Seattle

Seattle is a hilly port city on the Pacific coast, known for Pike Place Market, the first Starbucks and a live-music scene that grew out of grunge.

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Seattle is the largest city in Washington state and the main city of the Pacific Northwest. It sits on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the Canadian border. The first Starbucks opened at Pike Place Market on March 30, 1971, and coffee remains a strong part of the city's identity. Pike Place Market is a historic market on the downtown waterfront. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition.

Seattle is hilly, with neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, Queen Anne and Magnolia on its slopes. Discovery Park, the city's largest park, has 534 acres of forest and saltwater beaches on bluffs. Summers are mild and relatively dry, and most of the annual rain falls from October to March. The Olympic Mountains lie about 60 miles west across Puget Sound, and the Cascade Range lies east.

Seattle in five

Take Link light rail from the airportThe 1 Line runs from SeaTac/Airport to Westlake in the center, via Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square and the University of Washington. Pay with an ORCA card or a contactless bank card.Where to stay in Seattle
Ride the Bainbridge Island ferry for the skylineThe crossing from downtown takes about 35 minutes, so it works as a cheap harbor cruise or a half-day trip. Check the seasonal sailing table before you plan around it.WSDOT sailing schedule
Pick a clear morning for the Space NeedleOpening hours change by weekday, so check the attraction's own page, then choose a day with a good forecast. Cloud hides Mount Rainier and the Olympics, which is most of the point.Seattle in 3 days
Pack a hooded jacket, not just an umbrellaRain is frequent from late fall to spring and often light, so a waterproof layer works better than an umbrella on hills and ferry decks. July to September is the dry window and the priciest for rooms.Best time to visit Seattle
Treat Mount Rainier as its own dayThe park has a separate entrance pass, seasonal roads and wildfire closures. Read the NPS alerts before you drive, and do not squeeze it between a morning at Pike Place and an evening flight.

Things to do in Seattle

See all attractions in Seattle

Landmark · SeattleSeattle Public Library - Central LibraryWeekdays are a quieter choice; weekends can be busier.

Park · SeattleVolunteer ParkVisit in late August or early September for the dahlias in bloom.

Landmark · SeattleAlki Point LighthouseTours have been offered on summer Sundays; check the lighthouse’s current status and schedule before setting out.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SeattlePut the places you like in Seattle on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Seattle-Tacoma (SEA); Link light rail runs from the terminal to downtown
Getting there: Fly to SEA; Amtrak Cascades and I-5 link Portland and Vancouver, BC
Getting around: Link light rail, buses, streetcars and ferries; pay with ORCA or contactless
Best base: Downtown or Capitol Hill for a first trip; Ballard for a local feel
Time needed: 3 days; 4 or 5 with Mount Rainier, Bainbridge or the San Juan Islands

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Rain, mild
FebruaryRain16 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low2°Rain, mild
MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Showers
AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Cherry blossom
MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Longer days
JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Dry, bright
JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Dry, peak
AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Dry, smoky risk
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Dry, calmer
OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Fall color
NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Rain returns
DecemberRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low3°Dark, lights

Average daily high and low in Seattle, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Aug Bumbershoot · Sep Bumbershoot

Best time to visit Seattle

Right now in Seattle

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 6°
Humidity: 70%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 7%

Seattle

11:52 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-8

Today10°2°7%Monday: Fog. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 7%.
Tue15°7°15%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 15%.
Wed13°5°78%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 78%.
Thu12°9°78%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 78%.
Fri11°9°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 65%.
Sat16°10°57%Saturday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 57%.
Sun14°7°57%Sunday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 57%.

Updated 10:33 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.119 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Seattle

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

Aug–SepBumbershootSeattle

Day trips by train

Bainbridge Islandabout 35 min by ferryA walk-on ferry ride with the skyline behind you and a small town at the dock.
Mount Rainier National Parka long day by carMeadows and glacier views in summer; check alerts for road and trail closures first.
San Juan Islandsa full day or overnight, via ferryWhale-watching and quiet roads; plan the ferry connection ahead.Read the guide

Before you go to Seattle

Hotels downtown or Capitol HillCompare bases before rooms sell outCheck availability

Space Needle and harbor toursTimed slots suit clear morningsBook timed entry

eSIM for SeattleTransit and ferry apps without roamingRead the guide

Insurance for a Seattle tripCancellation cover if you add a cruiseRead the guide

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Rules for Seattle, checked

Sound Transit charges fares on buses and trains except for riders 18 and under; pay with ORCA, a contactless card or the Transit GO Ticket app.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
The Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry crossing takes about 35 minutes; the Fall 2026 sailing table is on the WSDOT site.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Mount Rainier does not accept cash; the standard vehicle pass is listed at $15 to $30 and valid for seven days.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

All Seattle guides

When to goBest time to visit Seattle: dry summers, shoulder months and rainChecked Oct 2, 2026

ItinerarySeattle in 3 days: market, Space Needle, ferry and a Rainier optionChecked Oct 2, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Seattle: four bases, from Pike Place to BallardChecked Oct 2, 2026

Plan around Seattle

ESTA explained

Who needs it and how to apply before you fly

Read the guide Portland

South along I-5, by train or car

Read the guide All of the USA

Parks, cities and trip planning for visitors

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Seattle FAQ

How many days do you need in Seattle?

Three days cover Pike Place, the waterfront, Seattle Center and a neighborhood or two with a ferry ride. Add a fourth for Mount Rainier or Bainbridge Island, and a fifth if you want the San Juan Islands.

Is Seattle worth visiting if it rains a lot?

Yes, because rain is often light and the city has plenty of indoor options, from markets to museums. If you want views of Mount Rainier and the Olympics, aim for July to September.

Do you need a car in Seattle?

Not for the city. Link light rail, buses and ferries cover the main sights. Rent one only for Mount Rainier or the Olympic Peninsula, and pick it up on the day you leave.

Is the Space Needle worth it?

It is worth it on a clear morning and a poor use of time in cloud. Check the forecast and the attraction's hours for your day, and skip it if your trip is short and the weather is gray.

Can you take a cruise from Seattle to Alaska?

Yes, cruise ships sail from Seattle to Alaska in the summer season. Arrive a day early, book a hotel near the light rail, and check the cruise line for boarding times and entry paperwork.