Seattle Travel Guide

Seattle, Washington sits at one of the most beautiful spots in the United States. Occupying a narrow isthmus between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it is the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest, with four million people calling the area home. Seen from above, carpets of evergreen trees, pristine blue waters, and snowy white mountains surround the downtown’s metallic skyscrapers, earning the city its nickname The Emerald City.

On the ground, you will find a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Next to the progressive downtown and the freewheeling feel of Capitol Hill, you can find a laid-back atmosphere in the districts to the north and ethnically diverse neighborhoods to the south. The many restaurants, coffee shops and microbreweries are worth indulging in after a day spent strolling through the city’s many parks and beaches or admiring the arts and architecture. And just outside the hectic city are snow-covered mountains, evergreen forests, and stunning coastline to explore. Even for the bold and the adventurous, it’s hard to get enough of Seattle.

Districts

Most visitors to Seattle tend not to venture beyond Downtown, the International District, and the Seattle Center. That’s a shame, since neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, West Seattle, and those north of the ship canal are where much of the fun actually is!

Seattleites usually divide the town by districts roughly divided as listed below. Although there are formally 30 neighborhoods and their boundaries are not always clear, there’s usually a proud feature that represents each neighborhood.:

Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods

North of the Lake Washington Ship Canal

South of Downtown and I-90

While in Seattle you will likely hear reference to the “Eastside“, which refers to the region east of Lake Washington comprising the suburbs of Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond.

Understand

History

Like the rest of the United States, the Seattle area used to be home to Indian settlements. The first humans are believed to have entered the region nearly 4,000 years ago. Englishman George Vancouver mapped the area in the 1790s, but the first white settlers didn’t arrive until 1851. Luther Collins led a party of settlers to the mouth of the Duwamish River (in what is today southern Seattle), followed shortly by a party led by the more notable Arthur A. Denny of Chicago, who settled at Alki Point in West Seattle. Confrontations between the original settlers initially flared, only to die out as the groups settled together on the Elliott Bay. The area was then named Seattle by David Maynard, in honor of Chief Si’ahl of the Duwamish & Suquamish tribes, and later officially established as a city in 1869.

By the 1880s, development of a modern city came to life with the erection of buildings, a streetcar system, and a lumber mill at the end of a timber skid row (what is now Yesler Way), only to be destroyed by fire in 1889. The city came alive again in 1903 with the Klondike Gold Rush, when Seattle served as the departure city for miners bound for Alaska and the Yukon. During this boom time, hills were flattened for development and the Lake Washington Ship Canal was created.

The city’s economy slowed down again during the Great Depression and World War II, but experienced a renewed fervor with the establishment of the aircraft company Boeing and the occurrence of the 1962 World’s Fair, which opened the gates for modernization of the city. Heavy dependence on Boeing took an economic toll on the city during the 1970s oil crisis, but Microsoft’s move from Albuquerque to the Seattle area further promoted the economic vitality of Seattle. Soon, Amazon.com, Nintendo of America, T-Mobile, Starbucks, and numerous biotech companies also established their headquarters here, bringing an influx of population growth and money into the area. Today, the Seattle metropolitan area’s wealth and its four million inhabitants (more than half of the population of Washington State) make it the economic powerhouse of the Pacific Northwest and a city of huge importance for the entire United States.

Culture

Seattle is historically a very diverse city and multiculturalism is seen as a virtue. Whites make up about 70% of the population, while more than a tenth of Seattlelites are of Asian descent. English is spoken virtually everywhere in the city but there are ethnic areas in South Seattle where Vietnamese and Tagalog are also commonly spoken, as well as Chinese and Japanese in the International District. The ZIP code 98118 in South Seattle is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the entire United States!

Being a very politically left-wing part of the country, Seattle has one of the most sprawling LGBT communities in the US, second only to San Francisco. The Capitol Hill area, east of downtown, is the place for LGBT-friendly business and bars, as well as a resource center.

Locals have long talked of the Seattle Freeze, referring to the cold politeness of residents. The theory is that while they are very polite and warm on first interaction, they are actually reserved, and interactions rarely lead to real acts of friendship (an invitation to dinner, personal conversations, etc.). The origin is obscure, but it is mostly assumed to be from Scandinavian immigrants that brought their home country’s customs here, including this equivalent to introversion. Expect to have to make all the “first moves” to meet people here.

Residents’ shyness also extends to anger and annoyance. Locals often make fun of themselves for their passive aggressive culture, where even in the most upsetting circumstances they will retain their polite nature.

Climate

A common stereotype of Seattle is that the sky is always grey, rainy, and depressing. But it may surprise you that rain is virtually absent in late spring through early fall, making Seattle an excellent place to spend summer. It’s warm and comfortable, with little to moderate humidity and temperatures averaging in the upper 70s (about 25°C), though sometimes rising to the 80s and even 90s (above 30°C). Furthermore, because of Seattle’s high latitude, the sky is bright from around 4:30AM to 10PM during the summer months, giving you ample daylight for outdoor activities.

During all other seasons, the sky above Seattle is often murky, grim, rainy and breezy, with occasional days of sun. It can be dry but cold, or mild but rainy. Even in the case of dry weather, the morning typically starts with fog that usually vanishes by midday. Despite its location as the northernmost big city in the U.S., winters in Seattle are not as harsh as those east of the Cascades. Marine air from the Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean moderate Seattle’s climate, so that most precipitation falls as rain and little as snow. However, on occasion a snowstorm will hit, though it’s a fairly rare event. The area consists of complex topographical features; thus it can be raining in the city itself but sunny five miles north or snowing in heaps fifteen miles inland to the Cascade foothills, often puzzling weather forecasters.

Despite the Rain City reputation, the main challenge of Seattle’s weather is more the overcast skies than the rain, and in fact Seattle has less annual rainfall than most cities east of the Rocky Mountains. Seattle’s rain usually comes in a drizzle that lingers for days, which only occasionally strengthens to a full-blown torrent that rarely lasts long.

Tourist information

The Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau operates two visitors centers. Both offer maps, brochures, event details, tour bookings, and restaurant reservations:

• Seattle Visitors Center and Concierge Services, 701 Pike Street, Suite 800 (inside the Washington State Convention and Trade Center). Daily 9AM-5PM during summer, M-F 9AM-5PM during winter. 
• Market Information Center, 1st and Pike (on the southwest corner). Daily 10AM-6PM. 

Get in

By plane

A longer, yet cheaper way to cross Canada Travelers who are traveling between Eastern Canada and western Canada (especially Vancouver) can make use of the cheaper fares when flying to or from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport before transferring by bus, due to favoritism and high taxes that makes Canadian domestic air travel expensive (see Vancouver: Get In). Allow at least an additional 3 hours for transfer between transportation modes and travel across the border. Remember to have a passport (and visa if necessary) with you because you will be traveling between international borders.

Main article: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

47.443599-122.3026181 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA ^IATA), universally nicknamed “Sea-Tac”, is located in the city’s southern suburbs 14mi/22.5 km south of downtown Seattle. It’s a major domestic hub for Alaska, Northwest and West Coast destinations, and also handles many international trans-Pacific routes, as well as some flights to major European airports and Dubai, UAE. In addition, the airport is well-connected to virtually every part of the US, with multiple daily flights to many major US cities, as well as to Alaska and Hawaii. Alaska Airlines uses this airport as its primary hub and is by far the biggest carrier here, with Delta catching up with an international hub here and an increasing number of domestic destinations.

The reliable Central Link light rail connects the University of Washington, the downtown area, and South Seattle to Sea-Tac, with trains running every 10 minutes or better 5AM-10PM and every 15 minutes until midnight; the trip to Downtown Seattle costs $3 and takes about 35 minutes. The airport station is connected to the 4th floor of the parking garage (accessible via the pedestrian bridges on the departure level of the terminal); look for the signs to point you in right direction.

A taxi will cost about $60-$70 to downtown and take about 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions, or you can take a shuttle bus for around $40-$60 for the same duration.

Alternate airports

The much-smaller Bellingham International Airport, located about 90 minutes (94mi/150km) north of Seattle in Bellingham, can be used as a cheaper alternative to fly into Seattle, despite the scarcity of flights. Low-cost carrier Allegiant Air flies to its West Coast hubs year-round from Bellingham (and not from Sea-Tac), in addition to seasonal flights by Alaska Airlines. The Bellair Airporter shuttle offers scheduled services from Bellingham International Airport to the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle and to Sea-Tac.

Portland International Airport, about 3 hr (160mi/256km) south of Seattle in Portland, is a major airport, but smaller than Sea-Tac, and is another alternative to fly into Seattle, especially with low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines and Volaris (flights from Mexico). There are no direct shuttle services from Portland International Airport to Seattle, but there are Greyhound, Bolt Bus and Amtrak services from downtown Portland to downtown Seattle.

Private aircraft and seaplane

Private aircraft can use 47.536774-122.3038702 King County International Airport (BFI ^IATA), universally known as Boeing Field. It’s also south of the city, but much closer to town than Sea-Tac airport.

Seaplane service is available between Seattle and various island destinations throughout Washington state and British Columbia. Kenmore Air operates year-round scheduled floatplane services from their terminal on Lake Union to the San Juan Islands and Victoria, and summer flights from their base at Kenmore on Lake Washington’s north end to Nanaimo, Campbell River and many other destinations in northern British Columbia. Wheeled plane service is also offered from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor and Eastsound airports. A ground shuttle service is available from the Lake Union and Boeing Field terminals to Sea-Tac.

Air charter companies such as Monarch Air Group and Mercury Jets fly a variety of private charter aircraft and jets, from charter luxury Gulfstreams down to economical piston twins for small groups and individuals.

