Best Seattle Viewpoints for Breathtaking Water Views

Seattle viewpoints are some of the best in the country thanks to its location. There are mountains, water views, and a spunky city spirit that encourages an “anything goes” attitude when it comes to architecture and landscaping. There are also a ton of artists who dotted the city with public murals and sculptures.

I think some of the best viewpoints in Seattle include water views given that we’re almost fully surrounded by water thanks to the Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east. Since water views are so common, you’ll find both uninterrupted views of nature and cityscapes reflecting in the water.

If you’re like me and love a good view, here are my favorite Seattle viewpoints featuring breathtaking water views.

This post has affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on them and make a purchase. This is a small way I earn money to support this site. If links aren’t showing up for you, turn off your ad blocking software. Thank you for your support!

Best Seattle Viewpoints

Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more viewpoints as I discover them!

Olympic Sculpture Park

website | downtown | 2901 Western Ave

The Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park is one of my favorite water views in Seattle. It sits right along the Puget Sound waterfront and features public artwork built on a hill. The paved Elliott Bay Trail also weaves alongside it, which includes a 3-ish-mile walking and biking path connecting downtown Seattle to Interbay.

I used to actually walk this path home every now and then when I worked downtown. It starts with a beautiful beach and great views of the Puget Sound, but then weaves into a train yard that’s a bit haunting. I love the mix of nature and city grit on this trail, so I consider it one of the best Seattle viewpoints.

Lake Union Park

website | South Lake Union | 860 Terry Ave N | photo by Joe Mabel

I used to work near this park that includes the MOHAI museum and access to paved walking trails that go around Lake Union. There’s a teeny tiny bridge and beach that makes for a quick break when I needed to get out of the office. It’s also the perfect vantage point for seeing Gas Works Park in Fremont and a view of downtown. It’s also near some of the best South Lake Union restaurants, so you can grab some food and have a picnic!

Pike Place Market

website | downtown | 85 Pike St

This iconic downtown landmark is perfectly situated to offer beautiful Puget Sound water views. It’s built into a hill where the buildings along the streets closer to the water are beneath the market’s sight lines, meaning there are uninterrupted views.

In my guide to spending 24 hours in downtown Seattle like a local, I recommend getting here at 8 AM to avoid crowds. When you do, make sure to head toward the Desimone Bridge. When you’re facing the water, it’s to the right side of the market. It’s there that you’ll be able to access the Marketplace Plaza, a beautiful Seattle viewpoint for seeing the Puget Sound.

While you’re there, check out my Pike Place Market tour for a self-guided excursion finding the best restaurants in Pike Place Market.

Smith Tower

website | Pioneer Square | 506 2nd Ave

The Smith Tower is a historic building in Pioneer Square that’s part museum, part cocktail bar, part viewpoint. If you ever saw that big ivory building with a peaked roof near the stadiums, you know which building I’m talking about.

At the base is a gift shop selling local souvenirs and tickets to the viewpoint. From there, you go through a brief museum that talks about the history of Pioneer Square and Smith Tower. It leads you to these gorgeous vintage elevators that take you up to the observatory deck.

When you get off the elevator, you enter a lobby area that has a cocktail bar in it. It’ a great place to enjoy the views with panoramic windows. Plus it serves one of the best cocktails in Seattle.

There’s a 360-degree observation deck offering an awesome view of downtown. When it’s a clear day, you can even see Mount Rainier to the south. While there are so many great viewpoints in Seattle you can access for free, I think this is a fun place to check out, especially if you’re looking for a quirky thing to do with friends or coworkers.

Sky View Observatory

website | Pioneer Square | 700 4th Ave

Sky View Observatory is also in Pioneer Square and is way taller than Smith Tower. In fact, you can see Smith Tower below it! This observation viewpoint is on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center building. At 902 feet high, it’s taller than even the Space Needle and offers the highest Seattle viewpoint.

There are 360-degree views of the Puget Sound and downtown Seattle, but unlike Smith Tower it’s all indoors. Thankfully, the water and city views are unobstructed thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. I prefer this spot and Smith Tower to the Space Needle because they’re less crowded, but if a glass floor is exciting to you than by all means check out the Space Needle!

Discovery Park

website | Magnolia | 3801 Discover Park Blvd

I used to live in Magnolia and felt so lucky that Discovery Park was so close. I think it’s one of the most beautiful spots in Seattle and it has a ton of Seattle viewpoints. It’s an old military base turned park that overlooks a bluff leading down to the Puget Sound.

Your best bet is meandering around the park, but my favorite trails are the South Beach Trail or West Point Lighthouse Trail. All Trails has a good map for plotting your visit.

