10 must-do experiences for your next trip to Seattle
Since 1907, the flying fish and buskers have injected Pike Place Market with an energetic vibe that represents Seattle's community spirit. You'll brush shoulders with chefs picking up seafood for their restaurants' dinner crowd, local entrepreneurs selling everything from jewelry to ceramicware, and residents grabbing lunch from generational vendors serving everything from piroshkis to chowder. 'Many locals are deeply engaged with Pike Place Market and genuinely shop there,' says Heather Refvem, director of operations at Savor Seattle, which offers tours centered around the market.
If you're looking to avoid the crowds, Refvem has one tip: 'I suggest visiting around 8 a.m., when the vendors are just setting up. It's the most peaceful and special time to experience the market.'
(Meet the famous fish throwers of Seattle's Pike Place Market) Visit a popular pop culture museum
The Museum of Pop Culture's (MOPOP) metallic exterior in hues of fuchsia, silver, and gold makes it hard to miss. Inside, the 140,000-square-foot space celebrates Seattle's creative legacy as the birthplace of grunge and a hub for indie game design and tech innovation. The Seattle Monorail, Seattle Space Needle, and Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) are all popular attractions located within the Seattle Center area of the city. Photograph by Eric Carr / Alamy Stock Photo
Start with 'Massive: The Power of Pop Culture,' an exhibition developed as an introduction to MOPOP itself. 'It explores what pop culture is, how it constantly evolves, why it's worth preserving and interpreting, and how MOPOP does that work. It's the perfect first stop for understanding both the museum and the wider cultural world we're all part of,' says Jacob McMurray, chief collections and exhibitions officer.
Don't miss the Sound Lab, where you can play drums and electric guitars, mix tracks, and record your own music like a pro. Try the Seattle's fresh seafood
Seattle's celebrated seafood scene nods to tradition, like alder-smoked salmon rooted in Indigenous practices, while also pushing boundaries as chefs blend local catch with global flavors. Whether you're perched at the rustic counter at Pike Place Chowder, slurping oysters at James Beard–nominated The Walrus & the Carpenter, or dining with a view of Lake Union and the Cascade Range at Canlis, one thing stays constant: the freshness. Local icons like Dungeness crab, geoduck, and black cod remind you you're squarely in Pacific Northwest waters.
(The essential guid to visiting Seattle) First-time visitors to Seattle should consider adding the Chihuly Garden and Glass to their itinerary. Colorful glass artworks created by American glass artist Dale Chihuly fill the sculpture garden. Photograph by Mara Brandl via imageBROKER.com/Alamy Stock Photo Delve into the glass art scene
Seattle's status as a global glass art hub owes much to Dale Chihuly, whose bold installations inspired a local community of glass artists who continue to shape the medium in unexpected ways
Though Seattle's home to several glass art galleries and studios, Paula Stokes, a local arts consultant and artist working primarily in glass and printmaking, says Chihuly Garden and Glass is essential viewing. 'Dale Chihuly's work in glass has pushed the boundaries of traditional glassmaking into the realm of fine arts and architecture. This venue is the perfect entry point into Seattle's glass art culture as it demonstrates his overarching vision and its evolution from simple objects to complex installations in a way that is visually engaging, delightful, and welcoming to all.'
Save time for the light-filled Glasshouse, a showstopper that's both functional and artistic. 'The red and yellow Persian chandelier soars overhead in undulating, dynamic curves, suspended in space,' says Stokes. Tour Seattle's underground
Beneath Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest neighborhood and original downtown, lies a hidden layer of storefronts and passageways that once made up the city's original street level. 'It turns out that building at sea level is a bad idea. The fire gave the city planners an opportunity for a reset,' says Terrilyn Johnson, co-founder of Beneath the Streets, which offers walking tours of Seattle's underground. She's referring to the Great Fire of 1889, which destroyed 25 blocks. Planners rebuilt the city by raising the streets, leaving the old city underground. Through guided tours, you can learn about some of the quirky engineering features that were adopted during the rebuild, such as vault lights and hollow sidewalks. 'From early on, resilience and ingenuity have been a part of the city's history,' says Johnson.
