Sightseeing in Seattle
Where to go, What to do, and What to See
Seattle Southside is the perfect home base to explore the Pacific Northwest.
Eat, play, stay, and venture forth on your sightseeing trips from Seattle Southside.
Staying in Seattle Southside puts you in the perfect position from which to go sightseeing in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you want to head south to Mt. Rainier or take the light rail north to Seattle’s most famous, iconic sites, your central location will make it easy to check everything off your must-see list.
Top 10 Sightseeing Attractions Around Seattle
- The Space Needle
- Seattle Ferries
- Pike Place Market
- MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture)
- The SAM (Seattle Art Museum)
- Museum of Flight
- Snoqualmie Falls
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Seattle Chocolate Factory Tour
- Whale Watching
Choose Your Adventure from these Popular Seattle Sightseeing Attractions
Out Top 10 picks for fun places for first-time visitors to go sight seeing in the Seattle area in 2022
Sightseeing at The Space Needle
See the best panoramic views of the city from Seattle's iconic 605-ft.-tall observation tower.
Seattle Ferry Sightseeing Trip
Ride a Washington State Ferry to go sightseeing at places like Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, and Whidbey Island.
MoPOP : The Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle
Formerly known as the Experience Music Project, MoPOP showcases iconic moments in TV, Rock'n roll music, science fiction, and more.
Pike Place Market
Enjoy the amazingly fresh produce and locally-grown flowers at Seattle's Pike Place Market.
The SAM (Seattle Museum of Art)
Since 1933 the SAM has enabled art lovers to experience original works of art in traveling exhibitions and on permanent display.
The Museum of Flight
Since 1965 the MOF has held one of the largest air and space collections in the USA. Come see a B-29 Superfortress, or any of the other 175 aircraft and space craft on exhibit.
Snoqualmie Falls
Come see for yourself why this breathtaking 270-ft high cascading waterfall is visited by over 1.5 million each year.
Sightseeing at Mount Rainier National Park
This majestic 14,410-ft. dormant volcano is the icon of Washington and is surrounded by meadows, lakes, and rainforests.
Seattle Chocolate Sightseeing Factory Tour
This tour is a must do for all ages. You will learn a lot about the history and varieties of chocolate while getting to sample all of these awesome treats.
Seattle Whale Watching & Sightseeing Tours
Whale watching sightseeing tours in Washington have never been more exciting. With orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales, there's no telling what variety you'll see.
Seattle Southside is Perfectly Placed
The cities of Tukwila, SeaTac and Des Moines together make up Seattle Southside.
Just 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle with quick easy access to Sea-Tac Airport (SEA), freeways and light rail stations.
Venture North
To the north of Seattle Southside you'll find that most of these popular tourist spots are only 15 to 20 minutes away by Light Link Rail or car.
Venture South
And only 20 minutes to the south of Seattle Southside you'll find these popular attractions in the city of Tacoma:
Venture East
And to the east of Seattle Southside towards the Cascade Mountain Range you'll find these immensely popular attractions:
Venture West
And to the west of Seattle Southside explore these idyllic day trip destinations accessible by one of the Seattle Ferries:
Travel Itineraries
Which ever direction you choose to head first, our suggested itineraries can help you to kick-start planning your trip to Seattle.
Generate new ideas and customize one or more to make it your own.

Travel Planner
Start your Seattle Southside journey off right by looking at the Seattle Southside Travel Planner. It includes everything you need to know:
- Area information
- Things to do: spas, gardens, shopping, museums, sports, outdoor activities, events and festivals
- Dining: from family friendly to fine dining
- Accommodations: a place to stay for any budget
- Cruise information
- Transportation options: tips and tricks
- Itinerary suggestions
- Area maps
Choose from Over 60 Hotels, 100 Restaurants, and Countless Fun Activities Near Seattle Airport (SEA)
FAQs about the Best Sightseeing Experiences Around Seattle
Is it better to stay in downtown Seattle or Seattle Southside?
It really depends. If you're looking for better hotel deals and a more family-friendly central location that is close to Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA), then Seattle Southside is the better choice. If you're in town on business or going to the Seattle Convention Center, then you might prefer to stay downtown.
Should I go on a sightseeing tour or rent a car while visiting Seattle?
There are a number of Seattle Sightseeing Tours that offer visitors a carefree, narrated experience that you wouldn't necessarily have otherwise. If you prefer to set your own schedule, take spontaneous detours, and pick your own sightseeing destinations, then renting a car would be the better choice.
Should I get a Seattle CityPASS to save money at major sightseeing attractions?
For families or small groups, the Seattle CityPASS is a great way to see up to seven of Seattle's top attractions for about half of what it would cost to see them individually. The pass is good for 9 consecutive days and includes five attractions; two are standard and then you choose the other three.
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