Seattle had been on our journey listing for years, however after we lastly made it to the Emerald Metropolis, we realized we’d made some traditional vacationer blunders. When you’re planning a visit to the Pacific Northwest’s crown jewel, study from our missteps and profit from your go to.
On this article, we’ll share with you among the errors we made after we had been planning a visit to Seattle.
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Seattle Journey Errors
1. Not staying lengthy sufficient.
Maybe our greatest remorse final yr was not staying lengthy sufficient in Seattle. Though Seattle was one of many cities we actually needed to set foot in, we didn’t understand how a lot we had been going to adore it. We handled Seattle as only a stopover and booked a couple of full days, pondering that will be loads of time to hit the key sights. We had been improper. We barely scratched the floor of what the town needed to provide, and we hadn’t even ventured past downtown.
Seattle isn’t simply the House Needle and Pike Place Market. Town sprawls throughout numerous neighborhoods, every with its personal character. Fremont, Ballard, and Capitol Hill all deserve exploration. Then there’s all the things past the town limits: the San Juan Islands, Mount Rainier Nationwide Park, the vineyards of Woodinville, and the charming city of Snoqualmie with its beautiful falls. We utterly missed these experiences by confining ourselves to the vacationer hall.
If we may do it over, we’d finances at the least 5 to seven days. That will give us time to truly expertise Seattle relatively than simply checking packing containers on a sightseeing listing.
2. Underestimating the costs.
Seattle is pricey. Like actually costly. To begin with, Seattle is thought for having a excessive gross sales tax charge, which as of late 2025 is greater than 10%, making it one of many highest amongst main cities within the US. The speed consists of a state gross sales tax charge of 6.5% plus varied native gross sales add-ons for county and metropolis wants, which at present totals round 3.85%.
Lots of the costs that you just see on the menus of eating places or the cabinets at supermarkets don’t embrace taxes but. So when budgeting, be sure to account for these.
To us, although, excessive costs are most evident in lodging charges, particularly in peak season.
Let’s take, for instance, the lodge the place we stayed. Within the low season, you will get a Queen room for as little as USD 72 per night time. However within the peak season, it may well go as a lot as USD 616 per night time. On tremendous peak days, it may well skyrocket to USD 842 per night time, together with taxes.
By the way in which, we booked our room on Agoda.
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That will by some means reduce the prices. Additionally take into account staying in neighborhoods outdoors the town middle if finances is a priority.
There are various different methods to cut back bills, a lot of which, we’ll talk about on our Seattle Journey Information article.
SEARCH FOR SEATTLE HOTELS HERE!
3. Dismissing native cafés.
Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks. And sure, vacationers dutifully make their pilgrimage to the unique Starbucks at Pike Place Market (and wait within the inevitable line). We did, too, simply to see what the fuss was about. Be at liberty to try this for those who’re a fan.
However don’t miss out on the town’s unbelievable unbiased espresso tradition, too.
To be sincere with you, I’m not a giant espresso drinker. However Vins is, so I joined him as he sashayed into an area café in each space we visited. From Seattle Middle, we went out of our approach to strive Caffe Vita at KEXP Gathering House.
Caffe Vita’s menu is dominated by lattes, in order that’s what we ordered. Vins had the common latte, which had a wealthy, clean texture. The espresso holds up effectively, making it very balanced and never overpowered by the milk. I had the orange madeleine latte, my first time to strive espresso with sturdy citrus taste, and I liked it. It was wealthy but in addition buttery, due to the madeleine cookie syrup and with simply the correct quantity of orange zest.
We additionally checked out Espresso Vivace, one other legendary Seattle establishment, based in 1988 by David Schomer, a former Boeing engineer, credited with growing and popularizing latte artwork in the US. Vins had an iced latte, and I had an iced caffe caramel. Each had been candy and had sturdy aroma, however we agreed that my order tasted higher.
Close to Pike Place, we paid a go to to Anchorhead Espresso, which takes delight in its severe Pacific Northwest espresso tradition. It has established a reputation for itself for single-origin beans and exact brewing strategies. We had been within the temper for one thing ice chilly, so Vins ordered Honey Bunches of Chilly Brew, which mixes chilly brew espresso with burnt honey, cinnamon, maple, and creamy oat milk, mimicking a cereal-y profile. It was additionally extra full-bodied than standard, so the style additionally lingered within the mouth.
I’m not a giant espresso fan typically, so I had Iced Blueberry Matcha. It seemed like your typical plain matcha drink at first look, however the blueberries sang solely after you gulped. I appreciated the subtlety as a result of I used to be afraid that it might style extra like juice, but it surely didn’t. It used oat milk, too, as a substitute of cow’s milk. It was implausible.
Seattle’s espresso scene goes a lot deeper than its most well-known export. The unbiased cafés are the place you’ll discover the actual innovation, ardour, and group that made this metropolis a espresso capital within the first place.
4. Staying above floor.
This sounds unusual, however one among Seattle’s most fascinating facets is what lies beneath the floor, and we practically missed it totally.
