Is Seattle Worth Visting? (From A Local)

Is Seattle worth visiting? Does it actually rain as much as they say it does?

I was born in Washington and have lived here for 2/3 of my life. With that being said, I know Seattle pretty well. These are my thoughts on why Seattle is worth visiting, but maybe why you should skip it.

Keep scrolling down for insight from a local on why Seattle is worth visiting. Plus, reasons you may want to skip it.

10 Reasons Why Seattle Is Worth Visiting

Planning your next adventure can be fun, but also stressful. Do you visit somewhere new? Or explore the same location again?

If you’re debating on visiting Seattle, these are my personal 10 favorite reasons why I visit the city.

Note: Remember it’s okay to trust me, I have lived here for a long time and have had fun and success with the city. However, I have also had fails or things that weren’t worth the visit.

1. Sushi

It’s fresh. It’s delicious. It’s a work of art.

I have had friends who don’t like Sushi, visit Seattle, and leave loving sushi.

There are many restaurants throughout Seattle with different vibes. Some have more of a traditional take, some have other region infusions, and some come in burrito form.

My favorite Seattle sushi restaurants:
🍣 Wasabi Sushi & Izakaya
🍣 Japonessa Sushi Cocina

(As I write this, I am getting hungry just thinking about the fresh fish and melt-in-your-mouth flavors.)

Tip: Check restaurant hours prior, some are closed on certain days or don’t open till after 4 pm.

2. Pike Place Market

One of the places that tourists are heavily drawn to is Pike Place Market.

The beautiful bouquets, mango with chili, fresh fish, gum wall, and more. If you enjoy looking at the art, shops, and food there is a lot here.

Traveler’s Tip: If you don’t love being in big crowds, I recommend visiting when the market first opens on a weekday. There will be a lot less visitors during this time.

3. More Food

Seattle is known for Starbucks, Beecher’s Mac & Cheese, Ivars Clam Chowder, and Seattle Dogs. If you’re craving a certain type of food, don’t worry we have it. And it will be tasty!

The food scene in Seattle is endless with different types of cuisine, fancy restaurants or drive-ins, and dietary accommodations for all.

4. Coffee

Starbucks is what we generally think of regarding Seattle and coffee. Starbucks is from Seattle, however, there are also other delicious coffee shops in the area.

Tip: Look into locally owned coffee shops to help the local economy and try something new.

5. Outdoor Activities

Hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, parks, walks, running loops, and bike lanes. If you’re outdoorsy, the greater Seattle area has endless places to adventure.

While visiting the city of Seattle itself, there are many parks, lakes, and beaches to walk all around the city’s water edges.

6. Used Bookstores

For my book lovers, snuggle up with some of the best-used bookstores in the area. Magus Books and Mercer Street Books are two local stores that you can lose yourself in for hours.

7. Yoga Studios

If you are a yogi, Commune Yoga in the Wallingford neighborhood is the best yoga studio I have ever been to. The community is extremely welcoming. The flows have different levels of expertise and opportunities to learn from others.

If you have a CorePower Yoga membership you can also find a few in the Seattle and Bellevue areas too.

8. Weather

In full transparency, the weather in Washington for a local is not the “norm” for most people.

We are used to standing outside in the rain, walking around while it’s drizzly, and dodging puddles. Or jumping in them. But, we also cherish our bluebird days that are full of sunshine and warmth.

Or if your ideal vacation is staying inside, this shouldn’t be a problem. Cozy cafes are throughout the streets, exploring Seattle’s eclectic music scene and other museums on those days. Or maybe curling up in a hotel or VRBO with some coffee and a good book for a more low-key trip.

9. Sports

Hockey. Soccer. Football. Baseball. Seattle is a sports city.

No matter what season you visit Seattle, there will be a sporting game to go to.

Traveler’s Tip: Take a look on Ticketmaster in advance or the day of to find a game or concert.

You won’t be disappointed, Seattle fans know how to have a good time!

10. Wine

About 45 minutes from Seattle is a smaller city, Woodinville. You will find cellars, wineries, live music, and good food. This area is full of people getting together for a glass of wine, laughing, and enjoying life.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery is one of my favorites with their wine tastings and outside seating, and they bring in great artists for their summer concerts.

Reasons Why Seattle Isn’t Worth Visiting

Let’s just get this one out of the way first…. 🌧️🌧️🌧️

❌ Weather

The PNW is known for rain, and there is a lot of it. If you don’t like that weather, I recommend visiting in the summer. On the flip side, this time of year is really busy with tourists.

❌ Traffic

Traffic in Seattle is awful. Road closures, accidents, and bridge construction are so many reasons why your 40-minute trip can lead to a 3-hour trip.

❌ Crime

Unfortunately, Seattle is not a city where I feel comfortable walking in some parts. I understand that every city has that type of area though.

Is Seattle worth visiting In The Winter?

Growing up in Washington, I would say it is a toss-up for wanting to visit in the winter. Some winters may have a lot of road closures due to the snow on the passes. With more snow…this leads to a lot of people who aren’t familiar with driving in those conditions, aka more accidents.

Transitioning to the rain aspect that always comes up, Seattle can be cold and then have icy rain on top of that. Que curling up under a blanket indoors and reading a book.

Note: Planning a trip to Seattle in the winter? Check out this guide for the best hikes!
25 Stunning Winter Hikes in Washington

Lastly, packing for Seattle in the winter requires bigger additional baggage. You will most likely need a raincoat, waterproof shoes, snow coat, gloves, and preferably anything waterproof to make the trip more enjoyable.

Visiting Seattle FAQ’s

These are the top questions that I commonly get asked when people are thinking about visiting Seattle.

💡 Is it expensive to visit Seattle?

Cost is something that most people like to have figured out before deciding on a location. From the flights to the meals, transportation, and entertainment, it can all add up quickly.

Holiday travel is typically a bit more expensive, but traveling in the spring is generally cheaper.

Traveler’s Tip: Use CheapOair to book your flight early and get the best price guaranteed!

💡 Do you need a car to visit Seattle?

If you are planning on staying directly in and around the city, I would say it is not needed. Seattle has a thought-out bus system that can get you where you would need to (affordably).

On the flip side, if you want to explore the greater Seattle area and explore nature, renting a car makes the most sense.

Traveler’s Tip: The Link Light Rail is a cheap way to travel from SeaTac to downtown Seattle.

💡 Does it rain all the time in Seattle?

Yes and no. The summer will have the lightest amount of rain but be the most touristy. On the other hand, spring is the wettest time of the year in Seattle but with that comes beautiful flowers sprouting.

Conclusion: Is Seattle Worth Visiting?

Yes, Seattle is worth visiting.

Most people are happy with a 3-4 day trip to the area. This gives you time to…

• Check out the downtown area and explore Pike Place.
• Walk through a couple of the museums downtown or catch a sports game.
• Spend a day outside kayaking, swimming, or hiking.

I hope this guide helped you decide if Seattle is the destination for you!

P.S. I hope the mountain is out (aka Mt.Rainier)if you decide to visit Seattle!

Happy Trails,
Mindful PNW Travels