14 Famous Landmarks in Seattle, Washington to Visit

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Seattle is a city located on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat for the government of King County and the largest city in Washington state.

Numerous famous landmarks in Seattle, Washington, have been attracting visitors here for a long time. Undoubtedly, the most popular among all the spots in the port city is the observation tower, the Space Needle.

Furthermore, Seattle is home to the Pike Place Market - the oldest still operating marketplace in the U.S. Many historically important bridges stand above the waters of Seattle, like North Queen Anne Drive Bridge and the George Washington Memorial Bridge.

Don't miss out on the chance to see the remarkable landmarks Seattle has to offer. To learn more about the famous sites in Seattle, WA, keep on reading for more information.

• 14 Seattle landmarks

14 Famous Seattle Landmarks

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Lake Union

Lake Union, located entirely within the borders of Seattle, is a beautiful freshwater lake. The name of the lake is in relation to the two neighboring lakes of Eastlake and Westlake.

Lake Union is a popular vacation spot and one of the famous landmarks of Washington state. It offers many ways to spend an active day. For example, you can rent a kayak or an electric boat to discover the nearby attractions.

In addition, Lake Union is also home to 2 seaplane bases and numerous rowing centers.

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Space Needle

The Space Needle is, without a doubt, one of the most famous sites in Seattle. Constructed in 1962, it is viewed as the symbol of the city.

It was built in merely 400 days for the 1962 World’s Fair and was visited by over 2.3 million people at the time. The Space Needle has an observation platform 520 feet above the ground, providing a panoramic view of Seattle.

The world-famous landmark is built to survive earthquakes of up to 9.0 magnitude in scale and winds of up to 200 mph. It is worth going up the tower for the views and then exploring the sites around the Seattle Center afterwards.

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Volunteer Park

Volunteer Park is a 48-acre park in the center of Seattle. The park is known for its conservatory built in 1912 and the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Furthermore, a water tower with an observation platform and an amphitheater can be found in the park. In the summertime, the park attracts foreigners and locals to view its blooming dahlia garden.

Swimming pools are open for visitors during the warm season, accompanied by picnic spots all around the park. Volunteer Park was constructed in 1901 and was named a Seattle Landmark in 2011.

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Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is more than a 100-year-old marketplace located in the center of Seattle. It is one of the oldest farmer's markets still operating in the U.S.

A lot more than just food can be found here. In addition to the local goods sourced directly from the farmers, antiques, collectibles, and small restaurants are located in Pike Place Market.

In the grounds of the market also lies the 7-acre Pike Place Market Historical District that preserves and protects the area's historical buildings.

Seattle Asian Art Museum

The Seattle Asian Art Museum, located at Volunteer Park, showcases works of art from Korea, India, China, and Japan. The Seattle Asian Art Museum has a library and education center as well.

The architecture of the museum building is Art Deco-style. The house was constructed in 1933 and was originally the place where the main collection of the Seattle Art Museum was held.

The museum was opened in 1994 and is listed in the U.S National Register of Historic Places.

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North Queen Anne Drive Bridge

The North Queen Anne Drive Bridge was constructed in 1936 to replace the former wooden crossing. The bridge connects the district of Queen Anne to the George Washington Memorial Bridge, reaching 238 feet in length.

The arch of the bridge is higher than usual and doesn't have many supporting pieces. That's why, because of its unique engineering style, the North Queen Anne Drive Bridge was designated a Seattle Landmark in 1981.

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Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is quite literally the birthplace of Seattle. It was the first neighborhood of the city, dating back to 1852.

After the disastrous Great Fire, the district was rebuilt in late 19th-century style - meaning Pioneer Square got a new brick-and-stone look. The area has one of the best Romanesque Revival-style architecture in the U.S.

The legendary neighborhood is now named the Pioneer Square Preservation District, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Bruce Lee's Gravesite

The gravesite of Bruce Lee is a popular landmark in Seattle, WA, throughout the year. The graves of Brandon and Bruce Lee sit side by side in Seattle's Lake View cemetery.

The father and son both found their end terribly early and now rest next to each other while visited by thousands of fans every year.

Due to the already high number of visitors, the cemetery did not allow Kurt Cobain, the frontman of Nirvana, to be buried in Lake View.

George Washington Memorial Bridge

The George Washington Memorial Bridge, also known as the Aurora Bridge, connects the Queen Anne and Fremont neighborhoods. The bridge, standing above Lake Union, was first opened in 1932, on the 200th anniversary of George Washington.

Unfortunately, the bridge has been the site of many accidents. That being said, the nearly 3000-foot-long bridge is an important historical site. The Aurora Bridge was added to the National Register of National Historic Places in 1982.

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Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park is a 19-acre park and one of the landmarks in Seattle, WA. The site used to be a gasification plant from 1906 to 1956. The area now serves as a public park that provides a stunning view of Seattle.

Gas Works Park contains parts of the only coal gasification plant still remaining in the U.S. Some parts have been used to make a playground, and some stand as ruins, reminding visitors of the old construction.

Although some say it's the strangest park in Seattle, it definitely has its charm.

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Ballard Locks

Ballard Locks is a complex of locks located in Lake Washington Ship Canal. The spot is a popular Seattle landmark as it has more boat traffic than any lock in the United States.

The waterway is also a path for steelhead and salmon. There are special windows to observe life underwater. That is one of the reasons Ballard Locks is a favorite among kids as well.

Interestingly, the way the locks are built has lowered the water level of Lake Union by 8.8 feet. Ballard Locks are also among the Historic Places on the National Register.

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Sky View Observatory

Sky View Observatory, located nearly 1000 feet above the ground on the 73rd floor, is the tallest public observation area in the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to having the view of the Space Needle, it offers a 360-degree view of the Cascade Mountains, Mt Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains.

The 1.5 million-square-foot skyscraper was finished in 1985 with 76 stories. It includes 48 elevators and six escalators, and as many as 8,800 windows.

Chief Seattle Sculpture

The Chief Seattle statue, located near the Seattle Center, is dedicated to the leader of the Suquamish people. The life-size copper statue of him was created in 1912.

Chief Seattle is known for fighting for the Native people's rights and forming partnerships with the white settlers.

Since only one photo of him existed, there wasn't much to rely on when creating the statue. The sculptor Wehn used the single picture for inspiration to build the sculpture.

Saint James Cathedral

St James Cathedral is a beautiful Roman Catholic cathedral dating back to 1905.

The church is still operating today, although it has seen some rough days in the past. In 1916, the 60-foot-high dome crashed under the weight of snow and was never rebuilt.

In 1984, St James Cathedral was named a Seattle Landmark and is now popular as a place of worship, as well as a piece of charming architecture.

In Summary

You'll be sure to get a cultural and historical vacation if you head to Seattle. It is among the most important cities in the U.S, loved by locals and foreigners.

Make sure not to miss the Space Needle and the Sky View Observatory that offer you panoramic views of the most beautiful places in Seattle.

There are things to do for the whole family, so don't hesitate to bring your kids with you to show them the outstanding center and the busy Ballard Locks.

Seattle welcomes you with open arms; all you need to do is pack your bags and get ready to discover the city!

This article was edited by Loredana Elena.

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