17 Amazing Activities on a Solo Trip to Seattle (2023)

Seattle is a vibrant city with countless things to do on a solo trip. It’s surrounded by the remarkable natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest landscape, from the Cascade Mountain range to Puget Sound. Seattle also has world class art museums, interesting historical sights, and tons of outdoor activities. In this article, we describe the absolute best things to see and do during a solo trip to Seattle.

Whale Watching Trip on Puget Sound

Seattle is one of the best locations in the U.S. to view orcas, humpbacks and grey whales in their natural habitat. All three species can be spotted regularly throughout the year in the Puget Sound. You’re also likely to see dolphins, sea lions, and harbor seals.

How to Schedule a Tour

You can take a half-day tour, or opt for the full-day plan that includes a visit to the beautiful San Juan Islands. One of the best tour companies is FRS Clipper, which departs from the pier in downtown Seattle.

Pier 62 Waterfront Park

Pier 62 is a modern urban park that has an expansive view of Elliot Bay. There are well maintained walking trails and public art exhibits installed throughout the grounds. This is a wonderful spot to have a picnic and watch the ferries on the bay.

Kerry Park

Climb up Queen Anne Hill to Kerry Park for unparalleled views of downtown Seattle and Puget Sound. If you’re lucky, the mountain will be out (Mount Rainier). This is an ideal place to visit at the end of the day to watch the sunset.

Discovery Park Preserve

Discovery Park is a 534-acre preserve and a hidden gem in the city. It offers commanding views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountain range. You can safely hike alone on the network of trails through meadows and forest. The preserve also has a beautiful beach with dramatic sea cliffs and many tidepools to explore.

Seattle Space Needle

Visiting the space needle observation deck is a must-do activity for a solo trip to Seattle, especially if it’s your first time visiting the city. This landmark was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, and has since become an icon of the city. On a clear day, you’ll see the mountain ranges that surround the city. Tip: Reserve your ticket in advance to avoid lines.

Pioneer Square

Exploring historic Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle is a great way to connect with the city’s past and present. In 1889, most of downtown was destroyed by an enormous fire. Afterwards, the ruined buildings were filled with dirt and the current city was built on top of the old (Similar to the layers of Rome and Naples).

Underground Seattle Tour

To uncover the stories of Seattle, take Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour. It’s touristy and kitschy, but worth it to explore the passages underground. You’ll walk along the buried streets, alleys, and storefronts where people used to live and work. It’s a fascinating experience.

Pioneer Square Art Galleries

When you resurface, follow a self-guided art walk to browse the amazing art galleries in Pioneer Square.

Waterfall Garden Park

Have lunch next to the stunning 22-foot waterfall at Waterfall Garden Park. This is a peaceful local spot in the middle of the bustling city.

Pike Place Market

The famous Pike Place Market encompasses nine acres in the historic section of Seattle’s downtown. It is one of the oldest and largest public markets in the United States, and a must see during your solo trip to Seattle.

It’s fun to wander through the market to check out the various food stalls and shops. You can pick up some snacks or gifts at the gourmet food shops, such as DeLaurenti Food & Wine. There also are plenty of stalls selling excellent coffee and sweets, like macarons and donuts.

Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight, located 10 miles south of Seattle, is the world’s largest private air and space museum. The museum displays the first presidential jet and one of only three concords on display in the U.S. In addition, you’ll see almost 30 aircraft from World Wars I and II, an exhibit on space exploration, and a replica of the plane flown by Amelia Earhart.

Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum

A two-minute walk from the space needle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. Here you find the otherworldly creations of the renown Seattle artist, Dale Chihuly. Glass sculptures of all shapes and colors are displayed throughout the interior of the museum, garden, and an outdoor glasshouse.

Explore the Exhibits

Many pieces are an intricate mix of complementary sculptures. One central work looks like the ocean floor with swirling sea urchins, jagged coral, and swirling colors. The glasshouse contains Chihuly’s largest suspended piece. This stunning one-hundred-foot installation stretches across the building, with the space needle as a backdrop.

