Washington, United StatesThe Emerald City

Seattle

Seattle mixes a working waterfront, a famous market and coffee culture with mountain views on a clear day. It is a strong base for the Olympic Peninsula, Mount Rainier and the San Juan Islands.

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Best months: Jun to Sep
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Train: Not confirmed
Bus: Not confirmed

Photo by Stephen Plopper on Unsplash

Best months

January
February
March
April
May
June, a good time to go
July, a good time to go
August, a good time to go
September, a good time to go
October
November
December

Known as

Coastal
Big city
Music city
Food city
National park gateway
Arts city
Lake town

Getting there

Highway / road trip
Commercial airport
Local public transit
Ferry

Train and bus

Train: Not confirmed
Bus: Not confirmed

People

737,015

in the city, 4,161,883 in the metro area

Languages

English

Seattle is built on hills between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, so almost every neighborhood has water or a view somewhere nearby. On clear days the Olympic Mountains show to the west and Mount Rainier looms to the southeast. The city grew up around fishing, timber and shipping, and it still feels like a port town, with ferries crossing the Sound all day. It is also a tech city, home to major software and online retail companies, and a music city with a long grunge history. The mood is casual, outdoorsy and fond of coffee. Locals tend to dress for the weather rather than the occasion.

Pike Place Market is the natural place to begin, with fishmongers, flower stalls, bakeries and the original Starbucks shop. The Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit are both at Seattle Center, near the Museum of Pop Culture. Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill gives the classic skyline photo. The waterfront has the Seattle Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium. Pioneer Square has the Underground Tour and old brick buildings. Outdoor options include the Ballard Locks, Discovery Park and a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, which doubles as a short harbor cruise.

Seafood is a way of life here. Look for salmon, Dungeness crab, oysters and fish and chips at casual spots on the water, and a bowl of clam chowder at an Ivar's stand. Pho and other Vietnamese food is easy to find in the Chinatown-International District and in Little Saigon. Coffee shops are everywhere, and many roast their own beans. Capitol Hill is the center of nightlife, with live music, dance clubs and craft cocktail bars. Ballard has breweries and Scandinavian history, and the venues there host local bands most nights. Tasting flights are easy to find.

Downtown and Belltown put you near the market, the waterfront and the rail stations. Queen Anne is quieter and close to Seattle Center, while Capitol Hill suits visitors who want nightlife and cafes. The Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown and on to the University of Washington, and buses and the monorail help with the rest. Driving is slower than it should be, because hills and bridges bottleneck traffic, and downtown parking is hard to find. Washington State Ferries leave from the downtown waterfront for Bainbridge Island and Bremerton.

July through September is the dry, bright part of the year, and the best time for views and boat trips. May, June and early October are good too. From late autumn to early spring, gray skies and drizzle are common, but the city does not shut down and hotel rooms get easier to find. Give Seattle two to three days. That is enough for the market, Seattle Center, a neighborhood or two and a ferry ride. Add more time if you plan to use the city as a base for the mountains.

Seattle sits on Interstate 5 between Portland to the south and Vancouver, British Columbia, to the north. The Amtrak Cascades train covers both routes, and the Empire Builder and Coast Starlight also stop here. Mount Rainier National Park is about two hours away. The Olympic Peninsula opens by ferry or by road around Tacoma, and the Cascade Loop and North Cascades National Park head east. Ferries from the north end of the region reach Whidbey Island and the San Juan Islands. Tacoma is a short drive south and has the Museum of Glass.

Highlights

Pike Place Market
A waterfront market of fish, produce, crafts and small restaurants.
Space Needle
An observation tower at Seattle Center with views across the Sound.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
A gallery and garden of blown-glass art beside the Needle.
Museum of Pop Culture
A music and film museum in a building by Frank Gehry.
Kerry Park
A small park on Queen Anne Hill with a classic skyline view.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
A working lock with a fish ladder, in Ballard.
Bainbridge Island ferry
A scenic crossing to a small island town.
Pioneer Square
Brick streets, bookshops and the Underground Tour.

Neighborhoods

Capitol Hill
A lively nightlife area, full of bars, cafes, record shops and live venues.
Ballard
A former fishing and Scandinavian district, now known for breweries and boutiques.
Fremont
A quirky area by the ship canal, with the Fremont Troll and a Sunday market.
Pioneer Square
The old downtown, with brick buildings, galleries and the sports stadiums nearby.
Queen Anne
A hill above Seattle Center with calm streets and fine views.
Chinatown-International District
A historic area of Asian restaurants, markets and shops, with many Vietnamese restaurants nearby.

Getting around

Link light rail connects the airport, downtown and the university, and buses, the monorail and ferries fill in. Downtown and the market area are walkable, but the hills are steep.

Best months

Known as

Getting there

Train and bus

People

Languages

Highlights

Neighborhoods

Getting around

Scores

Where to stay

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Food & dining

Work remotely

Where to next from Seattle

Best months

Known as

Getting there

Train and bus

People

Languages

Highlights

Neighborhoods

Getting around

Scores

Where to stay

Things to do

Food & dining

In an emergency, call 911

How safe is Seattle?

Safety score

Violent crime

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Work remotely

Where to next from Seattle

Community

When to go

Annual events

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Upcoming events

Routes through Seattle

Community

Reviews

Review Seattle

Locals

In an emergency, call 911

How safe is Seattle?

Safety score

Violent crime

Areas to be careful in

Police

Hospitals