21 Seattle Travel Tips (Things to Know, By a Local) (2024)

I’ve lived in Seattle for over a decade, and some things aren’t obvious to most travelers until you set foot in Rain City (and realize you forgot waterproof shoes — whoops!).

Even if you’re from the US, there are certain things — from the weather and how to get around to the quirky culture — that you’ll want a heads up about before you get to Seattle.

And that’s where I come in! I’ve written up my favorite Seattle travel tips for all sorts of visitors to make your trip here as smooth as possible. Here’s what to know before you arrive so you can focus on enjoying Seattle’s best attractions.

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21 Travel Tips for Seattle

It Rains Less in Seattle Than In Florida

It may surprise you, but it’s true: there are cities in Florida that get more rain than Seattle! These places get more inches of rain on average per year (particularly when you factor in hurricane season).

That said, Seattle has many more days where we get some rain, but it’s rarely a downpour or storm, and not that much by volume at all.

Because of this, many Seattleites have distinctions for rain. We’ll say it’s drizzling, spitting, sprinkling, light rain, not-really-raining, or any number of other classifications. But overall, the rain here isn’t as heavy as most people think.

Most Locals Don’t Use Umbrellas

This may seem strange for a place nicknamed Rain City, but there’s a practical reason you won’t see many locals with umbrellas. As mentioned above, we get more drizzle and light rain than downpours. Rain jackets usually suffice.

Umbrellas can also be cumbersome and take up a lot of room while walking down narrow sidewalks. Usually, it’s easier to be hands-free. And when it rains heavily, it can get so windy that your umbrella will probably get turned inside out (we’ve all been there).

The final reason many Seattleites are a touch umbrella-averse? Most of us would rather hold onto our coffees than umbrellas.

☔ Need Some Rain Gear?: Check out my Seattle packing list where I go over everything you need to stay dry and comfortable in the city. Or snag a printable version of the checklist to save yourself some time.

Layer Up To Stay Comfortable

The key to comfort in a place where the weather changes fast year-round? Layers. Prepare to layer up for any visit to Seattle. This is particularly useful during seasonal transitions to keep you from freezing in the morning and overheating during the day.

Bring your fleece, vest, hats, and gloves, especially if you’re sensitive to the cold. And one item I discovered I couldn’t live without after moving here? A pair of nice, warm, wool socks.

The City Shuts Down During Heavy Snow

Prepare to see the city shut down if you visit Seattle during heavy snowfall. Because it doesn’t snow often here, the city doesn’t have the infrastructure to deal with a ton of snow and ice.

Driving becomes dangerous, particularly on unplowed side streets and steep hilly roads. Bus routes change and businesses close if employees can’t get to work.The best thing to do when it snows in Seattle? Take a quiet walk and admire the beauty around you! No one’s going anywhere anytime soon.

That said, it’s always helpful to have a backup plan when it comes to extreme weather. Check the weather and plan ahead if you’re visiting Seattle in winter.

Coffee Really Is Everywhere

The stereotype is true: Seattleites really love coffee. You can get coffee almost anywhere you go, and it’ll be some of the best you’ve ever had.

You’re never far from an amazing Seattle coffee shop with fantastic coffee. Try out tiny walk-up windows for your morning drip or go to trendy, airy shops with plenty of seating and creative specialty concoctions.

First-time visitors may have their sights set on visiting the Starbucks in Pike Place Market. I fully suggest skipping that (the lines are insane and not worth it in my opinion). Instead, head to an independent coffee shop to get a more authentic taste of Seattle.

☕ Bonus Tip: Still determined to do some S-Bucks tourism? Check out the Starbucks Roastery Reserve. Here, you can sample new, unreleased coffees, try a tasting flight, and learn more about various brewing methods.

The ‘Seattle Freeze’ Is A Thing

The Seattle Freeze doesn’t refer to the cold. It refers to the reported antisocial and introverted nature of some Seattle residents.

