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Fun Activities To Do in Seattle (Food Included)
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items As someone who has studied in Seattle for the last two years, I've done a very good mix of touristy and local activities. There's a first for everything, including watching the salmon migrate, or watching the sunset on the Pike Place waterfront.
Sections
4
Sightseeing
Restaurants
Cafés, Boba Shops
Hiking
Sightseeing
My favorite places to sightsee!! The ones that have free admission, I will put it in the caption.
Free admission.
In its peak months (mid-June to mid-July), you'll see plenty of salmon through the fish ladder viewing room and by standing over the water. I went in September and still saw plenty.
You will also see harbor seals swimming around, trying to catch the salmon!
In its peak months (mid-June to mid-July), you'll see plenty of salmon through the fish ladder viewing room and by standing over the water. I went in September and still saw plenty.
You will also see harbor seals swimming around, trying to catch the salmon!
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
Very cool to see! Gorgeous at sunset.
The line gets long, though, so be prepared for that. You can also purchase tickets for Chihuly Garden and Glass nextdoor.
The line gets long, though, so be prepared for that. You can also purchase tickets for Chihuly Garden and Glass nextdoor.
Space Needle
I've never been here myself, but if you're seeing the Space Needle, then you shouldn't miss the opportunity. I chose not to go because I was tired that day.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Free admission. The iconic film spot of 10 Things I Hate About You… Rain or shine, this park is so lively. There's been DJ sets and lantern festivals here. Larping as well.
The Canadian geese also love to hang out on the hill!
The Canadian geese also love to hang out on the hill!
Gas Works Park
Free admission. During cherry blossom season (mid March - early April), GO HERE. NOT the UW Quad. It is far less crowded and is tucked behind a beautiful neighborhood.
Seward Park
Free admission, although you probably have to cross a toll bridge to get here from Seattle. A recommendation from my local friends!
Lake Washington | Kirkland Waterfront Parks & Views
Free admission. I love coming here, whether it's for the fresh flowers or to take my visiting friends around. Best touristy place in the world. The fresh seafood is amazing.
Be sure to check out the fish market and you can watch workers toss them to each other!
Be sure to check out the fish market and you can watch workers toss them to each other!
Pike Place Market
Unsure of admission prices. Instead of standing in the long line at the “original Starbucks” at Pike Place for regular menu items, you should go to the Starbucks Reserve for a more unique experience.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Free admission. I would 100% recommend exploring all that Cap Hill has to offer. Obviously, use your best judgment as it gets a little unsafe after dark (as it does in any large city). There are so many great coffee shops and restaurants.
Capitol Hill Seattle
Free admission. A bookstore with 6 live-in cats! All are very friendly, and they always take a lot of curiosity in my purse when I visit. Make sure to look underneath or on top of bookshelves to find some of them! LOL!
Twice Sold Tales
Free admission. The infamous library that inspired Harry Potter's set design. Please note that upon making this list (August 2025), the outside of the building is currently under construction, but everything is still functional on the inside.
Suzzallo and Allen Libraries
Free admission. Wonderful spot. You can also go whale watching here in the peak season (orcas)!
Alki Beach Park
Buy tickets ahead of time for a shorter line. THIS IS A FEW HOURS AWAY FROM SEATTLE, but I had to put this in. The tulip festival is beautiful and I absolutely love the vibe of Mount Vernon.
Definitely travel by car. The bus in Mount Vernon was unreliable for my friends and I, and we had to walk an hour and 45 minutes to get to the final destination from our last bus stop. Our 7 hour trip turned into 14 hours away from Seattle due to mis...
Definitely travel by car. The bus in Mount Vernon was unreliable for my friends and I, and we had to walk an hour and 45 minutes to get to the final destination from our last bus stop. Our 7 hour trip turned into 14 hours away from Seattle due to mis...
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Restaurants
My absolute favorites! I focus a lot on gluten-free accommodations because I have Celiac Disease.
The most wonderful atmosphere during Valentine's Day when I went with my boyfriend. The entire room was decorated in colors of love, with balloons, flowers, and more.
AQUA by El Gaucho
Really great ramen place with a gluten-free option. I would favor Kizuki's gluten-free ramen over Yoroshiku's, though. The noodles were a little mushy for me.
The rest of the menu was greatly loved by my friends, though!
The rest of the menu was greatly loved by my friends, though!
Yoroshiku
Has a gluten-free ramen! Yam noodles, to be specific. Really cool and not calorically dense at all.
