Weekend Getaway to Seattle, Washington
Nestled amongst the Olympic and North Cascade mountain ranges in Washington, Seattle is the pinnacle of the Pacific Northwest. It’s the city known for grunge music, a serious coffee obsession, damp weather, and an outdoor lifestyle to match its incredible scenery. While there are seemingly endless areas to explore in and around Seattle, you can actually accomplish quite a bit in just two days here. This travel guide will cover when to visit, where to stay, and all the best things to do on your weekend getaway to Seattle.
This is your travel guide for a weekend getaway to the iconic Pacific Northwest city of Seattle, Washington.
Getting to Seattle
Seattle’s airport, Sea-Tac (SEA), is located between Seattle and Tacoma and is about a 25-minute drive from downtown Seattle. If you won’t be renting a car, you can catch a ride on the Link Light Rail. This costs just a few dollars, but it does take about 40 minutes to reach downtown. Grabbing a ride with Uber or Lyft is definitely an option as well; however, be aware that rideshare rates in Seattle have increased significantly since 2020.
Getting Around Seattle
While certain neighborhoods, like Ballard or Capitol Hill, are pretty walkable, you’ll need some form of wheels to get you to all of the places you’ll likely want to visit. Additionally, the streets downtown and near Pike Market are very steep (not quite as intense as San Francisco, but more similar than you might expect). Walking can get exhausting, not to mention wet if you happen to visit during the rainy season.
There was a time when I never would have recommended driving in Seattle because the traffic was a nightmare. However, since so many corporations have shifted to working from home, driving is much more manageable. We found it quite helpful and convenient to have a car to get around Seattle. If you’re visiting on a weekend or during peak season, parking can be difficult in certain areas.
If you’re not keen on renting a car, Seattle does have several public transport options, including a bus system, streetcars, and a monorail.
Listen on the Drive: The Ultimate Pacific Northwest Playlist
Best Time to Visit Seattle
Summer is your best bet for catching some sunshine and a clear view of Mt. Rainier. While overcast skies and drizzle are pretty much a guarantee for the majority of the year, that all but disappears completely come summertime. Of course, there are the occasional heat waves. This can be a problem in a city where air conditioning in homes and businesses isn’t always the standard, so take this into consideration when booking your stay. Summer is also the most popular time to visit Seattle, so expect crowds – particularly in top tourist spots like Pike Place Market. Additionally, the lack of rain gives way to wildfire season in the PNW.
Autumn can be a lovely time to visit Seattle. While your chances of encountering a little light rain are higher than in the summer, what’s Seattle without some grey skies and drizzle? Come mid-September, temperatures are moderate and the summer crowds start to thin; however, the possibility of wildfires remains until around November.
Winters in Seattle are typically chilly, dark, and wet. Seeing the sun would be a rarity, as would glimpsing the mountains through the fog of grey, cloudy skies. That being said, crowds are minimal, prices for accommodations drop, and the winter weather is milder than you might expect. Temperatures aren’t nearly as cold as in areas like the Midwest or New England, and rain in Seattle more closely resembles mist than actual rain.
Spring is a bit more unpredictable than other seasons in Seattle. Days alternate from cool and rainy to warmer with occasional sunshine. Late May is your best bet at catching summer-like temperatures while beating the crowds.
Where to Stay in Seattle
Alexis Royal Sonesta
This historic hotel has beautiful rooms and city views. It’s also conveniently located downtown nearby Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
This is another downtown option right across the street from Seattle Central Library. The rooms here are fun and affordable while still feeling luxurious.
AirBnB
If you’re looking for a spot outside of Downtown Seattle, there are a ton of options on AirBnB. My favorite neighborhood to stay in is Capitol Hill because there’s a ton to do and it’s pretty centrally located. Other great choices are Ballard, Belltown, or Queen Anne.
Seattle Neighborhood Guide
To help you choose where to stay during your weekend getaway to Seattle, here’s a quick overview of the different neighborhoods to consider.
Capitol Hill: Walkable, vibrant, LGBTQ+ friendly with lots of bars and restaurants.
