Seattle, Washington sits at one of the most beautiful spots in the United States. Occupying a narrow isthmus between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it is the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest, with 750,000 people in Seattle and close to four million people in the metro area. Seen from above, carpets of evergreen trees, pristine blue waters, and snowy white mountains surround the downtown's metallic skyscrapers, earning the city its nickname The Emerald City.

On the ground, you will find a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Next to the progressive downtown and the freewheeling feel of Capitol Hill, you can find a laid-back atmosphere in the districts to the north and ethnically diverse neighborhoods to the south. The many restaurants, coffee shops and microbreweries are worth indulging in after a day spent strolling through the city's many parks and beaches or admiring the arts and architecture. And just outside the hectic city are snow-covered mountains, evergreen forests, and stunning coastline to explore. Even for the bold and the adventurous, it's hard to get enough of Seattle.

Districts

Most visitors to Seattle tend not to venture beyond Downtown, the International District, and the Seattle Center. That's a shame, since neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, West Seattle, and those north of the ship canal are where much of the fun actually is!

Seattleites usually divide the town by districts roughly divided as listed below. Although there are formally 30 neighborhoods and their boundaries are not always clear, there's usually a proud feature that represents each neighborhood.:

Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods

Overview of Seattle districts

Downtown Seattle's commercial and financial core, home to the waterfront, the Pike Place Market, and some of the most stunning architecture in the city. The northern area of Belltown has a collection of many of the city's best, if not most expensive, restaurants and bars.

Pioneer Square and International District The oldest neighborhoods of Seattle, containing classic buildings, art galleries, innumerable restaurants, and the Chinatown.

Queen Anne and South Lake Union Perched on the hills northwest of Downtown, here you will find wealthy neighborhoods peppered with panoramic parks. On the area's south is the newly developed commercial center of South Lake Union (home of the rapidly growing Amazon headquarters), and the Seattle Center with its Space Needle.

Capitol Hill and Central District The nightlife and retail core of Pike-Pine at the west meets the quiet, diverse residences of Madison Park at the east. This area is also the gay capital of Seattle.

North of the Lake Washington Ship Canal

Ballard A mostly residential area, home to the canal locks. The area is known for its Scandinavian heritage, chic boutiques, and the thriving historic Downtown Ballard.

Fremont and Wallingford The self-proclaimed "center of the universe", a bohemian (though rapidly gentrifying) area noted for its public art.

University District (commonly called the "U District") Home to the sprawling University of Washington campus, numerous inexpensive eateries, and plenty of entertainment.

North Seattle The city's mostly residential and gently gentrifying northernmost tier, bordering Shoreline. It contains many of the largest and prettiest parks of Seattle. Noticeable commercial activity is present in the Northgate, Aurora, and Lake City neighborhoods.

South of Downtown and I-90

SoDo and Georgetown Continuing south of Downtown past the sports stadiums, this industrial district contains the well-hidden but thriving Georgetown neighborhood.

South Seattle A mostly residential area bordering Lake Washington, served by light rail and home to Jefferson and Seward Parks. The Columbia City neighborhood is probably its liveliest.

West Seattle A scenic residential area with great parks, ample beaches and wonderful vistas over the harbor and Downtown.

While in Seattle you will likely hear reference to the "Eastside", which refers to the region east of Lake Washington comprising the suburbs of Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond.

Understand

History

The first humans are believed to have entered the region nearly 4,000 years ago. Englishman George Vancouver mapped the area in the 1790s, but the first white settlers didn't arrive until 1851. Luther Collins led a party of settlers to the mouth of the Duwamish River (in what is today southern Seattle), followed shortly by a party led by the more notable Arthur A. Denny of Chicago, who settled at Alki Point in West Seattle. Confrontations between the original settlers initially flared, only to die out as the groups settled together on the Elliott Bay. The area was then named Seattle by David Maynard, in honor of Chief Si'ahl of the Duwamish & Suquamish tribes, and later officially established as a city in 1869.

By the 1880s, development of a modern city came to life with the erection of buildings, a streetcar system, and a lumber mill at the end of a timber skid row (what is now Yesler Way), only to be destroyed by fire in 1889. The city came alive again in 1903 with the Klondike Gold Rush, when Seattle served as the departure city for miners bound for Alaska and the Yukon. During this boom time, hills were flattened for development and the Lake Washington Ship Canal was created.

The city's economy slowed down again during the Great Depression and World War II, but experienced a renewed fervor with the establishment of the aircraft company Boeing and the occurrence of the 1962 World's Fair, which opened the gates for modernization of the city. Heavy dependence on Boeing took an economic toll on the city during the 1970s oil crisis, but Microsoft's move from Albuquerque to the Seattle area further promoted the economic vitality of Seattle. Soon, Amazon, Nintendo of America, T-Mobile, Starbucks, and numerous biotech companies also established their headquarters there, bringing an influx of population growth and money into the area. Today, the Seattle metropolitan area's wealth and its four million inhabitants (more than half of the population of Washington State) make it the economic powerhouse of the Pacific Northwest and a city of huge importance for the entire United States.

Culture

Multiculturalism is seen as a virtue. White people make up about 70% of the population, while more than a tenth of Seattlelites are of Asian descent. English is spoken virtually everywhere in the city but there are ethnic areas in South Seattle where Vietnamese and Tagalog are also commonly spoken, as well as Chinese and Japanese in the International District. In particular, Seattle has long been known for its large Taiwanese community. The ZIP code 98118 in South Seattle designates one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the entire United States!

Being a very politically left-wing part of the country, Seattle has one of the most sprawling LGBT communities in the U.S., second only to San Francisco. While the vast majority of Seattle businesses are LGBT-friendly, the Capitol Hill area, east of downtown, is the main place for LGBT-focused business and bars, as well as a resource center. A large PrideFest takes place annually at the Seattle Center, along with preceding events such as a Pride Parade. The city is also home to a number of other annual Pride events, including the Seattle Dyke March and Capitol Hill Pride.

Locals have long talked of the Seattle Freeze, referring to the cold politeness of residents. The theory is that while they are very polite and warm on first interaction, they are actually reserved, and interactions rarely lead to real acts of friendship (an invitation to dinner, personal conversations, etc.). The origin is obscure, but it is mostly assumed to be from Scandinavian immigrants that brought their home country's customs here, including this equivalent to introversion. Expect to have to make all the "first moves" to meet people here.

Residents' shyness also extends to anger and annoyance. Locals often make fun of themselves for their passive aggressive culture, where even in the most upsetting circumstances they will retain their polite nature.

Climate

Seattle
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       5.1     47 36       3.7     49 38       3.3     53 40       2.2     58 43       1.7     64 48       1.4     69 53       0.7     74 56       0.9     76 56       1.6     68 53       3     60 48       5.1     51 42       5.4     45 38 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       130     8 2       94     9 3       84     12 4       56     14 6       43     18 9       36     21 12       18     23 13       23     24 13       41     20 12       76     16 9       130     11 6       137     7 3 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

A common stereotype of Seattle is that the sky is always grey, rainy, and depressing. But it may surprise you that rain is virtually absent in late spring through early fall, making Seattle an excellent place to spend summer. It's warm and comfortable, with little to moderate humidity and temperatures averaging in the upper 70s (about 25°C), though sometimes rising to the 80s and even 90s (above 30°C). Furthermore, because of Seattle's high latitude, the there is daylight from around 5:15AM to 9PM during the summer months, giving you ample daylight for outdoor activities.

During all other seasons, the sky above Seattle is often murky, grim, rainy and breezy, with occasional days of sun. It can be dry but cold, or mild but rainy. Even in the case of dry weather, the morning typically starts with fog that usually vanishes by midday. Despite its location as the northernmost big city in the U.S., winters in Seattle are not as harsh as those east of the Cascades. Marine air from the Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean moderates Seattle's climate, so that most precipitation falls as rain and little as snow. However, on occasion a snowstorm will hit, though it's a fairly rare event. The area consists of complex topographical features; thus it can be raining in the city itself but sunny five miles north or snowing in heaps fifteen miles inland to the Cascade foothills, often puzzling weather forecasters.

Despite the Rain City reputation, the main challenge of Seattle's weather is more the overcast skies than the rain, and in fact Seattle has less annual rainfall than most cities east of the Rocky Mountains. Seattle's rain usually comes in a drizzle that lingers for days, which only occasionally strengthens to a full-blown torrent that rarely lasts long. Many residents call this period of overcast "the season of grey" as it lasts from late October to early March every year. The season is also accompanied by the short daylight hours of the winter, where its only light out from 7:45AM to 4:30PM.

Read

• E.L. James' phenomenally popular erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey, as well as its sequels (Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed), are set in the Seattle area.
• The Twilight saga is set in the Forks area of the Olympic Peninsula, but the third installment, Eclipse, is set primarily in a Seattle plagued by murderous vampires.
• The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein, is a New York Times bestseller about a race car driver told from the perspective of his dog, Enzo.

Watch

As might be expected, nearly all movies and TV shows set in Seattle feature at least an establishing shot of the Space Needle.

• Many people will still remember the sitcom Frasier, which ran for 11 seasons until 2004. The Cheers spin-off followed the life of the Crane family: Frasier Crane, a radio psychiatrist, his brother Niles, his father Martin, and his assistant, Daphne Moon. Although most of the show was actually filmed in studios in Los Angeles, the 100th episode was shot for real on the streets of Seattle, the monorail, and the Seattle Center.
• The medical drama Grey's Anatomy is set in Seattle to distinguish it from its counterpart, Chicago's ER. Fisher Plaza, home to the ABC-affiliated KOMO radio and television station and right across the street from the Space Needle, serves as the exterior of the fictional Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital.
• It Happened at the World's Fair (Norman Taurog, 1963). Elvis Presley stars as Mike, a cropduster pilot who hitchhikes with his friend Danny (Gary Lockwood) into Seattle during the 1962 World's Fair, where he meets his love interest, played by Joan O'Brien.
• The Parallax View (Alan J. Pakula, 1974). Released at the height of the political paranoia of the 70s, this film follows an investigative reporter (played by Warren Beatty) who discovers a secretive corporation that recruits political assassins. There's a lot of excellent Seattle imagery in this film, and the movie is well-remembered for its opening assassination scene that takes place atop the Space Needle.
• Singles (Cameron Crowe, 1992). A romantic comedy about two young couples experiencing rocky love while living in a Seattle apartment block. The film was particularly noted for its grunge soundtrack, coming on the heels of Seattle's grunge music boom. The central coffee shop in the film is at the now-closed OK Hotel in Pioneer Square, and the apartment used in the movie is at the northwest corner of E. Thomas St & 19th Ave E.
• Sleepless In Seattle (Nora Ephron, 1993). Tom Hanks plays Sam Baldwin, a widower father searching for comfort in Seattle after the loss of his wife. After his young son, Jonah, calls a radio station for help, a woman (Meg Ryan) develops an attraction to Sam. Sam Baldwin's houseboat is set on Lake Union, which is worth a visit for fans of the movie.

Music

Although Seattle may be more well-known for grunge, it has had a long, diverse and tolerant music history from early on, including a politically radical American folk scene in the 1920s to a thriving post-war jazz scene that boomed in many clubs throughout the area.

Grunge was heavily influenced by the counterculture music scene that dominated Seattle from the mid-1970s through the 1980s, with such noted acts as a gay glam theater group called Ze Whiz Kids and bands like The Telepaths, The Beakers, and Red Dress (the last of which is still active as of 2023). Seattle also has another musical claim to fame in native son Jimi Hendrix, although he found his success in England; nevertheless, this hasn't stopped Seattle from erecting a statue of him in Capitol Hill and devoting an entire section to Hendrix at the Museum of Pop Culture in the Seattle Center.

Grunge didn't really emerge until the 1980s and was a combination of punk and metal promoted by such notable Seattle-based groups as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. The genre emerged and slowly grew through the mid-1980s before exploding to international fame in 1991 with the release of Nirvana's breakthrough album Nevermind, but its prominence came to an end after singer Kurt Cobain's shocking suicide in 1994.

Local favorite radio station KEXP is a great source for alternative and experimental music and has helped launch the careers of not only grunge bands like Nirvana but local hip hop favorites such as Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and the Blue Scholars, as well as many other nationally known alternative bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate, Modest Mouse, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Band of Horses, The Head and the Heart and Fleet Foxes.

A view of the Seattle waterfront

Tourist information

The Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau operates two visitors centers. Both offer maps, brochures, event details, tour bookings, and restaurant reservations:

• Seattle Visitors Center and Concierge Services, 701 Pike Street, Suite 800 (inside the Washington State Convention and Trade Center). Daily 9AM-5PM during summer, M-F 9AM-5PM during winter. 
• Market Information Center, 1st and Pike (on the southwest corner). Daily 10AM-6PM. 

Get in

By plane

A longer, yet cheaper way to cross Canada Travelers who are traveling between Eastern Canada and western Canada (especially Vancouver) can make use of the cheaper fares when flying to or from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport before transferring by bus, due to favoritism and high taxes that make Canadian domestic air travel expensive (see Vancouver: Get In). Allow at least an additional 3 hours for transfer between transportation modes and travel across the border. Remember to have a passport (and visa if necessary) with you because you will be traveling between international borders.

