Every time I take a staycation in Seattle, I’m reminded about how lucky we are to live in this city. There are no limits to what you can do, whether you’re in the mood to kayak, take a tour, visit a museum, or go on a brewery crawl.
If you’re planning a staycation in Seattle and want to know where to stay and what to do, consider this post your ultimate guide!
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Staycation in Seattle
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Where to stay during your Seattle staycation
Each of these spots makes a great home base during your staycation in Seattle. For more ideas, check out my long list of cool places to stay in Seattle.
Thompson Seattle
link to book | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | price: ~$275-$375/night | dog friendly
Owned by Hyatt, the Thomspon is always the first place I recommend for a Seattle staycation. It’s right on the waterfront, giving you a breathtaking view of the Puget Sound. It’s only a short walk from Pike Place Market and a 5-minute drive from the Space Needle, so it’s perfectly located for exploring downtown Seattle.
After enjoying your welcome glass of sparkling wine, check out The Nest, one of my favorite rooftop bars in Seattle.
Inn at the Market
link to book | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | price: ~$350-$400/night
The Thompson may overlook the market, but the Inn at the Market is literally right in it. That means you can start your day with the best breakfast in Pike Place and return to to drop off souvenirs without wasting any time. The hotel also has an incredible view, which you can take in from your room. After exploring, you can retire to the rooftop terrace for a drink by the fire pit.
Gaslight Inn
link to book | neighborhood: Capitol Hill (get directions) | price: ~$175-$200/night
This bed and breakfast is a recognized Seattle landmark and has the most stunning vintage charm. It’s 1.4 miles from Pike Place, though there are plenty of trendy spots in Capitol Hill right from your doorstep. Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, wifi, and even an in-ground heated pool.
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
link to book | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | price: ~$275-$325/night | dog friendly
There are Fairmont hotels all over the world, and it’s safe to say they know luxury. Aside from a Gatsby-esque lounge with one of Seattle’s best speakeasies, there are several restaurants, a spa, babysitting services, and numerous green amenities, making it one of the greenest hotels in Seattle.
Lodge at St. Edward Park
link to book | neighborhood: Kenmore (get directions) | price: ~$230-$275/night | dog friendly
If you want a staycation in Seattle just outside the city limits, the Lodge at St. Edward Park is for you. The lodge is housed in a historic 1931 seminary surrounded by the thickly forested state park that’s home to some of the best hiking in Seattle. It’s minutes away from Kirkland’s great restaurant scene and puts you in the prime location for exploring Woodinville’s best wineries.
South Beach Cozy Cottage
link to book | neighborhood: Bainbridge Island | price: ~$500/night | bedrooms: 2 | bathrooms: 2 | fits: 6 people
The beauty of living in Seattle is that even staying on Bainbridge Island 20 minutes away is considered a “staycation.” This waterfront property overlooks Mt. Rainier and the Puget Sound, where you can ferry watch from the terrace. It’s perfect for a large group and makes a great home base for exploring the island’s many wineries and restaurants.
Pro tip: If you decide to stay here, check out my guide for how to spend a day on Bainbridge Island off the beaten path!
Tree Home on Picnic Point Lake
link to book | neighborhood: Edmonds | price: ~$350/night | bedrooms: 4 | bathrooms: 3 | fits: 10 people | hot tub
This five-floor, hand-built tree home is nestled in the middle of a forest and offers access to Picnic Point Lake and Puget Sound. It has a rounded staircase and offers not one but three decks/balconies. When you’re tired from exploring the outdoors, check out the best restaurants in Edmonds or take a breather in the sauna.
What to do during your Seattle staycation
You know how most New Yorkers have never been to the Statue of Liberty? Well, Seattlites are no different. So, here’s everything there is to do in Seattle that we locals rarely make the time to do.
Visit a farmer’s market or flea market
There is no shortage of epic Seattle farmer’s markets and flea markets. If you’re enjoying a weekend staycation in Seattle, it’s a safe bet there’s one near you.
