Where To Play | Curated Things To Do & Local Experiences
Where To Play helps travelers, hotel guests, families, business visitors, event planners, and locals discover handpicked things to do, attractions, tours, entertainment, nightlife, live music, transportation, and local experiences across our featured cities.
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Select a City To See Best Places To Stay:
Seattle- Portland - Bend - Boise - Sacramento - Napa Valley
Seattle
Visit Pike Place Market
Explore iconic stalls filled with fresh seafood, flowers, local makers, specialty foods, hidden shops, street performers, and sweeping waterfront views.
85 Pike St, Seattle WA 98101
Go to the Top of Space Needle
Take in panoramic views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and the city skyline from one of the Pacific Northwest’s most recognizable landmarks.
400 Broad St, Seattle WA 98109
Explore Seattle Center
Spend time among museums, public art, gardens, performance venues, festivals, food, and major attractions, all gathered in one walkable cultural district.
305 Harrison St, Seattle WA 98109
Discover Museum of Pop Culture
Dive into music, film, science fiction, gaming, and pop culture through immersive exhibits, rare artifacts, bold architecture, and interactive experiences.
325 5th Ave N, Seattle WA 98109
Visit Seattle Aquarium
Discover the marine life of the Pacific Northwest, including sea otters, seals, colorful fish, and fascinating underwater ecosystems from Puget Sound and beyond.
1301 Alaskan Way, Pier 57, Seattle WA 98101
Walk Through Chihuly Garden and Glass
Experience breathtaking glass art through vibrant galleries, dramatic installations, a soaring glasshouse, and a garden where sculpture and nature come together.
305 Harrison St, Seattle WA 98109
Ride the Seattle Great Wheel
Ride high above the waterfront for beautiful views of Elliott Bay, the skyline, surrounding mountains, and spectacular sunsets from a comfortable gondola.
1301 Alaskan Way, Pier 57, Seattle WA 98101
Take a Ferry Ride on Washington State Ferries
Enjoy fresh air, island scenery, mountain views, and a completely different perspective of the skyline while cruising across the waters of Puget Sound.
801 Alaskan Way, Seattle WA 98101
Enjoy Live Music or Karaoke
Experience a beloved LGBTQ+ institution on Capitol Hill known for dancing, DJs, karaoke, community events, welcoming energy, and decades of local history.
Step through an unmarked pink door into a memorable Italian-American restaurant featuring great food, live entertainment, romantic atmosphere, and waterfront views.
Spend Time Outdoors at Discovery Park
Explore forest trails, open meadows, beaches, dramatic bluffs, lighthouse views, and peaceful stretches of nature overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle WA 98199
Portland
Saturday Market
Browse handmade art, local goods, food and live entertainment at this iconic open air market.
2 SW Natio Pkwy, Portland OR 97204
Distance from:
Downtown - 0.8 mi
Convention Center - 1.3 mi
PDX - 8.7 mi
Pittock Mansion
Tour a historic Portland mansion and take in sweeping views of downtown and the Cascade Mountains.
3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland OR 97210
Distance from:
Downtown - 3.8 mi
Convention Center - 4.7 mi
PDX - 11.5 mi
Washington Park (yes it's in Portland)
Spend the day exploring gardens, trails, museums, and some of Portland's most popular attractions.
4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland OR 97221
Distance from:
Downtown - 3.4 mi
Convention Center - 4.8 mi
PDX - 11.3 mi
Powell's City of Books
Get lost among floors of new, used and rare books at one of Portland's most beloved landmarks.
1005 W Burnside St, Portland OR 97209
Distance from:
Downtown - 1.2 mi
Convention Center - 2 mi
PDX - 9 mi
Lan Su Chinese Garden
The garden shelters hundreds of plant species and rare varieties native to China, offering fragrant floral displays that change each season.
239 NW Everett St, Portland OR 97209
Distance from:
Downtown - 0.7 mi
Convention Center - 0.6 mi
PDX - 8.6 mi
Portland Aerial Tram
Ride high above South Waterfront for incredible views of the city, river and surrounding mountains.
3303 S Bond Ave, Portland OR 97239
Distance from:
Downtown - 2.6 mi
Convention Center - 3.8 mi
PDX - 10.7 mi
Portland Spirit Cruises & Events
See Portland from the Willamette River aboard a sightseeing, dining or special-event cruise.
