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About Seattle
Seattle is spread over a series of hills between Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east, with Lake Union and the Ship Canal in the middle. Downtown, Pike Place Market and the waterfront sit on the Sound; Pioneer Square and the Chinatown-International District lie to the south; Seattle Center, the Space Needle and Lower Queen Anne are to the north; Capitol Hill, the city's nightlife and LGBTQ+ centre, rises to the east; and Fremont, Ballard and the University District spread across the northern neighbourhoods. The Link light rail connects Sea-Tac Airport, Downtown, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington, and Washington State Ferries leave from Pier 50 and Pier 52 for Bainbridge Island and Bremerton, so a car is not needed for most visits. Rain is frequent from October to May but summers are dry and sunny, and on clear days Mount Rainier, the Olympics and the Cascades are visible from many hills. Day trips include Bainbridge Island, Mount Rainier National Park, Snoqualmie Falls, the San Juan Islands, Olympic National Park, Whidbey Island and Vancouver, Canada.
- Capital
- Seattle (the Washington state capital is Olympia)
- Largest city
- Seattle
- Population
- About 737,000 (737,015 at the 2020 census); about 4.0 million in the Seattle metropolitan area
- Languages
- English, Spanish, Chinese
- Currency
- US Dollar
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (PT): PST UTC-8 in winter, PDT UTC-7 from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November (America/Los_Angeles)
Explore Seattle by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Seattle
The 29 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Pike Place Market
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Seattle Art Museum
Museum of Flight
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Seattle Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Seattle, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Seattle
- Days 1-2Seattle city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Seattle
- Days 1-3Seattle comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Seattle, departure
Where to stay in Seattle
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget $120-190 per person
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range $300-450 per person
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury $750+ per person
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a luxury accommodation in Downtown, Seattle, at 411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101; guests can verify current rates and booking details at the property website.
Check rates on Booking.comFour Seasons Hotel Seattle
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is a luxury accommodation in Downtown, Seattle, at 99 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101; guests can verify current rates and booking details at the property website.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Edgewater
The Edgewater is a luxury accommodation in Waterfront, Seattle, at 2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67, Seattle, WA 98121; guests can verify current rates and booking details at the property website.
Check rates on Booking.comInn at the Market
Inn at the Market is a luxury accommodation in Pike Place Market, Seattle, at 86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101; guests can verify current rates and booking details at the property website.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Seattle
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Canlis
1950 modernist landmark above Lake Union serving a set multi-course Northwest menu.
The Pink Door
Hidden-door Italian restaurant in Pike Place Market with a deck and evening cabaret.
Shiro's Sushi
Long-running Belltown sushi counter founded by Shiro Kashiba.
Tilikum Place Cafe
Small Belltown cafe on Tilikum Place known for its Dutch baby pancake.
Pike Place Chowder
Award-winning New England and Northwest chowder counter in the Post Alley passage.
Piroshky Piroshky
Russian bakery selling hand-filled piroshky beside the original Starbucks block.
Book a food tour in Seattle We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Seattle
Seattle's transport network combines Link light rail, King County Metro buses, the Streetcar, the Monorail, ferries and ride-hailing. Most visitors do not need a car: Link or rideshare covers the airport run, buses and the Monorail the sights, and ferries the Sound.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in USD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $45-80 for a hostel dorm bed (Green Tortoise Hostel, HI Seattle at the American Hotel) or $120-180 for a basic hotel room, before about 15.6% hotel tax and fees | $200-330 per night for a mid-range hotel Downtown, Lower Queen Anne or Capitol Hill, plus parking of about $40-65 per night if a car is kept | $500+ per night for waterfront and Downtown five-star suites |
| Food (per day) | $35-50 (teriyaki, Pike Place bakery counters, dim sum, food-truck lunch) | $80-130 (sit-down lunch and dinner, coffee, one drink) | $200-400+ (tasting menus and fine dining) |
| Transportation | $6-14 (Link and Metro fares of about $3 per ride, with the Monorail or a ferry as extras) | $15-45 (Link, Metro, occasional rideshare, a ferry day trip) | $80-300 (private car transfers and valet parking at $60+ per night) |
| Activities | $0-25 (free Pike Place Market, Kerry Park, Gas Works Park, Discovery Park and the waterfront) | $40-110 (Space Needle, Museum of Flight, Seattle Aquarium or MoPOP) | $150+ (private seaplane flights, Mount Rainier or San Juan Islands private tours, spa days) |
| Daily total | $120-190 per person | $300-450 per person | $750+ per person |
Best time to visit Seattle
Weather through the year in Seattle
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Seattle has a mild marine climate: summer highs reach 70-78F (21-26C) with very little rain, while winters stay between about 38F and 50F (3-10C) with frequent grey, drizzly days. July, August and September are the driest and sunniest months and offer the best views of Mount Rainier and the Olympics. The wettest period is November to January.
