Living in Seattle gives me the opportunity to be surrounded by both the mountains and the ocean at the same time. Over time, I’ve made it a habit to seek out viewpoints whenever I visit or explore a new part of the city.
Sometimes that means standing at a famous overlook. But more often than not, it’s a small park or a rooftop.
In this guide, I’ll share my 12 favorite viewpoints in Seattle. All of these are spots that I have personally visited. I’ll start with the more popular spots that you should visit first… and as the list goes on, I’ll get into more niche and hidden spots that most people don’t know about.
Whether you’re visiting Seattle for the first time or just want to see the city from a new angle, you’ll find an exciting view in the list below.
12 Best Viewpoints in Seattle
Kerry Park
Kerry Park is, without a doubt, the most famous viewpoint in Seattle.
It’s located on the slopes of Queen Anne, giving you a postcard view of the Space Needle, the downtown skyline, and, on a clear day, Mount Rainier framed perfectly on the horizon. It’s the view that defines Seattle, and a spot that every visitor should see at least once.
Read our full blog post: Kerry Park in Seattle: Complete Guide
Bell Harbor Marina Observatory
This one is kind of a hidden spot… If you didn’t already know it was there, you won’t find it by accident.
To find the Bell Harbor Marina Observatory, head over to Pier 66 and take the stairs or elevator up to the rooftop deck. The view looks out over Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and the city skyline framing the water behind you.
This spot is super relaxed and rarely crowded. There are plenty of benches where you can sit for a while, plus a few mounted binoculars that make it easy to scan the water and spot distant details you’d otherwise miss.
Gas Works Park
Whether it is kite flying, fire dancing, drum circles, musicians performing, or just kids playing, there is always something going on at Gas Works Park.
Some people call it “the strangest park in Seattle,” which is quite an achievement in a city full of strange things.
From here, you can watch boats and kayaks drift across the lake while seaplanes land amongst the Space Needle and downtown skyline in the background. In my opinion, it’s the perfect way to cap off a summer day in Seattle.
Space Needle
Rising high above Seattle’s uptown, you can spot the Space Needle from just about anywhere in town. But the best way to enjoy the Space Needle is to take an elevator ride to the top of it for one of the finest vantage points anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
On a clear day, the views are incredible. You can trace the skyline, watch ferries cut across the Puget Sound, and see the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges framing the city. To the south, Mount Rainier towers on the horizon, and on exceptionally clear days, Mount Baker peeks out in the north.
But some people don’t even realize that the Space Needle has two levels. Head downstairs to find the world’s first rotating glass floor. You can look straight down at the ground 500 feet below or just let it slowly carry you around for a full 360-degree panorama without even moving your feet.
Read our full blog post: 5 Smart Tips for Visiting the Space Needle (From a Local)
Overlook Walk
The recently built Overlook Walk connects Pike Place Market to Seattle’s Waterfront. But it’s more than just a walkway. Nearly every step of the way contains views of the Puget Sound, Downtown Seattle, and the Olympic Mountain Range.
The Overlook Walk has numerous spots to sit and take in the views. It’s one of the best places along Seattle’s waterfront to capture a selfie or take a family picture!
Olympic Sculpture Park
The north end of Seattle’s busy waterfront fades into the open-air Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s a vibey oceanside park with paved walking and biking paths that wind through a collection of large-scale art installations set against the backdrop of Elliott Bay.
The park is free to visit and makes for a great stop if you enjoy long walks with interesting scenery. Or just finding a bench and watching the sunset. The mix of modern art, grassy lawns, and coastline makes for a relaxing break in the city.
Ferry to Bainbridge
Bainbridge is an awesome day-trip destination from Seattle, but many people don’t realize that the ferry ride to Bainbridge is an experience all in itself.
Once aboard, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains as you cross over Elliot Bay.
Food and drinks can be purchased on board, and if you’re lucky, you may see some of the local wildlife on deck! I always enjoy seeing the jellyfish float by.
You don’t need a reservation to take the ferry. Just show up at the terminal and purchase your ticket. Ferries to Bainbridge leave about every 50 minutes.
Read our full blog post: 11 Awesome Things to Do on Bainbridge Island: Complete Guide
Seattle Great Wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel is an icon of the city’s waterfront, standing there in the background of countless photos.
But even better than admiring it from afar is riding it yourself. The 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel features sweeping views of Puget Sound, Downtown Seattle, and even Mount Rainier on a clear day.
It’s a smooth, clean, comfortable modern Ferris wheel, perfect to see Seattle’s skyline from a different perspective.
When we rode the great wheel, I was surprised at how smooth it was. The gondolas are fully enclosed and climate-controlled, so it’s comfortable inside no matter the weather.
The wheel made three full rotations, giving us plenty of time to take in the views. We watched a ferry leave the port, and saw the Space Needle pop in and out of the skyline as the wheel turned.
Magnolia Viewpoint
For something a bit more low-key with a neighborhood vibe, head over to the Magnolia Viewpoint. It’s a bit further out from the city, so while its view isn’t smack dab front and center, it has a more peaceful vibe.
Instead of tour groups and selfie sticks, you’ll mostly see locals walking their dogs or riding their bikes. It’s the kind of spot where you can just hang out without feeling rushed and enjoy being outside.
Discovery Park
Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest park. It’s perched atop the Magnolia Bluff overlooking the Puget Sound, with views of the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier on a clear day.
The park has nearly 12 miles of trails, and is the perfect place for a quick hike in Seattle. The mix of forests, meadows, and sea cliffs makes it one of the city’s most diverse landscapes. It’s also easily the best place in Seattle to go birdwatching, as tons of species either pass through seasonally or live there year-round.
Ursula Judkins Viewpoint
Ursula Judkins Viewpoint is a neat spot because you can pull right up to it in your car. Perfect if you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to leave the car, or if it’s just too cold outside to do so.
From here, you get a view of downtown Seattle, with the skyline laid out in front of you. On a clear day, Mount Rainier shows up in the background, and at night, the city lights make this spot feel especially peaceful.
Up Garden P-Patch
The Up Garden P-Patch is a spot I stumbled upon recently. It’s a community garden located on the top of a parking garage right next to Seattle Center.
As you can see in the photos, it has a pretty close-up view of the Space Needle. It’s one of those spots that feels like you’ve gone through a doorway to a new world hiding in plain sight.
If you do visit, please be respectful. This is an active community garden, and it’s clear that the people who maintain it care deeply about the space. Walk gently, don’t disturb the plants, and treat it less like a tourist attraction and more like a shared neighborhood space.
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Are You Following Our Seattle Blog Series?
We’re based in Seattle and have done so many awesome things in this city. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our Seattle travel guide: 29 Incredible Things to Do in Seattle
- Our Seattle hiking guide: 11 Incredible Hikes Near Seattle
- Our Seattle Waterfront guide: 15 Amazing Things to Do at the Seattle Waterfront
- Best day trip from Seattle: 11 Awesome Things to Do on Bainbridge Island
- Best Space Needle photo spots: 8 Incredible Views of the Space Needle
- Best national park near Seattle: 12 Unique Things to Do in Mount Rainier
- Best winter weekend trip from Seattle: 8 Amazing Things to Do in Leavenworth in Winter
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best viewpoints in Seattle. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