Golden Gardens

website | Ballard | 8498 Seaview Pl NW

I used to go to Golden Gardens every afternoon when I first moved here because I was unemployed and living my best life on the beach. I also used to play a weekday summer volleyball league there, so this spot in Ballard near the Locks holds a special place in my heart. It an awesome view of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains, particularly at sunset.

This is one of my favorite stops when I need a break from taking this Ballard walking food tour.

Carkeek Park

website | Broadview | 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd | Photo by Seattle Parks

This city park lies between Greenwood and Crown Hill north of Ballard. A lot of people don’t know about it, which is a shame because it offers a bunch of easy, wooded hiking trails and public park space for grilling, playgrounds, etc. But the best part is the gorgeous Puget Sound water view it provides from the secluded beach accessed via a bridge crossing railroad tracks.

Ballard Bridge

website | Ballard | 15th Ave NW

I’ve lived in Seattle for more than a decade and even still, I pause to admire the view driving across the Ballard Bridge. Despite this requiring a bit of walking to get to if you want to really appreciate the views, I think it’s well worth it. This Seattle viewpoint offers a look at all the boats glistening in the sunlight as they float in the marina. And while you may see bikers or a few people walking it, this viewpoint will likely be less crowded than some of the more popular ones because the bridge is a pretty busy road.

Pro tip: If you don’t want to walk across the Ballard Bridge, you can get a similarly nice view from the rooftop cafe at PCC Ballard (only open in summer). It’s a great place to get lunch in Ballard.

Ursula Judkins Viewpoint

website | Magnolia | 2605 W Galer St

Since Magnolia is situated on a part of Seattle’s coastline that juts out into the Puget Sound, it’s surrounded by water on 3 of its 4 sides. Ursula Judkins Viewpoint is another spot I used to drive by everyday on my bus ride to work. I’d always pause from my reading to take in the view, wondering why no one else was looking up from their phones.

It’s a stunner, yet a lot of people don’t know about it because it’s small and in a random spot right before the Magnolia Bridge in an area that doesn’t seem like there’s a spot to pull into. But right before you get on the bridge, there’s a little parking lot. The viewpoint isn’t big and a lot of the view is blocked by bushes, so upon getting out of the car you may think it’s not that exciting. But the real treasures are found with a bit of a walk.

For example, this is a great spot to walk along the Magnolia Bridge and see a beautiful view of the city and Mt. Rainier. Or, head the opposite direction back toward Magnolia and make a left on Galer. There’s a dead end, but it overlooks a beautiful bluff with views of a marina below.

Ella Bailey Park

website | Magnolia | 2601 W Smith St

Ella Bailey Park is another Seattle viewpoint in Magnolia. It’s a tiny park behind the former Magnolia Elementary School that sits on a hill with gorgeous views of the Seattle city skyline. It can get crowded with families when nice out thanks to its playground, but since playgrounds are off limits right now during COVID-19 I didn’t find it too crowded when I went a few Saturdays ago.

Kerry Park

website | Queen Anne | 211 W Highland Dr

This is arguably one of the most popular Seattle viewpoints behind the Space Needle, so visit Kerry Park during odd times. Once you do, you’ll understand why it’s so popular. It’s tucked in the Queen Anne hills and offers the most breathtaking view of the city skyline at one of the closest vantage points. Sometimes you’ll see photographers set up there at sunset to get photos of that magical golden hour when the sunset is reflecting from windows and the city lights start turning on.

Gas Works Park

website | Fremont | 2101 N Northlake Way

Gas Works is one of my favorite viewpoints in all of Seattle. I used to do a morning boot camp there and seeing the sunrise glint off the city was one of the only things that got me out of bed at that ungodly hour.

This park in Fremont is right on Lake Union and offers uninterrupted views of the lake and downtown Seattle. The city honors its history of being an old gas light company by keeping its manufacturing structures in place. I love the funky steampunk vibes overlooking such pristine nature. It’s also a great spot to visit on a Fremont walking tour or when visiting some of the best fish restaurants in Seattle.

Burke-Gilman Trail

website | Ballard – Kenmore | Burke-Gilman Trail

The Burke-Gilman Trail is a paved path that’s over 20-miles long, so there are plenty of viewpoints for taking in Seattle’s beauty either by foot or as you zip by on a bike. One of my favorite spots to explore is the segment in Fremont that weaves underneath the Aurora Bridge near Lake Union. You’ll be at near eye level with Lake Union’s famous house boats, which makes for a gorgeous sight during the golden hour right before sunset.

Since you’ll be in the area, check out all my favorite things to do in Fremont.

