seattle waterfront facing the city, showing ferrris wheel and buildings with space needle in the background — table of contents

I believe that knowing a bit of Seattle’s history is vital for truly connecting with the city, the surrounding nature, and its people. I also believe in giving back to the place I am visiting, whether it be an hour of beach clean up, a donation to a grassroots organization, or becoming informed about a local cause. This origin story of Seattle is one that few outside of Seattle know, and it is a way I help honor the land I live on by sharing it with you.

**The Duwamish People**

“This we know; The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. This we know, all things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected” - Chief Si’ahl

The Duwamish people have been in the Seattle/Greater King County area since time immemorial. Their stories, such as "North Wind, South Wind", tell of the last Ice Age, and an Ice Weir breaking over the Duwamish River.

When settlers started moving to the Elliott Bay area in the 1850s, Chief Si'ahl (Seattle’s namesake), who was chief of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes, stayed friendly to the newcomers and urged his people to do the same. They helped clear forest for crops, gave food and lumber, and shared skills for the settlers to survive and thrive. Chief Si’ahl was the first signatory on the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855.

In return for the reservation and other benefits promised in the treaty by the United States government, the Duwamish Tribe exchanged over 54,000 acres of their homeland. Today those 54,000 acres include the cities of Seattle, Renton, Tukwila, Bellevue, and Mercer Island, and much of King County.

European-American immigrants soon violated the Treaty of Point Elliott of 1855, triggering a series of Native rebellions from 1855 to 1858 known as "the Indian War". To this day, promises made by the United States government over 150 years ago to the Duwamish in the Treaty of Point Elliott have never been honored, and the Duwamish Tribe is still not federally recognized.

How you can help:

Make a one-time (or monthly) donation to the Duwamish Tribal Services nonprofit, so they can continue to support the revival of the culture and the vitality of its people. Donate here.
Sign the petition for Federal Recognition of the Duwamish Tribe and share on your channels. Sign here.
Visit The Longhouse & Cultural Center. More info here.
Attend the annual Duwamish River Festival. More info here.

Thank you for reading :)

Seattle Outdoors

Seattle is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, with acres of parkland throughout the city. It's a great place for scenic views and fresh air.

Olympic Mountain Range

Seattle Ferries

Mount Rainier

Discovery Park

Snoqualmie Falls

Seattle Sailboats

Seattle Music, Arts, & Culture

Seattle is home to a rich arts and music culture, from 90s grunge to to budding new artists and more. Experience top music venues, art museums, and murals.

Unicorn by Aramis Hamer

Biblioteka

Supernova Nightclub

Guitar Sculpture at Museum of Pop Culture

Statue of Jimi Hendrix

Mural by Ryan Henry Ward, aka "Henry"

Burke Museum

Hing Hay Park

Seattle Sports

Seattle is home to some competitive sports teams. Even if you're not a sports fanatic, Seattle's state-of-the-art stadiums are worth visiting for an unforgettable experience. Find affordable tickets to a Mariners, Sounders, Reign, or Sea Dragons game, or splurge on Seahawks and Kraken tickets.

OL Reign's Megan Rapinoe

Lumen Field from above

Seattle Kraken

Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena

Seattle Mariners T-Mobile Park

Seattle Sounders FC fans

Seattle Seahawks

Top Museums & Attractions

Arts and culture museums, parks, beaches, and breath-taking views. Follow my Google Maps list of Seattle Museums & Attractions for all these and more.

Museums

monorail exiting the museum of pop culture tunnel in downtown seattle — Museum of pop culture

Also referred to as “MoPop,” this museum is home to the worlds most immersive pop culture experiences in TV, music, science fiction, and much more.

WNDR is a multi-sensory interactive art and technology experience that is designed to ignite the curiosity within each of us.

exterior shot of chihuly garden and glass in downtown seattle — Chihuly Garden & Glass

This wondrous, magical glass artwork museum is absolutely a must-see while in Seattle. It showcases the works of local glass artist Dale Chihuly.

scenic parks

kerry park lookout into downtown seattle — Kerry PArk

Picture-perfect views of the Space Needle and Puget Sound can be found at this lookout park in Upper Queen Anne.

Breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountain range, plus trails, beach games, and kid's playground. More on this later :)

Just a quick water taxi ride away. Hop on at Pier 50 downtown and spend an afternoon cruising the boardwalk. More on this later :)

Attractions

This iconic landmark built for the 1962 World’s Fair has had some recent renovations, and now boasts an open air deck and the world's first and only revolving glass floor. What hasn’t changed? The unmatched views of Seattle and the Sound.

photo of pike place market sign with clock — Pike Place Market

Daily public market with multiple levels of vendors, shops, cafes, and a brand new MarketFront with front row views to Puget Sound. Read My Pike Place Guide for vegan food at the market.

photo of fremont troll with red volkswagen bug under the aurora bridge in fremont, seattle — Fremont Troll

Get your photo with an 18-ft. tall troll made of concrete clutching an old VW Beetle. Find him underneath a bridge in Fremont. He's usually nice...

top festivals

Seattle plays hosts to a variety of annual events and festivals that are worth including into your plans.

Tips for a great stay

Three big tips to get the most out of your trip, and stretch your dollars to the max.

Save your money for delicious vegan food and a comfortable stay, and take advantage of these helpful tips to save time planning!

1. Book Your Stay Near Transit

Save money by finding lodging near a main transit stop (light rail or Rapid Ride bus stops are best). Utilize public transit as much as possible; it's a fraction of the cost of ride share. More help with transit coming later :)

2. Enjoy All The Freebies

Seattle's parks, beaches, libraries, and playgrounds are free! Plus, museums and other attractions offer free entry (go early as the lines get long). I recommend some of the top free activities in this guide for you to enjoy, coming up later :)

3. Utilize My Maps & Hyperlinks!

Throughout this guide, I link my custom Google Maps lists and other helpful links. Anything underlined is a link to help you plan your trip.

Google Maps Lists: Click “Follow” on the Google Maps list, and it will save inside your Google Maps for you to access later. Find them under the “Saved” tab when you need them. This is a great way to access these places outside of this guide when you’re out and about! Plus, enjoy my helpful notes on each location, and easily access business hours, contact information, and directions.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Please note that some links are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may receive a commission. Thank you!

photo of girl sitting on a park bench bus stop at pike place market in seattle, wa — transportation tips

***The best ways to get around the city.***

Getting Around Seattle

Here are the best ways to explore the entire city.

photo of car in road right in front of pike place market — by car

interactive floor at wndr museum in seattle — wndr museum

Using your own car definitely has its advantages. Just know that parking in many parts of town can be difficult with lots of cars fighting for spots. Traffic can also become an issue, particularly on the freeway. Car rentals are still pretty pricey at this time, too.

If you don't need a car for accessibility, carseats, or other necessities, going carless in Seattle is easy, with many transportation alternatives. You’ll spend less time circling the neighborhood for a parking spot and more time enjoying your trip. I have been car-free for over 10 years in Seattle by using a mix of transit options below.

If you plan to get out of Seattle city limits during your trip (for hiking, camping, visiting small towns, etc.) a car might be necessary. If you’re staying in the city, however, it’s possible to do it car-free!

Seattle buses and Light Rail run fairly frequently and connect you to every part of town. I recommend purchasing and loading money onto an Orca Card, which works on King County buses, WA ferries, the monorail, light rail, street cars, and more. Use Metro Trip Planner for bus routes. I also use the One Bus Away app for real-time route updates and arrival times. More helpful info on transit coming later based on where you want to go :)

Ride share is a quick and easy option always available to you, with drivers hardly ever more than 5 minutes away. Uber and Lyft operate in Seattle, plus some taxi companies. Peak time fares can get pricey, though, so I recommend having a public transit backup plan if the rate is too steep for your budget.

Biking around the city is a fun and traffic-free way to get around! Seattle has a few bike-only routes for going across the city, as well as protected bike lanes throughout downtown and other neighborhoods. Be safe, wear a helmet, and stay alert. View the Bike Map for route planning.

Not packing your own bike? I recommend renting bikes for the duration of your trip! You can rent regular, mountain, or electric bikes. All rentals include a helmet.

Bike Rental Companies:

Electric & Folding Bikes (Ballard)
Evo Bike Rentals (Fremont)

Don’t need a bike the entire trip? Just use short-term rentals like Lime that are pretty easy to find around most of the city, and are great for getting to the bus stops or cruising around a neighborhood for the day. I do recommend packing your own helmet or renting one.

While Lime bikes and scooters are most predominant in the city, there are a few newer companies sprouting up with more bikes and scooters. I’d recommend downloading a few of these apps for your convenience.