(The 9 best hotels in Seattle for every kind of traveler) Explore the hip Capitol Hill neighborhood
Packed with vintage shops, indie record stores, buzzing bars, and music venues, this neighborhood just east of downtown is where creativity and self-expression thrive. Two deeply rooted, overlapping communities—artists and Seattle's queer and trans communities—have shaped Capitol Hill's unmistakable character. 'Everywhere you go, you can see evidence of this, from one of the nation's oldest lesbian bars, the Wildrose, to longtime music venues like Neumos, as well as murals, writers' cafes, street art, a bronze sculpture of Jimi Hendrix, and rainbow crosswalks that dot the landscape across Capitol Hill,' says Egan Orion, executive director of Seattle PrideFest.
To get a feel for the heart of Seattle's LGBTQ+ community, he recommends a walk down Broadway. 'Look up at the light poles at a myriad of flags that represent our community, then stroll through Cal Anderson Park, named after the state's first openly gay representative,' Orion says of one of the city's main gathering spots for PrideFest. Taste a locally-made craft brew
Situated near the Yakima Valley, which produces over 70 percent of the country's hops, Seattle has ready access to prized varieties like Citra, Mosaic, and Centennial, resulting in exceptionally fresh and flavorful beer. Add in a community of brewers experimenting with locally foraged ingredients and collabs with distilleries and coffee roasters, Seattle's craft beer scene is both creative and deeply rooted in place. Beer lovers will find more than 70 breweries across the city, primarily clustered in Ballard, Fremont, and SoDo. 'Every neighborhood in Seattle has a unique feel, and the breweries that exist in those neighborhoods reflect that spirit,' says Robyn Schumacher, co-owner and brewer at Stoup Brewing. 'I think of our breweries as hyper-local community centers where Seattleites hang out for just about every life event you can imagine, big or small.'
(7 of the best coffee shops in Seattle) Experience Seattle's game-day magic
With five major men's pro teams, two women's pro teams, and a spirited college football program, there's a good chance you'll be in town during a high-stakes game or match.
The stadiums themselves are part of the draw. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and the NHL's Kraken, is the world's first zero-carbon certified arena. Over at Lumen Field, Seahawks fans bring the noise, while the Sounders (Major League Soccer) and Reign FC (National Women's Soccer League) rally equally electric crowds. At T-Mobile Park, you can catch a Mariners baseball game with views of the skyline and, on clear days, Mount Rainier at a distance.
No game day is complete without sinking your teeth into a Seattle dog, a street food staple that takes a classic hot dog and levels it up with a slather of cream cheese and a heap of grilled onions for a savory-sweet combo. Enjoy a perfect day on a lake, beach, or island
Seattleites take full advantage of the city's location because Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and Lake Union surround it. Catch a water taxi to Alki Beach, or hop the 35-minute ferry to Bainbridge Island, where the commute doubles as a scenic tour, with views of the downtown skyline and mountains.
If you're up for a paddle, kayak past bobbing houseboats and floating homes on Lake Union, while seaplanes lift off overhead. Visit the nearby national parks
The city's love of nature stretches far beyond its urban green spaces, as Seattle is also the ideal jumping-off point for two iconic national parks.
Mount Rainier National Park sits less than a two-hour drive away, and in summer, its alpine meadows burst into color, and the 5.5-mile Skyline Trail delivers views of glaciers, jagged peaks, and wildflower-filled terrain.
Olympic National Park is a bit farther, about a 2.5-hour drive from downtown Seattle, but it feels like three parks in one. Explore a rugged coastline lined with tidepools and sea stacks, lush moss-draped rainforests like the Hoh, and snow-dusted mountain ranges. Vivian Chung is a Vancouver-based freelance journalist who covers a wide range of lifestyle stories, including travel and outdoor adventure. Follow her on Instagram.
