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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Seattle

121 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Seattle, Washington

Updated September 1, 2022

Unusual Attractions in Seattle

Seattle, Washington

Fremont Troll

A giant Troll lurks under one of Seattle's oldest bridges.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Underground

A walk through the historic city center, under the streets of Seattle.

Seattle, Washington

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

A 100-year-old purveyor of curiosities, curios, and kitsch featuring mummies, shrunken heads, and a Fiji Mermaid.

Seattle, Washington

Museum of Pop Culture

A museum dedicated to the history and exploration of both popular music and science fiction.

Seattle, Washington

'A Sound Garden'

A huge musical sculpture and other art installations on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grounds.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Meowtropolitan Cat Café

Make your reservation to have coffee with some kitties.

Seattle, Washington

Kubota Garden

This semi-secret garden in south Seattle emulates a traditional Japanese garden using the plants of the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Pinball Museum

Couple's personal collection of pinball machines turned public pinball museum.

See All 121 Things To Do in Seattle

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Seattle

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Meowtropolitan Cat Café

Make your reservation to have coffee with some kitties.

Seattle, Washington

Beacon Food Forest

This edible park is open to any and all foragers.

Seattle, Washington

Blue Moon Tavern

This popular bar has been blurring the line between normal and edgy for more than 75 years.

Seattle, Washington

Orient Express Restaurant

This Seattle joint serves food inside an old train car once used by FDR.

See all 10 Places to Eat in Seattle

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Guided Tours of Seattle

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

A Feminist Road Trip Across the U.S.

Over the past month, Atlas Obscura has been exploring the stories of women who changed the world, from wildlife biologists and mountain climbers to Civil War spies and tattoo artists. To celebrate these daring women who struck out on their own, we’ve put together a cross-country road trip. Over 12 stops and more than 3,000 miles, this route will give you a front-row seat to women’s history in America.

Explore Seattle, Washington

Unique Restaurants & Bars 15

Places To Stay 2

Seattle Leaderboard

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Recent Seattle Activity

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Stories About Seattle

Podcast: A Sound Garden

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team

This Bird's Mating Dance Is Full of Stomp and Pomp

The great argus uses its unusual wing feathers to maximum, eye-catching effect.

by Gemma Tarlach

The Precious, Precarious Work of Queer Archiving in the Pacific Northwest

Local legacy-keepers are working to ensure that the histories aren't lost or forgotten.

This Seattle Arts Building Was Once an Immigrant Detention Center

Inscape Arts takes its name from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS.

by Evan Peterson

During the 1918 Flu Epidemic, Pet Parents Put Masks on Their Cats

Yancia the bulldog even made the local paper: "This Seattle Dog Wears Flu Mask."

Found in a Record Store: Kurt Cobain's Royalty Check

He never even cashed it.

by Matthew Taub

September 3, 2019

The Competitive Book Sorters Who Spread Knowledge Around New York

Inside an annual contest of brains, brawn, and library logistics.

by Matthew Taub

November 14, 2018

Seattle's Mystery Soda Machine Has Gone Missing

Will it ever return?

by Sarah Laskow

Lists Featuring Seattle

They were built in 1979.

The Howe Street stair corridor is the longest in Seattle.

When Stairs and Slides Are Hiding in Plain Sight

Play real-life Chutes and Ladders at these obscure thruways.

Including Secret Tiled Staircase, Winfield Street Slides , and Howe Street Stairs

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