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The dynamic city of Seattle is one of the top tourist destinations in on the West Coast, and with good reason. The Emerald City is home to one of the most recognizable skylines in the world. There’s an abundance of nature to explore, and the cultural scene is thriving.
Most travel guides focus on the city’s top attractions, such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, but we prefer to venture off the beaten path now and then. With that in mind, here are our top 12 can’t-miss hidden gems in Seattle.
1. Starbucks Reserve Roastery
- Website: starbucksreserve.com/en-us/locations/seattle
- Address: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 7 am – 10 pm Monday to Thursday / 7 am – 10.30 pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Seattle is the original home of Starbucks coffee shops, and many visitors visit the first-ever branch at Pike Place Market during their trip. For a real treat, though, head to The Starbucks Reserve Roastery instead. Located on Capitol Hill, this special branch is where you’ll find exclusive drinks and merch, plus an extensive coffee library. There’s even a tasting room, which is the only one of its kind in the world.
2. Seattle’s Hidden Parks
Seattle locals are lucky to have a plethora of parks to enjoy when the weather is good. Here are some of the parks that most tourists don’t know about:
Lake Union Park
- Website: seattle.gov/parks/allparks/lake-union-park
- Address: 860 Terry Ave., N. Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 4 am – 11.30 pm daily
Gas Works Park is where visitors usually flock, but Lake Union Park is a hidden gem in Seattle that visitors can check out instead. This sprawling 12-acre park is located close to the heart of downtown Seattle and offers lush green space and a tranquil lake.
Don’t miss the Center for Wooden Boats, where you can take a public sail or charter a boat. If you’d prefer to try your hand at paddleboarding, rentals are available at Agua Verde Paddle Club next door to the University of Washington.
Waterfall Garden Park
- Website: www.pioneersquare.org/experiences/waterfall-garden-park
- Address: 219 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
- Opening hours: 8 am – 3.45 pm daily
This park can be found in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. It features a dramatic 6.7-meter waterfall and is a peaceful place to relax with a good book or a picnic lunch.
Volunteer Park
- Website: www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/volunteer-park
- Address: 1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
- Opening hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily
Head here to explore the Seattle Asian Art Museum — a venue belonging to the Seattle Art Museum that displays art installations from Southeast Asia. If you visit during the summer, don’t miss the dahlias that the Puget Sound Dahlia Association lovingly plants each year.
Kobe Terrace
- Website: www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/kobe-terrace
- Address: 650 South Main St, Seattle, WA 98104
- Opening hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily
Queen Anne’s Kerry Park is the go-to spot for panoramic views of the iconic Seattle skyline, but to see the iconic Space Needle and other skyscrapers in peace, head to Kobe Terrace instead. This secret spot is located in the International District and features Mt. Fuji cherry trees that were gifted from Seattle’s sister city of Kobe in Japan.
3. Fremont Mischief Distillery
- Website: fremontmischief.com
- Address: 132 N Canal St., Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 4 pm – 10 pm Thursday & Friday / 1 pm – 9 pm Saturday / 1 pm – 6 pm Sunday
Fremont is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Seattle, and the Mischief Distillery shouldn’t be missed while you explore the area. This family-run craft distillery creates Bourbon and Rye from grain grown right here in the Pacific Northwest, and visitors can attend tastings and tours or simply enjoy a cocktail or two in the rooftop garden.
4. Mount Rainier National Park
- Website: nps.gov/mora/index.htm
- Address: 39000 State Route 706 E, Ashford, WA
- Opening hours: 24/7
For an exciting day trip from Seattle, check out Mount Rainier National Park. Here, you can explore picturesque hiking and biking trails in the warmer months and enjoy some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Washington State during the winter.
5. Seattle’s Hidden Gardens
The Emerald City is home to many pristine gardens — here are a few of the best secret spots to check out.
Japanese American Remembrance Garden
- Website: nps.gov/japanese-american-memorial
- Address: 901 12th Ave, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 6.30 am – 9 pm daily
These well-kept Japanese gardens are dedicated to the Japanese Americans who were incarcerated in internment camps during World War II. This tranquil garden is popular among locals for its Japanese flora, poignant memorial stones, and beautiful artwork.
