Seattle is one of the hidden gems of the United States. Located in Washington state between scenic Elliot Bay, the immense Mount Rainier and just south of British Columbia, this extraordinary destination offers a wealth of activities and experiences. Home to Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing and Starbucks, it has long been a place of creativity and innovation. Enjoy stunning waterfront views, delicious dining, amazing coffee, breathtaking nature, leading-edge architecture and innovative museums. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or want to kick of a longer adventure, here’s a guide to enjoying an unforgettable Seattle vacation!

Top Things to Do in Seattle

One of the most iconic sights in Seattle is the towering Space Needle, which offers amazing views of the city and Mount Rainier in the distance. A trip to to the top costs around USD 35 for adult tickets, which can be packaged with the nearby Museum of Pop Culture (formerly called the Experience Music Project) and Chihuly Gardens and Glass, where you can see works from the same artist who created the beautiful glass flowers on the ceiling of the Las Vegas Bellagio. The most affordable option is to grab a Seattle CityPASS which includes two visits to the Space needle for the night and day viewings, admission to the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Aquarium, and a Argosy Harbor Cruise.

Another must-see attraction is the famous Pike Place Market featuring dozens of food stalls and restaurants. Enjoy amazing seafood including Alaskan crab, fresh oysters, clam chowder and more. If you don’t like seafood, there are a variety of other delicious cuisines offered here including French, Italian, Korean, Persian, Chinese, Thai and comfort American food. No visit to Pike Place would be complete without seeing the very first Starbucks ever opened. (Lines tend to be long, so you may just want to snap a photograph here and grab a coffee at one of the other many Starbucks around town.)

If you’re looking to travel through history then Pioneer is your next stop. Seattle’s first neighborhood, this architectural treasure trove is home to some of the oldest and most impressive buildings in Seattle. Plus, from here you can slip into the Seattle Underground tunnels to learn about the city’s past.

Find a variety of city tours that will take you to to Seattle’s top sites. Or, try a hop-on, hop-off pass that’ll lead you from Seattle Center all the way down to the International District and along the Seattle Waterfront.

Boat Tours from Seattle

Perfectly situated on Elliot Bay, Seattle offers spectacular waterfront views, as well as many piers from which to launch a stunning boat tour. Take an afternoon cruise on Seattle Harbor and Puget Sound. Enjoy wine tasting on Lake Union. Savor spectacular views of Mt. Rainier from Lake Washington. Head to Blake Island for scenic hikes and a picnic lunch. Rent kayaks near the arboretum. Or, take a ferry to the San Juan Islands for beautiful nature and the chance to spot killer whales in the wild.

Day Trips from Seattle

Find day trips to a variety of unforgettable attractions just outside Seattle. Discover Leavenworth, a charming Bavarian-style village featuring German food and a nutcracker museum. See Snoqualmie Falls, considered one of the top ten waterfalls in the United States. (Many people may also recognize it as the setting for the TV series Twin Peaks.

Visit the Big Four Ice Caves, an easy hike through magical caves formed by snow. Cruise to Blake Island or the San Juan Islands. Or, cross the nearby Canadian border on a day trip to Victoria and stroll through Butchart Gardens.

Nature lovers will relish Seattle’s close proximity to two stunning national parks. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Olympic National Park features an amazing range of ecosystems including glacier-capped mounains, rain forests and 70 miles of pristine coastline. Mount Rainier National Park is home to beautiful waterfalls, picturesque meadows, scenic forests and the immense Mount Rainier, a 14,410-tall active volcano. Spend a day visiting either park or go deeper on a multiday tour. You can either head out of the city on your own or join a Mount Rainier day trip from Seattle to enjoy a scenic drive to this amazing park.

Multicity Trips from Seattle

Experience the many delights of the Pacific Northwest with tours departing from Seattle that combine Washington and Oregon. Visit Portland’s popular attractions including the Rose Test Garden, Pioneer Courthouse Square and The Grotto. See breathtaking Crater Lake National Park, the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls. Whether you want to spend two days or eight, there are a variety of tours combining these popular cities.

Or, head north to Vancouver and Victoria for stunning gardens. Kick off an unforgettable tour of North America’s stunning national parks from Seattle. Travel east to Yellowstone for serene lakes, colorful hot springs and hundreds of geysers. Head north to the Canadian Rockies and visit Banff, Jasper and the Columbia Icefield.

How to Get to Seattle

One of the major cities in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle rests on the West Coast’s Interstate 5 Highway, which allows travelers to visit all the great West Coast cities on one fantastic road trip. Or, if you’re traveling from Canada, Seattle is just a quick three-hour drive from Vancouver.

If you’re not up for a road trip, then you’ll want to fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (aka Sea-Tac) which receives direct flights from around the world. Or, try a a scenic Amtrak train tour. The Coast Starlight travels from LA to Portland and Seattle, letting you cross the coast within 35 hours.

If you’re traveling from Canada, another scenic option is the Victoria Skipper, a high speed ferry that travels from Victoria to Seattle in under three hours.

When is the Best Time to Visit Seattle?

Housed in Garvey Bay and adjacent to Pudget Sound, Seattle receives cool ocean breezes all year round, as well as some chillier winds from Canada. It has a reputation for being one of the rainiest cities in the U.S., but for many traveler’s that adds to its charm.

Its summers, which run from June to August, are extremely popular do to the comfortable mid-70 F weather and can drain your budget just from hotel prices. In contrast, fall (September to October) is one the best times to visit both in terms of smaller crowds and cheaper prices; plus, the weather is still relatively mild, even if its beginning to get chillier. You’ll want to pack a light coat and jeans, but otherwise you’ll get to enjoy the lovely fall foliage and amazing festivals that rise up between these two months, from the Fremont Oktoberfest to the Macefield Music Fest, as well as half a dozen cultural festivals such as The Italian Festival, Seattle Fiestas Patrias, CroatiaFest, Turkfest, and Dia de Muertos.

For more suggestions on things to do in and around Seattle, click here.