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Things to do in Seattle Center

Our most recommended things to do in Seattle Center

Seattle: Space Needle & Chihuly Garden and Glass Ticket

1. Seattle: Space Needle & Chihuly Garden and Glass Ticket

Experience the stunning views of Seattle from the Space Needle with a timed entry ticket. Take a stroll through the imaginative artwork of Dale Chihuly with admission to Chihuly Garden and Glass. Get access to both of these must-see attractions in one day. Exchange your voucher at the Space Needle and enjoy a thrilling 42-second elevator ride with views of the Seattle Center, the Puget Sound, and mountains. Step out on The Loupe, the world’s first and only revolving glass floor, for never-before-seen views of the structure and city. Lean into tilting glass walls on the open-air outdoor observation deck. Float over Seattle on one of 24 angled glass benches perched around the outdoor deck. After taking in the all-new thrilling views at the Space Needle, immerse yourself in a world where curiosity, creativity and color come to life at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Get an insight into the inspiration and influences that drive the work of artist Dale Chihuly. Make your way through the exhibition’s eight interior galleries before heading out to the richly landscaped outdoor garden and glasshouse centerpiece. Be moved as you experience a comprehensive look at Chihuly's most significant work. Enjoy complimentary digital photo downloads and get access to daily gallery talks and live glass demonstrations. Admission includes a complimentary audio tour that you can downloaded to your smartphone.

Seattle CityPASS®: Save 44% or More at 5 Top Attractions

2. Seattle CityPASS®: Save 44% or More at 5 Top Attractions

Make use of the Seattle CityPASS® on your next trip to Seatle. See amazing animals, fun pop culture, beautiful art, and incredible views — from the sky and the sea with your Seattle CityPASS® tickets. CityPASS® tickets offer convenient instant delivery and are valid for 9 consecutive days, allowing ample time to experience each attraction. Save 44% or more on prepaid admission to 5 must-see attractions: • Space Needle –day/night admission – includes two visits within 24 hours • Seattle Aquarium – general admission to all major exhibits with additional events subject to change Plus your choice of admission to 3 of the following attractions: • Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour – a 1-hour narrated Harbor Cruise Tour • Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) – general admission • Woodland Park Zoo – general admission • Chihuly Garden and Glass – general admission, plus a complimentary audio tour on your personal smartphone

Seattle: Chihuly Garden and Glass Entry Ticket

3. Seattle: Chihuly Garden and Glass Entry Ticket

Lose yourself in the mesmerizing mix of colors and light, and glass and steel that is Chihuly Garden and Glass. Take your time to wander through the exhibition's 8 interior galleries, richly landscaped outdoor garden, and magnificent centerpiece Glasshouse. Venture through each gallery and marvel at numerous blown-glass works that demonstrate how Dale Chihuly pushed the boundaries of glass as art. While exploring the exhibition, receive complimentary digital photo download and access to daily Gallery Talks and live glass demonstrations. Let the 40-foot tall glass and steel structure that covers 4,500 square feet of light-filled space – the Glasshouse — completely captivate you. The installation in the Glasshouse is an expansive 100-foot-long sculpture in a color palette of reds, oranges, yellows, and amber. Made of many individual elements, it is one of Chihuly’s largest suspended sculptures. Stroll through a lush garden that serves as the backdrop for glass sculptures made of impossible shapes and brilliant colors.

Seattle: 3-Hour City Tour by Bus

4. Seattle: 3-Hour City Tour by Bus

Discover the best of Seattle on a 3-hour guided, small-group tour covering almost 50 miles including three main stops: Pioneer Square, Ballard Locks, and a city skyline viewpoint for unforgettable photo opportunities. Sit back and relax as a knowledgeable guide presents Seattle's history, neighborhoods, and attractions. The tour visits the following highlights: • Pike Place Market • Olympic and Cascade Mountain views • Seattle waterfront • Historic Pioneer Square • Waterfall Garden Park • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park • T-mobile Park and CenturyLink field • Chinatown and International District • Lake Washington • I-90 Floating Bridge • Mercer Island • Puget Sound views • Panoramic Seattle city views • Fremont neighborhood and Troll • Lake Union and Ship Canal • Fishermen’s Terminal • Ballard Locks/salmon ladder • Discovery Park • Scenic Magnolia Bluff with its stunning homes and views • Seattle Center & MoPop

Seattle: Space Needle & Seattle Center Experience

5. Seattle: Space Needle & Seattle Center Experience

Community Impact: -We have the opportunity to support small businesses in the Queen Anne neighborhood, from local coffee shops and bakeries to small record shops -Our small-group experiences, designed to visit neighborhood spots off the usual tourist paths, ensure that we do not overwhelm and overcrowd our smaller Queen Anne businesses -By walking and using mass transportation, you’re helping to reduce tourism’s impact on the environment -We strive to represent all voices in our storytelling, including those of immigrant-owned bakeries of Scandinavian origin and the contributions of black, LGBTQ, and female individuals to the arts Summary: Seattle Center has a wealth of art, cultural institutions, and more to explore, and this two-and-a-half-hour Seattle walking tour will satisfy you with the absolutely must-sees of the city’s Uptown area. We’ll set out from downtown for a quick but fun ride above the city streets on the Seattle Center Monorail, created for the 1962 World’s Fair. Your tour guide will give you an overview of the Belltown neighborhood as it passes by and the history of the neighborhood’s development. Once we arrive at Seattle Center, we’ll be passing by the most iconic spots including the immediately recognizable Space Needle and two world-renowned institutions below, the Museum of Pop Culture and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Among the lesser-known attractions we might encounter on the tour are the historic Seattle Armory – a 1939 Washington National Guard building turned food hall – and McCaw Hall complex housing the Seattle Opera. Your guide will introduce you to the Center’s outdoor art scattered throughout, including the musical International Fountain and larger-than-life works of art imitating nature. There will be time on our tour to check out a local radio station and grab a cup of coffee and a pastry while perusing vinyls at a local record store. After exploring the grounds below, your tour guide will leave you at the entrance to the Space Needle, where you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the park and unbeatable vistas of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound.