Green Lake

website | Green Lake | 7201 E Green Lake Dr N | photo by Seattle Parks

Green Lake is one of the viewpoints in Seattle I visit most often. I used to do a boot camp here and nearby Lower Woodland Park, so I have vivid memories of sprints up the stadium steps near the rowing club’s launch spot. I play softball at Green Lake every weekend from spring through fall, and even though I’m always there, it’s beauty never ceases to amaze me.

This small lake is a popular 3-mile paved loop that’s very popular during nice weather, so I encourage you to visit during off times, like during spring break in Seattle.

Warren G. Magnuson Park

website | Sand Point | 7400 Sand Point Way NE

Warren G. Magnuson Park is a large, funky park along Lake Washington. It’s an ex-military base that is unique in that it also has a bunch of businesses in the middle of it. For example, it’s Hangar 30 building is a popular spot for Seattle-area events and craft fairs and there are a few gyms and a brewery. I’ve been here a ton but actually haven’t walked around its trails much…but I can tell you a flight of beer overlooking Lake Washington is a great way to spend a sunny day!

Madison Park Beach

website | Madison Park | 1900 43rd Ave NE | Photo by Joe Mabel

Madison Park Beach is one of the designated swimming beaches in Seattle. They have lifeguards during warmer weather and it’s a popular spot to go swimming in Lake Washington.

Seward Park

website | Seward Park | 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S

Seward Park is huge. It’s 300 acres of wooded and paved water view trails along the southern part of Lake Washington. It’s a popular area for boat launches. So I’ve mostly only been there as a starting point for a boat ride. But I hope to explore more of the hidden viewpoints of Seattle soon!

Alki Beach

website | West Seattle | 1702 Alki Ave SW | photo by Abhinaba Basu

Alki Beach is a long, narrow beach in West Seattle that offers an awesome view of downtown Seattle and the Puget Sound. It’s the closest vibe I’ve found in Seattle that’s similar to the spirit of going “down the shore” in New Jersey: there’s a paved trail along the beach and some shops and restaurants along the other side of the road.

It can get crowded in the summer, so get there early to stake a spot. And during COVID-19, only visit during off-peak times.

Washington University Arboretum

website | Madison Park | 2300 Arboretum Dr E

The arboretum has 230 acres of gardens, natural areas, and wetlands. There are paths that meander through different exhibits such as the popular Japanese Garden. But the best view is of Lake Washington accessed via one of its trails.

Photo courtesy of Steve Ginn via Flickr.

The Nest at Thompson Hotel

website | Downtown | 110 Stewart St

The Nest at Thompson Hotel is a cool place to stay in Seattle, but you don’t have to be a hotel guest to visit their rooftop bar. It has incredible views of the Seattle waterfront, including the Pike Place Market sign and big wheel. Make sure to get a reservation, as this is one of the best rooftop bars in Seattle and it gets crowded!

The Mountaineering Club

website | U-District | 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE

This unique hotel in Washington also has awesome views. Being located in the U-District, you get a better vantage point of Lake Union and Lake Washington. Make sure to get a reservation.

Viewpoints near Seattle

Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

website | Shoreline | 2021 NW 190 St | photo by Justin Kraemer

Richmond Beach Saltwater Park in Shoreline is about 25 minutes north of Seattle. It’s where my nieces have their graduation each year, which is how I discovered such a gorgeous park outside the city. The park spreads down toward the waterfront along of decline, so be prepared to walk back up to the parking lot!

Brackett’s Landing North

website | Edmonds | 50 Railroad Ave

I love exploring Edmonds best restaurants, so that’s how I first discovered this beautiful quaint town about 25 minutes north of Seattle has killer water views. There’s a paved path overlooking the water and a railroad and beach below, right next to an active ferry landing.

You can also head a bit south of the ferry terminal to explore the Edmonds Marsh and Marina Beach Park.

Other viewpoints in Seattle

Here are some other places to consider getting a great view in Seattle.

Lincoln Park – This West Seattle park is right next to where you’d take the ferry to visit Vashon Island and try the best Vashon Island restaurants. I haven’t been here yet, but I’ll let you know what I think when I do!
Jose Rizal Park – This small park in Beacon Hill has pretty decent views, but it can have unhoused people that may talk to you. For example, last time I went I got the good old, “How’s it going pretty lady?” along with leering. So if you go, be careful.
Volunteer Park – This large Capitol Hill park has peaceful wooded views and is home to the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Seattle is such a beautiful city and I feel lucky everyday for living here. As I discover more of the best Seattle viewpoints, I’ll be sure to add them to this list so PIN THIS GUIDE FOR LATER!

Find more beautiful views in Washington

Check out some of these areas outside of Seattle for beautiful views at different times of the year!

The Best Seattle Viewpoints for Breathtaking Water Views