20 Things To Do In Seattle At Night

Surrounded by mountains, water and forests, Seattle is the largest city in Washington state and the hub of the Pacific Northwest. With three national parks in its backyard, there are plenty of outdoor activities and stunning scenery to enjoy. Home of Boeing, Amazon, and Microsoft, the Emerald City is also a hub for culture, music and creativity. Since the first Starbucks store started serving coffee next to Pike Place Market, Seattle’s coffee culture has grown from strength to strength.

With museums, galleries, and a stunning waterfront, you’ll find lots to keep you busy during the day. And with a diverse range of nighttime attractions, restaurants, craft breweries and cocktail bars, there’s no shortage of things to do in Seattle at night.

Seattle At Night

20 Things To Do In Seattle At Night

1- Enjoy The View from Space Needle

The Space Needle is a 605 ft (184 m) structure built in 1962 for the World’s Fair and a city landmark that stands out in the skyline.

A classic way to see Seattle at night is to enjoy the view from its observation deck, which is 520 ft (103 m) high.

Recent upgrades include the Loupe (the world’s first and only revolving glass floor) and Skyriser (tilting glass walls offering the illusion of floating in the open air).

With access to the telescope, you can see the beautiful views of Mount Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, Elliott Bay, and the downtown skyline.

The Space Needle closes at 11 pm in summer and 10 pm during other times of the year. Skip the line and reserve your tickets here.

Space Needle is at 400 Broad St, Seattle, 98109. See the Space Needle and other top attractions on this Seattle night tour.

2- Go On A Seaplane Flight

Taking a flight in a seaplane is one of the most exciting things to do in Seattle at night.

Romantic dinner flights take you to Orcas Island, Poulsbo and San Juan Island, where you can enjoy dinner in a restaurant or resort.

On the way back, admire the bird’s-eye view of the Space Needle, downtown Seattle and Ballard Locks.

3- Cruise Puget Sound

Relaxing on a cocktail cruise or sailing on a tall ship around Puget Sound is an enjoyable way to see Seattle from the water.

Besides getting a view of the city’s skyline with the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges in the background, you’ll get to experience the city’s aquatic lifestyle.

You might even see seals and sea lions lounging on rocks or bald eagles flying overhead.

You may like these cruises:

• Seattle Harbor Cruise
• 1-hour Cocktail Cruise
• Sunset Cruise on Puget Sound
• Evening Sunset Sail

4- Get An Adrenalin Rush At iFLY

If you are looking for a different nighttime activity, try indoor skydiving.

The futuristic technology at iFLY Seattle lets you experience what it is like to freefall up to 175 mph (281 kph) without jumping out of an aeroplane.

They use a vertical 800 hp indoor wind tunnel to create a wall-to-wall air cushion to keep you in the air.

Coupled with virtual reality backgrounds, you’ll feel like you’re flying over different places worldwide.

The experience is safe for all ages and open until 10 pm on Fridays, 9 pm on Thursdays and 8 pm on all other days.

iFly Seattle is at 349 Tukwila Pkwy, Tukwila, 98188. Prebook your flights here and skip the line.

5- Go On A Bar Crawl

Seattle has many neighbourhoods, each with a distinct culture and personality.

You’ll find the hippest bars, brewpubs and clubs in Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square and the University District.

One of the fun ways to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife is to go on a night tour of Capitol Hill, visiting old-school dive bars, trendy cocktail lounges and craft beer breweries.

There are various spots to discover in this area, including Liberty, Summit Public House, Pie Bar Capitol Hill, Rock Box, and Revolver Bar.

So, whether you want to find your new favourite beer on tap or dance the night away, you’ll find a fantastic spot to have fun.

6- Visit The Seattle Pinball Museum

The Seattle Pinball Museum has over 50 vintage pinball machines dating back to 1934 that are interactive exhibits for visitors to play.

It isn’t a typical museum as there are constantly flashing lights, a wide array of games, jingling chimes for high scores and buzzing sounds.

Some unique pinball games are Swing Along (1963), Captain Fantastic (1976) and Revenge from Mars (1999).

The museum has an admission fee of $15 for adults and $12 for kids, including all games, and is open until 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Seattle Pinball Museum is at 508 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, 98104.

7- Go On An Underground Tour

Discover the forgotten history of Seattle through an underground tour, where you will hear intriguing stories and learn what life was like during Seattle’s early days.

A network of hallways, basements and remnants of the old city lies under the Pioneer Square neighbourhood, with ruins of shops, houses and hotels.

Before 1889, what is now an underground city was Seattle’s original city, which burnt down.

After the fire, town planners build retaining walls on either side of the old streets, raising the level streets to a storey higher than the original pavements.

As the new city was being built, some building owners continued to rebuild on the original level and their ground-floor lobbies eventually became basements.

You’ll learn fun facts and hidden tales about Seattle if you take an underground tour.

There are different versions of the underground tour throughout the year, such as a late-night Underground Paranormal Experience and an adult-only version. From April to September, there are usually night tours at 7 pm. Check out the underground tours here.

8- Explore Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is an iconic place in the city and where the original settlers built the city’s foundation in 1852.

Today, it is a trendy place to visit in Seattle, with art galleries and cafes lining the sidewalks and there are parks, shops and food trucks.

Most of the buildings have lovely Romanesque Revival architecture, making them great for photography.

A popular spot in Seattle at night, head to Pioneer Square, admire its ivy-covered buildings and, pop into boutiques, bars and discover hidden gems.

Pioneer Square is at 240 Second Ave S, Seattle, 98104.

9- Explore Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market buzzes with activity as people mill around the 150 stalls shopping for fresh produce, snacks, flowers and crafts.

It’s one of the most well-known public markets and has been around since 1907.

