Whether you are traveling to Seattle, or starting your Alaskan cruise from there, it’s worth it to take some time to truly enjoy the city. You’ll get the city’s best weather and at the height of summer, you will have over 16 hours of daylight. The sun will rise before 6 a.m. and set after 9 p.m. If you have the energy, you can pack a lot in one day. Summer is certainly the best time to visit Seattle Washington.
I have lived there and still visit. I know the city well and the best time of year to visit Seattle is definitely summer.
If you are looking to truly experience the city, you should definitely stay downtown, as you don’t have to wander far to get to the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Aquarium, and many restaurants, diners and bars.
Pike Place
Pike Place Market
Start your Summer in Seattle in the Pike Place Market area where there are so many things to do.
It’s fantastic to stay in a hotel near Pike Place Market. It is central to many activities. We love to walk or take a short light rail ride to many locations across Seattle.
- Begin your morning at one of the many cafés for a bite and coffee. Starbucks’ original store opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. Get there early or wait until later in the day if you want to visit. By 9 a.m., the line will get long and will stay that way until mid-afternoon.
- Sample some smoked salmon, Chucker Cherries, dried fruits and baked goods. Or visit the north end of the market for local treasures at the artisan stands and eat at one of the many restaurants in the market. Don’t forget the shops and restaurants in Post Alley. Kell’s and the Pink Door are some of my favorites. Finally, add your contribution to the gum wall (if you can find it).
- Hint: Take a morning tasting tour of the Market. I was able to sample foods from several vendors before the market got crowded. There are other food tours late in the day for those night owls.
The Space Needle is a Seattle Icon
Checking Out the Seattle Center
Take a short light rail ride or walk to the Seattle Center. It is a fantastic place to spend the whole day with a multitude of activities. Even though summer is the best time of year to visit Seattle Washington, it will sometimes rain. That’s when you can visit the Seattle Center where there are many things to do indoors.
- The Museum of Pop Culture showcases memorable moments in TV, rock and roll, and science fiction through engaging and interactive exhibits.
- Chihuly Garden in Glass is a peaceful stroll through indoor and outdoor exhibits showcasing some of Chihuly’s most iconic works of art. There are glass blowing demonstrations throughout the day. Note: This is not the place to take children who like to run. But there are many other places for active little ones.
- Activities for children
- Seattle Science Center is a children’s paradise with hands on exhibits and places to run
- Artists at Play Plaza and Playground
- South Fountain Lawn is a large fountain with shooting sprays of water for children to splash and run through.
- The Armory has a food court with many options.
- Hint: I would skip the Space Needle unless it is truly on your list of must-do’s. It is very expensive and very crowded. You can get a better view at the Sky View Observatory.
Elliot Bay Seattle
Outdoor Activities Make Summer the Best Time to Visit Seattle
For your Summer in Seattle, you can head to the piers on Puget Sound to catch an Argosy Cruise through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or a one-hour Harbor Cruise where you will see the Seattle Skyline and the mountain ranges that surround the city. A Seattle CityPass will include the cruise, the Chihuly Exhibit, the Space Needle, and more.
For those of us who like history and ghost stories, make sure you do one of the Underground Tours in Pioneer Square. Learn the true story of Skid Row and the unsavory characters who lived there.
The Woodland Park Zoo is an easy Uber/Lyft ride from your hotel. The zoo has many tree-lined paths and is a great place to escape the sun. This is another great place to take the kids for an afternoon. There are plenty of paths to run around on.
Green Lake is nearby and another wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors. You can rent pedal boats, row boats, kayaks and even water bikes. There is also a café for a snack after your water activities.
The Skyline Observatory on the 73th floor of the Columbia Center provides fantastic views of the city and mountains. On a clear day you might be able to see Mount Baker to the north as well as Mt. Rainier to the Southeast.
Nearby Tours
There are amazing places to visit outside Seattle. Want to see what Mount St. Helen’s looks like now? It’s a National Monument. Mt. Rainer is a fantastic place to tour. Olympic National Park is another must see. Be sure to check out our guide to U.S. National Parks.
I hope I’ve convinced you that summer truly is the best time to visit Seattle Washington. We would love to help you plan a stressless visit to Seattle. Let us reserve the perfect hotel for you. We can book tickets to the attractions and tours that are on your must-do list. But we will also make sure that you have breaks so that you are not exhausted after your vacation.
And when you visit Seattle, consider a visit to nearby Visit Gorgeous Victoria, British Columbia.
