Seattle Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Seattle
Seattle
Pike Place Market showing night scenes, a city and signage
Seattle
Seattle

Seattle Travel Guide Video

From the limitless outdoor experiences in the nearby Cascade and Olympic mountains to the artistic and musical opportunities downtown, adventure awaits in Seattle.

Take advantage of Seattle’s blend of eclectic neighbourhoods, lakes, hills and sparkling waterfront. Within one day, you can experience the bustle of daily life or slip away for quiet time in a pocket park or on a peaceful stretch of rocky shoreline.

Built around two lakes, various canals and the Puget Sound, Seattle provides plenty of opportunities to play on the water. Kayak or paddleboard past idyllic houseboats on Lake Union. Watch fishing boats pass through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard or visit the salmon ladder during spawning season. Or head to the revitalized downtown waterfront for popular tourist attractions, including the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium. Don’t miss Pike Place Market, where fishmongers sling salmon and street performers liven up the atmosphere. Get there early in the day to avoid crowds and grab a coffee at the original Starbucks.

Wander over to the Seattle Art Museum, with its stunning collection of art and artifacts from around the world. Music enthusiasts can watch the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall or check out the lineup at The Crocodile.

A quick monorail ride zips you to Seattle Centre, where you’ll find the 520-foot-tall (160-metre) Space Needle. Take the elevator up for 360-degree views encompassing Puget Sound, Mount Rainier to the south and the greater Seattle area. Stay for a drink at the rotating restaurant.

Beneath the Space Needle, check out the vibrant Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum and the Museum of Pop Culture. Let the kids loose at the Artists at Play playground with its ADA-accessible carousel, labyrinth, massive climbing tower and more.

Seattle makes the best of its unique geography with a robust public bus system (kids 18 and under ride free) and a light rail system. Hop on Sound Transit’s Link light rail at SeaTac Airport and you’ll be in downtown Seattle in about 40 minutes. Car shares, as well as scooter and bike rentals, are readily available.

Where to stay in Seattle

Downtown Seattle showing street scenes and central business district

Downtown Seattle

4/5(177 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, great live music and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Seattle. Top attractions like Pike Place Market and Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 are major draws. Catch the metro at Westlake Station or University Street Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Seattle
Capitol Hill featuring heritage architecture as well as an individual male

Capitol Hill

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Lake View Cemetery - Bruce Lee's Grave while getting to know Capitol Hill, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Capitol Hill Station or Broadway & Denny Stop to see more of the area.

Capitol Hill
Belltown which includes street scenes

Belltown

Belltown is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights area like Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 and Moore Theatre.

Belltown
Default Image

University District

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Neptune Theater while getting to know University District, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at U District Station or University of Washington Station to see more of the area.

University District
South Lake Union featuring a coastal town, a bay or harbour and boating

South Lake Union

4/5(13 area reviews)

Known for its panoramic lake views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in South Lake Union. Check out top attractions like Amazon Corporate Headquarters and El Corazón, and jump on the metro at Lake Union Park Station or Terry Av- Mercer St Station to see more of the city.

South Lake Union
Kerry Park featuring landscape views, mountains and a city

Lower Queen Anne

While you're in Lower Queen Anne, take in top sights like Space Needle and jump on the metro at Seattle Center Monorail Station to see more of the city.

Lower Queen Anne
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA
4 out of 5
1301 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA
The price is ฿3,247 per night from 26 May to 27 May
฿3,247
฿3,831 total
26 May - 27 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,296 reviews)
Perfect getaway
"I"

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA
Mediterranean Inn
Mediterranean Inn
3 out of 5
425 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA
The price is ฿5,583 per night from 27 May to 28 May
฿5,583
฿6,962 total
27 May - 28 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,168 reviews)
"It was in an awesome spot"

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

Mediterranean Inn
Coast Gateway Hotel
Coast Gateway Hotel
3.5 out of 5
18415 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA
The price is ฿4,432 per night from 27 May to 28 May
฿4,432
฿5,052 total
27 May - 28 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in SeaTac. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (7,217 reviews)
"Easy check in, close to the airport, clean comfy rooms"

Reviewed on 10 May 2025

Coast Gateway Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
3 out of 5
1701 E Valley Rd, Renton, WA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Renton. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,154 reviews)
After cruise blues
"Black out curtains were amazing especially since we had a huge street light right next to it. Need to have Diet Coke available. The front desk person with long blonde hair, younger was so helpful. She gave us directions, places to eat, etc. shuttle was great. The two drivers that we had were so friendly ..."

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
3 out of 5
15805 SE 37th St, Bellevue, WA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Bellevue. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,401 reviews)
"Liked the full size refrigerator and rooms the Duda bed was very uncomfortable though."

Reviewed on 7 May 2025

Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
Sonder RailSpur
Sonder RailSpur
3.5 out of 5
417 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Seattle. Enjoy laundry facilities, concierge services and housekeeping. Popular attractions Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park ...
9/10 Wonderful! (161 reviews)
"10/10 would stay again. Great proximity to WAMU."

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

Sonder RailSpur
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Seattle

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
65
5 - Excellent 52%
4 - Good
51
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

An amazing city, despite being in the midst of the covid-19 outbreak. Hopefully it bounces back aftet all this. I'd definitely visit again!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Enjoyed the bustling streets

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Seattle is a vibrant city, easily walkable, with a great selection of shops, restaurants and attractions.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very beautiful place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Glass museum excellent

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Prefer it in the summer

Cities near Seattle