Roberta Aguirre
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is located in a region called Seattle Southside, which is made up of three unique cities. The airport itself offers plenty of things to do, including live music, local artisan shops, and good food. However, if you're looking to explore the surrounding area, there are several options for things to do and see. For those who enjoy nature, the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a perfect escape from the airport, located just minutes north of the terminal and free to access. For those interested in museums, The Museum of Flight in Tukwila, Washington, is the largest private, non-profit air and space museum in the area. If you're looking for dining options, Seattle Southside offers world-class shopping, unique restaurants, and family-friendly activities. Pike Place Market is a popular destination, known for its homemade and local goods, and there are also beloved restaurants such as 13 Coins and Dick's Drive-In located nearby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transport | Light rail, taxi, train, Uber, Link transit |
| Attractions | Westfield Southcenter Mall, Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, Museum of Flight, Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, Waterfront, University Street station |
| Amenities | Charging stations, children's play area, restaurants, shops, hotels, conference centers, fitness areas, pools |
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What You'll Learn
Explore the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
If you're looking for a peaceful escape from the busy airport corridors, look no further than the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, just minutes north of the terminal. This botanical garden is the perfect spot to relax and unwind amidst nature's beauty. With free entry and open daily from dawn to dusk, excluding federal holidays, it's a hidden gem for travellers seeking a tranquil escape.
The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden spans across eleven acres, boasting a diverse collection of nine gardens, each with its own unique charm. Among these, the Seike Japanese Garden stands out as a serene oasis, offering a peaceful atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. The garden was created through the dedicated efforts of volunteers, the City of SeaTac, and the Port of Seattle, who came together to preserve two important gardens threatened by the airport's proposed third runway. Their efforts resulted in the relocation of thousands of plants to the North SeaTac Park, ensuring the survival of these horticultural treasures.
As you stroll through the garden, you'll discover an array of community growing spaces gifted by local organisations, including the Puget Sound Daylily Club, the Puget Sound Fuchsia Society, the King County Iris Society, and the Seattle Rose Society. Each garden showcases a variety of plant species, with over 100 in total across the entire botanical garden. From lush greenery to vibrant floral displays, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden also provides the perfect setting for special events and milestones. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, the garden offers a unique and memorable backdrop for your special occasion. The annual plant sale is also a highlight, where you can purchase beautiful plants propagated right in the garden while enjoying live music in the Celebration Rose Garden. So, whether you're a nature enthusiast, a plant lover, or simply seeking a quiet retreat, the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a must-visit destination during your time at SeaTac Airport.
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Visit the Museum of Flight
If you're looking for something to do around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), why not visit the Museum of Flight? Located just 7-8 miles south of Seattle, it is the world's largest private air and space museum.
The Museum of Flight is a great option if you have a few hours to spare between flights. With free parking, free luggage storage, and certain days of the month offering free entry, it is a convenient and affordable choice for those passing through the city. The museum is also easily accessible by rental car, taxi, or light rail.
The museum offers a wealth of aviation history, with over 150 aircraft in its collection. This includes the first flight-worthy B747, the first presidential jet, the world's first jet airliner, and the Concorde. You can even walk the aisle of JFK's Air Force One! The museum also boasts a Space Gallery, showcasing the evolution of spaceflight, and the Personal Courage Wing, featuring 28 World War I and World War II aircraft.
The Museum of Flight provides a range of interactive and exciting experiences, such as flight simulators, allowing you to barrel roll a Mustang or soar over Puget Sound. You can also explore the history of aviation through their hands-on exhibits, docent tours, and short movies. The museum caters to all ages, with an assortment of air and space-themed gifts available in their gift shop.
With its proximity to the airport, fascinating exhibits, and engaging activities, the Museum of Flight is an excellent choice for those seeking a unique and educational experience during their time in Seattle.
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Try local restaurants, like 13 Coins and Dick's Drive-In
If you're looking for something to eat around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, there are plenty of options to choose from, including two of Seattle's most beloved restaurants: 13 Coins and Dick's Drive-In.
13 Coins, a Seattle institution since 1967, offers a diverse menu with something for everyone. The restaurant is known for its iconic high-backed booths and swivelling captain's chairs, providing an unforgettable dining experience. Their menu features all-day breakfast options, continental classics, and signature dishes. You can indulge in dishes like Steak David, Clam Fettuccine, and Chicken Parmigiana, or try their popular breakfast options like poached eggs with Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce. The restaurant also offers a wide range of cocktails and beverages to complement your meal.
Dick's Drive-In, a longstanding favourite among locals, has recently opened a southside spot in Kent, easily accessible from the airport. This classic American diner-style restaurant serves up fresh burgers, fries, and shakes. It's the perfect spot to grab a quick bite between flights, offering a taste of classic American cuisine.
