Seattle doesn’t really care what you think of it—the weather, the coffee, the flying fish. It’s heard it all before. The Emerald City prefers to keep a low profile, like a celebrity (say Bill Gates) living in the suburbs, but we can’t help but call it out. You need to know the truth: It’s one of the best cities in the U.S. for foodies (the holy seafood trifecta—Dungeness crab, wild salmon, and oysters—is totally local!); it has a lively indie music scene that has nothing to do with grunge; and, framed by Elliot Bay and snow-capped Mount Rainier, it’s got to be one of the prettiest in the country.
Seattle Travel Guide
Plan Your Seattle Trip
From Beer Halls to Bakeries, Where to Find Seattle’s Scandinavian Influences
Seattle's Ballard neighborhood has a surprising Nordic influence.
By Mary Holland
These Century-Old Businesses Define Seattle's Japantown
The neighborhood remains vibrant 80 years after the Japanese Internment.
By Naomi Tomky
Featured
Seattle’s Space Needle Unveils Its $100M Renovation
Today, it opened a revolving glass floor it's calling The Loupe.
By Jessica Voelker
A Book-Worm Pilgrimage to Washington's Vashon Island
Betty MacDonald, the author of the beloved Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books, used to be one of America’s most successful writers. Now literary pilgrims can spend a weekend surrounded by her legacy, a farm on Vashon.
By Jean Hanff Korelitz
A Long Weekend on Whidbey Island, the Playground of the Pacific Northwest
Think of it as the Pacific Northwest's answer to Nantucket
By Jen Murphy
15 Best Hotels in Seattle
Where to cozy up in the Pacific Northwest.
By Naomi Tomky and Jessica Voelker
Editor Recommendations
- Thompson Seattle$ | United States, Seattle, 110 Stewart St.Read full reviewAn architecture and design lover's dream.Readers Choice Awards
Hot List Gold ListPowered By: Expedia - Kimpton Palladian Hotel$$$ | United States, Seattle, 2000 2nd Ave.Read full reviewA masterpiece of modern hospitality that will prove a memorable part of any Seattle stay.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle$$ | United States, Seattle, 411 University St.Read full reviewBuilt in the 1920s, this massive Italian Renaissance hotel is breathtakingly opulent.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Lotte Hotel Seattle$$$ | Seattle, 809 5th AveRead full reviewIn casual-erring Seattle, a luxury hotel with bold opulence.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Four Seasons Hotel Seattle$$$ | United States, Seattle, 99 Union St.Read full reviewBy most any measure, Seattle’s top hotelReaders Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- The Edgewater Hotel$$$ | United States, Seattle, 2411 Alaskan WayRead full reviewIf you like to fall asleep while staring out at gentle waves glistening in the moonlight, you won’t find a better spot in the city.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Graduate Seattle$ | United States, Seattle, 4507 Brooklyn Ave NERead full reviewOne of the few great hotels outside of the central Downtown corridor.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Pan Pacific Seattle$$ | United States, Seattle, 2125 Terry Ave.Read full reviewPan Pacific's first U.S. hotel should definitely be on your must-stay list.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Hyatt at Olive 8$$ | United States, Seattle, 1635 8th Ave.Read full reviewEven with 346 rooms, this Hyatt manages to feel serene.Powered By: Expedia
- The State Hotel$ | United States, Seattle, 1501 2nd Ave.Read full reviewReasonably priced and perfectly located, this hotel makes a great case for itself as the go-to perch for Seattle tourists.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Inn at the Market$$ | United States, Seattle, 86 Pine St.Read full reviewAn inn only by name, this boutique hotel, perched on a hilltop right in Pike Place Market, is a chic stay.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Hotel Sorrento$ | United States, Seattle, 900 Madison St.Read full reviewTravelers interested in a four-star experience that feels rooted in history will fall hard for this unique First Hill hotel.Powered By: Expedia
- Palihotel Seattle$ | United States, Seattle, 107 Pine StRead full reviewInexpensive and near all the downtown Seattle sights, it's a great pick for travelers who love urban adventures.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
The Best Things to Do in Seattle
- 11 Best Things to Do in Seattle Right NowFrom the Puget Sound to downtown, what to see in the Emerald City.
