Seattle

Officially known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, the Ballard Locks provide a navigable connection for ships passing between the saltwater of Puget Sound and the freshwater of Lakes Union and Washington. It's a fascinating look at nautical engineering and local ecology.

Home to the Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall occupies an entire city block in downtown Seattle. Known for its impeccable acoustics and elegant, modern architecture, it is a premier venue for classical music and prominent speakers.

Located on the University of Washington campus, the Burke Museum is the oldest public museum in Washington state. It focuses profoundly on the natural history and cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest.

Capitol Hill is Seattle's most vibrant, densely populated, and fast-paced neighborhood. Known formally as the center of the city’s LGBTQ+ community and counter-culture, it is packed with cutting-edge restaurants, indie bookstores, and nightlife.

Located right next to the Space Needle, this breathtaking exhibit showcases the studio glass of Dale Chihuly. The exhibit includes eight galleries, a centerpiece Glasshouse, and a lush garden where giant, colorful glass sculptures blend with nature.

Located on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center, the Sky View Observatory is the highest public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest. At nearly 1,000 feet up, it dwarfs the Space Needle and offers supreme panoramic views of Seattle and beyond.

Discovery Park is Seattle's largest city park, sprawling over 534 acres on the shores of Puget Sound in the Magnolia neighborhood. It offers a spectacular, wild environment within city limits, featuring tidal beaches, sea cliffs, forest groves, and meadows.

Gas Works Park is one of Seattle's most distinct, uniquely designed green spaces. Located on the north shore of Lake Union, it incorporates the steampunk-like rusted ruins of a former coal gasification plant into the park’s landscape.

Kerry Park is a small public park and viewpoint on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill. Despite its small size, it is arguably the most famous viewpoint in Seattle, offering the quintessential postcard view of the downtown skyline featuring the Space Needle.

Located south of downtown at King County International Airport (Boeing Field), this is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world. It provides an awe-inspiring look at the history of aviation and space exploration.

Created and operated by the Seattle Art Museum, this 9-acre public park sits right on the edge of Elliott Bay. It blends monumental contemporary sculptures with breathtaking vistas of the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound.

Located within the Seattle Center, the Pacific Science Center is a dynamic, family-friendly museum dedicated to igniting curiosity in science, math, and technology through highly interactive exhibits.

Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the United States and a defining Seattle landmark. It is a vibrant, multi-level labyrinth of stalls, shops, and restaurants perched over the Elliott Bay waterfront.

Pioneer Square is Seattle’s original downtown, rich in history and featuring stunning Romanesque Revival architecture. Today, it hosts a vibrant mix of art galleries, trendy cafes, underground tours, and buzzing nightlife.

Sitting on Pier 59 on the Elliott Bay waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium focuses heavily on the marine life of the Puget Sound region. It's a leading institution for marine conservation and offers engaging exhibits for families.

Located in downtown Seattle, SAM is the city's premier fine arts museum. Its expansive collection spans thousands of years, featuring notable works in Native American, African, Oceanic, Asian, and modern contemporary art.

The Space Needle is an iconic observation tower and a symbol of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, built for the 1962 World's Fair. It offers incredible 360-degree views of the downtown skyline, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, and Puget Sound.

The Showbox is an iconic and deeply beloved music venue located right next to Pike Place Market. With its art deco styling, sprung wooden dance floor, and incredible acoustics, it's one of the best places in the city to catch live music.

The Volunteer Park Conservatory is a stunning, historic Victorian-style glass greenhouse. It offers a lush, tropical escape from the frequently grey Seattle skies, featuring thousands of beautiful, exotic plants across five distinct show houses.

Taking a ride on a Washington State Ferry from the downtown Colman Dock is a quintessential Seattle experience. As the largest ferry system in the United States, it provides not only vital commuter transit but also a stunning, affordable cruise through Puget Sound.