10 Must

We’ve curated a list of 10 of the most beautiful places in Seattle waiting for your bucket list.

In the Emerald City you’re spoiled for choice with natural sights and gorgeous gardens. We’ve curated a list of 10 of the most beautiful places in Seattle waiting for your bucket list. Many have free entry and are perfect for picnics or a break from the hustle and bustle.

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If you've just a day in Seattle, a visit to Puget Sound is a must. The second-largest estuary in the USA, Puget Sound is part of the Salish Sea and has an abundance of beauty and wildlife. Take a ferry to one of the nearer islands or a sightseeing cruise for gorgeous views of the city and the Olympic Mountains. In summer, you may spot orcas, gray whales, bald eagles, loons, sea otters, and sea lions!

In the winter, get in a day of skiing at Snoqualmie (30 minutes on the I-90) or Crystal Mountain (105 minutes to Pierce County). Crystal Mountain offers snow-shoe trails, and Snoqualmie offers the Salish Lodge for a spa experience. Shuttles leave Seattle daily during ski season.

In the summer, visit Snoqualmie Falls and go for an unforgettable hike. Crystal Mountain offers disc golf on the summit or at the base for unbeatable views during your game. Take bus services from Seattle or rent a car for a longer stay.

Head over to West Seattle for a three-mile beach and a quaint little lighthouse. The automated lighthouse is free to visit on summer afternoons. When you’re done beachcombing, treat yourself in town for a long lunch or late snack at one of the cafés with views of the city and sound.

About two blocks down from Pike Place toward the waterfront, you’ll find the Elliott Bay Trail—a paved trail for walkers and cyclists that hugs Puget Sound from Safeco Field to Smith Cove Park in Magnolia, a northern neighborhood. The trail winds through the Olympic Sculpture Park, a branch of the Seattle Art Museum. Be amazed by intricate sculptures set against the city and gorgeous views of the sound. The park adjoins Myrtle Edwards Park, another well-loved waterfront park.

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Just a couple of blocks from Kings Street Railway Station, Pioneer Square, and Occidental Square is a little haven of watery peace. The Waterfall Garden Park is open daily. Featuring a huge created waterfall cascading over large boulders and serene landscaping, this little green space has a patio that's perfect for summer lunches or refreshing yourself during a walking exploration of the city.

Catch a ferry from Pier 52 for a short sail to this popular island that has a little bit of everything. Sample its local winery offerings, learn its history of one of the darkest moments of Americans of Japanese descent and their strength, then visit Bloedel Reserve botanical gardens before heading back to the harbor area to shop for unique gifts in quaint local stores and for a well-deserved snack or seafood lunch.

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This unique Japanese garden is a legacy of Fujitaro Kubota and his family, who transformed swampland into a beautiful, peaceful space for locals. In addition to the traditional Japanese gardens, the garden has 11 ponds with koi fish and 140 maple trees. Wander over the Moon Bridge and the Mountainside with its mini-waterfalls after you’ve rapped the bell with your knuckles to introduce yourself to the garden spirits.

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Seattle has a wealth of architectural styles and sites, from Art Deco to futuristic glass edifices. To spice things up, you’ll also find the odd Gothic beauty or a hidden combined space. The Seattle Architectural Foundation runs architectural tours downtown and within certain communities. These two-hour-long walking tours focus on specific interests and local history, providing great context to the city's landmarks.

If you prefer a self-paced tour, self-guided tours are also available.

They may be controversial, but The Spheres in downtown Seattle are certainly worth a photo or two. The office space and greenhouse are a wonderful experiment in coexistence and thriving within a futuristic environment. With over 40,000 plants, this amazing forest has green walls, wooden bridges, inspired alcoves, and cozy niches for some chill time.

If you don't know an Amazon employee, there's free entry to the public every first and third Saturday of the month, but by reservation only. Book 15 days before your visit to Seattle if your visit falls on one of those weekends. If you can't get a reservation, stroll by The Spheres for a photo and a taste of this architectural curiosity from its courtyard.

Related Here's Why A Visit To Seattle's Chihuly Garden And Glass Is Worth It

Art and light lovers have a rare treat next to the iconic Space Needle. Chihuly Gardens and Glass is a long-term exhibit showcasing the work of glass sculpture artist Dale Chihuly in a unique garden and glasshouse setting. Fantastic colorful shapes mingle in beautiful landscapes designed in collaboration with Chihuly. Wander through eight galleries and a unique glasshouse, then explore the gardens before catching a glassblowing demonstration.

Leena has been very lucky to have pursued her dreams of traveling and of writing fiction. Each inspires the other in her. She's researched and sought fairy tales in Scotland, quested for dragons in China, and discovered giant trees in Western Australia. She's always amazed at the beauty of earth and that her bucket list keeps growing!

Leena ghostwrites YA fiction and self-publishes in a variety of genres. She is also the Myths, Legends, and Fairy Tales editor at Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores.