As someone who grew up in Seattle I am very familiar with the classic Seattle tourist destinations. Places like the Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the original Starbucks, the Gum Wall, and Gas Works Park are super fun, but they have definitely been photographed and put on Instagram just a few too many times. So whether you are visiting Seattle for the first time or you are a local Seattlelite looking for a few less touristy photo locations, this photo guide is for you!
Magnuson Community Garden
The Magnuson Community Garden is located in Northeast Seattle down by Lake Washington. The entry into the gardens is completely free and the flowers are so beautiful! You can walk up and down all the little pathways throughout the garden and take tons of amazing photos!
Downtown Ferry Boat Ride
Take the Bainbridge Island Ferry from the downtown Seattle terminal. As a walk-on passenger you pay $9 for a 60 minute round trip ticket to Bainbridge Island with amazing views of the Seattle skyline from the water. I highly recommend taking the ferry during the evening because sunset on the Seattle waterfront is hard to beat! And finally, if you are a Grey’s Anatomy fan like myself, you can picture Derek Shepherd riding alongside you on the upper Ferry deck!
The Montlake Cut
Walk down along the waterfront and underneath the Montlake Bridge which connects Lake Washington and Portage Bay. The Montlake Cut, often just referred to as “the cut,” is a popular swimming location for UW students during the spring and summer months. Here, you can watch the boats go by, eat a picnic lunch on the grass, or jump into the lake and cool off in the summer!
Sail Sand Point
Sail Sand Point is located in NE Seattle and is another popular swimming spot for high school and college students during the summer. Located on Lake Washington you can rent sailboats for the day from the Sail Sand Point community boating center or grab a bite to eat from the Magnuson Cafe & Brewery. Snap a cute sunset photo with friends and swim!
Burke Gilman Trail
The Burke Gilman trail is a 27 mile park that winds its way through Seattle. If you are looking to get a little exercise and go for a bike ride or longer walk, this is the perfect activity for you! It’s also a great way to see Seattle without getting stuck in traffic. I recommend starting on the trail up the hill from Magnuson Park and heading south towards downtown Seattle and ending up at the Ballard Locks (about 7 miles). And, if it’s raining (which is very likely), you can bring an umbrella for a classic Seattle photo!
Evergreen and Washington State Fairs
For the months of August and September both the Evergreen and Washington State Fairs are open. Both of these two fairs are located just outside the city and they are the perfect day trip! Not to mention, the fairground’s aesthetic is super cute for a photoshoot!
Coffee Downtown
A Seattle day wouldn’t be the same without a coffee and fresh bakery treat. My favorite bakery, Le Panier, is located in Pike Place Market in the heart of downtown Seattle. Snap a cute but casual aesthetic food pic for your Instagram feed and spend some time shopping around downtown.
I hope you love this fun photo guide to Seattle! And remember to tag @cfashionista in your Instagram pics if you try any of these fun locations!
Featured Image courtesy of Jenny Stewart
