15 Things to Do If You’re Moving to Seattle

Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington, boasting of a flourishing economy and a rich culture.  It is the Coffee Capital of the United States.  Whether you’re planning on moving to Seattle, or have already made your move, you’d want to check out a few places that make this city so great.  There’s plenty to do with your family and friends and just have a good time.

15 Top Attractions to Visit After Moving to Seattle

Woodland Park Zoo

Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo stretches across 92-acres and is home to many threatened and endangered animal species from across the world. The zoo was the first of its kind to set up naturalistic exhibits and it boasts of about 300 different species ranging from snow leopards, grizzly bears, Asian and African elephants, lemurs and jaguars.

If you’d like to see over 1000 different types of animals all in just one zoo, then head straight to the Woodland Park Zoo after moving to Seattle. The zoo is managed by an award-winning team that is known for their dedication to environmentalism, education programs, and their standard as an attraction.

More so, this amazing zoon has been regularly commended for various beautiful exhibit designs that are harmless to the animals and charming enough for visitors to admire.

Volunteer Park

There is so much to see in the Volunteer Park in Central Seattle. The Park showcases a century-old conservatory with tropical plants and trees. Visitors can enjoy simple attractions within the park such as picnic grounds, children play area, sport facilities, and walking trails.

Also, the flourishing green space comprises the Seattle Asian Art Museum which is a branch of the bigger Seattle Art Museum located downtown. Galleries in the Seattle Asian Art Museum display South Asian, Chinese, Southeast Asian art, textiles and decorative arts. The Volunteer Park is one of the major attractions to see if you’re moving to Seattle.

 

Pioneer Square Historic District

Pioneer square is the iconic heart of Seattle city. The square is prominent with a 60-foot totem pole. The Smith Tower, among the Victorian-era structures, is outstanding for its impressive height of 42 stories. If you enjoy sightseeing, don’t miss the observation deck on the 35th floor, it was designed for that purpose.

Also, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in the neighborhood evokes the rush of prospectors who left for the Yukon at some point in the 1897 gold rush. Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour is also worth the time as it reveals the old city that lies underneath the modern streets allowing you to experience the old streets below ground where the pioneers once walked. These notable places are worth your time if you’re moving to Seattle.

Benaroya Hall

If you enjoy symphony concerts, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall is one place that is worth the visit. Seattle’s premier arts venue seats as many as 2,500 for Seattle Symphony concerts. Dale Chihuly’s large glass art sculpture stood outstandingly at the lobby of the center.

The magnificent artwork looks like the ones at the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle Center and at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. If you are interested in the performance hall, it is located downtown across the street from the Seattle Art Museum. This concert is one of the entertaining events to never miss if you move to Seattle.

 

 

Pike place market

The two floors of the scenic Pike Place Market provides a wide range of wares for sale by vendors. Some of the things you will find on the two floors are vegetables, fruits, fish and different kinds of odds and ends make the market a unique one. If you love the taste of seafood don’t hesitate to visit one of the restaurants. You can take a tour around the market to see more of what the Pike place is offering. This is worth your time if you’re moving to Seattle.

 

Waterfront and Piers

At the Seattle waterfront you will see a chain of piers and parks, boat tours, ferry docks, tourist attractions and recreational spaces. On Pier 59 of the waterfront, is the Seattle Aquarium where several different types of Pacific marine animals such as dwarf sharks, sea otters and octopuses are seen in the Underwater Dome.

Discovery Park

Discovery Park is the biggest park in Seattle and it stretches across 550 acres. If you need a magnificent and peaceful escape from the city, you should visit the Discovery Park. The park comprises a coastline, forest and meadows and serves as habitat for wildlife.

If you are interested in learning about the park, an environmental learning facility stages interactive displays, gives details about the park and hosts education programs. Moving to Seattle means you’ll get the chance to visit the Discovery Park anytime you want.

Seattle Center and the Space Needle

The famous Seattle Center, its symbolic Space needle and the monorail were initially designed and constructed for the 1962 world fair but the center has since been transformed into an entertainment facility and park and boasts of restaurants, sport facilities and theaters.

The area is now surrounded by contemporary tourist attractions such as musical performances at the Experience Music Project and extraordinary glass sculptures at Chihuly Garden and Glass. This is one center you can sit back, relax, and enjoy whenever you move to Seattle.

 

International District

The picturesque International District is located on the eastern side of Pioneer square. The streets of the International District are surrounded by Japanese and Chinese shops and restaurants. The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience traces Asian immigration history. The International District is one of the amazing places to visit if you’re moving to Seattle.

Hiram M Chittenden Locks

The Hiram M Chittenden Locks located northwest of Seattle Center is also known as the Ballard Locks and is one of the best places to visit if you move to Seattle. The Locks provides a unique platform for watching the boat traffic as they move between Puget sounds and the lakes.

Also, you can seek out the fish ladder where salmons fight their way upstream. Also, if you need a spot where you can sit back, relax and watch well-tended gardens visit the nearby Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Garden.

The Seattle Aquarium

This magnificent aquarium is home to the largest octopus on earth. These beautiful sea creatures can grow to weigh almost 35 pounds and measure up to 14 feet from arm to arm. A trip to the Seattle Aquarium gives you the perfect chance to see these critters in a tank dedicated to them.

You can watch the octopus as they change colors or glide through the tank. But there’s more. The aquarium is also home to some marine mammals and coastal birds, otters, seals, and puffins etc. the Seattle Aquarium is one of the best places to visit if you’re moving to Seattle.

MoPOP

MoPOP is one of the most popular places in Seattle well known for celebrating pop culture, ideas, movies, and music. The building has several parts dedicated to what MoPOP stands for. The building houses several different items related to the history of rock music. From guitars smashed by Jimi Hendrix to clothes worn by Chrissie Hynde of the pretenders, various album covers and more.

MoPop also houses a sound lab where you can test various audio equipment or even play with musical instruments like electric guitar. You can also enjoy live music, movie screenings, and gaming etc. and you can buy tickets on their site.

The Seattle Great Wheel

This magnificent 175-foot Ferris wheel is an amazing addition to Seattle’s waterfront. It offers breathtaking rides that leave riders excited and awed. You’ll enjoy the Gondola which can house up to eight people. You’ll have to pay $13 per pop ($8.50 for kids) and you may even get the chance to book a VIP Gondola ($50 per person). If you’re moving to Seattle, this is one thrilling ride you should never miss.

The Museum of Flight

Moving to Seattle Washington means you’ll get the chance to visit the museum of flights to learn the history of air and space travel. This magnificent museum is home to several remarkable collections of artifacts. The museum showcases various generations of aircrafts from funny looking planes, to hot air balloons and breathtaking modern flight machines.

You’ll also get the chance to see the original red barn where William Boeing set up his first manufacturing plant. If you’re moving to Seattle and interested in aircrafts, this is one place you’d love to visit.

Seattle Underground Tour

This underground tour is a walk through the history of Seattle. It takes you through several basements across the city. The entire underground tour typically takes you through Pioneer Square giving you the chance to see various artifacts and some other items that are connected to the neighborhood and to Seattle.

Bill Speidel, an enterprising columnist for the Seattle Times was the first to start taking people on the underground tour which is now a popular tour. If you’d like to learn about the history of the city after moving to Seattle, this is one tour you’d appreciate.

This seattle city guide is a must read if you’re planning on moving to Seattle.