Table of Contents Show
Seattle, also known as the Emerald City, has one of the most recognizable skylines in the whole of the USA. If you’re visiting, you’ll want to know where to get the best view of the city. In this article, we’ll give the 5 spots that will give you the best views in Seattle, from parks to skyscrapers.
The 5 best views in Seattle
1. Kerry Park
The small Kerry Park is probably the most popular spot to head to for the best views in Seattle. You get to see the iconic Space Needle, downtown Seattle and sometimes even Mount Ranier if the sky is clear.
The most magical time to head here is at sunset or sunrise, where the sun’s glow lights up the skyline. Be warned, it does get packed at golden hour in the park, so if you want a clear shot, we would recommend getting there at sunrise.
How to get to Kerry Park
Kerry Park is only a 20 minute walk away from the Seattle Center. If you’re driving, there is some parking available by the park or lots of nearby streets that have spaces.
2. The Space Needle
Your trip to Seattle wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Space Needle, giving you some of the best views of the Seattle skyline. Built for the World’s Fair in 1962, the building has become an icon not just of Seattle, but of the entire country.
You can take an elevator up to observation decks which are located over two levels at the top of the Space Needle. They offer amazing panoramic views of Seattle – the lower deck has glass walls whereas the upper deck is open air.
The Space Needle Observation deck is open every day and offers unique views of the city. When booking, you can choose an option that lets you return again after dark, offering a night time view of Seattle. We would recommend visiting both as early and as late as possible, when the crowds are at their lowest.
You could also choose to dine in their famous rotating restaurant, moving in a complete circle to offer guests a view of Seattle from every angle.
3. Gas Works Park
This patch of land that caps the North end of Lake Union is a magical place to get a different view of Seattle. What was once a busy refinery is now a popular green space, with a large hill that gives you awesome views of the city and lake. This one isn’t to be missed, and gets quite busy in the spring and summer months. Get there just before sunset for one of the best views in Seattle. It’s a great place to relax, walk and have a picnic.
How to get to Gas Works Park
The park is only a 15 minute drive from downtown Seattle, so you can get a taxi or Uber here.
4. Alki Beach Park
In West Seattle, Alki Beach Park is a huge 135 acres including a half mile of beach. Famous from Sleepless in Seattle you get one of the best views of Puget Sound and the Olympus Mountains from here. Head to Salty’s on Alki for some delicious seafood or steak so you can relax and enjoy the view.
How to get to Alki Beach Park
Take the water taxi from downtown Seattle – which will also give you another opportunity to get some great photos of the city!
5. Sky View Observatory
The Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center is one of the tallest buildings in the Pacific Northwest, offering a 360 degree view of Seattle. You’ll be able to see Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay, Mount Baker, the Olympic Mountains and of course, the city skyline. There’s also a bar here so you’ll be able to have a drink while enjoying the view.
Best Views In Seattle Map
So that’s our roundup of the best views in Seattle! If there’s any other viewpoints of the city you would recommend, leave them in the comments below.
