11 Films and TV Shows to Watch Before Visiting Seattle

Sleepless in Seattle Boat House
Sleepless in Seattle Boat House | © eng1ne / Flickr
Jacklyn Grambush

Whether a script specifically involves Seattle or there’s a need of panoramic shots of evergreens, Seattle is an popular location for films and TV shows. There are internationally known landmarks, including the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, astonishing views, and endless amounts of rain (which can be helpful for some stories). For an appropriate education in Seattle film, don’t miss these movies and TV shows before you check out the Emerald City.

Sleepless in Seattle

What better way to start our list than with this classic? Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are star-crossed lovers brought together by the innocent, yet brilliant intuition of a child – that and some good-timing (preceded by a lot of bad-timing). What more could you ask for? Throw in some shots of the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the famous Lake Union boat house, and it’s an iconic Seattle classic.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Harry and the Hendersons

A movie about Bigfoot… of course it would take place in the Evergreen State! The Hendersons live in Wallingford and meet Sasquatch, the infamously elusive huge, hairy, biped. Shot in the Wenatchee National Forest and the North Cascades National Park in addition to Seattle proper, this fun ’80s movie brings to life the fiction created by people who spend too much time alone in the woods (also known as the real-life creature that cynics are too stubborn to acknowledge).

Battle in Seattle

Based on the actual 1999 Seattle World Trade Organization protests, this film from 2007 stars Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron. Chronicling the citizens’ gathering of tens of thousands of individuals from student groups, labor unions, non-government organizations, and anarchists, this movie is a great peek into the activism that defines the city of Seattle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmQzw-O8eRY

Grey’s Anatomy

Like many films and TV shows, Grey’s Anatomy isn’t actually shot where the story is set. Of course the views of the skyline with the iconic Space Needle are real, but everything else is shot in Los Angeles. The concept of the hospital is, however, based on the Harborview Medical Center on First Hill. Plus, Meredith Grey’s house is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood. For the first time in the series, the cast actually traveled to shoot the TV show in Seattle during summer 2017. The shots are scattered across season 14.

Say Anything

This classic coming-of-age story is set in Seattle, but the city is only alluded to very briefly. There are no obvious landmarks, just some familiar streets if you know what they looked like in the 1980s, a drive-by of Bob’s Java Jive (a local landmark that’s actually in Tacoma), and a brief mention of Bell Square (one of the most popular malls on the Eastside of Lake Washington). There really is no better place for your typical John-Cusack-pining-over-a-girl-in-a-downpour than a city as famous for its rain as Seattle.

An Officer and a Gentleman

This movie, staring Richard Gere as a bad boy (involuntary swoon), takes advantage of arguably Washington State’s two most picturesque locations: Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula. Though shots of the city are included, the majority takes place in Port Townsend and Bremerton, by the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic National Forest – those miles of evergreens that can seem surreal in today’s metropolis-focused society. You can even stay at the “The Officer and a Gentleman Suite” at the Tides Inn!

10 Things I Hate About You

This movie is almost as iconic as the Seattle landmarks it shows off! Starting with shots of the famous skyline in the title sequence, the movie goes on to feature a school that actually exists in Tacoma. Then, there’s the unforgettable paintball fight at Gas Works Park and Cameron’s conversation with Bianca in front of the Fremont Troll. 10 Things I Hate About You features many of the top things we love about Seattle.

McQ

Let’s take a look at an even younger Seattle: in the 1970s. John Wayne stars as McQ, “the cop nobody can stop”. This movie has shots all over the less developed Seattle of ’74, including scenes at Key Arena (previously the Coliseum) and Harborview Medical Center. There’s a party across Lake Washington at a mansion in Medina – the neighborhood Bill Gates inhabits. Then, of course, back to the scenic Olympic Peninsula for the final car chase.

Frasier

Another TV show that famously faked the Seattle set, Frasier celebrated its 100th episode by actually traveling to Seattle to film on location. For intelligently crafted jokes artfully weaved into the timelessness of slapstick, check out the story of this therapist with his own radio talk show and enough family drama to drive him crazier than his patients.

Singles

Singles is like a time capsule, taking place in Seattle as grunge came to the forefront of nationwide culture. Released only a year after Nirvana made it to #1 on the Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart and two years before Soundgarden garnered commercial success, Singles features original music by Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden. This movie, about several singles living in the same building, features one of Seattle’s most stereotypical moments in time, with its fashion, culture and music.

It Happened at the World’s Fair

From 1963, a year after Seattle hosted the World’s Fair, comes a movie starring the King. Set at the location of the tallest building West of the Mississippi at the time, with the world’s first revolving restaurant, the filmed-on-location set of the movie was practically as exciting as Elvis himself! For a classic soundtrack and views of Seattle just after the Space Needle was erected, don’t miss It Happened at the World’s Fair.

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