By Jenna Scatena and Naomi Tomky
- 13 Best Hikes in SeattleAlpine lakes and wildflowers for days.
By Hannah Kirshner and Allison Williams
- Four Best Day Trips from SeattleOur picks for weekend getaways from Seattle.
By Jenna Scatena and Allison Williams
- The Seattle Beach To Visit On a Rainy DaySummer may be dying down, but that doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to beach season quite yet in the Pacific Northwest.
By Aran Goyoaga
Editor Recommendations
- Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird KingRead full reviewVisiting a troll can be quick, but these sculptures are designed to encourage curiosity and longer contemplations.Powered By: Visit the Trolls
- Snoqualmie Falls, Gift Shop and Visitor CenterUnited States, Snoqualmie, 6351 Railroad AveRead full reviewThe fastest way to get an idea of the Pacific Northwest's splendor on a visit to Seattle.
- Green Lake ParkUnited States, Seattle, 7201 East Green Lake Dr NRead full reviewA walk around which will introduce anyone to the staples of Seattle culture.
- Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American ExperienceUnited States, Seattle, 719 S King St.Read full reviewThis 60,000-square-foot facility pays tribute to the confluence of Asian and Pacific American history.
- Kubota GardenUnited States, Seattle, 9817 55th Ave. S.Read full reviewTwenty acres of gorgeous Japanese gardens on Seattle's Southside.
- National Nordic MuseumUnited States, Seattle, 2655 NW Market StRead full reviewA deep dive into one of the area's biggest demographic groups.
- Space Needle$ | United States, Seattle, 400 Broad St.Read full reviewThough it would be easy to brush this off as a tourist attraction, the views you get at the top really are worth it.
- Bainbridge IslandUnited States, Seattle,Read full reviewAn easy, fun day trip to hike, eat and shop just a half-hour from Seattle.
- Olympic Sculpture ParkUnited States, Seattle, 2901 Western Ave.Read full reviewLarge-scale sculptures compete with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
- Wa Na WariUnited States, Seattle, 911 24th Avenue, SeattleRead full reviewA house-turned-gallery that showcases Black joy in a variety of mediums.
- Washington Park ArboretumUnited States, Seattle, 2300 Arboretum Dr. ERead full reviewSee the gardens in bloom.
- Twin FallsUnited States, North Bend, SE 159th St.Read full reviewOne of the easiest ways to get a waterfall view.
- Poo Poo PointUnited States, Issaquah, 11322 Issaquah-Hobart Rd. SoutheastRead full reviewCheck out those paragliders!
- Ebey's Landing National Historical ReserveUnited States, Coupeville, 126-146 Cemetery Rd.Read full reviewBluff views for miles.
Urban Wine Trails Are Popping Up Across the U.S., from Seattle to Brooklyn
Bucolic vineyards are nice and all, but city wineries and tasting rooms have a charm of their own.
By Katie Kelly Bell
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Seattle
- 21 Best Restaurants in SeattleWhere to eat when you're in the Emerald City.
By Naomi Tomky, Jessica Voelker, and Stefan Milne
- 10 Best Sushi Restaurants in SeattleBetween the easy access to the Pacific and the cultural history, this is American sushi at its best.
By Jessica Voelker
- 10 Best Brunch & Breakfast Places in SeattleA city surprisingly obsessed with biscuits.
By Jessica Voelker
Editor Recommendations
- MariPili Tapas Bar$$ | United States, Seattle, 1117 12th AvenueTraditional tapas and Spanish comfort food with cheffy twists, like a crispy paella that draws on Persian tahdig
- Pancita$$ | United States, Seattle, 5501 30th Avenue NortheastLayers of flavors, precisely chosen herbs, and surprises including a serrano-spiked Caesar salad
- Saint Bread$ | United States , Seattle, 1421 Northeast Boat StreetBig flavors from fishy and fermented foods, be they Spanish boquerones or Japanese umeboshi
- Off Alley$$$ | United States, Seattle, "4903 1/2 Rainier Ave SouthOffal (and just less-popular) cuts of meat and seafood for unexpected dishes that will blow you out of the water.