Explore the Garden

Vivid glass sculptures are integrated throughout the delicately landscaped garden. Each carving is a fantastical interpretation of plants and flowers. Mixed with a variety of living plants, the sculptures appear to have arrived from an alien planet.

Watch a Glassblowing Demonstration

The museum also includes a lovely outdoor café with views of the garden and glasshouse. Glassblowing demonstrations are presented here through the day. It’s a perfect spot for a coffee break or glass of wine. Tip: To save money, purchase a combined ticket with the space needle.

Seattle Art Museum

The Seattle Art Museum is located downtown near the Pike Place Market. The permanent collection consists of almost 25,000 works from around the world. The collection dates from antiquity to the present and covers diverse global cultures and perspectives. Highlights are the Native American, ancient American, and Australian Aboriginal exhibits.

Museum of Pop Culture

The Museum of Pop Culture is a fun thing to do on a solo trip to Seattle. It provides an opportunity to see displays on contemporary cinema, music, science fiction, and video games. The building itself is a work of art, designed by architect Frank O. Gehry.

Music Icons

Inside, the museum celebrates Seattle musicians including Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. The collections include instruments, photos, personal items and handwritten lyrics.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Films

The science fiction and fantasy exhibits include props and memorabilia from Star Trek, Star Wars, and Wizard of Oz. You’ll also find props from Harry Potter, like Harry’s wand and glasses. You can take a close look at weapons from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, like Aragorn’s sword. You’ll also come face to face with a white walker from Game of Thrones!

Horror Movies

The horror movie exhibit is insane! It shows costumes and props from the Walking Dead, Nightmare on Elm Street, Alien, and other horror classics. The space is divided into different themed galleries, from vampire films to zombies to the set of a serial killer’s lair. In addition to scaring you, the exhibit provides interesting details about the creative process of the genre’s top directors and writers.

Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island is a scenic 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle and makes for a perfect daytrip. Spend time in the charming town of Winslow, which is a short walk from the ferry. You could easily spend a few hours enjoying Winslow’s cute shops, wineries, and restaurants. Winslow also has a worthwhile art museum showcasing local artists and a museum covering the history of the island.

Other places to visit on the island include:

The Suquamish Museum to learn about culture and history of the Suquamish people.

The Japanese American Exclusion Memorial that honors the Japanese Americans and Japanese people on Bainbridge who were persecuted during World War II.

Fort Ward Park is wonderful to explore for its historic military buildings and battlements.

Bloedel Reserve has beautiful gardens and hiking trails in the surrounding forest.

Fay Bainbridge Park is great for beachcombing and spotting passing orcas. This is also a perfect location to view Mount Rainier and the Cascade range if it’s a clear day.

Giant Forest has great hiking trails among ancient firs, cedars, and maples.

Mount Rainier National Park

Peaking at 4,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier is an emblem of Seattle, Washington.

Overnight Trip

Ideally, you should spend at least two days and one night in Rainier to explore the forest trails and subalpine meadows. Spend one day hiking near the Sunrise Visitor Center and another at the Paradise Center. With more time, visit the Ohanapecosh area for it’s old-growth forest and dramatic waterfalls.

Join a Group Tour

If you’re short on time, joining an organized day tour from Seattle is a great way for solo travelers to visit Mount Rainier. This gives you the chance to experience the beauty of the ecosystem and go hiking with a group.

Other Fun Things to Do in Seattle

• Whale watch from the shore at Alki Beach
• Join a food tour through Pike Place Market
• Join a historical walking tour through Pioneer Square
• Grab a cup of coffee at the original Starbucks coffee shop
• Do a 3-day road trip through Olympic National Park
• Catch some live music at Rendezvous’ Jewelbox Theater
• Visit the Fremont neighborhood for fantastic restaurants and shops

See Related Posts:

1. Olympic National Park