Seattle

Seattle is a vibrant and unique city set along the beautiful Puget Sound with proximity to beautiful mountain ranges. From the iconic Space Needle to the bustling Pike Place Market, Seattle has something for everyone. Below are the Seattle neighborhoods that help make the city special.

About

Seattle awaits! Get ready to explore its eclectic art galleries, lively music scene, gourmet restaurants and amazing museums! Begin downtown for an unforgettable experience. The heart of the city is Pike Place Market, where you’ll find delicious seafood, stunning flowers and a wealth of local produce. Take time to explore Seattle Center too — its iconic Space Needle looms over family-friendly attractions like the Pacific Science Center or the dazzling Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition. Don’t miss Historic Pioneer Square either; this charming area boasts great eateries and coffee spots that will make your visit even more memorable!

Seattle Neighborhoods

To enjoy Seattle as the locals do, visit its neighborhoods. Areas like Capitol Hill, Fremont, South Lake Union and Ballard are the heartbeat of the city. Below is a quick description of a few of the most popular Seattle neighborhoods.

Walking Distance to Downtown

South Lake Union: This thriving Seattle neighborhood sits on the tip of the lake. It is home to Amazon, food trucks, hip bars and restaurants. If you’re looking for some incredible views all around the city, our INNsiders compiled a list of rooftop bars here. Visit MOHI, the Museum of History and Industry, for a look into Seattle’s timeline for innovation or explore the bustling waterfront park and the Historic Ships Wharf.

Capitol Hill: Still looking for things to do in Seattle? Experience the best of city living in one place when you explore this vibrant Seattle neighborhood. From Pike or Pine, ascend to discover its unique urban atmosphere with some amazing coffee shops and eateries — don’t forget to look down — artwork and history line the sidewalks! Our INNSiders created the perfect guide to Seattle’s coffee scene here. Make sure you take a stroll along Millionaires Row for an up-close view of majestic turn-of-the century mansions before ending at Volunteer Park & the Asian Art Museum.

You can walk from these neighborhoods to all the local sites, but they are also accessible by public transportation. Both are serviced by Seattle’s Metro bus system. Capitol Hill is served by the Light Rail System and South Lake Union has the South Lake Union Streetcar.

To The North

Ballard: Ballard is a charming Seattle neighborhood with an unmistakable Scandinavian touch. Famous for its fantastic music scene and craft breweries, it’s the perfect spot to grab a bite or enjoy live entertainment! While there, stop by Hiram Chittenden Locks — you’ll be amazed watching boats glide through this canal between Puget Sound and Lake Union. Nearby there are also pretty gardens, where amidst nature’s wonders you can observe salmon ascending fish ladders during spawning season – truly an unforgettable experience that will take your breath away!

Fremont: This is the center of the universe. There is a sign on the Fremont Bridge proclaiming that. This quirky and iconic Seattle neighborhood is home to a statue of Lenin, the Fremont Rocket, the Troll Under the Bridge and a great Sunday Market. There are also plenty of spots for dining. You can also watch from one of the many coffee shops or walk or cycle the Burke-Gilman Trail along the ship canal.

Greenlake: This is where locals go to enjoy nature. Greenlake Park is the ultimate outdoor escape. Its 3-mile paved trail around the perimeter of the lake is perfect for strolling. In summer enjoy canoeing, kayaking or swimming in the lake. You can also put together a picnic and relax under the trees for a serene afternoon or explore the local restaurants and coffee shops just moments away.

West of the City

West Seattle: This Seattle neighborhood has a relaxed and laid-back vibe. The area is lined with shops, eateries and coffee shops. It also provides an escape from the city with the beautiful Alki Beach, which offers a view of the Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline.

Weather and Getting There

Summer in Seattle is glorious with blue skies and temperatures in the low- to mid-70s. Winter is misty and rainy with temperatures in the low 50s. If you’re visiting in the summer, take advantage of the 10 best day hikes near Seattle!

Seattle is served by Seattle Tacoma International Airport. Once you arrive, head to the Light Rail center where you can purchase an Orca Card. They are valid on the Light Rail System and the Metro Bus Lines. Even if you arrive by car, consider using the local transit system to save both time and money! Looking to explore the many wonderful Seattle neighborhoods? Consider this 5-day Seattle itinerary by our INNsiders for your trip.

Dining

Canlis – This is Seattle’s premier fine dining restaurant and one of the few that still has a dress code. The restaurant is perched above Lake Union with views of the lake, the Olympic Range and the city. It opened in 1950 and has been THE spot for special occasions ever since.
Elliott’s Oyster House – Enjoy the city’s largest selection of fresh oysters and a wide variety of seafood at Elliott’s Oyster House. Located on the waterfront in downtown Seattle.

