Seattle Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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 artefacts 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 featuring street scenes and central business district

Downtown Seattle

4.5/5(119 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 Space Needle 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(5 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
Default Image

University District

5/5(2 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
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
South Lake Union showing a bay or harbour, boating and a coastal town

South Lake Union

4/5(9 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
Pioneer Square showing heritage architecture, city views and street scenes

Pioneer Square

Shopping, museums and art galleries highlight some notable features of Pioneer Square. Make a stop by Smith Tower or Pioneer Square while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Pioneer Square Station or Occidental Mall Stop to get around town.

Pioneer Square
Hyatt Regency Seattle

Hyatt Regency Seattle

4 out of 5
808 Howell St, Seattle, WA
The price is AU$270 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
AU$270
15 Nov - 16 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (4,505 reviews)
"Very clean room, great staff members, easy to communicate with, very welcoming environment. Very quiet at night which you will have a great and relaxing sleep."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Hyatt Regency Seattle
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
724 Pine St, Seattle, WA
The price is AU$243 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
AU$243
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,217 reviews)
"I really appreciated the cleanliness and the staff. 10/10 would visit again."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

The Paramount Hotel
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square

4 out of 5
60 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA
The price is AU$243 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
AU$243
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seattle. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and satellite TV channels. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,762 reviews)
"Cutsey small rooms with great coffee downstairs at the bar"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
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.
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy RailSpur Apartments Pioneer Square

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy RailSpur Apartments Pioneer Square

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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (238 reviews)
Go Dodgers!
"Great place to stay! My go to spot when I visit Sodo!!"

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy RailSpur Apartments Pioneer Square
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Pivot Apartments Capitol Hill

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Pivot Apartments Capitol Hill

3.5 out of 5
1208 Pine Street, Seattle, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Seattle. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, a 24-hour fitness center, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Pike Place Market ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (174 reviews)
"Beautiful"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Pivot Apartments Capitol Hill
Ballard's sweet suites

Ballard's sweet suites

3.5 out of 5
1458 NW 67th St, Seattle, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room espresso maker. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (293 reviews)
"As advertised, great spot to stay if in the Ballard area for a few nights."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Ballard's sweet suites
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

Activities

Reviews of Seattle

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
52
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
40
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
11
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

A city of paradoxes. Obviously wealthy, but so many homeless and disturbed people on the streets. Perhaps because of the virus situation, there are fewer tourists and locals around and so the sad people are more obvious, but a sad reflection anyway

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quite liked it but some issues

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Rains most time during winter.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love it!

5/5 - Excellent

Alex

Cheap lobster and geoduck. Mount Rainier National Park is so beautiful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Charming city.

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