Travel Seattle
The Emerald City
I spent two weeks in Seattle trying to see all that I could see, and trust me, there is so much to see—water, mountains, coffee shops, bookstores, ferries, and neighborhoods that feel like their own little world. I was traveling there for a conference that happened to fall the same week as my birthday, so I extended the trip to have plenty of time to see the city.
Even if you’ve never been, you may recognize iconic places like the Space Needle or Pike Place Market, but I also fell in love with other small moments like the most amazing breakfast biscuit at women-owned Biscuit Bitch, strolls along the waterfront, the best Chocolate truffles I’ve ever had at Boehm's Candies, and catching fish in the market. Seattle is a calm city. It’s urban but surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature i’ve ever experienced, and it’s the kind of place where you can simultaneously spend the morning in a museum and the afternoon hiking the mountains.
This was one of the longest national trips I’ve ever taken and I somehow have so much to go back and experience. For now though, here’s how I think you should experience Seattle.
Before You Go
Best Time to Visit
I visited Seattle in March, and it was beautiful in the spring but still misty and very windy. The best time to visit Seattle is late spring through early fall (May–October), and Summer (July–September) has the best weather with very little rain and clear views of the mountains.
Walkability
I walked between 12,000 and 16,000 steps every day in Seattle, so I would certainly say the city is walkable, but it’s worth noting that it’s very hilly. With that said, I would suggest bringing comfortable walking shoes.
In addition to walking, you can use the Light Rail for attractions like Chihuly Garden and Glass or the Space Needle and even the airport. Uber and Lyft are widely available when you don’t feel like walking and ferries are available for full-day or half-day trips to places like Bainbridge Island. I would suggest taking the ferry at least once for beautiful views.
What Else to Know
Seattle is casual, so there’s no need to dress up, but I would recommend comfortable rain/hiking boots or waterproof shoes and a raincoat or hooded jacket. I would also recommend layers if visiting anytime other than summer.
If you’re a coffee lover, you can find it everywhere.
Seattle is a great city to combine city + nature in one trip.
Stories + City Guides
Everything that made me fall in love with Seattle
Experiences to Know
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Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is much bigger than most people expect. This is where you’ll see the famous fish throwing and find a unique collection of small vendors to shop from, food counters, flower stands, bookstores, coffee shops, and corner views overlooking the water.
I recommend going in the morning, grabbing a coffee and donuts and wandering through the different levels of the market. You’ll definitely find something you love to take home with you, whatever your taste might be.
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The Space Needle
The Space Needle is one of those landmarks that people debate about visiting. It was my first time in Seattle, and though it’s probably worth going at least once, I decided I was more interested in seeing it from an overlook than actually going up in it.
From the top, though, you can see the entire city, the water, the mountains, and on a good day, Mount Rainier in the distance. The observation deck has indoor and outdoor viewing areas as well.
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Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is one of the easiest nature trips you can take from Seattle and it doesn’t require a full day if you don’t have one. The waterfall is massive and powerful, and there are a few different viewpoints where you can see it from above and from below if you take the short hike down.
This is a good option if you want to see the natural beauty of Washington without committing to a full national park trip.
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Seattle Public Library
Even if you’re not someone who normally visits libraries when you travel, the Seattle Public Library is worth a stop because of the architecture alone. The building is very modern and geometric, and it’s a quiet place to spend some time, look through books, and take a break from walking around the city. It’s also free to visit and has a gift shop, which makes it an easy stop to add to a downtown day. Make sure you visit the red hall!
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Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum is located downtown, so it’s easy to include while you’re already exploring the city. The museum has a mix of modern art, classic art, and rotating exhibitions, so there’s usually something interesting to see even if you don’t consider yourself a big museum person. It’s a good indoor activity if the weather is rainy, and it’s also close to Pike Place Market and the waterfront, so you can easily pair these together in the same day.
