Headed to the Pacific Northwest? Here’s a primary timer’s information to visiting Seattle

Travelers visiting Seattle for the primary time typically assume will probably be all espresso and rain. Both are bountiful on this Pacific Northwest metropolis tucked between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, however the Emerald City dazzles year-round with world-class museums and points of interest, festivals galore, and numerous methods to expertise nature on water and on land.  

Best time to go to Seattle 

Spring: Laugh off the rain at Moisture Festival, a 4 week-long showcase of aerialists, acrobats, and odd surprises beginning mid-March. In May, preview impartial movies throughout the two-week Seattle International Film Festival. Over Memorial Day weekend, the Northwest Folklife Festival convenes at Seattle Center for a free celebration of arts, tradition, and heritage.  

Summer: In June, Seafair begins a ten week-long city-wide social gathering with fireworks, parades, hydroplane races, an air present, and different occasions. In July, the Seattle Art Fair fills Lumen Field with trendy and up to date artwork. Over Labor Day weekend, Seattle Center hosts Bumbershoot, a joyous end-of-summer music and humanities competition.

Fall: In September and October, harvests are in, summer season crowds are out and it’s the best time to go to the farmers, crafters and different distributors on the historic Pike Place Market. Seattle celebrates the glass arts in October throughout Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience. 

Winter: Head to Seattle’s Chinatown-International District for Lunar New Year celebrations. February’s Northwest Flower & Garden Show provides previews of spring. February can be Museum Month, when downtown resort bookings embrace passes for half-off admission at many museums. In mid-March, be a part of the ‘bloom watch’ for peak viewing of Yoshino cherry bushes on the University of Washington quad.

(10 must-do experiences on your subsequent journey to Seattle)

Key areas to discover in Seattle

Downtown waterfront: Seattle’s revitalized waterfront is a 20-acre walkable expertise with artwork, parks, and viewing spots out to Elliot Bay and the encircling mountain ranges. The Seattle Aquarium, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, and the Great Wheel are amongst of the points of interest right here, however customer may go sightseeing on a ferry or an Argosy Cruise or head as much as Pike Place Market on the terraced Overlook Walk. 

Seattle Center: The 1962 World’s Fair web site is now a 74-acre city park that’s dwelling to the 605-foot Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), a dancing fountain with its personal DJ, and Seattle Center Festál, a rolling collection of 25 free festivals celebrating town’s many cultural communities. 

The parks: Seattle has hundreds of parks within the metropolis limits, together with Volunteer Park within the Capitol Hill neighborhood, which is dwelling to Volunteer Park Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and 300-acre Seward Park, which has each seashores and 120-acres of previous development forest. 

At Lake Union Park you’ll discover the Center for Wooden Boats, the Museum of History and Industry, and the NW Seaport’s floating fleet of historic vessels. 

The water: On Lake Union, kayaks and paddleboards, electric boats, donut boats, and hot tub boats can be found to hire. The Center for Wooden Boats rents sailboats and provides free one-hour rowboat rentals and free month-to-month public sails with volunteer skippers.  

Where to remain in Seattle 

The Edgewater Hotel:  Seattle’s solely over-the water resort is just not solely proper on the downtown waterfront, it’s additionally the place The Beatles stayed throughout their 1964 U.S. tour, famously fishing from their resort window. Poles and bait are now not bought within the giftshop, however the views stay notable and the resort is steps from the free Olympic Sculpture Park and a brief stroll to the Seattle Aquarium and different waterfront actions.

Hotel Sorrento: Built in 1909, this resort in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood take inspiration from the storied Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy, and is rumored to be haunted by Alice B. Toklas, of hash brownie-recipe fame. The resort’s Fireside Room hosts Silent Reading Parties throughout which patrons learn silently, however collectively, whereas listening to dwell music.

Inn at the Market: A boutique charmer tucked inside historic Pike Place Market, this hideaway resort is well-loved for its eating places, together with Café Campagne, its proximity to the waterfront and to the market’s choices and for its rooftop deck providing panoramic views of Elliott Bay.  

(The 9 greatest accommodations in Seattle for each sort of traveler)

Taste of Seattle

Seafood reigns supreme in Seattle, with contemporary salmon, oysters, crab, and halibut among the many choices to search for on native menus. Reliable locations to indulge embrace Walrus and Carpenter in Ballard, Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar(Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne), Oyster Cellar (Pioneer Square), Half Shell (north finish of Pike Place Market) and Local Tide within the Fremont neighborhood.  

(7 of the perfect espresso outlets in Seattle)

Getting round Seattle

By public transportation: It’s simple to get round bus, gentle rail, and streetcar. Plan your journey utilizing King County Metro’s Trip Planner instrument and pay for single rides or day passes with the Transit Go app.            

By automotive: Traffic could be difficult within the city core. But for those who’ve bought a rental, town’s map of avenue parking areas and parking services can be helpful. Rideshare companies and taxis are plentiful.  

Here’s what it’s best to learn about visiting Seattle 

Weather: Don’t let Seattle’s unhealthy climate rep scare you. Late fall and winter could be grey and wet, however you’re extra more likely to encounter a day of misty rain than one crammed with downpours. Pack waterproof sneakers and a lightweight raincoat and also you’ll mix in with the locals. 

Summer could begin late, however stretches from mid-June by October, with common temperatures starting from the mid-60s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit in July and August.

How to go to Seattle sustainably

Seattle is severe about sustainability. You’ll spot recycling and composting bins in eating places and points of interest. Compostable take-out containers and utensils are normal. The metropolis banned plastic luggage again in 2012, so tuck a tote into your suitcase.

Transportation: Downtown is hilly, however very walkable. Sound Transit’s Link light rail is electrical powered. King Couty Metro’s fleet is nearly fully hybrid or zero-emission autos. And there are many e-scooters and e-bikes accessible for hire.

Shopping: Explore neighborhoods through classic and secondhand shops by buying at Barn Owl Vintage Goods in Georgetown, Lucky Vintage shops in Fremont, Ballard and the University District, and Two Big Blondes, the nation’s largest plus dimension consignment retailer, within the Central District.