Ten Things To Do For Fun In Seattle

There are a lot of things to do for fun in Seattle. In fact, the hardest part about writing this article wasn’t finding ten fun things to do but narrowing it down.

Our ten fun activities and places, listed alphabetically, run the gamut from expensive to cheap, arts to athletics, and educational to alternative. SeattleSmarts is so proud of our list that we guarantee it has something for you. More than likely, our top ten list has a few things that will strike you as a good time.

The Last Supper Club
Located at 124 S. Washington, the Last Supper Club is the Emerald City’s top nightclub. The night-time fun is spread out over three floors. You can boogie to live music upstairs or sip on a refreshing cocktail downstairs. The club serves its patrons with four bars, a bunch of private rooms, and plenty of delicious eats. Other top nightclubs in the city include Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Noc Noc, and The Trinity Nightclub.

Pike Place Market
You’ve probably seen video of the guys throwing fish—they’re featured on just about every sports broadcast emanating from Seattle. Those photogenic fishmongers work at the Pike Place Fish Market which is a staple of the famous Pike Place Market. Besides fresh seafood, the market also has produce vendors, craftsmen selling their wares, and artisans pushing their creations. Admission to Pike Place Market is completely free.

Rock Climbing
This next activity really rocks… literally. Both a fun time and a great way to exercise, Seattle residents have a few places where they can safely rock climb inside away from the rain. The city is home to the first climbing gym in America, Vertical World, which can be found at 2123 W. Elmore Street. Meanwhile, Stone Gardens, 2839 N.W. Market Street, has 16,000 square feet of climbing surfaces. Don’t worry if you’re a neophyte, both facilities offer classes for beginners.

Rat City Rollergirls All Stars
The Rat City Rollergirls are Seattle’s preeminent all-female, flat-track roller derby league. The league comprises four “home” teams with the best players pulling double duty on an all-star squad. Their season spans from January through July. During that time the rollergirls skate once a month at Key Arena. Not only is roller derby fun to watch but so are the fans in the stands. Roller derby is definitely an alternative Seattle sport but the “girls” do their best and make it one heck of a good time.

Ride The Ducks
This activity is not only a blast but it provides participants with a unique look at Seattle. Ride the Ducks is a 90-minute tour of the city on both land and water. Riders spend about 60 minutes driving around town and then about a half hour boating on the sound. The trip offers views of the Safeco Field, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle waterfront. Ride the Ducks uses World War II amphibious landing crafts.

Seattle Parks
A fun thing to do with the family is to grab the Frisbee, pack a lunch, and take off to one of Seattle’s many public parks. The city’s parks and recreation department manages more than 6,000 acres of land. That’s more than 10 percent of the total area of the Emerald City. The crown jewel of Seattle’s parks is the 534-acre Discovery Park. This beautiful recreational area is located on Magnolia Bluff and it offers visitors breathtaking vistas of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountain range.

Seattle Sports
There’s always a fun time to be had at the old ballpark or tailgating before the big game. The Seattle Mariners are part of the American League West and they call Safeco Field home. The Seattle Seahawks belong to the NFC West and they play on the soaked slough of Qwest Field. If you prefer the collegiate game, check out the sports teams of the University of Washington. The Huskies football team plays at Husky Stadium and the basketball teams plays at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Both venues are located on the university’s campus.

Space Needle
Sure, it’s a little touristy, but nothing says Seattle more than the Space Needle. Not only that, but the view from its observation deck is spectacular. General admission tickets run $18 and “day and night” tickets set you back $24—children three and under get in for free. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and at the time it was the highest structure west of the Mississippi River. At its highest point the Needle is 605 feet high; the observation deck is 520 feet high.

The Theatre
Most people don’t know this, and that includes long-time residents, but Seattle has a great theatre scene. The city’s “flagship theatre” is the Seattle Repertory found at 155 Mercer Street. This hallowed venue has debuted plays by legends like Sara Ruhl, Neil Simon, and August Wilson. The 5th Avenue Theatre is largest theatre employer in the state. The musical “Hairspray” debuted there in 2002.

Woodland Park Zoo
Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo is both fun and educational. The 92-acre zoo is just minutes from downtown and is situated in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. Woodland Park is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and is home to more than 300 animal species. From May through September adults should expect to pay around $18. The rest of the year ticket prices are considerably lower.