1. The Waterfall Garden
Tucked away amid office buildings and gorgeous murals, this Pioneer square oasis is a must-see.
2. The Freeway Park
Geometric sculpture, lush green lawns—what’s not to love?
3. The Arboretum
Visit the Japanese Garden in autumn for maximum effect, but these botanical gardens are beautiful all year round.
4. Pike Place Market
Cliche, yes, touristy, yes, but so photogenic.
5. Columbia Tower Skyview Observatory
Tickets to the 73rd floor cost $14.25, but you can also hop off at the 40th floor Starbucks and get a cityscape panorama for the price of a small coffee.
6. The Seattle Art Museum
Whatever exhibits are on display, you know you can always get an artsy picture of the lobby’s permanent installation.
7. Golden Gardens
This place is known for its sunset shots—grab some friends and your camera and go have a bonfire!
8. Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room
Not only does it serve exclusive drinks, the gorgeous retail displays, wood detailing, and copper roasting machinery make for beautiful photos.
9. The Black Sun Sculpture
From just the right angle, you can get a Space Needle cameo through the center hole.
10. Volunteer Park Conservatory
While you’re on Capitol Hill, take a right and explore the dozens of cacti and tropical plants in this gorgeous Art Deco building.
11. A Washington State Ferry
Not just for commuters, hop a ferry down at the waterfront and enjoy the best skyline view in the city. The prime photo opportunity is when you catch a glimpse of another ferry headed the opposite way—no wonder Derek Shepherd loved these boats so much on Grey’s Anatomy.
12. The Chihuly Sculptures at Benaroya Hall
Jump off the bus at University Street Station and enjoy some of Chihuly’s most gorgeous blown glass in downtown – for free! The sculptures hang in the Boeing Gallery at Benaroya, which is free and open to the public.
13. McCaw Hall
The ever-changing light show outside is almost as beautiful as the ballets and operas the hall is known for.
14. The Seattle Aquarium
After visiting the underwater dome, make sure you don’t miss the sea otters on your way out.
15. The Great Wheel
The Aquarium pier is the perfect angle from which to catch the Great Wheel against the waterfront and sky.
16. Miner’s Landing Carousel
Pier 57, just a few moments’ walk from the aquarium, holds one of Seattle’s best kept (and most photogenic) secrets: an elaborately carved old-school wooden carousel.
17. The Seattle Public Library
Head over at sunset to catch the mirrored exterior lit up with color.
18. The Museum of Pop Culture
Right in Seattle Center, the MoPOP’s prime location and iridescent glow make it perfect for photoshoots. If you get the angle just right, you can get the Space Needle (or its shadow) in your shot, too.
19. Gasworks Park
Kite-fliers, paddleboarders, sailboats, sunbathers, and seagulls love this spot—and if you’re lucky, you might see people practicing with aerial silk in the summer.
20. The Capitol Hill Rainbow Crosswalks
Vibrant, quirky, and oh so Seattle.
21. The Woodland Park Rose Garden
From May to August, this garden overflows with blooms and may just be the most fragrant spot in town.
22. Drumheller Fountain
+5 bonus points for ducks, +10 if Mount Rainier is in the background.
23. Suzzallo Graduate Reading Room
Possibly the most Instagrammed place on campus. Do you really go to UW if you don’t have at least one photo of “The Harry Potter Room” on your instafeed?
24. The Sylvan Grove
Each column stands for a key UW value: loyalty, industry, faith, and efficiency. You touch one at freshman orientation, then go back to touch it one last time at graduation.
25. Cherry Blossoms in the Quad
i.e. that one week spring quarter where your whole Instagram feed looks the same, but you can’t even be mad.