Seattle

Seattle is a great city break vacation destination and also the perfect start for the Pacific Coast Highway drive, and the gateway to Washington wine country.

Seattle is Washington state's main city (the state capital is Olympia), a great city break vacation destination, and also the perfect starting point for the Pacific Coast Highway drive. It's a good gateway to Washington Wine Country too.

The Seattle Waterfront

Seattle has a spectacular natural location, tucked between Elliott Bay and Lake Washington, and with the imposing Mount Rainier visible in the distance.

Its major attractions include the Pike Place Market, which is one of the oldest, biggest and best markets on the Pacific Coast, and the space-age Space Needle.

Pike Place Market

There are a lot of good museums, some great hotels, a lively restaurant scene, and a definite 'feel good' factor. In that respect it's a little like San Francisco – it's hard not to be in a good mood when you're in a beautiful city by the bay.

The Seattle Waterfront

Unless it's raining, of course. The city of Frasier Crane doesn't really deserve its reputation for wetness, as there are many other American cities that are far worse, but there can be long periods of damp or just plain dull weather, especially in the fall and winter.

Read our Best Time to Visit Seattle page!

When to go? Try to be there in the summer, the driest season, when the sunny days and blue skies help make the most of Seattle's lovely setting.

More Information
See the website of Visit Seattle

Our Pick of the Guides

Other Seattle pages

Best Time to Visit Seattle
Pacific Coast Highway Travel’s advice on the best time to visit Seattle, covering the weather and climate from month to month and season by season.
Seattle Hotels
Downtown Seattle hotels are near attractions and the waterfront. Hotel Vintage Park, Edgewater Inn, and Inn at Harbor Steps are tops for travelers.
Frommer's Guide to Seattle
The Frommer's Guide to Seattle has good information about the city and side excursions to the Olympic National Park and elsewhere, plus free city and area map.
Best Museums in Seattle
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best museums in Seattle, including art, science and children’s museums, for that inevitable rainy day!
Cheap Flights to Seattle
Cheap flights to Seattle with Southwest Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Frontier, Horizon, JetBlue, and other carriers from San Diego, and other destinations.
Things to Do in Seattle
The best things to do in Seattle include visiting Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium and the Seattle Art Museum.