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Mt. Rainier
If you have the time, visiting Mount Rainier is a recommended experience that I did not get to do. On a clear day, though, you can see the mountain from the city, which is how I was able to still capture a photo of it.
I’m told that there are wonderful hiking trails, scenic drives, and viewpoints, and depending on the time of year, you’ll also be able to see stunning wildflower blooms. It’s about a two-hour drive from Seattle, so I can only assume it’s best done as a full day trip.
Neighborhoods to Know
Downtown – Central, walkable, close to Pike Place and the waterfront
Capitol Hill – Trendy, nightlife, restaurants, bookstores, young crowd
Belltown – Restaurants, bars, and close to everything
Fremont – Artsy, quirky, local feel
Ballard – Waterfront, breweries, and a more relaxed neighborhood
South Lake Union – Modern, clean, great for first-time visitors
Where to Eat in Seattle
Seattle is one of the best food cities I’ve experienced in the US, especially if you like seafood and Asian cuisine. Because of its location on the water, the food scene here is heavily influenced by fresh seafood and a wide range of Asian restaurants, particularly Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean food. Sushi and pho are everywhere in Seattle, and it’s some of the best and freshest you’ll find in the U.S.
Seafood is also a big part of the city’s food culture. Salmon, oysters, crab, and chowder show up on menus all over the city in casual waterfront spots like Luke’s Lobster to nicer restaurants like Umi Sake House. One of the best things to do in Seattle is to walk around and eat. Have a coffee and a pastry in the morning, sushi or dumplings for lunch, and seafood for dinner.
If You Want to Understand Seattle
Seattle is known for a few things that define the personality of the city: coffee, tech, rain, mountains, water, bookstores, and seafood. Starbucks was founded in Seattle, so you know coffee is a big deal here. Try small neighborhood cafés for some of the best coffee you’ll have + breakfast. The city’s strong tech presence shaped a lot of Seattle’s growth and skyline.
Commonly known is that Seattle is famous for rainy, gray weather, especially outside of summer, which is why you’ll see locals in good jackets and waterproof shoes instead of umbrellas. One of the most unique things about Seattle and one of my favorite features of the city is how close it is to nature. You can see mountains like Mount Rainier from the city on a clear day, and the city is surrounded by water, with ferries, lakes, and waterfront views everywhere you go.
If you’re a book lover, Seattle is also a big reading city, known for its independent bookstores plus the striking Seattle Public Library. I recommend getting lost in both. And of course, being on the water means the seafood here is excellent. Overall, it’s a city that just made me want to be out and about, even with the rainy weather. There are so many diverse things to do and though I stayed for two weeks, one week is plenty to see a good portion of the city.
Where to Stay
Hotel Ändra is roughly a 25 minute drive from Sea Tac Airport, has plenty of great food options nearby, including Lola immediately downstairs in the lobby, and it’s not far from favorite attractions like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Seattle Waterfront and more. If that hasn’t sold you, it is also incredibly chic and cozy—the perfect combination in my mind.
You know how some hotels feel impersonal? Hotel Ändra is the exact opposite. It’s a boutique hotel, which means it’s intimate, beautifully designed, and full of thoughtful details. The staff at Hotel Ändra was great about making recommendations for great food in the neighborhood, helping us arrange car service to the airport, and pointing us in the direction of convenient amenities like a fountain to refill our reusable water jugs and the 24/7 gym. While I know it’s part of their job, it also makes a difference to me how staff communicates with me, and I found every single person at this hotel to be friendly and helpful.
Why I Love Seattle
What I love most about Seattle is that you don’t have to choose between city and nature—you can have both in the same trip. You can spend the day walking through neighborhoods, markets, and museums, and then drive out to mountains, waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
Seattle offers an exciting mix of iconic sights and time outdoors. This guide highlights the most memorable things I did while visiting, including Pike Place Market, a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, the Seattle Public Library, and a visit to Snoqualmie Falls just outside the city.