Main article: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

1 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA ^IATA), 17801 International Blvd, SeaTac, ☏ +1 206-787-5388, toll-free: +1-800-544-1965. Nicknamed "Sea-Tac", is in the city's southern suburbs 14mi/22.5 km south of downtown Seattle. It's a major domestic hub for Alaska, Northwest and West Coast destinations, and also handles many international trans-Pacific routes, as well as some flights to major European and Middle East airports. In addition, the airport is well-connected to virtually every part of the US, with multiple daily flights to many major US cities, as well as to Alaska and Hawaii. (updated Oct 2023) Alaska Airlines uses this airport as its primary hub and is by far the biggest carrier here, with Delta catching up with an international hub here and an increasing number of domestic destinations.

The reliable Link 1 Line light rail (see § Get around) connects Northgate, the University of Washington, Capitol Hill, the downtown area, and South Seattle to Sea-Tac. Bus route 560 provides direct service from Sea-Tac to West Seattle.

Alternate airports

2 Paine Field (PAE ^IATA), also known as Snohomish County Airport, about 30 miles north of Seattle in Everett, serves limited commercial flights from Alaska Airlines from the western half of the continental US. The terminal, ranked one of the best regional airports in the world, has a rather cozy design with fireplaces and nice chairs and sofas, and waiter service from the restaurants available throughout the terminal (all two gates of it). Everett Transit provides service to a transit hub at Everett Mall, where buses to the region can be found.

The much-smaller Bellingham International Airport (BLI ^IATA), about 90 minutes (94mi/150km) north of Seattle in Bellingham, can be used as a cheaper alternative to fly into Seattle, despite the scarcity of flights. Low-cost carrier Allegiant Air flies to its West Coast hubs year-round from Bellingham (and not from Sea-Tac), in addition to seasonal flights by Alaska Airlines. The Bellair Airporter shuttle offers scheduled services from Bellingham International Airport to the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle and to Sea-Tac.

Portland International Airport (PDX ^IATA), about 3 hr (160mi/256km) south of Seattle in Portland, is a major airport, but smaller than Sea-Tac, and is another alternative to fly into Seattle, especially with low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines and Volaris (flights from Mexico). There are no direct shuttle services from Portland International Airport to Seattle, but there are Greyhound and Amtrak services from downtown Portland to downtown Seattle.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR ^IATA), about 2 hr 30 min (140 mi / 225 km) north of Seattle across the border in Canada, is another major airport, and well-served by flights from East Asia. The downside is that you will have to go through customs and immigration twice, and if required for your nationality, you will also need to obtain a visa for Canada.

Private aircraft and seaplane

Kenmore Air floatplane arriving at a terminal on Lake Union

Private aircraft can use 3 King County International Airport (BFI  ^IATA), universally known as Boeing Field. It's also south of the city, but much closer to town than Sea-Tac airport. There is limited commercial passenger service with Kenmore Air in its small passenger terminal at 7277 Perimeter Rd (location of marker). Customs and immigration available for international arrivals with prior arrangement.

Seaplane service is available between Seattle and various island destinations throughout Washington state and British Columbia. Kenmore Air operates year-round scheduled floatplane services from their terminal on Lake Union to the San Juan Islands and Victoria, and summer flights from their base at Kenmore on Lake Washington's north end to Nanaimo, Campbell River and many other destinations in northern British Columbia. Harbour Air also operates flights from Lake Union to Victoria (55 mins; $385). Wheeled plane service is also offered from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor and Eastsound airports. A ground shuttle service is available from the Lake Union and Boeing Field terminals to Sea-Tac.

4 Renton Municipal Airport (RNT ^IATA), farther from downtown than Boeing Field but still closer than Sea-Tac Airport, is another option for general aviation, with a sea plane dock at the north end of the airport on Lake Washington known as Wiley Post Memorial Seaplane Base. This airport only has basic facilities and no terminal building, but customs and immigration facilities are available for international arrivals with prior arrangement.

Air charter companies such as Monarch Air Group and Mercury Jets fly a variety of private charter aircraft and jets, from charter luxury Gulfstreams down to economical piston twins for small groups and individuals.

By train

See also: Rail travel in the United States

5 King Street station, 303 S King St (south of downtown near CenturyLink Field and across the street from the International District / Chinatown Link light rail station). (updated Sep 2022)

Historic King Street Station

• Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Routes stopping in Seattle:
  • Amtrak Cascades operates between Vancouver, BC and Eugene via Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, Edmonds, Seattle, Tukwila, Tacoma, Lacey (Olympia), Centralia, Kelso (Longview), Vancouver, WA, Portland, Oregon City, Salem, and Albany. There are two round trips daily along the portion between Vancouver and Seattle, six round trips daily along the portion between Seattle and Portland, and two round trips daily along the portion between Portland and Eugene. No train departures travel the whole length of the route. Travel time to Seattle from Eugene is 6.25 hours, from Portland is 3.5 hours, from Tacoma is 55 minutes, from Bellingham is 2.5 hours, and from Vancouver, BC is 4.5 hours. Additional service between Vancouver and Seattle, and between Portland to Eugene are provided on the Amtrak Thruway Bus. Additional service from Portland to Eugene and from Seattle to Vancouver is offered on the Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach. These trains are more reliable schedule-wise than the long distance trains and offer certain amenities not available on regular Amtrak trains, such as more space for bikes, more laptop outlets, a "Bistro Car" which serves local foods and wine, and the occasional movie.
  • Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Portland, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank. Between Seattle and Eugene, it makes the same stops as the Amtrak Cascades, except it skips Tukwila and Oregon City. Travel time to Seattle from Portland is 4 hours, from Eugene is 7.25 hours, from Sacramento is 20 hours, from Emeryville is 22.25 hours, from San Jose is 1 day, and from Los Angeles is 1 day 10 hours.
  • Empire Builder, a long-distance sleeper train, which also runs daily between Seattle and Chicago including stops in Edmonds, Everett, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Ephrata, Spokane, Sandpoint, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago. Travel time to Seattle from Spokane is 8 hour, from West Glacier (Glacier National Park) is 15 hours, from Minneapolis is 1 day 14.25 hours, from Milwaukee is 1 day 20.75 hours, from Chicago is 1 day 22.5 hours.

By car

& Interstate 5 (I-5) is the major north-south roadway entering the City Center and the most direct way to drive to or from Vancouver and Portland. This roadway is notably congested (even during non-commuting hours), see other options in the sections "by Bus" and "by Train" above. Interstate 405 (I-405) runs parallel to I-5, bypassing the City Center on the opposite side of Lake Washington from Tukwila to Lynnwood through Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland and Woodinville.

Interstate 90 (I-90) is the only long-distance route to access Seattle from the east, and is the easiest way to reach Spokane and Eastern Washington. During the Winter months, drivers must be mindful of the weather conditions over Snoqualmie Pass, 52 mi (84 km) east of the city, when the roadway can close unexpectedly due to weather conditions.

to Access to SR-599 is only accessible from the northbound (NB) lanes of I-5 at Exit 156 south of Seattle. SR-599 becomes SR-99 at its junction with Tukwila International Blvd. It continues north through Sodo/Georgetown along the Duwamish River and under downtown Seattle through the Viaduct Tunnel. From north of downtown Seattle, WA-Hwy 99 goes up through Ballard and North Seattle as N Aurora Ave and eventually into Snohomish County via Aurora Village in Shoreline. It's also another way to reach West Seattle and Whitecenter from the south at the SR 99/509 junction via Highland Park Way SW.

serves as another way across Lake Washington to Redmond via Kirkland and I-405 in Bellevue from Exit 168B of I-5 in Seattle.

comes from Exit 171 of I-5 as Lake City Way towards I-405 in Woodinville, around the northern shores of Lake Washington.

By bus

See also: Seattle/Downtown#By public transit for a list of county operated bus companies serving the Seattle Metropolitan area (King, Kitsap, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties) and from all around the Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula (Cllallam, Island, Jefferson, Mason, Skagit, and Thurston Counties). They operate on more frequent schedules and are cheaper (or for free) for going further out than with Greyhound or Amtrak for the same distances.

Except for Greyhound Lines, there is no designated long-distance bus terminal in Seattle, so all bus services have their own stops in different parts of the city. A number of them do have stops at the Greyhound Terminal (503 S Royal Brougham Way), in front of the King Street Station at 303 S King St and/or at Door 00 (south end at lower level of the terminal) at the Sea-Tac airport. See below:

• 6 BellAir Airporter, (bus stops) Seattle Tacoma International Airport, Washington State Convention Center, Convention Place (prior reservations only), ☏ +1-866-235-5247. Goes up to Stanwood, Burlington/Mt Vernon, Bellingham & Blaine on one route, a separate route to Anacortes in the San Juan Islands, and from Sea-Tac to Cle Elum, Ellensburg & Yakima on another route. 

• 7 Cantrail/Amtrak Cascades Thruway, (bus stop) King Street Station, ☏ +1 604-294-5541, toll-free: +1-877-940-5561. Operates between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Northbound buses pick-up in the U.S. and drop off in Canada while Southbound buses pick-up in Canada and drop off in the U.S. only. Travel time to Seattle from Vancouver, BC is 3.75-4 hours. $40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11. 
• Flixbus (operated by Greyhound, MTR Western & Wenatchee Shuttle), (bus stops) 622 S Lane St for the Bellingham to Eugene bus; and in Seattle Tacoma International Airport "Airporters" bus zone for buses to Wenatchee (Bus will board on the bus loading curb on South Lane St. Look for the “charter bus only” signs. Stop is across the street from (east of) Uwajimaya Market in the International District.), ☏ +1 509 293-5773. Operates several daily departures to North Bend, Wenatchee and Peshastin from Sea-Tac (operated by Wenatchee Shuttle)and Bellevue. They also have another route from Seattle to Eugene via Tacoma, Olympia, Portland and Corvallis and to Spokane via Ellensburg and Moses Lake that are operated by MTR Western. $45 one-way, $85 roundtrip. (updated Jan 2018)
• 8 Greyhound Lines, (bus station) 503 S Royal Brougham Way, SoDo (Along Royal Brougham between 6th Ave & the "Stadium" Light Rail Station. A right turn at Royal Brougham from the light rail station, opposite side of the tracks.), ☏ +1 206 624-0618, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Daily 5AM-5PM. Greyhound travels primarily on I-5 (Vancouver-Seattle-Portland-Sacramento. Some southbound buses continue to Los Angeles contiguously), 90/82 (Seattle-Ellensburg-Yakima-Pasco-Stanfield, OR) & 90 (Seattle-Spokane). Passengers transfer to other buses in Portland, Pasco, Spokane, Ellensburg, or Stanfield to get to other cities & towns in the U.S. A route also travels to Vancouver, BC in Canada and another to Port Angeles via Edmonds-Kingston ferry on the 'Dungeness Line' bus. Travel time to Seattle from Portland is 3.5-4 hours, from Spokane is 7.75 hours, and from Vancouver, BC is 4.25 hours. Passengers transfer to Link Light Rail from 'Stadium Station', next to the bus station, to go north towards Lynnwood via downtown, University District/UW, Ravenna, Northgate or any bus going north on the adjacent 'Bus Way' road to get into downtown. Take the southbound Link Light Rail to go towards the airport from the bus station via South Seattle. Prices vary depending on your destination.  

• Travel Washington Dungeness Line (Operated by Greyhound Connect), (bus stops) Greyhound bus depot (see above), King Street Station, selected hospitals (by reservation only), SeaTac Airport, ☏ +1 360 417-0700. Connects Seattle to Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles. This bus also serves as an Amtrak Thruway connection to the Olympic Peninsula. The bus goes across the Puget Sound on the Edmonds-Kingston ferry. They also pick-up and drop off at the major hospitals, west of downtown, with an advance 24 hr reservation (Arnold Medical Pavilion, Harborview, Poly-Clinic Madison, VA, Swedish First Hill and Virginia Mason Buck Pavillion). One way: $39 from downtown, $49 from airport; Round trip: $69 from downtown, $79 from airport. 

• Northwestern Stage Lines (Northwest Trailways/Salt Lake City Experss), (bus stops) Greyhound bus depot & King Street Amtrak station, toll-free: +1-800-366-3830. Shuttle service to Spokane (via Everett, Stevens Pass, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, George, Moses Lake, Ritzville) . Tickets can also be booked with Salt Lake City Express and Megabus. $51 one way to Spokane, $97 round trip. 
• 9 Quick Shuttle, (bus stops) downtown: outside the Best Western at 200 Taylor Ave N; Pier 66 & 91, SeaTac Airport: At the main terminal near south end of baggage claim, outside door 00, bays 11-16. Runs between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Travel time to downtown Seattle from Vancouver, BC is 4.75 hours. Vancouver to Downtown Seattle: $36 one-way, $65 round-trip; Vancouver to SeaTac airport: $49 one-way, $87 round-trip. Despite the multiple stops they make, northbound buses can only pick-up in the U.S. and drop off in Canada and vice versa for southbound buses. 
• Wheatland Express (Starline Collections), (bus stops) Southcenter, NW corner; Novilhos Brazilian Steak House, 12405 SE 38th Street, Bellevue, toll-free: +1-800-334-2207. Every Friday, the Weekend Express takes you from Pullman (where Washington State University is at) and Moscow to Seattle, and the other way round every Sunday. A special service is also deployed during the holiday season. Journeys take more than 6 hours. $99.00 one way (weekend express), $210.00 one way (vacation service). 