Of course, there’s always Pike Place Market, one of the oldest and largest continuously operating markets in the United States and home to some of the best restaurants in Seattle. If you’ve never been and aren’t sure where to start, I suggest downloading my free self-guided food tour of Pike Place.
Aside from Pike’s Place, there are markets all over Seattle. Here are a few of my faves:
- Ballard Farmer’s Market – Sundays 9 AM – 2 PM year round rain or shine
- UW Farmer’s Market – Saturdays 9 AM – 2 PM year round rain or shine
- Fremont Sunday Market – Sundays 10 AM – 4 PM year round. Moves under the Fremont Bridge in winter.
- SODO Flea Market – Second Saturday of the month 10 AM – 4 PM
Go on a tour
Tours are way underrated. They’re often the best way to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. Here are some highly-rated tours that will give you a unique perspective of Seattle.
Self-guided Seattle food tour
link to buy | Seattle, WA | cost: $12.95 pp | best for: a food crawl sans the group of strangers
If you’re in a rut of going to the same restaurants over and over again, you’ll love my self-guided Seattle food tours of Ballard, Fremont, and Georgetown. They’re a digital download you can access right from your phone. You’l get over 40 pages of content, including 8-9 stops and 12-14 honorable mentions. I also include when to go to each spot to avoid the crowds, what to order, and tips for getting the most out of each experience.
Seattle Neighborhoods 101 Tour
link to book | Seattle, WA | cost: ~$149 pp | best for: culture & history
This tour is perfect if you’re looking to build a mental map of the city and learn about all the cool neighborhoods in Seattle. It starts in Capitol Hill and then takes you to the Columbia City Theater and Beacon Hill Food Forest before ending in Oxbow Park in Georgetown.
During the tour, you’ll learn about Seattle’s history from a city expert who can answer all your questions and give you the insider scoop on where to spend your day after the tour.
Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour
link to book | Seattle, WA | cost: ~$29 pp | best for: Seattle’s underground history
I’m always surprised how many locals don’t know that the original Pioneer Square is underground. It was reconstructed once cars became mainstream to accommodate new traffic, but the bones of the underground city remain intact. This tour weaves through four blocks of the original Pioneer Square while explaining Seattle’s origin story from the 1890s.
Emerald City Bicycle Tour
link to book | Seattle, WA | cost: ~$99 pp | best for: biking city tour
Seattle is a remarkably bike-friendly town, so it only makes sense that one of the best ways to experience the city should be by bike. This half-day tour starts at Seattle’s waterfront and guides you through eight of Seattle’s neighborhoods, providing commentary and tips for exploring the city.
Visit the museums
I may not be much of a museum person, but I have to admit that it’s one of Seattle’s best features. Here are some of the most notable to check out.
Seattle Art Museum
website | get directions | cost: ~$30 per ticket | best for: new and classic art
Located catty-corner to the gum wall, the SAM is Seattle’s most well-known art museum. It features both historical and emerging artists of all mediums, be it paintings, sculptures, or textiles. It gets a lot of foot traffic, so buy your ticket in advance to speed through the line.
Museum of Pop Culture
website | get directions | cost: ~$38 per ticket | best for: pop culture & music
MoPop offers some of the most immersive pop culture experiences and showcases iconic moments in film, music, sci-fi, video games, and TV. It features historic movie props from old horror movies, a sound room where you can play different instruments, and exhibits on Seattle legends like Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
website | get directions | cost: ~$35 per ticket | best for: glass art
Located next to the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum is stunning and the #1 place tourists get told to visit during their time in Seattle. Sadly, many locals never get around to it. The art museum and sculpture garden feature gorgeous, multi-faceted glass sculptures and endless examples of Tacoma native Dave Chihuly’s best work.
Museum of History & Industry
website | get directions | cost: ~$25 per ticket | best for: Seattle history
Located in South Lake Union, the MOHAI features iconic artifacts that commemorate and celebrate Seattle’s history. Exhibits ranging from the birth of Seattle to modern-day offer a unique glimpse into the city, regardless of whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor. Plus, it’s right on Lake Union so you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous view points of Seattle.