By train

Amtrak provides service from the 47.5984-122.32993 King Street Station, located south of downtown near CenturyLink Field. The Amtrak Cascades runs four trains daily between Seattle and Portland (two of which continue to Eugene, Oregon) and two a day to Vancouver, British Columbia. Additional service from Portland to Eugene and from Seattle to Vancouver is offered on the Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach. These trains are more reliable schedule-wise than the long distance trains and offer certain amenities not available on regular Amtrak trains, such as more space for bikes, more laptop outlets, a “Bistro Car” which serves local foods and wine, and the occasional movie.

Seattle is also served by two long-distance sleeper trains, the Coast Starlight which runs daily between Seattle and Los Angeles via Portland and Emeryville (San Francisco), and the Empire Builder which also runs daily between Seattle and Chicago via Spokane, Glacier National Park, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee.

Sound Transit operates a commuter rail service called Sounder from Seattle to Lakewood (via Tacoma) and to Everett, but these trains would be of little use to a visitor.

By car

Interstate 5 (I-5) is the major north-south roadway entering the City Center and the most direct way to drive to or from Vancouver and Portland. This roadway is notably congested (even during non-commuting hours), see other options in the sections “by Bus” and “by Train” above. Interstate 405 (I-405) runs parallel to I-5, bypassing the City Center on the opposite side of Lake Washington.

Interstate 90 (I-90) is the only long-distance route to access Seattle from the east, and is the easiest way to reach Spokane and Eastern Washington. During the Winter months, drivers must be mindful of the weather conditions over Snoqualmie Pass, located 52 miles east of the city, when the roadway can close unexpectedly due to weather conditions.

By bus

Except for Greyhound Lines, there is no designated long-distance bus terminal in Seattle, so all bus services have their own stops scattered around the city. A number of them do have stops at the Greyhound Terminal (503 S Royal Brougham Way), in front of the King Street Station at 303 S King St and/or at Door 00 (south end at lower level of the terminal) at the Sea-Tac airport. See below:

• 47.61184-122.331364 BellAir Airporter, (bus stops) Washington State Convention Center, Convention Place (prior reservations only) (Enter tunnel under the upper floors of the Convention Center building from 9th & Pike.), ☎ +1-866-235-5247. Goes up to Stanwood, Burlington/Mt Vernon, Bellingham & Blaine on one route, a separate route to Anacortes in the San Juan Islands, and from Sea-Tac to Cle Elum, Ellensburg & Yakima on another route. 
• 47.59876-122.327815 BoltBus, (bus stop) 5th Ave S and S King St next to the International District/Chinatown transit station., toll-free: +1-877-BOLTBUS (2658287). Service from Eugene, Albany, and Portland, OR, Bellingham, WA, and Vancouver, BC. $1 if lucky; up to $30. 
• Cantrail, (bus stop) King Street Station, ☎ +1 604 294-5541, toll-free: +1-877-940-5561. Operates Seattle to Vancouver, BC $40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11. 
• 47.59206-122.326556 Greyhound, (Depot) 503 S Royal Brougham Way, SoDo (Along Royal Brougham between 6th Ave & the “Stadium” Light Rail Station. A right turn at Royal Brougham from the light rail station, opposite side of the tracks.), toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Greyhound travels primarily on I-5 (Seattle-Vancouver & Seattle-Portland on two separate routes. Some southbound buses continue to Los Angeles contiguously), 90/82 (Seattle-Ellensburg-Yakima-Pasco-Stanfield, OR) & 90 (Seattle-Spokane-Missoula). Passengers transfer to other buses in Portland, Missoula, Pasco, Spokane, Ellensburg, and/or Stanfield to get to other cities & towns in the U.S. and in Vancouver, BC to get to other cities in Canada. Prices are various depending on your destination. 
• Northwestern Trailways (Northwestern Stage Lines), (bus stops) Greyhound bus depot & King Street Amtrak station, toll-free: +1-800-366-3830. Shuttle service to Spokane (via Everett, Stevens Pass, Leavenworth, and Wenatchee) or Tacoma. $51 one way to Spokane, $97 round trip. 
• Dungeness Line operated by Olympic Bus Lines, (bus stops) Greyhound bus depot (see above), King Street Station, selected hospitals (by reservation only), SeaTac Airport. Operates a route called the Dungeness Line connecting Seattle to Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles. The bus goes across the Puget Sound on the Edmonds-Kingston ferry. One way: $39 from downtown, $49 from airport; Round trip: $69 from downtown, $79 from airport.. 
• 47.6198-122.34677 Quick Shuttle, (bus stops) downtown: outside the Best Western at 200 Taylor Ave N; Pier 66 & 91, SeaTac Airport: At the main terminal near south end of baggage claim, outside door 00, bays 11-16. Runs between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Vancouver to Downtown Seattle: $36 one-way, $65 round-trip; Vancouver to SeaTac airport: $49 one-way, $87 round-trip. Despite the multiple stops they make, northbound buses can only pick-up in the U.S. and drop off in Canada and vice versa for southbound buses.. 
• Wheatland Express, (bus stops) Southcenter, NW corner; Novilhos Brazilian Steak House, 12405 SE 38th Street, Bellevue, toll-free: +1-800-334-2207. Every Friday, the Weekend Express takes you from Pullman (where Washington State University is at) and Moscow to Seattle, and the other way round every Sunday. A special service is also deployed during the holiday season. Journeys take more than 6 hours. $99.00 one way (weekend express), $210.00 one way (vacation service). 

By public transit

• Sound Transit. Sound Transit operates all-day express bus service between Downtown and the cities of Tacoma, Lakewood, Bellevue, Everett, and many other outlying communities. $2.50 within King County, $3.50 cross-county.. 
• Community Transit buses are commuter routes traveling between Snohomish County (north of the city) and Downtown or the University District during peak hours only.

By ferry

Ferries are the primary mode for commuters living on the opposite sides of the Puget Sound from Tacoma/S Vashon Island (in the south) through Seattle/Kitsap Peninsula to Anacortes/San Juan Islands (in the north), since the sheer distance and the shipping traffic on the Sound make building a bridge difficult. For tourists, it’s also a fantastic way to see some very picturesque views of the city and the surrounding country; be sure to bring a camera!

• 47.60169-122.337788 King County Water Taxi. King County Water Taxi provides ferry service from Pier 50 of Seattle’s waterfront weekdays only during rush hour (5:30-8AM and 4:30-7PM) to Vashon Island, and all-day service (schedule is seasonally dependent) to West Seattle. $5.50, $4.75 if using ORCA. 
• 47.61373-122.353439 Victoria Clipper, 2701 Alaskan Way Pier 69 (Alaskan Way & Clay St), ☎ +1 206 448-5000, toll-free: +1-800-888-2535. High speed catamaran passenger ferries which connect Seattle to Victoria, British Columbia and the San Juan Islands. If you are heading to San Juan Islands, you can also join a whale-watching tour. About $45 (one way), $65 (round trip with advance reservation) to San Juan Islands; $95 (single trip), $120 (round trip with advance reservation) to Victoria. Fares vary slightly depending on season. 
• 47.60301-122.3382810 Washington State Ferries, 801 Alaskan Way Pier 52 (Colman Dock, Pier 52), ☎ +1 206 464-6400. Connects Downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. From the 47.52322-122.393611 Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal in West Seattle the ferry goes to Vashon Island and Southworth at Kitsap Peninsula. All ferries carry vehicles, bicycles, and passengers. The peak hour passenger only ferry from Downtown to Vashon Island is operated by the King County Water Taxi. 

By cruise ship

Seattle is the main departure city for cruise ships heading towards Alaska or western Canada’s fjords. Cruise ships to Seattle may be docked at one of two terminals in the Port of Seattle.

• 47.61146-122.3492312 Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, 2225 Alaskan Way S Pier 66, near the middle of Seattle’s downtown waterfront. Serves as home port for Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. Has bus, taxi and shuttle connections for transfer of passengers and luggage. For travelers with connecting flights, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is less than 15 mi (24 km) away. 
• 47.6281-122.382913 Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 W Garfield St, at the north end of Seattle’s downtown waterfront. Serves as home port to Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises. Other cruise lines may also use this terminal if the vessel is too large to use the Pier 66 terminal. 

By private boat

Seattle has a variety of large marinas offering year-round guest moorage. The two marinas located on the shores of Elliott Bay, Elliott Bay Marina, and Bell Harbor Marina, are the closest to Downtown. Shilshole Bay Marina is located in the northern suburbs and is further away from most of the visitor attractions. There are numerous freshwater marinas on Lake Union, Portage Bay, and the Lake Washington Ship Canal, but these require passage through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Visitors may also consider moorage in the neighboring cities of Edmonds, Everett, Des Moines, Kirkland, and Kingston.

• Bell Harbor Marina, 2203 Alaskan Way, ☎ +1 800 426-7817, e-mail: bhm@portseattle.org. Bell Harbor Marina, located at the base of Bell Street in Downtown’s Belltown neighborhood, is the closest marina to Downtown and is a comfortable walk to Pike Place Market, Westlake Center, the Seattle Aquarium, and other waterfront attractions. Reciprocal moorage is available year-round, and in the summer months, reservations are recommended. (updated Jul 2016)

• Elliott Bay Marina, 2601 West Marina Place, ☎ +1 206 285-4817, e-mail: info@elliottbaymarina.net. Elliott Bay Marina is a private marina located on the north shore of Elliott Bay in the Magnolia neighborhood. This marina has expansive guest moorage and many premium services. A 10-minute walk from all-day bus service to Downtown Seattle. (updated Jul 2016)

• Shilshole Bay Marina, 7001 Seaview Ave. N.W., ☎ +1 800 426-7817, e-mail: sbm@portseattle.org. Shilshole Bay Marina is a gigantic marina located in the Ballard neighborhood. It is a 20-30 minute drive to Downtown and is not served directly by public transportation. (updated Jul 2016)

Get around

Seattle’s public transportation system, while no rival for San Francisco or New York City, is one of the top 10 in the United States and is by far the most convenient and simple way to get around the city. While public transportation is also good in suburbs such as Bothell and Everett, if you plan on visiting those areas you may wish to use a car. Driving a car in Seattle is possible, but the frequent and awful traffic congestion can leave you frustrated. Parking in Downtown and many of the adjacent neighborhoods (such as Capitol Hill) is all but impossible. Seattle is also one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country. Car services such as ZipCar, Car2Go, Lyft, and Uber are also convenient and safe transportation options.