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National Geographic
3 days ago
- National Geographic
This Illinois city should be the first stop on your Route 66 road trip
World-renown Route 66 starts in downtown Chicago. But you'll want to motor west to Springfield, roughly 200 miles from the Windy City, to find the best of the Mother Road. 'The big cities don't have as much of a Route 66 feel because they don't rely on something like that for tourism,' says author Joe Sonderman, who has written 13 books about the iconic highway, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026. Sonderman adds, 'Chicago has its Route 66 spots, but when you get to Springfield, you really feel it.' The Illinois capital boasts dozens of sites linked to the Main Street of America, from old diners and vintage gas pumps to new attractions, like a quarter-mile stretch of the original road that debuted as a walking trail this summer. Vigango, sacred wooden memorial statues of the Mijikenda people of Kenya, can be found at the Illinois State Museum, one of several attractions road trippers will find making a detour off U.S. Route 66 in Springfield, Ill. Photograph by Richard Barnes, Nat Geo Image Collection Travelers seeking nostalgic things to do can catch a movie at the Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield, Ill. Photograph by Richard Brown, Alamy Stock Photo 'We have about 60 Route 66 attractions in Springfield. That's a lot,' says Scott Dahl, director of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. 'We want to keep building on that leading into next year's centennial.' Here's how to get your Route 66 fix in Springfield, an ideal road trip from both Chicago and St. Louis. (This is the loneliest road in America) Head for the fairgrounds Some 300 miles of historic Route 66 slices through the Land of Lincoln from Chicago to the Mississippi River. Take a stroll through a scaled-down version of Illinois's portion of the federal highway at the Route 66 Experience. Opened in 2023, the free exhibit at the Illinois State Fairgrounds includes kitschy billboards, a drive-in movie theater screen and a tribute to 'muffler men,' the huge statues businesses put up to grab the attention of Route 66 motorists. (One of these fiberglass giants still stands outside Lauterbach Tire & Auto Service. A tornado took off his head nearly two decades ago, but he's back to normal now.) The walking path meant to loosely mimic Route 66 leads to a series of sheds filled with photos from the 92 Illinois communities along the legendary road. 'If anybody wants a quick history of Route 66, that's the place to go,' says Dwight Cannon, president of the Route 66 Association of Illinois. The fairgrounds are also home to Legends Neon Park, a collection of replicas of roadside signs that once cast their colorful glow on Route 66. For the full effect, go at night when the signs are lit up. If you're itching for more, take a tour of the museum at Ace Sign Co., a long-running business whose neon creations flanked the iconic road. Learn about Black history An old Texaco gas station has been transformed into a classroom of sorts, with exhibits and technology telling stories of the Black experience on Route 66 during the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras. Book an appointment in advance at the Route History Museum for a 20-minute virtual reality session. You'll don a headset to travel back in time to Illinois cities featured in The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide directing Black travelers to safe businesses in the racially segregated Jim Crow era, as well as 'sundown towns' that were dangerous for Blacks after dark. 'It's a unique Route 66 story you don't find being told in a lot of places,' Dahl says. (Life after the 'Green Book': What is the future for Black travelers in America?) New kicks on 66 Mother Nature had almost reclaimed a section of Springfield's original Route 66 alignment, a 16-foot-wide concrete ribbon wending through the woods. As of July, it once again started welcoming traffic—foot traffic—when it reopened as a walking trail in Carpenter Park. 'It's a quarter mile of untouched pavement,' Cannon says about this segment of the route, which was abandoned in 1936 in favor of a four-lane alternative. 'Now you can see what people first drove on: this little, narrow road, the original superhighway,' he adds. Another new Route 66 attraction revolves around former Springfield resident Bob Waldmire, a nomadic hippie and artist whose detailed maps, postcards, and murals are known around the globe. 