By boat

By ferry

King County Metro Water Taxi

Ferries are the primary mode for commuters living on the opposite sides of the Puget Sound from Tacoma/S Vashon Island (in the south) through Seattle/Kitsap Peninsula to Anacortes/San Juan Islands (in the north), since the sheer distance and the shipping traffic on the Sound make building a bridge difficult. For tourists, it's also a fantastic way to see some very picturesque views of the city and the surrounding country; be sure to bring a camera!

• Washington State Ferries, ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1-800-843-3779. All Washington State Ferries carry vehicles, bicycles, and passengers. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 10 Colman Dock, 801 Alaskan Way Pier 52 (Pier 52). Connects Downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula.  
  • 11 Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal, 4829 SW Barton St. Connects West Seattle to Vashon Island and Southworth on the Kitsap Peninsula.  

• 12 King County Water Taxi. Provides passenger and bicycle service from Pier 50 of Seattle's waterfront weekdays only during rush hour (5:30-8AM and 4:30-7PM) to Vashon Island, and all-day service (schedule is seasonally dependent) to West Seattle. $5.50, $4.75 if using ORCA. 
• 13 Victoria Clipper, 2701 Alaskan Way Pier 69 (Alaskan Way & Clay St), ☏ +1 206-448-5000, toll-free: +1-800-888-2535. High speed catamaran passenger ferries which connect Seattle to Victoria, British Columbia and the San Juan Islands. If you are heading to San Juan Islands, you can also join a whale-watching tour. About $45 (one way), $65 (round trip with advance reservation) to San Juan Islands; $95 (single trip), $120 (round trip with advance reservation) to Victoria. Fares vary slightly depending on season.  
• 14 Kitsap Transit, 801 Alaskan Way Pier 50 (Pier 50), ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1-800-501 RIDE (7433). Passenger only fast ferries from Bremerton, Kingston and Southwarth in catamaran vessels. (updated Sep 2022)

By cruise ship

Seattle is the main departure city for cruise ships heading towards Alaska or western Canada's fjords. Cruise ships to Seattle may be docked at one of two terminals in the Port of Seattle.

• 15 Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, 2225 Alaskan Way S Pier 66, near the middle of Seattle's downtown waterfront. Serves as home port for Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. Has bus, taxi and shuttle connections for transfer of passengers and luggage. For travelers with connecting flights, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is less than 15 mi (24 km) away. 
• 16 Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 W Garfield St, at the north end of Seattle's downtown waterfront. Serves as home port to Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises. Other cruise lines may also use this terminal if the vessel is too large to use the Pier 66 terminal. King County Metro connects Pier 91 to downtown by the 19 and 24 buses. 

By private boat

Seattle has a variety of large marinas offering year-round guest moorage. The two marinas on the shores of Elliott Bay, Elliott Bay Marina, and Bell Harbor Marina, are the closest to Downtown. Shilshole Bay Marina is in the northern suburbs and is further away from most of the visitor attractions. There are numerous freshwater marinas on Lake Union, Portage Bay, and the Lake Washington Ship Canal, but these require passage through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Visitors may also consider moorage in the neighboring cities of Edmonds, Everett, Des Moines, Kirkland, and Kingston.

• 17 Bell Harbor Marina, 2203 Alaskan Way, ☏ +1-800-426-7817, bhm@portseattle.org. Bell Harbor Marina, at the base of Bell Street in Downtown's Belltown neighborhood, is the closest marina to Downtown and is a comfortable walk to Pike Place Market, Westlake Center, the Seattle Aquarium, and other waterfront attractions. Reciprocal moorage is available year-round, and in the summer months, reservations are recommended. (updated Jul 2016)
• 18 Elliott Bay Marina, 2601 West Marina Place, ☏ +1 206-285-4817, info@elliottbaymarina.net. Elliott Bay Marina is a private marina on the north shore of Elliott Bay in the Magnolia neighborhood. This marina has expansive guest moorage and many premium services. A 10-minute walk from all-day bus service to Downtown Seattle. (updated Jul 2016)
• 19 Shilshole Bay Marina, 7001 Seaview Ave. N.W, ☏ +1-800-426-7817, sbm@portseattle.org. Shilshole Bay Marina is a gigantic marina in the Ballard neighborhood. It is a 20-30 minute drive to Downtown and is not served directly by public transportation. (updated Jul 2016)

Get around

Seattle's public transportation system, while no rival for Chicago or New York City, is the most convenient and simple way to get around most of the city. While public transportation is also good in suburbs such as Bothell and Everett, if you plan on visiting those areas you may wish to use a car. Driving a car in Seattle is possible, but the frequent and awful traffic congestion can leave you frustrated. Parking for free in Downtown and many of the adjacent neighborhoods, such as Capitol Hill, is all but impossible. Seattle is also one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country, although you should be aware of the hilly terrain of the city that often makes cycling difficult. Carsharing services such as Zipcar and GIG, and ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber, are also convenient and safe transportation options.

Orientation

Helpful mnemonics to navigate Seattle STreets run eaST and weST aveNueS run North and South EveN numbered addresses are on the East and North side of the road (which is likely called a street or avenue) Use the mnemonic "Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest" for downtown street names, from Yesler Way to Westlake Park. The streets are named as six first-letter pairs of these words (Jefferson & James, Cherry & Columbia, Marion & Madison, Spring & Seneca, University & Union, Pike & Pine))

Seattle's street designations are generally easy to remember once you understand them. Most of the city is laid out in a grid, with north-south roads called Avenues and east-west roads being Streets. There are occasional irregularities: Ways are long roads that don't always conform to the grid, Drives are long, circuitous routes, and there's the occasional very short Place or Court.

Seattle has a somewhat convoluted address system that can be confusing to the uninitiated. Outside the downtown area, the city is divided into 7 compass directional sectors (N, NE, NW, W, E, S, SW; no SE section), with the name of the sector applied to every road that passes through that sector. Streets are written with the sector before the name (e.g. NE 45th Street or NE 45th) while avenues are written with the sector after the name (e.g. 45th Avenue NE or 45th NE). Roads within the downtown area (as well as some avenues east of Downtown and some streets north of Downtown) have no directional designation. Within a neighborhood, locals often omit the directionals when describing places, but mapping websites and apps require them, and may send you miles out of your way if you don't specify them. Take this into consideration when looking for directions to a specific address.

When locals give you directions, they may refer to an intersection (especially in the case of a bus stop). The first road mentioned is the street it is at, followed by the crossing street adjacent to the stop, but sometimes they neglect to specify whether it's an "avenue" or a "street," so inquire to be sure and you'll avoid the risk of winding up in the wrong part of the city!

On foot

Walking is highly encouraged for short trips, especially if your destination is within Downtown or Capitol Hill. While the streets and drivers are generally friendly for pedestrians, do keep your street smarts and avoid walking alone in the southern part of Downtown, International District, or the SoDo neighborhood at night. For more information about street safety, look at the "Stay Safe" section.

Seattle pedestrians are noted for their unusual refusal to jaywalk. Unlike many other large American cities (particularly those on the East Coast), in Seattle, you'll see groups of pedestrians patiently wait for the light to change before stepping off the curb, even when there isn't a car in sight. The reasons for it are unclear, though it's often suggested that the local police are particularly strict about enforcing the jaywalking law.

The block layout in the downtown area is pretty compact; a walk from Denny Way to Yesler Way should take roughly half an hour. Walking from the Waterfront towards I-5 in Downtown (particularly between Seneca St and Yesler Way) is steep and will leave you gasping for breath at every intersection! Outside the downtown area, especially Capitol Hill or the northern and western parts of the city, there are many hills (albeit less hilly and steep than San Francisco). In fact, walking is a great form of exercise in Seattle, with abundant jogging tracks in the parks and longer trails like the Burke Gilman Trail, which runs along the northern side of the ship canal and the western rim of Lake Washington.

By public transit

ORCA Card

The ORCA card is a contactless fare card that enables you to transfer seamlessly between Seattle and the Puget Sound's various public transit agencies, including: King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Washington State Ferries. The card is $3, and you must put in a minimum of $5 in your e-purse to start using it. You can add money or monthly passes to the card. Day passes are also available for $8 and can be used for all bus and train services. You can request a refund of unused e-purse funds online, by phone, or in person.

You can purchase, add value to, or add a pass to an ORCA card at vending machines in many transit centers, inside all Link Light Rail and Sounder stations, at Metro's customer service centers, over the phone, and at many QFC and Safeway supermarkets. Youth and Senior ORCA cards can only be issued by mail or at Metro's main customer service center next to King Street Station in the International District and require proof of age (click here for details). You can also acquire these cards in the mezzanine of Westlake Station — however, this customer service center is open only on the first and last 4 business days of the month.

There are no turnstiles at Link or Sounder stations. To pay the correct fare with an ORCA card when riding Sounder trains, tap at the stations before you board and after you deboard. At a Link light rail station or major RapidRide bus stop, tap your ORCA card at a yellow fare reader before you board. On all other public transit — buses, streetcars, Washington State Ferries, and the Water Taxi — just tap when you board. ORCA includes free transfers for all modes except Washington State Ferries. For 2 hours after your first tap, you can use as many public transportation services as you like, other than ferries, and you only pay the highest fare once.

Although ORCA card readers have the near-field communications (NFC) logo printed on them, as of October 2024, most NFC payments are not accepted. Card readers recognize ORCA cards and Google Wallet, but only for Android users who have purchased an ORCA card and loaded it into Google Wallet. Google Pay, Apple Pay, contactless cards, and other NFC payment methods are not yet supported.

Electronic pass

Another alternative to buying transportation tickets is through the Transit GO app. You may buy tickets using a debit or credit card on your phone, then activate a ticket only when you are about to use any public transportation mode within the city, except for Washington State Ferries. Transit GO tickets do not support transfers between modes or agencies, such as transferring from light rail to bus or vice versa. If you transfer modes at least twice, an ORCA card may save you money.

By King County Metro

King County Metro Local Service Bus

RapidRide

King County Metro, ☏ +1 206-553-3000. Operates bus, streetcar, and monorail routes in King County. Communities within the county served by this operator's routes include Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Mercer Island, North Bend, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Tukwila, Vashon Island, White Center, and Woodinville. (updated Jun 2023) Commonly referred to as Metro, it is the primary public transit operator serving Seattle, especially for local routes. The transportation system is easy to navigate, and most visitor attractions are served by frequent bus routes. Metro's buses are clean and comfortable and are driven by friendly and skilled operators. Most buses, especially on routes in the Center City, are brand-new and air-conditioned — perfect on one of Seattle's hot summer days. The agency provides several types of routes:

• Local bus service constitutes the majority of bus routes and are operated by green, blue, or purple buses. These buses are identified by route numbers between 1 and 399.
• RapidRide is an express Bus Rapid Transit service with modern, 3-door, red and yellow buses. RapidRide buses are an efficient way to get to many outlying neighborhoods and are identified by route letters.
• The Seattle Streetcar has two lines: The South Lake Union line between Downtown and South Lake Union and the First Hill line between Pioneer Square, the International District and Capitol Hill along Broadway. The former line gained the rather unfortunate moniker "SLUT" (South Lake Union Trolley), and you might hear it referred to as such. The streetcar runs up to every 10 minutes and costs $2.25 per adult and $1 per senior, regardless of distance. Youth board for free. You must purchase a ticket or tap your ORCA card at one of the streetcar stops before boarding. Note that these streetcars stop only when requested by pressing the yellow stop request strip.
• The Seattle Center Monorail, a legacy of the 1962 World's Fair, takes you non-stop between Westlake Center (5th Avenue & Pine Street) and the Seattle Center in just 2 minutes, and primarily serves tourists heading from Downtown to the Space Needle. One-way tickets are $3.50 per adult, $1.75 children ages 6-18/seniors.

Buses within Seattle generally operate from 5AM to Midnight and run at least every 30 minutes, with frequent service and RapidRide buses arriving every 5-15 minutes at rush hour. If you are planning on traveling before 6AM or after 9PM be sure to make use of the excellent Trip Planner to make sure you can get to your destination.

Almost all frequent service buses traveling through Downtown have stops along 3rd Ave, with virtually every Downtown bus having a stop near the intersection of 3rd & Pine/Pike. Other routes have southbound stops along 2nd Ave and northbound along 4th and 5th Ave.

The adult bus fare is $2.75 at all times and on all routes. The senior (ages 65 or older) fare is $1.00. Youth (18 and under) ride free. If you pay by cash (exact change only), you'll get a paper transfer good for within a 2-hour period to ride other King County Metro buses. An ORCA card allows you to transfer to other transit agencies within the same period of time for free. Note that you'll only need to tap in when you enter the bus, although in RapidRide, you can tap on the reader before getting on the bus and may board from the center and rear doors.

To figure out how to get to your destination use the excellent Trip Planner which gives you point-to-point directions between points within King County. For real-time arrival times, use the One Bus Away or Transit app. Google Maps and Apple Maps also include real-time public transportation data for route planning.

When traveling to destinations outside the downtown core, make sure to ask the drivers about the green and white "EXPRESS" signs in their windows or the "VIA EXPRESS" on the road display if they are going to your destination. Some of these express routes are intended for regular commuters traveling between residential neighborhoods and Downtown and make few or no stops between, but may be useful to some visitors.

When in doubt, ask the bus driver or a security guard before boarding. Most employees are knowledgeable about the transportation system (or at least the route they are driving) and will be able to help you. Additionally, all buses are fully accessible for wheelchairs and walkers.