Orientation

Helpful mnemonics to navigate Seattle STreets run eaST and weST aveNueS run North and South EveN numbered addresses are on the East and North side of the road (which is likely called a street or avenue) Use the mnemonic “Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest” for downtown street names, from Yesler Way to Westlake Park. The streets are named as six first-letter pairs of these words (Jefferson & James, Cherry & Columbia, Marion & Madison, Spring & Seneca, University & Union, Pike & Pine))

Seattle’s street designations are generally easy to remember once you understand them. Most of the city is laid out in a grid, with north-south roads called Avenues and east-west roads being Streets. There are occasional irregularities: Ways are long roads that don’t always conform to the grid, Drives are long, circuitous routes, and there’s the occasional very short Place or Court.

Seattle has a somewhat convoluted address system that can be confusing to the uninitiated. Outside the downtown area, the city is divided into 7 compass directional sectors (N, NE, NW, W, E, S, SW; no SE section), with the name of the sector applied to every road that passes through that sector. Streets are written with the sector before the name (e.g. NE 45th Street or NE 45th) while avenues are written with the sector after the name (e.g. 45th Avenue NE or 45th NE). Roads within the downtown area (as well as some avenues east of Downtown and some streets north of Downtown) have no directional designation. Take this into consideration when looking for directions to a specific address.

When locals give you directions, they may refer to an intersection (especially in the case of a bus stop). The first road mentioned is the street it is at, followed by the crossing street adjacent to the stop, but sometimes they neglect to specify whether it’s an “avenue” or a “street,” so inquire to be sure and you’ll avoid the risk of winding up in the wrong part of the city!

On foot

Walking is highly encouraged for short trips, especially if your destination is within Downtown or Capitol Hill. While the streets and drivers are generally friendly for pedestrians, do keep your street smarts and avoid walking alone in the southern part of Downtown, International District, or the SoDo neighborhood at night. For more information about street safety, look at the “Stay Safe” section.

Seattle pedestrians are noted for their unusual refusal to jaywalk. Unlike many other large American cities (particularly those on the East Coast), in Seattle, you’ll see groups of pedestrians patiently wait for the light to change before stepping off the curb, even when there isn’t a car in sight. The reasons for it are unclear, though it’s often suggested that the local police are particularly strict about enforcing the jaywalking law.

The block layout in the downtown area is pretty compact; a walk from Denny Way to Yesler Way should take roughly half an hour. Walking from the Waterfront towards I-5 in Downtown (particularly between Seneca St and Yesler Way) is steep and will leave you gasping for breath at every intersection! Outside the downtown area, especially Capitol Hill or the northern and western parts of the city, there are many hills (albeit less hilly and steep than San Francisco). In fact, walking is a great form of exercise in Seattle, with abundant jogging tracks in the parks and longer trails like the Burke Gilman Trail, which runs along the northern side of the ship canal and the western rim of Lake Washington.

By public transit

ORCA Card

The ORCA card is a contactless fare card that enables you to transfer seamlessly between Seattle and the Puget Sound’s various transit agencies, similar to Hong Kong‘s Octopus or London‘s Oyster. The card is $5, and you must put in a minimum of $5 to start using it. You can add money or monthly passes to the card. Day passes are also available for $8 and can be used for all bus and train services.

You can purchase, add value to, or add a pass to an ORCA card at vending machines in many transit centers, inside all Link Light Rail and Sounder stations, at Metro’s customer service centers, over the phone, and at many QFC & Safeway supermarkets. Youth and Senior ORCA cards can only be issued by mail or at Metro’s main customer service center next to King Street Station in the International District and require proof of age (click here for details). You can also acquire these cards in the mezzanine of Westlake Station- however, this customer service center is open only on the first and last 4 business days of the month.

To use the card on buses, streetcars, Washington State Ferries, and the Water Taxi tap it on the card reader when you enter or at the turnstile. To pay the correct fare when riding Link Light Rail or Sounder trains, tap when you enter and exit the station. For 2 hours after your first tap, you can use as many public transportation services as you like while only paying once for the highest fare (not applicable on Washington State Ferries).

By bus

King County Metro (commonly referred to as Metro) is the primary public transportation agency in King County and Seattle. The transportation system is easy to navigate, and most visitor attractions are served by frequent bus routes. Metro’s buses are clean and comfortable and are driven by friendly and skilled operators. Most buses, especially on routes in the Center City, are brand-new and air-conditioned- perfect on one of Seattle’s hot summer days. The agency provides two types of bus services:

• Local Service constitutes the majority of bus routes and are operated by green, blue, or purple buses. These buses are identified by route numbers between 1 and 399.

• RapidRide is an express Bus Rapid Transit service with modern, 3-door, red and yellow buses. RapidRide buses are an efficient way to get to many outlying neighborhoods and are identified by route letters.

Buses within Seattle generally operate from 5AM to Midnight and run at least every 30 minutes, with frequent service and RapidRide buses arriving every 5-15 minutes at rush hour. If you are planning on traveling before 6AM or after 9PM be sure to make use of the excellent Trip Planner to make sure you can get to your destination.

Almost all frequent service buses traveling through Downtown have stops along 3rd Ave, with virtually every Downtown bus having a stop near the intersection of 3rd & Pine/Pike. Many high-frequency suburban routes and Link Light Rail utilize the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, which travels underneath 3rd Ave & Pine St. Stations are well-lit and protected by Transportation Police and are equipped with WiFi, but no cell service.

The adult bus fare is $2.50, although the fare increases during rush hour (on weekdays 6-9AM and 3-6PM; $2.75 within the city limits and $3.25 for rides outside the city limits). The youth (ages 6-18) and senior (ages 65 or older) fare is $1.50 and $1.00, respectively. Up to four children under age 6 can ride free with a paying adult. If you pay by cash (exact change only), you’ll get a paper transfer good for within a 2-hour period to ride other King County Metro buses. An ORCA card allows you to transfer to other transit agencies within the same period of time for free. Note that you’ll only need to tap in when you enter the bus, although in RapidRide, you can tap on the reader before getting on the bus and may board from the center and rear doors.

To figure out how to get to your destination use the excellent Trip Planner which gives you point-to-point directions between points within King County. For real-time arrival times, you can download the One Bus Away app to your smartphone.

When traveling to destinations outside the downtown core, make sure to ask the drivers about the green and white “EXPRESS” signs in their windows or the “VIA EXPRESS” on the road display if they are going to your destination. Some of these express routes are intended for regular commuters traveling between residential neighborhoods and Downtown and make few or no stops between, but may be useful to some visitors.

When in doubt, ask the bus driver or a security guard before boarding. Most employees are knowledgeable about the transportation system (or at least the route the route they are driving) and will be able to help you. Additionally, all buses are fully accessible for wheelchairs and walkers.

By rail

• Link Light Rail operates between the University of Washington and Angle Lake Station, stopping in Capitol Hill, Downtown, SoDo, South Seattle, the suburb of Tukwila, and Sea-Tac Airport along the way. Fares are $2.25—$3.25 depending on how far you travel; purchase your ticket at a machine before you board and keep it with you for the whole trip as it may be randomly checked by personnel inside the train. If you use an ORCA card, you must tap at both your origin and your destination station.
• The Seattle Streetcar has two lines: The South Lake Union line between Downtown and South Lake Union and the First Hill line between Pioneer Square, the International District and Capitol Hill along Broadway. The former line gained the rather unfortunate moniker “SLUT” (South Lake Union Trolley), and you might hear it referred to as such. The streetcar runs up to every 10 minutes and costs $2.25 per adult, $1.50 per child, and $1 per senior, regardless of distance. You must purchase a ticket or tap your ORCA card at one of the streetcar stops before boarding. Note that these streetcars stop only when requested by pressing the yellow stop request strip.
• The Seattle Center Monorail, a legacy of the 1962 World’s Fair, takes you non-stop between Westlake Center (5th Avenue & Pine Street) and the Seattle Center in just 2 minutes, and primarily serves tourists heading from Downtown to the Space Needle. One-way tickets are $2.25 per adult, $1 children ages 5-12/seniors. You can only pay by cash; ORCA card is not valid.

If you need any help ask a transit operator, security guard, fare enforcement official, or a local. Seattleites are always eager to help and may offer help, even if they see you looking confusingly at a tourist map!

By ferry

• The Water Taxi travels between Pier 50 (at the foot of Yesler Way) and Seacrest Park in West Seattle. The scenic ride takes 15 minutes and costs $4.75 (one way, exact change only), or $4 with an ORCA Card. Boats depart every half-hour on weekdays and every hour on weekends during the summer months, with reduced service during the winter.
• Washington State Ferries operates ferries for pedestrians, vehicles, and bicyclists from Pier 52/Colman Dock across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. The 35-minute scenic trip to Bainbridge Island’s quaint village is a must-do for all visitors. Additionally, from the Fauntleroy terminal in West Seattle ferries depart to Vashon Island and Southworth.

By car

Cars are fairly useless for transportation within the city proper, but are a great asset if travelling to the suburbs such as Bellevue/Redmond or Everett/Tacoma. Note that many roads Downtown are one-way, which might require some extra navigation. On weekends, you can often rent cars at locations throughout the city for well under $20/day. One of the challenges in driving in Seattle includes the hilly terrain, especially in Downtown, Capitol Hill and Queen Anne, where you have to be extra careful in applying your brakes.

