Seattle is my favorite city in the Pacific Northwest! I lived here for four years, and I come back often, so I know this city from top to bottom.

I’ve got the best activity, food, accommodation, and day trip recommendations for you, and I highly recommend visiting Seattle as part of a Pacific Norwest Road Trip.

Here’s how to plan the perfect trip to Seattle!

When To Go

The best months to visit Seattle are September-October and April-May. These are Seattle’s shoulder months, meaning prices and tourist numbers will be less than the peak summer months.

Spring brings warmer weather (though winds, mornings, and evenings will still be chilly) and less chance of rain. Nearby mountain trails and scenic drives will re-open, and the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom.

Fall weather is mostly sunny with warm temperatures during the day. But you’ll still want some layers and a rain jacket. Autumn has some of Seattle’s best festivals, such as Bumbershoot (art and music festival) in September and the Earshot Jazz Festival and Seattle Restaurant Week in October.

June-August is the warmest, most crowded, and most expensive months to visit Seattle, so book your accommodation and tours in advance. November-March has the rainiest, coldest, windiest, and cloudiest weather of the year, but you can find some great accommodation deals during these months.

Must-Do Activities

Recommended Tours in Seattle

Where To Eat

For Burgers: Eden Hill Provisions, Lecosho, Loulay Kitchen and Bar, Palace Kitchen

Brunch Places: Revel, No Anchor, Olmstead, Champagne Diner

Asian Food: Mae Phim Thai Restaurant, Monsoon (Vietnamese), Taste Of India, Seven Stars Pepper (Chinese)

Rooftop Dining: Bastille Cafe & Bar, The Mountaineering Club, MBar, Fog Room

Seafood: Chinook’s, Shuckers Oyster Bar, Salty’s on Alki, AQUA by El Gaucho

Adults Only: Add-a-Ball, CAN CAN, The Pink Door

Kerry Park (pictured above) is at the top of Queen Anne Hill. It overlooks downtown Seattle and is located along West Highland Drive between 2nd Avenue West and 3rd Avenue West.

The Sky View Observatory in the Columbia Center is the tallest building in Washington State. Located on the 73rd-floor, the observatory has sweeping city and mountain views, plus a cafe for light food, beer, and wine.

Smith Tower Observatory. The Smith Tower, located in Pioneer Square, is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Its 35th-floor lounge offers cocktails and small plates and is decorated with speakeasy-chic decor.

Best Day Trips

Mount Rainier National Park (pictured above right). This active volcano is glacier-capped, has snow year-round, and boasts some of the most beautiful views and wildflower meadows you’ll ever find. I recommend driving to Sunrise (the highest point reachable by car) and visiting the Paradise area of the park.

Snoqualmie Falls and Woodinville Wine Country. Most people don’t think of Washington State as a wine destination, but it is! Combine winery visits with a trip to the iconic Snoqualmie Falls in the rolling Cascade foothills.

Bainbridge Island. This quaint island is home to the Bloedel Reserve for great hiking and Fay Bainbridge Park for a beach day. But even if you don’t stay long on the island, the ferry ride to and from Seattle is work taking for the water views of the city and the Cascade Mountains.

Olympic National Park (pictured above left). This park has four regions: the Pacific coastline, alpine areas, the west side temperate rainforest, and the forests of the drier east side, so it’s worth staying here a couple of days. But if you can only visit Olympic National Park as a day trip from Seattle, then I recommend driving a section of the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway and doing the Hall of Mosses Trail.

Where To Stay

Your accommodation can make or break a trip, which is why I’ve got the best hotel in Seattle for you! Read about My Stay At The State Hotel to find out why this is the hotel you should choose when you’re in Seattle.

If you’re bringing an RV or motorhome, I suggest the Seattle/Tacoma KOA Journey or Lake Pleasant RV Park. Seattle also has some incredible vacation homes.

If-You-Have-Time Activities

Fremont Troll

Kubota Garden

See the Lake Union Houseboats (the setting for the movie Sleepless In Seattle)

Olympic Sculpture Park

Seattle Central Library

Underground Tour of Seattle

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

Pub Crawl

YOUR TRAVEL CHECKLIST

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This post is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are entirely my own. Some of these links are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.