A 360-degree spin from any pier along Seattle’s waterfront on a sunny day–and there are many– captures the striking juxtaposition of stunning Pacific Northwest natural beauty and the bustling urban metropolis that is the Emerald City.

Built on hills and surrounded by the salt water of the Puget Sound and the fresh water of Lake Washington, Seattle’s iconic skyline is framed by the snowcapped crags of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges in the distance. Cars, buses and cyclists whiz along its busy streets lined with corporate headquarters, world-class shops and fine dining. Like any major city, navigating what to see and do can be overwhelming, but below are some local favorites that make any trip memorable.

SEE

KERRY PARK

Near the top of Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park’s postcard view sweeps from the western edge of the Cascade Mountains through downtown, the Space Needle and out into Elliot Bay to the Olympic Mountains. Popular with visitors and novice photographers taking in the scene from sunup to sundown, on a clear day majestic Mount Rainer earns its local name of “the mountain” and ferries and water taxis can be seen running to and from West Seattle and Puget Sound Islands.

OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK

An extension of the brick and mortar Seattle Art Museum (SAM) along 1st Avenue, the Olympic Sculpture Park occupies a narrow strip of land along the seawall on the edge of downtown’s Belltown neighborhood. Free and open from sunrise to sunset daily, the park boasts nearly 20 unique sculptures and received numerous architectural awards when it opened in 2003.

CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS

At the base of the Space Needle inside the Seattle Center, Dale Chihuly’s colorful, fascinating blown glass works careen, curl, twist and bend captivating visitors. Described as one of the world greatest living artists, Chihuly’s namesake Garden and Glass museum is filled with oversized trees, plants and chandeliers. An array of translucent and vibrant colors alike, the inside galleries are filled with examples and how-to for his boundary-pushing technique. The outside glasshouse and garden house 100-foot long sculptures and smaller pieces intertwined with native foliage. Arrive slightly before sunrise for the most breathtaking look.

MUSEUM OF FLIGHT

Check out Air Force One or the Concorde at the Museum of Flight. Two of the more than 150 air and spacecraft in the hangar-sized museum, its impressive collection includes thousands of aviation artifacts. Documenting the amazement of flight from Kitty Hawk to the moon, the museum is proudly 50 years old and still growing. This year’s additions and events include a rocket exhibit and WWI fighter jets.

DO

PIKE PLACE

The famous Pike Place Market, open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, attracts millions of visitors Each year. Duck under the flying fish freely thrown by the fishmongers that litter the top floor, taste your way through artisanal jams, honeys and homemade bread purveyors, or pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers from the stands that line the interior hall. Beneath the main arcade are three floors of shops housing jewelry, vintage vinyl, antique toys and more. Selfie-friendly market stops include the gum wall and Rachel the Piggy Bank. Both are located on the south end of the market and they typically have a small crowd of people waiting for their turn to pose.

FERRIED AWAY

Washington State operates the largest ferry fleet in the country. With Native American names like the Wenatchee, Samish and Kittitas, boarding a ferry from Seattle is almost a rite of passage for any visitor. From the Seattle Terminal, hop on one of the signature white and green vessels and churn to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton on the Olympic Peninsula. For journeys farther afield, travel north to Anacortes and enjoy the ferry service to the San Juan Islands near the Canadian-American boarder.

SPACE NEEDLE

Erected for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle is a go-to sight for visitors. The Needle, as locals call it, stands 605 feet high on the grounds of the Seattle Center. Famous for its rotating observation deck, first join the queue at the bottom, ascend in the many elevators, then zoom up the base. Enter the observation deck for a 360-degree view and miles of visibility without a marine layer. For a longer stay atop, book a table at SkyCity at the Needle restaurant that serves up Pacific Northwest fare at brunch, lunch and dinner.

SOUND OFF

Seattle’s zealous 12th Man Seahawk fans are well known for their die-hard fandom, but the city’s Major League Soccer team, the Sounders FC, shouldn’t be overlooked. Rivaling European enthusiasm for the game, Sounders fans sport blue and green scarves and pound the risers and scream team chants at CenturyLink Field through the entire game. The regular season runs from February to October with playoffs into November. Single game tickets are available through the Sounders site, and if you are lucky they will be playing rivals the Portland Timbers.

HIT THE STAIRS

Seattle has more than 650 public staircases serving up heart-revving walks. Aim high climbing the 388- step Howe Street stairs up Capitol Hill, or the 504 steps from South Lake Union up to little-known Bhy Kracke Park overlooking downtown. As what goes up must come down, the Ballard neighborhood Loyal Heights area has 272 steps that descend to Golden Gardens Park beach, all while enjoying stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.

EAT

SHELLFISH & SALMON

Seattle offers some of the freshest seafood – their best being oysters, clams and salmon. Harvested or caught throughout the Puget Sound and North Pacific, most Seattle restaurants serve fresh fare plucked from the ocean that morning. For oysters, dabble in the many size, shape and local varietals and for the very adventurous try geoduck– technically a clam–that is only found in the Pacific Northwest. Salmon native to the northwest include the Chinook and Sockeye salmon and can be found smoked and ready-to-eat.

BEECHER'S HANDMADE CHEESE

Across the cobblestone lane from Pike Place Market, giant mixers swirl through vats of cheese curds at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. A worthy line trickles out its door with people waiting to sample or purchase the Flagship, Marco Polo Reserve, Yule Kase or other American Cheese Society winners. The cheese makers gladly walk you through cow, goat, semi-hard, wine-aged or pepper crusted assortments of the artisanal cheese for nibbling or cooking. Often a staple on area restaurant cheese plates, the lactose tolerant shouldn’t miss a taste, or two, or three of Beecher’s.

FRAN'S CHOCOLATES

Touted as President Obama’s favorite, rumor has it that Fran’s Chocolates sea salt caramels are a mainstay in the White House. Local chocolatier Fran Bigelow’s passion for Parisian-style truffles and caramels led her to open the tantalizing boutique downtown. Rows of chocolate delicacies line the glass cases in the minimalist shops, now with multiple locations throughout the area, and can be ordered a la carte or in small assortments. A perfect souvenir, the Georgetown neighborhood location also doubles as a production site and hosts a viewing area.