A complete guide to Seattle, Washington, covering Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, thriving food and coffee culture, stunning Pacific Northwest scenery, and vibrant neighborhoods from Capitol Hill to Fremont. Includes practical tips for rain, ferries, and day trips to the mountains and islands.
The oldest continuously operating farmers market in the US, open since 1907. Watch fishmongers toss salmon at the fish counter, see the original Starbucks (opened 1971), and browse over 200 vendors selling flowers, produce, crafts, and prepared food. The market levels extend down the hill with shops and restaurants. Visit before 10 AM on weekdays for the least crowded experience.
Watch the fish throwing at Pike Place Fish Co.
Visit the original Starbucks store
Go up the Space Needle
Seattle's iconic 184-meter observation tower, built for the 1962 World's Fair. The renovated observation deck has floor-to-ceiling glass and a rotating glass floor. Tickets USD 37-42 (cheaper online). On clear days, views extend to Mount Rainier, the Olympics, and the Cascades. The loupe (glass floor) at 150 meters is a separate level included in the ticket.
Visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass
A stunning exhibition of glass art by Dale Chihuly, located right next to the Space Needle. The Glasshouse (a 12-meter-tall centerpiece suspended from the ceiling) and the outdoor garden installations are extraordinary. Admission USD 32, or USD 59 combined with the Space Needle. Allow 1-2 hours. One of Seattle's most visually impressive attractions.
Explore the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Frank Gehry's crumpled-metal building houses exhibits on music, science fiction, video games, and pop culture. The Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, and indie game exhibits are highlights. The Sound Lab lets you play instruments and record music. Admission USD 36. Located at Seattle Center near the Space Needle. Allow 2-3 hours for music and pop culture enthusiasts.
Neighborhoods
Explore Capitol Hill
Seattle's most vibrant neighborhood for nightlife, coffee, and culture. Pine and Pike Streets between Broadway and 12th Avenue have the highest concentration of bars, restaurants, and shops. Volunteer Park at the top of the hill has the Seattle Asian Art Museum and a conservatory with city views. Capitol Hill is also the center of Seattle's LGBTQ+ community.
Walk through Pioneer Square
Seattle's original neighborhood, with red-brick buildings from the 1890s rebuild after the Great Fire. The Underground Tour (USD 22) explores the buried original street level beneath the current sidewalks. Art galleries open for First Thursday Art Walk (free, monthly). Smith Tower's observation bar on the 35th floor has cocktails and views (USD 19 entry).
Take the Underground Tour
Visit Smith Tower's observation bar
Visit Fremont (the Center of the Universe)
A quirky neighborhood with the Fremont Troll (an 18-foot concrete troll under a bridge), a Lenin statue, a Cold War rocket, and the famous Fremont Solstice Parade (June). The Sunday Market (year-round) has vintage goods and food. Theo Chocolate offers factory tours with tastings (USD 15). The self-proclaimed Center of the Universe embodies Seattle's offbeat humor.
See the Fremont Troll
Visit Theo Chocolate factory
Explore Ballard
A former Scandinavian fishing village now home to a thriving brewery district (over 10 craft breweries within walking distance), the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (free, watch salmon climb the fish ladder from June-September), and the charming Ballard Avenue shops. The Sunday Ballard Farmers Market (year-round) is one of the best in the city.
Coffee and Food
Experience Seattle's coffee culture
Seattle is the coffee capital of America. Beyond Starbucks, seek out local roasters: Elm Coffee Roasters, Victrola, Slate, and Storyville. The original Starbucks at Pike Place is iconic but the line is long and the coffee is standard. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery on Capitol Hill (27,000 sq ft) is a more impressive coffee experience with unique roasts and cocktails.
Visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Try local roasters (Elm, Victrola, Slate)
Eat fresh seafood at Pike Place or Ballard
Seattle's seafood scene centers on wild Pacific salmon, Dungeness crab, and oysters. Pike Place Chowder (award-winning clam chowder) and Matt's in the Market (Pacific Northwest fine dining above the market) are favorites. The Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard serves outstanding oysters. Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar has several locations. Peak salmon season is July through September.
