Home to one of Washington’s most diverse ZIP codes, the communities of Seattle Southside make an excellent base for adventure. You’ll find incredible shopping, a charming beach community, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), family fun, quirky hidden gems, and so much more.
Seattle Southside is located 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle and includes the cities of Des Moines, SeaTac, and Tukwila. Des Moines, situated on Puget Sound, is the self-designated boating capital of the Pacific Northwest with six miles of shoreline. SeaTac is the official home to Sea-Tac Airport and a nationally acclaimed BMX track. Tukwila hosts family attractions, The Museum of Flight, and an abundance of retail shops.
Things to Do in Seattle Southside
Arts & Culture
The Museum of Flight
One of the world’s largest air and space museums, the Museum of Flight offers a fascinating look into the history of human achievement in flight. Featuring the relocated red barn that housed Boeing’s original airplane manufacturing wing, a full-scale model of the Space Shuttle used to train astronauts, and a huge collection of commercial and military planes, no aspect of flight is missed in this fun and educational attraction.
Chocolate Factory Tour
At the Maeve Chocolate factory in Tukwila, you can learn to taste chocolate like a professional. The hour-long guided tour explores the chocolate-making process and gives guests a bird’s-eye view of the 60,000-square-foot factory
Family Fun
Looking for a day of fun both indoors and out? Tukwila’s Family Fun Center has it all, from bowling to go-karts to rides and an arcade. Tons of options abound for kids of all ages, and when you need to refuel from the fun, you can stop for pizza at Bullwinkle’s Restaurant.
Get Your Game On
Whether you love old-school gaming or the latest cutting-edge technology, Seattle Southside has you covered. Are you into pinball and 80’s arcade vibes? The Waterland Arcade in Des Moines is where you want to go. Are you a rhythm game enthusiast? Round One in Tukwila has an incredible selection of the latest bemani direct from Japan. Seeking an epic VR adventure? You and your friends can play virtual laser tag and more in an immersive experience at Dimension XR.
Get Outside
Seattle Southside offers plenty of ways to get outside, from waterfront parks and paved trails to gardens and beaches along Puget Sound.
Walking & Biking
Stretch your legs on the Interurban Trail, a paved route that runs through Tukwila and continues south through the Green River Valley. Another scenic option is the paved Des Moines Creek Trail, which winds through a greenbelt along a creek down to the waterfront.
Parks & Beaches
Head to Des Moines Beach Park for views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, shoreline access, and easy connections to the adjacent marina and Des Moines Creek Trail. Nearby, Redondo Beach features a waterfront boardwalk and pier, while Saltwater State Park pairs shoreline with forested trails. For a freshwater alternative, Angle Lake Park in SeaTac offers a swimming beach, playground, and seasonal spray park.
Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
Plant enthusiasts can stroll through the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. This hidden oasis is located just minutes from the airport, making it an easy way to start or end a trip. Highlights include the Seike Japanese Garden, Celebration Rose Garden, and Elda Behm Paradise Garden.
Water Adventures
Get out on Puget Sound by kayak or stand-up paddleboard from the Des Moines waterfront, where seasonal rentals are available. Scuba divers can explore an underwater artificial reef at Saltwater State Park, while Eight Diving in Des Moines offers equipment rentals and other dive services.
Where to Eat & Drink in Seattle Southside
In Seattle Southside, the cuisine reflects the area’s incredible diversity. You can dine around the world without leaving the area and enjoy some truly stellar food.
Copperleaf Restaurant
Find seasonal local ingredients prepared to perfection at Copperleaf Restaurant in SeaTac. Some of their ingredients even come from the on-site gardens. For true PNW flavors, try the House Smoked Bristol Bay Salmon served with a toasted baguette and chive goat cheese.
Second Love Coffee Roasters
This small-batch roastery in downtown Des Moines serves up classic and specialty drinks alongside sweet treats sourced from local bakeries. As a bonus, Second Love Coffee Roasters is walkable to the marina, so you can sip and stroll to water views.
Lam’s Seafood
Part grocery store, part dining destination, Lam’s Seafood & Asian Market in Tukwila offers the chance to experience the flavors of Asia. Browse aisles stocked with imported snacks, sauces, noodles, and specialty ingredients, or stay for a bit at vendors serving everything from bánh mì and dim sum to mochi doughnuts and boba.
Wine and Mead
Sample Washington wines at Bacovino in Tukwila, where grapes sourced from vineyards around the state are transformed into reds, whites, and rosés. For something a little different, visit Oppegaard Meadery to sip mead made with local honey and ingredients such as berries, apples, herbs, and spices in a cozy, Nordic-inspired mead hall.
Shopping
Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market
Open Saturdays from June through September, the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market is the place to find fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and delicious treats. While you’re there, enjoy the beautiful views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains.
Westfield Southcenter Mall
Westfield Southcenter Mall is the largest indoor shopping mall in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re just browsing or plan to shop ‘til you drop, you’ll find a wide selection of stores to fulfill your every retail desire. Explore more than 200 retailers including Nordstrom, Apple, Coach, Seafood City, H&M, UNIQLO, LEGO, and Seattle Team Shop. You’ll also find lots of fantastic places to stop and refuel, whether you want a huge selection of dim sum from Din Tai Fung or ice cream from SomiSomi.
Major Annual Events
Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Festival
Typically held in August, the Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Festival combines the best of music and craft beer. Enjoy performances from top regional and national blues artists, sample delicious eats from local vendors, and soak up waterfront views at scenic Des Moines Beach Park.
Seattle Seawolves Rugby
Take in a Major League Rugby game at Starfire Stadium in Seattle Southside, home to the Seattle Seawolves. Rugby is an electrifying sport with tons of physical action, and the fanbase is enthusiastic and welcoming to newcomers. Check the Seattle Seawolves’ current schedule to catch a home match.
Where to Stay in Seattle Southside
Cedarbrook Lodge
Located just minutes from the international airport, Cedarbrook Lodge is a lush hidden gem. Stroll the verdant grounds, enjoy a delicious meal at Copperleaf Restaurant, or pamper yourself with lux treatments at the on-site spa.
Hotel Interurban
If you want to stay near a retail paradise, Hotel Interurban in Tukwila is the place for you. Located right next to Westfield Southcenter mall, the plush accommodations, with delicious eats from their Rendition restaurant, are sure to rejuvenate you for another day of retail therapy.
Aloft
Not only is Aloft a fun and modern hotel, but you can also bring your furry friend. With pet-friendly accommodations and no pet fee for dogs under 40 lbs., you and your canine companion can stay in luxury without being separated by a kennel.
Know Before You Go
Summer tends to be the busiest time for visitors, so consider visiting in spring or fall for fair weather and fewer crowds. Whether you’re soaking up the sun at Des Moines Beach Park or enjoying a crisp autumn walk along the Interurban Trail, there are always wonderful sights just around every corner.
Many Seattle Southside hotels offer free shuttles between the airport and their hotel, and a free shuttle service is available between hotels in SeaTac and the Westfield Southcenter mall.
SEA Airport is located in the heart of Seattle Southside, with Link light rail providing easy access to downtown Seattle. Amtrak trains stop at Tukwila Station, while buses, rental cars, ride shares, and other transportation options make it easy to explore the area and beyond.
Looking for more trip inspiration? Let Explore Seattle Southside help.
Featured image credit: Explore Seattle Southside