New attractions, new hotels and immersion in the natural world: all this and more awaits visitors to Seattle in 2024.

Here’s part 2 of Visit Seattle’s roundup of just some of the top draws for travellers this year.

FIND THE TROLLS

Acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo created an ambitious public art project titled ‘Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King’. The publicly accessible sculptures are located around the Pacific Northwest (two in Seattle, with five total in Western Washington). https://www.nwtrolls.org/

EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH SEATTLE’S FOOD SCENE
Three Seattle area restaurants were named in The New York Times’ 2023 Restaurants List: LTD Edition Sushi, Seabird, and Canlis. Notable restaurant openings in 2023 include Driftwood and Darkalino’s. Don’t sleep on Seattle’s emerging bagel scene either, with spots like Old Salt Fish and Bagels, Oxbow and Mt. Bagel. For details on Seattle food tours check out https://visitseattle.org/food-drink/food-tours/.

SEATTLE AQUARIUM’S NEW OCEAN PAVILION
Anticipated to be completed in summer 2024, the Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion shares the story that we have the power to save our oceans. Visitors will be able to witness the exquisite biodiversity of a reef ecosystem in the Coral Triangle – coming face-to-face with sharks, rays, schooling fish, mangroves, seagrasses and nearly 30 species of coral. https://www.seattleaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/campus/ocean-pavilion/

SEE SALMON AT THE LOCKS

From July through November, witness three species of Pacific Salmon passing through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, also known as the Ballard Locks. See hundreds of salmon per day through huge glass windows at the fish ladder as they return upriver to spawn. Get up close and personal with the Ballard Locks with Argosy Cruises: https://www.argosycruises.com/argosy-cruises/locks-cruise-2/.

DISCOVER THREE NATIONAL PARKS

Three national parks – Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park – are within driving distance of Seattle. Don’t forget to stop in the small towns around the Parks for a bite or a local beer after your day in nature. https://visitseattle.org/things-to-do/outdoors/national-parks/ (and for tour info with Evergreen Escapes, see https://www.evergreenescapes.com/)

BIG YEAR FOR FAIRMONT OLYMPIC HOTEL 

Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle recently underwent a US$25 million renovation just in time to celebrate its 100th anniversary in December 2024. First opened in 1924, the hotel has revamped its social spaces including a re-design of its lobby, bar, restaurant, and meeting spaces. There’s also a new American-style brasserie called The George. https://www.fairmont.com/seattle/

A NEW PLACE TO STAY: HOTEL WESTLAND

Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighbourhood is getting a new hotel in 2024. Located in RailSpur, a sustainable micro-district that includes three historic warehouse buildings, the hotel will include 120 guestrooms and suites, signature indoor and outdoor restaurant and a rooftop bar. Hotel Westland is anticipated to be one of the most sustainable hotel openings in the U.S and only the second hotel in the country to be ‘carbon-positive.’ https://railspurseattle.com/hotel/

For part 1 of Travelweek’s look at top draws in Seattle for 2024, click here. Travel tips and more can be found at VisitSeattle.org.