Must-See Spots in Seattle’s Waterfront District

The downtown Seattle waterfront has some awesome views over the Puget Sound and West Seattle. It’s a great place to explore or to just stroll along. You’ll find places to sit and admire the views, cafes, and restaurants serving everything from snacks to fine dining, and plenty of shops and galleries for retail therapy. Here are some of the must-see spots to visit and things to do.

Pike Place Market

No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the Pike Place Market. The market was founded in 1907 to provide fresh local produce for the citizens of Seattle. Today, it’s a bustling place where you can admire the displays of locally caught fresh fish, the vibrant colors of the fruit and vegetables, and the impressive cuts of meat in the farmers market.

In the crafts market, which has been operating for over 40 years, you will discover many stalls of unique locally handcrafted goods. Fashion and accessories, pottery and glasswork, paintings and sculptures all feature, as well as specialty items such as musical instruments.

The Olympic Sculpture Park

A part of the Seattle Art Museum, the Olympic Sculpture Park features large sculptures and installations. Wander along the zigzag paths and enjoy the impressive artwork, much of which is fun, funky, and downright weird. The park also offers superb views of the Olympic Mountains, Elliott Bay, and the Space Needle. Admission is free.

Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium is located at Pier 59 and gives you the opportunity to discover the species whose natural habitat is in the Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound in particular. The cool exhibits include varieties of fish, seals and otters, and invertebrates such as starfish and anemones.

The largest exhibit is an underwater dome with a 360-degree view of the sharks, skates, sturgeon, schools of salmon, and more. On the serious side, you can learn about the conservation of species through interactive exhibits.

Take a Boat Trip

On the waterfront, you’ll find a variety of boat trips on offer. Choose a tour of the harbor to see the different types of shipping, a scenic tour of the Puget Sound, or pass through the locks into Lake Union. If you’re more adventurous, you could take a whale-watching trip. Also available are scenic dinner or brunch cruises, some with entertainment included.

The Seattle Great Wheel

For an awesome view of the city, take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57. The climate-controlled closed cabins can seat up to six adults. The ride takes around 15 minutes and offers amazing views of Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle, West Seattle, the Olympic Mountains, and surrounding scenery.

After dark at the weekends, the wheel provides a stunning light show, with more than 500,000 LED lights programmed to create a beautiful display. For an even more special experience, you can book a private VIP cabin with leather seating and a stereo system.

These are just a few of the attractions of the Seattle waterfront, and there is so much more on offer that it’s worth exploring to discover what’s there.

Image via Pixabay

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