'For a lot of people, Bob Waldmire epitomizes Route 66,' Cannon says. The Fillmore character in Disney-Pixar's Cars movie franchise was modeled after Waldmire and his 1972 Volkswagen van. The yellow VW Microbus is on display at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, about 100 miles northeast of the state capital. An exhibit showcasing the late artist's work—and his eccentric personality—debuted this summer at The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space in Springfield. It runs through Dec. 19, 2026. (Route 66: America's most celebrated road trip is going electric) Drivers may catch a glimpse of the Illinois State Capitol building when passing through Springfield. Photograph by Jim WEST, Report Digital-REA/Redux History buffs can visit this statue of Abraham Lincoln located outside of his tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Ill., and a short drive from the historic Route 66. Photograph by Joel Sartore, Nat Geo Image Collection Fill up on food—and more Waldmire's father, Ed, was a Route 66 institution, too. Not because of his art, but because of his cooking. In the 1940s, Ed Waldmire Jr. created the cozy dog, a battered, deep-fried hot dog on a stick. He sold the crunchy concoction at his Cozy Dog Drive-In on Route 66. More than 75 years later, the Waldmire family still uses Ed's batter recipe to make its requisite Route 66 treat at Springfield's retro diner, where you can wash down a cozy dog with a bottle of Route 66 Root Beer. You also can stock up on plenty of Mother Road merch, including Route 66 postcards designed by Bob. (Fun fact: Bob was a vegan.) As you might guess from its name, a lot more than food is on the menu at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex. The sprawling compound is tricked out with neon signs, memorabilia, classic cars and what claims to be the world's largest Route 66 emblem. Save room—lots of room—for Motorheads' spin on a Springfield staple, the horseshoe. It's an open-faced sandwich of thick slabs of toasted bread topped with meat, fries, and cheese sauce. The horseshoe name stems from the shape of the cut of ham used in the original sandwich, first served in 1928 at a now defunct hotel on Route 66. Some of Motorheads' Route 66 artifacts were salvaged from Shea's Gas Station. The old filling station was turned into a beloved museum by its owner, auto enthusiast, and collector Bill Shea. After Shea's death in 2013, the building was sold, and its contents were put on the auction block. But like other treasures on Route 66, Shea's is making a comeback. The exterior has been restored and the formerly fenced-off grounds reopened to the public in 2024. 'We've added some gas pumps and keep enhancing it,' Dahl says. 'We can't guarantee it, but we're hoping to have the interior open for the centennial year.' Getting there Springfield is about a three-hour drive from Chicago and roughly 90 minutes from St. Louis. We recommend travelers slow down to see the Route 66 sites, including the American Giants Museum in Atlanta (don't miss the pie at Country-Aire Restaurant) and the welcoming West End Service Station in Edwardsville. Where to stay The 288-room Crowne Plaza Springfield-Convention Center has all the amenities of a large hotel, with overnight rates starting around $125. For a more intimate stay at a similar price, the Inn at 835 is a B&B on the National Register of Historic Places. It has 11 rooms in the main building and two suites in the nearby Bell House. When to go Simply put, Springfield's winters are cold, and the summers are hot. Spring and fall are ideal times to visit. Every autumn, Springfield hosts the Route 66 Mother Road Festival, featuring classic cars and live entertainment. Keep in mind that the capital can get busy in mid-August, when it's the site of the annual Illinois State Fair. Lori Rackl is the former travel editor of the Chicago Tribune whose work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Texas Highways, Midwest Living and many newspapers. Follow her on Instagram.
National Geographic
04-08-2025
- National Geographic
10 must-do experiences for your next trip to Seattle
Known for its rainy weather and as the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle offers far more than these well-worn reputations. From wandering the city's mysterious underground to immersing yourself in the vibrant glass art scene or joining the roar of crowds at a local sports game, these 10 experiences invite you to uncover what truly defines Seattle. Watch the fish fly at Pike Place Market in Seattle. In addition to fishmongers, the farmers' market also sells jewelry, art, baked goods, books, flowers, and more. Photograph by Peter Horree / Alamy Stock Photo Shop at Pike Place Market Since 1907, the flying fish and buskers have injected Pike Place Market with an energetic vibe that represents Seattle's community spirit. You'll brush shoulders with chefs picking up seafood for their restaurants' dinner crowd, local entrepreneurs selling everything from jewelry to ceramicware, and residents grabbing lunch from generational vendors serving everything from piroshkis to chowder. 'Many locals are deeply engaged with Pike Place Market and genuinely shop there,' says Heather Refvem, director of operations at Savor Seattle, which offers tours centered around the market. If you're looking to avoid the crowds, Refvem has one tip: 'I suggest visiting around 8 a.m., when the vendors are just setting up. It's the most peaceful and special time to experience the market.' (Meet the famous fish throwers of Seattle's Pike Place Market) Visit a popular pop culture museum The Museum of Pop Culture's (MOPOP) metallic exterior in hues of fuchsia, silver, and gold makes it hard to miss. Inside, the 140,000-square-foot space celebrates Seattle's creative legacy as the birthplace of grunge and a hub for indie game design and tech innovation. The Seattle Monorail, Seattle Space Needle, and Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) are all popular attractions located within the Seattle Center area of the city. Photograph by Eric Carr / Alamy Stock Photo Start with 'Massive: The Power of Pop Culture,' an exhibition developed as an introduction to MOPOP itself. 