Ballard: Walkable, historic area with a lot of restaurants and breweries.
Belltown: Waterfront neighborhood right outside of Pike and the city center near the Space Needle and Olympic Sculpture Park.
Queen Anne: Quiet with a lot of beautiful homes and a gorgeous view of the city from Kerry Park.
Pike/Downtown: This is where the famous market is as well as the majority of hotels.
Pioneer Square: One of the oldest neighborhoods in Seattle and where you’ll find the Seattle Underground tour. As a note, there are a lot of people who are experiencing homelessness in this area.
Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway to Seattle
Explore Pike Place Market
If you’re traveling to Seattle for the first time, you can’t miss visiting Pike Place Market! Along with the Space Needle, this is probably the most iconic Seattle destination there is. Yes, they really do throw the fish at the open-air fish market, but what I love the most about Pike is the food! Some of my favorites are Le Panier, Cafe Campagne, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Pike Place Chowder, Piroshky Piroshky, Daily Dozen, and Biscuit Bitch. When you’re ready to wash that all down with a beer, head to Old Stove Brewing.
This is also the site of the original Starbucks, where there will always be a line out the door. If you’re anything less than a Starbucks fanatic, the wait isn’t worth it in my opinion. It’s not much different from any other Starbucks you’ve visited. Seattle has a much more interesting Starbucks experience elsewhere – but more on that later!
Local Tip: Finding parking around Pike Place Market can be tricky and expensive. If you’re having trouble finding a spot, our local friends let us in on a little hack! The Target store across the street has its own parking ramp that you can use – you’ll just need to make a $20 minimum purchase first. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather spend $20 at Target than pay for parking!
Get grossed out by the Gum Wall
While you’re at Pike Place Market, make a stop at the Gum Wall. This is exactly what it sounds like – a wall in an alley covered in chewed gum. Yes, it’s as disgusting as it sounds, but it’s also pretty unique. Add your own chewed-up piece to the legacy (Ghost Alley Espresso, which is located in the same alley, sells gum if you need it), or just go take a peek while you try not to touch anything. Because it’s really, really gross.
Try the local cuisine
Did you know that teriyaki was invented in Seattle? You’ll find tons of places throughout the city that specialize in teriyaki, so be sure to stop for some while you’re here. And with its location on the northern Pacific coast, you can bet Seattle has some pretty stellar seafood as well. They’re particularly well known for salmon and Dungeness crab if you want to be picky. With the high number of dreary days, Seattle also loves its comfort food. What’s the perfect dish to warm you up on a drizzly, gray afternoon? A bowl of pho! Seattle has a large Vietnamese community, so pho restaurants have become a city staple. We made a stop at Pho Bac Súp Shop, Seattle’s original pho restaurant, and the broth there was impeccable.
Battle of the local pizza chains
While visiting friends in Seattle, we learned that there’s a friendly battle amongst locals about which pizza joint is best – Zeeks or Pagliacci. Apparently, if you’re going to live here, you have to pick a team. There are several locations of each throughout the city, so sample a slice at both and decide which side you’re on.
Eat your way through Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill might be the most fun neighborhood in Seattle. It’s proudly a very LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood (note the rainbow crosswalks), is filled with unique bars and shops, and is the perfect place to walk around and grab a bite (or two…or three) at one of the many fantastic restaurants. There are so many to choose from, but these are some of my top picks.
Mamnoon
Mamnoon whips up some incredible Mediterranean cuisine in a spot that’s casual yet elevated.
HoneyHole
Truly the best sandwiches…ever.
Karachi Cowboys
The unique menu here is Pakistani cuisine with Texas BBQ influences.
Terra Plata
Environmentalism is a big deal in Seattle, and the ingredients at Terra Plata are all sourced from growers who practice organic, sustainable farming.
Plum Bistro
Speaking of sustainability, Plum Bistro is another fantastic example. The menu here, however, is entirely plant-based.
Taku
Japanese-style fried chicken with alllll the sauces (get the teriyaki if you want a little local flavor!).
Oddfellows
Fresh and elevated meals with French and Italian influence.
