Explore Seattle
Seattle
Seattle, often referred to as the Emerald City on account of the lush green vegetation, is a city of a little over 700,000 people in Washington State. Those unfamiliar with Seattle and the Pacific Northwest are often surprised to find out Seattle is not on the Pacific Coast, but is rather a port city on the Puget Sound, situated between the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Mountains to the east. Seattle has an international airport just 14 miles south of the city, providing convenient access for travelers.
Seattle is a growing city with easy access to nature and offers an incredible array of things to do and places to explore. The downtown area, including the waterfront and Seattle Center is home to many tourist attractions, including Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. There are 500 parks within Seattle city limits which provide incredible views of the Puget Sound and miles of hiking trails. And outdoor activities abound within close proximity to the city, with hiking and skiing in the Cascades, and three national parks, Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades within a couple hours drive.
Best Time To Visit
When people think of Seattle, they often think of clouds and rain. It's a well deserved reputation, as Seattle typically has 150 days where precipitation is recorded and over 200 cloud days a year. However, the rain is usually light and Seattle receives less total precipitation than many other cities including Miami and Houston. If coming in the winter months, it's reasonable to expect cool (40's F) temperatures and a good chance of clouds and drizzle. Also note, Seattle is located pretty far north for the United States, and has short winter days.
While recent years have seen the months of May and June be warm and dry, a common Seattle refrain was summer starts just after July 4th and goes through the middle of September. Indeed, summers in Seattle are typically dry and sunny, with moderate temperatures (upper 70's F). For that reason, summer is the preferred time to visit Seattle.
The rain typically comes back in October, with November being one of the rainiest months (December and January average slightly more rain), and spring can be a mix of occasional spells of nicer weather mixed with typical rain and clouds.
activities
Things to Do
Views
Hiking
Sandwiched between the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, there are a ton of trails throughout the region to enjoy, from an easy family hike to one of the many waterfalls in the area, to backpacking trips along the Pacific Crest Trail. Add in three National Parks within a day's drive, and you have one of the best locations to hike in the United States. Let's not forget that within the city of Seattle sit a number of parks with hiking trails, many of which will make you forget you are in the city! Best Hikes in Seattle Easy Hikes Near Seattle
Ballard
Ballard, one of Seattle’s most charming and dynamic neighborhoods, offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and modern attractions. The quaint old Ballard Avenue has retained its early 19th century charm, but is now filled with restaurants and bars, while the brewery district has a more industrial feel. Throw in beautiful Puget Sound views from the beach at Golden Gardens Park, watching migrating salmon in the Ballard Locks and a newly built Nordic Museum and it's easy to see why Ballard is a popular spot for both tourists and residents alike.
The Waterfront
Conveniently situated in downtown Seattle, the waterfront has a number of attractions and is a popular tourist destination for visitors. The Piers that line the shorefront house a number of restaurants and shops, and make the perfect place to watch the ferries, with the Washington State Ferries being the largest ferry system in the United States and second largest vehicular ferry system in the world behind BC Ferries. You will also find a ferris wheel that provides amazing views of the Puget Sound, harbor and whale watching cruises, Seattle Aquarium and the newly constructed waterfront park.
Basketball
There are a number of basketball courts available throughout the city. Many of the courts are part of the Seattle parks system, and open to all during daylight hours, while some community centers also feature indoor basketball courts, as well as many schools have outdoor courts available during non-school hours. Seattle Basketball Courts
Baseball
Many of the parks in Seattle have baseball fields, with a number sporting synthetic surfaces in place of grass, providing a mud free experience during the rainy season. Some of the fields even have lights available. You will also find baseball fields at certain Seattle public schools. Use our guide to determine how to reserve the field of your choice. Seattle Baseball Fields
Pickleball
Pickleball has its roots in the Puget Sound, being invented on Bainbridge Island in 1965. Pickleball's popularity has exploded in the last ten years, and more and more courts are popping up in Seattle. This includes tennis courts that have pickleball line markings, as well as courts dedicated to pickleball. Seattle Pickleball Courts
Soccer
Looking for a net to shoot on, or a field for a friendly pickup game of soccer? Seattle Parks and Recreation maintains a number of soccer fields with goals, and you will also find soccer pitches at public schools throughout the Seattle area. And get ready for World Cup 2026 coming to Seattle! Seattle Soccer Fields
Tennis
Seattle Parks and Recreation has 100+ concrete tennis courts in 22 different parks throughout the city, with the The Amy Yee tennis Center featuring 10 indoor courts in addition to its 6 outdoor courts. Additionally, a number of Seattle schools have tennis courts, and of course there are private tennis facilities located in the city as well. Seattle Tennis Courts
