Overlook Walk at Seattle’s waterfront. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)
1 of 2 | Overlook Walk at Seattle’s waterfront. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)
By
Ryan Nguyen
Seattle Times news producer
Seattle’s revitalized waterfront is finally here.
The new $806 million Waterfront Park has slowly opened over the course of a year, but it’s been decades in the making. Overlook Walk, which the city has called its next landmark, connects Pike Place Market, the center of downtown, various businesses and neighborhoods — all with a stunning view of Elliott Bay.
There’s plenty of great food, art, history and outdoor recreation to experience, too. Tourists and longtime locals alike can find one of the city’s most underrated happy hours, a promenade featuring public art from more than a dozen artists, a major new bike path, even porch swings and more. Use this guide to make the most of Seattle’s biggest new attraction.
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A walking tour of Seattle’s waterfront
The view encompasses the natural and the industrial: stadiums, a ghostly Mount Rainier, cranes, a Ferris wheel, greenery, water. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times)
The view encompasses the natural and the industrial: stadiums, a ghostly Mount Rainier, cranes, a Ferris wheel, greenery, water. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times)
- Overlook Walk: A revitalization of the waterfront has done more than transform the city’s downtown core. What do you mean it wasn’t always like this?
- Visual guide: Get a seagull’s-eye-view of all of the waterfront’s new features with our illustrated visual guide of each attraction you need to visit, including a new jellyfish-inspired playground, a public space for live music and the new segment of the Elliott Bay Trail.
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Where to eat on Seattle’s waterfront
Pub 70 offers a nice break from the sun and crowds at quieter, northerly Pier 70, along the downtown waterfront. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)
Pub 70 offers a nice break from the sun and crowds at quieter, northerly Pier 70, along the downtown waterfront. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)
- Restaurants: The waterfront offers plenty of restaurants with excellent views of Elliott Bay. And there are several spots on the water with great food, even if you have to jostle for space with tourists. Here’s where to eat if you’re looking to stick around the waterfront.
- Critics’ picks: Willing to walk a few blocks away from the waterfront for the best food? Our food team recommended six places to grab a bite or drink nearby.
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Things to do on Seattle’s waterfront
Buster Simpson’s artwork “Anthropomorphic Dolos,” which can double as seating across from Habitat Beach, in the background, and along the Seattle Waterfront Park promenade. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)
Buster Simpson’s artwork “Anthropomorphic Dolos,” which can double as seating across from Habitat Beach, in the background, and along the Seattle Waterfront Park promenade. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)
- Public art: Take a walk along the Waterfront Park promenade, and you’ll encounter works from more than a dozen artists. They encompass artistic traditions from local Native American tribes, graceful steel sculptures, playful takes on utilitarian coastal protection structures and much more.
- Itineraries: Got two hours? Or four, six or eight? Here are the best itineraries for each of those schedules — or mix and match — for a perfect day on the waterfront, from the tourist’s do-not-miss experience to an all-day on-the-water adventure.
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How to park and get around Seattle’s waterfront
People walk aboard a passenger ferry at Seattle’s Pier 50. There are several ferry and water taxi options on the waterfront. (Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times)
People walk aboard a passenger ferry at Seattle’s Pier 50. There are several ferry and water taxi options on the waterfront. (Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times)
- Transportation: From boats and buses to walking and biking, here’s how to reach and move around the waterfront. Plus, where to find parking, elevators and restrooms.
- Bike path: Interested in seeing the Seattle waterfront on two wheels? Bicyclists are in luck: Soon, you’ll be able to bike from Alki Beach in West Seattle, through the waterfront, all the way to Smith Cove.
- Cruises: The cruise industry has made a major comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Seattle is expecting an uptick in the number of ships passing through the port, and cruise passengers will find new delights in the waterfront.
- Security: To keep Waterfront Park safe, clean and accessible, the city is using a four-tiered “humanistic” approach.
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History of Seattle’s waterfront
Native people camp with canoes at Ballast Island, at the foot of Washington Street in Seattle, circa 1890. (Family papers of David Thomas Denny II / MOHAI)
Native people camp with canoes at Ballast Island, at the foot of Washington Street in Seattle, circa 1890. (Family papers of David Thomas Denny II / MOHAI)
- History: The story of the waterfront goes back centuries. To understand Seattle’s past and present — what makes this city special and why — you have to understand the history of the downtown waterfront and its politics.
- Movies: If you love movies, you likely cherish those made in Seattle, and about 100 depict our waterfront. By diving into physical media and online streaming, we can enjoy a cinematic view of the waterfront, including the first Seattle-made feature film.
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2025 Seattle Waterfront Guide
It used to be a highway. Now it’s Seattle’s new ‘front porch’
Seattle’s new Waterfront Park has transformed the city’s downtown core. Our writer takes us through one of Seattle’s best free, easy-to-find views of the city.
Seattle’s new downtown waterfront: A visual guide
Seattle’s downtown waterfront experience has dramatically improved. Here’s a guide to Overlook Walk, waterfront restaurants, piers and its newest features.
Seattle waterfront restaurants: Where to eat seafood, desserts and more
Imagine you’re exploring the revamped Seattle waterfront when hunger strikes. Where should you eat? Here’s a refresher on the restaurants open around the piers.
Six of the best restaurants near Seattle’s revamped waterfront, picked by our food team
As Seattle debuts a revamped waterfront this summer, we asked our food critics to name their favorite places to grab a bite or drink near Elliott Bay.
Seattle’s Waterfront Park art includes spectacular new works
New works by more than a dozen artists, along with a couple of restored old favorites, line Seattle’s renewed waterfront. Here’s what you’ll find.
The best Seattle waterfront itinerary for any schedule
Got two hours? Or four, six or eight? Here are itineraries for each of those timeframes — or mix and match — for a perfect day on the waterfront.
Where to find restrooms, parking and more at Seattle’s waterfront
From boats and buses to walking and biking, here’s how best to reach and move around the waterfront. Plus, where to find parking, elevators and restrooms.
Bike path on Seattle waterfront is missing piece to city puzzle
Seattle’s revamped waterfront includes a 1.2-mile stretch of safe, protected bicycle lanes, a key link in the city’s growing bike network.
Why the Seattle waterfront is a cherry on top for cruise line passengers
Seattle is expecting 298 cruise ships to pass through the port this year, up 8% from last year. Passengers will get to experience the city’s new waterfront.
How Seattle is working to keep Waterfront Park safe
Public safety, maintenance and programming are guiding principles for ensuring the 2-mile-long pedestrian promenade and event space along Elliott Bay is safe, clean and accessible.
How an earthquake and a political storm shaped Seattle’s new waterfront
The 2001 Nisqually earthquake shook for under a minute but triggered decades of political aftershocks that led Seattle to where it is today.
The ghosts of Seattle’s reinvented waterfront
To understand Seattle’s past and present — what makes this city special and why — you have to understand the story of the downtown waterfront.