At Pike Place Market, we did what most vacationers do. What we didn’t do till the final hour was discover the Down Below or Decrease Stage. This lane of quirky outlets and eateries beneath the primary market is much less crowded and filled with hidden gems. You’ll discover classic shops, e book and memento outlets, and among the market’s oldest companies tucked away down there. We nearly didn’t see it. However thank heavens we stumbled upon it.
However what we failed to go to was the Seattle Underground Tour. Seattle’s authentic downtown was constructed at avenue degree within the 1850s, however after the Nice Hearth of 1889, it was rebuilt on prime of the outdated streets, basically burying a complete metropolis beneath fashionable Seattle. The tour takes you thru these forgotten sidewalks and storefronts, full with fascinating (and infrequently hilarious) historic commentary.
Too unhealthy we didn’t get to discover it!
5. Skipping the Seattle CityPASS.
When you’re visiting a number of museums, don’t forget to buy a Seattle CityPASS, which provides you with an incredible low cost on admission charges.
It prices $129 for adults and $99 for youngsters ages 5-12 and saves as much as 49% on entrance charges. The cross is legitimate for 9 (9) consecutive days starting on the primary day of use, supplying you with flexibility to discover at your individual tempo.
The CityPASS contains assured admission to the House Needle (with day and night time visits inside 24 hours) and the Seattle Aquarium, plus your alternative of three extra sights from choices together with: Chihuly Backyard and Glass, Museum of Pop Tradition (MoPOP), Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Woodland Park Zoo, and Pacific Science Middle.
For shorter visits, the Seattle C3 cross saves as much as 32% on admission to 3 (3) sights of your alternative from an analogous listing that additionally contains the Museum of Flight, Seattle Artwork Museum, and Sky View Observatory. This works effectively for those who solely have a day or two within the metropolis.
The passes are significantly priceless as a result of lots of the included sights (just like the House Needle, Chihuly, and MoPOP) are clustered collectively at Seattle Middle, making it simple to go to a number of websites in in the future. Some sights require advance reservations by way of the My CityPASS app, so it’s greatest to plan forward.
6. Ignoring the climate.
We visited in Might and in June, and fortunately, the climate cooperated on each events. The sky was clear for many of our go to. However even the locals we talked to talked about to us how fortunate we had been as a result of our timing was nice. They mentioned, for many of the yr, it’s usually cloudy and drizzly.
Seattle’s climate is famously unpredictable, and “partly cloudy with an opportunity of rain” is virtually the town’s year-round forecast. Even within the driest months, you may expertise 4 seasons in a single day.
When you see that the climate is a bit gloomy, don’t go up the House Needle since you is likely to be underwhelmed by the view. Wait or transfer your go to to a different time or day. And outdoors the sunny season, put together for that likelihood of rain. Carry gentle rain jackets, costume in layers, and put on comfy strolling footwear that may deal with moist pavement. It’s all about expectation and preparation. The sky gained’t rain in your parade whenever you’re ready for it, and Seattle turns into way more pleasing.
7. Driving downtown.
We don’t drive overseas, so we didn’t make this error, but it surely’s one thing that caught out for us as we had been exploring the town. Seattle’s downtown core is very walkable, and the general public transportation system is definitely dependable. The Hyperlink Gentle Rail connects the airport on to downtown and runs often. Throughout the metropolis, you’ve got buses, the South Lake Union Streetcar, and the Seattle Middle Monorail. For these out of the way in which, rideshare companies are available and infrequently cheaper than parking anyway.
Cost is best with an ORCA card, the common sensible card accepted on all transit programs, together with gentle rail, buses, ferries, and water taxis. Playing cards could be bought at gentle rail stations. The cardboard itself prices $3, however you may prime it up or add day passes for extra financial savings utilizing the myORCA app (Android) or the Transit GO cellular app. However for those who’re simply staying in Seattle for a day or two, you in all probability gained’t want a card. Simply buy particular person passes from the machines or the apps.
The Regional Day Move ($6) affords limitless rides for a day and is ideal for vacationers. You can too use the Transit GO cellular app to buy instantly out of your smartphone. Most fares embrace a 2-hour switch window between buses, trains, and streetcars. Use Google Maps for real-time arrival info and instructions.
Driving in Seattle is mostly pointless for guests staying downtown, except you propose on happening day journeys to locations past the town limits. But when your itinerary is confined within the metropolis middle, no have to hire a automotive or drive your individual.
Do you’ve got something so as to add to this listing? What vacation spot would you want us to cowl subsequent? Pontificate within the feedback part under.
Defend your funds when touring!
Getting a journey insurance coverage is optionally available, however we extremely advocate this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey could be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it offers us peace of thoughts in case of surprising delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For worldwide locations, take into account PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance coverage. You may GET IT HERE. Don’t neglect to make use of WORTHIT for a particular inexpensive charge.
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2026 1 26 – First uploaded
Edited by: Asta Alvarez
