Things to Do in Seattle

Seattle sits between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges frame the horizon in a display that never gets old. This is Pacific Northwest energy at its purest—tech innovation meets outdoorsy culture, with coffee shops everywhere and hiking trails minutes from downtown. Each neighborhood feels distinct. Capitol Hill draws the hipster crowd, while Ballard keeps its maritime charm intact. The city takes its food, music, and natural beauty seriously—sometimes to a fault.

Seattle's food scene reflects its Pacific location and diverse population well. The seafood is excellent—salmon and Dungeness crab aren't just tourist attractions but what locals eat. Worth the price difference. The International District offers some of the West Coast's best Vietnamese and Chinese food. Capitol Hill and Fremont host innovative farm-to-table restaurants that change menus with the seasons. Coffee culture here goes way beyond Starbucks—small roasters take their craft seriously, and excellent espresso turns up in unexpected places. Food trucks are surprisingly good. The ones parking near tech offices during lunch hours often beat established restaurants at their own game.

Summer offers the driest weather and longest days from July through September. That's when everyone else visits too, which changes the city's character significantly. The famous Seattle rain mostly happens in winter—summers are dry and pleasant. Spring can be lovely. You'll have the city more to yourself if you don't mind occasional drizzle and unpredictable weather patterns. Winter is gray and wet, but hotel prices drop and you'll experience the city as locals do—which has its own appeal.