Short Term Bike & Scooter Apps:

Lime app (bikes & scooters)
Veo app (low rider bikes)
Bird app (scooters)
Superpedestrian app (Link scooters)
Spin app (scooters)

For those times you just need a car or want to get out of the city for a day, Gig Car is a great way to go. It’s cheaper than ride share, with a lower per-minute rate (and no tipping!), so in those times you’d typically call for a ride, Gig Car is a good alternative.

You’ll need to download the app and become a member in advance, so they can verify your driver’s license. Gig Car is operated by AAA and runs in a few major cities on the West Coast. Gig Car is a short-term car rental service- you only pay based on the length of your trip. Need to refuel? Gig Car will reimburse you. Worried about parking? You can park it on any public parking space with no need to pay. Typically there’s a few cars within a square mile of where ever you are, and you can reserve the car 30-minutes in advance.

To end the rental, your car needs to be parked back into the Homezone, which is most of the Seattle limits but not everywhere. Most parks and beaches, for example, are out of the zone. You can park there, but your trip will remain running. Be sure to check out the city zone to make sure you can end your trip where you want to. And if you are looking to get out of the city for a few hours or overnight, there are half- and full-day rates as well that might benefit you. Be sure to check out all the info on their website.

When I use Gig Car:

Getting to the Light Rail Station (I am 2 buses away and I’m usually running late), about $10-15.
Going across town (Ballard to Capitol Hill, for example) and it’s multiple buses, but ride share will be over $30. About $15-20.
Spending an entire day (8+ hours) or overnight out of town, like a trip to Diablo Lake or to visit family in a small town. About $100.
Getting to/from the airport in the super early or late hours when Light Rail isn’t running (you can park at Wally Park and a shuttle will take you to the airport! More info on the Gig Car website). Uber/Lyft is at least $60 for me, Gig Car is about $30-40.

recommended:
Ride The Light Rail

The light rail runs North-South from Sea-Tac Airport to North Seattle, with stops in Downtown, Capitol Hill, U. District, and more. If you’re flying into Seattle, you'll save $60+ by taking the light rail instead of ride share or taxi from the airport, and can connect by bus to any neighborhood from downtown if needed.

Even if you’re not flying to Seattle, getting from one end of town to another via the light rail is a cheaper, more convenient and faster way than driving or ride share. Keep it in mind when planning your lodging and daily excursions.

Enjoy quick and cheap travel across town, with zero traffic. Buy an Orca card or purchase a ticket at any kiosk. More info on riding the Light Rail can be found here.

Note: The Light Rail does not currently serve Fremont, Ballard, or West Seattle. Instead, connect to a bus from downtown (more help with that later on).

Planning Your Visit

some helpful tips about seattle’s climate and tourist season

Seattle, like any other city, has its peak tourist season and off-peak season. The majority of tourism happens around Seattle’s summer months, June through September, when the weather is warmest and rainfall is at its lowest.

Prices for lodging typically peak in July, plus Holiday weekends year-round; it’s cheapest around December-February, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

If you don’t mind a little overcast and a chance of rain, September through late November is an ideal off-season, as well as April and May. You might get lucky with some sunny days, there are still plenty of events going on, and the weather is usually sitting in the 50s-60s F.

photo of rooftop deck at seattle's inn at the market hotel, with firepit and outdoor couches — Lodging Tips

Helpful info when choosing where to stay, based on your budget and personal preferences.

Where To Stay: Hotels

Comfortable sleep, top amenities, and prime locations close to public transit make hotels a great choice for Seattle stays.

Here are 3 hotels I recommend based on different budgets and preferences.

photo of hampton inn hotel room — budget hotel: Hampton Inn

Staying North of Seattle is typically cheapest for hotel stays, just make sure you're near public transit. This hotel is super close to the Northgate Light Rail Station- about a 12-minute walk, or 2-minute drive. Prices start out at around $120/night.

View Hampton Inn Northgate

Prime locations with stylish, cozy rooms make all of the Stay Pineapple Hotels in Seattle a top choice. Their Hotel 5 lies right in-between Seattle Center and downtown, with many buses nearby. Prices start at around $200/night.

View Hotel 5 Belltown

Stay in the heart of Pike Place Market with stunning waterfront views, an on-site bar, and a spectacular rooftop deck with a fire pit. Plus, you’re just blocks from the Light Rail and many Rapid Ride Bus Routes for easy transportation across the city. Rated 9.9 for a 2-person trip! Prices start at about $250/night.

