Quick Summary:

  • What is the Puget Sound?
    • The Puget Sound is a large body of water that lies east of the Admiralty Inlet, where its ocean waters reach nearly 50 miles inland from the Pacific Coast.
  • What makes the Puget Sound unique?
    • The waterway is an intricate and complex system of inlets, channels, embayments, estuaries, and scenic islands.
  • What can visitors experience at Puget Sound?
    • The Puget Sound provides visitors with access to the Pacific Northwest’s majestic side, where whale and eagle sightings are frequent. On clear days, Mount Baker, the Olympic Range, and Mount Rainier add to the wonderful panoramic views of the sea and sky.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Vashon Island ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Romantic Islands
Vashon Island | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Benedictus/stock.adobe.com

2. Tillicum Village ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tillicum Village | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Pedro/stock.adobe.com

3. The Museum of Flight

Category: Museums & Culture
The Museum of Flight | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© followbobbriggs/stock.adobe.com

4. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

Category: Activities
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© CLShebley/stock.adobe.com

5. The Bloedel Reserve

Category: Activities
The Bloedel Reserve | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© The Bloedel Reserve

6. Space Needle

Space Needle | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Hari/stock.adobe.com

7. Smith Tower

Smith Tower | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© dendron/stock.adobe.com

8. Seattle Great Wheel

Seattle Great Wheel | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© CascadeCreatives/stock.adobe.com

9. Seattle Art Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Seattle Art Museum | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Anthony Torres/stock.adobe.com

10. Seattle Aquarium

Category: Attractions
Seattle Aquarium | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Cliff/stock.adobe.com

11. Explore San Juan Islands

Romantic Islands
Explore San Juan Islands | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Jeff McGraw/stock.adobe.com

12. See the animals at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Category: Kids & Family
See the animals at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Gregory Johnston/stock.adobe.com

13. Visit the affordable Pike Place Market

Category: Shopping
Visit the affordable Pike Place Market | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Scottiebumich/stock.adobe.com

14. Take the kids to the Pacific Science Center

Category: Kids & Family
Take the kids to the Pacific Science Center | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

15. Stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park

Category: Activities
Stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© khomlyak/stock.adobe.com

16. Visit the Museum of Pop Culture

Category: Museums & Culture
Visit the Museum of Pop Culture | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

17. Take a tour of the Boeing Future of Flight

Tours
Take a tour of the Boeing Future of Flight | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Boeing Future of Flight

18. Learn about history at Fort Worden Historical State Park

Category: Activities
Learn about history at Fort Worden Historical State Park | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

19. See the iconic landmarks of Elliott Bay

See the iconic landmarks of Elliott Bay | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Jo Ann Snover/stock.adobe.com

20. Visit Seattle’s largest public park, Discovery Park

Category: Activities
Visit Seattle’s largest public park, Discovery Park | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Melastmohican/stock.adobe.com

21. Admire the view from Deception Pass

Admire the view from  Deception Pass | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© openrangestock/stock.adobe.com

22. Admire the art at Chihuly Garden and Glass

Category: Activities
Admire the art at Chihuly Garden and Glass | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Dana/stock.adobe.com

23. Plan a weekend getaway to Blake Island

Romantic Islands
Plan a weekend getaway to Blake Island | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© David Webber/stock.adobe.com

24. Take a a short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island

Category: Activities
Take a a short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

25. Wing Luke Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Wing Luke Museum | Places to Visit in Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest)
© lukejiang/stock.adobe.com

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