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10 Cool Things To See & Do In West Seattle

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 © Stacie Clerget/Flickr

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

*Kayak on Alki Beach | © anokarina/Flickr*

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

*View from ferry | © SounderBruce/Flickr*

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

Map View

Duwamish Longhouse | © Chas Redmond/Flickr

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

More Info

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8011 Fauntleroy Way Southwest, West Seattle, Seattle, Washington, 98136, USA

+12066844075

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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

*Fly Fishing | © Steve Corey on and off/Flickr*

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

*Fresh raspberries | © See-ming Lee/Flickr*

Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market, Market, American

Map View

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

More Info

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California Avenue Southwest, Junction, Seattle, Washington, 98116, USA

+12066325234

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