By Sound Transit

Sound Transit, toll-free: +1-888-889-6368. Has regional public transit routes including Sounder trains, Link light rail, and express bus in King County (e.g. Bellevue, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Seattle), Snohomish County (e.g. Everett, Lynnwood) and Pierce County (e.g. Puyallup, Tacoma). (updated Jun 2023)

• Sounder train, which stops at King Street station (see "By train" above for location), where passengers can walk across east across the street to reach the International District / Chinatown Link station. From the Puget Sound area, Sounder commuter trains might be an option, if you can work with their commuter-oriented schedules. They also run special services such as for sports events. Sounder trains run to Seattle on weekday mornings, and from Seattle back to the suburbs in the evenings, although there are a limited number of reverse-commute runs. Trains travel south from Everett, Mukilteo, and Edmonds, and north from Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent, and Tukwila.
• Link light rail operates between Lynnwood and the Angle Lake Station, stopping in Shoreline, Northgate, University of Washington/U District, Capitol Hill, Downtown, SoDo, South Seattle, Tukwila, and Sea-Tac Airport along the way. Link operates a combination of grade separated from other traffic, and at grade crossing city streets and waiting at traffic lights, thus the speed of travel greatly varies depending on traveled segment. Adult fares are a flat $3.00, regardless of distance; children under 18 ride for free. Purchase your ticket at a machine, or on your phone using the Transit GO Ticket app, before you board, and keep it with you for the whole trip, as it may be randomly checked by personnel inside the train. If you use an ORCA card, you must tap on at your origin and tap off at your destination station. Major expansions scheduled to be completed between 2024 and 2026 will extend Link north to Lynnwood, east to Bellevue and Redmond, and south to Federal Way.
• Express buses operate between Seattle and a variety of locations in the region and will make limited stops. Some routes operate daily throughout most of the day and some only operate Monday to Friday during the afternoon and evening rush hours. Routes operating in Seattle will include at least one stop at or near a Link light rail station.

Seattle rail system map, as of August 2021

By other service providers

• Community Transit buses are commuter routes traveling between Snohomish County (north of Seattle, including communities such as Lynnwood and Everett) and Northgate station. During peak hours on weekdays, additional service operates to Downtown or the University District.
• The Water Taxi travels between Pier 50 (at the foot of Yesler Way) and Seacrest Park in West Seattle. The scenic ride takes 15 minutes and costs $4.75 (one way, exact change only), or $4 with an ORCA Card. Boats depart every half-hour on weekdays and every hour on weekends during the summer months, with reduced service during the winter.
• Washington State Ferries connect to destinations outside of Seattle, and they take ORCA Cards. See § Go next.

By car

Eyes on the road at all times! Do NOT use, hold, or look at your phone while driving, even while stopped in a red light! Police across the Washington State are also on the lookout for unsafe driving because of distractions, including eating, drinking, smoking, and grooming. The fine for the first offence is $136. The law applies for all gadgets, big or small, and "driving" includes times when you are not moving. If you need to use your phone or GPS for navigation, input your destination before driving or have a passenger do it for you. Should there be a need to answer or make phone calls, use speakerphone or a hands-free device, including your car's entertainment system. Postpone writing texts or e-mails until you are safely parked. Use your phone's voice assistant feature if you need to.

Cars are not always the best option for transportation within the city proper, but are a great asset if travelling to the suburbs such as Bellevue, Redmond, Everett, and Tacoma. Note that many streets downtown are one way or restricted to buses. One of the challenges in driving in Seattle includes the hilly terrain, especially in Downtown, Capitol Hill and Queen Anne, where you have to be extra careful in applying your brakes.

If you only need a car for part of your trip, traditional car rental companies like Avis and Hertz have locations in the city; compared with the airport, these are often cheaper, but hours and vehicle availability are more limited at city locations. Turo and Getaround let you rent vehicles by the hour or by the day from private owners, including many in residential neighborhoods. Zipcar and GIG vehicles are abundant, especially in Downtown, Capitol Hill, and the University District. Zipcar rents vehicles by the half-hour and GIG rents vehicles by the minute. Read their terms and fee schedules carefully, and follow their rules when you end a rental, to avoid getting any surprise charges.

In less dense neighborhoods, many establishments provide free parking, but parking is scarce in Downtown. Hotels often charge exorbitant fees for overnight parking. Street parking is $1 to $3.00 per hour (debit cards and credit cards other than Discover accepted), while a parking ticket can be in excess of $35 for going overtime in a 2-hour zone. Read the instructions on parking meters carefully to understand whether you need to display a sticker or receipt on your car.

When parking on a hill, always apply the parking brake and turn your wheels so that the car will roll into the sidewalk instead of the street if the brakes give out. When facing uphill, turn toward the street; when facing downhill, turn toward the curb.

Drivers traveling on I-5 between Downtown and Northgate can use the express lanes for a generally quick and smooth ride to downtown in the morning, or to the suburbs in the afternoon and evening. Seattle traffic congestion consistently ranks among the worst in the U.S. This is mainly due to inland waterways causing choke points around the few available bridges.

By taxi

You can call or hail a taxi from any major street in Seattle or most hotels will call them for you. However, most of Seattle's taxi services are unfriendly and expensive, especially if you are only trying to get around the downtown area. Some taxi drivers will even refuse to take you if your destination is less than 15 blocks away. The fares are regulated by the city government:

• Flagfall for $2.60
• $0.30 for each additional 1/9 mile (a total of $2.70 per mile)
• $0.30 for every 36 seconds of waiting time (a total of $0.50 per minute)
• $0.50 for each additional passenger above 18 after two.

If you are heading to SEA Airport from the downtown area, a flat fare of $40 is applied.

Bring cash if you intend to take a taxi; drivers can make change. If you don't have enough (or any) cash, ask the driver before your ride begins whether they accept cards. Seattle taxi drivers are notorious for telling passengers that they will take a card, then claiming that their payment card reader is somehow unavailable at the end of a ride, even offering to drive passengers to an ATM to get cash. You may need to ask multiple times to use your card if you have no cash.

The user-unfriendliness of taxi companies has driven many customers to ride-hailing alternatives (see the following section). Should you be in dire need of a taxi, you can hail one on the street, typically in and near Downtown, or you can call one of these companies:

• Yellow Cab, ☏ +1 206-622-6500. 
• Orange Cab, ☏ +1 206-522-8800, +1 206-957-0866. 
• Stita Taxi Services, ☏ +1 206-246-9999. 
• Seattle Airport Limo & Town Car, ☏ +1 206-420-3400, toll-free: +1-877-340-3434. 
• Seattle Towncar, ☏ +1 206-495-9544. (updated Jan 2017)
• Allied Town Car, ☏ +1 206-271-7277. Open 24 Hours. 

By ride-hailing service

If your destination is miles away and you don't have a car, yet public transportation seems inconvenient for you, you can use ride-hailing services like those provided by Uber or Lyft. As of 2024, Uber and Lyft often cost more than taxis, but especially outside of Downtown, they provide generally fast and reliable service, with a range of vehicle options.

By motorcycle

The rainy weather makes motorcycling difficult but not impossible. Drivers exhibit an alarming obliviousness to motorcycles, and riders should take care to stay well out of a car's blind spot and preferably ahead of, rather than behind, any car. Motorcyclists get preferred boarding on the ferries and there are many parking spots Downtown reserved for motorcycles.

By bicycle

Cycling is better in Seattle than in most American cities. In fact, during rush hour, it's often faster to bike than to drive! Bicycle usage has increased significantly since the early 2000s and drivers are a little more accustomed to bicycles in Seattle than in other major cities. Your main drawbacks will be the wet roads, the rain, and the hilly terrain, so you might want to pack some raingear. Many major roads in Seattle have properly maintained bicycle lanes, and you are allowed to ride bicycles on all Seattle roads except the Interstates. The I-90 and WA-520 bridges over Lake Washington have bike paths running parallel to the vehicle lanes. Helmets are not required — a law mandating them was repealed in 2022 — but are commonly worn by riders. Electric motor-assisted bikes, or e-bikes, make the hills much easier to traverse, and are widely available for rent in the city.

Public transit is very friendly towards bikes. King County Metro buses have bike racks on the front of the bus; tell the driver you want to mount or dismount your bike. Light rail and streetcars have bike racks towards the center of every car, or you can hold your bike upright if those are full. Ferries welcome bicycles with priority loading and unloading; there is a $1 bicycle surcharge above the passenger fare, but it's waived if you pay with an ORCA card.

The city maintains a bike map with suggested biking routes for visiting major attractions.

Bicycle transportation in the greater part of Seattle is facilitated further by the Burke-Gilman Trail. This is a paved walking/jogging/cycling trail that winds its way from the north end of Lake Washington, down around the University of Washington, then west along the canal towards Ballard. The trail is on an old railroad right-of-way, so it maintains a very consistent elevation and is excellent for commuting or a casual day's touring. The Elliott Bay Trail overlooks Puget Sound and starts at the north end of Downtown in Myrtle Edwards Park, continuing north along the shore of Elliott Bay. It is much more scenic than the Burke trail, with gorgeous views of the Olympics and Mt. Rainier, and more quiet since it doesn't intersect with any roads.

Seattle has a dockless e-bike and scooter share program operated by Lime. Vehicles are parked wherever the last user stopped or wherever a professional "juicer" just dropped off a freshly-charged batch, usually at bike racks, near popular attractions, or at large street corners. You use the Lime or Uber app on your smartphone to locate and unlock bikes; when you're done, park the bike and end the rental in the app. One user can start a group ride for up to 5 vehicles at a time. Helmets are not provided, so if you want to wear one, you'll have to bring your own or buy one at a local shop.

• Lime. Green Lime e-bikes and scooters rented using the Lime or Uber app. $1 to start, $0.48/minute; prepaid discount passes available. (updated Jul 2024)

Traditional shops that offer bike rentals, which include helmets with every rental:

• The Bicycle Repair Shop, 928 Alaskan Way (Opposite between Piers 52 & 54). M-F 8AM-6PM; Sa 10AM-6PM; Su noon-6PM. You can rent bicycles for an hourly rate or a daily rate (which translates to 5 hours of rent) depending on type of bicycle. The website also has a list of self-guided tours. Hybrid: $9 hourly, $45 daily, $150 weekly. 
• Evo, 3500 Stone Way N, ☏ +1 206-973-4470. M–Sa 10AM–8PM; Su 11AM–7PM. Offers a variety of bikes with helmets and maps included. Online booking available. Comfort hybrid bikes from $30 same day; E-bikes from $70; Mountain bikes from $70. 

See

Pike Place Market

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles

Seattle has a lot to see, be it prominent sights or attractions tucked away in quiet neighborhoods. For more information, look at each district's individual articles.

• Seattle CityPASS. A discount pass that includes admission to five attractions for half the normal fee combined. You are entitled to up to two visits (within 24 hours) to the Space Needle and a visit to the Seattle Aquarium. You also get three choices of an Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, admission to the Museum of Pop Culture, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Pacific Science Center the Museum of Flight, or Chihuly Garden & Glass. A CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days starting with the use of your first ticket. Transportation and parking are not included. $127 for adult, $97 for children (ages 5-12), plus tax and a $2 processing fee per ticket. (updated Jul 2024)

Landmarks

The first thing that pops into most people's minds when they think of Seattle is the Space Needle, north of Downtown in the Seattle Center. Although it's not the tallest building in Seattle, it still has a wonderful 360-degree view of both the city and the surrounding landscape. It is best to visit at sunset, when the mountains and sky will be lit up in beautiful colors. For a cheaper and less crowded option, head to the observatory at the Columbia Center building, which is higher than the Space Needle! For a better view of the waterfront and the downtown area, go aboard the Seattle Great Wheel.

Downtown, the Pike Place Market is Seattle's largest tourist area. Home to the famous fish market, the original Starbucks Coffee shop, produce stands, and a dedicated lane each for florists and foods. Don't forget to visit Post Alley, just a block away from Pike Place as you walk away from the shore, as there are some excellent food and souvenir places tucked away.

Museums

The Museum of Pop Culture beneath the Space Needle

Seattle has a number of top-notch museums. Downtown is home to the renowned Seattle Art Museum (SAM), which displays a good assortment of art from around the world. On Capitol Hill, the Seattle Asian Art Museum is part of SAM and focuses mainly on Chinese and Japanese Art, but includes works from as far away as India. SAM also operates the large waterfront Olympic Sculpture Garden near the north end of Downtown, which has free admission. Additionally, The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in the International District is the only Asian Pacific American museum in the nation (as against a museum of a specific Asian nationality). On First Hill, just east of Downtown, the Frye Art Museum, a small private collection featuring 232 paintings, including numerous works from the so-called Munich Secession; the Frye often has excellent temporary exhibits, and offers free admission.

Surrounding the Space Needle on the grounds of the Seattle Center are several more big museums, including the Pacific Science Center, an interactive science museum with an IMAX theater and plenty of science displays, the Museum of Pop Culture, a museum celebrating popular film, television, music, and other media, with exhibits on Seattle's vibrant music scene, and the Chihuly Garden & Glass, which takes glass art to the next level. Nearby South Lake Union is home to both the Museum of History and Industry and the Center for Wooden Boats, the latter offering free admission.

On the waterfront in Downtown is the popular Seattle Aquarium. The University District holds the Henry Art Gallery, one of the biggest contemporary art museums in Washington, and the Burke Museum, a combination natural history/archaeology museum. Ballard, about 7 miles northwest of Downtown, features the National Nordic Museum. To the south, just past Georgetown, is the Museum of Flight, with a large collection of aircraft ranging from wood and fabric crates to the sleek Concorde.

