3. Pioneer Square: Pioneer Square Historic District is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Seattle and is characterized by a bohemian and urban vibe, Victorian buildings, art galleries, antique shops, bars, restaurants and night clubs. In my opinion it is one of the prettiest and most interesting districts in Seattle.
4. Space Needle and the Seattle Centre: Built in 1962, the 605 –foot- tall Space Needle is literally the symbol and most known landmark of Seattle. Its observation deck offers enchanting views of the city, the skyscrapers and the greater Seattle area. The Needle is situated in the Seattle Centre, the 74-acre famous cultural attraction and vibrant entertainment park. In Seattle Centre, it is worthwhile visiting the EMP (Experience Music Project) Museum, the Seattle Children’s Museum, Key Arena, the Pacific Science Centre and the Chihuly Garden and Glass.
5. Queen Anne Hill, Fremont Districts and the Kerry Viewpoint: If you want to stroll around some neighbourhoods further away from Downtown Seattle, I picked two districts that impressed me with their beauty, Queen Anne Hill and Fremont. Queen Anne Hill is certainly one of the most affluent, peaceful and scenic Seattle districts. It brings out an air of elegance and refinement. You will see beautiful mansions, green spaces and sophisticated shops, especially on Queen Anne Avenue. Kerry Viewpoint is located in Kerry Park and at the heart of Queen Anne Hill and offers amazing views of Seattle skyline, I would say much better than the Space Needle views. Fremont is another beautiful district that borders with Queen Anne Hill, full of eclectic, distinguishable shops and ethnic restaurants. Colourful and vibrant, it is a good choice for an afternoon walk.
6. Seattle parks: Some of the most remarkable Seattle parks are Gasworks Park, where you have great views of the city, Volunteer Park, which is home to the Seattle Asian Art Museum and to a conservatory with exotic plants, Lake Union Park, a park situated at the south end of Lake Union and surrounded by water, Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest and wildest park, the Olympic Sculpture Park, the Washington Park Arboretum, the Golden Gardens Park and the Woodland Park Zoo .
7. Lake Union: It is a large, beautiful lake at the heart of the city, where visitors can stroll around the lake, enjoy kayaking , rent a boat and admire the wonderful Seattle skyline views. You will find Gasworks Park on the north end and characteristic houseboats on the east side of the lake. Tom Hanks was in one of those houseboats when he was ..sleepless in Seattle.
8. Seattle Museums and indoor attractions: Some of the most interesting museums in Seattle (apart from the Seattle Centre attractions) are the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Flight– one of the largest air and space museums in the world, containing in its exhibits the world’s first fighter plane and the prototype Boeing 747, to mention a few-, the Museum of History and Industry, and the Frye Art Museum. For the lovers of water and sea species, the Seattle Aquarium, located in Alaskan Way in Seattle’s Waterfront, is a must.
9. Alki Beach : Situated across Elliot Bay from downtown Seattle, Alki Beach is a top summer Seattle destination. The beautiful, southern California-resembling beach, offers a superb scenery of the city, attracts walkers, joggers, skaters, cyclists, volleyball players and sunbathers and is a great choice for a 2.5 mile walk at any time of the year.
10. Ride the Ducks Tour: For visitors who might have only a couple of days in Seattle and want to make the most of their day, or for visitors who want to have a general grasp of the city, Ride the Ducks tour is an amusing, uplifting and different way of seeing Seattle’s best spots. During the hot months of the year, visitors ride on an amphibious vehicle, which takes them through Seattle downtown to Lake Union, with the company and guidance of a funny, cheerful driver who explains the city sights in a particularly enjoyable way, having also upbeat music to add enthusiasm to the ride. This is a very fun way to get a general picture of Seattle.