Seattle, a city surrounded by ocean and mountains, attracts countless tourists with its unique skyline and magnificent natural landscape. Here, modern architecture and natural scenery are perfectly integrated, and the city’s skyline presents a breathtaking picture.
For travelers who love photography and exploration, Seattle provides multiple perfect viewing spots, allowing you to not only enjoy the beautiful city scenery, but also capture those rare moments.
1. Space Needle
Location and Overview
The Space Needle is one of Seattle’s most iconic buildings. It is not only the core of the city’s skyline, but also a must-see attraction for tourists visiting Seattle. This observation tower, about 184 meters high, was built in 1962 and was originally built for the World Expo. Today, it is not only a symbol of Seattle, but also provides visitors with an excellent viewing platform.
Opening hours and recommended play time
Opening hours: The Space Needle is open all year round, but the specific opening hours may be adjusted according to the season and special events. Generally speaking, the opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily in the summer and slightly shorter in the winter. It is recommended to check the latest opening hours online in advance.
Suggested time: It is recommended to set aside 1.5 to 2 hours, especially if you plan to stop on the viewing platform and take photos.
Transportation route
Public transportation: You can take the Link Light Rail to Seattle Center Station (Westlake Station), and then walk about 10 minutes to the Space Needle.
Taxi or rideshare: It is easy to get a taxi from anywhere in the city center, and the ride takes about 10 minutes.
Cost
Ticket cost: Adult tickets are about US$35, and children (5 to 12 years old) tickets are about US$25. If you want to enter through the VIP channel in advance, you can choose a higher-priced ticket.
Recommended booking platform
Expedia: Expedia provides online booking for Space Needle tickets. After booking, you can directly get the e-ticket online to avoid long lines.
GetYourGuide: This platform also offers reservations for Space Needle tickets, and sometimes offers special offers or packages (such as combined tickets with other attractions).
Photo Tips
The observation deck of the Space Needle is the best place to take photos of the Seattle skyline. Whether it is day or night, you can capture the magnificent city scenery. When shooting, you can try to capture the Space Needle itself combined with the snow-capped mountains or the bay in the distance, or the scene where Seattle’s high-rise buildings meet the ocean.
2. Pike Place Market
Location and Overview
Pike Place Market is one of Seattle’s most representative markets and one of the oldest continuously operating farmers’ markets in the world. The market is located on the waterfront in the city center, not far from the Space Needle, and is the core area of Seattle tourism. Here you can not only buy fresh seafood and produce, but also taste authentic Seattle snacks.
Opening hours and recommended visiting times
Opening hours: Pike Place Market is open almost all year round, but the specific opening hours of the shops vary. The market itself is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, and shops usually open from 8:00 AM in the morning.
Recommended time to visit: It is recommended to stay at least 1 to 2 hours, especially if you want to try food or buy souvenirs in the market.
Transportation route
Walking: Pike Place Market is located in the center of Seattle, within walking distance of major attractions such as the Space Needle. If you stay in a hotel in the city center, you can easily reach it on foot.
Bus: Seattle’s bus system is very convenient, and almost all bus routes can reach the vicinity of Pike Place Market.
Cost
Ticket cost: Pike Place Market itself is free, but if you want to take a food tour or shop in the market, the cost will vary depending on your choice. The cost of seafood stalls, restaurants or small shops in the market will vary.
Recommended booking platform
Viator: If you want to take a food tour of Pike Place Market, Viator is a good choice, which provides professional market guide services.
GetYourGuide: It also provides food tours of Pike Place Market. In addition, GetYourGuide also provides some combined tickets with other attractions in Seattle to help you save time and money.
Photography Tips
The charm of Pike Place Market lies not only in its history and culture, but also in its colors and vitality. You can take pictures of the lively trading scene in front of the seafood stalls in the market, or you can take pictures of Seattle’s bay and city skyline on the top terrace of the market. The scenery here is suitable for photographing the vibrant and lively city scenery.
