10 Things to Do in Seattle When it Rains

Seattle Aquarium lets you walk on the bottom of the sea with a 360-degree dome beneath a 400,000-gallon tank filled with undersea life, including a giant octopus. You can see a moon jellyfish ring glowing in the dark waters, visit the seal and otter exhibits, where these lovely and adorable creatures will melt your heart, and see the puffin exhibit.

The aquarium is located right on the Seattle waterfront, just a few minutes from the center of town, and offers indoor and outdoor exhibits. If the weather breaks, you can head aboveground to enjoy the outdoor fun, too.

The Paramount Theatre is a historic building and local staple offering ornate architecture, elegant decor, and live entertainment ranging from stand-up comedy to musicals and concerts. This is an iconic theater that has thrilled audiences since 1928, and its opulent magnificence is still impressive. Here, you can see everything from the biggest bands and legendary stand-up comics to magic shows and every other form of live entertainment imaginable.

The Paramount Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Seattle. Ticket prices and showtimes vary based on the acts on offer at any given time, but whoever is performing, it's worth it just to see the luxurious interior of the place.

The Museum of Pop Culture offers a look at all things popular culture, from movies and music to TV, video games, and other things that form our culture every day. You'll get to see one of Jimi Hendrix's guitars and explore memorabilia from famed heavy metal, rock, and grunge bands. You can see props and costumes from beloved science fiction and fantasy TV series and learn all about horror films of days gone by.

The museum, which is laid out to resemble a smashed guitar, is a quirky and unique place to spend a rainy day. It's located in the heart of downtown, just 6 minutes from the center of the city.

The Volunteer Park Conservatory is a century-old greenhouse boasting a world-class collection of native and exotic botanicals and a water tower that offers panoramic views of the city. The Conservatory is a stunning sight to behold, as it's made of over 3,400 individual glass panes.

During breaks from the rain, the water tower in the park is scalable and offers stunning panoramic views of the city that let you see sights such as the Space Needle, the waterfront area, and the skyline.

The Pacific Science Center offers hundreds of hands-on exhibits built to educate and entertain, from dinosaur interactions to a butterfly house. The full-size dinosaurs here are animatronic and so realistic that the kids will believe they've come face-to-face with the Jurassic, and the butterfly house is an enchanting fairy-tale experience.

Educational exhibits include a simulated trip to the stars, information about the science of combustion, and even traveling exhibits like artifacts from the Titanic and statues from the actual Chinese Terracotta Army. It's located in Seattle Center in the heart of downtown.

Chihuly Garden and Glass is the epicenter of glass art in the United States, offering colorful displays from world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly with whimsical designs, plants, and blown-glass art. This stunning collection has both indoor and outdoor offerings, so if the clouds break, be sure to hit the outdoor area as well.

An on-site restaurant allows you to grab a bite to eat, while the combination bookstore and gift shop lets you find a perfect souvenir. The garden offers events all year long, from yoga classes to cocktail parties and others. Special events require tickets, so be sure to check the calendar before you visit. It's located in the heart of downtown Seattle.

The Seattle Children's Museum offers over 18,000 square feet of space for kids to play, imagine, wonder, and learn all about everything from culture to technology. Kids here can explore all the different careers they might want to try out, such as being a doctor or a construction worker. They can pretend to go grocery shopping, catch a bus to work, and more.

This is a place where kids play at being grown-ups and learn while engaging their imaginations. Best of all, it's located right in the heart of downtown Seattle, just steps away from other iconic points of interest, shopping, and dining opportunities.

offers bowling, indoor miniature golf, and other original games. Those games that can only be found here include Duffleboard, Ball Jockey, stick putt, and others. Each offers a unique challenge when you want to try something a little different from ten-pins or crazy golf. Of course, you can also head for the billiard room and shoot some pool.

The pub is a fantastic place to grab a pint and play the entire day and well into the night. Flatstick Pub has several locations throughout Seattle, and the 2nd Avenue location is in the heart of downtown.

The Seattle Bouldering Project offers dozens of rock-climbing walls to let you try out your indoor climbing skills and is one of the few places that simulate bouldering. Bouldering is a very specific type of rock climbing, and this gym is a great place to get in your exercise while waiting out the inclement weather.

Whether you're an experienced climber or you've never made the attempt before, this is a place where you can build and keep your chops up. It's an indoor active experience. The gym has 2 locations, with both just about 10 minutes north of the center of downtown.

Theo Chocolate is a local chocolate factory offering tours, sampling, and education on the entire process of making chocolate from scratch, from bean to bar. This is a family-friendly tour where you'll be able to indulge in chocolates during the tour and buy even more sweets from the gift shop at the end. You'll get to check out and stock up on unique and rare flavors you can't find anywhere else.

Theo Chocolate is one of the most unique, delicious, and enjoyable tours you can undertake in Seattle and a fantastic way to get out of the rain. It's in the Fremont neighborhood, about 15 minutes north of downtown.