Outside Downtown, many establishments provide free parking, but in Downtown parking is scarce due to the recent dedicated bike lane developments, and hotels levy exorbitant fees for overnight parking. Street parking is $1 to $2.50 per hour (debit cards and credit cards other than Discover accepted), while a parking ticket can be in excess of $35 for going overtime in a 2-hour zone. Parking meters use stickers, which you must stick inside the curb-side window of your car. Peel the sticker from the paper receipt, position the receipt in the middle of the appropriate window (facing outwards, naturally) and use the sticker to attach it to the window. If that sounds confusing, just look at other nearby cars to see how they did it.

When parking on a hill, remember to always apply the parking brake and turn your wheels so that the car will roll into the sidewalk instead of the street if the brakes give out (i.e., when facing uphill, turn toward the street; when facing downhill, turn toward the curb). Failure to park properly can run the risk of having your car roll downhill.

Drivers traveling on I-5 between Downtown and Northgate as well as I-90 between Downtown and Bellevue can make use of the express lanes for a generally quick and smooth ride to downtown in the morning, or to the suburbs in the afternoon and evening. Seattle traffic congestion consistently ranks among the worst in the U.S., even though Seattle is only the 20th largest city. This is mainly due to inland waterways causing choke points around the few available bridges.

By taxi

You can call or hail a taxi from any major street in Seattle or most hotels will call them for you. However, most of Seattle’s taxi services are unfriendly and expensive, especially if you are only trying to get around the downtown area. Some taxi drivers will even refuse to take you if your destination is less than 15 blocks away. The fares are regulated by the city government, which consists of:

• Flagfall for $2.60
• $0.30 for each additional 1/9 mile (a total of $2.70 per mile)
• $0.30 for every 36 seconds of waiting time (a total of $0.50 per minute)
• $0.50 for each additional passenger above 18 after two.

If you are heading to SeaTac airport from the downtown area, a flat fare of $40 is applied.

The rudeness of some taxi drivers has caused people to avoid taking them and look for ride-hailing alternatives (see the following section). But should you be in dire need of a taxi, call one of these companies:

• Yellow Cab, ☎ +1 206 622-6500. 
• Orange Cab, ☎ +1 206 522-8800, +1 206-957-0866. 
• Stita Taxi Services, ☎ +1 206 246-9999. 
• Seattle Airport Limo & Town Car, ☎ +1 206 420-3400, toll-free: +1-877-340-3434. 
• Seattle Towncar, ☎ +1 206 495-9544. (updated Jan 2017)

By ride-hailing service

If your destination is miles away and you don’t have a car, yet public transportation seems inconvenient for you, you can use ride-hailing services like those provided by Uber or Lyft. Download their app to your phone to reserve a car, register your card for payment, punch in your current location and destination, and a car will be in front of you in no time; as of now only Uber lets you reserve a ride at your choice of time. If you prefer to drive yourself, Car2go, Zipcar or Reachnow (limited to luxurious BMW & Mini) vehicles are abundant, especially in Downtown, Capitol Hill, and University District. Seattleites often prefer this method to taking the reckless and overpriced taxis.

By motorcycle

The rainy weather makes motorcycling difficult but not impossible. Drivers exhibit an alarming obliviousness to motorcycles, and riders should take care to stay well out of a car’s blind spot and preferably ahead of, rather than behind, any car. Motorcyclists get preferred boarding on the ferries and there are many parking spots Downtown reserved for motorcycles.

By bicycle

Cycling is better in Seattle than in most American cities. In fact, during rush hour it’s often faster to bike than to drive! Bicycle usage has increased significantly since the early 2000s and drivers are a little more accustomed to bicycles in Seattle than in other major cities. Your main drawbacks will be the wet roads, the rain, and the hilly terrain, so you might want to pack some raingear. Many major roads in Seattle have properly maintained bicycle lanes, and you are allowed to ride bicycles on all Seattle roads except the Interstates, the State Route 520 floating bridge, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

The city maintains a bike map with suggested biking routes for visiting major attractions.

Bicycle transportation in the greater part of Seattle is facilitated further by the Burke-Gilman Trail. This is a paved walking/jogging/cycling trail that winds its way from the north end of Lake Washington, down around the University of Washington, then west along the canal towards Ballard. The trail is on an old railroad right-of-way, so it maintains a very consistent elevation and is excellent for commuting or a casual day’s touring. The Elliott Bay Trail overlooks Puget Sound and starts at the north end of Downtown in Myrtle Edwards Park, continuing north along the shore of Elliott Bay. It is much more scenic than the Burke trail, with gorgeous views of the Olympics and Mt. Rainier, and more quiet since it doesn’t intersect with any roads.

If you are tired from cycling or looking for a quick ride to another biking place, King County Metro buses have bike racks on the front of the bus. Just notify the driver if you want to mount or dismount your bike.

Here are a few places that offer bike rentals:

• The Bicycle Repair Shop, 928 Alaskan Way (Opposite between Piers 52 & 54). Weekdays 8AM-6PM; Sa 10AM-6PM; Su noon-6PM. You can rent bicycles for an hourly rate or a daily rate (which translates to 5 hours of rent) depending on type of bicycle. The website also has a list of self-guided tours. Hybrid: $9 hourly, $45 daily, $150 weekly. 
• Seattle Bicycle Rentals, Pier 58, toll-free: +1-800-349-0343. W-M 8AM-6PM. You can rent bikes for the day, the week, or the month. Guided tours available to Ballard, Fremont, and Lake Union for 3 hours from 1PM (check in the hour before). Tour: $40; Hybrid bike: $10 hourly, $45 for 24 hours.. 
• Pedal Anywhere. You can rent a bike for up to 30 days, and the bike will be delivered to your doorstep! Reservations must be done online. 1 week $80, 2 week $120, monthly $160. 

See

Individual listings can be found in Seattle’s district articles

Seattle has a lot to see, be it prominent sights or attractions tucked away in quiet neighborhoods. For more information, look at each district’s individual articles.

• Seattle CityPASS. A discount pass that includes admission to five attractions for half the normal fee combined. You are entitled to up to two visits (within 24 hours) to the Space Needle, a visit to the Seattle Aquarium, an Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, a choice between a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture or the Woodland Park Zoo, and a choice between the Pacific Science Center or the Museum of Flight. You are also entitled to $5 off admission to the Chihuly Garden & Glass adjacent to the Space Needle, reduced fares for special cruises and exhibitions at Woodland Park Zoo, the Pacific Science Center and the Museum of Flight. A CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days starting with the use of your first ticket. $64 for adult, $44 for children (ages 4-12). 

Landmarks

The first thing that pops into most people’s minds when they think of Seattle is the Space Needle, located north of Downtown in the Seattle Center. Although it’s not the tallest building in Seattle, it still has a wonderful 360-degree view of both the city and the surrounding landscape. It is best to visit at sunset, when the mountains and sky will be lit up in beautiful colors. For a cheaper and less crowded option, head to the observatory at the Columbia Center building, which is higher than the Space Needle! For a better view of the waterfront and the downtown area, go aboard the Seattle Great Wheel.

Downtown, the Pike Place Market is Seattle’s largest tourist area. Home to the famous fish market, the original Starbucks Coffee shop, produce stands, and a dedicated lane each for florists and foods. Don’t forget to visit Post Alley, just a block away from Pike Place as you walk away from the shore, as there are some excellent food and souvenir places tucked away.

Museums

Seattle has a number of top-notch museums. Downtown is home to the renowned Seattle Art Museum (SAM), which displays an good assortment of art from around the world. In the Central District is the Seattle Asian Art Museum, an off-shoot of the Seattle Art Museum which focuses on Chinese and Japanese Art, but includes works from as far away as India. Additionally, The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in the International District is the only Asian Pacific American museum in the nation. Nearby is the Frye Art Museum, a small private collection featuring 232 paintings by Munich-based artists. Not a museum, but open to browsing by the public, is the Seattle Metaphysical Library in Ballard, which specializes in material not found in normal libraries.

Surrounding the Space Needle on the grounds of the Seattle Center are several more big museums, including the Pacific Science Center, an interactive science museum with an IMAX theater and plenty of science displays, the Museum of Pop Culture, a museum celebrating popular film, television, music, and other media, with exhibits on Seattle’s vibrant music scene, and the Chihuly Garden & Glass, which takes glass art to the next level. Nearby South Lake Union is home to both the Museum of History and Industry and the Center for Wooden Boats.

On the waterfront in Downtown is the popular Seattle Aquarium. The University District holds the Henry Art Gallery, one of the biggest contemporary art galleries in Washington, and the Burke Museum, a combination natural history/archaeology museum. Further out in Georgetown is the Museum of Flight, with a large collection of aircraft ranging from wood and fabric crates to the sleek Concorde. Also south of the city in SoDo is the Living Computer Museum which houses a large collection of vintage computers available for public use in the museum and through the internet.

Architecture

Most of the architectural attractions in Seattle are located in the downtown area, easily traversed on foot. Among the highlights are the Central Library, a unique contemporary building with an enormous glass-fronted atrium; the Columbia Center, the tallest building in the Pacific Northwest and which offers excellent views from its observation deck; and the Seattle City Hall with its roof garden. On the south side of Downtown, near Pioneer Square, is the Smith Tower, an Art Deco building which is Seattle’s oldest skyscraper and has an observation deck. North of Downtown in the Seattle Center, the Museum of Pop Culture, designed to resemble Jimi Hendrix’s smashed guitar, is done in a manner only Frank Gehry could conceive; nearby is the new Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Campus, with its 12-acre garden.

Of course, the most popular view in Seattle remains the one from the revolving top of the Space Needle at the Seattle Center. And given the retro-futurism look of the Space Needle, a fitting way to get there is via the Monorail, which connects the Seattle Center to Downtown. Another excellent view is from the Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57, a ferris wheel that offers superb views of the skyline and the waterfront.

