Travel to Seattle: the Ultimate Guide

Travel to Seattle: the Ultimate Guide
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People travel to Seattle, Washington, for its coffee culture, grunge roots, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, hiking, mountains, and general outdoors vibe.

Like most Pacific Northwest cities, Seattle has something for everyone- it’s a bit tech (the headquarters for Amazon and Microsoft are here), a bit moody, plenty inspirational, and totally possible to visit on a budget.

Needless to say, I fell in love with Seattle at first sight.

Here’s what you need to know to travel to Seattle, Washington

Seattle by the Season

Tip: Read my quick and easy guide on Seattle’s weather by the season and what to wear

  • Spring and Fall are the most budget-friendly times to travel to Seattle while enjoying good weather.
  • Winter is Seattle’s sleepiest season due to the cold and overcast weather. The winds will be biting, and the temperatures can be low, but you’ll get the best prices on flights and hotels.

Collage of travel blogger Courtney Lux in Seattle, posing in fronf of street art and the Seattle Great Wheel.

Getting into Seattle

If you know you enjoy the best nature and hikes surrounding Seattle, rent a car.

If you don’t have the time or budget to justify a rental, there are many other ways to get around. The Seattle Light Rail costs about $5 per person to get from the airport to the center of downtown.

Avoid rideshare if possible, Seattle can get pricey.


Lay Of The Land

A neighborhood in West Seattle with large houses sitting on a hill by the ocean.

A quick breakdown of Seattle’s neighborhoods :

  • Pike: The location of the Pike Place Market, this is one of the most touristy parts of the city.
  • Capitol Hill: This is one of the best neighborhoods for LGBTQ+ people; you’ll find a ton of hip bars and eateries.
  • Fremont: Hipster vibe, lots of vintage shops, and the iconic Fremont Troll.
  • Queen Anne: If you love historic Victorian architecture, this is your space!
  • Ballard: Trendy area by the waterfront and the place to find some of Seattle’s best breweries.
  • Belltown: Known for dive bars and music venues and is central walking distance to the Space Needle and other icons.
  • Pioneer Square: Seattle’s first neighborhood is filled with charming historic vibes. Expect cobblestone streets and Renaissance architecture.

Where to Stay

Luxury

Courtney Lux and her dog stay at the Charter Hotel in downtown Seattle Washington.

I stayed at The Charter Seattle, and I highly recommend it for two reasons:

  • The Charter is close to literally everything. Pike Place Public Market was a 4-minute walk away, and because of that, I was able to easily beat the crowds. Target is also a 5-minute walk, so you can quickly and shamelessly stock up on forgotten essentials.
  • Views from my guest room and the rooftop bar, The Fog Room, are some of the best in downtown Seattle.

Read my full hotel review of The Charter Seattle or check out the best hotels in Downtown Seattle.

Budget

  • Green Tortoise Hostel is my top pick: clean, centrally located, and a minute’s walk from Pike Place Market.
  • Hi Seattle is in the International Neighborhood, next to public transit (including the ferries), and the light rail will take you from the airport to their front door.

Top Things to See & Do

Pike Place Market

The lights at Pike Place Market in Seattle glow at night.

Pike Place Market is Seattle’s most popular tourist spot, busting with activity, good food, and long lines.

The Market is built on a steep hill and is made up of several levels stacked on top of each other.

Each level has its own unique collection of vintage shops, colorful bouquets, handcrafted goods, restaurants to suit every lifestyle, and produce stands.

Foodies, consider a Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market


The Original Starbucks

The original Starbucks in Seattle Washington.

While it’s often called the very first Starbucks, this is the second location, as the first-ever building has been demolished.

The current location has been preserved due to its historic status, making your coffee run look like something from an old-timey romance novel.

***Make sure to check out the original brown logo on the signs!***

Pro Tip:

The line is never, ever short at the OG Starbucks, but how do you travel to Seattle and not stop here?

Getting there early is your best bet, which is where it comes in handy to stay somewhere within walking distance!

During peak hours, there is literally a line around the block.


The Space Needle

Aerial views of Seattle's famous Space needle.

The Space Needle is a symbol of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

Known for its futuristic appearance, The Space Needle is a can’t-miss for first-timers, and the observation deck is one great big incredible view of the city.

If the weather is good, you’ll be blessed by views of Mount Rainier, the Puget Sound, plus the Olympic and Cascades mountain ranges.

Tip: This combo ticket includes access to both the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden.


Chihuly Garden

Works from the Chihuly Glass Museum in Seattle.

Located directly next to the Space Needle is the world’s largest dedication to the glass art of Dale Chihuly. The artist himself describes the exhibit the best:

“I want people to be overwhelmed with light and color in a way they have never experienced.”

Dale Chihuly

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop)

Photo Courtesy of UW School of Art

Look for interactive exhibits and massive collections of handwritten lyrics, instruments, and photographs of some of pop culture’s biggest stars at the MoPop.

There are a ton of Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana artifacts.


Hiking in Seattle

A cliff overlooks a mountain in Washington.
  • Mt. Rainier National Park is the most iconic hike in Seattle, even though it’s technically not in Seattle at all, but 107 miles away. With glaciers, powerful waterfalls, alpine meadows, and sheer Pacific Northwestern Beauty, Mt. Rainier deserves its reputation. This tour picks you up from Seattle.
  • Lincoln Park Trail has 4.6 miles of trails, plus a heated saltwater pool and seasonal bathhouse. You can also see gray whales in the spring and orcas in the fall and winter!
  • Discovery Park is a former army post that has it all: a forest, a meadow, a beach, a lighthouse, and former officer housing.
  • Snoqualmie Falls is a stunner- a 270-foot waterfall outlined in lush green trees. The viewing platform is steps from the parking lot for those who want the sights without the hike. Take a half-day guided tour that includes a photo opp at the Fremont Troll.

