Best things to do in Seattle

Chihuly Garden and Glass features a comprehensive exhibit showcasing the work of Dale Chihuly, a renowned American glass sculptor and entrepreneur. Despite the considerable technical difficulties of working with blown glass, Chihuly uses it as a primary medium for large installations and environmental artwork, some of which you can see at this gallery. The artist's complex and colorful glass sculptures fill the eight-room greenhouse. Stop by the adjacent garden to see a blend of nature and more blown-glass creations.

Enjoy panoramic views of Seattle and the surrounding water from 184 m (605 ft) in the air at Space Needle. A symbol of the city since it was built for the World’s Fair in 1962, the tower features a 360º observation deck. Ride the elevator to the top for unobstructed views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Elliott Bay, and the surrounding islands, before stopping for a meal at the rotating SkyCity restaurant. Take a jacket with you when visiting the tower, as the observation deck is known for windy conditions.

Built in 1907 on the edge of a steep hill in the downtown waterfront area, Pike Place Market remains one of the country's oldest continuously operating public farmers' markets. A regular place of business for local farmers, craftspeople, and merchants, the market also ranks as one of the city's top tourist attractions. Consisting of a main level and several lower sections, the market features a range of flower stalls, comic-book stores, antiques shops, and family-owned restaurants. Before you explore the areas below street level, visit the main market's fresh produce and fish stalls. Access the market by car, public bus, or streetcar.

Walk through the cabins of a British Airways Concorde and the “flying Oval Office” of four presidents at The Museum of Flight, the largest private air and space museum in the world. The museum's world-class collection of nearly 150 aircraft includes a B-17F Flying Fortress bomber, a Lockheed M-21 Blackbird, and a Lockheed model like the one Amelia Earhart piloted when she disappeared over the Pacific. Other highlights include the world's first fighter plane, built in 1914, and one of only two remaining airworthy Douglas DC-2s. Within the museum is the restored “Red Barn,” Boeing’s original manufacturing plant. To take advantage of discounts offered to returning visitors, consider purchasing a "return trip" ticket, valid for up to seven days.

Located on Pier 59 with a view of the city, Seattle Aquarium hosts more than 800,000 visitors every year. The aquarium's goals of conservation and preservation mean many visitors take part in the site's educational programs. Some exhibits are interactive, such as the Life of a Drifter display that surrounds visitors with an aquarium full of jellyfish, starfish, and rockfish.

Experience the unrivaled beauty of Washington State's natural wonders on a wine tasting tour from Seattle. You'll travel through forested foothills and over the famed Evergreen Point floating bridge, the second-largest of its kind in the world. You'll also have a chance to marvel at the iconic Snoqualmie Falls, plunging from a height of 82 m (268 ft), before stopping at several award-winning boutique wineries, including Chateau Ste Michelle, the oldest winery in the state. Your sommelier will give you some wine tasting tips and teach you how to tell between different varietals--it's a great way to learn and have some fun. Tours range from 2-hour experiences to full-day excursions.

Take in the classic view of the lighthouse in Discovery Park, which marks the westernmost point of the city. Set out on the 4.5 km (2.8 mi) Discovery Park Loop Trail, the main route leading to all the park's paths. The 19.01 km (11.81 mi) of pathways weave through woods and grassy prairies and past beaches. If you'd like to drive to the beach, you'll need a permit, which you can pick up at the Environmental Learning Center near the east parking lot. Stop by the cultural center in the park to enjoy art and music events in the inspiring, natural setting.

Watch boats and fish travel the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, a waterway system that provides safe passage between salt water and fresh water. The locks connect the Puget Sound to the Ship Canal, which links to Lake Union and Lake Washington. See barges, yachts, sailboats, and more pass through as water levels adjust to allow their journey. Don’t miss the fish ladder, which allows the migration of anadromous fish, such as salmon, between the two types of water. Glass panels give you a clear view of the fish making their journey. Pop into the visitor center to learn more about the history of the locks and how they work.

Learn about one of the last great prospecting adventures at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The Cadillac Hotel is your first stop on the trail. This site was once the initial supply point for prospectors headed to the Yukon. Explore the temporary exhibits and pick up a map of the original Chilkoot Trail that settlers used to reach the wild lands where they hoped to strike it rich. This is the only international historical park shared by Canada and the United States, as the park extends up to Alaska. The park includes historical settler towns and Dawson City.

Explore greenhouses with environments ranging from jungle to desert when you visit Volunteer Park Conservatory. You'll tour five houses, each representing their own distinct environment. Walk through the bromeliads house to see an array of plants that attach themselves to surfaces like rocks or branches. Head to the fern house to see all types of ferns and carnivorous plants, like the Venus fly trap. Tropical plants reign at the palms house and the opposite is true at the cacti and succulent house, which promotes desert plant life. Don't miss the seasonal house, which rotates the plants it features based on the time of year.

Conceived and built as one of the centerpieces of the 1962 World's Fair, Pacific Science Center stands as one of Seattle's primary attractions. Though its physical appearance, replete with distinctive arches, is a mainstay of the city's central area, the museum's displays draw many visitors every year. You can see everything from animatronic dinosaurs and gigantic insects to ocean ecosystems and a colony of naked mole rats. Visit the planetarium, interact with butterflies in the butterfly house, or catch a special documentary or presentation on one of the center's IMAX movie screens. Kids can learn a great deal about the natural world through many hands-on experiments and labs.

Ski and snowboard in winter or hike and camp in summer at Hurricane Ridge, a pristine site that affords all-encompassing views of the Pacific coastline. Sitting 1,598 m (5,242 ft) high in the mountains of Olympic National Park, in an intense wind zone, the ridge has unpredictable weather where it can snow any time of year. The drive along the ridge overlooks the Olympic mountain range with views of meadows and snow-capped peaks. Watch for wildlife here. Check the visitor center's information desk, which provides maps and tips regarding the park's facilities and regulations. A snack bar and restrooms are also available on-site.

The winner of multiple Best National Exhibit awards from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Woodland Park Zoo features a wide variety of species. You'll have the chance to see rare animals such as red pandas and snow leopards. Almost every environment in the world is represented among the zoo's inhabitants. Be sure to visit the lowland gorillas that made the park famous in the 1970s in the world's first immersion exhibit.

Discover Nature specializes in fully guided, small group tours designed to maximize your enjoyment of the Mt. Rainier area. You'll be treated like a friend from out of town and guided to some of the best spots within Mt. Rainier National Park, a place of stunning vistas and diverse wildlife. With your personal guide, you'll hike the old growth forest, spot all kinds of animals (like foxes, deer, and marmots), learn about glaciers and native trees and plants, and hear anecdotes about the pioneers who contributed to the creation of the park. Bring your camera--sights of the magnificent mountain will surely inspire you to snap a few memorable photos.