Architecture

Seattle's Downtown from the Space Needle

Most of the architectural attractions in Seattle are in the downtown area, easily traversed on foot. Among the highlights are the Central Library, a unique contemporary building, designed by Rem Koolhaas, with an enormous glass-fronted atrium; the Columbia Center, the tallest building in the Pacific Northwest and which offers excellent views from its observation deck; and the Seattle City Hall with its roof garden. On the south side of Downtown, near Pioneer Square, is the Smith Tower, an Art Deco building which was the tallest building west of the Mississippi from its completion in 1914 until 1931, and which has an observation deck. On the north side of Downtown, the Amazon Spheres draw gawkers. Just north of Downtown in Seattle Center, the Museum of Pop Culture, designed to resemble Jimi Hendrix's smashed guitar, is done in a manner only Frank Gehry could conceive; nearby is the new Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Campus, with its 12-acre garden.

The Chapel of St. Ignatius: "seven bottles of light in a stone box"

Of course, the most popular view in Seattle remains the one from the revolving top of the Space Needle at the Seattle Center. And given the retro-futurism look of the Space Needle, a fitting way to get there is via the Monorail, which connects the Seattle Center to Downtown. Another excellent view is from the Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57, a ferris wheel that offers superb views of the skyline and the waterfront.

While Seattle's residential architecture rarely strives for drama, you could also easily spend hours walking some of the city's older residential districts (often as notable for the gardens as for the houses). One of the best possibilities, and not too far from Downtown, is Capitol Hill, with a wide variety of houses and apartment buildings east of Broadway and some grand mansions north of Mercer Street.

One hidden gem is the Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University on First Hill. Described by architect Stephen Holl as "seven bottles of light in a stone box," it is probably the most notable religious building built in Seattle in the last fifty years.

Parks and outdoors

Seattle is peppered with parks, from small urban squares to large forested areas, many with breathtaking views of Seattle and the Puget Sound. Seattle's original park system was designed by the Olmsted brothers in Seattle's early days, and park planners across the country still celebrate Seattle's park system as one of the best designed and best preserved in the United States. While many other American cities have only one or two Olmsted-designed parks, Seattle has an extensive multi-park plan linked by boulevards, and this legacy makes Seattle one of the most livable cities in the country.

South Lake Union and downtown Seattle as seen from South Lake Union park

Seattle Center is actually a park itself, with attractions besides the Space Needle and the center's numerous museums. The Kobe Bell and the mural beside it and the International Fountain are often overlooked but should not be missed. Up on Queen Anne Hill is Kerry Park, where you'll be spellbound by the most photographed view of Seattle. To the west is Discovery Park, the city's largest park with trails less traveled traversing hills and offering a view of the unspoiled landscape, wildlife, and a lighthouse.

Overlooking Lake Union in Fremont is Gasworks Park. Once the site of a coal gasification plant, the plant has been replaced by lush green hills surrounding one small section of rusting—yet surprisingly picturesque—machinery from the coal plant. The park is filled with spectators for the 4th of July fireworks and is also a great place for boaters to access Lake Union. For a day at the beach, head over to Golden Gardens Park or the less crowded Carkeek Park for a view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains; West Seattle's fully sandy Alki Beach offers a great view of Downtown Seattle, as does the unusual Jack Block Park on Port land in the industrial part of West Seattle along Elliott Bay. Joggers can spend their time at Green Lake Park or Magnuson Park for a serene view of water by the running tracks.

A place to see trees from around the world is at the Washington Park Arboretum in the Central District. The Arboretum contains a Japanese Garden (closed in winter) that plays host to a traditional Japanese festival. For a more laid back and Zen atmosphere, the Kubota Garden at Rainier Beach in south Seattle has streams and waterfalls, ponds, rock outcroppings, and an exceptionally rich and mature collection of plants. If you are into animals, head to the Woodland Park Zoo to see animals from around the world held in pleasant, naturalistic exhibits.

Do

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles

Tours

• Kenmore Air, 950 Westlake Ave N, ☏ +1-866-435-9524. 20 minute plane tours over Seattle that are narrated by the pilot, with spectacular views of the city. Tours begin and end at the west side of Lake Union. Reservations required. $99.50 per person. 
• Pioneer Square has a variety of tours of the Seattle Underground, the below-street-level corridors that were created when the district was raised by one floor during rebuilding after a massive fire in 1889. These informative tours are a great way to learn about Seattle's early history.

Water tours and cruises

• Argosy Cruises, 1101 Alaskan Way, Pier 55. Cruise schedule varies by season. Ticket booth: Daily 10AM-4:05PM. Boat tour company with special dinner and sightseeing cruises. The most common tour is the hour-long Harbor Cruise on Elliott Bay, which offers excellent views of the Space Needle, Downtown skyline, freight harbor, and usually some sea lions, with a barrage of informative commentary about local history or interesting ships or cargo passing through that day. The Locks Cruise is a 2-hour one-way trip (in alternating directions) through the locks separating Elliot Bay and Lake Union, with an optional bus ride if you prefer a round trip. Seasonal cruises include Tillicum Village on Blake Island, and Lake Washington sightseeing. Most cruises offer a decent full-service bar with large drinks and some snacks. Harbor cruise $30.50. Locks cruise $42.50, bus connection $5 additional. Discounts for kids 4-12 and seniors. (updated Mar 2018)
• Waterways Cruises, 2441 N Northlake Way, ☏ +1 206-223 2060. Cruises on Sa-Su and sometimes F; see schedule online. Office: M-F 9AM-5PM. Luxury dining cruises touring Lake Union and Lake Washington. Regular cruises include 2-hour weekend brunch and Sunday supper buffets, and a 2½-hour four-course dinner (business casual attire). Brunch $65, Sunday supper $60, dinner $85. (updated Feb 2018)

There are a number of smaller operations offering private charter cruises, for more niche interests like old steamer ships, sailboats, or just a more personal experience with a friendly captain-and-bartender. These are best searched for online.

To just experience a scenic boat ride, the ferries are a cheaper alternative. The 35-minute scenic trip to Bainbridge Island's quaint village is a must-do for all visitors. If you bring a local with you, they can probably provide some commentary, too. See § Ferries under Go next.

Water sports

Sailboat moored at the Center for Wooden Boats

Seattle is surrounded by Lake Washington and Puget Sound, in addition to a number of bodies of water such as Lake Union or Green Lake in the city proper, so activities from kayaking to swimming are commonly practiced especially in the summer. Primary locations include Lake Union and Lake Washington where there are often some recreational boat traffic.

Alki Kayak Tours in West Seattle offers guided sea kayak explorations of the human history and natural history of Puget Sound and the birthplace of Seattle. Www.Kayakalki.com If you have no rowing experience, classes are offered at Lake Union Crew. You can also rent a sailboat or join a free Sunday cruising at Center For Wooden Boats, or a kayak at Northwest Outdoor Center.

Events

Most of Seattle's festivals take place in the summer, the only long stretch of time when Seattle has days of sunny weather.

• Chinese Lunar New Year, International District. Jan/Feb. Numerous stalls and performances, and don't forget to partake in all the cheap food! 
• Seattle International Film Festival, McCaw Hall, Moore Theatre. May–June. One of the largest film festivals in North America, showing movies from around the world. Watch indie films at screens around the city and vote for your favorite; the winner of each respective category receives the Golden Space Needle trophy.  
• Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle Center. Memorial Day weekend. A more low-key and local version of Bumbershoot, mainly family-friendly. Even more important, it's free! ($10 donation per person per day encouraged).. 

In costume for the Fremont Fair

• Fremont Fair, Fremont. a weekend in mid or late June. Home of the Solstice Parade (including the nude bike ride), and a really fun drunken time all over Fremont. Vendors, bad live music and eclectic crowds at the bars make for an interesting time. Friends who live in Fremont become especially valuable for a place to crash during the fair. 
• Seattle PrideFest, Seattle Center. A weekend in June or July. One of the biggest gay pride festivals in the country. Food carts, beer gardens, adult theme performances, and the eagerly anticipated Pride Parade. 
• Dragon Fest, International District. early/mid-July. Chinese cultural festival 
• Bite of Seattle, Seattle Center. mid/late July. Part of Seafair festivities. Enjoy some of the best delicacies of Seattle. 
• Capitol Hill Block Party, Capitol Hill. a mid-summer weekend. Yearly live music event held on Capitol Hill over a weekend in mid-summer (usually the end of July). Consists primarily of local independent bands of various styles, coupled with some bigger name independent label acts. 

Seafair Indian Days Pow Wow at Daybreak Star Cultural Center

• Seafair, everywhere. July-early August. Seattle's biggest festival, signifying the arrival of summer. Neighborhood events such as parades and street fairs run throughout the festival, with the downtown Torchlight Parade in late July. Seafair culminates in early August when hydroplane races and the Blue Angels bring loud, fast boats and planes to Lake Washington. 
• Bumbershoot, Seattle Center. Labor Day weekend (early September). Seattle's largest music and arts festival, featuring dozens of local and world-class musical acts. 
• Night Market & Autumn Moon Festival, International District. Early September. Chinese festival of food and outdoor market 

Luminata

• Luminata, Green Lake. Evening of the autumnal equinox. A festival of lights at Green Lake, including a procession from the old Aqua Theatre to a clearing about 3/4 mile north 

Also check out the calendar of the Festál Cultural Center, Seattle Center. Year-round except December. Celebrate the world with festivals from about 25 countries represented, one country nearly every 2 weeks. 

In addition, there are dozens of neighborhood street fairs, most of them on weekends between mid-May and late July, with a few in August, September, or even early October. These range from a classic car show in Greenwood to a seafood festival in Ballard; nearly all feature a vast array of food trucks and booths, and some (especially those in Ballard, West Seattle, and Georgetown) often have genuinely first-rate music, especially toward evening. A few churches and other religious congregations host festivals that also draw many thousands of people, the two biggest probably being Bon Odori at the Seattle Buddhist Church just west of the International District, and St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in otherwise sleepy Montlake, which hosts its festival in late September or early October, far enough into the autumn (and the rainier weather) that they do a good portion of it under a giant marquee tent. Check local listings for exact dates.

Sports

It's always crowded and loud at Lumen Field!

In terms of professional sports teams, Seattle has plenty to offer. Of the four biggest U.S. professional leagues, three have teams in Seattle, and the fast-growing Major League Soccer also has a Seattle team.

Even prior to success of the local National Football League franchise, the Seattle Seahawks, Lumen Field has long been packed to the gills by the "12th man" (the name for loud, devout Seahawks fans) watching their home game in late summer through early winter. Soccer fans can enjoy Seattle Sounders FC games March through September, also held at Lumen Field. T-Mobile Park next door is home to the Major League Baseball Seattle Mariners. The city's latest sports offering, which started play in 2021, is the NHL's Seattle Kraken, who play at the Climate Pledge Arena (the renovated KeyArena at Seattle Center).

Meanwhile, Seattle has one of the strongest followings for women's teams in sports. The Seattle Storm play basketball in the WNBA, and share Climate Pledge Arena with the Kraken. Seattle Reign FC, playing in the top level of US women's soccer, the National Women's Soccer League, returned to Seattle in 2022 after three seasons in Tacoma; it shares Lumen Field with the Seahawks and Sounders. In minor league men's sports, the Seattle Thunderbirds junior hockey team (players age 16 to 20) plays in Kent.

College teams also have a proud presence in town. The aforementioned Washington Huskies play basketball and football at their own venues on campus. The rivalry between U-Dub (short name for the campus) and Wazzu (Washington State University, nicknamed "Cougars"), flares up every fall. Before the 2024 collapse of the Pac-12 Conference, the teams had played in October or November; future games will be played in mid-September. The 2024 game will be played at Lumen Field, and will return to Husky Stadium every even-numbered year after that. Seattle University has the Seattle Redhawks, another NCAA Division I team, but with a much lower profile than U-Dub (especially since the Redhawks don't have a football team).

Entertainment

• Benaroya Hall, the home of the Seattle Symphony and venue for other performing arts, can be found Downtown.
• 5th Avenue Theatre, the main venue for Broadway musical shows, is also in Downtown.
• McCaw Hall, the home of the Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest Ballet, can be found in Seattle Center.
• Stand-up and improv comedy can be found Downtown, in Pioneer Square, on Capitol Hill, or in the University District.
• Other halls such as Paramount Theatre at 9th Avenue and Pine Street and Moore Theatre at 2nd Avenue house many performing arts and sometimes Broadway performances.
• Big concerts by world famous artists usually take place at the Climate Pledge Arena (formerly KeyArena at Seattle Center).

Learn

The Quad at University of Washington

Given the huge influx of people to Seattle, educational institutions have been constantly adding programs to the point that they now cover virtually every occupation. These are some of the institutions:

• University of Washington maintains its main campus in the city's University District. It's the biggest employer in Seattle proper, and is famous for its competitive computer science, business, and engineering programs. Even if you're not studying here, the campus is worth a visit to admire its neo-Gothic architecture or the pink cherry blossom trees at the Quad in early spring.
• Seattle University is a private Jesuit (Catholic) university at Capitol Hill and the second-largest university in the area. SU is famous for its community service and non-profit sponsored projects.
• Seattle Pacific University on Queen Anne Hill is Free Methodist affiliated and offers liberal arts programs, as well as science and professional certifications.
• City University of Seattle has a notable presence for its management and graduate programs.
• Bastyr University in Kenmore, just outside Seattle, is well known for its healthcare & natural therapy programs. It is found by Dr. John Bastyr, a longtime local expert in naturopathic, homeopathic, and chiropractic.