Visitors shouldn’t expect the same warmth and hospitality here as in other parts of the country. But that doesn’t mean everyone you encounter will be rude!

Many Seattleites are friendly and will be kind and willing to speak, especially if you are. Seattleites are definitely more reserved, though. I wrote an article explaining more about this if you’re curious about a local’s take on Seattle’s unfriendly reputation.

Know the Trash, Recycling, and Compost Rules

Seattle is an eco-friendly city and visitors will find many options for waste management when out and about. Most businesses allow you to sort your trash, recycling, and compost so they don’t get fined.

Many Seattle restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and other places with to-go services have switched to compostable cutlery, straws, and packaging options to further reduce waste.

We’re A Plastic Bag Free City

Don’t expect to see a lot of plastic bags floating around the city. The city of Seattle banned single-use plastic bags in 2021, so all bags must be recyclable or reusable.

Grocery stores and retail spaces provide brown paper bags but charge a small fee for large ones. Bring your own reusable bags to save a few cents if you want to avoid this charge altogether.

Go Beyond Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is the most famous Seattle farmers market and the one most people flock to when visiting. I’m the last person to tell you not to go!

But there are other top-rated markets in the city that I think visitors should also check out.These markets are typically less crowded and are in some of the best Seattle neighborhoods.

Go to the Fremont Sunday Market for artisan-made goods and tasty food truck bites. Check out the West Seattle Farmers Market to pick up delicious local produce and meats to prep all your meals.

The City Is Walkable, but Hilly

Seattle is one of the most walkable cities in the country, which is great if you’re trying to avoid traffic or do Seattle on a budget. That said, expect to get a good calf workout on most of those walks because the city is really hilly.

Seattle is a city built on seven hills, which makes for awesome views and steep climbs. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes with you if you plan to walk the city.

Biker-Friendly Doesn’t Even Begin to Cover It

Cyclists rejoice! Seattle is among the most bike-friendly cities in America. There are bike lanes galore within almost every neighborhood, and many bike-friendly trails within Seattle’s parks too.

Wondering how bikes and Seattle’s massive hills mix? Just rent an electric bike to power up those hills with ease.

There are Plenty of Public Transit Options

Public transit options abound in Seattle. City buses, the light rail, monorail, streetcars, water taxis, and ferries are all options that can get you from north to south Seattle and beyond with ease.

Be sure to get familiar with your many public transit options in Seattle if you don’t want to wrestle with traffic or are just trying to save money on your visit.

👉 Bonus Tip: Download the One Bus Away app to help you navigate around town. It can help you determine bus routes, how soon the next bus is coming, if there’s a delay, and where the nearest stop is!

Seattle Is A Very Dog-Friendly City

Spend a few minutes anywhere in the city and you’ll realize just how dog-friendly Seattle residents are.

Parks, buses, bars, breweries, coffee shops, and retail spaces — most places not only allow dogs but welcome them.Fun fact: there are more dogs than kids in Seattle.

Seattle is a great city to travel to with your dog. Just be sure to check with staff to make sure it’s okay to bring them inside stores. And read up on the rules about off-leash areas, particularly when taking dogs hiking.

Every Neighborhood Has A Distinct Personality

You’ll miss out on what makes Seattle so interesting if you never leave downtown on a visit.

Each Seattle neighborhood is distinct and full of personality — from the cool and gritty Georgetown to close-knit, communal West Seattle, to trendy and hip Ballard. Visitors should plan to venture out from the more touristy zones and check out at least a few of these unique neighborhoods.

📚 Related Reading: Check out my breakdown of where to stay in Seattle for insight into the best neighborhoods for first-time travelers, budgeters, families, and more!

Homelessness Is Prevalent in Some Areas

Unfortunately, the pandemic exacerbated the homeless population in Seattle (similar to most big cities in the country).

Visitors will likely encounter the population of unhoused people in places where there are many social services buildings such as Downtown, Pioneer Square, Belltown, and the U-district neighborhoods.

