21 Best Views In Seattle (The Skyline, Restaurants, etc.)

Pretty much everyone that visits the Pacific Northwest does so for the scenery. Or the coffee.

Well, you’ll need the coffee if you’re going to keep pace with my quest to find the best views in Seattle.

When I first visited Seattle I was disappointed to find that, despite having seen so many amazing photographs on postcards, I was unable to find many great views of the city itself. I mostly found dirty streets, homeless people camping on art installations, and lots of hipsters (does that date me?).

So, while I left disappointed, it made me realize that I needed to probably plan out my next trip a little better. While there are amazing photographs to be had of the city, they’re unlikely to fall right into your lap, especially if you’re hopefully for something unique. For my next trip I decided that I would figure out exactly where to position myself the next time around so that I could see the ocean, the skyline, mountains, and any other views that the city has to offer.

That first trip was more than 10 years ago so it’s safe to say that my viewpoints have needed a bit of adjustment as the city has changed but here is my current list of the best spots for great views in Seattle!

We’ll break it down by type of view so feel free to skip to the section that you actually care about! Just be aware that, if you read straight through there will be some repeats and some things fit into multiple spots.

Best Views in Seattle (The Big 3)

Start with these. You’ll see them pop up again later, but there’s a reason.

Space Needle

Yeah, it’s touristy as hell. Everyone knows that. But 605 feet up? The view’s legit. Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, downtown – you can see it all if the weather cooperates. Which it doesn’t always.

Those glass floors angle outward. Scared the crap out of me first time up. Kept thinking I’d slide right off even though that’s impossible. Take the monorail from downtown instead of driving. Parking there is insane.

Kerry Park

Tiny strip of grass on Queen Anne Hill. This is where every Seattle postcard gets shot. Not kidding – if you’ve seen our skyline with Rainier behind it, someone took that photo here.

The park’s maybe 50 feet wide but the view’s incredible. When Rainier’s visible (locals say “the mountain’s out”), it lines up perfectly with downtown. Expect crowds though. I’ve watched photographers camp here for hours with massive equipment waiting for perfect light.

Go early morning with coffee. Fewer people, better light.

Smith Tower Observatory

35th floor, 360-degree views, but different angle than Space Needle. You can spot Lumen Field and Lake Union from here. Has this cool old-school vibe the Space Needle lacks. The history tours are actually interesting if you’re into that stuff.

Best Places To See The Seattle Skyline

Space Needle makes Seattle’s skyline famous worldwide. Here’s where to see it best.

Columbia Center Sky View Observatory

73rd floor. Tallest viewpoint in the city. Clear days, you see 80 miles out. Interactive stuff is pretty cool too – tells you what you’re looking at.

Gas Works Park

Old industrial site, now a park overlooking Lake Union with downtown spread out in front. Weird post-apocalyptic charm with old machinery still around. Families love it – actual space to run around, fly kites, whatever.

Nice weather means half the city shows up though.

Alki Beach Park

View’s more about the experience than perfect photos. Far enough that downtown looks washed out during day, but sunsets over Puget Sound are unreal. I love walking the beach trail after, watching boats.

Best Restaurants with a View

The Pink Door

Italian place in Pike Place Market that’s been around forever. Food’s solid, but that Puget Sound view from their dining room keeps people coming back. Had dinner there last month – watching ferries while eating lasagna was perfect.

The Loupe Lounge

SkyCity restaurant on Space Needle’s been “temporarily closed” for like five years now. This is your altitude option instead. Rotating glass level, great views, no screaming kids from the observation deck.

Canlis Restaurant

Good luck getting reservations. Incredible Lake Union and Space Needle views from dining room. Took my partner for anniversary last year – watching boats while eating their salmon was worth every penny.

Best Morning/Breakfast Spots with a View

The Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center:

Same 73rd-floor views, but with pancakes. Standard breakfast menu, but eating eggs while looking down at the whole city never gets old.

Top Pot Doughnuts & Coffee:

Elliott Bay views from outside seating aren’t exactly breathtaking. Donuts are incredible though, and something nice about starting your day with sugar and scenery. Get there early – line gets ridiculous.

Cafe Hitchcock

Tucked in Pike Place Market. British-style cafe with proper eggs benedict and waterfront views. Cozy, authentic food, watch ferries while eating scones.

Best Bars with a View

Seattle’s bar scene can be hit or miss (Check out my attempts to find a decent Tiki Bar in Seattle here). These give you something to look at while drinking.

The View House

Rooftop patio, decent beer, solid skyline views. Perfect for catching up with friends without shouting over music.

Six Seven Restaurant & Lounge

Right on Pier 67. Panoramic Elliott Bay views. Fresh seafood, well-made cocktails. Pricey, but location makes up for it.

Knee High Stocking Co.

Another rooftop near Pike Place Market. Decent Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain views. 40 beers on tap, which is impressive. Their Old Fashioned’s actually good.

Best Free Views (Seattle’s Expensive Enough)

Let’s start with the old stand-by…

Gas Works Park

Keep mentioning this because it’s that good. Former gas plant, now park with incredible Lake Union views. Old equipment makes interesting photos. Completely free.

Discovery Park

Magnolia Bluff, not downtown, but close enough. Spectacular Elliott Bay views toward West Seattle and Bainbridge Island. Great birdwatching too. 20 minutes from downtown.

Best Water Views

Alki Beach

Two miles of sand with Elliott Bay views to downtown. Clear days, you see Bainbridge Island. Actual beach – swim, rent kayaks, walk along water.

Golden Gardens Beach Park

Ballard location. Sweeping Puget Sound views toward Bainbridge and Rainier. Fire pits make it perfect for sunset beach fires. Spent many summer evenings here with friends watching sun disappear behind Olympics.

Unique Experiences With A View

Sunset Cruises

Did two-hour sunset cruise on Puget Sound last summer. One of best ways to see the city. Views of major landmarks from water, plus guide shared local history. Rainier looked incredible from out there.

Hot Air Balloons

If you’re adventurous, balloon rides over Washington wine country offer 360-degree views impossible anywhere else. Haven’t done this yet, but it’s on my list for next summer.

Whale Watching

Elliott Bay or Hood Canal, April through October for gray whale migration. Spotted orcas few times too. Not guaranteed, but unforgettable when you see them.

Questions People Ask

What Is The Most Scenic View In Seattle?

Space Needle. 360-degree views from 605 feet – Puget Sound, Olympics, Rainier, downtown all at once.

Where Is The Best View Of The Seattle Skyline?

Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill. Tiny, crowded, but every postcard shot comes from here for good reason.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now added enough photo destinations to your bucket list to last an entire life of Seattle visits!

Let us know where you end up and tag us on Instagram if you end up taking some great pictures! We’re always interested in what is interesting to new visitors to the city rather the us crusty locals. Happy viewing!