Best car photo spots in Seattle

Hand-picked spots in Seattle

Kerry Park

Skyline & city lights · Best: Blue hour

The postcard Space Needle and skyline view, right from the street on W Highland Dr.

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Gas Works Park

Industrial · Best: Sunset

Old gasification towers with the skyline across Lake Union.

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Hamilton Viewpoint

Skyline & city lights · Best: Night

Downtown across Elliott Bay from West Seattle's lot.

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Alki Beach skyline

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Sunset

Beach drive with the skyline across the water.

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Fremont Troll

Bridges · Best: Morning

The giant troll under the Aurora Bridge, right off the street.

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Georgetown

Industrial · Best: Golden hour

Brick warehouses, old brewery buildings and rail lines.

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Space Needle

Skyline & city lights · Best: Night

Frame it from the surrounding Seattle Center streets.

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Pike Place Market sign

Neon & retro · Best: Early morning

The famous neon sign; go at dawn before deliveries and crowds.

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Murals and street art in Seattle

Murals are the most popular car photo backdrop. Pull up alongside the wall, keep the car parallel to it and shoot from a low angle so the art fills the frame behind the car.

More spots in Seattle

• Neptune Theatre Neon & retro
• Hughes Penthouse Theater Neon & retro
• Benaroya Hall Neon & retro
• SIFF Cinema Uptown Neon & retro
• SIFF Cinema Downtown Neon & retro
• Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse Neon & retro
• Vashon Theatre Neon & retro
• Movies at Marymoor (Summer Only) Neon & retro
• King County Courthouse Historic
• William Kenzo Nakamura US Courthouse Historic
• Admiral Way Viewpoint Scenic & lakeside
• Ella Bailey Overlook Scenic & lakeside
• Elliott Bay Overlook Scenic & lakeside
• Rotary Viewpoint Scenic & lakeside
• East Portal View Scenic & lakeside
• 28th Avenue West Viewpoint Scenic & lakeside
• Waterway 21 Viewpoint Scenic & lakeside
• Rainbow Point Scenic & lakeside
• Ship Canal Bridge Bridges
• West Seattle Bridge Bridges
• Frank W. Zepp Bridge Bridges
• Southwest Spokane Street Swing Bridge Bridges
• Fremont Bridge Bridges
• University Bridge Bridges
• Magnolia Bridge Bridges
• Ballard Bridge Bridges
• Salmon Bay Bridge Bridges
• Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge Bridges
• South Park Bridge Bridges
• Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge Bridges

Tips for car photos in Seattle

• Shoot at golden hour or blue hour. The hour after sunrise and around sunset gives soft light without harsh reflections; blue hour is best for skylines and neon.
• Go early on weekends. Popular mural walls and downtown streets are quiet before 9 AM, so you can park right in front.
• Respect the spot. Stay off private lots when asked, don't block traffic and keep the engine noise down in neighborhoods.
• Hide your plate if you want. Check your shot before you post it.