As someone who has lived in King County, WA my whole life, it's only natural to have a great list of fun places to visit when showing friends around from out of town. I enjoy showing these landmarks to friends and buyers relocating to the Greater Seattle area.
I won't say is a complete or perfect list, but it's my list. This is from a "sticky note" I have had in Outlook for over 12 years, which was an adaptation of a paper note I had jotted down as a teen. From this list, you may get an idea of where I used to hang out a lot with friends. Many of these places hold a special place in my heart. I am posting this because I had a friend on Twitter say that she was interested in seeing this list for her mother's upcoming visit to Seattle.
If you find this post useful or you'd like to share your pictures or suggestions, please comment below. I'd love to read your stories. Thanks!
Well, here goes!
Things for the Seattle Tourist to See:
- The CRAZY amazing house featured in The May 20, 2007 Seattle Times "Pacific Northwest" magazine (reminds me of a decorated teapot): 2018 Nob Hill Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109-2546. "A Victorian dream house built in 1906 is a vision of silk and stencils and period pieces galore."
- Covington Landmark: a beige house with white trim and red door on 161st Pl SE in Covington - they have FAKE PLASTIC GRASS!
- Kurt Cobain's house, where he died (171 Lake Washington Blvd. E. Seattle, WA 98102) & the memorial bench next door at Viretta Park
- "Come As You Are" sign in Aberdeen, where Kurt Cobain was raised
- The apartments at E. Thomas St & 18th Ave E. in Seattle - this is the apartment building where the characters in the 1992 or 1991 movie "Singles" lived.
- The OK Hotel (I think it's gone now, but I used to see live local bands play here and it was also a coffee house. It was featured in the movie "Singles".)
- The house where The Real World: Seattle people lived (Pier 70)
- Highway 99 is the best way to enter Seattle! It's so scenic and beautiful as you approach Downtown.
- Safeco Field- I remember when the famous Kingdome was demo'd and dust filled the Puget Sound (March 1999, I believe). I attended so many Mariner's and Seahawks Games as well as a few Home Shows there. But we have a better stadium now! I will always remember attending the inaugural Mariner's game when "The Safe" opened July 15, 1999. It's famous for its retractable roof - very important for the rain we supposedly get all the time. GOOO M'S!
- Quest Field- The Seahawks and Sounders have their own stadium, as well. GOOO 'HAWKS & SOUNDERS!
- Bruce and Brandon Lee's graves at Lakeview Cemetery on Capitol Hill
- Jimi Hendrix's recently moved & remodeled grave site at Greenwood Memorial Park off 4th (a.k.a. Cemetery Road) in the Renton Highlands
- The Pergola/Trundle in Pioneer Square
- Boren Park- there's a park with an amazing view across from Lakeview Cemetery on East. Olin St. and 15th by the beautiful turn-of-the-century homes. Here's the view but it's better in person.
- Broadway Dance Steps all over the sidewalks on Broadway, on Capitol Hill in Seattle - fun dance steps embedded in the sidewalk
- Dick's Drive-In - this is a walk-up-to restaurant that is famous for their shakes, greasy fries and DELICIOUS, juicy, affordable, arguably-the-best cheeseburgers! Sir Mix a Lot mentions Dick's in a song or two. Dick's is located in several areas in Seattle - just Google them to find one near the location you're in.
- Broadway New American Grill - yummy, healthy, fresh food on Broadway, Capitol Hill. They have a really bountiful selection of vegetarian dishes. I haven't eaten here in years, so I don't know if it's still around.
- Orpheum Records - great indie CD store on Broadway, Capitol Hill & they sell posters and records on the 2nd floor (sad! I think Amazon.com put them out of business because they're gone now.)
- Jimi Hendrix statue across from Seattle Central Community College (SCCC) on Broadway on Capitol Hill
- Espresso Vivace Roasteria (901 East Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98122) -I l once read an article saying that Emeril (BAM!) says you must go here, and it's always been a favorite place of mine but you'll smell like coffee beans if you go there. They roast their own coffee at this location, and it's really delicious! Star-what? Forget that - you need to try Vivace's. They always do a pretty decoration (like a leaf or heart) with the foam. Make sure you check out the Etch-a-Sketch on the wall. It is an amazing "sketch" of the inside of the coffee place! This is off Broadway, near Jack in the Box and Kinko's.
- Bauhaus Books & Coffee - an old favorite haunt of mine serving a handful of foods and lots of delicious hot and cold drinks. There's a second floor and a 2 story bookshelf. This is just up the street from the Paramount Theatre and near Seven Arms (I wonder if that place is still around). It's always crowded, so if you are lucky enough to get a table, STAY PUT. 301 Pine Street.
- The Rainier Chapter House, which is a George Washington Replica House off Broadway by Cornish College of Arts (actor Brendan Fraser attended Cornish).
- The EMP, Experience Music Project - if you like music from the 1970's, you may enjoy this musem, and sometimes they have live music and good exhibits. Frank O. Gehry is the futuristic architect behind the eye-sore, as well as the Guggenheim, Sydney Opera House and other odd or amazing buildings. More can be read about the project design here.
- Fremont Rocket - there is a cool rocket that blows smoke in Fremont! It's made of a real 1950's rocket.
