All the United States Washington Seattle

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Seattle

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

Updated August 17, 2025

Email

Unusual Attractions in Seattle

See All 137 Things To Do in Seattle

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Seattle

See all 16 Places to Eat in Seattle
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

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 23
Unique Restaurants & Bars 15
Architecture 11
Art 11
Museums 11
Collections 11
History 10
Parks 9

Seattle Leaderboard

Recent Seattle Activity

Stories About Seattle

Teriyaki chicken as we know it was invented in Seattle, not Japan.

Cooking Creatively With J. Kenji López-Alt

The author of "The Food Lab" shares his science-based kitchen techniques and current food quest.
by Diana Hubbell

Podcast: Nue

Street food is a global phenomenon these days, and here's a place in Seattle that really embraces it.
by The Podcast Team

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

Lists Featuring Seattle

World Famous Giant Shoe Museum
Gum Wall window ledge
The giant sequoia.

The 11 Best Places to Visit Near Pike Place for Curious Travelers

11

Including World Famous Giant Shoe Museum, Psychic Chicken of Seattle , and Gum Wall

They were built in 1979.
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

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member