Community colleges often offer some fun short-term courses. North Seattle College has the most diverse selection, with a focus on machinery, ventilation, and even wristwatch making. Other colleges within the same system are Seattle Central College and South Seattle College. If you want to get out of the crowded city, you can also choose Green River to the south, as well as Shoreline and Edmonds to the north.

Work

Seattle is a well-known center for business, with the headquarters of tech companies Amazon and Microsoft, coffee chain Starbucks, retail and grocery stores such as Nordstrom, REI and Costco in the city and its surrounding area. While aircraft manufacturer Boeing now has its overall headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, it maintains its divisional headquarters for its commercial aircraft and financing operations in the Seattle area, also home to two of its largest factories. As well as many startup companies, many of which are tech-based startups pushed out of Silicon Valley due to the exorbitant costs of operating there. Recruitment to startups is generally easy, and while you can't expect similar wages or work environment to the large companies, many do offer compensations such as free haircut, lunch, apartment rent with one or more working partners, or carpool service. Demand for tech jobs, especially programmers, is constantly rising.

Health is another growing sector of the economy. Seattle is one of the fittest cities in the nation and nutritionists, doctors, and nurses are in need to take care of the growing population. Biotech companies are also on the rise. Comparatively, the hospitality business has been growing at a glacial pace compared to the tech moguls.

One good reason to work in Seattle, or the rest of Washington state for that matter, is that there is no state income tax.

Seattle has one of the highest minimum wages in the U.S., and under Washington state law any tips are strictly in addition to minimum wage, but housing prices are high, so there is still quite a squeeze on low-end wage-earners. If you can work out your living situation, it's relatively easy to get a food service job in Seattle (and, in particular, it would appear that good espresso baristas are always in demand).

Buy

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles

If you want it, you can most likely get it in Seattle. The city has many small, locally owned businesses in addition to the more typical large shopping malls. A sales tax of 10.25% applies for most purchases, except for groceries, newspapers, and prescription drugs, which are tax-free. Purchases of hard liquor, cannabis, rental cars, and hotel rooms are subject to higher taxes.

Marijuana

See also: Washington (state)#Cannabis

Marijuana is legal to buy in Washington, and there are plenty of dispensaries in Seattle, although almost none downtown; you'll have to go to more residential neighborhoods for weed shopping. If you are heading up to Vancouver, keep in mind that it is illegal to bring marijuana across the border into Canada despite the fact that it is also legal to sell marijuana there.

Downtown

Abundant seafood at Pike Place Market

• The Pike Place Market is an attraction in and of itself, and is well-known for its seafood and produce stands. At the main entrance to the market is Pike Place Fish, famous for its handlers who throw fish to each other, but there are plenty of other seafood stands as well. In the main market complex are several levels of restaurants and shops selling antiques, arts and crafts, and souvenirs, and as the weather gets warmer, artisans sell their wares in the upper open-air level as well. Although it is flush with tourists, especially in the summer months, area residents and Downtown workers regularly shop at the market as well, which minimizes the "tourist trap" feel. It is also belived by many that the lower floors of the market are haunted.
• The Westlake retail corridors on Pike, Pine, and Union Street between 3rd and 5th Avenues are also a great place to shop. The Westlake Center and the Pacific Place malls have pricey fashion stores, with the sidewalk arcades dominated by big fashion chains.
• Belltown, a northern neighborhood of the downtown area, has a plethora of designer art galleries, fashion, and accessory workshops.
• The Pioneer Square area is the cheaper counterpart to Belltown, with more eclectic accessories.

Other districts

Fresh produce at a farmers' market in Ballard. In the summer, Seattle has over a dozen weekly farmers' markets; Sunday in Ballard and Saturday in the University District are among the few year-round markets.

• Ballard: Most shopping options here are on Ballard Avenue NW between 20th & 22nd Avenue NW. If big brands don't interest you, head here for stylish urban and hip fashion.
• Capitol Hill: Most shops here are in the western part of the neighborhood near I-5 (E Pike & Pine Street, Broadway and Melrose Ave), where the streets are filled with mid-range fashion options and a little bit of everything, befitting the hippest district of Seattle. Here you'll also find two of Seattle's most well-known bookstores, the sprawling Elliott Bay Book Company and used bookstore/cat sanctuary Twice Sold Tales.
• Fremont: Mainly vintage fashion wear and not as eccentric as its neighbor, Ballard. It is also a center for antiques and accessories. The shopping district is centered around Fremont Place N and N 35th Street.
• International District: Groceries, herbal medicines, and plenty of Asian-style wares. You can also buy handy Japanese kitchenware and other items at the widely-known Uwajimaya or by the back door of the dollar shop Daiso.
• North Seattle: Thrift stores scattered throughout the area, bulk grocery shopping at Aurora Avenue N, and fashion shops at Northgate Mall.
• Queen Anne Hill: Mostly houses, but there is a small commercial area at the top of the hill (Queen Anne Ave N between W Galer St & W McGraw St). Usually this is a place to indulge in a body treatment.
• South Lake Union: A long retail strip is on Broadway which connects to Capitol Hill. On the south shore of the lake you'll find a wide selection. Outdoor gear chain REI houses its flagship store on Broadway.
• University District: Clothing and thrift stores catering towards the local student population are along University Way. Upscale options are available at the open-air University Village Mall at 25th Ave NE. On campus is the University Bookstore.
• West Seattle: Head to California Ave SW for more laid back and contemporary clothing options.

Groceries and other basics

The major supermarket chains in Seattle are Safeway and Albertsons (both owned by the same company), along with QFC and Fred Meyer (both owned by Kroger). For general merchandise, Fred Meyer and Target also have stores in Seattle. Many specialty and organic supermarkets, such as Metropolitan Market, PCC (a local co-op grocery chain), Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market can also be found throughout the area. Due to Seattle's large Asian immigrant populations you can easily find grocery stores catering to those groups such as Uwajimaya (Japanese) in the International District, and H-Mart (Korean) and 99 Ranch Market (Taiwanese) in the surrounding suburbs.

Farmers markets

Although steeped in history and always busy, Pike Place Market is not often visited by locals. Dozens of farmer markets dot the region, with many active only in the summer months (May-Oct). The primary neighborhood farmer markets in Seattle include: University District and Magnolia (Saturdays); Capitol Hill and West Seattle (Sundays); Columbia City (Wednesdays); Lake City (Thursdays); Phinney Ridge (Fridays); and City Hall (Tuesdays).

Eat

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget	up to $12
Mid-range	$12-$25
Splurge	more than $25

Typical of a big city, Seattle has a diverse range of fare representative of cuisines from around the world. Local chains and hole-in-the-wall restaurants dominate the city's dining atmosphere, and hearty, inexpensive meals can be found all over the city. Note that some Seattle restaurants, particularly the hole-in-the-wall establishments, only accept cash.

Local specialties

Seattle's proximity to Alaska and the waters of the Pacific Ocean make it an excellent place to enjoy seafood. Look for salmon during the late summer months as options are abundant and the prices are among the cheapest on the West Coast, especially the red (sockeye) salmon. Shellfish are a prized resource of the Puget Sound, where the cool, clean waters provide an optimal habitat. Clams, mussels and oysters can be found easily, but other specialties like geoducks (pronounced GOO-ey-ducks) are sometimes available for the more adventurous. The Dungeness crab, named for a nearby town on the Sound, is a popular seafood prized for its sweet, tender flesh and high ratio of meat. The Dungeness is a commercially important crab in Washington's waters but other crab species are also common. The Alaskan king crab, caught from the deep cold waters of the Pacific Ocean near Alaska, has a more frequent presence here than the rest of the lower 48.

Donut shops and bakeries are virtually everywhere, with some offering warm in-house brewed coffee, making them an excellent delight in the cold weather or as a snack.

The mild climate also supports many types of fresh produce. Farmers' markets are a normal occurrence on the weekends, especially in residential areas, and they usually have better quality produce than what you can get at supermarkets. They're an excellent opportunity to taste local delicacies and experience the local culture. Apples, which are exported from Washington and shipped all over the world, are in season around September or October. Delicious Rainier cherries are in season June through early August.

Seattle also boasts a wide variety of Asian cuisine, from East Asia to the South. For several decades the ubiquitous comfort food of choice was teriyaki served over delectable white rice, with family-run hole-in-the-wall shops offering cheap filling portions, but they're increasingly being displaced by more upmarket restaurants. Sushi is widespread in qualities ranging from pedestrian to exquisite, with corresponding prices. Ramen and Chinese restaurants are also abundant and scattered throughout the area, and later waves of immigrants have added Vietnamese pho and Korean-influenced dishes to the mix. Poke and boba (bubble tea) have become more popular, with places popping up in many of the city's shopping districts. Thai is ubiquitous, and there are also a fair number of Ethiopian restaurants, with the largest concentration being in the Central District.

Eating options by district

Downtown and Pioneer Square hold many cafés and high end restaurants. Belltown is home to most options for downtown dining, with restaurants in every price range and some of the city's best-reviewed restaurants. Pike Place Market's stands offer plenty of samples, with plenty of popular options also available in Post Alley. The Waterfront, naturally, has a selection of seafood restaurants. Budget options around downtown can especially be found at Westlake Park or South Lake Union, where food carts cater to workers wanting a quick and easy lunch.

The Chinatown Gate, entrance to the International District at S King Street

Outside of the Downtown area, Capitol Hill has plenty of hip cafés and bars, with many among the best-reviewed in the city and visited by local celebrities, as well as many Ethiopian and Thai eateries. The International District is known for its dim-sum, communal Chinese and Japanese offerings, as well as Vietnamese restaurants on the east side of the neighborhood. South Seattle also has a diversity of ethnic restaurants, while West Seattle holds more elegant mid-range to high-end choices, mostly European, seafood, and steak and many with a full bar.

North of Downtown, Queen Anne Hill seems to offer a little bit of everything near the Seattle Center. North of the canal, Ballard has mostly European fare with some Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian options. Fremont has an increasing number of American and world cuisines in small establishments, some of which are so popular they generate long lines. The University District has a myriad of budget and international restaurants, while North Seattle has some scattered family-run Asian restaurants.

Neighboring Bellevue also a number of dining options, including authentic Chinese food, but they tend to be expensive.

Drink

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles

Few, if any, American cities can challenge Seattleites' love of coffee. This is perhaps best signified by the Seattle-based international chain Starbucks, but locals aren't satisfied by recognized chains alone, as evidenced by the hundreds of good locally owned coffeehouses. The best places to look for coffee are in Capitol Hill or Queen Anne Hill, where they take matters of coffee very seriously. Local favorites include Cafe Ladro, Vivace, Victrola, Caffe Vita, and Zoka, all of whom do their own roasting. Seattle coffee shops have their own slang: drip-brewed coffee is called simply "drip", two shots of espresso in a cup is a "doppio", and a "shot in the dark" is a shot of espresso poured into a cup of coffee, for a boost of extra caffeine. Some independent shops offer free cupping (tasting) classes, to educate customers about specialty beans.

If you prefer tea, many coffee shops offer a selection of teas, and specialty tea shops offer a large catalog and can help you with recommendations. Like any other city with a large Asian population, bubble tea or boba milk tea shops exist, and are popular among young people. Bubble tea is basically milk tea with various flavors and tapioca balls. Many of these shops also offer Asian snacks and delicacies. If you are thirsty and hungry, and budget is your main concern, this can be a good option. Most of these can be found in the University District as well as a few in the International District.

Microbreweries are a Northwest specialty, and Seattle has many to offer for beer enthusiasts. The larger brewers, like Redhook and Pyramid, distribute their products regionally or nationally, while other brews can only be found in local stores or bars (some notable brewers don't bottle their product). Elysian (now owned by owned by AB InBev), with three pubs in various neighborhoods, and the Pike Brewing Company in Pike Place Market, are other popular local brewers. Many microbreweries have set up shop in South Seattle and Washington State is one of the largest growers of hops in the world making this key beer making ingredient readily available. Brewery tasting rooms or taprooms, including about a dozen in and around Ballard, sell their beers directly to customers by the tasting glass, pint, 64-ounce (about 2 liter) growler, can, and keg. Taprooms are a particularly great option for families and on good weather days: many of them have enormous outdoor seating areas, most have no age restrictions, dogs are allowed, non-alcoholic beverages are also sold, and outside food is permitted. Many have menus for getting food delivered, and many have a rotating list of food trucks that sell food right outside.

In Washington, bars have a full liquor license, while taverns (which have become quite uncommon) are restricted to beer, wine and cider. Many Seattle bars have a world-class beer selection featuring local Northwest style micros, many of them crafted in Seattle. Bars and taverns are restricted to patrons 21 and older, and especially in Capitol Hill and the University District, all patrons may be asked to show ID, even if they are not drinking.

Wine is another Northwest specialty, and there are over 130 wineries just thirty miles from Seattle proper in Woodinville, though their vineyards are elsewhere in the state. Many more can be found a 2-3 hour drive away on the other side of the Cascades in Washington Wine Country. You can find local vintages in grocery stores, wine shops, restaurants, and wine bars such as Bottlehouse and Purple.

Spirits are distilled in a few Seattle neighborhoods, including downtown, Georgetown, and Fremont. Distillery tasting rooms offer modestly-priced trials of whiskey, vodka, gin, and other spirits, either neat or in cocktails.