- Lenin Statue in Fremont Lenin Statue: 600 N 36th, Seattle, WA. Directions: North 36th St. and Evanston Avenue North, just north and west of the Fremont Bridge.
- The Fremont Troll - he lives under the Aurora Bridge at N. 36th Street - GREAT photo op!!!
- Wallingford's "The Wall of Death", an outdoor art installation, located under the University Bridge in Wallingford (Seattle). Cool photo op, but very strange.
- The Crocodile Cafe - lots of famous bands have played at this indie club
- The Moore Theatre - beautiful architecture inside, and lots of great bands have played here. This is my favorite venue - not a bad seat on the floor - you feel like you could reach out and touch the stage.
- The Paramount Theatre - another historical, beautiful building with lots of musicals and musical artists performing here regularly.
- 5th Avenue Theatre - ditto! Also a great place for plays. 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle
- Pacific Place Mall - high end shopping mall with cheap or free parking. 6th Ave. & Pine Street, Seattle
- Niketown - Nike's 2nd official Niketown store, 1500 6th Avenue, Seattle 98101. The first Niketown was in Portland, Oregon, where Nike headquarters is located.
- GameWorks - the very first Game Works opened in Seattle in 1997 (1511 7th Avenue, Seattle)
- Nordstrom - the downtown store was the 1st Nordy's and is an icon! Called the Flagship Store, it's located at 1601 - 2nd Ave. Seattle, 98101
- Sit 'n Spin - never mind, this Belltown favorite (2219 4th Ave) is CLOSED! :( I used to see concerts here, play board games and eat with friends and do my laundry while snacking on hummus and pitas! I am so sad one of my all-time favorite places has closed.
- Kerry Park - in Queen Anne, this has the BEST view of the Space Needle and it's a pretty park: 211 West Highland Drive, Seattle.
- Bhy Kracke Park (Queen Anne) 1215 5th Ave. N. - this is my faaaavorite park! It's on Queen Anne in a neighborhood and it has 2 levels. I can attest that it has GREAT views of fireworks on July 4th!
- Gasworks Park - My 2nd favorite park! It's fun to canoe here (Jake and I have coned to Gasworks once). Built on a former gas plant, it's industrial, has a great view of the Needle and Lake Union and has a fun hill to climb. Dog friendly! Go on Tuesday nights in the summertime and watch the boat races! I used to grab an "Organic Drift" pizza from Zeek's Pizza(MY FAVORITE) at 41 Dravus St., Seattle, WA 98109 and eat it on a bench overlooking the water at Gasworks Park.
- Archie McPhee's - looking for the weirdest gifts EVER? Then you must come to this original store in Fremont - they have weird plastic 1950's toys and other weird retro fun.
- Gasworks Park Kite Shop - I still have a button I got there as a kid and it aptly states, "Go Fly a Kite."
- Here are fun places we have flown kites
- Kenworth plant (Green River killer was captured while working here) - I used to work at PACCAR Parts which is 1 parking lot away from Kenworth in Renton. I was at work when he was captured and I saw the news reporters and helicopters! It's right across from PACCAR Parts, which is 750 House Way N. in Renton.
- Cool house in Kent where the drummer from local rock band HEART used to live - people call it "The Taj Mahal" because it has a crazy red roof and elaborate architecture. It's off 240th in Kent, past 156th.
- Hat & Boots near Michigan Street in Seattle
- Kent, WA sign on James St. & Kent-Des Moines Road
- West Seattle - a very charming part of the city with little shops. Please let me know if you get a picture of the Dawson St. sign!
- Luna Park Cafe - Great 50's style diner with milkshakes & jukeboxes - in West Seattle, near Alki Beach
- Alki Beach - great city views from Alki Beach! Lots of rollerblader and beach volleyball players roam here. Sadly, dogs aren't allowed past the sidewalk.
- Amazon.com building 1200 - 12th Ave. S./ Seattle (Beacon Hill) - I think all the locals recognize this building, which can be seen from I-5, but they may now know it's the home of Amazon.com until 2010, when the lease contract is up for review. While the rest of the world doesn't have to pay tax at Amazon, we do, because it's a local business.
- Dale Chihuly (local artist)'s Museum of Glass in Tacoma
- The Tacoma Dome - If you like major pop bands, gun shows, or monster truck shows, chances are that ones of these events will be going on here when you're in town. On your way to the 'Dome, you may have all your car windows tightly sealed but you cannot escape the "Tacoma Aroma" that comes from the paper manufacturing that takes place there. In the late 1990's, the order was cut down by 90% but I can still taste the odor.
- Leavenworth - This is one of my favorite places to go! No, not the prison - it's a little Bavarian village that embraces the Christmas holiday with tree lighting festivals in December. During the summer months, it's fun to catch a live performance of The Sound of Music in the outdoor theatre. There's so much to do there - just click the link to read more about it.
- Deception Pass - what can I say? The bridge is spectacular and the beach is incredible. This is a fun place for kids of any age and you must bring your camera. Words cannot describe this sfpecial place. Just read about it online, look at the photos and GO THERE!
- One tourist posted a blog with some good hot-spots
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy Fun Facts About Washington State.