The Emerald Gem
Get to Know Seattle
In the corner of the US, Seattle shines bright through the rain. While the Emerald City is notorious for its steady rainfall, the rain that falls all winter lifts in the summer, leaving behind a dewy natural playground. Complete with stunning vistas, challenging hikes, and water sports galore, Seattle is the place to cool off and dive into nature.
Seattle Highlights
Washington’s Cherry Harvest
Washington state is one of the country’s top cherry-growing states, with most orchards in the sunnier, drier eastern part of the state. In the summer, roadside tents pop up selling freshly picked cherries. Don’t miss out on this delicious harvest when you’re in town.
Mt. Rainier Adventures
Seattle’s proximity to Mt. Rainier offers unparalleled access to mountain escapes. From downtown, you’re roughly a two-hour drive from some of the best wilderness in the US. Whether you’re into casual hikes or serious mountaineering, this region has it all.
Water Everywhere
Seattle lives up to its reputation of having water everywhere. Whether you’re kayaking, taking a ferry, or swimming in the city’s many lakes, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the water in Seattle.
Coffee Culture
While Seattle is famous for a certain coffeehouse with a green mermaid logo, the city’s café scene is much deeper. Across town, there are countless independent cafés brewing up some of the best coffee you’ll ever taste. If you’re serious about your brew, the Seattle Barista Academy is known for training top baristas across the country.
The Best Things to Do in Seattle
⛴️ Ride a Ferry
One of the few US cities where ferries are part of the public transit system, Seattle is perhaps best observed by boat. Hop on a ferry to Bainbridge Island for the day, explore its wineries and breweries, and soak in the views of the city skyline.
🌲 Wander in the Parks
If the Cascades feel too daunting, the Emerald City itself is rich in green spaces. Parks like Seward Park, Green Lake, and Kubota Gardens offer serene settings for relaxation. Many of these parks feature live music in the summer, so bring a blanket, soak up the sun, and enjoy some tunes.
🍲 Savor Seattle’s Flavors
SEA’s food scene is a confluence of cultures from the Pacific, East Asia, and Latin America. Whether you’re seeking fine dining, exotic fusion dishes, or hidden gems, Seattle offers some of the best culinary experiences in the country.
Getting to Seattle and Getting Around
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the main gateway. Link light rail’s 1 Line runs from SeaTac/Airport Station to downtown in roughly 40 minutes, with frequent trains for most of the day. Rideshares and taxis also serve the airport, but travel time depends on traffic.
Pay with an ORCA card, the regional transit card that works on Link, King County Metro buses, the Seattle Streetcar, the Seattle Center Monorail, the Water Taxi and Washington State Ferries. Ticket machines at Link stations sell them.
Downtown, Pike Place Market, the waterfront and Pioneer Square are walkable, though Seattle is hilly. The Monorail links Westlake Center to Seattle Center, and Capitol Hill has its own Link station. Fremont and Ballard sit farther north, so plan on a bus, rideshare or bike. Connecting through SEA with a few hours to spare? Link makes downtown a realistic detour, and our long layover guide shows how to plan it.
When to Go
Summer is the sweet spot: the National Weather Service puts Seattle’s dry season around July and August, and the wet season from October through March. For thinner crowds, try the shoulder months and pack a light rain jacket. Big concerts, sports games and summer festivals can push up flight and hotel prices, so check the calendar before you book, and see our guide to flights to sold-out events if your dates are locked in.
Where to Stay
Pick a base by vibe, then compare rooms with Skiplagged Hotels.
- Downtown and Pike Place Market: Best for first-timers, with the market, the waterfront and Link close by.
- Queen Anne and Seattle Center: The Space Needle and Kerry Park views, a good fit for families. Expect hills.
- Capitol Hill: Nightlife, live music and the center of Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ scene, for night owls.
- Fremont and Ballard: Leafy and laid-back, near the Fremont Troll and the Ballard Locks. Expect a bus or rideshare ride into downtown.
What to Eat and Drink
Start at Pike Place Market, open since 1907 and still a working market of produce stalls, flower sellers and fishmongers famous for tossing their catch. Come hungry and graze.
Seafood is the headline: Dungeness crab, salmon, oysters, clams and geoduck turn up from waterfront seafood houses to oyster bars in Ballard and Queen Anne. For coffee, pair an independent roaster in Capitol Hill or Pioneer Square with a walk-up espresso window.
A Sample 2-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Start early at Pike Place Market, stroll the waterfront, then ride the Monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center for the Space Needle. End with sunset at Kerry Park.
Day 2: Catch a morning Washington State Ferries sailing to Bainbridge Island and return whenever you like. Take Link to Capitol Hill for Volunteer Park and the shops on Broadway and Pike/Pine, then stay for dinner and live music. On a clear afternoon, swap in Gas Works Park or the Ballard Locks.
Ways to Save in Seattle
Plenty of Seattle’s best sights are free: entrance to Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center grounds, Olympic Sculpture Park, the Ballard Locks and the view from Kerry Park. Walk-on ferry passengers pay in Seattle, and the fare covers the round trip.
If you plan to see several paid attractions, price out the Seattle CityPASS, which bundles a selection of top sights such as the Space Needle and Seattle Aquarium, against individual tickets.
Flying to Seattle for Less
Seattle is a hub for Alaska Airlines and Delta, so plenty of itineraries to farther cities connect here. Skiplagged searches hidden-city fares, where Seattle is the layover on a ticket to somewhere beyond. Hidden-city ticketing is not illegal, but most airlines prohibit it in their contract of carriage. Book one-way only, travel carry-on only (checked bags go to your ticketed final destination), and know the airline can cancel the rest of the itinerary or act on a loyalty account. Our hidden city travel guide has the details.
Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, north of the city, has scheduled Alaska Airlines service, so check it if your route is served. Fares also swing by season and day of week, and our guide to how airline pricing works explains why.
Quick Answers
When is the best time to visit Seattle? Summer, especially July and August, for hiking, ferries and Mount Rainier. Winter is wetter and quieter.
How many days do you need? Two covers downtown, Seattle Center and a ferry or neighborhood. Add a third for Mount Rainier.
Can you get around without a car? Yes. Link, buses, the streetcar, the Monorail and ferries cover most visitor areas. Use a rideshare for Ballard or Fremont.
Is Mount Rainier a day trip? Yes, but allow a full day, and check the National Park Service for current road and area status before you go.
Plan your trip: Taking a red eye to the West Coast? Read our guide to red eye flights, and find cheap flights to get there for less.
