Visiting Seattle

Seattle is a beautiful city nestled at the edge of the mountains in the northwestern tip of America. With so many outdoor activities and sites to check out,

When should you go to Seattle?

The best season to visit Seattle is the summer time, between June and September. The busiest season is July and August, so if your looking to avoid crowds, aim for June or September for good weather and less crowds.

The rainy season starts by mid October and lasts through April. May, early June, and even September or early October can see rain, though less than the rainy season.

To drive or not to drive…

Depending on your out of city activities, you do not need a car to enjoy the city of Seattle. From the airport you can take the Link Light Rail from the airport to downtown for only $2.75 per ticket. Once you are downtown, you can walk anywhere easily, or take a Lyft/Uber if you get tired. Driving around downtown Seattle is doable, but difficult, as parking is limited and scarce.

If you plan to check out one of the activities outside of Seattle, then you definitely need a rental car to get there as local transportation is limited to the city. There are also some tour companies that offer day trips outside of the city to Mt. Rainer or Olympic National Park, but to get the most out of these sites, it is best to be on your own schedule.

Hotel or Airbnb?

Hotels in Seattle can be pricey, especially during high season in the summer. Shop around to find the best deal.

Airbnbs are a great option in Seattle, especially when trying to save money. You can find a number of good options for under $100 per night. If you are new to Airbnb, sign up here. Shop around for a good location and check reviews to make sure you find a good place.

Things to do in Downtown Seattle

Below is a list of activities all within walking distance of the downtown area…

• Space Needle – This is probably the highlight item on your visit to Seattle. Views from the top are pretty amazing and on a clear day you can see Mt. Rainier.
• Chihuly Glass and Garden – The glass museum and garden is a wonderland of beautiful glass designs by the famous Dale Chihuly. The garden is located at the base of the Space Needle. You can get a combo ticket that includes the Space Needle and the Chihuly Glass Museum and garden for slight discount.
• Pike Place Market – Located right on the waterfront, the market is one of the oldest farmers markets still in existence. You can spend hours walking the market checking out fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, or crafts.
• The Original Starbucks – Located at the entrance to Pikes Place is the showcase Starbucks location. Be prepared to wait in line for some though, as the original gets very busy.
• Baseball and Football – From the spring to early fall you can catch a Seattle Mariners baseball game. In the fall and early winter catch a Seattle Seahawks football game. Both teams play downtown so access to either stadium is easy.
• Gas Works Park – The area that was the original Seattle Gas Light Company plant has been turned into a massive 19 area public park. You can get some amazing views of the City from the park as well.
• Seattle Aquarium – The aquarium is a great place for families and kids. The aquarium has a lot of education material about sea wildlife that inhabit the area. The aquarium also has an underwater dome for viewing sea life.
• Museum of Pop Culture – The museum is dedicated to contemporary pop culture. It is located right next to the Space Needle.

Day Trips from Seattle

The following is a list of day trips from Seattle. Any of these can be turned into an overnight or multi-night stay.

• Mount Rainier National Park – About two and a half hours south of Seattle, is Mt. Rainer. On a clear day you can see the peak from the city. The park has a lot of hikes to check out. During the spring, the wildflowers cover areas like a sea of color.
• North Cascades National Park – About two and a half hours north of Seattle are the North Cascades. The mountains are absolutely beautiful and offer some stunning hikes and camping.
• Olympic National Park – About two and a half hours to the west of Seattle is another national park. Olympic National Park is split into two areas, one area along the coastline and a much larger area covering a huge amount of forested area. The park has a number of activities, from boating to hiking to wildlife viewing.
• Whale Watching – From Seattle a number of companies offer whale watching. Orcas, gray and humpback whales call the area home. You have a 90% chance of seeing a whale almost year round.
• San Juan Islands – Located just northwest of Seattle, the islands offer some stunning views and outdoor activities. Orcas can be seen around the islands as well.

Hopefully our guide has helped you plan your day or days with activities in Seattle. Please feel free to contact us or comment below with any questions.