LGBTQ+

Seattle prides itself on its acceptance of all.

Capitol Hill, Seattle’s oldest area, is super LGBTQ-friendly. Some of the most popular bars in the area are Queer/Bar and Wildrose, one of the oldest operating bars on the West Coast.

Seattle also has one of the largest Pride parades in the US, rivaling San Francisco.

Catch the Seattle Queer Film Festival in the fall!


Best Places for Photos

The Seattle skyline as seen from Kerry Park.

Photos of the Seattle Skyline

Cool Backdrops

Taking Better Photos

You don’t need the best and latest camera gear to take badass photos. Check out How To Take Travel Photos on your Phone.


Unique Things To Do in Seattle

The Fremont Troll

The Fremont Troll in Seattle.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The Troll is an art piece under the George Washington Memorial Bridge. The beast clutches an actual Volkswagen Beetle as if it had just snatched it from the roadway above.

Fun Facts

  • The beetle has a California license plate.
  • Initially, the car held a time capsule, which was taken by vandals.
  • A bust of Elvis used to be locked in the car until it was stolen.

Gasworks Park

View of gas works park with the Puget Sound in the background.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

On what was once the site of the Seattle Gas Light Company Gasification Plant, just north of Lake Union, stands a quirky and industrial park.

Much of the plant’s structures have been repurposed into a children’s “play barn,” while other pieces have been retired and now stand as relics of the 1900s.


The Gum Wall

Various shots of the gum wall in seattle, all taken at night.

Considered a Seattle art staple, the Gum Wall has been around since 1993.

It’s said that the wall was started in that year by guests of a nearby theater. Eventually, employees of the Theater got tired of scraping the wall clean, so they gave it up and allowed the wall to keep collecting gum.

The Gum Wall is a staple spot to snap a pic when you travel to Seattle.

Kurt Cobain’s Bench at Viretta Park:

Viretta Park is located a little south of the former home of Kurt Cobain. Dedicated Nirvana fans gather at the park on the anniversary of Cobain’s death and birthday to pay tribute to him.

The park’s wooden benches have become an unofficial memorial to Kurt Cobain and are covered in messages, flowers, candles, and other mementos. Find it on Google.

Note

While you can drive by the original house Cobain lived in at the time of his death, the greenhouse he was found in was torn down very quickly after his death.

The house’s current owners have built a wall, keep security, and do not like to be bothered.

You really can’t see anything from the street.

Kurt cobain memorial benches in Viertta Park.

Amazon Gosphere

This city-forest is an attempt to add what is typically missing from urban offices– nature.

Known as “The Spheres,” this indoor rainforest provides a vibrant escape from the intense city. The Spheres themselves serve as an ultra-modern workspace for Amazon employees.

More than 40,000 plants from over 30 countries thrive in The Spheres.

The Amazon Go Spheres in downtown Seattle.

Amazon Go Store

Literally an introvert’s dream!

You walk in, scan your Amazon App on a machine, choose what you want to buy, and walk out. You don’t have to speak to a single person during the process.

It was a super cool experience that everyone should try at least once.

Note

The Amazing Go Store sells convenience store items (I bought a Topo Chico), not clothes, and fun things you’d normally associate with an Amazon shopping spree.


Freeway/Jim Ellis Park

Jim Ellis Park is positioned above Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle, the first park built over a highway. This is a great spot for urban photos with sharp angles!


Reciprocal Recording Studio

Some of Grunge’s most iconic tracks were recorded inside the studio of this building, including the first demo of (at the time still unknown) Nirvana.

Reciprocal Recording Studio was only open from 1984 to 1991 but managed to see some serious stars during that time, such as Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and TAD.

Nirvana’s first album, Bleach, was also recorded here.

Note

Though Reciprocal itself is no longer in business, the building is currently occupied by an active recording studio, so be polite and respectful when visiting.

older, black and white photo of the original building that was reciprocal al recording studio
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Seattle Underground

Did you know that there’s an extensive network of underground passageways and basements that twist and turn under the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle?

Once located at ground level while the city was being built in the 19th century, these areas fell into disuse after the streets were elevated.

In this century, you can tour the Seattle Underground.

Light shines down into the underground on a Seattle Underground Tour.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Frequently Asked Questions

Things to do in Seattle Washington

Do I Need A Car In Seattle?

Unless you’re planning to travel outside of Seattle, you won’t need to rent a car, but it does make things easier. There is also an excellent bus system and a light rail.

How Many Days Do I Need In Seattle?

Realistically, to enjoy all that Seattle has to offer, 3-5 days would be ideal.

What if I Only Have A Day In Seattle?

Tours are the best way to travel around Seattle if you’re short on time but don’t want to miss a thing.

My Customized Tour of Seattle included all of Seattle’s biggest icons- The Space Needle, the Starbucks Roastery, Pike Place Public Market, Kerry Park, the Queen Anne Neighborhood, and more in only 4 hours!

Tours are also a great option if you’re one of the many people departing from Seattle on a cruise and don’t have a full day in the city.

Can I visit Seattle on a Budget?

You know my thoughts on this – you can visit pretty much anywhere inexpensively! Every city has cheap hotels, and most major cities have cheap flights.

Tips:

  • Consider buying the Seattle City Pass to save big money on major attractions like the Space Needle, MoPop, and more!

What is ‘Seatac?’

SeaTac refers to the Seattle Tacoma area.


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Have you been to Seattle, or did you travel somewhere else in Washington? Comment below or tag me on social media and tell me how your trip went!

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