Parks and outdoors

Seattle is peppered with parks, from small urban squares to large forested areas, many with breathtaking views of Seattle and the Puget Sound. Seattle’s original park system was designed by the Olmsted brothers in Seattle’s early days, and park planners across the country still celebrate Seattle’s park system as one of the best designed and best preserved in the United States. While many other American cities have only one or two Olmsted-designed parks, Seattle has an extensive multi-park plan linked by boulevards, and this legacy makes Seattle one of the most livable cities in the country.

The Seattle Center is actually a park itself, with attractions besides the Space Needle and the center’s numerous museums. The Kobe Bell and the mural beside it and the International Fountain are often overlooked but should not be missed. Up on Queen Anne Hill is Kerry Park, where you’ll be spellbound by the most photographed view of Seattle. To the west is Discovery Park, the city’s largest park with trails less traveled traversing hills and offering a view of the unspoiled landscape, wildlife, and a lighthouse.

Overlooking Lake Union in Fremont is Gasworks Park. Once the site of a coal gasification plant, the plant has been replaced by lush green hills surrounding one small section of rusting—yet surprisingly picturesque—machinery from the coal plant. The park is filled with spectators for the 4th of July fireworks and is also a great place for boaters to access Lake Union. For a day at the beach, head over to Golden Gardens Park or the less crowded Carkeek Park for a view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains; West Seattle’s fully sandy Alki Beach offers a great view of Downtown Seattle. Joggers can spend their time at Green Lake Park or Magnuson Park for a serene view of water by the running tracks.

A place to see trees from around the world is at the Washington Park Arboretum in the Central District. The Arboretum contains a Japanese Garden (closed in winter) that plays host to a traditional Japanese festival. For a more laid back and Zen atmosphere, the Kubota Garden at Rainier Beach in south Seattle has streams and waterfalls, ponds, rock outcroppings, and an exceptionally rich and mature collection of plants. If you are into animals, head to the Woodland Park Zoo to see animals from around the world held in pleasant, naturalistic exhibits.

Do

Tours

• Ride the Ducks of Seattle, ☎ +1 206 441-3825. Seattle Center: Daily 9:20AM to 7PM; Westlake Center: Weekdays 10AM to 6PM, Weekends 10AM to 7PM. A 90 minute ride on an amphibious World War II vehicle (part of the ride is on Lake Union). The style of the tour is a bit over-the-top; keep a sense of humor about you. Board at Seattle Center (5th Avenue & Broad Street) or Westlake Center. Adults $28, Children $17. 
• Argosy Cruises, 1101 Alaskan Way, Pier 55. Harbor cruises vary by season.. Boat tour company with special dinner and sightseeing cruises. The most common tour visitors take is the hour-long cruise on Elliott Bay, which offers excellent views not just of the Space Needle and the Downtown skyline, but the freight harbor as well. Visit Tillicum Village on Blake Island just off the shore of Seattle, WA. Prices are various according to your itinerary ($23.75 for harbor cruise). 
• Seattle Underground Tour. A tour that takes you to underground portions of the Pioneer Square district. In 1889, 25 square blocks of Seattle were destroyed in a fire. When rebuilding, the city decided to raise the streets in the city approximately one story; thus the Seattle Underground was born! 
• Kenmore Air, 950 Westlake Ave N, ☎ +1-866-435-9524. 20 minute plane tours over Seattle that are narrated by the pilot, with spectacular views of the city. Tours begin and end at the west side of Lake Union. Reservations required. $99.50 per person. 
• KEXP Tour and In-Studio Viewing , 472 1st Ave N. KEXP offers tours on weekdays at 10am and 2pm. Bands in town will sometimes stop by KEXP for a live in-studio recording that are occasionally available for public viewing.

Water sports

Seattle is surrounded by Lake Washington and Puget Sound, in addition to a number of bodies of water such as Lake Union or Green Lake in the city proper, so activities from kayaking to swimming are commonly practiced especially in the summer. Primary locations include Lake Union and Lake Washington where there are often some recreational boat traffic.

If you have no rowing experience, classes are offered at Lake Union Crew. You can also rent a sailboat or join a free Sunday cruising at Center For Wooden Boats, or a kayak at Northwest Outdoor Center.

Events

Most of Seattle’s festivals take place in the summer, the only long stretch of time when Seattle has days of sunny weather.

• Chinese Lunar New Year, International District. Jan/Feb. Numerous stalls and performances, and don’t forget to partake in all the cheap food! 
• Seattle International Film Festival, McCaw Hall, Moore Theatre. May–June. One of the largest film festivals in North America, showing movies from around the world. Watch indie films at screens around the city and vote for your favorite; the winner of each respective category receives the Golden Space Needle trophy.  
• Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle Center. Memorial Day weekend. A more low-key and local version of Bumbershoot, mainly family-friendly. Even more important, it’s free! ($10 donation per person per day encouraged).. 

• Fremont Fair, Fremont. a weekend in mid or late June. Home of the Solstice Parade (including the nude bike ride), and a really fun drunken time all over Fremont. Vendors, bad live music and eclectic crowds at the bars make for an interesting time. Friends who live in Fremont become especially valuable for a place to crash during the fair. 
• Dragon Fest, International District. early/mid-July. Chinese cultural festival 
• Capitol Hill Block Party, Capitol Hill. a mid-summer weekend. Yearly live music event held on Capitol Hill over a weekend in mid-summer (usually the end of July). Consists primarily of local independent bands of various styles, coupled with some bigger name independent label acts. 

• Seafair, everywhere. July-early August. Seattle’s biggest festival, signifying the arrival of summer. Neighborhood events such as parades and street fairs run throughout the festival, with the downtown Torchlight Parade in late July. Seafair culminates in early August when hydroplane races and the Blue Angels bring loud, fast boats and planes to Lake Washington. 
  • Bite of Seattle, Seattle Center. mid/late July. Part of Seafair festivities. Enjoy some of the best delicacies of Seattle. 
• Hempfest, Myrtle Edwards Park. mid-August for two days. The largest marijuana rally in the world and the biggest annual political event in Washington. Features political speakers, vendors, food, several stages with many bands, and lots of open pot smoking (especially at 4:20). It is also a demonstration for the political reform and the legalization of marijuana. Possession and consumption (not in public) is now legal in the state of Washington. Police tend to look the other way during Hempfest, and marijuana use in public is now a civil infraction subject to ticketing, not arrest. 
• Bumbershoot, Seattle Center. Labor Day weekend (early September). Seattle’s largest music and arts festival, featuring dozens of local and world-class musical acts. 
• Night Market & Autumn Moon Festival, International District. Early September. Chinese festival of food and outdoor market 

Also check out the calendar of the Festál Cultural Center, Seattle Center. Year-round except December. Celebrate the world with festivals from about 25 countries represented, one country nearly every 2 weeks. 

Sports

In terms of professional sports teams, Seattle has been underrated until recently. Of the four biggest U.S. professional leagues, two have teams in Seattle, and the fast-growing Major League Soccer also has a Seattle team.

Even prior to the recent success of the local National Football League franchise, the Seattle Seahawks, CenturyLink Field has long been packed to the gills by the “12th man” (the name for loud, devout Seahawks fans) watching their home game in late summer through early winter. Soccer fans can enjoy the Seattle Sounders FC games May through September, also held in CenturyLink Field. Safeco Field next door is home to the Major League Baseball Seattle Mariners.

Meanwhile, Seattle has one of the strongest followings for women’s teams in sports. The Seattle Storm plays WNBA basketball at KeyArena in Seattle Center, while Seattle Reign FC has been recently established together with the National Women’s Soccer League. In minor league men’s sports, the Seattle Thunderbirds junior hockey team (players age 16 to 20) plays in Kent.

College teams also have a proud presence in town. The University of Washington Huskies play basketball and football at their own arena on campus. In October or November, the rivalry between U-Dub (short name for the campus) and Wazzu (Washington State University) is flaring, with the Apple Cup football match played at Husky Stadium every odd-numbered year. Seattle University has the Seattle Redhawks, another NCAA Division I team, but with a much lower profile than U-Dub. Also, the Gonzaga Bulldogs from Spokane play one men’s basketball game each season at KeyArena in an event billed as the “Battle in Seattle”.

Entertainment

• 5th Avenue Theatre, 5th Avenue (between Union and University Streets in Downtown). Seen as a “testing ground” for many musicals on their way to Broadway. 
• Benaroya Hall, 3rd Avenue (at University Street). Home to the Seattle Symphony and concerts by classical orchestras. There are two auditoriums: Taper (seats 2,500) and Nordstrom (seats 500). 
• The Seattle Opera, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and other performances are held at the McCaw Hall at Seattle Center.
• Other halls such as Paramount Theatre at 9th Avenue and Pine Street and Moore Theatre at 2nd Avenue house many performing arts and sometimes Broadway performances.
• Big concerts by world famous artists usually take place at KeyArena at Seattle Center.

Buy

Individual listings can be found in Seattle’s district articles

If you want it, you can most likely get it in Seattle. The city has many small, locally owned business in addition to the more typical large shopping malls. A sales tax of 10.1% applies for all purchases except most groceries, newspapers, and prescription drugs.

Downtown

• The Pike Place Market is an attraction in and of itself, and is well-known for its seafood and produce stands. At the main entrance to the market is Pike Place Fish, famous for its handlers who throw fish to each other, but there are plenty of other seafood stands as well. In the main market complex are several levels of restaurants and shops selling antiques, arts and crafts, and souvenirs, and as the weather gets warmer, artisans sell their wares in the upper open-air level as well. Although it is flush with tourists, especially in the summer months, area residents and Downtown workers regularly shop at the market as well, which minimizes the “tourist trap” feel.
• The Westlake retail corridors on Pike, Pine, and Union Street between 3rd and 5th Avenues are also a great place to shop. The Westlake Center and the Pacific Place malls have pricey fashion stores, with the sidewalk arcades dominated by big fashion chains.
• Belltown, a northern neighborhood of the downtown area, has a plethora of designer art galleries, fashion, and accessory workshops.
• The Pioneer Square area is the cheaper counterpart to Belltown, with more eclectic accessories.