Seattle: Cruise Port City Sightseeing Tour

6. Seattle: Cruise Port City Sightseeing Tour

Meet your guide at your cruise terminal as you debark from your ship. Bring your luggage along, or us the Port of Seattle’s complimentary ‘Port Valet’ service. Port Valet will take your checked baggage to the airport and check it in for you, so you can enjoy the tour luggage free. Ask your cruise director for details on how to sign up. Your tour begins in downtown Seattle, home to the Pike Place Market, the world’s oldest Starbucks coffee shop, and more. Then, continue to Pioneer Square and Stadium District, the city's historic core now filled with art galleries and restaurants abutting sports stadiums for the Seahawks, Sounders, and Mariners. Other sights on this tour include the International District and Waterfront and the Seattle Center where you'll pass but the famous Space Needle. Drive through the quirky Fremont neighborhood, and take a photo with the famous Fremont Troll. Enjoy views from Queen Anne Hill, an area known for its views of Bainbridge Island and Mt. Rainier beyond. Complete your tour at the airport or your hotel. Drop-off at SEATAC by 1:45 pm for guests with flights departing 3:45 pm or later | For guests adding on Space Needle tix and the Market, Drop-off at SEATAC by 3:30 pm

Seattle Urban Adventure Quest Team Scavenger Hunt

7. Seattle Urban Adventure Quest Team Scavenger Hunt

Turn Seattle into a giant game board on the Urban Adventure Quest that’s priced for a group of up to 5 players. This interactive scavenger hunt combines the fun of the Amazing Race with a 3-hour sightseeing tour of the city. This is the perfect activity for groups, large or small, interested in seeing the most well-known sites as well as the often-overlooked hidden gems the city keeps secret. Race to be the first to finish the game, or take as much time as you need, learning about local history along the way. Guided from any smartphone, groups make their way through the city, solving clues and completing challenges. The adventure begins at the Seattle Center and takes you on a well-designed course that includes sights around the Space Needle and others downtown and within the Pikes Place Market area. The Quest requires about 2 miles of walking and uses the Seattle monorail system at one point in the game. Offered at a fixed price for a group as opposed to per-person pricing, this city tour/game offers a great value to visitors on a budget. Points of interest on your Quest: • Seattle Center • Space Needle • Seattle Center Monorail • Pike Place • Post Alley • Gum Wall • Seattle Art Museum

Uncovering Seattle's Hidden Gems

8. Uncovering Seattle's Hidden Gems

Explore Seattle’s street art scene on a tour with a local guide. Board the monorail for a quick ride to Seattle Center, home of the towering Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, and creative works meant to inspire, invite, and invoke the nature of the Pacific Northwest. Learn from your guide about the stories behind the colorful pieces you’ll encounter. Around the center, explore a local radio studio, pass by a sustainable sports arena, and get a chance to stop in at some of Queen Anne neighborhood’s best coffee shops and bakeries. With your pastry and beverage in hand, you’ll be ready to trek your way uphill to view the fabulous city skyline. Head out of the neighborhood to relax along the beautiful Puget Sound waterfront.  Your guide will have plenty of recommendations for where to eat, drink, and sightsee in Seattle. If any of the venues passed on the tour take your fancy, ask your guide how to get admission afterward.

Other Sightseeing Options in Seattle Center

Want to discover all there is to do in Seattle Center? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Seattle Center

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 579 reviews

Go to the Space Needle when it opens - less crowded. Take the time to read the panels going up to the elevator, it’s a great capsule of the engineering marvel of the Needle. Chihuly Glass is a very unique museum that you will not experience anywhere else in the country. The glass pieces are stunning. Don’t miss the videos of his different projects. They are very short but give you great insight into the artist and his works.

My 11-year-old granddaughter chose the Chihuly Garden as a birthday outing with the grandparents. We were all fascinated by the beautiful glasswork, especially my granddaughter. There are about six or seven indoor rooms with fabulous glass exhibits. There is a large sunny atrium with glass art at the ceiling. And finally there is an outdoor garden of glass artwork in the shadow of the iconic Space Needle.

Would absolutely recommend to anyone visiting the city. Gary, our guide, was fantastic and super knowledgeable. We were lucky in having a smaller group (8 of us) and Gary made us feel super welcome and showed off some of his singing talents! All in all, we had a great time and a brilliant tour guide!

Brian was very knowledgeable and patient, loved the history he shared for all the places we visited. My only complaint was the difficulty I had in locating the exact spot to meet the bus, maybe some sort of signage would be helpful.

Amazing glass work. The demonstration of creating a glass vase was informative and entertaining. And the garden! Beautiful in itself but add the beautiful glass structures and it was well worth the peaceful walk thru.