'It explores what pop culture is, how it constantly evolves, why it's worth preserving and interpreting, and how MOPOP does that work. It's the perfect first stop for understanding both the museum and the wider cultural world we're all part of,' says Jacob McMurray, chief collections and exhibitions officer. Don't miss the Sound Lab, where you can play drums and electric guitars, mix tracks, and record your own music like a pro. Try the Seattle's fresh seafood Seattle's celebrated seafood scene nods to tradition, like alder-smoked salmon rooted in Indigenous practices, while also pushing boundaries as chefs blend local catch with global flavors. Whether you're perched at the rustic counter at Pike Place Chowder, slurping oysters at James Beard–nominated The Walrus & the Carpenter, or dining with a view of Lake Union and the Cascade Range at Canlis, one thing stays constant: the freshness. Local icons like Dungeness crab, geoduck, and black cod remind you you're squarely in Pacific Northwest waters. (The essential guid to visiting Seattle) First-time visitors to Seattle should consider adding the Chihuly Garden and Glass to their itinerary. Colorful glass artworks created by American glass artist Dale Chihuly fill the sculpture garden. Photograph by Mara Brandl via Stock Photo Delve into the glass art scene Seattle's status as a global glass art hub owes much to Dale Chihuly, whose bold installations inspired a local community of glass artists who continue to shape the medium in unexpected ways Though Seattle's home to several glass art galleries and studios, Paula Stokes, a local arts consultant and artist working primarily in glass and printmaking, says Chihuly Garden and Glass is essential viewing. 'Dale Chihuly's work in glass has pushed the boundaries of traditional glassmaking into the realm of fine arts and architecture. This venue is the perfect entry point into Seattle's glass art culture as it demonstrates his overarching vision and its evolution from simple objects to complex installations in a way that is visually engaging, delightful, and welcoming to all.' Save time for the light-filled Glasshouse, a showstopper that's both functional and artistic. 'The red and yellow Persian chandelier soars overhead in undulating, dynamic curves, suspended in space,' says Stokes. Tour Seattle's underground Beneath Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest neighborhood and original downtown, lies a hidden layer of storefronts and passageways that once made up the city's original street level. 'It turns out that building at sea level is a bad idea. The fire gave the city planners an opportunity for a reset,' says Terrilyn Johnson, co-founder of Beneath the Streets, which offers walking tours of Seattle's underground. She's referring to the Great Fire of 1889, which destroyed 25 blocks. Planners rebuilt the city by raising the streets, leaving the old city underground. Through guided tours, you can learn about some of the quirky engineering features that were adopted during the rebuild, such as vault lights and hollow sidewalks. 'From early on, resilience and ingenuity have been a part of the city's history,' says Johnson. (The 9 best hotels in Seattle for every kind of traveler) Explore the hip Capitol Hill neighborhood Packed with vintage shops, indie record stores, buzzing bars, and music venues, this neighborhood just east of downtown is where creativity and self-expression thrive. Two deeply rooted, overlapping communities—artists and Seattle's queer and trans communities—have shaped Capitol Hill's unmistakable character. 'Everywhere you go, you can see evidence of this, from one of the nation's oldest lesbian bars, the Wildrose, to longtime music venues like Neumos, as well as murals, writers' cafes, street art, a bronze sculpture of Jimi Hendrix, and rainbow crosswalks that dot the landscape across Capitol Hill,' says Egan Orion, executive director of Seattle PrideFest. To get a feel for the heart of Seattle's LGBTQ+ community, he recommends a walk down Broadway. 'Look up at the light poles at a myriad of flags that represent our community, then stroll through Cal Anderson Park, named after the state's first openly gay representative,' Orion says of one of the city's main gathering spots for PrideFest. Taste a locally-made craft brew Situated near the Yakima Valley, which produces over 70 percent of the country's hops, Seattle has ready access to prized varieties like Citra, Mosaic, and Centennial, resulting in exceptionally fresh and flavorful beer. Add in a community of brewers experimenting with locally foraged ingredients and collabs with distilleries and coffee roasters, Seattle's craft beer scene is both creative and deeply rooted in place. Beer lovers will find more than 70 breweries across the city, primarily clustered in Ballard, Fremont, and SoDo. 