Seattle, Washington is a beautiful place with some amazing tourist and non-tourist attractions that are sure to wow any visitors to the city, whether they’re just coming up from Portland, Oregon, across the country, or across the Pacific. If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, here are some must-see attractions that you should check out while you’re in town.

Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Market has been attracting farmers, craft-makers, small businesses, locals and tourists alike for more than a century. Nestled in the Seattle’s Historic District near Elliot Bay, Pike Place Market houses a gathering of fresh local produce and products, amazing and locally handcrafted works of art and goods, an array of independent small businesses like bookstores and magic shops, specialty foods and stalls of seafood, and even restaurants and bars. Pike Place Market is open year-round, with the exception of Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Thanksgiving Day.

The Market isn’t just for shopping and eating, though. Pike Place also offers cooking classes and tasting courses, too. Whether you visit the market for a bite to eat, to buy some local goods, or just for strolling and experiencing the Seattle culture, Pike Place is definitely a must-see.

 The Space Needle

Perhaps the most famous Seattle landmark is the Space Needle. By taking a trip to the Space Needle, visitors have access to a 360-degree panoramic view of the city at a height of 520 feet. The view offers a look at Elliot Bay, downtown Seattle, Mt. Rainier, and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. The Space Needle is open 7 days a week 365 days a year, so there’s no excuse not to take a visit. You can even grab brunch, lunch, or dinner at the Space Needle’s rotating SkyCity Restaurant.

Seattle Aquarium

Unfortunately, Seattle is known for its rain. Rainy weather doesn’t have to end the fun though, with awesome indoor activities such as the Seattle Aquarium waiting to be explored. The Seattle Aquarium has daily activities for kids, and offers exciting exhibits that will entertain children and adults alike. You can touch sea life in one of the touch pools, watch a dive show, or even do some bird watching. The aquarium is open from 9:30am-5:00pm daily, and adult tickets are $21.95. Children’s tickets are $14.95.

The Original Starbucks

If you’re a Starbucks fanatic, then you’ll have to take a visit to the historic downtown district to order your favorite coffee drink at the original Starbucks. Opened in 1971, this Starbucks is known to be packed and busy, so plan on waiting a bit before getting your drink. The wait will be worth it, though!

 Seattle Great Wheel

For over 30 years, businessman Hal Griffith dreamed of building a Ferris wheel on one of Seattle’s piers. In June of 2012, this dream became a reality when the giant wheel opened to the public. Standing 175 feet tall, the Seattle Great Wheel is the largest Ferris wheel on the west coast. The wheel actually extends 40 feet over the pier, making it the perfect activity for both observation and a bit of a thrill. Even if it’s raining, you can still go for a spin on this wheel, as all of the gondolas are enclosed. If you want a great view of the pier and to do something out of the ordinary, the Seattle Great Wheel is a must-do activity.