Woodland Park Rose Garden
- Website: www.zoo.org/roses
- Address: 750 N 50th St, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 7 am – 10 pm daily
This woodland park is located on Phinney Ridge to the north of Fremont. It is most beautiful between June and September when the roses are in bloom. However, you can come any time of the year for the hiking trails, tennis and bocce courts, and dog park.
Seattle Chinese Garden
- Website: seattlechinesegarden.org
- Address: 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: dawn to dusk
This Chinese garden is one of the largest of its kind outside of China and features four traditional elements: water, plants, stone, and architecture. Admission to the garden is free, and private walking tours are available for a fee.
6. Jefferson Park Golf Course
- Website: premiergc.com/-jefferson-park-golf-course
- Address: 4101 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 5.30 am – 10 pm daily
If you like to hit the links while you’re on vacation, you won’t want to miss Jefferson Park Golf Course. Located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, the course will challenge golfers of all skill levels and offer spectacular views of the Seattle skyline and Mt. Rainier.
7. The Museum of Flight
- Website: www.museumofflight.org
- Address: The Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way South, Seattle, WA 98108
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
This hidden gem is located in Georgetown and is said to be one of the best aviation museums in the world. Among other fascinating aircraft, you can see an Air Force One plane, the first Boeing 747, and a Concord jet.
8. Seattle Pinball Museum
- Website: seattlepinballmuseum.com/
- Address: 508 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 12 am – 6 pm Wednesday to Sunday
For a fun, family-friendly day out, check out the Pinball Museum. With 54 playable classic machines dating as far back as 1963, this is the best place in the city to test your skills. There is an admission fee, but the machines are all free to play.
9. Green Lake Park Swimming Beaches
- Website: seattle.gov/parks/allparks/green-lake-park
- Address: 7201 East Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 24 hours/lifeguards for swimming 11 am – 7 pm on weekends and 12 pm – 7 pm on weekdays
Head to Green Lake when the weather is good for the best swimming spot in Seattle. This hidden gem has two sandy beaches, lawns to relax on, and public restrooms, and lifeguards are on duty to keep swimmers safe throughout the summer months.
10. Seattle Spheres
- Website: seattlespheres.com
- Address: 2111 7th Ave, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: first and third Saturday of every month
The Seattle Spheres were originally built to give Amazon workers an inspiring place to work, but over time, they have become a hidden-in-plain-sight attraction in downtown Seattle. The Spheres are filled with more than 40,000 plants, and the climate is a humid 72 degrees Fahrenheit, providing a welcome tropical escape from Seattle’s famously grey weather.
Tip: The Deep Dive is a speakeasy-style bar under the Spheres where you can enjoy a cocktail and bar snacks once you’ve finished exploring.
11. Seattle Southside’s Global Cuisine
Few tourists spend time in Seattle Southside other than to fly in and out of the international airport located there. However, this area is in the top ten most diverse in the country, so if you love global cuisine, this is the area for you. These are some of our favorite spots to dine in Southside.
Arashi Ramen
- Website: arashiramen.com
- Address: 5401 20th Ave NW, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 11.30 am – 9.30 pm Tuesday to Sunday
This is one of the best spots in the city for authentic Japanese ramen, juicy gyoza, and crispy karaage. Come with an appetite and order one of everything! There’s also a branch in Ballard if that’s more convenient for where you’re staying.
Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant
- Website: arturomexicanrestaurant.com
- Address: 22204 Marine View Dr S, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 11 am – 8 pm Monday to Thursday / 7 am – 9 pm Saturday & Sunday
Three brothers have been serving their mother’s recipes here for over a decade, and their chimichangas are out of this world. Come during happy hour for $9 dishes, including tacos, nachos, and quesadillas.
Bai Tong
- Website: baitongthaistreetcafe.com
- Address: 1121 E Pike St, Seattle, WA
- Opening hours: 11.30 am – 10 pm Monday to Thursday / 11.30 am – 11 pm Saturday & Sunday
This Thai restaurant has been open since 1989 and is known for being consistently delicious. Go early with a group and order a selection of small plates such as spring rolls, grilled beef, and lamb for a brunch with a difference.
Seattle is Full of Hidden Surprises
Visitors to Seattle will never find themselves short of things to do, thanks to the wide range of nature, culture, and history on offer. And, once you delve deeper, you’ll find a whole host of hidden gems that’ll have you coming back time and again. Which hidden gem will you uncover first?
