Sunsets are a magical moment in the day. It’s the time when day meets night, when light meets darkness, when the sun disappears and is replaced by the moon, and when we typically start to wind down from our hectic day-to-day routine. Watching a sunset is always a perfect excuse to sit back and relax for at least a few minute, and there are plenty of sunset spots in Seattle to enjoy.
Whether you are sharing the view with friends, a romantic date or simply reflecting on life by yourself, sunsets are a total mood. We don’t always get to catch the sunset because of our busy schedules — but when we do, oh boy can they be special. And a sunset with a view is even better! Seattle has no shortage of impressive spots to see the sunset with a scenic view. For that reason, we’ve selected the best places to watch the sunset in Seattle and have listed them out for you below.
1. The Space Needle Observation Deck
The first thing that usually comes to mind when thinking of Seattle is the Space Needle, a 605-foot observation tower that was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River. This iconic landmark has an observation deck with all-glass flooring on the lower level and floor-to-ceiling glass windows on the upper level. Head here to get an unobstructed, magnificent bird’s eye view of the city!
📍400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109
2. Kerry Park
Kerry Park is a well-known place to watch the sunset in Seattle. This quaint public park is a city staple that attracts tourists and locals alike for a front-row seat of Seattle’s towering skyscrapers and the rugged Olympic Mountains in the background. This famous panoramic view makes Kerry Park a popular choice for sunset viewing.
📍211 W Highland Dr, Seattle, WA 98119
3. The Seattle Great Wheel / Waterfront Park
This list would not be complete without including the hard-to-miss Seattle Great Wheel. Hop in just before sunset to get an exclusive view of the sunset over the city’s stunning waterfront. If you’re afraid of heights or just don’t feel like going on the ride, you can also chill by the Waterfront Park right next to the Great Wheel.
📍1301 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98101
4. Alki Beach Park
Why not watch the sunset from the beach? Alki Beach Park, located in West Seattle, is a scenic park with a long, gorgeous beach that has fine, white sand. From here you’ll be able to see Elliot Bay and Seattle’s city skyline in the distance. It’s also a popular destination to play beach volleyball in the summer.
📍2665 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
5. Golden Gardens Park
Maybe you want to move a bit further from the city and get lost in nature. If you’d prefer to skip the skyscraper views altogether and instead just look out to the water, Golden Gardens in Ballard is your place. It gets crowded with sunbathers and swimmers in the summer months but it’s a beautiful sunset spot year-round.
📍8498 Seaview Pl NW, Seattle, WA 98117
6. Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park, situated beside Lake Union, was the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant before being converted into a park. You can still see many remnants of the old plant here today! The way the light from the sunset illuminates the towers, tanks, and pipes, in addition to the sweeping city views seen from the park, makes this a unique location to watch the sunset.
📍2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
7. The Columbia Tower’s Sky View Observatory
If you thought the Space Needle was tall, just wait until you check out Columbia Tower! This giant skyscraper is the tallest building in the state of Washington and you can access epic views from the Sky View Observatory located on the 73rd floor. Time your visit for twilight to see the sun falling down on the city with an unforgettable 360-degree view.
📍700 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
8. The West Point Lighthouse at Discovery Park
Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest park and the westernmost point of the city, is a wonderful place to temporarily escape from the city and just take in the beautiful nature that Seattle has to offer. Settle in on the beach next to the West Point Lighthouse for a calm, picturesque view of the sun lowering past the horizon. Operating since 1881, this lighthouse has become a historic landmark in its own right, and it’s one of our favorite sunset spots in Seattle.
📍 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
9. Ella Bailey Park
A hidden gem of a park in Seattle, Ella Bailey Park in Magnolia has one of the best views in Seattle that many people don’t know about. You can see the entire city skyline, including the Space Needle, as well as Elliott Bay and Mount Rainier in the distance. After sunset it’s a real treat to watch the city glittering at dusk.
📍 2601 W Smith St, Seattle, WA 98199
10. Sunset Hill Park
The appropriately-named Sunset Hill Park in Ballard looks out over Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. You’ll often find a small crowd of people here having a picnic and enjoying the sunset view. This little pocket park is so beautiful people have even chosen to get married here.
📍 7531 34th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117
[Featured Image Source: Unsplash]