Things to Do Near Seattle Airport: 7 Hidden Gems in SeaTac, Tukwila & Des Moines
Whether you’re in town for a long layover or planning a weekend getaway from Seattle, the SeaTac, Tukwila & Des Moines, Washington region has a lot to offer! In this guide, we’re sharing hidden Seattle gems and the best things to do near the Seattle Airport.
Known collectively as ‘Seattle Southside,’ this region flies under the radar but is home to some of the best food and the Seattle metro area. This area also has fantastic access to unique urban nature and outdoor recreation opportunities. Below, we share 7 things to do near Seattle airport, as well as where to stay when you visit the area.
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We’re Gwyn and Ami. Based in Spokane, Washington, we’re your guides to the Pacific Northwest and beyond!
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Hidden Gems in SeaTac, Tukwila & Des Moines: the best things to do near the Seattle Airport
If you’re looking for good food, the best coffee, and fun things to do near the Seattle Airport then you’re in the right place! Below you’ll find our guide to hidden gems in the SeaTac, Tukwila & Des Moines region. Many of these activities are free, or low cost. These recommendations are great for a weekend getaway from Seattle, and are all family-friendly!
Things to do near the Seattle Airport: hidden gems in Seattle Southside
Bird watch at Des Moines Beach and walk the Des Moines Creek Trail
The Des Moines Creek Trail and Des Moines Beach might just be my new favorite place in the Seattle metro area! This beautiful park and 2-mile long paved pathway is the perfect urban retreat. The beach offers bird watching, a nearby pier, and an opportunity to look for rocks and shells, along with a large greenspace. The trail is two miles each way, and is fully paved. You’ll see walkers, bikers, runners, and everything in between. Leashed dogs are welcome.
The trail itself follows the creek, and the landscape is a lush mix of ferns, evergreens, and cedars. It honestly doesn’t feel like you’re in the city!
If you’re visiting on a Saturday, I also recommend checking out the Des Moines Creek Park Run, which is a volunteer-run weekly community 5K. Runners and walkers have to register online to get their times, but the event is free to attend and is dog and stroller-friendly. We went to one of their runs in February and had a wonderful time; everyone was super kind, and it was fun getting to partake in such a joyful community event while visiting!
Do a Mead Tasting at Oppegaard Meadery
If you’re looking for a unique indoor activity to enjoy, I highly recommend doing a tasting at Oppegaard Meadery. Owner Jon has a true passion for mead making, and their Viking-themed space is warm and inviting. There are free board games you can borrow, and it’s the perfect cozy spot to stop in (especially on a cool and rainy day, or during hot weather!). Their apple mead was a personal favorite, and when we visited they were offering limited-edition glasses of their mulled apple mead, which was exceptionally delicious.
Visit the free Pacific Bonsai Museum
If you’re looking for a fun, free way to spend an hour, I recommend checking out the superb collection at the free-to-visit Pacific Bonsai Museum. This spot truly feels like a hidden gem, and they have one of the finest bonsai collections in North America. We got lucky when we visited in early spring and we actually got to see two of the cherry bonsai trees in full bloom! I was impressed by the displays, and the museum provides extensive information about the individual trees, as well as the art of bonsai.
Located in Federal Way WA, technically the bonsai museum is just south of Seattle Southside… but it’s well-worth the short drive south!
Explore the amazing international food scene near the Seattle Airport
In fact, Tukwila is one of the most diverse regions in the Seattle Metro area. According to the Seattle Times, over 40% of Tukwila residents were born outside of the United States. Because of this, Tukwila and the surrounding Seattle Southside area has some of the best and most vibrant international food offerings of anywhere I’ve visited in the state.
Highlights for me included the Japanese Arashi Ramen, which has perfectly rich and flavorful ramen (vegan friendly options available!) and sake, and Tandoori Slice, a unique Indian fusion pizza restaurant. We also loved visiting Dough Zone, which offers modern Chinese comfort food. You can also find a wide variety of other foods from around the world, including Thai, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, and Filipino food.
Enjoy a hike at Saltwater State Park
Saltwater State Park is a 137-acre gem on the Puget Sound. The area features a beach, camping (note: the campground is currently closed), picnic tables, and a large network of trails that meander through a lush forest. We saw several bald eagles soaring overhead during our visit. You can also scuba dive here! Visitation requires a Discover Pass, which is $10/day or $45/year.
Explore Angle Lake Park
Operated by the City of SeaTac, Angle Lake Park offers swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, picnic, and play-structure amenities right in the heart of SeaTac. Walking distance from the hotel we recommend (see the end of this blog), this charming spot is perfect for an evening walk or summer swim.
Enjoy coffee from around the world
One of my favorite things to do near the Seattle airport is enjoy a good cup of coffee! The Seattle Southside is a diverse mix of cultures, and you can quite literally get coffee and tea drinks from around the world when visiting the region!
We loved the Vietnamese coffee at Drip & Sip Cafe, which has a deep, rich flavor. We also enjoyed the Filipino coffees and ube pancakes at Neighborhood Cafe Tukwila. Other highlights include Second Love Coffee Roasters (a micro-roaster that also has EXCELLENT breakfast sandwiches), and Quarterdeck (10/10 drip coffee and pastries by the water).
Visit the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
While it’s most beautiful in spring, fall, and summer, no matter what time of year you visit you should plan to visit the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. This quiet and contemplative garden is free to visit, and has a variety of plant collections to explore. I particularly enjoyed the peaceful Seike Japanese Garden, which was the private collection of the Seike family, whose story of displacement during WWII and resilience is well-worth reading.
Where to stay near the Seattle airport
Whether you’re here for a layover or planning a staycation, if you’re looking for a place to stay near the Seattle Airport I recommend the Seattle Airport Marriott. The rooms are extremely comfortable and quiet, with nice views of the surrounding mountains. There is an extremely well-appointed workout room, comfortable common spaces, and a nice restaurant and bar on-site. I appreciated how spacious, clean, and comfortable our room was. Conveniently located near the airport, this hotel offers parking, as well as a free shuttle to the Seattle Airport (SEA Airport).
More Washington state adventure guides
I hope you found this guide to things to do near the Seattle airport helpful! Drop us a comment if you have any questions or do any of the activities we recommend. We love hearing about your adventures in the Pacific Northwest!
If you’re looking for more fun and activities to do in Washington check out our other blog articles below, or click here for a full list of all of our Washington adventure and travel blogs!
