Your guide to Seattle
Seattle highlights
Space Needle
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the city’s iconic Space Needle is an essential part of any trip to Seattle. Take the lift up to the observation deck, and cast your eyes over Elliott Bay, the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier. Grab a coffee, and be first in the queue to beat the crowds when the site opens mid-morning.
Natural playground
Explore Discovery Park’s walking trails and beaches — access is free, and the spot is ideal for a budget trip to Seattle. Spend a day kayaking on Lake Union or exploring Elliott Bay’s waterfront. Looking for an easy day trip? Take a ferry across Puget Sound to Bremerton, Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island.
Coffee capital
The birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle’s Best and Tully’s, Seattle is the undisputed coffee capital of the US. Discover Capitol Hill and Pioneer Square’s indie coffee shops. Or swap the long queue outside Pike Place Market’s original Starbucks for the international chain’s flagship Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill. Here, you’ll learn about the coffee-making process and sample some of the world’s rarest roasts.
Seattle: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) and UTC-7 (PDT) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Seattle
Weather in Seattle
March – May: While there are still some showers, Seattle sees less rain in spring. Expect sunny days and warmer temperatures.
June – August: Summer is a great time to visit if you like to be outside. It’s warm and mostly sunny. But book lodgings well in advance and be prepared to pay peak prices.
September – November :Cool temperatures are paired with cloudbursts, but you’ll also be treated to stunning autumnal leaves and smaller crowds.
December – February: Winter is when Seattle’s famous rain arrives in full force. Embrace the cosiness with museum visits and long meals at the city’s many top-tier restaurants.
Events in Seattle
Northwest Folklife Festival (May): Explore the arts and culture of the Pacific Northwest at this wide-ranging festival with live performances, craft and food vendors, workshops and more. A free event, it attracts a fair number of buskers too.
Capital Hill Block Party (July): Seattle’s hip neighbourhood comes alive with DJ sets, alt-rock icons, skate competitions and more. Grab tickets early, as prices rise as the festival nears.
Bumbershoot (August or September): This free-wheeling music and arts fest features big-name headliners like Pavement and Cypress Hill, as well as zones devoted to fashion, comedy and sculpture.
Refract (October): Seattle’s legendary glass art scene shows off its skills with four days of demonstrations, gallery shows and glass-blowing workshops.
The best neighbourhoods in Seattle
Downtown
If you’re a first-time visitor and want to be in the heart of the city’s action, Downtown is the best neighbourhood to stay in Seattle. Experience bustling Pike Place Market, shop at the Nordstrom Seattle flagship store, and spend an afternoon at the Seattle Art Museum. Traffic and parking here are notoriously challenging, so skip the car and wear comfortable shoes to make the most of this lively neighbourhood.
Good for: Museums, shopping, nightlife
Capitol Hill
Known as one of the West Coast’s coolest and LGBQT+-friendly neighbourhoods, Capitol Hill is where to stay in Seattle for unique boutiques, trendy brunch spots and nightlife. Stroll through Volunteer Park, visit the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and browse the shops along Broadway Avenue. For dinner, check out one of the local restaurants, which specialise in a range of global cuisines.
Good for: Nightlife, independent boutiques, coffee shops
Ballard
Once home to Scandinavian seafaring communities, Ballard retains a small-town feel but now hosts some of the city’s best restaurants, bars and attractions. Purchase picnic supplies at the Sunday Ballard Farmers Market, or spend evenings in the area’s Brewery District. With the National Nordic Museum, the Ballard Locks and Golden Gardens Park here too, it’s one of the best areas to stay in Seattle.
Good for: Restaurants, breweries, Scandinavian history
Things to do in Seattle
Beaches
Don’t think Seattle is an obvious beach destination? Its scenic shoreline proves otherwise. Head to Golden Gardens Park for views of the Olympic Mountains. Or catch the West Seattle Water Taxi to Alki Beach, Seattle’s most popular stretch of sand. Beaches in Seattle can get crowded in the summer, but you’ll always find a quiet spot at tiny Pocket Beach in Myrtle Edwards Park.
Shopping
One of the best places to go shopping in Seattle is Pike Place Market, where you’ll find fresh produce and local artisan goods. Or check out the vintage shops and farmer’s market on Ballard Avenue. Want to bring home a taste of the city? Head to Pioneer Square for some of the city’s best coffee roasteries.
Take in the culture
Museums in Seattle aren’t just for rainy days. Visit the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Flight, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Or immerse yourself in the world of music, TV and gaming at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). In the mood for more nostalgia? The Seattle Pinball Museum hits the mark.
Nightlife
Sleepless in Seattle? Discover the city after dark. Walk in the footsteps of grunge legends like Nirvana with a night of live music at The Crocodile in Belltown. Or head to Capitol Hill for its dive bars, cocktail lounges and nightclubs. No matter what vibe you’re looking for, the nightlife in Seattle delivers.
Places to eat
Fresh seafood, Asian fusion restaurants and an ethos of sustainability make Seattle a go-to travel destination for foodies. One of the best restaurants in Seattle for oysters is The Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard. Or take your pick of dim sum and Vietnamese pho joints in the International District. Need a quick bite and a caffeine boost? Head to Pioneer Square.
Free things to do
The city isn’t the cheapest, but you’ll find plenty of free things to do in Seattle if you know where to look. Explore Pike Place Market’s stalls and snap a picture by the famous Gum Wall. Or see free art at Olympic Sculpture Park. Want a great view without the Space Needle price tag? Try the Water Tower observation deck in Volunteer Park.
Get ready for Seattle
Budget
The rainy season is the best time for a budget trip to Seattle The city’s excellent public transport helps keep costs down too. An inexpensive meal will cost you about 20 US dollars ($). A domestic beer costs about $8, and a cappuccino under $6. Taxi rides start at a little less than $10.
Day trips from Seattle
Hit the hiking trails and gaze upon the namesake of Mount Rainier National Park, just a little over 90 minutes from Seattle. The views of Snoqualmie Falls are equally breathtaking from the top or bottom and are a lot closer to the city. Wine nerds should head to Woodinville, where over 130 wineries await less than half an hour’s drive from downtown.
Getting around Seattle
Unless you plan on exploring the wider Washington area, skip the car on your visit to Seattle. Instead, use the city’s public transport network of buses, street cars, monorails, ferries and light rail. Consider buying a reloadable ORCA transit card that can be used on all public transport, with special pass purchases needed for the Washington State Ferries. Buy ORCA cards online or at ORCA vending machines across town.
