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. In case you’re planning a visit to the Pacific Northwest’s crown jewel, be taught 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 12 months 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 adore it. We handled Seattle as only a stopover and booked a couple of full days, considering that may be loads of time to hit the main sights. We had been flawed. 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 House Needle and Pike Place Market. The town sprawls throughout various 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 beautiful falls. We fully 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 might give us time to really expertise Seattle moderately than simply checking containers on a sightseeing listing.
2. Underestimating the costs.
Seattle is dear. Like actually costly. To start with, Seattle is understood 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 present 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 embody taxes but. So when budgeting, be sure 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 resort 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 might go as a lot as USD 616 per night time. On tremendous peak days, it might skyrocket to USD 842 per night time, together with taxes.
By the best way, we booked our room on Agoda.
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That might in some way reduce the prices. Additionally contemplate staying in neighborhoods exterior the town middle if finances is a priority.
There are lots of 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 unimaginable impartial espresso tradition, too.
To be trustworthy with you, I’m not a giant espresso drinker. However Vins is, so I joined him as he sashayed into a neighborhood café in each space we visited. From Seattle Middle, we went out of our solution 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, easy texture. The espresso holds up properly, 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 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 pleasure in its critical 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 regular, so the style additionally lingered within the mouth.
I’m not a giant espresso fan generally, so I had Iced Blueberry Matcha. It regarded 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 could style extra like juice, however it didn’t. It used oat milk, too, as an alternative of cow’s milk. It was improbable.
Seattle’s espresso scene goes a lot deeper than its most well-known export. The impartial 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 considered one of Seattle’s most fascinating facets is what lies beneath the floor, and we practically missed it fully.
At Pike Place Market, we did what most vacationers do. What we didn’t do till the final hour was discover the Down Beneath or Decrease Stage. This lane of quirky retailers and eateries beneath the principle market is much less crowded and stuffed with hidden gems. You’ll discover classic shops, e book 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 Fireplace of 1889, it was rebuilt on high of the previous streets, basically burying a whole metropolis beneath trendy Seattle. The tour takes you thru these forgotten sidewalks and storefronts, full with fascinating (and infrequently hilarious) historic commentary.
Too dangerous we didn’t get to discover it!
5. Skipping the Seattle CityPASS.
In case you’re visiting a number of museums, don’t forget to buy a Seattle CityPASS, which gives you an important 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 consists of 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 the same listing that additionally consists of the Museum of Flight, Seattle Artwork Museum, and Sky View Observatory. This works properly for those who solely have a day or two within the metropolis.
The passes are notably beneficial 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 sooner or later. Some sights require advance reservations via the My CityPASS app, so it’s finest 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 stated, for a lot of the 12 months, 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.
In case you see that the climate is a bit gloomy, don’t go up the House Needle since you is perhaps underwhelmed by the view. Wait or transfer your go to to a different time or day. And out of doors the sunny season, put together for that likelihood of rain. Carry mild rain jackets, gown in layers, and put on comfy strolling sneakers 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 satisfying.
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 Gentle Rail connects the airport on to downtown and runs often. Inside the metropolis, you could have buses, the South Lake Union Streetcar, and the Seattle Middle Monorail. For these out of the best way, rideshare companies are available and infrequently cheaper than parking anyway.
Fee is best with an ORCA card, the common sensible card accepted on all transit programs, together with mild rail, buses, ferries, and water taxis. Playing cards will be bought at mild rail stations. The cardboard itself prices $3, however you may high 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 most likely gained’t want a card. Simply buy particular person passes from the machines or the apps.
The Regional Day Cross ($6) presents limitless rides for a day and is ideal for vacationers. You can too use the Transit GO cellular app to buy straight out of your smartphone. Most fares embody a 2-hour switch window between buses, trains, and streetcars. Use Google Maps for real-time arrival info and instructions.
Driving in Seattle is usually pointless for guests staying downtown, until you intend on happening day journeys to locations past the town limits. But when your itinerary is confined within the metropolis middle, no must lease a automotive or drive your individual.
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For worldwide locations, contemplate 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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