The Ultimate Seattle Bucket List | 150+ Amazing Things to Do in Seattle

Looking for some epic things to add to your Seattle bucket list? From those iconic experiences, hidden gems, quirky finds, hipster spots, and the best food, cocktails, and coffee, here are over 150 things to check off your Seattle bucket list!

After something like eight trips to Seattle in eight years, you could say that it’s become one of my all-time favorite cities. I’ve fallen in love with the natural beauty of the area, the cool hipster vibe, and the amazing food (sooooo much amazing food). And, over the years I’ve found plenty to add to my Seattle bucket list.

There is soooo much to do in Seattle, from foodie adventures, urban hikes, cultural experiences, outdoor activities, taking photos at the most photogenic spots in the city, finding the best city views, and much, much more! I thought I had already done a lot in the Emerald City, but I still ended up finding so much more to add to my Seattle bucket list!

Luckily for me, Seattle is just a quick flight away (2 hours from San Francisco, where I used to live; and 3 hours from Orange County, my new home), and I see plenty of weekend trips to Seattle in my future!

Want to know all the best things to add to your Seattle bucket list? Keep on reading for all those bucket list experiences in the Emerald City!

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The Ultimate Seattle Bucket List

1. Watch the sunset (and take some Instagram photos) of the Seattle skyline at Kerry Park. | Queen Anne

2. Eat an award-winning Creole brunch at Toulouse Petit. | Queen Anne

3. Order the tasting menu at Canlis, Seattle’s finest restaurant. | Queen Anne

4. Sip on an espresso and contemplate a purchase of a fancy espresso machine at La Marzocco. | Queen Anne

5. Climb to the top of the Space Needle and enjoy the view – check out the rotating glass floors at the Loupe. | Seattle Center

6. Get wet at the International Fountain. | Seattle Center

7. Enjoy all the interactive exhibits at MoPOP, the museum dedicated to all things pop culture. | Seattle Center

8. Admire the stunning glass works of Dale Chihuly at the Chihuly Garden and Glass. | Seattle Center

9. Watch and IMAX movie at the Pacific Science Center. | Seattle Center

10. See the Seattle Opera or Pacific Northwest Ballet perform at McCaw Hall. | Seattle Center

11. Check out a roller derby event (or watch the biggest names in music perform) at the Climate Pledge Arena (formerly the Key Arena). | Seattle Center

12. Go to the Bumbershoot music festival – held every year during Labor Day weekend. This has been on my Seattle bucket list forever!| Seattle Center

13. Eat your way through Pike Place Market. Yes, touristy AF but a must on any Seattle bucket list| Pike Place

14. Eat a smoked salmon piroshky (a Russian pastry) from Piroshky, Piroshky. | Pike Place

15. Check out the first Starbucks location inside Pike Place at 1st & Pike – and get yourself a souvenir mug to commemorate it. | Pike Place

16. Snap a photo with the Pike Place gum wall, the second germiest attraction in the world (and add a piece of gum to it yourself, if you dare!). | Pike Place

17. Say hi to and drop a few coins into Rachel the Pig – doing so and rubbing her nose is said to bring you good luck. Proceeds go to the Market Foundation, which supports social services in Seattle. | Pike Place

18. Watch the fishmongers at Pike Place Fish Co. throw fish to each other, when someone purchases one. | Pike Place

19. Grab an artery-clogging breakfast at Biscuit Bitch. | Pike Place

18. Sample all the different chowder varieties at Pike Place Chowder. | Pike Place

19. Sample some cheese and eat some mac and cheese at Beecher’s Handmade Cheeses. | Pike Place

20. Eat a delicious Italian dinner while watching a burlesque or trapeze show (on Saturday nights) at the Pink Door. | Pike Place