'Every neighborhood in Seattle has a unique feel, and the breweries that exist in those neighborhoods reflect that spirit,' says Robyn Schumacher, co-owner and brewer at Stoup Brewing. 'I think of our breweries as hyper-local community centers where Seattleites hang out for just about every life event you can imagine, big or small.' (7 of the best coffee shops in Seattle) Experience Seattle's game-day magic With five major men's pro teams, two women's pro teams, and a spirited college football program, there's a good chance you'll be in town during a high-stakes game or match. The stadiums themselves are part of the draw. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and the NHL's Kraken, is the world's first zero-carbon certified arena. Over at Lumen Field, Seahawks fans bring the noise, while the Sounders (Major League Soccer) and Reign FC (National Women's Soccer League) rally equally electric crowds. At T-Mobile Park, you can catch a Mariners baseball game with views of the skyline and, on clear days, Mount Rainier at a distance. No game day is complete without sinking your teeth into a Seattle dog, a street food staple that takes a classic hot dog and levels it up with a slather of cream cheese and a heap of grilled onions for a savory-sweet combo. Enjoy a perfect day on a lake, beach, or island Seattleites take full advantage of the city's location because Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and Lake Union surround it. Catch a water taxi to Alki Beach, or hop the 35-minute ferry to Bainbridge Island, where the commute doubles as a scenic tour, with views of the downtown skyline and mountains. If you're up for a paddle, kayak past bobbing houseboats and floating homes on Lake Union, while seaplanes lift off overhead. Visit the nearby national parks The city's love of nature stretches far beyond its urban green spaces, as Seattle is also the ideal jumping-off point for two iconic national parks. Mount Rainier National Park sits less than a two-hour drive away, and in summer, its alpine meadows burst into color, and the 5.5-mile Skyline Trail delivers views of glaciers, jagged peaks, and wildflower-filled terrain. Olympic National Park is a bit farther, about a 2.5-hour drive from downtown Seattle, but it feels like three parks in one. Explore a rugged coastline lined with tidepools and sea stacks, lush moss-draped rainforests like the Hoh, and snow-dusted mountain ranges. Vivian Chung is a Vancouver-based freelance journalist who covers a wide range of lifestyle stories, including travel and outdoor adventure. Follow her on Instagram.
National Geographic
04-08-2025
- National Geographic
Headed to the Pacific Northwest? Here's a first timer's guide to visiting Seattle
Travelers visiting Seattle for the first time often think it will be all coffee and rain. Both are bountiful in this Pacific Northwest city tucked between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, but the Emerald City dazzles year-round with world-class museums and attractions, festivals galore, and countless ways to experience nature on water and on land. Best time to visit Seattle Spring: Laugh off the rain at Moisture Festival, a four week-long showcase of aerialists, acrobats, and odd surprises starting mid-March. In May, preview independent films during the two-week Seattle International Film Festival. Over Memorial Day weekend, the Northwest Folklife Festival convenes at Seattle Center for a free celebration of arts, culture, and heritage. Summer: In June, Seafair begins a 10 week-long city-wide party with fireworks, parades, hydroplane races, an air show, and other events. In July, the Seattle Art Fair fills Lumen Field with modern and contemporary art. Over Labor Day weekend, Seattle Center hosts Bumbershoot, a joyous end-of-summer music and arts festival. Fall: In September and October, harvests are in, summer crowds are out and it's the ideal time to visit the farmers, crafters and other vendors at the historic Pike Place Market. Seattle celebrates the glass arts in October during Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience. Winter: Head to Seattle's Chinatown-International District for Lunar New Year celebrations. February's Northwest Flower & Garden Show offers previews of spring. February is also Museum Month, when downtown hotel bookings include passes for half-off admission at many museums. In mid-March, join the 'bloom watch' for peak viewing of Yoshino cherry trees on the University of Washington quad. (10 must-do experiences for your next trip to Seattle) Key areas to explore in Seattle Downtown waterfront: Seattle's revitalized waterfront is a 20-acre walkable experience with art, parks, and viewing spots out to Elliot Bay and the surrounding mountain ranges. The Seattle Aquarium, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, and the Great Wheel are among of the attractions here, but visitor can also go sightseeing on a ferry or an Argosy Cruise or head up to Pike Place Market on the terraced Overlook Walk. Seattle's waterfront features