Washington state allows all alcoholic drinks to be sold at supermarkets, so liquor is readily and cheaply available even if you don't want to go to a bar. Drinking alcohol in public, including in parks and on public transportation, is illegal. Bars will not allow a drink, or even an empty container, to leave the premises. Tasting rooms that sell beer "to go" in cans, bottles, and growlers will not allow customers to consume that beer on site.

Sleep

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	Less than $150
Mid-range	$150-$250
Splurge	More than $250

For such a large city, there is a surprising lack of accommodation options available, thus rooms in Seattle are more on the expensive side. Most sleeping options are in Downtown and consist mostly of mid-range or high-end hotels. Other options, especially budget hotels and hostels can be found near the Seattle Center, the University District, the International District, and in North Seattle. There are also bed and breakfast options in Fremont, Ballard, and Capitol Hill. Some low-priced motels along Aurora Ave N are notoriously associated with prostitution, drug dealing, and other crimes; travelers primarily interested in sightseeing should look elsewhere.

Alternatives to Seattle accommodations are a train ride away south in Tukwila and SeaTac, especially the areas surrounding the airport. Because of their proximity to light rail stations that offer a direct ride to major stadiums and arenas, airport-area hotels offer a frugal, traffic-free alternative for tourists in town for a sports or entertainment event. By SouthCenter Mall in Tukwila, there are more hotels to choose from with a wide range of rates. You can also find more options for hotels across the I-90 bridge in Bellevue or other towns on the other side of Lake Washington, such as Kirkland, Issaquah, or Renton.

Connect

By phone

The area code for the City of Seattle is 206. Surrounding areas use other area codes, including 425 which encompasses the eastern and northern suburbs including Bellevue, Redmond, Lynnwood, and Everett, 253 for all areas south of Kent such as Tacoma, Federal Way, and Fife, and 360 for everywhere else west of the Cascades. All of Washington east of the Cascades uses the 509 area code. Ten-digit dialing is mandatory; in Seattle, if a phone number is listed as only seven digits, add 206 before it.

As in much of the rest of the country, pay phones are almost entirely absent in Seattle. You will need a mobile phone to make calls while you are on the go. Cellphone reception is excellent throughout most of the city. Prepaid mobile phones and SIM cards are sold at dedicated stores, kiosks, and at supermarkets and drugstores.

By Internet

Free Wi-Fi can be found at all Seattle public libraries. Seattle Center is blanketed with free Wi-Fi, as are many museums, sports venues, and cultural attractions. RapidRide and Sound Transit commuter buses also offer free Wi-Fi.

Most coffee shops offer free wireless access, as do many restaurants. Most major wireless carriers offer good 4G LTE and 5G coverage in the city, including in underground light rail stations.

Stay safe

Statistically, the number of crimes in Seattle is similar to what you would expect in any major city in the United States. By and large, as long as you use some common sense, you are unlikely to be the target of any crime. Auto break-ins and theft are a problem in the city, so never leave your valuables visible in a car and always lock your car doors. Be wary of the rising trend of smartphone theft.

Downtown Seattle has a sizable population of homeless people (many neighborhoods have forced their homeless into Seattle's downtown core), and while many beg for change and some seem unstable, only a few are actually dangerous. It is worthwhile to be careful after dark in some areas around the downtown core. Some places to watch your back near major tourist areas include Belltown, between Pine and Pike Streets in Downtown, and around Pioneer Square, where you'll want to beware of drug dealers and beggars. Areas you'll want to avoid at night (at least without company) include along Aurora Avenue and Lake City Way in the north of the city, SoDo, and the International District.

On Friday and Saturday nights, it is wise to take caution in the Pike/Pine district of Capitol Hill. The many bars in the area can also contain drunk and unruly people, which in very rare cases can lead up to assault or shooting. But as long as you are not looking for trouble, you should be safe.

Drivers in Seattle are typically nice but indecisive. As long as you're careful as a pedestrian, you don't run a high risk of getting hit. Cyclists should be extra wary of traffic and opening doors of parked cars, especially Downtown.

Marijuana

Washington state has legalized the consumption of marijuana for recreational use. By law, only persons aged 21 and over can purchase marijuana, and then only from licensed retailers. Purchasers are limited to one ounce of usable marijuana (the harvested flowers or "bud"), 16 ounces of marijuana-infused edibles in solid form, 72 ounces in liquid form, or 7 grams of marijuana concentrates.

It is illegal to consume marijuana in public, including on public transportation and at street festivals, and to be under the influence of THC while driving. People may not transport marijuana out of the state or country, even if their destination has legalized it, may not take it on flights, and may not give it to a minor for consumption. The DUI limit is 5.00 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. Any other regulations not stated here should be treated the same as with alcohol. By law, smoking and vaping of any substance, even tobacco, must be done at least 25 feet (about 8 meters) away from doors, windows, or ventilation shafts, and is prohibited in public parks. In practice, some of these rules are enforced more strictly than others. You are most likely to get in trouble for passing marijuana to someone under 21, or for driving under the influence (and someone under 21 who is driving under the influence is likely to be in serious trouble). In practice, the laws against public consumption of marijuana are often lightly enforced in Seattle, although tourists may want to ask a local for advice before they attempt to consume. Businesses, including bars, generally do not tolerate use on their premises, and are very likely to eject you, because you are putting their license at risk. Take your cues from the locals as to where smoking is informally accepted, and be polite about not lighting up in front of strangers who might object.

Weather

During fall through early spring, when the weather is said to be sunny, the morning often starts with fog before the afternoon sunshine clears it. Be careful if you're driving, as visibility can be near zero in the early morning, depending on the location. Watch out for black ice as well if the temperature is below freezing. Occasionally, this condition will persist for days and air quality will deteriorate as emissions will get trapped over the city; in these cases, an Air Stagnation Advisory and Burn Ban will be issued, and those with breathing problems should take precautions in such an event.

In case of rain, take the normal precautions while driving to avoid skidding; drive 10-15 mph slower than the speed limit and avoid driving through large puddles. If you are heading to the mountains in the winter, take the typical winter driving precautions, like putting chains on your tires or changing to traction tires. When it snows in Seattle, it is not recommended to drive, as the city is typically unprepared for such an event and motor vehicles become a moving hazard — stuck, skidding, or rolling down the city's hills.

LGBT

While Seattle’s LGBTQ community is well-integrated throughout the entire city, Capitol Hill is the heart of Seattle’s gay cultural scene and is a historical hub of gay and gay-friendly businesses, bars, restaurants and clubs. Its eclectic nightlife and central location make Capitol Hill the ideal place for an exciting night out. But more family-friendly gay activities can be found in other areas as Seattle has the second-largest percentage of gay, lesbian or bisexual residents among large cities in the U.S.

Natural disasters

Seattle is in a region that receives very infrequent but large earthquakes. A Cascadia subduction zone earthquake in the Pacific will wreak havoc throughout the Pacific Northwest, but a quake in the Seattle Fault will cause more damage locally, even if it's only around magnitude 7.

A further danger is that an earthquake or a landslide (which the region is prone to) can cause tsunamis, and when this happens, you would have at most a few minutes to evacuate. As soon as an earthquake stops, move to high ground; if you can't, get to higher floors of a multi-story building. With tsunami heights "only" reaching 15 feet (5 m), the hilly topography provides plenty of high ground to escape to, but the entire shoreline (including the popular Downtown Waterfront) as well as SoDo and other areas near the mouth of the Duwamish River will be completely washed out.

Stay healthy

As long as there are no extreme weather events, Seattle is a perfectly lovely place. Many parks have jogging tracks and fitness centers are abundant, making Seattle one of the fittest cities in the nation.

Temperatures can get extreme during the summer, and there is always at least one annual instance where temperatures hover above 90 °F (32 °C), although the low humidity makes the heat less oppressive. Drink plenty of liquid to keep yourself hydrated and don't leave anybody inside a car.

During the long stretch of mild 40–50 °F (4–10 °C) and dry days in winter, smog often covers the skies of Puget Sound, as there is no way for the pollutants and moisture to clear out of the area. If an Air Stagnation Advisory or Burn Ban is issued, take precautions if you have breathing problems. On these days, you might want to consider heading to the mountains, where you're more likely to experience sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures.

During a hike in between thick lines of trees at the parks, be careful to check for ticks. If a bulls' eye rash develops at the tick bite site, immediately seek medical help and treatment with antibiotics. Despite its location close to mountains, wild animals such as bears or beavers are very unlikely to stray at the city.

Smoking is not allowed in any public places, and must be done at least 25 feet away from doors, windows, or ventilation shafts.

Tap water is safe to drink and is among the best quality in the United States, from undisturbed and uncontaminated water sources fed by snow melt in the Cascade mountains.

Cope

Dress

Fashion in Seattle covers a wide range, from chic and stylish to flannel, grunge, and anti-fashion. In fact, it's hard to think of a style that wouldn't be acceptable somewhere in the city. Overall, though, dress is decidedly casual. In 2013, Seattle was ranked the most "dressed-down" city in the nation, preferring comfort over fashion. It's almost impossible to be underdressed in Seattle; even the Seattle Opera and Seattle Symphony encourage you to wear shorts and sandals if you're so inclined.

Dressing in layers is a good idea, due to unpredictable weather and differences in temperature from indoors to outdoors. Even during the summer months, cool temperatures are common in the morning, and it's always colder on and near the water than it is away from it. Practical accessories like boots and scarves are also common, depending on the season.

When it rains, Seattleites frequently don't use umbrellas, since the drizzle is constant and is sometimes accompanied with wind. Rather, the locals are more likely to wear a hooded jacket or a lightweight rain jacket, and packing one is recommended.

When the sun is out, many locals will eagerly break out shorts and sandals, even if the temperature is only in the 60s (16–21 °C). Because outdoor dining is available all year long, many restaurants and bars offer outdoor heaters; some provide free blankets.

Newspapers

• The Seattle Times ($0.50 daily, $1.50 Sundays) is the only remaining daily newspaper in the Seattle area and covers local, national and international news.
• The Seattle Post-Intelligencer (known as the "Seattle P-I" or simply the "P-I") (free, online only) has ended its print edition, but still maintains local reporters and an online presence.
• The Stranger is an alternative newspaper noted for its social commentary, political opinion, arts, comics, music coverage, and local news items. It largely dropped its print edition early in the COVID-19 pandemic, although as of 2023 it has revived a printed quarterly arts and entertainment issue. It retains a reasonably robust online presence.
• Real Change (minimum $2.00, published Wednesday) is a newspaper about local news and issues relating to the homeless and poor. It's sold by homeless and low-income vendors on sidewalks as a source of income.

There are also several ethnic newspapers including Northwest Asian Weekly (strictly online since 2023, but still with a staff and with broader coverage than its name suggests), and numerous neighborhood newspapers including the North Seattle Journal and the West Seattle Blog. The University of Washington also publishes The Daily of the University of Washington.

Radio

Seattle is in the top 20 of the largest media market in the US, thus virtually every genre you can think of has its own radio station:

• KUOW (94.9) = news & talk, NPR, PRI, BBC World Service. Broadcast from the University of Washington
• KNKX (88.5) = news & jazz, NPR (National Public Radio), PRI (Public Radio International)
• KEXP-FM (90.3) = alternative & indie rock, with a large number of live performances. Affiliated with NPR, but carries no national NPR programming.
• KVTI (90.9) = NPR, classical Music (Northwest Public Radio)
• KIRO-FM (97.3) = news, and a comprehensive traffic report.
• KOMO-FM (97.7) = news
• KOMO (1000 AM) = news

Television

Seattle is the 13th largest television market in the US, with all big five English (ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, FOX), four Spanish (Univision, Telemundo, Azteca, MundoFOX), and independent networks represented. All big five except CW, and Univision have local news, weather, and sports alongside syndicated & network primetime TV shows. You can also stream on their website when they broadcast local news.

• KOMO= Channel 4 (ABC)
• KING = Channel 5 (NBC)
• KIRO = Channel 7 (CBS)
• KCTS = Channel 9 (PBS)
• KCPQ = Channel 13 (FOX). Here is where you watch the Seahawks (Sunday games).
• KBTC = Channel 28 (PBS)

Hospitals

Seattle has a lot of primary- and secondary-care medical centers, including the only level 1 trauma center serving Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Additionally, Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center is the pediatric referral center for those same states. An area roughly between I-5 and Broadway is dubbed as Pill Hill for having three of Seattle's largest medical centers within the small complex: Harborview, Virginia Mason, and Swedish.