3. Seattle Central Library
Location and Overview
The Seattle Central Library is one of Seattle’s modern buildings, known for its unique design and ultra-modern architectural style. Designed by the famous architect Rem Koolhaas, the exterior of this building looks like a futuristic city interwoven with glass and steel, making it a great place to photograph the city’s skyline and architectural style.
Opening Hours and Recommended Visiting Times
Opening Hours: The Central Library is generally open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day, but the opening hours may vary on different floors. Please check the information on the official website in advance.
Recommended Visiting Time: If you are interested in architecture, you can stay for 1 to 1.5 hours to photograph its unique architectural structure.
Transportation Route
Walking: The Central Library is very close to other major attractions in downtown Seattle and can be reached on foot.
Public transportation: There are many bus stops around, and you can easily get there by bus.
Fees
Ticket fees: The Seattle Central Library is free to enter. The only fees may come from certain special events or exhibitions.
Recommended booking platform
TripAdvisor: Although the library itself is free, you can check other tourists’ comments and photography suggestions on TripAdvisor to help you better plan your trip.
Photo suggestions
The building of the Seattle Central Library itself is a great subject for photography. Its unique geometric structure and glass facade can show different beauty under different light. In particular, the viewing platform on the top of the building can overlook the panoramic view of the surrounding city.
4. Seattle Aquarium
Location and Overview
The Seattle Aquarium is located on the waterfront in the city center and is one of Seattle’s most popular family-friendly attractions. The aquarium displays a rich variety of marine life, where visitors can see a variety of local marine life, including starfish, sea lions, sharks, etc.
Opening hours and recommended play time
Opening hours: The aquarium is usually open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM every day. The tour may be extended on weekends and holidays.
Suggested time: It takes about 1 to 2 hours to visit the aquarium.
Transportation route
Walking: The aquarium is close to downtown Seattle and is within walking distance of major attractions such as the Space Needle.
Bus: There are multiple bus routes to the aquarium.
Cost
Ticket cost: Adult tickets are about $25, and children’s tickets (4-12 years old) are about $15. Family tickets and group tickets are usually discounted.
Recommended booking platform
GetYourGuide: It provides reservations for aquarium tickets, and sometimes offers combined tickets with other attractions at a better price.
Viator: It also provides ticket reservations for the Seattle Aquarium, and you can choose to add a fee to get a guided tour service.
Photo suggestion
The interior of the aquarium is very suitable for photographing marine life, especially in the glass tunnel of the aquarium, where you can photograph schools of fish and marine life swimming. In addition, the waterfront outside the aquarium also provides a good location for photographing the bay and the city skyline.
5. Kerry Park
Location and Overview
Located in the Queen Anne district of Seattle, Kerry Park is one of the classic places to photograph the Seattle city skyline. Not only can you see the Space Needle here, but you can also overlook the Seattle port and the surrounding mountains. It is an iconic view of the Seattle skyline.
Opening hours and recommended playing time
Opening hours: Kerry Park is open all day, with no clear closing time.
Recommended playing time: The stay time is not long, usually 30 minutes to 1 hour is enough.
Transportation route
Bus: You can take the bus line to the vicinity of the park, and then walk a few minutes to the viewing point.
Taxi or ride-sharing: From the city center, the drive takes about 10 minutes.
Cost
Ticket fee: Kerry Park is free.
Recommended booking platform
TripAdvisor: Although Kerry Park is free, you can find comments from other tourists on TripAdvisor to help you better arrange the timing of taking photos.
Photography suggestions
Kerry Park is one of the best places to photograph the Seattle skyline, especially at sunset. You can capture the beautiful views of the Space Needle and the entire city, especially with the snow-capped mountains or the bay in the distance.
These places not only allow you to enjoy the beauty of the city skyline, but also help you capture the unique charm of Seattle. Whether you are a photography enthusiast or a first-time visitor, these places are not to be missed. I hope you can have the best photography experience during your trip to Seattle.
