Seattle, the largest city in Washington state, is the perfect blend of nature and concrete. It is a place for all types of travelers. So it doesn’t matter if you love spending time outdoors or prefer urban areas – you will have something fun to do in Seattle.
Travelers visiting Seattle on their own (or who want some alone time) will find that this city is excellent for solo adventures. Here are some of our ideas on what to do alone in Seattle!
Browse Around Elliott Bay Book Company
The weather in Seattle is often rainy, and there is no better reason to get out of a room than to visit one of the most iconic bookstores in the city. Eliott Bay Book Company is also a café. So you can grab a cup of delicious coffee while you relax with a book.
The selection of titles is quite impressive as there are more than 150,000 books in the store. Don’t forget to check out the bookstore’s official website because you can find out about various events, book signings, and so on.
Visit the Museum of Pop Culture
The Museum of Pop Culture is undoubtedly the coolest place in Seattle right now. Founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2000, MoPOP has both permanent and temporary exhibits. They are, as you might have guessed, closely related to popular culture.
From horror movies and video games to music memorabilia, this museum attracts visitors of all ages. For instance, music lovers will appreciate the extensive collection of items and photographs of local music legends like Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix.
Experience the Sound Garden at Magnuson Park
Grunge fans shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit Magnuson Park. This location served as a name inspiration for one of the greatest grunge bands of all time – Soundgarden. Magnuson Park is home to a large metal sculpture called the Sound Garden.
It has large organ pipes that make sounds in the wind. Of course, there are other exciting artworks hidden around the park too. You can also find a sculpture called the Black Sun. If you love Soundgarden’s music, you already know the reference since Black Hole Sun is their biggest commercial hit.
Enjoy the view from the Space Needle
Built for the 1962 World Fair, the Space Needle is an iconic landmark. It is 605 feet high, with an observation deck at the top. So if you want to see Seattle and the stunning nature surrounding the city, get into the elevator, and you will reach the top in less than a minute.
From there, visitors can see islands in Puget Sound, Elliot Bay, Cascade Mountains, and many more. The Space Needle also has a revolving restaurant, so having a meal there is quite an experience.
See the Art in Fremont District
Fremont District is the most fabulous neighborhood in Seattle. The streets are dotted with the hippest cafes around, and residents love to spend their mornings with a warm cup of coffee, just enjoying the view.
Many of those residents are artists, so Fremont District is known for street art and sculptures. Probably the most well-known one is the Troll under the Aurora Bridge. So hop into something comfortable and go exploring the art of Fremont District.
Take a Walk on Alki Beach
Located in West Seattle, Alki Beach is a real treasure for all Seattleites. The sandy beach is 2.5 miles long and is the location where the first white settlers landed. Chief Seattle greeted them right here on Alki Beach.
Locals come here to relax and enjoy the sun when the weather is nice. Some also engage in various activities such as running, biking, and rollerskating.
Spend Some Time at Pike Place Market
Pike Place is the most famous farmer’s market in Seattle. It is more than 100 years old, so it comes as no surprise that millions of tourists come to browse around the stalls annually. Besides shopping for fresh produce, people come to Pike Place to find various handcrafted goods, as well as souvenirs.
Did you know that you can visit the first Starbucks shop right here at Pike Place? Or that shoppers can see the biggest collection of giant shoes too? Pike Place is more than a market. It is one of the quirkiest symbols of Seattle.