Salmon Springs Dock, 1010 SW Natio Pkwy, Portland OR 97204
Distance from:
Downtown - 0.8 mi
Convention Center - 1.8 mi
PDX - 9.5 mi
Forest Park - Lower Macleay Trail
Escape into miles of lush Pacific Northwest forest and hiking trails just minutes from downtown.
2960 NW Upshur St, Portland OR 97210
Distance from:
Downtown - 3.3 mi
Convention Center - 4.0 mi
PDX - 10.8 mi
Portland Aerial Tram
Ride high above South Waterfront for incredible views of the city, river and surrounding mountains.
3303 S Bond Ave, Portland OR 97239
Bend
Wheel Fun Rentals
Take a ride around the beautiful Old Mill District in one of their rental bikes. Pet friendly and Electric options available.
769 SW Columbia St, Bend OR 97702
Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint
Climb or drive to the top of an ancient cinder cone for sweeping views of Bend and the Cascades.
1310 NE Hwy 20, Bend OR 97701
High Desert Museum
Discover Central Oregon's wildlife, Indigenous cultures, art and history through immersive exhibits.
59800 S Hwy 97, Bend OR 97702
Drake Park
Relax beside Mirror Pond, wander riverside paths or enjoy a picnic just steps from downtown.
777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend OR 97703
The Last Blockbuster
Step back into the 90's at the world's last remaining Blockbuster, still renting movies and packed with nostalgia, memorabilia, and photo ops.
211 NE Revere Ave #3, Bend OR 97701
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
Ski and snowboard in winter, then return for hiking, biking and scenic chairlift rides in summer.
Lava River Cave
Explore a mile-long underground lava tube formed by Central Oregon's volcanic past.
Cottonwood Rd, Bend OR 97707
Bledsoe Family Winery
Offers a cozy tasting room where visitors can enjoy a variety of wines all sourced from Walla Walla Valley.
550 SW Industrial Way STE 198, Bend OR 97702
Seventh Mtn Rafting
Discover Central Oregon's wildlife, Indigenous cultures, art and history through immersive exhibits.
18575 SW Century Dr, Bend OR 97702
Boise
Basque Block
Experience Boise’s distinctive Basque culture through historic buildings, food, shops and the Basque Museum in the heart of downtown.
608 W Grove St, Boise ID 83702
Freak Alley Gallery
Walk through a colorful outdoor gallery where Boise’s walls are covered with ever-changing murals and street art.
210 N 9th St, Boise ID 83702
Website Directions participate
Idaho State Capitol
Step inside Idaho’s grand working statehouse and explore its architecture, rotunda, history and public exhibits.
700 W Jefferson St, Boise ID 83702
Old Idaho Penitentiary Site
Explore historic cell blocks, solitary confinement and the stories from more than a century of Idaho prison history.
2445 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise ID 83712
Idaho Botanical Garden
Wander through beautiful high-desert gardens, native plants and seasonal displays at the base of the Boise foothills.
2355 N Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise ID 83712
Boise River Greenbelt
Walk or bike beside the Boise River on a scenic pathway connecting downtown with parks and neighborhoods.
Via Julia Davis Park, 700 S Capitol Blvd, Boise ID 83702
Boise Whitewater park
Watch river surfers and kayakers tackle the waves or simply enjoy one of Boise’s coolest riverfront recreation areas.
3400 W Pleasanton Ave, Boise ID 83702
Table Rock
Hike above the city for expansive views across downtown Boise, the Treasure Valley and surrounding foothills.
2421 E Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise ID 83712
The World Center for Birds of Prey
Get an up-close look at eagles, falcons, owls and other raptors while learning about global bird conservation.
5668 W Flying Hawk Ln, Boise ID 83709
Bogus Basin
Escape to Boise’s backyard mountain for skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking, biking and mountain adventures in summer.
1754 Bogus Basin Rd, Boise ID 83629
Sacramento
Old Sacramento Waterfront
Step back into California’s Gold Rush era with historic buildings, wooden sidewalks, shops, restaurants and riverfront views.
1014 2nd St, Sacramento CA 95814
California State Railroad Museum
Climb aboard beautifully restored locomotives and discover how the railroad transformed California and the American West.
125 I St, Sacramento CA 95814
California State Capitol Museum
Tour California’s historic working Capitol and explore its architecture, exhibits and surrounding Capitol Park. Admission is free.
