Seattle, Washington, doesn't always get a lot of publicity, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't still have a lot of awesome stuff to offer! Visitors to Seattle can visit all kinds of great museums, zoos, historical sites and famous tourist attractions, making this a great destination for your next weekend trip. Here is a look at the five coolest things to see in Seattle so you don't miss out on anything.
Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium is on a mission to promote the conservation of our precious marine life. Here, you can visit tons of delightful and amazing (and sometimes endangered) sea animals ranging from whales to clown fish, to exotic anemone. You can even catch a glimpse of some marine mammals, such as sea lions and otters, as well as some of the birds that live along the shores of America's Northwest coast. Perhaps most exciting, though, is the Underwater Dome exhibit, where you can stand under a dome in a 400,000-gallon tank and feel like you are swimming with hundreds of fish native to the Puget Sound.
Pike Place Market
The Pike Place Market is perfect for foodies and culture-lovers, especially in the spring. In May of 2019, the Market is hosting its annual flower market, with hundreds of colorful seasonal flowers from over 40 different vendors. During this time, and the rest of the year, you can stroll up and down the aisles of this open-air market to partake in delicious specialty foods like cured meats and artisan cheeses, buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmer's market, and even check out some arts and crafts made by locals.
Museum of Pop Culture
Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop, as the locals call it) is a non-profit museum whose goal is to unite the community and showcase the creative voices of artists in Seattle and around the world. Its current exhibitions include a tribute to music superstar Prince, a look at the thrills of horror films from the past, and the Holodome, a new "immersive reality space that transports you to incredible places." Described as an "extended reality experience," this futuristic chamber allows you to play football with the Seattle Seahawks, see the formation of a new star, or rescue a mining colony from extinction.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
The Chihuly Garden and Glass art museum/sculpture garden tops multiple must-see lists for Seattle, thanks to its truly incredible works of art. This art is all made of blown glass by artist Dale Chihuly, who studied glass making in the U.S., as well as in the glass-making capital of the world, Venice, Italy. His art has been seen in museums as far-reaching as the Louvre, but now visitors don't have to leave Seattle to see some of his best work displayed on the grounds. Most of the glassworks are in the form of incredibly lifelike plants that make it difficult to tell where the real garden ends and Chihuly's glass one begins.
The Space Needle
Number one on our list is the one thing you can't skip on a trip to Seattle: the world-famous Space Needle. This 605-foot-tall spire attracts thousands of visitors each year, and features an open-air observation deck that gives you a bird's eye view of the city. To get to this observation deck, you may walk up the Oculus Stairs, a spiral staircase that allows you to enjoy the view from two different levels. There is also a wine bar and a cafe stocked with local food wares, as well as a revolving glass floor that gives you a view of Seattle that is truly unique.