Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
Sea-Tac is about 15 miles south of downtown. Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown in roughly 40 minutes.
Allow extra time at busy security checkpoints.
SEA Airport Info ↗Waterfront Markets, Mountain Views & Ferry Rides
Seattle,
Washington.
From Pike Place Market and the Space Needle to the waterfront, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Kerry Park's skyline view and ferries across Puget Sound: explore the Emerald City, with Mount Rainier on the horizon.
Information reviewed October 2026 · Live National Weather Service forecast for Seattle, WA.
The Emerald City
Pike Place · Space Needle · Waterfront.
01 / Getting Here & Around
Ride Link Light Rail From Sea-Tac to Downtown.
Downtown, Pike Place, the waterfront and Seattle Center are walkable and linked by light rail, buses and the monorail.
Link, Monorail & Ferries
Link light rail, King County Metro buses and the Seattle Center Monorail connect key areas, and Washington State Ferries sail to Bainbridge Island from the downtown waterfront.
Tap an ORCA card or contactless payment.
Sound Transit ↗Ferry views: The Bainbridge Island ferry from Colman Dock offers some of the best skyline and mountain views around, on a crossing of about 35 minutes each way.
02 / Interactive Map
Seattle & Puget Sound Map.
Filter by area or type, tap a pin for details, and save places to download as a shareable image.
03 / Iconic Stops
Space Needles, Market Stalls & Glass Gardens.
Iconic landmarks, waterfront views and neighborhoods with character.
Pike Place Market
Watch the fishmongers toss salmon, browse farm stalls and crafts, and see the original Starbucks in a market open since 1907.
Market Guide ↗Space Needle
The 605-foot landmark from the 1962 World's Fair has a rotating glass floor and an open-air observation deck.
Tickets ↗Chihuly Garden and Glass
Dale Chihuly's colorful glass sculptures fill galleries, a glasshouse and a garden beside the Space Needle.
Tickets ↗Seattle Waterfront & Aquarium
A revitalized waterfront promenade with the Seattle Aquarium, the Great Wheel, and ferry and harbor cruise docks.
Aquarium Info ↗Kerry Park
A small hillside park with the classic postcard view of the Space Needle, downtown and, on clear days, Mount Rainier.
Park Info ↗Ballard Locks
Watch boats rise and fall between the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Puget Sound, and see salmon in the fish ladder in summer.
Locks Info ↗04 / Seattle Eats
Salmon, Oysters & Coffee Culture.
Pacific Northwest seafood and coffee define Seattle's tables.
Pacific Seafood
Feast on wild salmon, Dungeness crab and oysters from Washington's cold waters, from Pike Place chowder counters to waterfront dining rooms.
Seafood Guide ↗Coffee & Neighborhoods
Seattle's coffee culture goes far beyond the original Starbucks, with independent roasters in Capitol Hill, Fremont and Ballard, plus great Asian food in the Chinatown-International District.
Coffee & Food Guide ↗05 / 3-Day Plan
The Essential Seattle Itinerary.
Markets, landmarks and a ferry across the Sound.
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Day 1: Pike Place & the Waterfront
Explore Pike Place Market in the morning, walk down to the waterfront and the Seattle Aquarium, and ride the Bainbridge ferry for sunset views.
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Day 2: Seattle Center
Visit the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Museum of Pop Culture, then catch the view from Kerry Park.
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Day 3: Ballard & Fremont
Watch the boats at the Ballard Locks, then explore Fremont's quirky sculptures, including the Fremont Troll, and its cafés.
Rain, Hills & Water
Pacific Northwest Conditions.
Light rain is common from fall through spring, and downtown streets are steep. Wear shoes with good grip and dress in layers.
Puget Sound's water stays cold year-round, even on hot days. Wear life jackets when paddling, and check smoke and air quality alerts in late summer.
NWS Seattle Office ↗ · Washington State Ferries ↗
Pike Place Market.
Fish stalls · Farm stands · Crafts
06 / Official Resources
Handy Links & Portals.
Tourism, transit, landmark and weather links for planning your Seattle trip.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Is the Space Needle worth it?
Many visitors love the rotating glass floor and open-air deck, especially on clear days with mountain views. For a free alternative, Kerry Park offers a classic view of the Needle and skyline.
Do I need a car in Seattle?
Not for downtown, Seattle Center and most neighborhoods, which are served by light rail, buses, the monorail and ferries. A car helps for Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula.
When is the best time to visit Seattle?
July through September is usually dry, sunny and mild. The rest of the year brings frequent light rain but fewer crowds and a cozy café scene.
How does the saved places list work?
Clicking "Save" on any location card or map marker stores it directly in your browser's local storage. You can filter the view to "Saved" or choose "Save list as image" in the place list beside the map to generate a clean PNG containing all your chosen stops and addresses for offline navigation.