Other districts

• Ballard: Most shopping options here are on Ballard Avenue NW between 20th & 22nd Avenue NW. If big brands don’t interest you, head here for stylish urban and hip fashion.
• Capitol Hill: Most shops here are in the western part of the neighborhood near I-5 (E Pike & Pine Street, Broadway and Melrose Ave), where the streets are filled with mid-range fashion options and a little bit of everything, befitting the hippest district of Seattle. Here you’ll also find Seattle’s biggest bookstore, The Elliott Bay Book Company.
• Fremont: Mainly vintage fashion wear and not as eccentric as its neighbor, Ballard. It is also a center for antiques and accessories. The shopping district is centered around Fremont Place N and N 35th Street.
• International District: Groceries, herbal medicines, and plenty of Asian-style wares. You can also buy handy Japanese kitchenware and other items at the widely-known Uwajimaya or by the back door of the dollar shop Daiso.
• North Seattle: Thrift stores scattered throughout the area, bulk grocery shopping at Aurora Avenue N, and fashion shops at Northgate Mall.
• Queen Anne Hill: Mostly houses, but there is a small commercial area at the top of the hill (Queen Anne Ave N between W Galer St & W McGraw St). Usually this is a place to indulge in a body treatment.
• South Lake Union: A long retail strip is located on Broadway which connects to Capitol Hill. On the south shore of the lake you’ll find shops of every type have recently been sprouting up. Outdoor gear chain REI houses its flagship store on Broadway.
• University District: Clothing and thrift stores catering towards the local student population are located along University Way. Upscale options are available at the open-air University Village Mall at 25th Ave NE. On campus is the University Bookstore.
• West Seattle: Head to California Ave SW for more laid back and contemporary clothing options.

Eat

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget	up to $10
Mid-range	$10-$20
Splurge	more than $20

Typical of a big city, Seattle has a diverse range of fare representative of cuisines from around the world. Local chains and hole-in-the-wall restaurants dominate the city’s dining atmosphere, and hearty, inexpensive meals can be found all over the city. Note that many Seattle restaurants, particularly the hole-in-the-wall establishments, only accept cash.

Local specialties

Seattle’s proximity to Alaska and the waters of the Pacific Ocean make it an excellent place to enjoy seafood. Look for salmon during the late summer months as options are abundant and the prices are among the cheapest on the West Coast, especially the red (sockeye) salmon. Shellfish are a prized resource of the Puget Sound, where the cool, clean waters provide an optimal habitat. Clams, mussels and oysters can be found easily, but other specialties like geoducks (pronounced GOO-ey-ducks) are sometimes available for the more adventurous. The Dungeness Crab, named for a nearby town on the Sound, is a popular seafood prized for its sweet, tender flesh and high ratio of meat. The Dungeness is a commercially important crab in Washington’s waters but other crab species are also common. The Alaskan King Crab, caught from the deep cold waters of the Pacific Ocean near Alaska, has a more frequent presence here than the rest of the lower 48.

Donut shops and bakeries are virtually everywhere, with some offering warm in-house brewed coffee, making them an excellent delight in the cold weather or as a snack.

The mild climate also supports many types of fresh produce. Farmers’ markets are a normal occurrence on the weekends, especially in residential areas, and they usually have better quality produce than what you can get at supermarkets. They’re an excellent opportunity to taste local delicacies and experience the local culture. Apples, which are exported from Washington and shipped all over the world, are in season around October.

Seattle also boasts a wide variety of Asian cuisine, from East Asia to the South. The city has an underrated trend of its omnipresent teriyaki restaurants; most are family-run and hole-in-the-wall, which contributes to its cheap price but filling portion. Ramen, sushi, and Chinese restaurants are also abundant and scattered throughout the area.

Eating options by district

Downtown and Pioneer Square hold many cafés and high end restaurants. Belltown to home to most options for downtown dining, with restaurants in every price range and some of the city’s best-reviewed restaurants. Pike Place Market’s stands offer plenty of samples, with plenty of popular options also available in Post Alley. The Waterfront, naturally, has a selection of seafood restaurants. Budget options around downtown can especially be found at Westlake Park or South Lake Union, where food carts cater to workers wanting a quick and easy lunch.

Outside of the Downtown area, Capitol Hill has plenty of hip cafés and bars, with many among the best-reviewed in the city and visited by local celebrities, as well as many Ethiopian and Thai eateries. The International District is known for its dim-sum, communal Chinese and Japanese offerings, as well as Vietnamese restaurants on the east side of the neighborhood. South Seattle also has a diversity of ethnic restaurants, while West Seattle holds more elegant mid-range to high-end choices, mostly European, seafood, and steak and many with a full bar.

North of Downtown, Queen Anne Hill seems to offer a little bit of everything near the Seattle Center. North of the canal, Ballard has mostly European fare with some Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian options. Fremont has an increasing number of American and world cuisines in small establishments, some of which are so popular they generate long lines. The University District has a myriad of budget and international restaurants, while North Seattle has some scattered family-run Asian restaurants.

Drink

Few, if any, American cities can challenge Seattleites’ love of coffee. This is perhaps best signified by the Seattle-based international chain Starbucks, but locals aren’t satisfied by recognized chains alone, as evidenced by the hundreds of good locally owned coffeehouses. The best places to look for coffee are in Capitol Hill or Queen Anne Hill, where they take matters of coffee very seriously.

Microbreweries are a Northwest specialty, and Seattle has many to offer for beer enthusiasts. The larger brewers, like Redhook and Pyramid, distribute their products regionally or nationally, while other brews can only be found in local stores or bars (some notable brewers don’t bottle their product). Elysian, with three pubs in various neighborhoods, and the Pike Brewing Company, located in Pike Place Market, are other popular local brewers. Many microbreweries have set up shop in South Seattle and Washington State is one of the largest growers of hops in the world making this key beer making ingredient readily available.

In Washington, bars have a full liquor license, while taverns are restricted to beer, wine and cider. Many Seattle bars have a world-class beer selection featuring local Northwest style micros, many of them crafted in Seattle. Beer aficionados should check out Uber Tavern, Brouwer’s Cafe, or the Stumbling Monk, or visit the Beer Junction in West Seattle, which is primarily a bottle shop with a staggering selection but which also has a bar and regular tastings. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though! There are also plenty of drinking options to be found in the Belltown portion of downtown (south of Denny Way), Fremont, Ballard, the University District, and Capitol Hill. The good news is Washington state is one of the last states that allows all alcoholic drinks to be sold openly at supermarkets, so liquor is readily and cheaply available even if you don’t want to go to a bar.

Wine is another Northwest specialty, and there are a number of wineries just thirty miles from Seattle proper in Woodinville. Many more can be found a 2-3 hour drive away on the other side of the Cascades in Washington Wine Country. You can find local vintages in grocery stores, wine shops, restaurants, and wine bars such as Bottlehouse and Purple.

Like any other city with a large Asian population, bubble tea or boba milk tea shops has been recently popping up, and are popular among young people. Bubble tea is basically milk tea with various flavors and tapioca balls. Many of these shops also offer Asian snacks and delicacies. If you are thirsty and hungry, and budget is your main concern, this can be a good option. Most of these can be found in the University District as well as a few in the International District.

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	Less than $150
Mid-range	$150-$250
Splurge	More than $250

For such a large city, there is a surprising lack of accommodation options available, thus rooms in Seattle are more on the expensive side. Most sleeping options are in Downtown and consist mostly of mid-range or high-end hotels. Other options, especially budget hotels and hostels can be found near the Seattle Center, the University District, the International District, and in North Seattle. There are also bed and breakfast options in Fremont, Ballard, and Capitol Hill. Steer clear of the motels along Aurora Avenue N, as there are many sketchy places where you stay at your own risk.

Alternatives to Seattle accommodations are a train ride away south in Tukwila & SeaTac, especially the areas surrounding the airport but also down in an area by SouthCenter Mall in Tukwila, as there are plenty more hotels to choose from with a wide range of rates. You can also find more options for hotels across the I-90 bridge to Bellevue or other towns on the other side of Lake Washington, such as Kirkland, Issaquah, or Renton.

Connect

By phone

The area code for the City of Seattle is 206. Surrounding areas use other area codes, including 425 which encompasses the eastern and northern suburbs including Bellevue, Redmond, Lynnwood, and Everett, 253 for all areas south of Kent such as Tacoma, Federal Way, and Fife, and 360 for everywhere else west of the Cascades. All of Washington east of the Cascades uses the 509 area code.

Pay phones can be found mostly in train stations, but these usually go unused and most of them are on the verge of being taken down. As in much of the rest of the country, you will pretty much need a cellphone to make calls while you are on the go. Cellphone reception is excellent throughout most of the city, with the exception of the Downtown transit tunnels.

By Internet

Free Wi-Fi can be found at all Seattle public libraries. As part of a pilot project, the City of Seattle provides free Wi-Fi access in Columbia City, the University District area, four downtown Seattle parks (Occidental, Freeway, Westlake and Victor Steinbrueck), and the City Hall lobby area. The Seattle Center also provides free wireless internet. RapidRide and Sound Transit commuter buses also offer free Wi-Fi.

There are various internet cafes in the Seattle area, especially in the University District and the Downtown neighborhoods. Additionally, many coffee shops offer free and paid wireless access (all Starbucks locations offer free Wi-Fi). 4G LTE coverage is well covered by most, if not all, major telecom companies, but reception gets poorer the closer you get to the mountains.

