Seattle has long been a destination for music lovers, techies, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts. The city boasts nearly 150 miles of freshwater and 54 miles of saltwater coastlines; boasts a thriving arts and culture scene; cheers on its professional sports teams, from football to baseball to hockey and soccer; and is filled with diverse neighborhoods so that everyone finds a place that feels like home. With all of this and plenty of outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, kayaking and whale watching, there is indeed something for every traveler in Mother Nature’s City. 

Why Seattle 

• A walkable city with neighborhood vibes.

• At the forefront of the green movement. Think forward-thinking efforts in recycling, composting, water and energy conservation, organic dining and eco-friendly transportation. 

• Named one of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026 by “Travel + Leisure” and ranked #10 in the Readers’ Choice Awards: Best Cities in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler. 

What’s New in Seattle 

• The new, accessible 20-acre Waterfront Park features community piers, bike lanes, playgrounds and native landscaping 

• 17 Seattle chefs, bars and restaurants were named semifinalists in the 2026 James Beard Awards  

• The Seattle Aquarium opened its new Ocean Pavilion, featuring tropical species from the Coral Triangle in the Indo-Pacific 

There are plenty of options when it comes to things to see and do in Seattle, as well as places to grab a bite to eat. Here are a few spots to pique your interest. 

See 

Overlook Walk 

Part of Waterfront Park, Overlook Walk provides a terrific perspective of Seattle. The new elevated pedestrian park directly connects the iconic Pike Place Market with downtown neighborhoods, the Seattle Aquarium and Waterfront Park, boasting 360-degree views of downtown Seattle, Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, Elliott Bay, the Olympic mountains and Mount Rainier.  

Northwest Trolls 

Six giant trolls popped up throughout the Pacific Northwest in 2023, adding a bit of whimsy to the landscape, in addition to carrying a message about environmental sustainability. Five of the trolls that comprise environmental artist Thomas Dambo’s  “NWTrolls: Way of the Bird King” are in and around Seattle, the easiest of which to find being Bruun Idun in West Seattle and Frankie Feetsplinter in Ballard. Dambo’s 153 trolls – and counting – can be found across the U.S. and on five continents. 

Frye Art Museum 

Find inspiration at the Frye Art Museum, the city’s only free art museum that is dedicated to exhibiting art from the past and present created by local and global artists. The museum’s founding collection features more than 230 oil paintings celebrating late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century European and American art. Contemporary artists are showcased in traveling exhibitions.   

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO. 

Do 

The Seattle Aquarium 

The Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion offers a peek into the undersea world of the Coral Triangle, a region in the Indo-Pacific that has been called “the Amazon of the ocean” due to its incredible biodiversity. Glimpse spotted eagle rays, leopard sharks, mangroves, a kelp forest and all the myriad sea life that live within.  

Picklewood 

Photo: play.picklewood.net

Pickleball players will want to hit the courts at Picklewood, the new 27,000 square foot pickleball facility that opened in SODO Seattle in December 2025. Picklers will find 11 courts on which to play, seven inside and four outside. Pre- and post-match bites are inspired by local restauranteur Ethan Stowell. 

Space Needle

No visit to Seattle is complete without a visit to the iconic Space Needle. Soaring 605 feet into the sky, the Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the theme of which was “The Age of Space.” From the top, take in 360-degree indoor and outdoor views of downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. Those who dare can step out onto the Loupe, the world’s first and only revolving glass floor.  

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO. 

Eat 

Atoma 

Drawing upon their experiences, childhoods and travels, the culinary team at Atoma sources the farmers, ranchers, fishermen and winemakers in the Pacific Northwest to create a seasonal menu filled with thoughtful, diverse and globally-influenced dishes. Whatever main dish you decide upon, a must-order for those in the know is the Rosette Cookie served with farmer’s cheese and Walla Walla onion jam. 

Westward 

On the shores of Lake Union, Westward sets the scene for a casual lunch or dinner with an outdoor fire pit and beachside seating. The menu features sustainable seafood and other marine fare from the Pacific Ocean, including fresh, local oysters. For starters, dig into a spicy clam dip or baked oysters before diving into mains like hama hama manila clams served with Morita sausage and leeks; braised spareribs with a guajillo glaze; or chickpea fritters with oyster mushrooms and niçoise olives for the vegetarians. 

Ramie

With a mission to reimagine traditional Vietnamese cuisine, Ramie does just that by pushing boundaries and blending in inventive twists on classic dishes, all the while staying committed to using local and seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby markets, farms and suppliers. One dish to try when it’s on the menu is Bò Bít Tết, a seven-day butter-aged Wagyu New York Strip served with beef tallow frites, béchamel and a garlic lemongrass glaze; and Sườn Heo Nướng, pork short ribs with a coffee glazed served with a butternut squash puree, grilled onion and pea shoot vines.  

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO. 

Stay 

Just as Seattle has something for every traveler, so does ALHI, with two historic buildings that have been reimagined as luxury boutique hotels: Populus Seattle and The State Hotel. 

Populus Seattle 

Built in 1907, the building that houses the new Populus Seattle in the heart of Pioneer Square is the historic Westland Building at the intersection of Seattle’s waterways and rail network in the city’s RailSpur District. Thoughtful restoration preserved the original brick- and ironwork and Douglas Fir wooden beams, all of which shine in the sustainable boutique hotel that opened in 2025; it received a MICHELIN Key quickly thereafter. Pacific Northwest-inspired fare is served for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch at Salt Harvest, while Firn is a vibrant rooftop cocktail spot and The Café is the perfect spot to start the day or unwind after exploring the city. Speaking of exploring, just outside Populus Seattle’s front door is Pike Place Market and the waterfront; the cruise terminal is minutes away. The hotel is pet-friendly, too, so you can bring your four-legged friend along for the fun. 

The State Hotel 

A medical office building built in 1904 transformed into a billiard parlor, gambling hall and restaurant in the 1930s. Its transformation wasn’t yet complete, however – now it’s The State Hotel, a dog-friendly boutique hotel in downtown Seattle, around the corner from Pike Place Market. All the guest rooms feature cozy chic décor and large windows to allow natural light to flood in during the day; most boast water or city views. On the first floor, Ben Paris is a buzzing spot that serves breakfast, brunch and dinner, and is a fab spot for happy hour, the perfect time to sip from its adventurous cocktail menu. For a different perspective, pop up to the guests-only rooftop terrace for views that will fill your Insta feed. State guests also enjoy generous discounts at nearby museums and businesses. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO. 

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