Surrounded by beautiful beaches and lush green forests, West Seattle is a haven for nature’s finest offerings and, ultimately, tons of cool things to see and do for everyone. Although West Seattle doesn’t receive as much attention as its eastern counterpart, there are an endless number of attractions and activities that will make your time here worthwhile. Here is our list of the ten coolest things you can see and do when in West Seattle.
Alki Beach
This beautiful oceanfront spot is one of the most popular areas to visit when in West Seattle. Whether you’re an adventurous adrenaline junkie or a chillin’ beach bum, there are an endless number of things to do to keep you busy and engaged in the beauty of Alki Beach. For the athletic types, taking a jog along the water, rollerblading, or playing volleyball are always fun options, and if you want to relax, you can sunbathe and enjoy food from nearby eateries on picnic tables. When the sun goes down, bring over some treats and enjoy s’mores as you and your friends create a little bonfire on the beach.
Price: Free
Hours: Monday – Sunday 4:00AM-11:30PM
Watch out for: Bonfire spots!
Addresses & Telephone Number: 1702 Alki Avenue SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 684-4075
Alki Kayak Tours & Activities
If you want to take in all that you can while surrounded by the natural beauty of West Seattle, be sure to utilize this hotspot for activities and tours that will allow you to do just that. At Alki Kayak Tours & Activities, you can rent out kayaks, stand up paddleboards, a fishing boat to catch fresh crabs and fish, bikes to ride along the paved Alki Beach trail, or skates to zoom around the city in. In addition to rentals, you can also reserve a tour, such as the sunset tour, for gorgeous, social media-worthy views.
Price: Mid-Range – Upscale
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10:00AM-Sunset
Watch out for: Stand Up Paddleboards and Sunset Tour
Address & Telephone Number: 1660 Harbor Avenue SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 953-0237
King County Water Taxi
Public transportation may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering how to spend time in a beautiful city, but trust us, this ferry ride is one that you certainly don’t want to miss out on! Catch a ride on the King County Water Taxi from West Seattle to downtown Seattle, and you will be met with ten minutes of scenic views and a serene, calming ride. The taxi itself has multiple levels and it can get quite chilly on the deck, so be sure to bundle up for the ride!
Price: Budget
Hours: Call for Hours or Go Online for Schedule
Watch out for: Views
Address & Telephone Number: Seacrest Park, 1660 Harbor Avenue SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 477-3979
Lincoln Park
Park
Lincoln Park
For an awesome day in fresh, open air, come by this park with dozens of options for fun and adventure amongst West Seattle’s finest spots in nature. Lincoln Park truly has everything one would ever wish for, including rocky beaches, green forests, meadows to sprawl and picnic in, zip lining, hiking trails, an outdoor heated saltwater pool, and exquisite views of Puget Sound and the Fauntleroy Ferry. Bring your whole family for a day filled with endless fun, or come alone for some quiet rest and relaxation!
Price: Free
Hours: Monday – Sunday 4:00AM-11:30PM
Watch out for: Outdoor heated saltwater pool
Address & Telephone Number: 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 684-4075
Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
If you’re interested in the history of Seattle and the people that inhabited the area before it was settled by newcomers in the Western World, be sure to visit this center. The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center is an establishment that focuses on the preservation of Duwamish culture, the indigenous tribe that inhabited the Seattle area for centuries before Western settlers, as well as informing the general public of their cultural history. There is also an art gallery and exhibit with plenty of artifacts and wonderful information to learn from!
Price: Budget
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM
Watch out for: Art Gallery & Exhibit
Address & Telephone Number: 4705 West Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 431-1582
Emerald Water Anglers
The American Northwest is notorious for having abundant rivers and bodies of water that are great spots for fishing, and West Seattle is certainly no exception. Whether you’re a pro at fishing or completely new at it, give it a go with the experts at Emerald Water Anglers, who will help teach you the correct technique and everything you would need to know to start your journey as a fisherman or fisherwoman. Take a fly fishing lesson, grab some gear from their impressive selection of professional products, and trek to one of the many beautiful options around West Seattle to put your newly learned knowledge into practice.
Price: Mid-range – Upscale
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00AM-7:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM-6:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM-5:00PM
Watch out for: Fly fishing lessons
Address & Telephone Number: 4502 42nd Avenue SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 708-7250
West Seattle Bowl
Bowling is already a really fun pastime, but bowling in a retro, vintage alley that’s been around since 1948? That’s exactly the fantastic experience you’ll have when visiting West Seattle Bowl, one of the city’s central spots that has become a quintessential part of the neighborhood. In addition to bowling, enjoy great food and drinks at the Highstrike Grill restaurant which has received a lot of praise from customers for their offerings, especially their nachos, drinks, and brunch items.
Price: Mid-Range
Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Friday 11:00AM-1:00AM; Tuesday 12:00PM-1:00AM; Saturday 9:00AM-1:00AM; Sunday 9:00AM-12:00AM
Watch out for: Bowl and brunch
Address & Telephone Number: 4505 39th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 932-3731
Farmers' Market
Farmers' Market, Market, American
Farmers’ Market
Finding fresh, organic, natural and tasty produce is becoming an increasingly difficult feat in today’s modern world, especially in the United States, so taking advantage of farmers’ markets such as this one is an absolute must in order to get the full taste of the region you’re visiting. The West Seattle Farmers’ Market has a host of local vendors featuring the best of the Northwest, such as fresh organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish and salmon, artisanal breads and baked goods, honey, wine, flower bouquets, and much more. If you have time to spare on a Sunday morning or afternoon, be sure to stop by and pick up some goods!
Price: Budget
Hours: Sunday 10:00AM-2:00PM
Watch out for: Mountain Lodge Farm goat cheese
Address & Telephone Number: Alaska Street SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 632-5234
Alki Point Lighthouse
If you happen to be in West Seattle during open season for tours at this fully functioning lighthouse that serves off the coast at Alki Beach, be sure to stop by to learn about its history. The Alki Point Lighthouse turned a century old in 2013 and has a history of serving for decades as an aid-to-navigation for an active Coast Guard area. During tour season, which tends to be spring and summer weekends, you and your family can come by for a completely free tour of the lighthouse, guided by Coast Guard personnel for a fun, informative, and picture-worthy experience.
Price: Free
Hours: Call for Seasonal Hours
Watch out for: Summer weekend tours
Address & Telephone Number: 3200 Point Place SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 841-3519
Mind Unwind
Expressing yourself through artistic release is one of the best ways to wind down, have fun, and release stress, so if you find yourself caught up in a rut from overbooking your travel itinerary, attend a class at this art gallery that also doubles as a lounge. Mind Unwind is a space that offers art classes and drinks in their Treehouse Lounge, and consequently makes for a great option for events. Attend a workshop or the popular two hour social art class in acrylic or watercolor painting, and if you want to get tipsy while dabbling in your artistic side, take a class in bar crafts led by the bartenders at Treehouse Lounge.
Price: Mid-Range
Hours: Call for Hours
Watch out for: Bar crafts at Treehouse Lounge
Address & Telephone Number: 2206 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA, +1(206) 829-9128