• UW Medicine The UW Medicine system is operated by the University of Washington. It includes Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, Eastside Specialty Center, Hall Health (Student Health Services) and Sports Medicine Clinic.
  • Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Ave, ☏ +1 206-744-3000. Managed by the University of Washington Medicine system, it is Seattle’s Level 1 trauma center, and the hospital where most critically injured patients are either airlifted or ambulanced. 24-hour Emergency Room, Centers of Emphasis for neurosciences, trauma, burns, reconstruction and rehabilitation, mentally ill and medically vulnerable, and AIDS/STD treatment. Also has a center for sexual assault rehabilitation. (updated Oct 2015)
  • UW Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St, ☏ +1 206-598-3300. The second hospital component to the UW Medicine system, this hospital is one of the biggest and best teaching hospitals in the country. 24-hour Emergency Room. (updated Oct 2015)
  • Seattle Children's Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, ☏ +1 206-987-2000. Children's Hospital is a private hospital specializing in pediatrics. It is also home to UW's School of Pediatrics. 24-hour pediatric emergency room. (updated Oct 2015)
• Swedish Health Services Swedish Medical Center is a large nonprofit health care provider. It has three main hospital locations and is also affiliated with many other suburban hospitals and clinics. Among the things Swedish is known for are its Cancer, Bariatrics and Heart Institutes. Swedish Hospital will treat all patients who need care, regardless of their ability to pay.
  • Swedish Medical Center First Hill, 747 Broadway, ☏ +1 206-386-6000. Certified Primary Stroke Care center, 24-hour ER, 24-hour Pediatric ER. This is the Main Swedish Medical Center campus and is the largest hospital in Seattle. (updated Oct 2015)
  • Swedish Medical Center Cherry Hill, 500 17th Ave., ☏ +1 206-320-2000. Certified Primary Stroke Care center, 24-hour ER. 
  • Swedish Medical Center Ballard, 5300 Tallman Ave NW, ☏ +1 206-782-2700. 24-hour ER. 
• Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Avenue, toll-free: +1-888-862-2737. One of the best hospitals in the state and the nation for cancer, heart diseases, gastro, and orthopedic surgery. It is also known for having a high satisfactory in patient care. (updated Oct 2015)

In the event of a medical emergency anywhere in the U.S., dial 9-1-1 for free from any phone, including payphones at no cost.

Consulates

Most consulates are honorary which means they offer limited services to travelers and their nationals living in the area and usually available by appointment only. They are typically in downtown but can be elsewhere too. The nearest cities for additional foreign consulates for the west coast are in Los Angeles and San Francisco:

• Austria (Honorary), ☏ +1 425-395-4382. (updated Oct 2017)
• Belgium (Honorary), The World Trade Center Seattle, 2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 470, ☏ +1 206-395-4487, consulbelseattle@gmail.com. By appointment only. Please contact the Consulate in Los Angeles for passports, visas, and ID card inquires. (updated Jun 2017)
• Cambodia (Honorary), 1818 Westlake Avenue N., Suite 315, ☏ +1 206-217-0830, fax: +1 206-361-7888, consul_huoth@diplomats.com. 
• Canada, Century Square @ 1501 4th Ave, Suite 600 (4th Ave & Pike), ☏ +1 206-443-1777, toll-free: +1-844-880-6519, fax: +1 206-443-9662, seatl@international.gc.ca. M-F 8AM-noon and 1-2:30PM by appointment only. Visa applications and residency permits are only processed by the consulates or VFS Global in Los Angeles, New York, or in your home country. Passports are processed in Canada only: 

• VFS Global (TT Services), 8530 Wilshire Blvd, Suite #450, Beverly Hills 90211, toll-free: +1 888 296-4511. M-F 9AM-5PM. VFS Global (TT Services) handles visa applications, criminal inadmissabilities, and applications for residency permits. Passport applications and renewals are handled directly from Canada or the IRCC office (consulate) in Los Angeles and New York. Click here to learn more. (updated Apr 2024)

• Cyprus (Honorary), 5555 Lakeview Dr, Suite 200, Kirkland, WA 98033, ☏ +1 425 827-1700. (updated Jul 2024)
• El Salvador, Broderick Building, 615 2nd Ave, Suite 50, Seattle, WA 98104 (2nd Ave & Cherry), ☏ +1 206-971-7950, toll-free: +1 888-301-1130, fax: +1 206-236-5162, consuladoseattle@rree.gob.sv. M-F 8AM to 4PM. See https://portalcitas.rree.gob.sv to make appointment online. 
• France (Honorary), World Trade Center Seattle, 2200 Alaskan Way, Suite #490, ☏ +1 206-256-6184. (updated Jul 2016)
• Denmark (Honorary), 4702 SW Findlay St, Seattle WA 98136, ☏ +1 206-230-0888, fax: +1 206-389-1708, marksc@umgate.dk. M-F 9AM - 5PM by appointment only. 
• Estonia (Honorary), 950 N 72nd St Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98103, ☏ +1 206 310-2153, +1 206 284-4061. 
• Germany (Honorary), mailing address @ 4701 SW Admiral Way, Suite #130, Seattle WA 98116, ☏ +1 206-589-8270, seattle@hk-diplo.de. By appointment only. Appointments can be made on https://www.yourseattle.de. 
• Guatemala, 18000 International Blvd Suite #1005, SeaTac 98188- (10th floor of the South Tower. Across International Blvd from the airport.), ☏ +1 206-854-9975, toll-free: +1 206 888-5319, consseattle@minex.gob.gt. M-F 8AM-3PM. They also visit their nationals living in Oregon and other parts of Washington state in their "consulado movil" (mobile consulate) program to provide consular services and answer questions. Appointments can also be made at: https://minex-gob-gt.my.site.com/pc/s/citas-consulares. See also https://www.facebook.com/ConsGtSeattle/ (on Facebook) to learn more as to what's happening at the local consulate in Seattle. (updated Jul 2018)
• Honduras, 1107 SW Grady Way Suite #100, Renton (Alaska USA Federal Credit Union Bldg at SW Grady Way and Oaksdale Ave SW), ☏ +1 206 420-0947. M-F 9AM - 2PM. The have their own Facebook page to announce the happenings of the local consulate in Seattle and on See https://citaconsular.sreci.gob.hn/citaconsular/pages/layout/CitaConsular.php for an appointment. (updated Jul 2018)
• India, 3101 Western Ave, Suite 700, Seattle WA 98121, ☏ +1 206 803-0400. M-F 10AM-noon. (updated Jul 2024)
• Ireland (Honorary), ☏ +1 206 351-1046, Bernard.hensey@honoraryconsul.ie. M-F By appointment only. 
• Italy (Honorary), 13028 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 206 765-8584, seattle.onorario@gmail.com. By appointment only. (updated Jul 2024)
• Japan, One Convention Place @ 701 Pike St, Suite 1000 (Next to Convention Center on 7th & Pike, up on the 10th floor), ☏ +1 206-682-9107, fax: +1 206-624-9097, info@cgjapansea.org. M-F 9AM-11:30AM and 1PM-4:30PM. Their services also extend to other parts of Washington state, northern Idaho and Montana. 
• Luxembourg (Honorary), 812 Warren Ave N (3 blocks north of Seattle Center between Valley & Aloha St), ☏ +1 206-956-9137. (updated Jul 2016)
• Mexico, Harvard Exit Theater @ 807 E Roy St (One block west of Broadway at E Roy & Harvard. Entrance facing Harvard Ave E), ☏ +1 206-448-3526, toll-free: +1-877-639-4835, fax: +1 206-448-4771, conseattle@sre.gob.mx. M-F 8:30AM-5PM, By appointment only. Contact +1 424 309-0009 on WhatsApp to make an appointment. See also https://miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/ for online consular information (including visas) and to locate another consulate. 
• Nepal, 2018 156th Ave NE, Suite #126, Bellevue WA 98007, ☏ +1 206 324-9000. (updated Jul 2024)
• New Zealand (Honorary), 4010 Lake Washington Blvd NE, Suite 300, Kirkland, ☏ +1 425 829-4568, NZHonConSeattleWA@outlook.com. By appointment only.. By appointment only for Notarial and document certification services. Passport and visa services are only handled from New Zealand. (updated Dec 2023)
• Norway (Honorary), 1812 Hewitt Ave, Suite 211, Everett WA 98201, ☏ +1 425-337-5175, norwayconsulatewa@invisibleinch.com. 
• Peru (Honorary), 3717 NE 157th St (Off of NE Bothell Way,), ☏ +1 206-714-9037, consuladoperu@msn.com. M W F 10:30AM to 5PM (by appointment only). 
• South Korea, 115 W Mercer St, ☏ +1 206-441-1011, fax: +1 206-441-7912, seattle0404@mofat.go.kr. M-F 8:30AM-4PM. 
• Sweden (Honorary), c/o Hilleberg the Tent Maker, 17280 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Suite 803, Woodinville WA 98072 (Inside the Offices of Hilleberg the Tentmaker), ☏ +1 425-952-6299, fax: +1 425-576-5400, seattle@consulateofsweden.org. If required, visas are applied through VFS Global. 
• Switzerland (Honorary), 6920 94th Ave SE, Mercer Island 98040-5442, ☏ +1 206-228-8110, seattle@honrep.ch. This representation supports Swiss citizens who find themselves in need because of illness, an accident or theft while travelling. It also informs the responsible Swiss representation. This representation does not issue visas or (Swiss) passports. (updated Jul 2018)
• Taiwan (Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (TECO)), One Union Square @ 600 University St, Suite 2020, Seattle WA 98101, ☏ +1 206-441-4586, infoseattle@mofa.gov.tw. M-F 9AM-Noon. 
• United Kingdom Government Office (Honorary) (British Consulate San Francisco), Westin Building @ 2001 6th Ave, Suite 2600, Seattle WA 98121, ☏ +1 206 441-7144. M-F 9AM-4PM (By appointment only). The UK Government Office in Seattle works to promote business, economic and political ties with Washington State. Call +1 415 617-1300 for emergencies. (updated Jul 2024)

• VFS Services (USA), Active Voice Bldg @ 2033 6th Ave,Suite 993. M-F 8AM-4PM; 9AM-3PM for passport applications. VFS Global in Seattle handles the intake and processing of the UK visa, passport, and overseas British Citizenship applications. (updated Jul 2024)

Go next

Within the metropolitan area

• Edmonds — a few miles north, the lively waterfront town that travel legend Rick Steves calls home.
• Everett in the North Sound — about 25 miles north, home to a massive Boeing factory, where many of its wide-bodied aircraft are assembled.
• Tacoma in the South Sound — one hour south, where you can find one of the largest zoos in the country, as well as history and art museums.
• Bellevue — across Lake Washington, Seattle's largest suburb features posh shops and restaurants.
• Redmond — across Lake Washington, the home of Microsoft.

Across the water

Take a scenic ferry ride to the communities across the Puget Sound:

• Bainbridge Island (35 minutes one way) — a bedroom community with a lovely little commercial district and lots of preserved green space.
• Bremerton and the Kitsap Peninsula (60 minutes one way) — a suburban community with a large naval base.
• Vashon Island (20 minutes one way)
• Port Orchard (30-40 minutes one way)
• Victoria and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada (2 hr 45 min, plus time to pass through border) — BC's compact and historic capital.

Day trips

Just getting out and driving around the area with no destination in mind can be a great experience, as the Seattle area, like most of the Pacific Northwest, is very scenic. If you'd like more specific destinations, try some of these:

• Olympic Peninsula — wild beaches on the Pacific Ocean, Cape Flattery (the extreme northwestern point of the contiguous U.S.), and some of the only temperate rain forests in the lower 48 states at the Olympic National Park.
• Portland, Oregon — three hours south, noted for its rose gardens. It's the largest city in the U.S. without a sales tax.
• Whidbey Island — 1-2 hours north, a charming place with quaint towns.
• Mount Vernon and Bellingham — two small towns 1-2 hours north. Every start of spring, the tulip fields near Mount Vernon pop up with vibrant colors and are a major tourist attraction.
• San Juan Islands — two hours north, the most immersive Salish Sea experience.
• Vancouver, Canada — three hours (plus border security) north, Canada's principal west coast city.

Cascade Mountains

• The Mountains to Sound Greenway via I-90 is the quickest escape into the mountains.
  • Snoqualmie — with the scenic 300-foot-high (90 m) Snoqualmie Falls.
  • North Bend — where parts of the 1990 David Lynch TV series Twin Peaks were filmed.
• The North Cascade Loop — a road trip over Stevens Pass (US-2) and through North Cascades National Park.
• Leavenworth — a Bavarian-style town on the east side of the Cascades.
• Mount Rainier National Park — two hours southeast, this magnificent mountain offers a mosaic of beautiful scenery such as blooming wildflowers, glaciers, crashing waterfalls and the mountain itself.
• Mount St. Helens — three hours south, mountain wilderness spoiled only by the massive 1980 eruption.

Winter sports

The Cascades boast several ski resorts within a few hours' drive. Enjoy everything from leisure snowball fights to downhill skis, a perfect escape if you are bored with rain. Winter sports season is generally November–May, depending on how much snow there is.

• Snoqualmie Pass — one hour east on I-90. Elevation 2,610–5,420 feet (800–1,650 m).
• Stevens Pass — about two hours east of Seattle on Highway 2. Elevation 4,061–5,845 feet (1,238–1,782 m).
• Crystal Mountain — just east of Mount Rainier, with close-up views of the big mountain. Elevation 4,400–7,012 feet (1,341–2,137 m).
• Mount Baker — near Bellingham, holder of the world record for most snowfall. Elevation 3,500–5,089 feet (1,067–1,551 m).
• Mission Ridge — near Wenatchee.
• White Pass — on Highway 12.
• Whistler, British Columbia, Canada — North America's largest and top rated ski resort, about a 4-5 hour drive north of Seattle past Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

Routes through Seattle

Vancouver ← ← Edmonds ←	N  S	→ Tukwila → Portland
END ←	W  E	→ Edmonds → Spokane
Vancouver ← ← Shoreline ←	N  S	→ Tukwila → Portland
END ←	W  E	→ Mercer Island → Spokane
Everett ← Shoreline ←	N  S	→ Tukwila → Tacoma
END ←	N  S	→ White Center → Tacoma
END ←	W  E	→ Bellevue → Redmond
END ←	SW  NE	→ Jct W → Bothell → Monroe