21. Order a mule or a boozy float at Rachel’s Ginger Beer. | Pike Place

22. Go to the burlesque Sunday brunch at the Can Can. | Pike Place

23. Get a bag of freshly baked mini donuts at Daily Dozen. | Pike Place

24. Order the omakase at Sushi Kashiba, helmed by Shiro Kashiba, one of Seattle’s legendary sushi chefs who is a three time James Beard Award winner, and who once trained with Jiro Ono of Jiro Dreams of Sushi. | Pike Place

25. Sip on a quality cocktail at Zig Zag Cafe – known as one of the best bars in town, according to the city’s bartenders. | Pike Place

26. Take a stroll along the Seattle waterfront. | Belltown

27. Admire the view from the top of the Seattle Great Wheel, the tallest ferris wheel on the US west coast. | Belltown

28. Take a walk and admire the public art at the Olympic Sculpture Park. | Belltown

29. Pick up a box of milk chocolate sea salt caramels at Fran’s – apparently, they are Barack Obama’s favorite! | Belltown

30. Try the coconut cream pie and the made-to-order donuts at any of Tom Douglas’s restaurants (or pick them up at Dahlia Bakery). | multiple locations

32. Order the dealer’s choice at Bathtub Gin – pick a spirit, decide if you’re feeling sweet or sassy, and let the bartenders work their magic! | Belltown

33. Get a delicious wood-fired pizza at Serious Pie – the sausage is a favorite. | multiple locations

34. Eat cheap, fresh sushi by enjoying the happy hour specials at Umi Sake House. | Belltown

35. Admire all of the art at the Seattle Art Museum. | Belltown

36. Feast on some delicious pasta at Tavolata. Insider tip: go during Happy Hour (5-7 pm daily) for the best deals! | multiple locations

37. Go see a show at the Showbox, in an art deco building across from Pike Place Market. | Belltown

38. Grab a burger, fries, and a shake at Dick’s Drive-In. | Multiple locations

39. Check out the view from the top of the Columbia Tower, home of the tallest observation deck in the Pacific Northwest. | Downtown/First Hill

40. Admire the award-winning architecture of the Seattle Central Library – and check out the view from the 10th floor atrium. | Downtown/First Hill

41. Take the monorail to Seattle Center. | Downtown/First Hill

42. Take the SLUT (aka South Lake Union Tram) streetcar. | Downtown/First Hill

43. Shop at the flagship Nordstrom – a Seattle bucket list must for shopaholics!| Downtown/First Hill

44. Drink a cold brew and eat a quaffle (a cinnamon roll, waffle and croissant hybrid) at Anchorhead Coffee. | Downtown/First Hill

45. Wait in line to grab a sandwich at Salumi –  if you happen to catch them at a time that they’re open (check their hours – they are odd). | Pioneer Square

46. Enjoy a cup of single-origin coffee at Elm Coffee Roasters. | Multiple locations

47. Learn about Seattle’s history on the Seattle Underground Tour. | Pioneer Square

48. Check out the view from the top of the Smith Tower, Seattle’s first skyscraper. | Pioneer Square

49. Browse the art galleries in Pioneer Square during the First Thursday art walk – the first of its kind in the nation. | Pioneer Square

50. Check out the Iron Pergola and Tlingit totem pole, Seattle’s first landmark, at the corner of Yesler Way and 1st Avenue in Pioneer Square. | Pioneer Square

51. Buy yourself an vintage throwback jersey or ballcap for the team of your choice from Ebbets Field Flannels. | Pioneer Square

52. Eat your lunch or sip on a cup of coffee in front of a roaring waterfall at the Waterfall Garden, at the site of the original UPS headquarters in Pioneer Square. | Pioneer Square

53. Join the pep rally/parade (complete with a marching band) on the way to cheer on the Seattle Sounders. | Pioneer Square/SoDo