Wing Luke Museum
website | get directions | cost: ~$17 per ticket | best for: Asian history
The Wing Luke Museum is located in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. It offers an honest, authentic view of the Asian experience in Seattle and how it helped shape the city into what it is today. Make sure to check out the Bruce Lee exhibit, which showcases memorabilia and original letters he wrote in Chinese.
Seattle Aquarium
website | get directions | cost: ~$40 per ticket | best for: sea life
The Seattle Aquarium is the largest in Washington and offers numerous entertaining exhibits, including live feeding, virtual reality, and interactive displays, all while promoting education and conservation.
Go on an urban hike
One of my favorite hidden gems in Seattle is its countless secret parks and beaches. In addition to being free, the parks offer the perfect chance to get a breath of fresh air and stretch your legs. Here are some of my favorites:
- Discovery Park – Seattle’s largest green space with trails, a lighthouse, and water views
- Seward Park – 300 acres of hiking trails, a beach, and a paved loop path
- Lincoln Park – Rugged coastline with a beautiful beach walks in the city
- Arboretum – Free botanical garden featuring rare trees and a Japanese garden
- Beacon Hill Food Forest – Community-led urban garden with a 2-acre edible food farm
Spend time on the water
When the weather warms up, I love getting out on a kayak or paddle board. There’s no better way to get a unique glimpse of the city skyline than being in the middle of the water.
I prefer to enjoy my water sports on Lake Union since it doesn’t get too choppy and several rental facilities are nearby. I usually go to Northwest Outdoor Center for my rentals. And if I really want to seize the day, I’ll go in with a few friends and rent a hot tub boat!
Nervous about going out on your own? Book this 2-hour Sound Tour or this 1 Hour Private Sightseeing Cruise!
Go on a wine tour or brewery crawl
No staycation in Seattle would be complete without visiting a few local breweries or wineries. Seattle’s craft beer scene is huge, with over 60 craft breweries within city limits. So, it only makes sense that Seattle would be the best place to experience it.
One of my favorite neighborhoods for brewery crawls is Ballard, which boasts about 15 breweries and taprooms. Nearly all are within walking distance, and many have outdoor seating and great food options. Check out my guide to the Ballard breweries for a shortlist of my favorites!
As for wineries, Seattle has a ton of those, too. In fact, there are more than 20 urban wineries, most of which offer tasting. Check out my guide to the best urban wineries in Seattle for a rundown of what you can expect.
Tours & experiences
Want to taste at multiple spots but not worry about driving? Check out any of these bookings:
Have a spa day
What is a staycation without a bit of pampering? There are a ton of luxurious spas in Seattle, regardless of your budget or the services you’re after, be it services like facials or massages or facilities like saunas and pools.
Spa Noir is one of my go-to spas in Belltown, more so for their treatments than for their amenities. They’re also relatively affordable, so you can relax in style without spending a fortune. Le SPA de l’hôtel LOTTE is quite a bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for with their ambiance and city views.
Looking for a couples massage? The Little Red Day Spa offers 40% off Groupon!
Catch a show
Seeing a show in Seattle is one of the highlights of living here. That’s because there are tons of venues and theaters in every neighborhood, each showcasing a unique style and ambiance.
If you want something more mainstream, like Bye Bye Birdie or Mary Poppins, check out 5th Avenue Theater. If you’re after something a bit more “out there,” Can Can Cabaret is located in Pike Place and combines dinner with dance, cabaret, and burlesque.
Book a memorable meal
I can attest that living in a city often means you end up dining in the same restaurants near where you live over and over. That’s why a staycation in a different part of town is the perfect opportunity to explore the many unique restaurants in Seattle. Here are some options for memorable, special occasion restaurants perfect for your staycation in Seattle.
Archipelago
website | neighborhood: Hillman City (get directions) | price: ~$230+/person | best for: Filipino fine dining
Archipelago is one of the best fine dining restaurants in Seattle. Run by a husband-and-wife duo, they pride themselves on showcasing Filipino flavors through Pacific Northwest ingredients, all in a frills-free yet upscale atmosphere. Guests book a 9-12 course tasting menu that rotates with the seasons alongside an optional alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage pairing.
