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
- The summer months have the best weather in Seattle, meaning rates rise and availability drops. Read How to Get Good Deals on Hotels All Year.
- 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.
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 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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
- 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.
- The Washington Park Arboretum is a stunning collection of gardens, free of charge!
- 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
Photos of the Seattle Skyline
- Seattle Great Wheel (views from the actual wheel)
- Kerry Park (pictured above)
- Alki Beach Park (West Seattle)
- An inexpensive Cruise through the harbor
Cool Backdrops
- Pike Place Market
- The original birthplace of UPS Waterfall
- The Fog Room Bar at the Charter Hotel
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 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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:
- Check out Free things to do in Seattle.
- 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!
