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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Seattle

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

Updated May 26, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Seattle

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Seattle

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

A Feminist Road Trip Across the U.S.

Atlas Obscura has a tradition of 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.

View Itinerary

Explore Seattle, Washington

Shops 21
Unique Restaurants & Bars 15
Art 11
Collections 11
History 10
Parks 9
Outsider Art 8
Restaurants 7

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Recent Seattle Activity

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
A male great argus hopes to impress a potential mate with an arresting show of plumage and pomp.

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
One of Jerry Weller's photo albums, with notes that Patti May gave to GLAPN identifying people in the pictures.

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.
by Emma Banks

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
Tommy the cat is on the left, and Golly on the right.

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."
by Anne Ewbank
In a matter of months, Cobain wouldn't need the $26.57 anyway.

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

He never even cashed it.
by Matthew Taub
This photo, taken on the Minnesota frontier, depicts Regina Sorenson and three others "dressed in men's suits."

The Forgotten Trans History of the Wild West

It was a frontier in more ways than one.
by Sabrina Imbler
Teamwork and speed.

The Competitive Book Sorters Who Spread Knowledge Around New York

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

Lists Featuring Seattle

They were built in 1979.
The Howe Street stair corridor is the longest in Seattle.
Seward Street Slides

When Stairs and Slides Are Hiding in Plain Sight

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

9

Including Secret Tiled Staircase, Esmeralda Slide Park, and Howe Street Stairs

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