View The Inn At The Market

Affiliate disclosure: No matter which hotel you choose, you can support me by booking with my Booking.com affliate link! At no additional cost to you, I may receive a commission. Thanks for your support.

Where to stay: hostels

Seattle has some great hostels, and they’re perfect for cheaper lodging, solo travel, and staying near transit. You’ll also meet people from all over the world; one of the many perks of hostel lodging is the community it offers.

Here are 3 hostels I recommend for a great stay in Seattle.

Located only steps from the light rail, bus tunnels, trains, ferries, bike rentals and more in the International District. Rated 8.9/10.

View HI Seattle

Located in the quirky art community of Fremont, this hostel hood provides everything you need. Rated 8/10. No Dorms.

View Hotel Hotel

This popular hostel is conveniently located right across the street from the world famous Pike Place Market. Rated 9.2./10

View Green Tortoise Hostel

*No matter which hostel you choose, you can support me by booking with my Hostelworld affiliate link! At no additional cost to you, I may receive a commission.Thank you for your support.

Where To Stay: Home Rentals

Room and home rentals let you stay in some of the top vegan-friendly neighborhoods that don't have many hotels. I recommend staying near transit.

Here are 3 different types of listings with averages prices below.

Tip: Learn about Seattle’s best neighborhoods in the next section of the guide so you can book close to your favorites! :)

Best for solo travelers who want privacy but still want to save money. Rooms range from $60-100 across the city. This listing is ~$96/night, with a 4.9/10 rating.

View Cozy Room in Capitol Hill

Score a Mother-in-Law unit or detached guest house in many great neighborhoods! Prices range from $90-140/night. This guest house in Ballard goes for around $130/night, with a 4.92/10 rating.

View Ballard Guest House

Want the whole place to yourself? Average price for a condo in Seattle is $150-300/night, with is about the same as entire home rentals. This downtown condo runs for about $158/night, with a 4.95/10 rating.

View Downtown Condo

seattle’s best neighborhoods

a closer look into 18 vegan-friendly neighborhoods, perfect for lodging, dining, or spending an entire day exploring.

Break away from Downtown and experience the top neighborhoods for vegan dining, nature, and nightlife. Sure, I’ll cover downtown, too, but surprisingly it’s not the most accommodating for vegan food, and it’s usually the most expensive for lodging, be it hotels or condo rentals.

It seems like so many visitors I chat with only explore downtown, and miss out on all the rad neighborhoods (and even better vegan food!) that Seattle has to offer.

I wanted to give you a deeper dive into some of the coolest parts of town, so you can make the most of your trip (or use this guide again to plan your next one!).

I’ve broken this extensive neighborhood guide into 3 parts:

North Seattle
Central Seattle
South Seattle

Each section has about 6 neighborhoods in each. By understanding these 3 main regions of town, this should help you better plan your days, your lodging, and your transit needs based on the areas you want to spend time in most. That way, you can minimize time spent in the car (or bus) and actually enjoy your trip!

Seattle On The Map

A quick glance at these neighborhoods in relation to downtown and one another. This visual helps you understand the lay of the land, to better plan your trip. Here are the 3 main areas we will focus:

North Seattle: Basically everything North of Lake Union: Fremont, Ballard, Greenwood, Wallingford, Greenlake/Roosevelt, and University District.

Central Seattle: Space Needle, Downtown, and nearby: Queen Anne, Belltown, Downtown, South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, Madison Park.

South Seattle: Everything South of Downtown: Pioneer Square, International District/Chinatown, Georgetown, West Seattle, Beacon Hill, Othello.

North Seattle is arguably the most vegan-friendly of them all, with plentiful restaurants to choose from. It’s also a great area to stay in, with easy transportation and lots of things to do. Let’s dive into the North Seattle neighborhoods you don’t want to miss.

Fremont

Also called the "Center of the Universe," this quirky and colorful neighborhood has tons of shops and vegan-friendly restaurants to enjoy. Walk, bike, or skate along the canal boardwalk, browse the year-round outdoor Sunday Fremont Market with local artisans, and shop Fremont Vintage Mall for flannel, denim, and rare finds.

photo of fremont outdoor sunday market with clothing vendors — Fremont’s Sunday Market features lots of vintage clothing and art.

photo of burke gilman trail in fremont with bike riders on the path, view from above with aurora bridge in background — Biking, scootering, or even taking a stroll along the Burke-Gilman waterfront trail in Fremont is always a fun activity.

