Seattle had been on our journey checklist for years, however after we lastly made it to the Emerald Metropolis, we realized we’d made some traditional vacationer blunders. For those who’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 largest remorse final yr was not staying lengthy sufficient in Seattle. Though Seattle was one of many cities we actually wished to set foot in, we didn’t notice how a lot we had been going to like it. We handled Seattle as only a stopover and booked just a few full days, considering that might be loads of time to hit the main points of interest. We had been incorrect. We barely scratched the floor of what the town needed to supply, and we hadn’t even ventured past downtown.
Seattle isn’t simply the Area Needle and Pike Place Market. The town sprawls throughout numerous neighborhoods, every with its personal character. Fremont, Ballard, and Capitol Hill all deserve exploration. Then there’s every part past the town limits: the San Juan Islands, Mount Rainier Nationwide Park, the vineyards of Woodinville, and the charming city of Snoqualmie with its gorgeous falls. We utterly missed these experiences by confining ourselves to the vacationer hall.
If we might do it over, we’d finances a minimum of 5 to seven days. That will give us time to truly expertise Seattle slightly than simply checking containers on a sightseeing checklist.
2. Underestimating the costs.
Seattle is pricey. Like actually costly. Initially, 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 numerous native gross sales add-ons for county and metropolis wants, which at the moment totals round 3.85%.
Lots of the costs that you simply see on the menus of eating places or the cabinets at supermarkets don’t embrace taxes but. So when budgeting, ensure you 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 may get a Queen room for as little as USD 72 per night time. However within the peak season, it could possibly go as a lot as USD 616 per night time. On tremendous peak days, it could possibly 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 one way or the other reduce the prices. Additionally think about staying in neighborhoods outdoors the town heart if finances is a priority.
There are various different methods to scale back bills, a lot of which, we’ll focus on on our Seattle Journey Information article.
Seek for Seattle Inns Right 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 do this in the event you’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 an enormous espresso drinker. However Vins is, so I joined him as he sashayed into an area café in each space we visited. From Seattle Heart, we went out of our technique to strive Caffe Vita at KEXP Gathering Area.
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 nicely, 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 beloved it. It was wealthy but additionally buttery, because of the madeleine cookie syrup and with simply the correct amount 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 USA. 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 pleasure 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 common, so the style additionally lingered within the mouth.
I’m not an enormous espresso fan on the whole, 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, however it 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 neighborhood that made this metropolis a espresso capital within the first place.
4. Staying above floor.
This sounds unusual, however considered one of Seattle’s most fascinating elements is what lies beneath the floor, and we practically missed it completely.
At Pike Place Market, we did what most vacationers do. What we didn’t do till the final hour was discover the Down Underneath or Decrease Stage. This lane of quirky retailers and eateries beneath the primary market is much less crowded and stuffed with hidden gems. You’ll discover classic shops, ebook and memento retailers, and among the market’s oldest companies tucked away down there. We virtually 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 road degree within the 1850s, however after the Nice Hearth of 1889, it was rebuilt on prime of the previous streets, primarily burying a complete metropolis beneath trendy Seattle. The tour takes you thru these forgotten sidewalks and storefronts, full with fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) historic commentary.
Too unhealthy we didn’t get to discover it!
5. Skipping the Seattle CityPASS.
For those who’re visiting a number of museums, don’t forget to buy a Seattle CityPASS, which gives you an excellent low cost on admission charges.
It prices $129 for adults and $99 for kids ages 5-12 and saves as much as 49% on entrance charges. The go 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 Area Needle (with day and night time visits inside 24 hours) and the Seattle Aquarium, plus your alternative of three extra points of interest from choices together with: Chihuly Backyard and Glass, Museum of Pop Tradition (MoPOP), Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Woodland Park Zoo, and Pacific Science Heart.
For shorter visits, the Seattle C3 go saves as much as 32% on admission to 3 (3) points of interest of your alternative from an analogous checklist that additionally contains the Museum of Flight, Seattle Artwork Museum, and Sky View Observatory. This works nicely in the event you solely have a day or two within the metropolis.
The passes are notably precious as a result of lots of the included points of interest (just like the Area Needle, Chihuly, and MoPOP) are clustered collectively at Seattle Heart, making it simple to go to a number of websites in at some point. Some points of interest require advance reservations via the My CityPASS app, so it’s greatest to plan forward.
6. Ignoring the climate.
We visited in Could 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 stated, 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 possibly can expertise 4 seasons in a single day.
For those who see that the climate is a bit gloomy, don’t go up the Area 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 mild rain jackets, gown 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 if you’re ready for it, and Seattle turns into way more pleasant.
7. Driving downtown.
We don’t drive overseas, so we didn’t make this error, however it’s one thing that caught out for us as we had been exploring the town. Seattle’s downtown core is extremely walkable, and the general public transportation system is definitely dependable. The Hyperlink Mild Rail connects the airport on to downtown and runs ceaselessly. Throughout the metropolis, you will have buses, the South Lake Union Streetcar, and the Seattle Heart Monorail. For these out of the way in which, rideshare companies are available and sometimes cheaper than parking anyway.
Fee is best with an ORCA card, the common sensible card accepted on all transit methods, together with mild rail, buses, ferries, and water taxis. Playing cards might be bought at mild rail stations. The cardboard itself prices $3, however you possibly can prime it up or add day passes for extra financial savings utilizing the myORCA app (Android) or the Transit GO cellular app. However in the event you’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) gives limitless rides for a day and is ideal for vacationers. You may also use the Transit GO cellular app to buy immediately out of your smartphone. Most fares embrace a 2-hour switch window between buses, trains, and streetcars. Use Google Maps for real-time arrival data and instructions.
Driving in Seattle is usually pointless for guests staying downtown, except you intend on happening day journeys to locations past the town limits. But when your itinerary is confined within the metropolis heart, no have to lease a automotive or drive your individual.
Do you will have something so as to add to this checklist? What vacation spot would you want us to cowl subsequent? Hold forth within the feedback part beneath.
Shield your funds when touring!
Getting a journey insurance coverage is non-compulsory, however we extremely advocate this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey might be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it offers us peace of thoughts in case of sudden delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For worldwide locations, think about PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance coverage. You possibly can GET IT HERE. Don’t overlook to make use of WORTHIT for a particular inexpensive charge.
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2026 1 26 – First uploaded
Edited by: Asta Alvarez