In addition to these renowned restaurants, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and its surrounding areas offer a variety of dining options to suit different tastes and preferences. From full-service restaurants within hotels, such as the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, to eateries in the nearby Westfield Southcenter Mall, you're sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.
Whether you're a daytime dweller or a night owl, a foodie adventurer or a comfort-food seeker, the areas around SeaTac Airport have dining options to tantalise your taste buds and make your layover more enjoyable.
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Shop at the Westfield Southcenter Mall
If you're looking for a place to shop near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, look no further than the Westfield Southcenter Mall. Located in Tukwila, Washington, this mall is the largest shopping centre in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. It is conveniently located just 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle and 20 minutes north of Tacoma, providing easy access to both cities' attractions.
Westfield Southcenter offers a wide range of shopping options, from top brands to unique speciality stores. Anchor stores include Macy's, JCPenney, and Nordstrom, while other popular retailers include Abercrombie & Fitch, Apple, Aveda, bebe, Coach, Disney Store, J.Crew, H&M, Lego, lululemon athletica, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, Michael Kors, Microsoft Specialty Store, Pandora, Sephora, Swarovski, and many more.
In addition to its impressive selection of shops, Westfield Southcenter also offers a variety of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. Nationally recognised restaurants such as Bahama Breeze, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, The Cheesecake Factory, and Olive Garden are sure to satisfy any craving. For those looking for a more unique dining experience, regional favourites like Blue C Sushi, Duke's Chowder House, JOEY Southcenter, and Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar are sure to impress. And if you're short on time, the dining terrace offers stunning views of Mt. Rainier, along with a variety of fast-casual eateries like Chipotle, Panda Express, and Sarku Japan.
But Westfield Southcenter is more than just a shopping and dining destination. It also offers plenty of entertainment options for the whole family. Catch the latest blockbuster at the AMC Theatres 16-screen IMAX theatre, or enjoy a game of bowling, karaoke, billiards, ping-pong, and arcade games at Round1 Entertainment's 40,000-square-foot venue. After a long day of activities, relax and rejuvenate at the Gene Juarez Salon & Spa, a Pacific Northwest icon known for their award-winning services.
With its convenient location, diverse shopping options, delicious dining choices, and fun entertainment offerings, it's no wonder that Westfield Southcenter Mall is a popular destination for visitors to the Seattle-Tacoma area.
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Take the light rail to downtown Seattle
If you're looking for things to do around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), why not take the light rail to downtown Seattle? The light rail is a quick and easy way to get into the city, with trains departing every 8-10 minutes for most of the day. The journey from the airport to the heart of downtown Seattle takes around 38 minutes.
To get to the light rail from the airport, follow the signs from baggage claim. From baggage carousel 16 at the terminal's north end, go up one floor to the skybridge level, cross Skybridge Six, and turn left through the parking garage to reach the light rail station. A free electric shuttle service operates between the light rail station and the airport skybridge.
Once you're on the light rail, you can take it to Westlake Station in the centre of downtown Seattle. From there, you can explore the city and visit popular destinations such as Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and Pioneer Square. If you're looking for dining options, Cafe Campagne in Pike Place Market and Dick's Drive-In in Kent are popular choices.
Keep in mind that Sea-Tac security lines can be long, so schedule accordingly. Taking the light rail to downtown will take up a significant portion of a layover, especially with the time needed to get through security again, and there have been reports of consistent delays on the light rail. However, the light rail is still a convenient and affordable option, especially during rush hour when it is more reliable than driving in terms of transit time.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have a long layover at SeaTac, you can leave your luggage in storage and head to the Westfield Southcenter Mall, which is just a 10-minute taxi ride away. There, you can enjoy a range of services and facilities, including a spa, restaurants, and shops. Alternatively, you can visit the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, which is beautiful all year round, or The Museum of Flight, which is a 20-minute drive from the airport.
Yes, there are airport lounges at SeaTac Airport. The Alaska Lounge has been rated as one of the best things to do in SeaTac.
SeaTac Airport has a Children's Play Area located near gates A1 and D25. There is also a range of family-friendly restaurants and shops at the Westfield Southcenter Mall, which is a quick taxi ride away.
You can take the light rail from the airport to downtown Seattle, which takes around 35-40 minutes. Once there, you can visit Pike Place Market, which has a wide variety of local vendors and is located near the waterfront.
Yes, you can visit the Des Moines Beach Park and the Des Moines waterfront area, which is just south of the airport. It features a range of restaurants and shops, including Auntie Irene's Coffee Shop and Anthony's HomePort, a seafood restaurant.
