It’s mostly a light drizzle, but the city can feel dreary and dark, making popular outdoor activities like hiking less appealing. The Pacific Northwest is known for rain, and 150 days of the year are indeed rainy in Seattle.įor almost half the year, the skies in Seattle are gray. There are two things that will factor in heavily to your decision of when you’ll visit Seattle: the cost and the weather. There are many places to visit in Seattle that tell the city’s story and many natural wonders within easy reach for those who seek them out. Locals and tourists alike delight in the beauty and natural bounty that surrounds them here.

It’s a place where things are always happening.

Today, Seattle is a hub of industry and innovation and a leader in the Pacific Rim. The 1980s saw the rise of Microsoft and the tech industry as integral to the local economy. Seattle hosted its second world fair in 1962, which resulted in the Space Needle, monorail, and Seattle Center becoming permanent city features. The port became a West Coast hub for grain and container ships. In 1916, William Boeing began his venture into aircraft manufacturing. Seattle’s industry grew quickly from there. This rapidly growing city hosted its first world fair in 1909, putting it on the map. In 1896, Seattle rose to prominence as the main supply point for the Klondike Gold Rush. The Northern Pacific Railroad linked the new city to the nation in 1893, offering a catalyst for growth.

The dominant early industry was Henry Yesler’s lumber mill. Seattle’s history as a city began with the Denny party which arrived in 1851, naming the settlement after a local Salish chief. The area around Seattle was originally the homeland of Coast Salish tribes. Please read the disclosures to learn more. Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, I receive a small commission. Here’s what you’ll want to know about the best time to visit Seattle and what to do when you’re there. For a chance to experience Seattle like the locals, plan your trip around the beloved-and sometimes quirky-summer festivals. Long daylight hours and high temperatures in the 70s make summer in Seattle pleasant and outdoor pursuits popular.įrom Pike’s Place Market to the bustling waterfront to the futuristic Space Needle, Seattle bursts with indie eccentricity, vibrant arts and culture, fresh cuisine, and a pioneering spirit.

The city truly shines in the summer sun, meaning May to October is the best time to visit Seattle. Nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascades Range, the ‘Emerald City’ is a great home base to explore nearby mountains, waterfalls, evergreen forests, and the rugged Washington coastline. Seattle is known by many as the jewel of the Pacific Northwest.

Top things to do in seattle