- Boat Bar$$ | United States, Seattle, 1060 East Union StreetA Capitol Hill establishment that feels like the hippest oyster bar under the sea went to grad school in Paris
- Carmelo's Tacos$ | United States, Seattle, 110 Summit Avenue EastMexico City style tacos on tortillas made from freshly ground masa.
- Pho Bac Súp Shop$ | United States, Seattle, 1240 South Jackson StreetIn a city swimming in good pho, the bowls here are simply some of the best.
- Il Nido$$ | United States, Seattle, 2717 61st Ave. SWIt's best to secure a reservation for the sought after pasta here.
- Xi’an NoodlesUnited States, Seattle, 5259 University Way NortheastHand-ripped noodles that will warm your spirit on a cold Seattle day.
- Lark$$$ | United States, Seattle, 952 E. Seneca St.The ultimate night-away-from-the-kids restaurant.
- Canlis$$$ | United States, Seattle, 2576 Aurora Ave. NSometimes an occasion requires something extra, and those are the occasions to which Canlis caters so winningly.
- Meesha$$ | United States, Seattle, 127 North 36th StreetFor candles, cocktails, and food with some heat on a date night.
- Champagne Diner$$ | United States, Seattle, 945 Elliott Ave W #201Champagne flavors with a greasy-spoon soul.
The Most Beautiful Places in the Pacific Northwest
All the misty beaches and wooded mountains you could ever want.
By Caitlin Morton
More from Seattle
Places to Stay
The Best Airbnbs in Seattle for Solo Trips, Family Stays, and More
Views of Mount Rainier are in your future.
By Madison Flager
News & Advice
Where to Watch the Seattle Pride Parade–and the Best Events to Hit All Month Long
The sheer quantity of events and the size of Seattle’s community also means there’s something for people of every stripe on the Progress Pride flag.
By Naomi Tomky
Air Travel
The AmEx Centurion Lounge at Seattle's Airport Just Got a Huge Upgrade
The renovation added a soul food buffet, a barista-helmed coffee bar, and 5,000 square feet of additional space.
By Chris Dong
Train Journeys
Amtrak Is Restarting One of Its Most Scenic Routes Just in Time for Fall Getaways
The Amtrak Cascades, which winds through the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest, has been paused since 2020.
By Jessica Puckett
News & Advice
The Weekend Guide: Sculpture Gardens, Kayak Rides, and Shellfish in Seattle
Dive into the best of the Emerald City with three days of seafood and stunning art on the shores of Puget Sound.
By Naomi Tomky
Destinations
How to Support Small Business in Seattle During COVID-19
From calling reps to streaming live shows, here’s how to help this hard-hit city.
By Jessica Voelker
News & Advice
Seattle's Biggest Musicians Are Playing Free Online Concerts to Keep Spirits Up
From Death Cab for Cutie to Brandi Carlile, these acts won't let coronavirus stop the music.
By Deanne Revel
Islands & Beaches
What to Eat on Your Next Trip to Washington's Orcas Island
Local chef Jay Blackinton spills on his favorite flavors from across the island.
By Tabitha Joyce
Destinations
What to Do in Seattle This Spring
Here's what's happening in the city in April, May, and June 2019.
By Rebecca Misner
News & Advice
BMW's Rideshare App Is the Newest Way to Get Around Seattle
ReachNow combines ride-hailing and car rentals in one app.
By Meredith Carey
Destinations
Beyond the Basics: Seattle
Plan your trip to Seattle with Condé Nast Traveler’s guide to the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do.
Inspiration
Recap: Anthony Bourdain's 'Parts Unknown' Visits Seattle
In this week's episode, Bourdain talks sex, drugs, and serial killers in the Emerald City.
By Bridget Hallinan
Inspiration
Seattle Only Second U.S. City Named a UNESCO City of Literature
The city joins the ranks of Dublin, Milan, and Edinburgh.
By Caitlin Morton
News & Advice
Seattle's Space Needle Is Getting a Glass-Floored Dining Room
This is the third renovation since the Needle's opening at the 1962 World's Fair.
By Bridget Hallinan
Sponsored Content
Why You Should Be Planning a Food Crawl in Seattle
Trust on this, Seattle has got as much (maybe even more?) culinary cred as its much-hyped sister city, Portland.
By CNT Editors and The Bon Appétit Editors
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