Our Fall photo contest winner, Elizabeth Blanton from Yellow Elm Blog, was kind enough to write another guest post for us, this one on exploring Seattle. Here are her top four recommendations for places in Seattle where you can find great views for free.
If you are headed to Seattle, you will have no shortage of options for spots to see great city views. In my opinion, nothing tops the Space Needle for a classic view of Seattle, and the Columbia Center Tower observation deck is the highest viewpoint, but there are plenty of places where you can find great views for free if you’re trying to keep your trip on a budget.
Popular parks like Gas Works Park in Wallingford, Kerry Park in Queen Anne and Alki Beach Park in West Seattle offer great skyline views. However, if you’re looking for a lesser-known spot that might not be as busy, give one of these places a try:
Russell Investments Center 17th Floor Terrace
The Russell Investments Center in downtown Seattle (1301 2nd Ave–next to the Seattle Art Museum) has a 17th floor terrace park with views of the water, downtown and Pike Place Market from above. The 17th floor is open during building business hours, and it’s a fun place to take a small picnic lunch.
Bell Street at Pier 66 Rooftop Deck
The Bell Street Rooftop Deck (2225 Alaskan Way) has a great combination of waterfront and downtown views. There are plenty of benches at the Pier, and in my experience it’s usually a quiet area with a lot of space to take good photos, watch ferries go by or eat some takeout. Take note that the rooftop deck does close when a cruise ship is docked in the terminal.
Jack Block Park
Take a half mile scenic walk from the King County Water Taxi to Jack Block Park in West Seattle for more awesome views. You can see the Space Needle and downtown buildings across the water. The skyline views are similar to Alki Beach Park, but Jack Block Park is tucked away so it’s not as crowded.
Jose Rizal Bridge
If you have access to a car or want to try out the King Country Metro Bus system, the Jose Rizal Bridge in Beacon Hill has fantastic views of the city from the South. Park your car at the nearby Jose Rizal Park (1007 12th Ave S.) and then walk over to the bridge. The bridge is an especially good place to take photos after dark and capture the lights of the city.