These 22 Tips I Think You Should Know Before Visiting Seattle

I’ve lived in Seattle for over a decade, so I’ve written up my favorite Seattle travel tips to make your visit as smooth as possible.

Even if you’re from the US, there are certain things you’ll want a heads up about before you arrive. I’ve included tips and things to know about the weather, getting around, understanding the city’s quirky culture, and more. 

Learn the ins and outs now, so you can focus on enjoying Seattle’s best attractions when you arrive.

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22 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 more days where we get some rain, but it’s rarely a downpour or storm, and not much by volume. We’ll say it’s drizzling, spitting, sprinkling, light rain, not-really-raining, or any number of classifications. But overall, the rain usually 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).

Frankly, 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. I also always recommend a nice pair of wool socks. There’s nothing worse than cold and wet feet.

The City Shuts Down During Heavy Snow

Prepare to see the city shut down if you visit during heavy snowfall. Seattle simply doesn’t have the infrastructure to deal with a ton of snow and ice because we don’t get it all that often. 

Also, Seattle’s hills + snow or ice = a bad idea (check out videos from the Seattle ice storm in 2022 to see what I mean).

Driving becomes dangerous, particularly on unplowed side streets and steep, hilly roads. Bus routes change, and businesses close. The best thing to do when it snows in Seattle? Take a quiet walk and admire the winter wonderland while it lasts. No one’s going anywhere anytime soon.

That said, it’s always helpful to have a backup plan for extreme weather. Check the weather and plan if you’re visiting Seattle in winter, especially in gloomy February.

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 quality 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.

But You Can Skip the “First” Starbucks Stop

First-time visitors may have their sights set on visiting the “First” Starbucks in Pike Place Market. But a little-known fact is that this isn’t actually the first Starbucks! The first Starbucks was about a block away from the one in Pike Place Market, on Western Avenue. And it no longer exists. 

The current Pike Place Market Starbucks does have the original sign and some information about the history of the worldwide coffee chain. However, the lines are always insanely long, and it’s basically a regular Starbucks aside from the historical documents. 

I typically recommend skipping it and heading to an independent coffee shop to get a more authentic taste of Seattle coffee.

☕ 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, take a tour, 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 seemingly antisocial and introverted nature of some residents.

Seattleites are more reserved, but the majority of people are friendly and will be kind and willing to chat. However, it may not be on the level you’re used to if you’re coming from another part of the county.

I wrote an article explaining more about this if you’re curious about a local’s take on the city’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 local 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 reusable bags to save a few cents if you wat to avoid this charge altogether.

Go Beyond Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is the most famous Seattle market and the one most people flock to when visiting. It should absolutely be on your Seattle itinerary!

But other markets in the city deserve some love, too. These are typically less crowded and are in some fun neighborhoods, too.

Wondering where to start? Go to the Fremont Sunday Market for artisan-made goods and tasty food truck bites. Check out the Ballard Farmers Market for all the produce, food, and handmade souvenirs you could want.

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 doing Seattle on a budget. That said, expect to get a good calf workout on most of those walks because the city has some major hills.

These hills make for awesome views, but prepare for steep climbs if you’re staying downtown, in Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, or West Seattle. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes with you if you plan to walk a lot.

Seattle is Incredibly Biker-Friendly

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 abounds in Seattle. City buses, the light rail, monorail, streetcars, water taxis, and ferries can get you from north to south Seattle and beyond with ease.

Get familiar with your many public transit options 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. It can help you figure out bus routes, when 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 how dog-friendly Seattle is

Parks, buses, bars, breweries, coffee shops — 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 check with the staff of places you visit to confirm it’s okay to bring them inside. Dogs are not allowed in grocery stores and restaurants (sometimes there are exceptions for patio spaces). Also, read up on leash laws, 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.

Each Seattle neighborhood is full of personality. Visit the cool and industrial Georgetown. Chat up locals in close-knit, communal West Seattle. Eat and drink your way through trendy Ballard.

Venture away from the more touristy zones and check out at least a few of these unique neighborhoods to guarantee you see some of Seattle’s quirkier side.

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 with a lot of social services buildings. These include Downtown, Pioneer Square, Belltown, and the U-District.

The vast majority of the people experiencing homelessness are neither dangerous nor aggressive. 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 consistently green and gorgeous (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. 

Tons of city parks make it easy to feel like you’re outside of the city without leaving it. Plus, there are plenty of nearby hikes 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. Our summers are glorious, but there’s a lot to experience in the other seasons, too! During fall, the city comes alight with beautiful foliage, beer fests, and a harvest of delicious seasonal eats. 

Spring brings the start of festival season, and it’s when you can expect the best waterfall flows. This season is also when Seattleites reemerge from “hibernation,” 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 visit if you bundle up. This is the perfect season to check out the museums, breweries, and other indoor activities around the city.

Try a Seattle Dog and Other Classic Eats

Seattle has a fantastic food scene, and you should certainly try some classic Seattle foods on your visit. Start with a Seattle dog. A beef hot dog smothered in cream cheese and topped with onions may sound strange, but I promise you it’s 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 best 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 this classic view 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 the city.

Go Beyond 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 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.

👉 Read Next: Things to Do in Washington State

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Now you’re all set for your trip to Seattle! Have a question? Let me know in a comment, and I’ll help you out. Want even more tips? Up next, check out my Washington State travel tips!