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Seattle is the largest city in Washington, located along the Puget Sound. It is well known for its cloudy and rainy weather, its 90’s grunge music scene, being the home to the first Starbucks, and the Seattle Space Needle. Seattle has so much to explore, and it is a great place to base yourself to explore the surrounding nature Washington is blessed with. This is the ultimate travel guide to unpacking this massive city!
Best Times to Visit Seattle
Seattle sees some of its best weather during the Summer. Temperatures range from low to mid-70s during the day and fall to mid-50s at night. You are likely to see more sun during the summer, though the city may still be shrouded by clouds most days. It is less likely to rain during the summer, and these days are usually mild and dry. This is a great time of year to visit if you are also interested in seeing nearby Mount Rainier. Beautiful, colorful wildflowers bloom during this time of year, and the snow will have gone for the season, allowing all the roads to be opened. Summer is also Seattle’s busiest time, where hotels will be full and restaurants will be crowded.
September and October and better times to visit if you are hoping to avoid the crowds, but would still like mild summer weather. Temperatures range from high 50s during the day and low 50s at night. May is another good time to go to avoid the crowds, with similar temperatures.
Seattle during the winter is cold, dark, and rainy. The city is lucky in the aspect that it does not snow particularly much, due to its position near the Pacific Ocean. Winter is not the best time to visit Seattle. The days are very short, and a rain jacket will be the staple to all of your outfits. Nonetheless, it’s a great time of year to cozy up in one of Seattle’s famous coffee shops, check out a museum, or visit the waterfront with less crowds and more elbow-room.
Must-See Attractions in Seattle
Pikes Place Market is Seattle’s original farmers market and is the gateway to the city’s waterfront. It is one of the oldest, continuously running markets in the country, and is home to some of the best restaurants in the city. Spend a few hours checking out the numerous shops, from flower stands to comic shops to all the handmade goods you could imagine. Pikes Place Market has its own parking garage with over 800 spots. Visit before noon to avoid the crowds.
The Seattle Waterfront is a great place to view orcas off the shore, as well as shop and take photos. It is one of the more scenic areas of the city and is popular among photographers. For great views, take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel. Learn more about the aquatic wildlife at the Seattle Aquarium. Visit Waterfront Park off Pier 62 for excellent views of Elliot Bay as well as live music and public art. If you make it all the way to Pier 70, check out the Olympic Sculpture Park. This park features impressive sculptures and great views of the Space Needle. There is a parking garage as well as street parking close to the waterfront.
Kerry Park offers the best view of the waterfront and the Space Needle from a distance. This is a great place to take photos of downtown Seattle and admire the harbor. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see Mount Rainier towering in the background. Kerry Park has a few benches, and has street parking.
The Space Needle is the most iconic structure in the city, standing at 605-feet. The Space Needle is located in Seattle Center. Ride the elevator to the top of the tower for incredible views of Elliot Bay and the Cascade Mountains.
Best Things to Do in Seattle
Ride the Seattle Center Monorail which links Seattle Center to downtown Westlake’s Center. This mile-long ride weaves through skyscrapers above the city streets, and is a great way to see the city without walking or driving.
Ride a ferry across the Puget Sound and see some of the most incredible scenery the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Seattle is connected to many other towns and islands by ferry, and there are so many adventures to embark on. Enjoy a short ride to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton, or adventure up to the scenic San Juan islands or even Victoria, Vancouver.
Visit one or more of Seattle’s collection of museums. From art to aviation, Seattle has so many unique museums to explore. The Museum of Pop Culture is a popular one, showcasing iconic moments in music and TV. The Pacific Science Center is a great place to visit to spark curiosity, especially if you have children.
Best Places to Eat in Seattle
Seattle is known for incredible seafood, comfort food, and an abundance of coffee shops. For delectable, fresh seafood restaurants, check out the Waterfront and Pikes Place Market. Try Market Grill for incredible grilled salmon and halibut sandwiches. Pikes Place Chowder has seafood bisque that is to die for. Jack’s Fish Spot is a great, budget-friendly restaurant with desirable seafood cocktails.
Seattle has a big coffee culture. Being that the first Starbucks was created here, it’s not hard to imagine why. Try the golden milk latte at Makeda and Mingus and stick around to try some of their weekly Indian dining options. Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea Company has been around forever and is a great, old-school coffee shop. Visit Hello Em to try some Vietnamese coffees topped with egg creme made from egg yolks.
Seattle is also home to a lot of Vietnamese cuisine, specifically Pho, which became popular due to the cold, cloudy weather and high Vietnamese population. Dong Thap Noodles is home to the $50 pho bowl that feeds four people, or just one if you’re ambitious enough. Pho So 1 in Little Saigon uses some of the best quality meats in the area and a comforting broth.
Best Places to Stay
Seattle is full of accommodations, from low-budget to luxury.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a great choice for those wanting to stay downtown near the waterfront. There are many on-site dining options, and Pikes Place Market is only a 10-minute walk. The Inn at The Market is a more expensive downtown option providing incredible rooftop views of Elliot Bay. Fantastic public transit allows easy movement from Downtown Seattle to the rest of the city, making this area a great place to base yourself. This area is very crowded during the summer, and it can be hard to find a room.
The Maxwell Hotel is a great place to stay in the Seattle Center area near the Space Needle. This is a great place to base yourself to see the many museums Seattle has to offer.
Belltown Inn is the best budget hotel in Seattle. Located in Belltown, you’ll be smack dab in the middle of Seattle’s nightlife scene, as well as closeby to the Olympic Sculpture Park.
Best Things to Do Outside of Seattle
Mount Rainier National Park is a mere two hours South of Seattle. Seeing this mountain up close is a must-do for anybody visiting Seattle. It’s best to visit during the summer when the wildflowers begin to bloom and the roads are clear from snow. Make your way to Paradise to embark on some incredible hikes around the mountain.
Read more: Mount Rainier National Park Day Trip Guide from Seattle
The Olympic National Park is another great place to visit if you are trying to get into nature. The Hoh Rainforest is the largest temperate rainforest in the United States, and it is absolutely magical to explore. Rialto Beach is home to dramatic sea-stacks and ocean views.
Visiting the San Juan Islands can easily be done by taking a ferry from Seattle. It is a popular day trip amongst the locals, and it isn’t hard to see why. These islands are great places to go whale-watching, or to view sun-bathing seals.
Overall, the city of Seattle is rapidly growing into one of the best places to live in the United States. Full of activities, culture, and natural beauty, Seattle has something for everybody. If you plan to visit, remember to pack your rain jacket!
About the author
Hi! My name is Hannah Lehr and I am a travel blogger and freelance writer. I am passionate about getting out into nature and exploring the path less traveled! You can find my work on my LinkedIn here, where I am available for hire.