Peasant @ Beast and Cleaver
website | neighborhood: Ballard (get directions) | price: ~$150/person | best for: fine dining with meat-focused menu
The Peasant pulls double-duty, operating as a casual butchery called the Beast & Cleaver by day, then by night, seamlessly transitioning into one of my favorite date night spots in Seattle. They offer an ever-changing five-course menu where the butchery’s freshest meats play the starring role.
Communion
website | neighborhood: Central District (get directions) | price: ~$18-$50/dish | best for: soul food
Communion is one of my favorite Black-owned restaurants in Seattle. It’s also one of the more upscale places for authentic soul food. But really, they’re more eclectic than just one style of food. Their dishes have a clear Asian influence and highlight Northwest ingredients, making for a truly unique experience.
Visit that bar you always talk about
No matter how long I live in Seattle, I’ll never scratch the surface of this city’s bar scene. There are just so many great cocktails in Seattle to try! Here are some of my favorites around the city.
The Velvet Elk
website | neighborhood: Mt. Baker (get directions) | best for: craft cocktails in intimate setting
When you step into The Velvet Elk, you’ll probably be surprised at how you missed it. It’s a two-story craft cocktail bar with dimly lit, intimate seating on the first floor and games and movie projectors on the second floor. The bar also offers some tasty snacks, or you can bring some delicious Neapolitan-style pizza from next door’s Mioposto.
Needle & Thread
website | neighborhood: Capitol Hill (get directions)| best for: custom cocktails and a speakeasy vibe
Needle & Thread is the reservation-only speakeasy hidden upstairs from Tavern Law, an equally upscale spot with craft cocktails and a sophisticated food menu. Once you arrive, you’ll be directed to open the hidden bookcase, revealing a small, intimately-lit bar. There are no menus; rather, a knowledgeable bartender who’s happy to make you a custom cocktail.
Smith Tower
website | neighborhood: Pioneer Square (get directions) | best for: rooftop bar
If there’s one thing locals are bad about doing, it’s visiting the places every tourist is recommended to check out. The Smith Tower is one of those places. Even most locals don’t know that there’s a rooftop bar and restaurant at the top of the tower. To get in, you’ll have to buy tickets. Then, you’ll head up to the observatory deck and be greeted with a 360-degree city view.
Shop and comb through new neighborhoods
There are more cool neighborhoods in Seattle than most people realize. Whether you’re looking to shop independent stores, eat unique food, or just explore various downtowns, it’s definitely worth planning your Seattle staycation around visiting a new neighborhood.
If shopping is your plan, definitely head to Ballard. It’s one of Seattle’s best shopping neighborhoods, with locally-owned shops lining the streets selling everything from cookware to fashion and home goods. Capitol Hill is better for unique thrifts, whereas the U-District is a safe bet for mainstream retailers like Banana Republic and H&M.
Nothing beats the Chinatown-International District for unique food. I always go to Harbor City for dim sum and then to Uwajimaya, Seattle’s largest Asian market, for some unique produce and spices.
If you’re after local art and quirky stores, don’t miss Fremont. It has a lot of great restaurants and unique things to do. It’s the perfect neighborhood for passing a few hours! Don’t miss Gas Works part for stunning downtown cityscape views.
Bike the Elliott Bay or Burke-Gilman Trail
Exploring Seattle by bike is one of the most fun, quickest ways to explore the city. Most bikers follow the Burke-Gilman Trail, a roughly 19-mile paved trail that weaves from Ballard all the way to Woodinville. It’s used religiously by commuters, runners, and dog walkers and is surprisingly low effort for how rewarding the views are.
The Elliot Bay Trail is much shorter, with just 3 miles of easy-going paved roads that cut through the Olympic Sculpture Park and Myrtle Edwards Park. I used to walk home along this trail and can attest to how beautiful it is!
More to explore around Seattle
Want more ideas for your staycation in Seattle? Check out my other guides for unique activities around the city.
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