6 Unique & Quirky Things to Do in Seattle

You’ve just landed in the Emerald City and realized there’s no yellow brick road or flying monkeys in sight. Or maybe you’ve been here a few times already, checked off all the traditional tourist spots, and are ready for something a little more… out of the ordinary.

Luckily, some of Seattle’s landmarks are just as surreal as Oz, and they’re waiting to be explored. After renting a car from the airport – a convenient option that gives you the freedom to explore on your own schedule – it’s time to get into the weird and wonderful side of the city. 

This city’s got plenty of surprises that’ll leave you saying, “There’s no place like this!”

Unique & Quirky Things to Do & See in Seattle 

Now, we’re not going to mention the Space Needle or anything else conventional today. Instead, here are some of Seattle’s more obscure, offbeat gems that you won’t find on your typical travel itinerary:

1. Explore the Hidden Seattle Underground Tunnels

Did you know there’s a whole city buried beneath Seattle? Yep, you read that right. When the city was founded in 1851, it was basically a soggy mess. High tides kept backing up the drains, making the place super-smelly and pretty dangerous for its residents. 

40 years later, the Great Seattle Fire wiped most of it out. Now, instead of rebuilding on the ruins, they just built a new city on top of the old one. And just like that, underground Seattle was born. 

Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour is your chance to explore this hidden world. You’ll get up close with buried sidewalks and storefronts and your guide will spill the hilarious stories the city’s founders didn’t want you to hear. 

2. Stick Around at the Market Theater Gum Wall

Down a quiet alley in Pike Place Market lies an unexpected masterpiece: The Gum Wall. 

It’s exactly what it sounds like, an entire wall covered in chewed-up gum. Gross? Kind of. But is a completely cool and unique mural worth visiting? We think so.

This display started in the 90s when local performers and visitors began sticking their used gum to the brick wall. Fast forward a few decades, and it’s become a vibrant, colorful mess of gum that stretches for what seems like forever down Post Alley.

To find it, just head to the left of Pike Place Market’s iconic clock sign, then take a ramp down into Post Alley. Veer left, and you’ll be face-to-face with the sticky masterpiece.

3. Laugh Your Way Through the Official Bad Art Museum of Art

Do you love great art? Maybe you’re a fan of Picasso’s Girl Before a Mirror. Or perhaps Klimt’s The Kiss is your idea of a true masterpiece? 

Well, if you consider yourself a bit of an art appreciator, Seattle has some fantastic museums and galleries, like the Seattle Art Museum and the Henry Art Gallery. We know art is subjective, but visit one of these, and we can guarantee you’ll find some brilliant pieces.

What we can also guarantee is that there’s one place in Seattle where you’ll find art that’s so undeniably terrible, that it’ll have you cringing. We are, of course, talking about The Official Bad Art Museum of Art, where “bad” art is the main attraction. 

Forget elegance or refinement. Here, you’ll find black velvet paintings, paint-by-numbers, children with overly large eyes, and of course, dogs playing poker. 

Admission is totally free, but you can grab a burger and a beer to support the venue. 

4. Meet a Troll Under a Bridge at Fremont

As kids, we were all warned about the trolls hiding under bridges. Well, Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood is putting a whole new spin on that childhood tale. Instead of avoiding trolls, you can actually meet one under the Aurora Bridge. 

This isn’t your average under-the-bridge creature, though. Fremont’s Troll is an 18-foot, concrete giant with a crushed car in his hand (talk about a strong grip). It’s outlandish, it’s wonderful, and it’s exactly the kind of unique Seattle attraction you’ll want to snap a selfie with. So the next time you’re near the bridge, be sure to say “hi” to Seattle’s resident troll. You might not get any riddles, but you will get a great photo op!

5. Get Weird at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

What do you get when you mix a lifelong obsession with oddities, a third-grade book prize, and over 100 years of family dedication? The Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. 

Back in 1899, Joseph Standley opened this little slice of strange to house his ever-growing collection of bizarre treasures. Apparently, winning Wonders of Nature for having the neatest desk in class sparked something big. Four generations later, the shop is still crammed with everything from shrunken heads to narwhal tusks, proving that weird never goes out of style.

Once inside, it’s hard to know where to look first. There’s Medical Ed, a preserved cadaver head that opens like the creepiest pop-up book ever. A three-tusked walrus skull. Oh, and let’s not forget Sylvia and Sylvester, the two mummies propped up in glass cases, stealing the show. 

Located on Pier 54, this is a delightful little detour from Seattle’s usual attractions. 

6. Sip Coffee with Cats at the Meowtropolitan Cat Cafe

Finally, spend the purr-fect afternoon at Seattle’s Meowtropolitan Cat Cafe. Located at 1225 N 45th St, this cozy haven is a sanctuary for cat lovers and caffeine enthusiasts alike. 

Imagine yourself now, warm latte in hand, surrounded by adorable, adoptable cats who are just as curious about you as you are about them. You can pet, play, or simply observe, all while getting some much-needed feline therapy. 

All the cats here are rescues, waiting for their forever homes. So as you’re sipping your favorite caffeinated drink, you might just meet your new best friend. Even if you’re just stopping by, your visit helps support these whiskered residents and the amazing work the cafe does for Seattle’s feline community.

Let Seattle’s Quirky Side Be Your Guide

That’s it, our little oddballs. Our complete list of strange and unique things to do in Seattle. We hope we’ve shown you that, beyond the coffee scene and grey skies, this city has a personality as colorful as the Gum Wall.

So, whether you’re laughing at bad art, wandering underground, or meeting a troll under a bridge, let Seattle’s unusual side be your guide. 

Now go forth and get your quirk on!

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