54. Browse the fun little knick knacks and get a bento box at Uwajimaya. | International District

55. Get the city’s best Szechuan food at Seven Stars Pepper. | International District

56. Eat some xiao long bao dumplings at Dough Zone. | International District

57. Get a curry pan (curry bun) at Fuji Bakery. | International District

58. Feast on some sushi at Maneki, Seattle’s oldest sushi restaurant. | International District

59. Slurp on a bowl of comforting pho or grab a bahn mi sandwich in the International District – Pho So 1, Pho Bac Sup Shop (try the dry pho here), and Saigon Deli are supposed to have some of the best. | International District

60. Try to snag a spot at Tsukushinbo. If you’re lucky enough to, you will be rewarded with super authentic sushi, including hard-to-find varieties such as barracuda or smoked kinmedai. On the weekends, order the ramen as well! | International District

61. Check out the largest pinball collection in the Pacific Northwest at the Seattle Pinball Museum. | International District

62. Check out all the vintage computers on display at the Museum of Living Computers. | SoDo

63. Attend a Seattle Seahawks game at CenturyLink Field, and become part of “the 12.” | SoDo

64. Enjoy America’s favorite pastime and attend a Seattle Mariners game at T-Mobile Park. | SoDo

65. Go to a show at the Showbox SoDo. | SoDo

66. See the houseboats on Lake Union, including the one from Sleepless in Seattle – you can see them either by renting a boat, or taking a lake cruise. | South Lake Union

67. Tour the Seattle Spheres, a botanical garden-like workspace serving as part of the Amazon headquarters campus. | South Lake Union

68. Try some chowder fries (clam chowder poured over a plate of french fries) at the White Swan Public House. | South Lake Union

69. Take a Kenmore Air seaplane flight from Lake Union. You can even fly to Victoria, BC – which makes it the world’s tiniest international airport! This one has been on my Seattle bucket list for so long! | South Lake Union

70. Kayak on the lake – either at Lake Union or Lake Washington. | Multiple locations

71. Rent a free rowboat at the Sunday Free Sail at the Center for Wooden Boats. | South Lake Union

72. Shop at the REI flagship store, at the company headquarters. | South Lake Union

73. Gather some friends (up to 5) and rent a hot tub boat to sail around Lake Union. I knew that I had to add this to my Seattle bucket list as soon as I heard about it! | South Lake Union

74. Sip on some cocktails and enjoy the view from the rooftop at the swanky M Bar. | South Lake Union.

75. Get a pistachio croissant on the weekends at Crumble and Flake (go early – they run out quick!). | Capitol Hill

76. Escape the rain and check out the plants and the Victorian style architecture of the Volunteer Park Conservatory. | Capitol Hill

77. Get a specialty coffee, a flight, a whiskey barrel-aged cold brew, or a cocktail at the original Starbucks Reserve Roastery. | Capitol Hill

78. Browse the local book selection at the Elliott Bay Book Company, a must on your Seattle bucket list if you’re a book lover! | Capitol Hill

79. Drink cocktails made with locally distilled craft spirits at Sun Liquor or Sol Lounge. | Capitol Hill

80. Channel your inner lumberjack with some axe-throwing at Blade & Timber. | Capitol Hill

81. Eat a creative, hyper-seasonal kaiseki-style Japanese prix fixe dinner at Adana – you can choose from three, five, or seven course options. | Capitol Hill

82. Try to snag a reservation for some cocktails at Needle & Thread…or try your luck at the pay phone, located at the entrance next to Tavern Law. This has been on my Seattle bucket list forever, but I still haven’t been able to get in…fingers crossed next time!| Capitol Hill

83. Drink a das boot and play some bocce ball at Rhein Haus. | Capitol Hill

84. Eat an ooey-gooey, rich, molten chocolate lava cake at Hot Cakes. | Multiple locations

85. Grab a slice of pie and a Pie-tini at Pie Bar (and get a whiff of those pies baking in the oven!). | Multiple Locations

86. Grab a creative cocktail at Canon, an award-winning bar known to have the “world’s best spirits selection.” A must on any cocktail lover’s Seattle bucket list!| Capitol Hill

