Seattle, WA — Staycation Inspiration
10 Things To Do In Town
- Pike Place Market
- Vibe: Classic and colorful
- Description: Watch flying fish, browse indie vendors, and grab lunch with a waterfront view.
- Special Events: Sunset Supper (August), holiday lights
- Best Time: Spring to fall
- Chihuly Garden and Glass + Space Needle
- Vibe: Iconic and artistic
- Description: See mind-blowing blown glass art, then ride up the Needle for 360° skyline views.
- Special Events: Garden light installations
- Best Time: Clear afternoons, year-round
- Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
- Vibe: Interactive and edgy
- Description: Dive into exhibits on music, sci-fi, horror, and video games in a funky Frank Gehry building.
- Special Events: Sound Off! and film fests
- Best Time: Year-round
- Ballard Locks + Fish Ladder
- Vibe: Unexpected and fascinating
- Description: Watch boats pass and salmon climb the ladder during spawning season.
- Special Events: Summer concerts
- Best Time: Summer and early fall
- Fremont Sunday Market + Troll
- Vibe: Quirky and local
- Description: Hunt for vintage finds and food truck eats, then meet the Fremont Troll under the bridge.
- Special Events: Solstice Parade (June)
- Best Time: Sundays, spring to fall
- Discovery Park Loop Trail
- Vibe: Peaceful and scenic
- Description: Hike coastal bluffs and forest trails with views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier.
- Special Events: Ranger-led hikes
- Best Time: Fall and spring
- Capitol Hill Coffee + Book Crawl
- Vibe: Hip and cozy
- Description: Spend the afternoon wandering indie bookstores and sipping small-batch espresso.
- Special Events: Open mic nights and literary events
- Best Time: Rainy days or cool fall afternoons
- The Seattle Great Wheel + Waterfront Walk
- Vibe: Touristy but charming
- Description: Ride the ferris wheel, browse souvenir shops, and grab Ivar’s clam chowder.
- Special Events: Summer fireworks
- Best Time: Spring and summer evenings
- Gas Works Park
- Vibe: Funky and photogenic
- Description: Hang out on the grassy hill with skyline views and old industrial ruins.
- Special Events: Fourth of July Fireworks
- Best Time: Summer
- Seattle Central Library
- Vibe: Architecturally stunning and calm
- Description: Explore the ultra-modern building’s spiral stacks and views from the top floors.
- Special Events: Author talks and readings
- Best Time: Year-round
10 Things To Do Within 30 Miles
- Alki Beach (West Seattle)
- Vibe: Casual and breezy
- Description: Walk the beach path, kayak the bay, or grab fish and chips with downtown views.
- Special Events: Alki Art Fair
- Best Time: Summer
- Bainbridge Island Ferry + Day Trip
- Vibe: Relaxing and scenic
- Description: Take a short ferry ride to browse boutiques, museums, and coastal trails.
- Special Events: Farmers Market and art walks
- Best Time: Spring to early fall
- Woodland Park Zoo
- Vibe: Animal-focused and walkable
- Description: Explore lush habitats and award-winning exhibits just north of downtown.
- Special Events: WildLanterns (holidays)
- Best Time: Spring and early summer
- Green Lake Loop + Paddleboard
- Vibe: Local and active
- Description: Jog or stroll the lakeside loop, or rent a paddleboard on a sunny afternoon.
- Special Events: Summer fitness classes
- Best Time: Summer
- Kubota Garden
- Vibe: Tranquil and under-the-radar
- Description: Walk through 20 acres of Japanese-inspired landscaping in Rainier Beach.
- Special Events: Garden tours
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Volunteer Park Conservatory + Views
- Vibe: Lush and peaceful
- Description: Explore Victorian-style greenhouses and climb the water tower for skyline views.
- Special Events: Plant sales, art shows
- Best Time: Year-round
- Snoqualmie Falls (just on the edge)
- Vibe: Majestic and powerful
- Description: See the 268-foot waterfall with viewing decks, nature trails, and a lodge nearby.
- Special Events: None
- Best Time: Spring for peak flow
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery (Woodinville)
- Vibe: Classy and local
- Description: Tour Washington’s oldest winery with weekend tastings and live music.
- Special Events: Summer concert series
- Best Time: Late spring through fall
- University of Washington Cherry Blossoms
- Vibe: Picture-perfect and fleeting
- Description: Stroll the quad in bloom — it’s one of Seattle’s best-loved spring rituals.
- Special Events: Blossom tracker online
- Best Time: Late March to early April
- Ballard Breweries + Salmon Bay Stroll
- Vibe: Hoppy and harbor-side
- Description: Do a brewery crawl and watch boats pass through the locks nearby.
- Special Events: Ballard Beer Fest
- Best Time: Fall or sunny weekends
10 Things To Do Within 60 Miles
- Mount Rainier National Park (closer from SE suburbs)
- Vibe: Epic and serene
- Description: Hike wildflower-filled trails or snowshoe in winter with iconic mountain views.
- Special Events: Wildflower bloom (July–August)
- Best Time: Summer
- Leavenworth (on the edge of 60)
- Vibe: Quirky and alpine
- Description: Visit a Bavarian-style village in the Cascades for sausages, hikes, and wine tasting.
- Special Events: Oktoberfest, Christmas Lights Festival
- Best Time: Fall or December
- Snohomish Antique Shops + Skydiving
- Vibe: Vintage or adrenaline-filled
- Description: Hunt for antique treasures or book a solo skydive with mountain views.
- Special Events: Street fairs
- Best Time: Spring and summer
- Whidbey Island Day Trip
- Vibe: Coastal and creative
- Description: Explore charming towns, state parks, and artist studios along the island.
- Special Events: Island County Fair
- Best Time: Summer
- North Bend + Twin Peaks Tour
- Vibe: Cult-classic and scenic
- Description: Visit filming spots from Twin Peaks and hike nearby Rattlesnake Ledge.
- Special Events: Twin Peaks Festival (summer)
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Deception Pass State Park
- Vibe: Dramatic and outdoorsy
- Description: Hike over soaring bridges with sea cliffs, forests, and coastal trails.
- Special Events: Ranger-led tidepooling
- Best Time: Summer
- Tacoma Museums (Art + Glass)
- Vibe: Unexpectedly cool
- Description: Check out Chihuly Bridge of Glass, car museums, and waterfront views.
- Special Events: Art walks and glassblowing demos
- Best Time: Year-round
- Camano Island Getaway
- Vibe: Laid-back and unplugged
- Description: Rent a cabin, beachcomb, or hike at Cama Beach State Park.
- Special Events: Art Studio Tour (May)
- Best Time: Summer
- Woodinville Wine + Whiskey Trail
- Vibe: Boozy and walkable
- Description: Hit tasting rooms for wine, craft spirits, and cider — all in one small area.
- Special Events: Wine Walks
- Best Time: Fall
- Mount Si Hike
- Vibe: Challenging and rewarding
- Description: Tackle this popular peak with stunning views over the Cascades.
- Special Events: None
- Best Time: Late spring through early fall