1315 10th St, Sacramento CA 95814
Crocker Art Museum
Explore centuries of California, American and international art inside a striking combination of historic and contemporary architecture.
216 O St, Sacramento CA 95814
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park
Walk through a reconstructed 1840s fort while learning about California before and during the Gold Rush, including the experiences of Native peoples.
2701 L St, Sacramento CA 95816
Tower Bridge
Walk across Sacramento’s iconic golden lift bridge for great views of the river, skyline and Old Sacramento waterfront.
Via Capitol Mall at the Sacramento River, Sacramento CA 95814
American River Parkway
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Bike, walk or paddle along Sacramento’s signature river corridor with miles of trails, parks and waterfront recreation.
Via Discovery Park, 1600 Garden Hwy, Sacramento CA 95833
Sacramento Zoo
Spend a few hours meeting wildlife from around the world at this family-friendly zoo inside William Land Park.
Land Park Dr & 16th Ave, Sacramento CA 95822
California Automobile Museum
See classic, rare and unusual automobiles while exploring how cars have shaped California culture and everyday life.
2200 Front St, Sacramento CA 95818
DOCO - Downtown Commons
Shop, dine, catch live entertainment or experience game night in Sacramento’s modern downtown entertainment district next to Golden 1 Center.
405 K St, Sacramento CA 95814
Napa Valley
Wait for Old Faithful
Watch a natural geyser erupt every 15 to 30 minutes, then say hello to llamas, sheep and fainting goats.
1299 Tubbs Ln, Calistoga CA 94515
Drink Wine in an Old Gas Station
Tank Garage Winery turns a vintage 1930s gas station into a playful tasting room complete with bold art, one off wines and pinball.
1020 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga CA 94515
Storm a Castle
Cross the drawbridge at Castello di Amorosa, a sprawling Tuscan-style castle filled with towers, stone passageways and wine-country drama.
4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga CA 94515
Take a Gondola to a Winery
The trip to Sterling Vineyards starts with an aerial gondola ride high above the valley floor before you even reach the tasting room. Visit Napa Valley notes it is the only winery reached this way.
1111 Dunaweal Ln, Calistoga CA 94515
Get Dirty on Purpose
Book a classic Calistoga volcanic-ash mud bath at Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs and discover why getting covered in warm mud has been a local tradition for generations.
1507 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga CA 94515
Take a Gondola Through Downtown Napa
Napa Valley Gondola offers private Venetian-style gondola cruises along the Napa River, complete with a traditionally styled gondolier.
700 Main St, Napa CA 94559
Walk Through a Petrified Forest
At The Petrified Forest, walk among ancient redwoods turned to stone by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
4100 Petrified Forest Rd, Calistoga CA 94515
Find the Disney Connection in Calistoga
Sharpsteen Museum was founded by Disney animator Ben Sharpsteen and mixes whimsical dioramas, local history and artifacts from his remarkable career.
1311 Washington St, Calistoga CA 94515
Explore the Culinary Institute of America
A massive 1889 stone landmark where future chefs train, students run a restaurant and visitors can even find a corkscrew museum.
2555 Main St, St. Helena CA 94574
Meet the Giant Grape Crusher
Pull over for The Grape Crusher Sculpture, Napa Valley’s enormous bronze tribute to winemaking and a wonderfully over-the-top “we made it to Napa” photo stop.
Napa Valley Corporate Dr, Napa CA 94558
Where To Eat Guide has spent nearly 20 years working throughout the Pacific Northwest and Northern California hospitality community, connecting visitors with trusted restaurants, hotels, attractions, tour operators, transportation partners, and memorable local experiences. Our Where To Play selections are designed to make exploring a city easier, warmer, and more personal.
Whether you are looking for a local tours, live music venue, wine country experience, family-friendly activity, outdoor adventure, cultural attraction, nightlife option, transportation partner, or something fun to do between dining reservations, our curated lists help you quickly find trusted places to play, explore, and experience.
Every traveler is different. Some visitors want iconic attractions. Some want hidden gems. Some need accessibility-friendly experiences. Some are planning a special occasion, group outing, private event, or a full day of dining, shopping, sightseeing, and entertainment.
That is why our listings are curated with the visitor experience in mind. We highlight local businesses and hospitality partners that help people feel welcome, informed, and connected to the city they are visiting.