Experience the Starbucks Reserve Roastery
This isn’t your regular Starbucks. Seattle is a city that runs on coffee, and you probably know that Starbucks famously got its start here. While you’ll always find a line of tourists outside the oldest Starbucks located at Pike Place Market, the Reserve Roastery in First Hill is a much more unique experience. You’ll be able to sample drinks from their inventive menu, watch the roasting process, and even try a coffee cocktail from the bar.
Brewery Hop in Ballard
Seattle is a great city for beer lovers, and one of the best neighborhoods to go brewery hopping is Ballard (pronounced like mallard). Head to the area around 11th Ave NW and NW 52nd St to find a great selection of breweries, all within walking distance. There are honestly too many to list, so just take your pick!
See the Seattle skyline from Kerry Park
For the best skyline view in the city, head to Kerry Park. On a clear day, you’ll even be able to see Mt. Rainier standing prominently in the distance. If you’re wondering whether the mountain is out during your visit, you’re not alone. It’s such a common question that the website, Is Mount Rainier Out, shows a live webcam view of the overlook so you can keep an eye on it.
Marvel at the unique architecture of Seattle Central Library
The Seattle Central Library is one of the most architecturally fascinating buildings in the city. From the outside, it looks like a work of modern art, but from the inside, it’s even better. Wrapped entirely in glass, you’ll have clear views of the city in all directions amongst the rows of books. Another of the library’s most unique features is The Book Spiral which occupies floors six through nine at a slow incline. It allows visitors to peruse the entire non-fiction section without needing to use the stairs or elevator.
Take a walk through the Olympic Sculpture Park
This outdoor park is free to the public and a great way to spend some time by the waterfront during your weekend getaway to Seattle. In addition to the interesting contemporary sculptures, this park has great views of the Space Needle and the Olympic Mountains from across Puget Sound.
The Space Needle
If experiencing the world’s only rotating glass floor is on your bucket list and you happen to be in Seattle on a clear day, a visit to the top of the Space Needle may be in order. Although it’s certainly touristy, the views from the famous observation deck would be spectacular. A trip to the top will cost you about $35 plus the cost of any food or drinks you purchase during your spin. If it’s overcast and gray, go ahead and skip this as you won’t be able to see much.
If you want to visit an observation deck that’s a little less touristy (and less pricey), check out the Smith Tower. It’s the oldest skyscraper in Seattle, and, in addition to the beautiful views, the building’s interiors are stunning.
Visit the Fremont Troll
One of the more quirky attractions in Seattle is the troll residing under an overpass bridge. What was once a seedy dumping ground has now become a neighborhood favorite after a local art competition was launched to clean up the area. With appearances in films like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “10 Things I Hate About You” (remember that one!?), The Fremont Troll is basically a local celebrity. While you’re over here, you can also check out Gas Works Park located nearby (which was also featured in “10 Things I Hate About You”).
Experience the latest tech
Washington is the birthplace of both Microsoft and Amazon, so it’s no surprise it boasts some pretty technologically advanced concepts. Amazon often tests its latest and greatest innovations in Seattle, so why not give something new a try before the rest of the country gets to? We stopped at one of the first cashier-less Amazon Go Grocery stores during our visit which is open to any Amazon Prime member. While the sheer number of cameras and sensors tracking us was a bit creepy, my mind was completely blown when we just…walked out and were accurately billed via Prime.
BONUS: Ride the Ferry to Bainbridge Island
If you have a little more time on your weekend getaway to Seattle, I highly recommend hopping on the ferry and taking a break from the city for a bit! The views of Seattle and the Olympic Mountains from the water are breathtaking, and Bainbridge Island is just a short 35-minute ride from Seattle. Once you get to the island, spend some time strolling along Winslow Way and stopping at the various shops and restaurants before heading back to Seattle.
Whether you have a weekend or a week, a getaway to Seattle should certainly be on your bucket list! Seattle is one of my favorite cities in the country. It has such a distinct vibe unlike anywhere else in the U.S., so any trip here is sure to be an unforgettable one.
Have any questions about your trip that I didn’t answer here or anything you would add? Let me know in the comments!
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