Seattle, a city on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, and contains thousands of acres of parkland. Washington State’s largest city, it’s home to a large tech industry, with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered in its metropolitan area. The futuristic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy, is its most iconic landmark. ― Google
Best Months:
June – September
Warm, sunny, and ideal for exploring outdoors.
Summer festivals: Seafair, Capitol Hill Block Party
Less Rain: July and August are driest
Spring (April–May): Mild with cherry blossoms and lighter crowds.
Fall (Sept–Oct): Crisp air and colorful foliage; still decent weather.
Winter (Nov–March): Cloudy, cool, rainy — but good for museums and indoor activities.
Airport:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – ~25 minutes from downtown.
From Airport to City:
Link Light Rail: Cheap and direct to downtown in ~40 mins
Taxi/Uber/Lyft or shuttles
Rental car: Ideal for trips to Mt. Rainier, Olympic Peninsula, etc.
By Train:
Amtrak to King Street Station – Routes from Portland, Vancouver, and beyond.
Space Needle – Observation deck with sweeping views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier.
Pike Place Market – Famous for flying fish, local crafts, and food stalls.
Chihuly Garden and Glass – Mesmerizing glass art exhibits next to the Space Needle.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) – Music, movies, sci-fi, and video game exhibits.
Seattle Art Museum (SAM) – Great for modern and Native American art.
Seattle Aquarium & Waterfront – Family-friendly and scenic.
Kerry Park – Insta-famous view of the skyline and Mount Rainier (on clear days).
Ballard Locks & Fish Ladder – Watch salmon migrate and boats pass through.
Discovery Park – Large urban park with trails, beach, and forest.
Fremont Troll & Fremont Neighborhood – Quirky art and funky vibes.
Ride the Monorail from downtown to Seattle Center.
Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island – Great views and a relaxing half-day trip.
Explore the neighborhoods:
Capitol Hill – Trendy with nightlife, vintage shops, and cafes
Fremont – Artistic and offbeat
Ballard – Breweries, shops, Nordic heritage
Visit the Amazon Spheres (weekends with reservation).
Underground Tour in Pioneer Square – Funny and historic walking tour under the city.
Catch a Mariners (MLB) or Seahawks (NFL) game.
Day Trips: Mount Rainier, Snoqualmie Falls, or Leavenworth (Bavarian-style village).
Luxury:
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle – Waterfront luxury with rooftop infinity pool.
Thompson Seattle – Sleek design with views and top-notch service.
Hotel 1000, LXR by Hilton – Smart, modern, and centrally located.
Mid-Range:
The Edgewater Hotel – On the water; once hosted The Beatles.
Palihotel Seattle – Chic boutique hotel near Pike Place.
Staypineapple Hotel FIVE – Funky and fun downtown option.
Budget:
Green Tortoise Hostel – Right next to Pike Place Market.
HI Seattle at the American Hotel – Clean, social, and affordable.
Best Areas to Stay:
Downtown / Pike Place: Walkable, central to everything.
Capitol Hill: Edgy, LGBTQ+ friendly, nightlife.
Belltown: Near waterfront, restaurants, and nightlife.
South Lake Union: Modern, quiet, near Amazon HQ and parks.
Must-Try Seattle Eats:
Seafood:
Elliott’s Oyster House, Taylor Shellfish, The Walrus and the Carpenter
Pike Place Chowder: Famous for award-winning clam chowder.
Teriyaki: A Seattle favorite — try Toshi’s or Terry’s Kitchen.
Pho & Banh Mi: Amazing Vietnamese food citywide (Pho Bac, Bun & Oc).
Coffee:
Try Storyville Coffee, Victrola, Slate, or Elm Coffee Roasters.
Visit the Original Starbucks at Pike Place (expect a line!).
Great Restaurants:
Canlis – Upscale fine dining with a view.
Spinasse – Handmade Northern Italian pasta.
JuneBaby – Southern cooking by a James Beard award winner.
Musang – Modern Filipino cuisine.
Westward – Waterfront Mediterranean dining on Lake Union.
🎶 Music Legacy: Home of grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam), Jimi Hendrix, and strong jazz roots.
☕ Coffee Obsession: Birthplace of Starbucks and a leader in independent roasters.
🌧️ Laid-back Vibe: Locals love fleece, flannel, and hiking boots — even in fine dining.
🎨 Art & Tech Fusion: Tech-driven creativity from giants like Amazon and Microsoft.
🌍 Diverse Communities: Strong Asian, Native, and Scandinavian cultural influences.
🌲 Nature-Loving: Locals live for the outdoors — expect conversations about hiking, climbing, and weather.