About as scenic as cities come, Seattle is truly a Pacific Northwest haven. This gem situated on the shores of Puget Sound is loaded with enough indoor and outdoor activities to satisfy any visitor. The next time you find yourself with a few spare hours in the Emerald City, here are five things we think are worth checking out.

One of the newest additions to Seattle’s art scene, this three-story contemporary art space (previously a mid-century medical building) is complete with formal exhibition spaces, rotating galleries and even a theater. The museum is bolstering Seattle’s local artist community by exhibiting their work and educating the public on the role of the artist, philanthropist and collector.

You don’t have to leave city limits to experience this urban escape. Located in the Magnolia neighborhood, a full twelve miles of walking trails take visitors through this park’s serene terrain dotted with open fields and incredible views of the waterfront at every turn.

This indie bookstore leaves traditional texts to its peers. Instead, it specializes in graphic novels, comics and zines that are often difficult to get anywhere else. Plus, the store acts as the physical face of its own publishing imprint, which has been in operation since 1976.

Founded by Japanese-American gardener, Fujitaro Kubota (who also landscaped the Seattle University campus), in 1927, the Kubota Garden is 20 acres of lush, manicured greenery. Kubota designed the garden in a traditional Japanese style while still showcasing plant life native to the Seattle region. It’s complete with charming koi ponds and lacquered red bridges reminiscent of those you’d stumble across in the Japanese countryside.

What began as Seattle’s only Native American-owned food truck from co-founders Mark McConnell and Cecilia Rikard became a full-scale restaurant in 2019. The entrepreneurs serve up food based on dishes by Mark's mother (who grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana), including frybread and Indian tacos. You can still enjoy these dishes to go, but consider taking a seat and relishing them in the cafe.