87. Eat a Seattle Dog – a hot dog topped with grilled onions and cream cheese. | Various locations

88. Grab some abodaba pork tacos at Tacos Chukis. | Capitol Hill

89. Snap a photo with the rainbow crosswalks in Capitol Hill. | Capitol Hill

90. Pay your respects at the grave of Bruce Lee (and his son Brandon Lee) at the Lakeview Cemetery. | Capitol Hill

91. Stroll down the promenade and check out the reflecting pool at Cal Anderson Park. | Capitol Hill

92. Eat brunch on the hidden patio at Oddfellows Cafe. | Capitol Hill

93. Eat the nasi goreng at Kedai Makan. | Capitol Hill

94. Sample coffee at the coffee cupping at Victrola Coffee, held every Wednesday at 11am. | Capitol Hill

95. Sample all the oysters at Taylor Shellfish Farms. | Multiple locations

96. Grab some cocktails and play carnival games (and win some X-rated prizes) at Unicorn. | Capitol Hill

97. Slurp on a bowl of late-night pho at Ba Bar. | Capitol Hill

98. Eat some organic, seasonal ice cream at Molly Moon – try the honey lavender or rose milk tea! | Multiple locations

99. Enjoy a perfectly crafted latte at Espresso Vivace, a Seattle bucket list must for any coffee lover! | Multiple locations

100. Try all the creative flavors of donuts at General Porpoise Doughnuts – the lemon curd is a fave! | Multiple locations

101. Enjoy the views of Lake Washington while running, walking, or biking on Lake Washington Blvd. | Madrona

102. Pay tribute to Kurt Cobain at the home where he spent his last days on 171 Lake Washington Blvd. You can’t actually go up to the house, but you can see it from across the street at Viretta Park. | Madrona

103. Find a moment of Zen at the Japanese Garden, and partake in a traditional tea ceremony. | Washington Park

104. Pretend you’re in the Hogwarts Library at the Suzzallo Library on the University of Washington campus – a must on your Seattle bucket list especially if you are a Harry Potter lover! | University District

105. Admire all the cherry blossoms in bloom on the University of Washington campus. | University District | University District

106. Grab an espresso at Cafe Allegro, Seattle’s “original espresso bar.” | University District

107. Check out all the weird, tacky, and just terrible art at the Official Bad Art Museum of Art (aka “OBAMA”) inside Cafe Racer. | University District

108. Look for the bright red Letter Farmer truck and write an old-school “wish you were here” letter to a loved one. | Multiple locations

109. Walk, run, or bike around Green Lake. | Green Lake

110. Grab a cortado (and admire the wallpaper) at Preserve and Gather. | Greenwood

111. See the wildlife at the Woodland Park Zoo, an award-winning 92-acre oasis featuring over 300 animal species. | Phinney Ridge

112. Have a picnic on the grass and fly a kite on a sunny day at Gas Works Park (and check out all the ruins from the Seattle Gas Power Company, the sole remaining coal gasification plant in the United States). | Wallingford

113. Drink some coffee and play with some kittens at the Seattle Meowtropolitan Cafe. | Wallingford

114. Tour the Theo chocolate factory – and sample some chocolates, too! Also buy some cheap chocolates from the bargain bin. | Fremont

115. Get a Cuban sandwich at Paseo. | Fremont

116. See a grunge show at Substation. | Fremont

117. Take a walk and watch the ships go by at the Fremont Canal Park. | Fremont

118. Say hi to and take a picture with the Fremont Troll. | Fremont

119. Sit on the patio and sip on some craft brews from Fremont Brewing. | Fremont

120. Visit the “center of the universe” in Fremont (or just the sign that proclaims itself as such). | Fremont

121. Grab a cup of “snobby” coffee (according to Food & Wine magazine) at Milstead & Co.(and get an education in coffee while you’re at it). | Fremont

