Seattle

Pike Place mornings, Fremont oddities, and Capitol Hill live music — the local picks for eating, exploring, and staying in Seattle.

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Seattle is one of the most rewarding US cities to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Pike Place Market, the view from the Space Needle and the waterfront on Elliott Bay, with strong coffee and fresh seafood at every turn. Below you will find a set of hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Seattle at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: July to September
Highlights: Pike Place Market and the Space Needle
Where to stay: Downtown or Capitol Hill
Local picks: hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable core, plus light rail and the monorail

Where to stay in Seattle

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Capitol Hill

Neumos

A Capitol Hill mainstay on the Pike/Pine corridor, Neumos hosts a steady mix of indie, hip-hop and electronic acts, plus late-night DJ sets in the connected Barboza space downstairs. It’s central to t

Fremont

Paseo

Paseo’s Caribbean roast sandwiches, piled with marinated pork, aioli and sweet caramelized onions on a crusty roll, have a cult following for good reason. The Fremont original is small and no-frills,

★ 4.5

Downtown

Pike Place Market

Opened in 1907, Pike Place is one of the oldest continuously operating public markets in the country and still the heart of downtown Seattle. Beyond the fish-throwing and the original Starbucks crowds

Pike Place / Downtown

Seattle Free Walking Tours

This tip-based outfit runs friendly guided walks through Pike Place Market and downtown, led by locals who know the market’s history and hidden corners. It’s a great low-cost orientation on your first

Seattle Center

Space Needle

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle is Seattle’s defining silhouette, and a recent renovation added glass floors and a rotating glass-floored lounge 500 feet up. Yes, it’s touristy, but

Belltown

The Crocodile

A cornerstone of Seattle’s music scene since 1991, the Crocodile hosted grunge-era legends and remains a top spot to catch touring and local bands in Belltown. A relocation and expansion added more ro

Waterfront

The Edgewater Hotel

The only hotel built over the water in Seattle, the Edgewater famously hosted the Beatles in 1964, who reportedly fished from their window. Rooms have a cozy Northwest-lodge feel with stone fireplaces

Georgetown / Boeing Field

The Museum of Flight

One of the largest air and space museums in the world, this Boeing Field campus lets you walk through a retired Air Force One, a Concorde and a Space Shuttle trainer. It’s a must for aviation buffs an

Ballard

Tractor Tavern

On historic Ballard Avenue, the Tractor Tavern is the city’s home for roots, Americana, folk and alt-country, with a warm wood-and-wagon-wheel room and reliably good sound. It’s a locals’ favorite for

Chinatown-International District

Uwajimaya

Why it matters: Uwajimaya is a beloved Asian grocery and marketplace founded by the Japanese American Moriguchi family in 1928 and still family-run nearly a century later. The flagship in the Internat

Chinatown-International District

Wing Luke Museum

Why it matters: The Wing Luke is a community-based museum in the Chinatown-International District that tells the Asian Pacific American story through exhibits created hand-in-hand with the community i

Pike Place / Downtown

Zig Zag Cafe

Tucked along the Pike Street Hillclimb below the Market, the Zig Zag is a cornerstone of Seattle’s cocktail revival and the bar that helped revive the Last Word. The vibe is unpretentious and the drin

Before you go

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Book your trip to Seattle

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Seattle travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Seattle?

Two to three days covers Pike Place Market, the Space Needle and the waterfront, with time for a neighbourhood or two.

Where is the best area to stay in Seattle?

Downtown keeps you near Pike Place and the waterfront, while Capitol Hill offers a lively base for food and nightlife.

What are the best things to do in Seattle?

Browse the local picks above, from Pike Place Market and the Space Needle to the waterfront, restaurants and where to stay.

What is the best time to visit Seattle?

July to September brings the driest, sunniest weather, though Seattle is worth visiting year-round.