Seattle doesn’t really care what you think of it—the weather, the coffee, the flying fish. It’s heard it all before. The Emerald City prefers to keep a low profile, like a celebrity (say Bill Gates) living in the suburbs, but we can’t help but call it out. You need to know the truth: It’s one of the best cities in the U.S. for foodies (the holy seafood trifecta—Dungeness crab, wild salmon, and oysters—is totally local!); it has a lively indie music scene that has nothing to do with grunge; and, framed by Elliot Bay and snow-capped Mount Rainier, it’s got to be one of the prettiest in the country.
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Seattle Travel Guide
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Featured
Seattle’s Space Needle Unveils Its $100M Renovation
Today, it opened a revolving glass floor it's calling The Loupe.
A Book-Worm Pilgrimage to Washington's Vashon Island
Betty MacDonald, the author of the beloved Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books, used to be one of America’s most successful writers. Now literary pilgrims can spend a weekend surrounded by her legacy, a farm on Vashon.
A Long Weekend on Whidbey Island, the Playground of the Pacific Northwest
Think of it as the Pacific Northwest's answer to Nantucket
15 Best Hotels in Seattle
Where to cozy up in the Pacific Northwest.
Editor Recommendations
- $
Graduate Seattle
One of the few great hotels outside of the central Downtown corridor.Read full review - $$$
Kimpton Palladian Hotel
A masterpiece of modern hospitality that will prove a memorable part of any Seattle stay.Read full review - $$
Pan Pacific Seattle
Pan Pacific's first U.S. hotel should definitely be on your must-stay list.Read full review - $
The State Hotel
Reasonably priced and perfectly located, this hotel makes a great case for itself as the go-to perch for Seattle tourists.Read full review - $$$
The Edgewater Hotel
If you like to fall asleep while staring out at gentle waves glistening in the moonlight, you won’t find a better spot in the city.Read full review - $$
Inn at the Market
An inn only by name, this boutique hotel, perched on a hilltop right in Pike Place Market, is a chic stay.Read full review - $
Hotel Sorrento
Travelers interested in a four-star experience that feels rooted in history will fall hard for this unique First Hill hotel.Read full review - $
Palihotel Seattle
Inexpensive and near all the downtown Seattle sights, it's a great pick for travelers who love urban adventures.Read full review - $$
Hotel Ballard
A plush boutique hotel conveniently located on Foodie Row in Ballard.Read full review - $$
Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle
Built in the 1920s, this massive Italian Renaissance hotel is breathtakingly opulent.Read full review
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The Best Things to Do in Seattle
11 Best Things to Do in Seattle Right Now
From the Puget Sound to downtown, what to see in the Emerald City.13 Best Hikes in Seattle
Alpine lakes and wildflowers for days.Four Best Day Trips from Seattle
Our picks for weekend getaways from Seattle.The Seattle Beach To Visit On a Rainy Day
Summer may be dying down, but that doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to beach season quite yet in the Pacific Northwest.
Editor Recommendations
- Museum
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
This 60,000-square-foot facility pays tribute to the confluence of Asian and Pacific American history.Read full review - Parks & Gardens
Kubota Garden
Twenty acres of gorgeous Japanese gardens on Seattle's Southside.Read full review - Museum
National Nordic Museum
A deep dive into one of the area's biggest demographic groups.Read full review - Landmark
Space Needle
Though it would be easy to brush this off as a tourist attraction, the views you get at the top really are worth it.Read full review - Landmark
Bainbridge Island
An easy, fun day trip to hike, eat and shop just a half-hour from Seattle.Read full review - activity
Olympic Sculpture Park
Large-scale sculptures compete with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.Read full review - Gallery
Wa Na Wari
A house-turned-gallery that showcases Black joy in a variety of mediums.Read full review - Parks & Gardens
Discovery Park Loop Trail
You can get a five mile hike without ever leaving the city.Read full review - Parks & Gardens
Deception Pass State Park
Space for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.Read full review
Urban Wine Trails Are Popping Up Across the U.S., from Seattle to Brooklyn
Bucolic vineyards are nice and all, but city wineries and tasting rooms have a charm of their own.
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Seattle
21 Best Restaurants in Seattle
Where to eat when you're in the Emerald City.15 Best Bars in Seattle
Gloomy weather breeds creative drinking habits.10 Best Sushi Restaurants in Seattle
Between the easy access to the Pacific and the cultural history, this is American sushi at its best.10 Best Coffee Shops in Seattle
Weak-brew drinkers need not apply.12 Best Breweries in Seattle
Bring on the hops.10 Best Brunch & Breakfast Places in Seattle
A city surprisingly obsessed with biscuits.
Editor Recommendations
- Restaurant
Pho Bac Súp Shop
In a city swimming in good pho, the bowls here are simply some of the best. - Restaurant
Canlis
Sometimes an occasion requires something extra, and those are the occasions to which Canlis caters so winningly. - Restaurant
Spinasse
In a city where Italian menus often promise more than they deliver, chef Stuart Lane manages to do both. - Restaurant
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Forget Pike Place Market. Eating at Renee Erickson's oyster bar is the one thing you must do on a trip to Seattle. - Restaurant
Dacha Diner
Doughy, rich, and achingly delicious, the food at Dacha Diner will warm you from the inside out.
The Most Beautiful Places in the Pacific Northwest
All the foggy beaches and wooded mountains you could need.
More from Seattle
Places to Stay
The Best Airbnbs in Seattle, from a Downtown Loft to a Lakefront Mansion
Views of Mount Rainier are in your future.
News & Advice
The Weekend Guide: Sculpture Gardens, Kayak Rides, and Shellfish in Seattle
Dive into the best of the Emerald City with three days of seafood and stunning art on the shores of Puget Sound.
Destinations
How to Support Small Business in Seattle During COVID-19
From calling reps to streaming live shows, here’s how to help this hard-hit city.
News & Advice
Seattle's Biggest Musicians Are Playing Free Online Concerts to Keep Spirits Up
From Death Cab for Cutie to Brandi Carlile, these acts won't let coronavirus stop the music.
More Destinations
Los Angeles Travel Guide
Welcome to the West Coast's cultural epicenterYellowstone National Park at 150
Wonderland: The early nickname of America’s first national park is as apt today as when Yellowstone was founded, in March of 1872. On its sesquicentennial, we celebrate this miraculous place—while exploring a history that has too often excluded its original stewards—and consider how to ensure its survival for generations to come.Boston Travel Guide
It's time to spill the tea...San Francisco Travel Guide
Don't forget to pack an extra layerDallas Travel Guide
Hard to crack. Easy to love.Washington, D.C. Travel Guide
It all starts at the Capitol.Savannah Travel Guide
Famous for its ghosts, but plenty full of lifePortland, Oregon Travel Guide
Beverly Cleary, Matt Groening, and James Beard are all from here. Enough said.
