8 Wildly-Popular Destinations In Seattle That Are Actually Tourist Traps

Seattle is the city that birthed the grunge music scene and its residents are sometimes accused of being a bit standoffish, known as the "Seattle Freeze." However, Seattle is far from an unwelcoming place. Seattle has grown by nearly 230,000 people since 2001 and has become the most popular cruise port on the West Coast. City leaders have also made efforts to bolster tourism with improvements to public infrastructure and attractions, such as Seattle's redeveloped waterfront park, which is now a popular attraction. As with any place that grows and draws in crowds, things will change to accommodate tourism and create more mass appeal.

But what makes something a tourist trap? Consider the following: price, payoff, people — if the price is high, the payoff is "meh" to "none," and the people are plenty, it might be a tourist trap. While some places on this list fit the bill, remember that these "three P's" are subjective and some of these "tourist traps" on our list could be worth it for you. However, there are plenty of places that can deliver similar (or better) experiences while being cheaper, and less crowded. We'll let you know what Seattle tourist traps you may want to avoid while giving you specific alternatives that are easier on the wallet and might be a better attraction altogether.

Few buildings make for a more iconic city skyline than the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle stands at 605 feet tall and was created as a symbol of humanity's ambitions for space and Seattle's forward-thinking mindset. However, taking a trip to the top may cost more than you'd expect, and it can get crowded, with an estimated 230 people visiting per hour. The view also leaves out the best site in the city ... the Space Needle itself! For the best panoramic views of the city — including the Needle — and its surrounding natural features at a better price, consider the Sky View Observatory in the Columbia Center, the tallest building in Seattle.

With over 9,000 reviews on Google Maps and another 5,000 on Tripadvisor, the Argosy Cruises Seattle Waterfront location is a popular option for tourists wanting to explore Seattle from Puget Sound. Its most popular excursion, the Seattle Harbor Cruise, is a 1-hour tour where you can see city landmarks and learn about the city's history. For a similar yet more authentic Seattle experience, take a ferry to Bainbridge Island, a little artsy island off Seattle's coast. The round-trip cost is, as of writing, almost a quarter of the price of the Seattle Harbor Cruise, and the ferries are also a city icon you would be remiss to skip.

Fans of the international coffee chain Starbucks come in droves to visit the "Original Starbucks," located at 1912 Pike Place in the vibrant Pike Place Market, also known as the "Soul of Seattle". However, the line to get in is often long, there's limited seating inside, and it's the same menu and experience you would get at just about any Starbucks in Seattle. So, unless you're a die-hard fan, get your coffee fix next door at Le Panier, which makes excellent espresso and bakes all its bread and pastries on-site. There's also Storyville Coffee, located upstairs at the market's entrance, which has comfy seating and views of the marketplace and Puget Sound.

The Seattle Great Wheel was built in 2012 as part of the Seattle Waterfront Park revitalization and, per the Seattle Great Wheel FAQ page, is "the largest observation wheel on the West Coast." The wheel is generally well-reviewed, but with an estimated 324,000 visitors per year, the wait can take up to 45 minutes, while the ride only lasts 12-20 minutes. Additionally, you might ride with strangers if it's busy, the AC may not work well in some gondolas in the summer, and the glass bottoms are scratched, making them hard to see through. For similar views at no cost, try a local favorite for viewing the city skyline, Kerry Park in Queen Anne, one of Seattle's wealthiest neighborhoods.

With over 23,000 reviews on Google Maps, the Seattle Aquarium is among the most popular attractions on the Seattle waterfront, especially for families. However, there are plenty of negative reviews complaining that tickets are too expensive for families and that the aquarium just isn't worth the price. Reviewers also note some exhibits don't seem well maintained and are too small for the animals. For families looking for a less expensive but equally kid-friendly educational experience, head to the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. The museum has interactive exhibits that are at eye level for little ones and single-day youth camp activities.

With over 13,000 reviews on Google Maps, The Gum Wall in Post Alley beneath Pike Place Market is quite a popular (and peculiar) attraction in the city. It is free, but it gets crowded in the summer, and reviewers say it's "...weird and disgusting but terribly fascinating," and also "...weirdly artistic and you can't stop looking at it." If you want to see something unique, head to the Pike Place Urban Garden, also known as The Secret Garden. To find it, walk past the fish throwers and hang a left before you reach the Maximilien Restaurant. People-watch from above and enjoy views of the waterfront and Puget Sound.

With nearly 6,000 reviews on Google Maps and over 8,000 on Yelp, Piroshky Piroshky is a local Russian bakery chain in Seattle — made famous by its feature on the popular TV show "No Reservations" hosted by the late Anthony Bourdain. This shop makes authentic sweet and savory handmade rolls and pies, such as its smoked salmon pâté piroshky. However, reviewers say the line can be long, there's no seating, and, with the price of each pastry, it doesn't live up to the hype for some. Instead, consider a stop at O'mart's, a small stall at the back of the Oriental Mart shop that serves tasty home-style Filipino food.

Located in West Seattle, with over 9,000 reviews on Google Maps, Alki Beach Park is a popular spot to visit year-round for locals and tourists alike with unmatched Seattle skyline views. However, in the summer, it can be loud and very crowded with a parade of cars, people, dogs, and bicyclists. While it is beautiful, if noisy crowds aren't your thing, visit Golden Gardens instead, a beach in Ballard, Seattle's thriving brewery district. You can reach this California-style sand beach by car or the seasonal shuttle service, Golden Gardens Direct. While it's as popular as Alki, the ambience is much more chill, with people playing beach games, wading in the water, and enjoying the surrounding nature.