Seattle is an interesting city to visit. There are unique things to see and do in the city, and natural beauty to explore in its vicinity. I recommend traveling in summer if you are looking for the best weather and experience in Seattle. My first time in Seattle was great. It was in June and although I landed into rainy and 40-something degree weather, the very next day, the sun came out with clear skies and temperatures rising to the 60’s the rest of my trip. Here are some fun things to do in Seattle.
Pikes Place
Pikes Place is a fun place to visit known for its fish market, gum wall, shops, and more. Pikes Place is also the oldest Farmers Market in the USA and stretches across 9 acres! It has great gift shops and specialty food shops. I ventured into their cheese shop and chocolate shop which had delicious treats. You’ll see the fun had at the fish market with vendors throwing fish to each other. There’s a lot to see and eat while here. The Original Starbucks location is here. In my opinion, the Starbucks coffee in Seattle tastes better than elsewhere. I’ve love to know if they make it differently. As I was walking along, I stumbled onto the Gum Wall. It originated in the 1990’s and evolved into a local tourist attraction.
Space Needle
The Space Needle in Seattle, is one of America’s recognizable landmarks. It’s 605 feet tall and offers 360-degree views. Located at 520 feet, I went out onto the open-air observation deck and had an amazing view of Mount Rainier. One of the staff members said I was lucky as the skies in Seattle aren’t normally so clear and sunny as it was that day. All the views from the space needle were spectacular. For those that are brave, you can venture to The Loupe which is a revolving glass floor, at 500 feet in the Space Needle. Afterwards I enjoyed shopping in their gift shop and picking up souvenirs. Tickets range from $26 – $39.
Seattle Chocolate Factory Tour
If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll want to stop by the Seattle Chocolate Factory. This is their flagship store and they offer a variety of chocolate treats and gifts. The Seattle Chocolate Factory was voted Trip Advisor’s Choice of 2023! You can take a tour and see how the magic is made. Tickets are $12 – $15. Don’t forget to check their events calendar. They have regular events like Beer and Chocolate tastings, Tea and Chocolate tastings, and various other parties and fun events.
Amazon Spheres
The Amazon Spheres were built in 2017 and are an interesting and beautiful place to visit. As you’re walking downtown, you’ll come upon two large and transparent spheres in the middle of Amazon Headquarters’ downtown campus. The Spheres are a unique workplace surrounded by a variety of plants with the intent to provide a tranquil workspace for its employees. The Spheres are open to the public on the weekends. It’s a cool and unexpected site to come upon while walking around downtown.
Rubber Chicken Museum
Another fun thing to do in Seattle is visit the Rubber Chicken Museum. Weather you’re traveling with children, or visiting with a group of friends, your sure to get some laughs here. It’s home to both the largest and smallest rubber chicken. You can take a tour, and if you come on your birthday with your I.D. to show proof, you’ll get a small gift. If your interested in seeing something a bit bizarre, they have an exhibit called the Wallingford Beast you can take a photo with.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is about a 2-hour drive from downtown Seattle, but you can see it from the top of the Space Needle on a clear day. It’s a stunning site to behold. If you decide to visit, you’ll need an Entrance Pass and to make a Timed Entry reservation. You can view the mountain’s live webcams before entry to see what the weather is like. There are trails to explore and waterfalls to see. You’re sure to get great nature photos here!
Jimi Hendrix Statute
Jimi Hendrix, famous rock star – guitarist, signer, and composer, was born in 1942 in Seattle, Washington. There is a bronze statue of Jimi shredding on his guitar is located in the Capitol Hill area at 1604 Broadway. This status was created by Daryl Smith called The Electric Lady Studio Guitar. This statue is part of a collection of statues of famous American musicians. You can also find Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly in the area.
Rock Box
If you’re looking for a fun night with friends, consider Rock Box. Rock Box is Japanese style karaoke bar, located in the Capital Hill area. They have 11 rooms available for rent. They have happy hours and a snack menu. You can search your favorite songs ahead of time on their website to prepare for a night of singing.