Stay safe

Statistically, the number of crimes in Seattle is similar to what you would expect in any major city in the United States. By and large, as long as you use some common sense, you are unlikely to be the target of any crime. Auto break-ins and theft are a problem in the city, so never your leave valuables visible in a car and always lock your car doors. Be wary of the rising trend of smartphone theft.

Downtown Seattle has a sizable population of homeless people (many neighborhoods have forced their homeless into Seattle’s downtown core), and while many beg for change and some seem unstable, only a few are actually dangerous. It is worthwhile to be careful after dark in some areas around the downtown core. Some places to watch your back near major tourist areas include under the viaduct along the Waterfront, Belltown, between Pine and Pike Streets in Downtown, and around Pioneer Square, where you’ll want to beware of drug dealers and beggars. Areas you’ll want to avoid at night (at least without company) include along Aurora Avenue and Lake City Way in the north of the city, SoDo, and the International District.

On Friday and Saturday nights, it is wise to take caution while at Capitol Hill. The many bars in the area can also contain drunk and unruly people, which in very rare cases can lead up to assault or shooting. But as long as you are not looking for trouble, you will be safe.

Drivers in Seattle are typically nice but indecisive, but as long as you’re careful as a pedestrian, you don’t run a high risk of getting hit. Cyclists should be extra wary of traffic and opening doors of parked cars, especially Downtown.

Marijuana

Washington state has legalized the consumption of marijuana for recreational use. By law, only persons aged 21 and over can purchase marijuana, and then only from licensed retailers. Purchasers are limited to one ounce of usable marijuana (the harvested flowers or “bud”), 16 ounces of marijuana-infused edibles in solid form, 72 ounces in liquid form, or 7 grams of marijuana concentrates.

Under no circumstances should you consume marijuana in public or while driving, nor should you transport it out of the state or give it to anybody else for consumption. The DUI limit is .08, but even a smaller number can still lead to an arrest. Any other regulations not stated here should be treated the same as with alcohol. Smoking is not allowed in any public places, and must be done at least 25 feet away from doors, windows, or ventilation shafts.

Weather

During fall through early spring, when the weather is said to be sunny, the morning often starts with fog before the afternoon sunshine clears it. Be careful if you’re driving, as visibility can be near zero in the early morning, depending on the location. Watch out for black ice as well if the temperature is below freezing. Occasionally, this condition will persist for days and air quality will deteriorate as emissions will get trapped over the city; in these cases, an Air Stagnation Advisory and Burn Ban will be issued, and those with breathing problems should take precautions in such an event.

In case of rain, take the normal precautions while driving to avoid skidding; drive 10-15 mph slower than the speed limit and avoid driving through large puddles. If you are heading to the mountains in the winter, take the typical winter driving precautions, like putting chains on your tires or changing to traction tires. If it does snow in Seattle, it is not recommended to drive, as the city is typically unprepared for such an event and motor vehicles become a moving hazard — stuck, skidding, or rolling down the city’s hills.

Stay healthy

As long as there are no extreme weather events, Seattle is a perfectly lovely place. Many parks have jogging tracks and fitness centers are abundant, making Seattle one of the fittest cities in the nation.

Temperatures can get extreme during the summer, and there is always at least one annual instance where temperatures hover above 90 °F (32 °C), although the little humidity makes the heat less oppressive. Drink plenty of liquid to keep yourself hydrated and don’t leave anybody inside a car.

During the long stretch of mild (40–50 °F or 4–10 °C) and dry days in winter, smog often covers the skies of Puget Sound, as there is no way for the pollutants and moisture to clear out of the area. If an Air Stagnation Advisory or Burn Ban is issued, take precautions if you have breathing problems. On these days, you might want to consider heading to the mountains, where you’re more likely to experience sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures.

During a hike in between thick lines of trees at the parks, be careful to check for ticks. If a bulls’ eye rash develops at the tick bite site, immediately seek medical help and treatment with antibiotics. Despite its location close to mountains, wild animals such as bears or beavers are very unlikely to stray at the city.

Smoking is not allowed in any public places, and must be done at least 25 feet away from doors, windows, or ventilation shafts.

Tap water is safe to drink and is among the best quality in the United States, from undisturbed and uncontaminated water sources fed by snow melt in the Cascade mountains.

Cope

Dress

Fashion in Seattle covers a wide range, from chic and stylish to flannel, grunge, and anti-fashion. In fact, it’s hard to think of a style that wouldn’t be acceptable somewhere in the city. Overall, though, dress is decidedly casual. In 2013, Seattle was ranked the most “dressed-down” city in the nation, preferring comfort over fashion. It’s almost impossible to be underdressed in Seattle; even the Seattle Opera and Seattle Symphony encourage you to wear shorts and sandals if you’re so inclined.

Dressing in layers is a good idea, due to unpredictable weather and differences in temperature from indoors to outdoors. Practical accessories like boots and scarves are also common, depending on the season.

When it rains, Seattleites frequently don’t use umbrellas, since the drizzle is constant and is sometimes accompanied with wind. Rather, the locals are more likely to wear a hoodie jacket or a poncho, and packing one is recommended.

When the sun is out, many locals will eagerly break out shorts and sandals, even if the temperature is only in the 60s (16–21 °C).

Newspaper

• The Seattle Times ($0.50 daily, $1.50 Sundays) is the only remaining daily newspaper in the Seattle area and covers local, national and international news.
• The Seattle Post-Intelligencer (free, online only) has ended its print edition, but still maintains local reporters and an online presence.
• The Seattle Weekly (free, published Wednesday) is one of many free weeklies that are published in the Seattle area. The Weekly has a longstanding reputation for in-depth coverage of arts and local politics.
• The Stranger (free, published Thursday) is an alternative weekly newspaper noted for its social commentary, political opinion, arts, comics, music coverage, and local news items.
• Publicola (free, online only) is an online only but well read blog covering local politics and events.
• Real Change ($2.00, published weekly) is a newspaper mostly written and produced by homeless people, sold by homeless vendors on street corners and outside grocery stores.

There are also several ethnic newspapers including Northwest Asian Weekly, and numerous neighborhood newspapers including the North Seattle Journal and the West Seattle Blog. The University of Washington also publishes The Daily of the University of Washington.

Radio

Seattle is in the top 20 of the largest media market in the US, thus virtually every genre you can think of has its own radio station:

• KEXP-FM (90.3) = news & talk, NPR (National Public Radio), classical music, alternative & indie rock
• KQMV (Movin 92.5) = Top 40
• KUBE (93.3) = Hip hop, rap
• KMPS (94.1)= Country
• KUOW (94.9) = news & talk, NPR (National Public Radio), PRI (Public Radio International), BBC World Service
• KJR-FM (95.7) = classic hits
• KIRO-FM (97.3) = news & talk. Also broadcasts a comprehensive traffic report.
• KOMO-FM (97.7 & 1000 AM) = news
• KING-FM (98.1) = classical
• KKWF (Wolf 100.7) = Country
• KPLZ (Star 101.5) = Hot Adult Contemporary
• KCMS (Spirit 105.3) = Christian
• KIRO (710 AM) = Sports
• KMIA (1210 AM) = Spanish Latino
• KWYZ (1230 AM) = Korean

Television

Seattle is the 13th largest television market in the US, with all big five English (ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, FOX), four Spanish (Univision, Telemundo, Azteca, MundoFOX), and independent networks represented. All big five except CW, and Univision have local news, weather, and sports alongside syndicated & network primetime TV shows. You can also stream on their website when they broadcast local news.

• KOMO= Channel 4 (ABC)
• KING = Channel 5 (NBC)
• KIRO = Channel 7 (CBS)
• KCTS = Channel 9 (PBS)
• KSTW = Channel 11 (The CW). Does not broadcast local news.
• KCPQ = Channel 13 (FOX). Here is where you watch the Seahawks (Sunday games) and the Sounders playing on TV.
• KTBW = Channel 20 (TBN & other Christian networks)
• KWPX = Channel 33 (ion on sub-channel 1, Telemundo on sub-channel 7)
• KFFV = Channel 44 (Azteca on sub-channel 2, AAT (local Chinese channel) on sub-channel 4, WeatherNation on sub-channel 5)
• KUNS = Channel 50 (Univision on sub-channel 1, MundoFOX on sub-channel 2). Only Univision has local news.

You can also get Canadian television, but over the air coverage is very poor, so a cable subscription may be necessary.

Hospitals

Seattle has a large number of primary- and secondary-care medical centers, including the only level 1 trauma center serving Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Additionally, Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center is the pediatric referral center for those same states. An area roughly located between I-5 and Broadway is dubbed as Pill Hill for having three of Seattle’s largest medical centers within the small complex: Harborview, Virginia Mason, and Swedish.

• UW Medicine The UW Medicine system is operated by the University of Washington. It includes Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, Eastside Specialty Center, Hall Health (Student Health Services) and Sports Medicine Clinic.
  • Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Ave, ☎ +1 206 744-3000. Managed by the University of Washington Medicine system, it is Seattle’s Level 1 trauma center, and the hospital where most critically injured patients are either airlifted or ambulanced. 24-hour Emergency Room, Centers of Emphasis for neurosciences, trauma, burns, reconstruction and rehabilitation, mentally ill and medically vulnerable, and AIDS/STD treatment. Also has a center for sexual assault rehabilitation. (updated Oct 2015)
  • UW Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St, ☎ +1 206 598-3300. The second hospital component to the UW Medicine system, this hospital is one of the biggest and best teaching hospitals in the country. 24-hour Emergency Room. (updated Oct 2015)
  • Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, ☎ +1 206 987-2000. Children’s Hospital is a private hospital specializing in pediatrics. It is also home to UW’s School of Pediatrics. 24-hour pediatric emergency room. (updated Oct 2015)
• Swedish Medical Center Swedish Medical Center is a large nonprofit health care provider. It has three main hospital locations and is also affiliated with many other suburban hospitals and clinics. Among the things Swedish is known for are its Cancer, Bariatrics and Heart Institutes. Swedish Hospital will treat all patients who need care, regardless of their ability to pay.
  • Swedish Medical Center First Hill, 747 Broadway, ☎ +1 206 386-6000. Certified Primary Stroke Care center, 24-hour ER, 24-hour Pediatric ER. This is the Main Swedish Medical Center campus and is the largest hospital in Seattle. (updated Oct 2015)
• Swedish Medical Center Cherry Hill, 500 17th Ave., ☎ +1 206 320-2000. Certified Primary Stroke Care center, 24-hour ER. 
• Swedish Medical Center Ballard, 5300 Tallman Ave NW, ☎ +1 206 782-2700. 24-Hour ER. 
• Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Avenue, toll-free: +1-888-862-2737. One of the best hospitals in the state and the nation for cancer, heart diseases, gastro, and orthopedic surgery. It is also known for having a high satisfactory in patient care. (updated Oct 2015)

In the event of a medical emergency anywhere in the U.S., dial 9-1-1 for free from any phone, including payphones at no cost.