Kizuki Ramen
Gluten-free accommodations listed on the menu. Lovely spot next to the lake. Amazing tacos and enchiladas. There is also free salsa with every plate, but if you dine in, you can get as much as you want.
Agua Verde Cafe
My favorite Korean place near school. Not sure if anything is gluten-free but sometimes I cannot help myself to this place… which is irresponsible, I know, but the FOOD!!!
Korean Tofu House Express
LITERALLY THE BEST pho place that I've been to in Seattle. Duck vermicelli is awesome.
Dong Thap Noodles Tukwila
Another amazing pho place!
Pho Bac Súp Shop
My second favorite pho place!!! I love their seasonal menu items as well, such as for Lunar New Year :) great gluten-free accommodations.
Ba Bar Capitol Hill
Amazing food. Great portions for two people - we ended up taking our leftovers to-go and it lasted us another meal!
Ivar's Salmon House
Guys…best BBQ place EVER.
WOOD SHOP BBQ
I had the shrimp and grits with candied yams! So good!
Soulful Dishes
The oxtail was so goood.
Taste of the Caribbean
I order from DoorDash usually. Sooooooooooo good. Get the fufu with egusi stew or okra soup!!
PDJ (Pass D Jollof) Nigerian Restaurant
Favorite Asian market to just walk and browse through. Love the food there as well (Aloha Plates, spam and eggs, sunny side up)
Uwajimaya Seattle
Good poké spot. Not the most authentic (coming from a Native Hawaiian)… but it's close! LOL!
Seattle Fish Guys
Gluten-free pizzas offered. AMAZING!!! Lasted multiple meals for me!!!!
Capitale Pizzeria – A World of Flavors in Every Bite
Fully gluten-free kitchen. I had my first mac & cheese, bread pudding, in YEARS at this restaurant. Thanks to them being gluten-free.
a/stir
Cafés, Boba Shops
Amazing for their matcha, but they are a coffeehouse, so they serve many other options! You know, since there's a matcha shortage right now.
Phê on Life (@phe.yet) · Seattle, WA
There are many Boon Boona locations throughout Seattle. I recommend the strawberry matcha and my boyfriend loves the drip coffee, Americano, and cappuchinos. This shop is actually what got him into doing coffee runs with me!
Boon Boona Coffee
I'd recommend pretty much everything here. Do what your heart desires. I love their lemonade drinks!
Drip Tea Seattle
My recommendation? Eat at Mama's Viet Kitchen, then get boba after. The best way to stuff yourself. (They share a space). I usually come here when I'm less in a mood for milk tea and more for sparkling drinks with crystal boba. Less traditional milk ...
Boba Gem
Love it. The lavender lemonade is great. The shop has a cool look as well.
Bulldog News
I highly recommend this shop. It just opened up less than a year ago (as of August 2025), and they are coming out with more and more drinks!
KOTO JELLY COFFEE
Various locations throughout Seattle as well (Brooklyn Ave, Chinatown). The staff are always so friendly. Give it a try if you're looking for more of a traditional milk tea shop!
Seattle Best Tea
I highly recommend their specialty drinks!
This was my order:
Caramel Coffee Jelly $6, Warabi Mochi $7
This was my order:
Caramel Coffee Jelly $6, Warabi Mochi $7
Mitten Sweets & Coffee
Hiking
Unfortunately, I am not familiar with many hikes around Seattle, but these have always been recommended to me. My local friends always talk about them. Most of the trails listed here aren't in the Greater Seattle area, however, they are easily access...
Beautiful scenery.
Lake 22 — Washington Trails Association
Seemingly hard trail, do your research first.
Colchuck Lake — Washington Trails Association
Easy hike to do. Entire geology classes from UW and Seattle U go here for field trips.
Snoqualmie Falls – Official Web Site
I've been on this one!! It's pretty mild but definitely take your time and find a walking stick. Practice cougar safety.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Further away from Seattle, but definitely a must-see.
Olympic National Park
You have to go. Do it for me, so I can live vicariously through you. I need to go here so badly.
Mount Rainier National Park
The loveliest park walk for me. While this walk is free, don't get it confused with the Japanese garden nearby, which does charge you for admission. Practice coyote safety here, as they lurk around the UW campus!!
Washington Park Arboretum
You do have to pay for admission, but it's a very quiet garden and shouldn't have a lot of foot traffic.
Seattle Japanese Garden