Check out the USA’s first Starbucks location, sip cocktails or dine on Italian-American food at The Pink Door.

Although the market closes at 6 pm, many restaurants stay open until midnight.

Pike Place Market is at 85 Pike St, Seattle, 98101.

10- Join A Haunted Ghost Tour

Explore Seattle’s spooky side by joining a ghost tour, where guides share scary tales from Seattle’s past of mystery, murder and mayhem.

The walking tour takes you to the most haunted places in the city, including Pike Place Market.

The old Squamish Burial Grounds and the Northwest’s first mortuary are other spooky places.

Some ghost tours, like this one, also include visits to haunted pubs, where you can sip on a whisky as you listen to your guide’s paranormal tales about Seattle.

Most ghost tours begin after 8 pm and last between two to three hours. Book your ghost tour here.

11- Walk Along Seattle’s Waterfront

The Seattle Waterfront is a fantastic place to go for a stroll and enjoy the lights of Seattle at night.

Enjoy the view from Elliott Bay, Gas Works Park, Kerry Park and Pike Place Market.

The city’s piers have al fresco restaurants that offer views of Puget Sound and you can browse through shops and bars after dinner.

Strolling along the waterfront is a fantastic way to spot iconic attractions, like Smith Tower and Space Needle.

12- Enjoy The View From Smith Tower

Besides the Space Needle, Smith Tower also offers a bird’s-eye view of Seattle at night.

Smith Tower (1914) was the first skyscraper in the city and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

The tower offers a unique visitor experience, including a ground-floor gathering place for souvenirs and treats, historical exhibits showing tales through time, and an observatory with an open-air observation deck, offering 360-views of Seattle and beyond.

There is also a speakeasy-style bar where you can enjoy classic cocktails. The observatory restaurant and bar remain open till 10 pm.

Smith Tower is at 506 2nd Ave, Seattle, 98104.

13- Enjoy A Nighttime Brewery Tour

Seattle has over 70 breweries that make some of the most creative craft beers and several brewery districts to explore.

One of the best places to try the city’s craft beer is the Ballard Brewery District.

Wander around the district and find several excellent breweries within short walking distance, such as Hale’s Barrelhouse, Reuben’s Brews and the Ballard Beer Company.

Georgetown, one of Seattle’s oldest neighbourhoods, is another hub for the city’s craft beer scene and where you will find Lowercase Brewing, Jellyfish Brewing and Elysian Brewery’s Taproom.

The Fisherman’s Terminal neighbourhood is another area to sip craft beer at brewpubs like Urban Family Brewing, Figurehead Brewing Co, Fisherman’s Terminal and the Rooftop Brew Company.

Visit a few neighbourhoods on the Hoppin Seattle Brewery Tour.

14- Ride The Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57 is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the USA.

The 175 ft (53 m) Ferris wheel has 42 climate-controlled gondolas and fabulous city views.

Watch the wheel light up with 500,000 LED lights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (up to 10 pm). You can ride the wheel until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday or at 9 pm on weekdays.

Seattle Great Wheel is at 1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle, 98101.

15- Take Your Photo At The Original Selfie Museum

Glam up your Instagram photos by visiting the Original Selfie Museum near the Pike Place Market.

The art museum has several selfie-ready booths with different props, which serve as quirky backdrops for your selfies.

There are over 25 booths with flashy neon lights, creative backdrops and murals, making it a fun pitstop on your nightlife bar crawl.

Slots last an hour, and the museum is open until 8 pm on Fridays and 9 pm on Saturdays.

Original Selfie Museum is at 92 Union St, Seattle, 98101.

16- Watch A Comedy Show

Laugh the night in Seattle away at a comedy show in one of the many comedy clubs, such as Laughs Comedy Club, where many of the city’s best stand-up comedians entertain the audience for hours.

Showtimes are 8 pm to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Other comedy clubs to visit in Seattle are Paramount Theater, Club Comedy Seattle, and CSz Seattle.

17- Download An Interactive App and Go on a Quest

Download the app and play the Historical Downtown Exploration Game if you are into problem-solving activities.

As you embark on the quest, you will discover historical information about the city’s origins and events around Klondike Gold Rush.

Solve clues and unlock stories on your phone while discovering places like Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square.

Another popular option is the three-hour Seattle Urban Adventure Quest Team Scavenger Hunt, which begins at the Seattle Center, taking you to the Space Needle and other nearby sites.

Take the Seattle monorail on the trip downtown while you solve clues and complete challenges along the way. Find out more about the Let’s Roam app here.

18- Stroll Around Gas Works Park

In Seattle, the Gas Works Park is a lovely place to walk, which has grassy hills, towering evergreens and giant metal structures.

Located along the shores of Lake Union in the middle of Seattle, Gas Works Park is on the city’s historic gas plant site.

The park remains open until 10 pm, so it is one of the favourite places to hang out and admire the nighttime views of Lake Union.

Gas Works Park is at 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, 98103.

19- Have Fun At An Arcade Bar

A quirky thing to do for fun in Seattle at night is to hang out in one of the city’s arcade bars (bars equipped with video arcade games).

The city has many arcade bars reminiscent of older times, where you can play video games like Pac-Man, Tetris and Lethal Weapon 3.

Arcade bars to check out include Shorty’s, Jupiter Bar, Coindexter’s and Add-A-Ball.

All are open until late at night and offer gourmet food and drinks in whimsical spaces with vintage pinball and arcade games.

20- Go On A Food Tour

Get a taste of Seattle’s cuisine, from fresh oysters and clam chowder to salmon burgers and Dungeness crab.

The region is known for tasty local cheese, salted caramel, traditional doughnuts and Italian gelato.

There are chocolate shops, truffles and excellent bakeries where you can indulge in sweet treats.

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