Getting To Fremont

Parking is slim in Fremont, so public transit, biking, or ride share are recommended alternatives. The Light Rail doesn’t run to Fremont, but you can connect by bus from Downtown, University District, or the Northgate light rail stations.

From Downtown or Nothgate: The 40 Bus Route runs North-South, from Northgate through Ballard and into downtown, stopping right in downtown Fremont on the way. View Route 40
From The University District or Magnolia: The 31 Bus Route runs East-West, from University Village and the U. District, passing through Fremont, Seattle Pacific University and Magnolia. View Route 31
Bike the Burke-Gilman: Whether you're an avid biker or want a fun outdoor activity, biking the Burke-Gilman trail is a beautiful way to see Seattle. It runs from Ballard into Fremont, through the U. District and into Kenmore. View Burke-Gilman Trail

on the blog:

Fremont: Seattle’s quirky and colorful vegan paradise
Read More

Where To Eat In Fremont

My top 3 recommendations for delicious eats and treats in Fremont.

Japanese restaurant with a full vegan menu filled with sushi rolls, noodles, apps, sake, and more.

Fully vegan and Latinx-owned cafe and bakery with croissants, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, espresso.

Korean-inspired deli and cafe with specials like Daily Bento and Bibimbop, plus grab-and-go options.

FREe & Fun: Gasworks Park

photo of gasworks park looking out onto lake union by jeremy hatch — Photo Credit: Jeremy Hatch

This former gas plant turned 19-acre public park is along Lake Union with gorgeous Seattle skyline views. Free parking lot, or walk/bike via the Burke Gilman trail. Playground, bathrooms, and dog-friendly. Find this saved in my Google Maps guide below!

More Fremont Food & fun

There are so many more options, from ramen to sushi to cocktail bars and more. Plus, I added in some fun shops and sights to see along the way! Follow my Vegan Fremont List on Google Maps below for more. :)

Fremont Guide on google maps

Ballard

Ballard is a laid back but vibrant neighborhood with Nordic roots, and home to the new National Nordic Museum. It's main drag, Ballard Ave., is filled with restaurants, shops, and cocktail bars. For beer enthusiasts, Ballard is home to over a dozen breweries and tap rooms. Enjoy the outdoor Farmer's Market every Sunday with local produce and artisans, and don't miss a visit to Golden Gardens park.

The annual outdoor Sunday Farmer’s Market is always a fun activity

Ballard Ave. is home to tons of shops and restaurants to enjoy

Getting to ballard

Parking is slim in Ballard, especially weekend nights and all day Sunday during the farmer’s market, so busing, biking, or Uber/Lyft are recommended. Here are some transit tips:

From Northgate or Downtown: The Raid Ride D Line and 15 Bus Routes run North-South, from Northgate to Ballard, to lower Queen Anne, Belltown, and Downtown. The D Line makes fewer stops making it a “rapid route” across town, but both routes take the same path. Both will drop you at 15th and Market in downtown Ballard. To get to Ballard Ave, it’s about a 7-block walk or bike ride West, from 15th to just past 22nd Ave. Don’t want to walk or bike? You can also connect to the 44 by crossing the street up and over, and getting onto the Northwest point of 15th and Market, which will then drop you right to Ballard Ave NW.
View Route D | View the 15 | View The 44
From Northgate, Northwest Ballard, Fremont, South Lake Union, or Downtown: The 40 Bus Route runs North-South, from Northgate through all of Ballard, and into Fremont, South Lake Union, and downtown. Get off at Ballard Ave NW.
View the 40
From University District or Wallingford: The 44 runs East-West from the University District through Wallingford, and into Ballard. Get off on Market and 24th for the closest stop to Ballard Ave.
View Route 44
Bike The Burke Gilman: The trail ends in Ballard just short of Ballard Ave, but you can bike the rest of the way on the main streets pretty easily, just watch for cars and be safe. Here’s a map from Fremont-Ballard Ave for the best route. View The Route
Walk or Bike Via 17th: 17th Ave NW is now a “Healthy Street” which means that cars are encouraged to use other routes, so the entire street is pedestrian and bike-friendly. 17th runs through North and South Ballard, and it’s a great route to walk, scooter or bike if you’re staying North of downtown Ballard. Plus, one of the best vegan restaurants in Seattle is right on 17th and Market.. :) View Info

Where to eat in ballard

My top 3 recommendations for delicious eats and treats in Ballard.

Table Of Contents

Seattle Outdoors

Seattle Music, Arts, & Culture

Seattle Sports