Consulates

Most consulates are in downtown Seattle, but some are elsewhere:

• Belgium (Honorary), The World Trade Center Seattle, 2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 470, ☎ +1 206 771-9114, e-mail: consulbelseattle@gmail.com. (updated Jun 2017)

• Cambodia (Honorary), 1818 Westlake Avenue N., Suite 315, ☎ +1 206 217-0830, fax: +1 206 361-7888, e-mail: camemb.sea@mfa.gov.kh. 

• Canada, Century Square @ 1501 4th Ave, Suite 600 (4th Ave & Pike), ☎ +1 206 443-1777, fax: +1 206 443-9662, e-mail: seatl@international.gc.ca. 

• El Salvador, Broderick Bldg @ 650 2nd Ave, Suite 50 (2nd Ave & Cherry), ☎ +1 206 971-7950, fax: +1 206 236-5162, e-mail: consuladosettle@rree.gob.sv. Mon-Fri 7:30AM to 3:30PM; First Sat per month 9:30AM-1:30PM. 

• France, World Trade Center Seattle, 2200 Alaskan Way, Suite #490, ☎ +1 206 256-6184. (updated Jul 2016)

• Denmark (Honorary), 6204 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island, ☎ +1 206 230-0888, fax: +1 206 230-0888, e-mail: edl6@ix.netcom.com. Mon-Fri 9:00AM – 5:00PM by appointment only. 

• Ireland (Honorary), 5819 St. Andrews Dr., Mukilteo, WA, e-mail: JKeane@IrishConsulSeattle.com. 

• Germany (Honorary), 7853 SE 27th St, Suite 180, Mercer Island, ☎ +1 206 230-5138, fax: +1 206 236-5162, e-mail: petrahwalker@gmail.com. 

• Japan, Two Union Square @ 601 Union St, Suite 500, ☎ +1 206 682-9107, fax: +1 206 624-9097, e-mail: info@cgjapansea.org. 

• Luxembourg (Honorary), 812 Warren Ave N (3 blocks north of Seattle Center between Valley & Aloha St), ☎ +1 206 956-9137. (updated Jul 2016)
• Mexico, 2132 3rd Avenue (3rd Ave & Blanchard in Belltown), ☎ +1 206 448-3526, fax: +1 206 448-4771, e-mail: conseattle@sre.gob.mx. 

• Netherlands (Honorary), PO Box 2758, Kirkland WA 98083, ☎ +1 206 954-1961, fax: +1 425-821-5676, e-mail: seattle@nlconsulate.com. 

• New Zealand (Honorary), PO Box 51059, Seattle WA 98115, ☎ +1 206 527-1896, fax: +1 206 525-8104, e-mail: nzconsulseattle@gmail.com. 

• Peru (Honorary), 3717 NE 157th St (Off of NE Bothell Way (SR522)), ☎ +1 206 714-9037, e-mail: consuladoperu@msn.com. Mon,Wed,Fri 10:30AM to 5:30PM. 

• Russia, One Union Square @ 600 University St., Suite 2510, ☎ +1 206 728-1910, fax: +1 206 728-1871, e-mail: consul@seanet.com. Mon-Fri 9:00AM-12:00PM. 

• South Korea, Sixth & Lenora Building @ 2033 6th Ave # 1125, ☎ +1 206 441-1011, fax: +1 206 441-7912, e-mail: seattle0404@mofat.go.kr. 

• Sweden (Honorary), 5350 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033, ☎ +1 425 952-6299, fax: +1 425 576-5400, e-mail: seattle@consulateofsweden.org. 

• Taiwan (Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (TECO)), One Union Square @ 600 University St., Suite 2020, ☎ +1 206 441-4586, e-mail: info@teco-seattle.org. Mon-Fri 9:00AM-6:00PM, consular services close at 4:30PM. 

Go next

Ferries

If you’re staying anywhere near downtown, the state-run ferries leave from Colman Dock, a pier at the south end of the Waterfront, an easy walk from downtown. Passengers on foot pay $7.50 for the westbound trip; the return to Seattle is free.

• Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island on the Kitsap Peninsula (30 minutes one way).
• Or, take a trip to Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula and back, a place as scenic as the Aegean Sea.
• The Fauntleroy Ferry terminal in West Seattle offers service to Vashon Island and Southworth terminal near Port Orchard.
• The County also provides passenger-only Water Taxi service from Pier 50 (right next to Colman Dock) to Vashon Island.

Driving

Just getting out and driving around the area with no destination in mind can be a great experience, as the Seattle area, like most of the Pacific Northwest, is very scenic. If you’d like more specific destinations, try some of these:

Within the metropolitan area

• Everett lies about 25 miles north of Seattle on I-5 and is home to the Boeing factory – a massive building where all of its wide-bodied aircraft are assembled – tours are available.
• Tacoma is an hour drive south using I-5, where you can find one of the largest zoos in the country, Point Defiance, as well as innumerable history and art museums.
• Mount Vernon and Bellingham are two cute small towns just one hour north of Seattle pass Everett. Every start of spring, the tulip fields near Mount Vernon pop up with vibrant colors and is a major tourist attraction.
• Bellevue is across Lake Washington and features posh shops and restaurants. The city itself is cleaner than Seattle.
• Redmond is just a few minutes’ drive pass Bellevue and is home to the world-renowned technology company, Microsoft. You can visit its visitor center where most of their products are showcased.

Day trips

• Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style town situated on the other side of the Cascade mountains.
• The Olympic Peninsula features beaches on the Pacific Ocean, Cape Flattery (the extreme northwestern point of the contiguous U.S.), and some of the only temperate rain forests in the lower 48 states at the Olympic National Park.
• Portland, Oregon is roughly 3 hours away south on I-5 while Vancouver, Canada is 2 hours (plus border security) north of Seattle on I-5.
• The San Juan Islands is only two hours north on I-5 (exit onto Westbound SR20 in Burlington and follow the signs to the San Juans Ferry).
• Spokane, a 5-hour drive eastbound on I-90 to the major city of eastern Washington.
• Whidbey Island is a short drive away north on I-5 (follow the signs for Mukilteo Ferry) and is a charming place with quaint towns.

Cascade Mountains

• The Mountains to Sound Greenway via I-90 is the quickest “escape” from the city into the nearby Cascade mountains.
• North Bend (also out I-90) is the town where parts of the 1990 David Lynch TV series Twin Peaks were filmed, and has the Northwest Railway Museum.
• The North Cascade Loop consists of a two-day minimum round trip over Stevens Pass and the North Cross-state Highway (US 2 and SR 20).
• Mount Rainier National Park Just 2 hours south and east from Seattle, this magnificent mountain offers a mosaic of beautiful scenery such as blooming wildflowers, glaciers, crashing waterfalls and the mountain itself.
• Roslyn is also out I-90 (not far past Snoqualmie Pass) and is where the TV series Northern Exposure was filmed and holds festivals of such theme in late July.
• Mount St. Helens, 2.5 hours from Seattle, still lefts a breathtaking charm despite its 1980 eruption.
• Snoqualmie Falls, (Snoqualmie, east of Seattle on I-90). A 300 ft high scenic waterfall, easily viewable from two viewpoints.

Skiing/snowboarding

An equivalent to Denver but far fewer in number, Seattle is the gateway to winter resorts on the Cascade mountains. Drive for one hour to the resorts to enjoy everything from leisure snowball fights to downhill skis, a perfect escape if you are bored with Seattle’s rain. Winter sports season is generally November–May, depending on how much snow there is. Generally, the highest ski resorts will open for the winter season longer.

• Snoqualmie Pass – Summit and Alpental resorts an hour east on I-90. Elevation 3000 feet (more than 900m)
• Stevens Pass (elevation 4500 feet)- A resort about two hours East of Seattle on Highway 2. Elevation 4000 feet (about 1300m)
• Crystal Mountain at Mount Rainier. Opens in winter for skiing, in summer for hiking. Gondola to the Summit House restaurant operates year round as well. Elevation 4500 up to 6800 feet (1400 to 2100 meters above sea level)
• Mount Baker North, near Bellingham.
• Mission Ridge East of Steven’s Pass, near Wenatchee.
• White Pass South of Seattle on Highway 12.
• Whistler, British Columbia, Canada – North America’s top rated ski resort, about a four-hour drive north of Seattle past Vancouver on the Sea to Sky Highway.

Routes through Seattle

Vancouver ← Edmonds ←	N  S	→ Tukwila → Portland
END ←	W  E	→ Edmonds → Spokane
Vancouver (via ) ← Shoreline ←	N  S	→ Tukwila → Portland
END ←	W  E	→ Mercer Island → Spokane
Everett ← Shoreline ←	N  S	→ Tukwila → Tacoma
END ←	N  S	→ White Center → Tacoma
END ←	W  E	→ Bellevue → Redmond
END ←	SW  NE	→ Jct W → Bothell → Monroe