a Ferris wheel and Miners Landing, a building that houses restaurants, shops, and attractions, such as Wings Over Washington and The Crab Pot. Photograph by Wolfgang Kaehler / Alamy Stock Photo Seattleites head to the Saturday market on Western Avenue near Pike Place. Photograph by Ian Dagnall / Alamy Stock Photo Seattle Center: The 1962 World's Fair site is now a 74-acre urban park that's home to the 605-foot Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), a dancing fountain with its own DJ, and Seattle Center Festál, a rolling series of 25 free festivals celebrating the city's many cultural communities. The parks: Seattle has hundreds of parks in the city limits, including Volunteer Park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, which is home to Volunteer Park Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and 300-acre Seward Park, which has both beaches and 120-acres of old growth forest. At Lake Union Park you'll find the Center for Wooden Boats, the Museum of History and Industry, and the NW Seaport's floating fleet of historic vessels. The water: On Lake Union, kayaks and paddleboards, electric boats, donut boats, and hot tub boats are available to rent. The Center for Wooden Boats rents sailboats and offers free one-hour rowboat rentals and free monthly public sails with volunteer skippers. Where to stay in Seattle The Edgewater Hotel: Seattle's only over-the water hotel is not only right on the downtown waterfront, it's also where The Beatles stayed during their 1964 U.S. tour, famously fishing from their hotel window. Poles and bait are no longer sold in the giftshop, but the views remain notable and the hotel is steps from the free Olympic Sculpture Park and a short walk to the Seattle Aquarium and other waterfront activities. Hotel Sorrento: Built in 1909, this hotel in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood take inspiration from the storied Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy, and is rumored to be haunted by Alice B. Toklas, of hash brownie-recipe fame. The hotel's Fireside Room hosts Silent Reading Parties during which patrons read silently, but together, while listening to live music. Inn at the Market: A boutique charmer tucked inside historic Pike Place Market, this hideaway hotel is well-loved for its restaurants, including Café Campagne, its proximity to the waterfront and to the market's offerings and for its rooftop deck offering panoramic views of Elliott Bay. (The 9 best hotels in Seattle for every kind of traveler) Fishmongers at Pike Place Market sell fresh seafood, including salmon, halibut, tuna, clams, crab, cod, and rockfish. Photograph by Gabbro / Alamy Stock Photo Taste of Seattle Seafood reigns supreme in Seattle, with fresh salmon, oysters, crab, and halibut among the options to look for on local menus. Reliable places to indulge include Walrus and Carpenter in Ballard, Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar(Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne), Oyster Cellar (Pioneer Square), Half Shell (north end of Pike Place Market) and Local Tide in the Fremont neighborhood. (7 of the best coffee shops in Seattle) Getting around Seattle By public transportation: It's easy to get around bus, light rail, and streetcar. Plan your trip using King County Metro's Trip Planner tool and pay for single rides or day passes with the Transit Go app. By car: Traffic can be challenging in the urban core. But if you've got a rental, the city's map of street parking locations and parking facilities will be useful. Rideshare services and taxis are plentiful. Here's what you should know about visiting Seattle Weather: Don't let Seattle's bad weather rep scare you. Late fall and winter can be gray and rainy, but you're more likely to encounter a day of misty rain than one filled with downpours. Pack waterproof shoes and a light raincoat and you'll blend in with the locals. Summer may start late, but stretches from mid-June through October, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit in July and August. How to visit Seattle sustainably Seattle is serious about sustainability. You'll spot recycling and composting bins in restaurants and attractions. Compostable take-out containers and utensils are standard. The city banned plastic bags back in 2012, so tuck a tote into your suitcase. Transportation: Downtown is hilly, but very walkable. Sound Transit's Link light rail is electric powered. King Couty Metro's fleet is almost entirely hybrid or zero-emission vehicles. And there are plenty of e-scooters and e-bikes available for rent. Shopping: Explore neighborhoods via vintage and secondhand stores by shopping at Barn Owl Vintage Goods in Georgetown, Lucky Vintage outlets in Fremont, Ballard and the University District, and Two Big Blondes, the country's largest plus size consignment store, in the Central District. Harriet Baskas is a Seattle-based journalist who writes about museums, airports and travel. She's the author of 9 books, including . is a Seattle-based journalist who writes about museums, airports and travel. She's the author of 9 books, including 111 Places in Seattle That You Must Not Miss
