United States

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Seattle

Emerald City on Puget Sound

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Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: USD
Time zone: UTC-7
Country: United States

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives, CC BY 2.0

Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, set on a narrow isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with water, evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains framing its downtown skyline. Visitors come for Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, coffee culture, music history and easy access to the outdoors.

Largest cities

New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Houston
San Francisco
Miami

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: United States
Capital: Washington, D.C.
City population: 737,015
Population of United States: 340M
Country area: 9,833,520 km²
Official language: English
Currency: US Dollar (USD) · 1 USD ≈ 1 USD
Time zone: UTC-7
Calling code: +1
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 51 m
Plugs: A / B · 120V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	8°	8°	11°	14°	18°	22°	26°	26°	22°	16°	11°	8°
Low	3°	3°	4°	6°	9°	12°	15°	15°	13°	9°	6°	4°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$83
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$175
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$395

Plan a trip to Seattle

Top things to do

Free
Pike Place Market
Wander the stalls of fishmongers, flower sellers and the original Starbucks, and go early to avoid the biggest crowds.
- Half day
- Downtown and Pike Place Market
- Good for kids
≈ $40
Space Needle
Ride to the observation deck for views over Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, and time a visit near sunset for the best light.
- Half day
- Seattle Center and Space Needle
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $35
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Glass sculptures fill indoor galleries and a garden pavilion beside the Space Needle; combined tickets with the Needle save money.
- Half day
- Seattle Center and Space Needle
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Capitol Hill stroll
Walk Broadway and 15th Avenue for coffee shops, bars and record stores, and stay into the evening when the neighborhood is liveliest.
- Half day
- Capitol Hill
- Good in the evening
Free
Chinatown–International District
Explore Asian markets, bakeries and the Chinatown Gate, with dim sum a good lunch stop; the area is easy to reach on Link light rail.
- Half day
- Chinatown–International District
- Good for kids
≈ $10
Ferry to Bainbridge Island
Take the Washington State Ferry from the downtown waterfront for skyline views on the 35-minute crossing, then walk into the small town.
- Half day
- Downtown and Pike Place Market
- Good for kids
≈ $30
Mount Rainier day trip
Drive about two hours to the Paradise area for alpine meadows and glacier views; check road and snow conditions before setting out.
- Full day
- Downtown and Pike Place Market
- Good for kids
Free
West Seattle and Alki Beach
Cross the bay for the Alki Beach promenade and skyline views back toward downtown, with casual restaurants along the water for dinner.
- Half day
- West Seattle
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening

Before you go

Entry and visas

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, most of the EU and Qatar, need an approved ESTA, which costs $40 since 30 September 2025; apply at least 72 hours before travel on the official CBP site. Others, including Indian, Saudi and Emirati citizens, need a visitor visa, and appointment waits can be long.

Official website

From the airport

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in nearby SeaTac is the main gateway, about 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown. The Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown in roughly 35–40 minutes, and taxis or ride-hailing take about 25–35 minutes depending on traffic.

Getting around

Link light rail, buses, streetcars and ferries cover most visitor areas, with a reloadable ORCA card or contactless payment for fares.

Local tips

Locals are polite but reserved, so expect to make the first move in conversations; a simple greeting goes a long way.
Tipping is customary: 15–20% at restaurants and a dollar or two per drink at bars.
Rain is usually a light drizzle from October to March, so bring a waterproof jacket rather than an umbrella.
Summer days are long and dry but the sun sets early in winter, so plan outdoor sights around daylight hours.