What Is Seattle Known For? [2023 Edition]

What Is Seattle Known For? Landmarks, food, book culture, performing arts, Pike Place Market and so many other attractions!

Seattle has a lot to offer for locals and travellers alike. The city is a hub for technology and has a skyline everyone knows.

However, there’s a lot more to this city than it being the Microsoft and Amazon headquarters.

If you’re thinking about spending some time in Washington state’s biggest city and are wondering what it’s known for and has to offer, keep reading.

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1.Performing Arts

A big part of Seattle is the performing arts scene.

The city is well known for hosting award-winning performances like Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

On top of that, the Pacific Northwest Ballet School can be found inside the city, which is in the top three ballet schools in the country. 

Besides orchestras and ballet, Seattle is known for its history of poetry and hosts the National Poetry Slam annually.

If you like poetry, then there’s also the Seattle Poetry Festival to enjoy.

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2.Emerald City Comic Con

Another huge event that Seattle is known for is the Emerald City Comic Con – a large comic book convention that happens every year.

There are costume contests, discussion panels, and celebrity visits and signings.

People travel from all over the country to attend this event and make the most of the stores that sell merchandise.

3.Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is a historical and beautiful place that Seattle is well known for.

The square marks the original Seattle downtown and has all kinds of shops, cafés, clubs and art galleries.

If you are interested in the history of the city and architecture, Pioneer Square is a place you need to visit.

4.Book Culture

Book culture is widespread in Seattle. Not only are so many books (especially romances) based in the city, but movies and television series are, too.

There are great bookstores to visit in the city, so if you are an avid reader, why not visit some of them?

5.Seattle Gum Wall

The Seattle Gum Wall is practically a historic monument by this point. This wall is the one thing most visitors will want to see, and perhaps Seattle’s most famous feature. 

6.Amazon Spheres

The Amazon Spheres is another great feature of Seattle and a well-known tourist spot.

These Spheres are full of over 400 plant species and create a beautiful and tranquil rainforest inside.

Anyone who is interested in botany should stop by and marvel at the plants, which come from all around the world.

7.Seattle Great Wheel

A charming feature of the city that opened in 2012, the Seattle Great Wheel is another known hotspot for visitors.

You can find this attraction on the waterfront and enjoy great views of both the city and the pier.

8.Seattle Aquarium

Seattle is known for its wonderful aquarium. This aquarium had stunning underwater domes that allow visitors to get a 360-degree view.

There are all kinds of creatures who call this aquarium home, including breathtaking fish, sea otters and octopus.

Some living creatures such as sea stars and sea cucumbers can even be touched.

This aquarium gives anyone interested in marine life a great opportunity to learn more about nature. 

9.The Space Needle

The most famous part of Seattle’s skyline is the Space Needle. This structure is the most popular tourist attraction in the city and reaches heights of 520 feet.

It’s called Seattle’s Eiffel Tower and allows visitors to get an awe-inspiring 360-degree view of the surrounding city.

If Seattle had to be known for one thing – the Space Needle would be it.

10.Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously running markets in the US and opened in 1907.

Not only does this historical market serve amazing artisan food and drinks, but it spreads across 9 acres of historic district.

The colorful lights and mix of food makes it a location that Seattle is known for and proud of.

11.Sports

Sports also plays a big part of Seattle life and culture. It doesn’t matter if you are into hockey, football or baseball, Seattle has it all.

The city is home to 5 major professional sports teams. These teams include: the Seattle Seawolves, Mariners, Seahawks, Kraken and Sounder FC.

12.Food

Seattle is well-known for its food. You can find almost any kind of food you could possibly imagine in this city.

Seattle dogs can be purchased from hot-dog carts on the streets or any bar or grill you step foot in.

What makes this hot dog special is the friend onions and cream cheese added to the food, giving it a delicious twist.

Speaking of delicious, Seattle’s seafood scene is outstanding. Puget Sound sits beside the city, giving restaurants the perfect opportunity to make use of the fresh fish and sea life.

Clam chowder and geoduck are staples in this city and definitely something to try, even if it does sound odd.

Fish such as salmon, cod and tuna are highly popular and a well-known attraction in Seattle.

If you’re feeling up to it, you could also try out octopus and ell and many of the restaurants.

If chocolate and cheese is your thing, don’t worry – Seattle’s got you covered, too. In terms of food, Seattle has world-famous quality cheese and chocolate.

Numerous boutiques are situated on the streets throughout the city.

Some places, like Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, create preservative and additive-free cheeses with fresh milk from local farms. There is no better cheese on earth.

13.Drinks

From world-renowned coffee (like Starbucks) to craft beer and wine, Seattle can boast about its recognizable drinks culture.  Drinks of any kind can be enjoyed in various clubs and bars, where there is often live music. 

Seattle Is Full Of Wonders

Does Seattle sound like somewhere you would want to go? It’s full of rich history and culture, not to mention has incredible landmarks.

Time spent in this city and seeing the sights is time well spent, no matter where you go. Seattle is known for things unique to it – like the home of Starbucks!

It has distinctive food and attractions and sits in a beautiful area of Washington state. It’s the best you could ask for.