122. Browse through all the vendors at the European-style Fremont Sunday Market. | Fremont

123. Eat dinner at Joule – a modern Korean fusion steakhouse. | Fremont

124. Get a slice of ube cheesecake at Hood Famous Cafe and Bar. | Ballard

125. Watch the boats go through the Ballard Locks – also see the salmon climb up the ladder from the viewing platform underneath. | Ballard

126. Sample all of the day’s oysters at the Walrus and the Carpenter, a Seattle bucket list must for oyster lovers! | Ballard

127. Browse through the stylish boutiques on Ballard Ave., listed on the National Register of Historical Places. | Ballard

128. Learn about Ballard’s Scandinavian heritage at the Nordic Heritage Museum. | Ballard

129. Sample all the microbrews in Ballard: some of the best are found at Stoup, Reuben’s (recently named one of the 10 best in the US), Populuxe (named Washington’s best small brewery in 2018), Maritime Pacific Brewing Company, and Hale’s Ales. You can even take a brewery tour here.| Ballard

130. Stroll along the beachfront trails at Golden Gardens Park. | Ballard

131. Eat fresh seafood in Ballard, either at Chinooks, and Ray’s Boathouse. | Ballard

132. Browse through the stalls and listen to some live music at the Ballard Farmer’s Market, held every Sunday. | Ballard

133. Hike to the lighthouse at Discovery Park. | Magnolia

134. Spend the day on the beach at Alki Beach (and snap a photo of the skyline). | West Seattle

135. Take a water taxi out to West Seattle. | West Seattle

136. Take a photo of the Seattle skyline and the Elliot Bay from Hamilton Viewpoint Park. | West Seattle

137. Shop for records or catch an in-store performance at Easy Street Records. | West Seattle

Seattle Bucket List Day Trips

138. Visit the tulip farms and attend the tulip festival in Skagit Valley. You can even take a tour that also includes local wine and cheese tastings here.

139. Enjoy the stunning views of Snoqualmie Valley on a hike of Rattlesnake Ledge.

140. Take the ferry out to the San Juan Islands and go whale watching.

141. Take the Washington State Ferry from downtown Seattle out to one of the islands of Puget Sound – Bainbridge (there’s plenty of things to do on Bainbridge Island without a car), Whidbey or Vashon.

142. Get up close and personal to the majestic Mt. Rainier and see the largest alpine glacial system outside of Alaska on a visit to Mt. Rainier National Park. You an take a small group day tour here.

143. Enjoy the breathtaking natural beautiful of Olympic National Park – from the fern-covered Hoh rainforest, the stunning mountain views of Hurricane Ridge, the serene beauty of Lake Crescent, to the towering Marymere falls. You can take a small group day tour here.

Want to learn more about Olympic National Park? Here’s my detailed guide to Olympic National Park!

144. Admire the majestic 268-foot tall Snoqualmie Falls. You can take a day tour there + go wine tasting in Woodiville (the next item on this Seattle bucket list) here.

145. Go wine tasting in Woodinville, home to over 100 wineries and tasting rooms. Don’t want to worry a driving? Grab some friends and hire a limo here.

146. Tour the Boeing Factory and the Future of Flight Aviation Center in Everett, and see the production of a modern commercial jet.

147. Take the Victoria Clipper out to Victoria, BC. and visit the iconic Butchart Gardens.

148. Attend the Oktoberfest festival and/or check out the Christmas festivities in Leavenworth, Washington’s Bavarian village.

149. Check out the glass art at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

150. See the conifer trees, glacier peaks, and clear blue lakes at North Cascades National Park.

151. Go volcano watching at Mt. Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument, home of the volcano which last erupted in 1980. You can take a small group day tour there here.

152. Climb to the top of Mt. Baker, the third highest mountain in Washington.

Have you ever been to Seattle? What are some of the things on your Seattle bucket list?

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