Are you looking for the most instagrammable spots in Seattle? Here are 25 best photo spots in Seattle to check out!
As a Seattle local, I love finding the best photo spots in Seattle and sharing them with friends, family, and of course, my community on Emma’s Edition. I love sharing iconic Seattle landmarks and hidden gems inside Seattle neighborhoods. In this Seattle travel photo guide, I share a mix of landmarks, local businesses, Seattle coffee shops, restaurants, and more.
I’ve organized this list of most Instagrammable spots in Seattle into:
- Section 1: Landmarks & Places
- Section 2: Seattle Parks
- Section 3: Food Spots
Section 1: Landmarks & Places
1. Pike Place Market
Address: 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
Pike Place Market is practically synonymous with Seattle. It’s also one of the best photo spots in Seattle to check out.
There are over 500 small businesses in the 10-level market. I recommend taking your time through the levels and eating through the market. The iconic Gum Wall, the very first
Starbucks store and the Fish Market are all within Pike Place.
2. Space Needle
Address: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle is a defining landmark on the Seattle Skyline. It’s an iconic Seattle landmark with beautiful views of the city, Mount Rainier, and the Cascade Mountains.
If you’re heading to Seattle for the first time, I recommend adding the Space Needle to your list. The top of the Space Needle offers incredible views of Puget Sound.
3. Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum
Address: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
There are eight galleries, the garden, as well as the Glasshouse. The Glasshouse is my favorite part of the museum.
If you’re planning to check out the Space Needle, I recommend also checking out the Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum next door. You can buy tickets on the same day, but I recommend buying tickets ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting on the weekends and during summer.
4. Fremont Troll in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood
Address: N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103
One of the unique photo spots in Seattle is the Fremont Troll. Located on Troll Avenue in Seattle’s Fremont Neighborhood, the Troll originally opened in 1989.
5. University of Washington – Suzzallo Library
Address: 4000 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195
If you have time to wander around the University of Washington, I recommend stopping by the Suzzallo Library. The Suzzallo Library was designed in Collegiate Gothic style. The library was built from 1923-1933 and named after one of the former presidents of the University of Washington: Henry Suzzallo.
If you aren’t sure where to park, I recommend parking at the Central Plaza Garage. It’s situated underneath right Red Square. You can take the elevators from the Central Plaza Garage up to Red Square, where Suzzallo Library is.
6. Seattle Public Library – Central Library
Address: 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
The Seattle Central Library is in Downtown Seattle. This library is 11 floors with a 275-seat auditorium and plenty of spaces for people to meet, study, and collaborate.
7. Jose Rizal Bridge
Address: Dr. Jose P Rizal Bridge, Seattle, WA 98144
In 1974, the 12th Avenue South Bridge was renamed Dr. Jose P. Rizal Bridge. You can read about the Filipino Americans in Seattle who made Dr. Jose P. Rizal Bridge and Park possible in this article from Seattle Civil Rights & Labor History Project from the University of Washington.
8. 1st & Columbia Garage
Address: 721 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
One of the most Instagrammable spots in Seattle is at the top of a parking garage. This parking garage is a great location if you’re looking to capture photos in Downtown Seattle with the buildings.
9. Color Pencil Fence (Seattle Early Learning Center LLC ) in West Seattle
Address: 2634 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Suppose you’re exploring Alki Beach and want to take a cute photo. In that case, I recommend walking across the street from Alki Beach Park to take a picture with the color pencil fence.
10. Kenmore Air in South Lake Union
Address: 950 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
One of the unique Seattle things to do is to ride on a seaplane. Kenmore Air offers the Seattle Scenic Seaplane Tour. On this seaplane tour, you get spectacular views of Seattle. Plus, you can snap a few photos with the seaplanes!
Section 2: Seattle Parks
11. Hat & Boots Park (Oxbox Park) in Georgetown Seattle
Address: 6427 Carleton Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
If you’re exploring Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood and want a unique photo, I recommend stopping by Hat & Boot’s Park.
In 1953, Lewis Nasmyth (a Seattle artist) was hired to create a western-style gas station in Georgetown. While the gas station is no longer in operation (it closed in 1988), you can still find the giant cowboy boots and hat at this park. The local community council raised funds to move the huge cowboy hat and boots to Oxbow Park in 2003.
12. Seward Park
Address: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118
I highly recommend checking out Seward Park during the springtime in Seattle. The cherry blossoms along Lake Washington are beautiful!
13. Gasworks Park
Address: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
Gasworks Park used to belong to the Seattle Gas Light Company. The coal gasification plant operated from 1906 – 1956. The city of Seattle purchased the park in 1962.
14. Discovery Park
Address: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
Discovery Park is over 500 acres in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood. Some of the former military homes and buildings still stand at Discovery Park. Fort Lawton used to occupy the Magnolia Bluff.
15. Greenlake Park
Address: 7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
If you’re heading to Seattle during the fall, I recommend stopping by Greenlake Park to see the fall leaves!
16. Indoor Sun Shoppe in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood
Address: 160 N Canal St, Seattle, WA 98103
One of my favorite plant shops to wander through is the Indoor Sun Shoppe in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. They have a yellow Volkswagen Beatle parked and decorated seasonally!
Section 3: Food Spots
There are so many great coffee shops and restaurants in Seattle. Here are a few tips if you plan on taking photos inside restaurants:
- Always purchase food, drinks, etc., and support the businesses.
- Be mindful of taking photos inside the restaurant or coffee shop. If it’s hectic inside, be as respectful of others. If you can snap a photo quickly, take your photos and get out of the way. If the restaurant or coffee shop is busy, wait for the crowds to calm down. You can always eat your food and drink your coffee first.
- If you aren’t sure if taking photos inside is okay, ask an employee. Some small businesses don’t want people to take photos inside.
- The Instagrammable spots in Seattle on the list have all allowed me to take photos inside, but please still use your judgment and be respectful if the place is crowded.
Here are Instagrammable food places in Seattle to check out:
17. Leon Coffee House in Seattle’s University District
Address: 1309 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105
I can’t believe Leon Coffee House has this designated photo spot inside their coffee shop. It’s so cute!
18. Boat Bar in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood
Address: 1060 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98109
19. ROOT Plants & Coffee in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood
Address: 5201 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
20. The Flora Bakehouse in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood
Address: 1511 S Lucile St, Seattle, WA 98108
21. Molly Moon’s Ice Cream in University Village – in the University District
Address: University Village shopping center, 2615 NE 46th St, Seattle, WA 98105
Molly Moon’s Ice Cream is one of my favorite ice cream shops in Seattle. I love how this ice cream shop is rainbow on the inside!
22. Di Fiora in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood
Address: 1320 University St suite 1, Seattle, WA 98101
23. Atulea in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood
Address: 1715 12th Ave #100, Seattle, WA 98122
If you’re looking for a cute matcha shop in Seattle, I recommend stopping Atulea!
24. Santo Coffee in Seattle’s Roosevelt/Greenlake neighborhood
Address: 1325 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115
25. Sugar and Spoon in the University District
Address: 4518 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
What other restaurants or landmarks would you add to the best photo spots in Seattle?
Photography by: Holly Phan, Karya Schanilec, and Maddy Duggan
For more travel recommendations and photo guides for other cities, check out:
12 Best Photo Spots on Oahu to Check Out
10 Most Instagrammable Spots in Amsterdam
30 Most Instagrammable Places in Paris
12 Most Instagrammable Places in New Orleans
Thank you for reading this list of best photo spots in Seattle!
Love,
Emma