which has free entry year-round.

Self-taught chef Tom Douglas remains MVP on Seattle’s restaurant scene, gracing the city with several fabulous restaurants. Whether you opt for thin-crust wood-fired pizzas at Serious Pie, Greek-influenced cuisine at Lola, or seafood at the Seatown Rub Shack and Fish Fry, you'll taste some seriously good grub.

The Rainy City’s reputation may be exaggerated, but when the weather looks menacing, simply duck underground to roam forgotten subterranean passages with expert guides. For a sub-sidewalk circuit of the city, get on a Beneath the Streets tour. Setting off from Cherry Street, the one-hour walk snakes under Pioneer Square, past beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture, and into the earliest roots of Seattle. You can now explore underground Seattle in a new light by joining a Red Light District Tour. Expect to come face to face with Seattle's grimy underbelly, including discussions about prostitution, gambling, vice, and drinking.

The National Nordic Museum, located in the historically Scandinavian neighborhood of Ballard, is a fun niche museum that tells a different part of Seattle’s history. Many early European immigrants to the area came from Nordic countries such as Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Most artifacts in the museum were donated by residents or ancestors, including my family! Once you’ve done your tour, make sure to visit the amazing ground-floor cafe Freya, which serves the best Scandinavian treats like smørrebrød, Danish hot dogs and krumkake.

The 90-minute Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour covers the past, present, and future of human flight in a state-of-the-art museum and gives you entry to the Boeing factory. You get to go behind the scenes at the facility where the famous Boeing aircraft are made and tested. At a sprawling 98 acres, this is officially the largest building in the world (measured by volume)—and the place where Boeing developed the Dreamliner. Please note that the Center is in Everett, about 30 miles north of downtown Seattle.

Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry covers the region's heritage through a colossal collection of four million artifacts. In 2012, this Smithsonian affiliate relocated to its grand new home in the Naval Reserve Armory in Lake Union Park. The bigger premises allows the museum to display more of its collection, including outstanding pieces like the Petticoat Flag—an 1856 American flag sewn by women during the Battle of Seattle—and Boeing’s first commercial airplane (the 1919 Boeing B-1).

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM to its friends) is one of the city’s unmissable highlights. The extensive permanent collections of Native American and Pacific Northwest artwork are worth the visit alone, but the diverse, lively temporary exhibitions keep locals and visitors returning time and again. If you can, try to time your visit to include the first Thursday of the month, when entry is free, and leave time to check out the nearby outdoor art at Olympic Sculpture Park. 

Located on South King Street in the Chinatown-International District, the Wing Luke Museum is dedicated to exploring the culture, art, and history of Asian Pacific Americans. The museum is particularly strong on folk art and oral history but also curates many fascinating neighborhood walking tours. Of course, there’s plenty of love for Seattle’s most famous Asian Pacific son, the mighty Bruce Lee, in an exhibition that includes some of his poems and personal possessions.

Triple Door—a beautiful 1920s vaudeville theater with stints as a burlesque house and blue movie theater—is well worth checking out. Now one of the Northwest’s top live music venues, it combines world-class acts with an award-winning restaurant, Wild Ginger. If you don’t want to commit to a full concert experience, the no-cover Musicquarium Lounge is great for pre-dinner happy hour cocktails and a taste of local music before moving down Union Street.

One of the best beaches in the city, it is named for the golden sand that graces the shores, a rarity in a region better known for rocky coastlines. Golden Gardens is located in Ballard and makes a great afternoon walk from the top of Sunset Hill down the stairs to the sand. Or, make a full day of it, bring a cooler and snacks, and enjoy views of the Olympics on clear days. Cafe Fiore at the top of the stairs also serves up top-rate Seattle espresso and pastries.

Another popular outdoor space in Seattle is the 19.1 acres where a former industrial plant now serves as the city’s playground. Gas Works is ideally situated between Fremont and the University District. Gas Works is right off the Burke Gilman trail and is a great place to stop off for a picnic after a bike ride. Enjoy panoramic views of the skyline and Lake Union. And if you’re in need of refreshments after a day spent outside, head over to the nearby Fremont Brewery.

One of my favorite places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city is the beach! And since Seattle is located along the Puget Sound, that’s normally a non-issue. If I have a full afternoon or day free, I take the light rail or bus downtown to the Westlake Center, walk down the hill to Pike Place, grab a few snacks and continue to the waterfront. From there, West Seattle (a world away with flower-filled gardens and beachside shacks and cafes) is just a 10-minute water taxi ride (located at Pier 50).

The relaxed vibe and beach town feel make it a favorite day trip among Seattleites (including myself). Once disembarking the boat, I usually walk the one-mile stretch along the water to Alki Beach, but you can also rent bikes. If you need a caffeine fix, I recommend Cafe Ladro’s West Seattle location or Ampersand Cafe on Alki (if you want a beachside option).

We all know the history of what is arguably the world’s most famous ship. So whether you’re a maritime history buff or just a huge fan of the movie, this latest experience in Seattle is a must-visit. The exhibit, located on the downtown waterfront in the Maritime building has a couple hundred artifacts on display. Additionally, the narrative experience walks visitors through the stories of real-life passengers, replications of the ship and testimonies.