Explore the International District food scene
Seattle's Chinatown-International District has excellent Vietnamese pho, Chinese dim sum, Japanese ramen, and Filipino food. Dough Zone (soup dumplings), Tamarind Tree (Vietnamese), and Maneki (the oldest Japanese restaurant in the city, since 1904) are standouts. The Uwajimaya supermarket is an experience in itself. Prices are lower than most Seattle neighborhoods.
Try craft beer in the brewery district
Seattle has over 100 craft breweries. The Ballard brewery district has the highest concentration, with Reuben's Brews, Stoup Brewing, and Fair Isle Brewing within walking distance. Georgetown (south of downtown) is another brewery cluster. Most taprooms have food trucks or allow outside food. A pint costs USD 7-9. Brewery hopping in Ballard makes for an excellent afternoon.
Nature and Day Trips
Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island
A 35-minute Washington State Ferry from downtown (USD 9.45 walk-on, one way) crosses Puget Sound with views of the Seattle skyline and Olympic Mountains. Bainbridge Island has a charming downtown with shops, restaurants, and a waterfront. Bloedel Reserve (a 150-acre garden, USD 17) is worth the trip. The ferry ride itself is one of the best free scenic experiences in the Pacific Northwest.
Day trip to Mount Rainier National Park
The 4,392-meter glacier-covered volcano is visible from Seattle on clear days and about 2.5 hours from the city by car. The Paradise area (open year-round) has wildflower meadows in July-August and the most dramatic mountain views. Sunrise area (summer only) is less crowded with equally stunning scenery. Park entry is USD 30 per car for 7 days.
Hike in Discovery Park
Seattle's largest city park (534 acres) on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound with views of the Olympics and Mount Rainier. The 2.8-mile Loop Trail passes through forest, meadows, and ends at the West Point Lighthouse on the beach. Free entry and parking. The beach at low tide has tide pools. A perfect half-day nature escape within the city limits.
Visit the San Juan Islands
A scenic ferry ride (about 3 hours from Anacortes, 80 miles north of Seattle) brings you to islands famous for orca whale watching, kayaking, and quiet village life. Orca season peaks May through September. Whale watching tours from Friday Harbor cost USD 100-125. San Juan Island and Orcas Island are the most popular. A car is useful but bikes work on the smaller islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it really rain all the time in Seattle?
Seattle gets less total rainfall than New York or Atlanta. What Seattle has is frequent drizzle and grey skies from October through May. Summer (June-September) is genuinely spectacular, with warm temperatures (20-27°C), long days, and minimal rain. Locals call this the secret season. Pack layers and a light rain jacket, but leave the heavy rain gear at home.
How many days do I need in Seattle?
Three to four days covers Pike Place, the Space Needle, major neighborhoods, and the food and coffee scene. Add a day for a Bainbridge Island ferry trip or Mount Rainier visit. Two days works for the downtown highlights but misses the neighborhoods that define Seattle's character. A week allows for island visits and multiple day trips.
How do I get around Seattle?
The Link Light Rail connects the airport to downtown in 40 minutes (USD 3). Downtown, Pike Place, and the waterfront are walkable. The Monorail connects downtown to Seattle Center (Space Needle). Buses cover the neighborhoods. Ride-sharing apps work well. For Ballard, Fremont, and Capitol Hill, buses or ride-shares are most practical. Washington State Ferries depart from the downtown waterfront.
When is the best time to visit Seattle?
July through September is prime time with warm weather (22-28°C), clear skies, and Mount Rainier visible almost daily. June can still be grey (Juneuary). October brings fall colors and mushroom season. Winter is mild (5-10°C) but grey and rainy. The secret is that Seattle summers are among the best in North America, rivaling any city for outdoor enjoyment.