10 Most Famous Buildings In Seattle, Washington, USA - Updated 2024

famous buildings in seattle
Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 4 min read

Traveling to Washington without staying for a couple of days in Seattle is just not the right way to enjoy your vacation. Mountainous landscapes, forests, and parks throughout the city are already a major factor that has successfully attracted tourists from all around the world, not to mention the contemporary buildings and skyscrapers that will stun you. With a myriad of famous buildings across Seattle, it will be hard to choose which ones to visit, especially if you are short on time. But no worries as we have carefully selected the top 10 famous buildings that you must visit while in Seattle. You cannot leave the city without dropping by those buildings. Keep reading to find out. To make the most of your tour, check out the kid-friendly hotels and hotels with kitchens in Seattle for your accommodation needs.

1. Space Needle

Perching high above makes Space Needle stand out from the rest of the buildings in Seattle. 24 hours in Seattle will not be complete without visiting this spectacular landmark. Enjoy the sweeping views of Seattle from this observation tower that boasts its floor-to-forever glass windows for a whole new level of your vacation. Drop by The Loupe to feel how amazing it is when you see Seattle under your feet.

Space Needle

Address: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109, USA

Opening Hours: 10AM-8PM

Website: Space Needle

Visited this place?

2. Suzzallo Library

Henry Suzzallo library (SW)
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jean-Etienne Minh... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

One fun thing to do in Seattle on a weekend is to visit the Suzzallo Library. Nestled in the surrounding of the University of Washington, Suzzallo Library is the most impressive library in Seattle. It is absolutely amazing from the outside but what steals the show is the inside interior design, which is beyond comparison to anything. The library is the best place to get inspiration with over two million book collections from a range of disciplines. Read books in a library like this and you will never feel bored.

Suzzallo Library

Address: 4000 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

Opening Hours: 1PM-6PM (Mon), 7.30AM-10PM (Tue-Thu), 7.30AM-6PM (Fri), 1PM-5PM (Sat), 1PM-10PM (Sun)

Website: Suzzallo Library

Visited this place?

3. Museum of Pop Culture

If you are a fan of contemporary popular culture, this museum is definitely your place. As a non-profit museum, Museum of Pop Culture has hosted dozens of exhibits since its establishment in 2000. Permanent exhibits of the museum include artifacts of the most popular pop culture on earth and character statues of legendary icons.

Museum of Pop Culture

Address: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA

Opening Hours: 10AM-5PM

Website: Museum of Pop Culture

Visited this place?

4. Rainier Tower

Rainier Tower Seattle Washington
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Cumulus Clouds used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Consisting of 41 floors, Rainier Tower is the second tallest building in Seattle and definitely, a must visit. Designed by the same designer who designed the World Trade Center in New York City, this tower makes an excellent spot to marvel at the views of Seattle skyline. Afterward, you can also enjoy a pleasant stroll in Rainier Square, the urban core of Seattle. There are plenty of other buildings and open spaces that are worth visiting or looking at.

Rainier Tower

Address: 1301 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

Opening Hours: 7AM-6PM (weekdays), closed on weekends

Website: Rainier Tower

Visited this place?

5. King Street Station

King Street Station is more than just a train station. Its spectacular architecture has made this station one of the popular landmarks in the city, which is why even though you are not planning to travel by train, you will still need to drop by the station for the view. Nearby the station, there are some restaurants and coffee shops where you can relax and grab a bite or two before continuing your adventure.

King Street Station

Address: 303 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104, USA

Website: King Street Statio

Visited this place?

6. Starbucks Center

Starbuckscenter
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Coolcaesar used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you ever wanted to see how the headquarters of the world’s most famous coffee shop looks like, drop by Starbucks Center. At the headquarters, you can enjoy exploring their premium shop, order your favorite coffee and sit back inside the huge building that displays a combination of brique and modern styles.

Starbucks Center

Address: 305 Harrison St #220, Seattle, WA 98109, USA

Opening Hours: 7AM-7.30PM (Mon-Thu), 7AM-8.30PM (Fri-Sat), 7AM-7PM (Sun)

Visited this place?

7. Seattle Public Library

If you are not a big fan of the library, you will change your mind after visiting the Seattle Public Library. Currently, there are 26 branches of this library across the city. But, for the most delightful experience, you should head to the central library. The unique design of the building makes this library look futuristic. When you come inside, you will see such a spacious space equipped with cozy couches and chairs trying to persuade you to read as many books as you can in one day.

Seattle Public Library

Address: 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104, USA

Opening Hours: 10AM-8PM (Mon-Thu), 10AM-6PM (Fri-Sat), 12PM-6PM (Sun)

Website: Seattle Public Library

Visited this place?

8. Pacific Science Center

Sometimes you need brain stimulation even when you are on a vacation, and the best place in Seattle for this is Pacific Science Center. Discover many interesting things related to science here. With abundant engaging experiments and exhibits, this science center is for visitors of all ages. Visiting this place will make a great addition to your list of things to do with kids in Seattle!

Pacific Science Center

Address: 200 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA

Opening Hours: 10AM-5PM (Mon-Fri), 10AM-6PM (Sat-Sun)

Website: Pacific Science Center

Visited this place?

9. Smith Tower

If the other two skyscrapers we mentioned earlier are not enough, you can go to another famous skyscraper named Smith Tower. The magnificent views of Seattle can be enjoyed from the Observatory that is located on the top of the tower. Before you go down, make sure to drop by Wishing Chair, make some wishes in hope that they will come true.

Smith Tower

Address: 506 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USA

Opening Hours: 10AM-11PM (Sun-Wed), 10AM-12AM (Thu-Sat)

Website: Smith Tower

Visited this place?

10. Orient Express Restaurant and Lounge

Thursday Lunch 04 11 13:  Orient Express, SODO/Seattle WA
Source: Photo by Flickr user Joe Wolf used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Yes, the last building on the list is a restaurant. And this restaurant is famous because it offers a unique dining experience. You can enjoy both Chinese and Thai food inside what used to be railroad cars. But these railroad cars have been refurbished and now provide a cozy atmosphere.

Orient Express Restaurant and Lounge

Address: 2963 4th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, USA

Opening Hours: 10.30AM-11PM (Mon-Fri), 11AM-1PM (Sat), 12PM-11PM (Sun)

Website: Orient Express Restaurant and Lounge

Visited this place?

Seattle awaits your embrace

After reading through all the iconic buildings mentioned above, the only thing that makes sense is to visit Seattle on your next vacation. This place has a full range of things to see and to discover, from incredible waterfall hikes to the best Airbnb experiences. Book your flight, drive a car or arrive by train, it really is up to you. One thing for sure, the largest city in Washington awaits your embrace!

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Seattle
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.