The vast majority of the people experiencing homelessness are neither dangerous nor aggressive, so visitors shouldn’t be afraid. But check out my Seattle safety guide if this raises concerns for you so you know what else to expect.

Get Outside To Really Experience the Pacific Northwest

There’s a reason Seattle is nicknamed the Emerald City! Those frequent days of rain make it one of the greenest and most gorgeous places to visit in the country (nearly 30% of Seattle is physically covered by trees, after all).

And Seattleites know it. Locals love to get outside and explore all this beauty and visitors should as well.

There are a ton of city parks that make it easy to feel like you’re outside of the city without leaving it, along with plenty of hikes near Seattle that will help you understand why so many people come here and don’t want to leave.

👉 Bonus Tip: A car is one of the best ways to explore the outdoors in Seattle, particularly if you’re going on a hike further afield or want to spend a day at the beach. I recommend renting through Discover Cars to find the best deals on a rental, no matter how many days you need it.

Come During the Off-Season

Some say the summers make it worth living in Seattle year-round. While Seattle summers are glorious, the other seasons have lots to write home about too. During fall the city comes alight with beautiful foliage, beer fests, and a harvest of delicious seasonal eats.

Spring is time for festivals, the absolute best waterfall flows, and when Seattleites “reawaken” and emerge from their houses squinting at the sun (and trying to remember where those misplaced sunglasses went).

Even winter (yes, the rainiest season) can be a great time to come to Seattle if you bundle up and embrace being wet. This is the perfect season to check out the museums, breweries, and other indoor activities in Seattle.

Try a Seattle Dog and Other Classic Eats

Seattle has a fantastic food scene and you can get meals of nearly every cuisine type while visiting. However, you’ll also want to try classic Seattle foods, like a Seattle dog.

A beef hotdog smothered in cream cheese and topped with onions may sound strange but is, in fact, delicious.

Other Seattle classics? Smoked salmon, Beecher’s cheese curds, Ellenos Greek Yogurt, a greasy burger from Dicks, and the infinitely strange-looking but yummy-tasting geoduck.

👉 Bonus Tip: Want a truly authentic (and super cheap) Seattle dog experience? Buy one from a street vendor outside of T-Mobile Park or Lumen Field during a game. You’ll also find vendors around Cap Hill — these are the perfect late-night bar-hopping snack, trust me.

The Best Views Aren’t From The Space Needle

Want to get a picture of the epic Seattle skyline? Don’t expect to get it from the Space Needle. The views from this Seattle Center icon are wonderful, but it’s not the spot to capture the skyline (after all, if you’re in the Space Needle, it won’t be in your photo!).

Instead, some of the best spots to capture a view of the skyline are Kerry Park, Gas Works Park, West Seattle, or the water taxi and ferries from downtown. As a bonus, these are also way cheaper things to do in Seattle.

Don’t Just Stay In Seattle

Seattle is an amazing place to visit with tons to explore. But if you’re spending more than a couple of days in the area, take a day trip from Seattle to one of many surrounding cities and small towns.

Go wine-tasting in Woodinville, visit museums and eclectic shops in Tacoma, or ride the ferry to Bainbridge Island. Have a picnic at one of Bellevue’s gorgeous green spaces, or travel north to Whidbey Island to see one of the most picturesque places in Washington State.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Rain

Expect at least a bit of rain when you come to Seattle. No, it isn’t always raining in Seattle…but it’s likely to be wet. Visitors should both expect this… and embrace it.

In my opinion, when it is rainy, overcast, or a little wet out, it’s a great time to explore! People flood the streets and crowds are guaranteed when the sun’s out in Seattle. Want a place to yourself? Go there when it’s raining.

FAQs about Seattle

👉 Read Next: Washington State Travel Tips

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Now you’re all set for your trip to Seattle! Let me know which tip was your favorite in the comments. Then check out my guide to the best things to do in Washington State to keep planning your trip to the Pacific Northwest.