Seattle has some of the most beautiful city and natural scenery landscapes in and near it. The city is always changing and has amazing views to show off.
Whether you’re looking for an amazing nighttime view of the city or Instagram-worthy waterfall pictures, I’ve got you covered. These views are great to go to with your significant other, friends, and more.
Here are the 11 best views in and near Seattle:
- Kerry Park
- Newcastle GC
- Space Needle Observation Deck
- Sky View Observatory
- Smith Tower
- The Nest
- Dr. Jose Rizal Park
- Gas Works Park
- Alki Beach
- Mt. Rainier
- Snoqualmie Falls
1. Kerry Park
Kerry Park is a small park known for its amazing unobstructed views of Seattle. It’s great to view the towering buildings in Seattle, and it has famously good sunrises and sunsets. From this view, you’ll also get just the right touch of nature mixed in with the city scenery.
This park is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood, a 20-minute walk from the Seattle Center. This is a must-visit view if you’re in or coming to Seattle.
2. Newcastle Golf Club
The golf club in Newcastle has a broad-range view of all Seattle and a spectacular mountain view with plenty of green hills and trees.
You can book a tee time on their website and enjoy some great views while playing golf.
Although, it’s not recommended to go here on foggier days since the mountains are typically already covered in clouds for the most part.
This location is a 20-minute drive from Seattle.
3. Space Needle Observation Deck
This is one of the more famous places in Seattle, with this being Seattle’s primary icon and landmark. The Space Needle was built at the 1962 World’s Fair and is kept up in great condition to this day, with several renovations.
From this view, you’ll get a panoramic view of downtown Seattle, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see Mt. Rainier which we’ll talk about below.
This view is amazing because you get a 360-degree view, 520 feet up in the air. It’s $22 for people over 12 and $14 for children under 12.
4. Sky View Observatory
The Sky View Observatory is located on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center, and it features a 360-degree view of Seattle, showcasing everything from the Space Needle and Lake Washington to Mount Rainier. It is 902 feet tall, offering the tallest building view of the Pacific Northwest.
There is also a cafe here for beer and wine. This is the perfect place to go for a nighttime view of the city. It’s $28 for people over 14, $22 for people over five, and free for children under five.
Although not as well-known as the Space Needle, it does offer better views of the city and the landscape around it.
5. Smith Tower
The Smith Tower was Seattle’s first skyscraper, built in 1914, offering a unique view of Seattle. You’ll get spectacular views from the 35th floor of the building. There is also a bar in the Smith Tower, so you can sip on a delicious cocktail while enjoying some Instagram-worthy city views.
6. The Nest
The Nest at Thompson Seattle is a rooftop bar that serves some of the best cocktails in Seattle and has some great outdoor views as well.
On a good day, you can come to the Nest on the 13th floor of Thompson Seattle and see ferryboats, Pike Place market, and more. This is a great spot for catching views of Seattle’s waterfront.
7. Dr. Jose Rizal Park
This is a larger park, spanning nearly 10 acres. It’s located on the west slope of Beacon Hill. From this vantage point, you can see Downtown Seattle, South Downtown, and great natural scenery.
You can also see Lake Washington, the I-5 Interstate, T-Mobile Park, and a whole lot of trees from this park.
8. Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park is a large 19.1-acre park located at the south end of Wallingford. It’s typically very busy on the weekends, so I recommend coming here on the weekdays if possible.
This park showcases a shutdown industrial plant that is now a safe play area for kids. It’s the perfect picnic and BBQ area as well. There are plenty of hills and trees, along with great views of Lake Union and sweeping views of city buildings, where you can also see the Space Needle.
9. Alki Beach
Alki Beach is one of Seattle’s most famous destinations, and for a good reason. Alki beach offers some amazing views of the city, logs to sit on, and spectacular waterfront views as well.
You can also walk the Alki beach hiking trail, which is 4 miles long to see some amazing greenery. Alki beach is the perfect place to do a scenic walk with a significant other or play frisbee with friends or family. If it’s the summertime, you can also check out some of the amazing restaurants around Alki that often have incredible views of mountains, ferries, and the surrounding islands.
10. Mt. Rainier
©Seattle Travel
This is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the West Coast. The nature and city views from this towering mountain are amazing. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see Canada from here!
Being over 14,000 feet tall, Mt. Rainier towers above all the buildings and landscapes, making them look tiny.
11. Snoqualmie Falls
Last up on this list is Snoqualmie Falls. This is arguably the best waterfall in Washington State, and it’s almost 300 feet tall! You can often see a rainbow by the waterfall, and it’s simply picture-perfect.
There are lush green trees near the fall, and the sky matches perfectly with the view. This is a great place to do a short hike and a great place to relax.
