There is no shortage of beautiful spots and interesting places to discover and add to your social media feeds in Seattle. The most iconic symbol of Seattle is the Space Needle, but there are many more Instagrammable places in the Emerald City. Here are a few.
Kerry Park, 211 W. Highland Drive
Located near the top of Queen Anne Hill, the park offers one of the postcard-perfect and classic views of the city: the Space Needle with the downtown skyline. And if you’re lucky, when “the mountain is out,” you can see majestic Mount Rainier in the distance.
Fremont Troll, 3405 Troll Ave. N.
This is definitively one of Seattle’s unique and quirky photo spots — a large troll sculpture underneath the Aurora Bridge clutching a Volkswagen Beetle. It’s close to the SPU campus; just across the Fremont Bridge!
Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive E
The arboretum is open every day from dawn to dusk, free of charge. It offers a free public tour the first Thursday of the month, as well as a wide range of classes and activities. Be careful – you might get lost in the forest of trees and flower gardens! The park is especially beautiful in the spring and fall.
Discovery Park and West Point Lighthouse, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd.
Speaking of getting lost, it’s easy to lose yourself in Seattle’s largest park. Enjoy wooded trails, beaches, meadows, and sea cliffs as well as spectacular views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. For SPU students, it’s easily accessible by car or bus. Take a short walk to the West Point Lighthouse for some great photo opportunities.
Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave.
Whichever way you turn, you’ll have Instagrammable-worthy shots in this green space for large-scale art installations by artists like Calder and Serra located along the downtown waterfront. Besides the outdoor sculptures, you’ll see ferries and ships on Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains to the west.
Gas Works Park, 2101 N Northlake Way
This is a solid Seattle photo spot — you can get the city skyline, Lake Union views, and cool industrial vibes all in one place. This abandoned gasification plant is a great place for hanging out with friends, having a picnic, and watching the sunset. It’s only about one mile from campus.
Peterson Hall (on campus!)
We admit we’re biased here, but one of the most photographed spots on campus is the steps in front of Peterson Hall! Generations of grads have snapped their cap-and-gown pics right here. Will you be next?