Rain is usually light and steady rather than heavy, and locals rarely use umbrellas; a waterproof jacket is enough. Summer evenings stay light until about 9:10pm in late June. August and September can bring wildfire smoke from regional fires, so check airnow.gov. Hotel prices peak in July and August and during cruise-ship days, so check the Seattle events calendar before booking.
Essential travel tips
- Pick one or two neighbourhoods per day; hills are steep, so use buses, Link or the streetcar uphill.
- Buy an ORCA card (about $3 for the card, at Link stations and ORCA retailers) or use contactless payment; one card pays for Link, Metro, the Streetcar, ferries and the Water Taxi.
- Book Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass tickets online (spaceneedle.com, chihulygardenandglass.com) for summer weekends; the Space Needle is open late and sunset slots sell out.
- Carry a light waterproof jacket in every season; showers can arrive with little warning.
- Visit Pike Place Market (85 Pike St) early on a weekday morning, before the cruise crowds arrive around 10am; the market opens at 9am daily.
- Tip 18-20% at restaurants and $1-2 per drink at bars; Seattle has a high minimum wage, but tipping is still the norm and some restaurants add a service charge to the bill.
- Carry photo ID for alcohol purchases (minimum age 21); cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over but may not be used in public or taken across the border into Canada.
Safety information
Never leave anything visible in a parked car, including bags, jackets, chargers and loose change; car break-ins are the most common crime against visitors, especially at trailheads, Alki Beach, Downtown garages and the Space Needle area. Empty the car completely.
Keep phones, cameras and wallets out of sight in the crowds at Pike Place Market and on Link light rail and buses; hold the phone close near train doors and bus stops, and wear bags in front.
Avoid Third Avenue between Stewart and Pike Streets, the blocks around 12th Avenue S and S Jackson Street, and Pioneer Square's side streets at night; use rideshare for evening trips through these blocks.
Dress in layers and carry a waterproof jacket in every season; wet clothes and wind on a ferry deck or the Space Needle observation deck chill quickly.
In an earthquake, drop, cover and hold on under a sturdy table, stay away from windows and do not run outside. Expect aftershocks. Information: seattle.gov/emergency-management and earthquake.usgs.gov.
Do not swim in Puget Sound or Lake Washington outside lifeguarded summer beaches such as Madison Park and Matthews Beach; the water is about 47-55F (8-13C) and cold-water shock is a leading cause of drowning.
Stay on marked paths at Discovery Park, Carkeek Park and Alki bluffs; bluffs are unstable and landslides occur after heavy winter rain.
Check air quality at airnow.gov during wildfire periods, mostly August to October, and register for ALERT Seattle at alert.seattle.gov. Wear an N95 mask on smoke days if outdoors.
Buy tickets for the Space Needle, ferries and tours only from the official sites or ticket offices; resellers outside Pike Place Market and Pier 57 sometimes sell overpriced or invalid tickets.
Order rideshare only through the Uber or Lyft app and check the plate and driver photo before entering. Refuse unsolicited rides at Sea-Tac Airport.
Do not leave drinks unattended in bars, and use rideshare after nights out on Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square or Ballard.
Carry a photo ID for alcohol purchases and bar entry; the minimum drinking age is 21, and cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over but may not be used in public.
Frequently asked questions
Is Seattle safe for tourists?
Generally yes in the main tourist areas such as Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, the waterfront and Capitol Hill by day. The most common problems are car break-ins and phone or bag theft, so never leave items visible in a car. Avoid Third Avenue near Pine Street and parts of Pioneer Square and the International District late at night. Dial 911 in any emergency.
How many days are enough for Seattle?
Three days cover Pike Place Market, the Space Needle and Seattle Center, the waterfront and aquarium, a museum, Capitol Hill and a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. Allow extra days for Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula or the San Juan Islands.
Do visitors need a car in Seattle?
Not for the city. Link light rail, Metro buses, the Streetcar, ferries and rideshare cover most journeys, and Downtown parking costs about $40-65 per night. A car is useful only for Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula and the North Cascades, and can be rented for those days.
What is the best time to visit Seattle?
July to September is the driest and sunniest, with the best mountain views; May, June and early October are good alternatives. November to February is wet and dark, but hotels are cheaper.
How do visitors get from Sea-Tac Airport to Downtown Seattle?
Take the Link 1 Line from the airport station to Westlake (about 40 minutes and about $3), or an Uber/Lyft (about $45-65) or taxi (about $50-65). Link trains run from about 5am to about 1am.
Is the ORCA card worth buying in Seattle?
Yes for stays of several days: the card costs about $3 and pays for Link, Metro, the Streetcar, ferries and the Water Taxi with free transfers. Contactless bank cards and phone wallets also work on most services, but the ORCA card gives the transfer discount.