18 Top Seattle Packing List Items for 2024 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

FAQs About Travel to Seattle

• 1. What is the best time of year to visit Seattle?

  Early-autumnis generally the best time of year to visit Seattle. The weather is warm with relatively little rain, and it’s less crowded than during the summer.Late-spring sees slightly more rain, but it’s otherwise a good time to visit as well.

• 2. How can I stay on a budget in Seattle?

  Seattle isn’t exactly a cheap city to visit, but there are plenty of ways to save money while you’re there. Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses of any trip, so take some time to decide where to stay. Seattle has lots of Airbnb rentals and a few hostels, which will probably be the cheapest options. For a traditional hotel that’s budget-friendly, consider staying a bit outside the city. Food and drinks are another big expense, and there’s no shortage of delicious things to try in Seattle. To save money, consider picking up groceries for some of your meals, or put together a low-cost picnic at Pike Place Market.

  When it comes to things to do, be on the lookout for discounts and deals. For example, many museums in Seattle offer free admission on the first Thursday of the month, and you can sometimes borrow museum passes from the city’s public libraries. There are also often free things to do, especially during the warmer months, so check for upcoming events. And of course, exploring Seattle’s many parks and markets, including the famed Pike Place, is also free of charge.

• 3. What’s the easiest way to get around?

  If you’re going to be spending much time in the downtown area, scarce and expensive parking negates the convenience of having a car. However, the city has extensive public transportation, including a light rail that runs from the airport to the University of Washington, bus service throughout King County, two streetcars, and the Seattle Center Monorail, which connects downtown with the popular Seattle Center. With all these options, you’ll likely be able to find public transpiration to get where you need to go, but Uber and Lyft are also available.

• 4. What are the top things to do in Seattle?

  You’d have to be in Seattle for a long time before you’d run out of things to do. Among the biggest tourist attractions are the Space Needle (of course) and Pike Place Market. Other top sites include the unique Seattle Public Library and Smith Tower (with its 35th-floor observatory), and you can visit both the Boeing factory and the Starbucks Reserve Roastery.
  The city also has several interesting museums, like the Museum of Pop Culture, the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Flight, the Museum of History and Industry, and the Seattle Children’s Museum. Lastly, the Washington State Ferries are more than just a form of transportation; a ride on one of these boats is an experience in itself and a great way to enjoy stunning views of the city.

• 5. What are the best coffee shops in Seattle?

  The competition for best coffee shop in Seattle is fierce, and every Seattleite has their favorite spot. But you can’t go wrong by visiting one of these: Bedlam Coffee, Milstead and Co., Bulletproof Coffee, Ghost Note Coffee, Caffe d’Arte, Espresso Vivace, Caffe Vita, Victrola Coffee, or Little Oddfellows (located inside Elliott Bay Book Company).

• 6. Where are the best venues for live music?

  The grunge scene Seattle was famous for may have peaked in the 90s, but it’s still a city with a serious music culture. You should definitely plan on seeing some live music during your time in Seattle, but it might be hard to choose where to go.

  Located in Belltown, Crocodile has long been one of Seattle’s favorite venues, which serveshighly-ratedwood-fired fire in addition to hosting musical performances. In the Fremont District, Nectar Lounge is the city’s largest indoor/outdoor venue and hosts a wide variety of acts. There are shows nearly every night of the week at Chop Suey in Capitol Hill, where you never know what you might get. If you visit the nearby Highline, you’ll be treated to the unlikely combination of vegan food and death-metal bands. Also in Capitol Hill, Neumos is another of the city’s top venues, with visiting acts playing most days of the week.

• 7. How can I visit a national park from Seattle?

  There are three national parks within about two hours of Seattle: Mt. Rainer National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park. Any of the three can be visited as a day trip or overnight trip from Seattle, and you can drive, take the bus, or go on an organized tour. To reach Olympic National Park, another option is to take the ferry from Seattle. All three parks are open year-round, but have limited amenities available in the winter.

• 8. How can I get to Vancouver from Seattle?

  There are many different options for traveling from Seattle to Vancouver, a trip that won’t take more than a few hours no matter which mode of transportation you choose. The flight is less than an hour, but once you factor in how much time you’ll spend at the airport, flying looks less appealing. It’s also by far the most expensive option.

  The train is probably the most comfortable way to go, and the 4.5-hour ride offers beautiful scenery. Boltbus and Greyhound both service the route as well; the bus ride with either company takes 4-4.5 hours, and most tickets are under $20. Lastly, if you have a car, the 140-mile drive normally takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.

• 9. What are the top hikes near Seattle?

  Hikers visiting Seattle will have plenty of trails to choose from. All three nearby national parks – Olympic, Mt. Rainer, and North Cascades – have dozens of trails, including day hikes and multi-day trips. If you don’t want to drive that far, though, there are closer trails as well.

  An hour from Seattle, Mt. Pilchuck is probably the easiest to summit during a day trip; the hike is only 5.4 miles, but it’s relatively steep. Snoqualmie Pass is another good option at just forty minutes from Seattle, and it has multiple trails of various lengths and difficulty levels. Located near Duvall, the hike to Cherry Creek Falls is an easy and mostly flat one that still rewards you with a 25-foot waterfall at the end. Another good option is Tiger Mountain, which is just about an hour from Seattle and offers over 15 miles of meandering trails.

• 10. What are the best day trips from Seattle?

  Any of the three national parks near Seattle make for a great trip, whether you drive there on your own or visit as part of a tour. There are also a host of other protected areas near Seattle, including the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Flaming Geyser State Park, Fort Ward State Park,and Blake Island State Park. The many islands of Puget Sound also make wonderful day trips from Seattle, with Bainbridge Island, San Juan Island, and Whidbey Island being some of the most popular. Other nearby towns worth a visit include North Bend, Darrington, Leavenworth,and Victoria, BC (just don’t forget your passport!).