Festivals & Events

Seafair – Since 1950 Seattle has celebrated 10 weeks of summer with Seafair. It is a combination of events including Seafair Summer 4th, Seafair Pirates Landing, a Milk Carton Derby, Triathlon and the Torchlight Parade. The culmination of this summer long festival is the Seafair Weekend Festival in August.
Seattle Pride Fest – PrideFest, a non-profit organization celebrates Seattle PrideFest each June. Celebrate LGBTQ pride in two locations. Visit the Seattle Center or the popular Capitol Hill neighborhood for lots of live music, local art great food and FilmFest.
Sporting Events: Mariners | Seahawks | Seattle Sounders FC| Seattle Kraken. Seattle offers baseball, (Seattle Mariners), football, (Seattle Seahawks), soccer (Seattle Sounders), and now ice hockey (Seattle Kraken).Lumen Field and Safeco Field are located side by side in downtown Seattle and Climate Pledge Arena (home of the Kraken) Check the schedule and join the loyal fans for a game or match!

Outdoors

Discovery Park Loop Trail – These 2.8-mile loops trail travels through meadows and woods and ends at a bluff overlooking
Burke Gilman Trail – This 27 mile multi-use recreational trail is part of the King County Trail System. The trail begins in the Seattle neighborhood, Ballard and runs along Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, ending in Issaquah.
Mount Si – As you travel on I-90 past North Bend you will see the rocky peak of Mount Si. This is a classic day hike a short drive from Seattle. It is a difficult 8-mile round trip hike, but well worth the trip.
Volunteer Park – Capitol Hill – This green space is centrally located in Seattle on Capitol Hill. It includes the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Volunteer Park Conservatory.
Discovery Park – Magnolia – This 534-acre park is perched on a bluff overlooking the Puget Sound and is the largest city park in the city of Seattle. This diverse park has 2 miles of tidal beaches with active dunes, grassy flatlands and forested groves.
Alki Beach Park – West Seattle – This 2.5 mile long beach is located on Elliott Bay. This popular summer spot is great for joggers, beachcombers, cyclists and sunbathers. Enjoy panoramic views of the Puget Sound.
Kerry Park – Queen Anne – This little park is a destination for camera buffs. Here you can snap the iconic view of Elliot Bay, The Space Needle, the City Center and on a clear day, Mount Rainier.
Gas Works Park – This 19-acre park is located on north Lake Union. Once a gasification plant for Seattle City Light, the park is now a great spot to stroll, have a picnic and enjoy views of Seattle over the lake.
Greenlake Park – This popular park features a 2.8-paved walking path around the expansive lake. It is a delightful green space that serves as a natural habitat for a variety of birds, waterfowl, trees and plants.

Things to Do

Pike Place Market Food Tour – Go behind the scenes in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Learn about the rich history of the market and taste some of the market’s unique offerings.
Amazon Tours – This retail giant has three tours across their downtown Seattle campus. The HQ Tour offers insight into how and why Amazon chose to invest in urban Seattle. Within headquarter is the Understory, explaining their nature-inspired design in an urban office setting. The Spheres, Amazon’s newest addition, are open two Saturdays a month to visitors by reservation.
Seattle Art Museum, Asian Art Museum & Olympic Sculpture Park (SAM) – SAM is comprised of three unique museums. The Seattle Art Museum, located on 1st Ave. houses modern and contemporary works from across the world. The Asian Art Museum, located at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, is housed in a beautiful Art Deco building constructed in 1933. It is a must see for Asian Art enthusiasts. The Olympic Sculpture Park is located on Western Ave. along the Puget Sound. The contemporary art installations cover 9 acres with views of the Space Needle, the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound.
MoPOP – The Museum of Pop Culture features unique ideas of those willing to take a risk. First started as a rock n roll museum it has branched out with exhibits of today’s pop culture icons.
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) – The Museum of History and Industry, located in a historic naval reserve building on South Lake Union, features engaging and fun exhibits about Seattle’s history and culture.
Space Needle – Visit the newly remodeled Space Needle, the centerpiece of The Seattle Center. Dine at the Atmos Café or relax at the Atmos Wine Bar. Experience the views from this Seattle landmark.
Pike Place Market – This is the center of fresh and local in Seattle. Pike Place is known for beautiful flowers, displays of colorful produce and the fresh seafood piled on mountains of ice. The market includes several levels with restaurants and shops. The surrounding area has popular spots like Beecher’s Cheese and the first Starbucks coffee shop. This is a vibrant, colorful area with something for everyone.
Pioneer Square – Established in 1852, Pioneer Square is considered Seattle’s first neighborhood. This area is rich in history and known for its Romanesque Revival architecture. Enjoy Thursday art walk, vibrant nightlife and plenty of spots to dine or shop.
Fremont Troll – Since the Fremont Bridge was constructed there have been stories of troll sightings under the bridge. In 1990 this public art sculpture was created under the start of the span in Fremont. Head to Troll Ave. in Fremont and snap a picture with this unique part of Seattle.
Seattle Gum Wall – The Market Theater Gum Wall is located under Pike Place Market. This wall, covered in chewed gum, has become a local landmark.
Sidewalks in Seattle – Look down. Throughout the city and its neighborhoods you will find art and history embedded in the sidewalks. You will find an invitation to dance along Broadway on Capitol Hill. Walking along Eastlake, you will find colorful flora and fauna at your feet. Famous Seattleites are commemorated along 5th and Pine including Dale Chihuly, Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Even the Metro is filled with art.