The Best Photo Spots in Seattle (And Where I’ve Taken Some of My Favorite Shots)
Seattle’s got this vibe—moody skies, water everywhere, mountain backdrops, neon signs glowing on rainy nights. If you’ve got a camera and some time to explore, there’s no shortage of places to shoot. Over the years, I’ve taken a ton of photos all around the city. Some spots are classics. Others are tucked away and easy to miss unless you live here or get lucky. In this post, I’ll break down my favorite photo spots in Seattle, why I love them, and a few tips on how to get the best shots—plus where I’ve taken some of my favorite images around the city.
1. Kerry Park – The Iconic View
If you're shooting Seattle for the first time, you’ve gotta start here. It’s classic for a reason. That straight-on shot of the skyline with the Space Needle right in the middle—and Mount Rainier on a clear day? Magic.
Best time to shoot: Blue hour or sunrise when the light’s soft and the city’s waking up.
My favorite shot: I caught the Space Needle glowing under a foggy purple sky one spring night. Still one of my favorites.
Tip: Bring a longer lens (70-200mm range) to compress the skyline and make Mt. Rainier feel bigger in the frame.
2. Pike Place Market – Pure Seattle Energy
Pike Place is nonstop. Neon lights, seafood vendors yelling, tourists spinning around with umbrellas. It’s gritty and colorful all at once. Great for street photography and low-light shots.
Favorite photo: A candid shot of a fishmonger tossing salmon mid-air while the crowd gasped behind him.
Photo idea: Get there early before it opens for those empty-street vibes or go at golden hour for the warm market glow.
Pro tip: Look for reflections in puddles or windows. Rain makes this place even better.
3. Discovery Park – Nature Meets City
This park is HUGE and full of surprises. You’ve got wooded trails, open meadows, beaches, and lighthouse views—all with the Olympic Mountains in the background.
Best photo spot: The bluff trail. Wide views of Puget Sound and perfect sunset light.
When I go: Usually a chill Sunday afternoon or golden hour after work.
My go-to lens: 24-70mm or a wide prime like 35mm.
Bonus: The West Point Lighthouse at low tide gives serious Pacific Northwest vibes.
4. Gas Works Park – Industrial Meets Skyline
Gas Works feels like Seattle’s version of a post-apocalyptic playground. Old rusted machinery meets grassy hills with epic skyline views. The contrast is perfect.
Favorite shot: A long exposure at night with reflections of the city in Lake Union.
Composition tip: Frame the skyline through the structures for something different.
Best time to shoot: Golden hour into blue hour. Catch the seaplanes flying overhead too.
5. The Seattle Waterfront + Great Wheel
Sunset on the waterfront hits different. Between the ferries pulling in, the glowing Great Wheel, and the salty breeze, it’s a spot that just feels alive.
Best view: From the rooftop of the Bell Street Pier or down by Miner’s Landing.
When I shot it: After a long walk downtown. Caught reflections of the Great Wheel lights in a puddle. That photo went kind of crazy on Instagram.
Try this: Slow your shutter speed to catch movement in the ferris wheel or water ripples.
6. UW Quad – Cherry Blossom Heaven
In spring, the cherry blossoms explode here. Everyone knows it. Everyone shows up for it. But you can still get unique shots if you’re patient.
Gear tip: Go light. A prime lens like 35mm or 50mm is all you need.
Timing: Super early morning or a cloudy weekday to avoid crowds.
Favorite shot: A backlit blossom close-up with students walking in the distance—totally unplanned but it just felt right.
7. Smith Tower – Old School Views
Forget the Space Needle for a second—Smith Tower’s got charm and a better vibe in my opinion. Plus, fewer crowds and an amazing open-air view of Pioneer Square and the waterfront.
Go for: Sunset with a cocktail from the observatory bar.
Pro move: Shoot down toward the streets for leading lines and shadows.
One of my favs: I took a black and white from up here that looks straight out of a 1950s noir film.
8. Capitol Hill – Colors, Neon, and Culture
This is where I go when I want photos with texture and attitude. Murals, cool old signs, nightlife energy. It’s a whole different look from the polished skyline stuff.
Shoot here: At night with neon lights or during golden hour when the brick buildings glow.
Photo vibe: Urban portraits, street photography, colorful storefronts.
Best lens: 35mm for that up-close feel.
9. Alki Beach – Chill West Seattle Views
Alki gives you that wide skyline view from across the bay. It’s a slower pace, more open space, and a great spot for skyline reflections at sunset.
How I shoot it: I like long exposures with an ND filter to smooth the water.
Favorite shot: Fire-lit beachgoers in the foreground, city lights behind them.
Pro tip: Use the path or seawall as a leading line in your frame.
10. The Fremont Troll & Aurora Bridge
Okay, it’s a little touristy—but it’s weird and fun. The Fremont Troll is a Seattle classic, and shooting under the Aurora Bridge has an eerie, moody tone that’s perfect for black and white.
Shoot ideas: Portrait sessions, dramatic lighting, wide-angle weirdness.
Favorite edit: A moody edit of the bridge columns fading into the fog.
Final Thoughts
Seattle is wild because you can shoot an urban skyline, a foggy forest, and a neon-lit street—all within the same day. These spots are just a starting point. What makes each of them special is the way you see them. So take your time. Find the light. And make the shot yours.
