The days are getting shorter, the air is getting crisp, and we have your Seattle fall bucket list ready to go.
Looking for fun things to do in Seattle this fall? See if you can check off every item on this Seattle fall bucket list.. We have something for everyone, whether you love spooky experiences, crave epic adventures, or just want to eat some good food. The best part is that many of these activities are cheap or even free!
Read on for ideas for the perfect Seattle fall bucket list!
1. Sip cocktails while getting spooked at the House of Spirits
This immersive cocktail soirée takes place in a haunted mansion in Capitol Hill. You can get tickets now!
2. Go to a candlelight concert of Halloween classics
A candlelight concert makes for a romantic date night, and if your partner loves Halloween then they’ll absolutely love this concert’s spooky soundtrack. Save your seat here.
3. See Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
For a limited time, you can see Michelangelo’s masterpieces up close without even having to leave Seattle. Get your tickets for this incredible exhibit now.
4. Visit one of these spooky towns in Washington
Want to go on a day trip or weekend getaway this fall that’s a little out of the ordinary? Check out one of these spooky towns in Washington state.
5. Brave one of these scary experiences around Seattle
If you love haunted houses and all things creepy, you have to try one of these scary experiences around Seattle.
6. See the golden larches on a hike
If you think fall is more about the beauty of nature and you’re not into jump scares, an autumnal hike might be more up your alley. We suggest going to the eastern side of the Cascades from September through October to see the fiery-gold color of the larches.
7. Treat yourself to a fall-flavored drink or pastry
If you love ordering a pumpkin spice latte every fall, you need to check out our guide to this year’s best fall treats in Seattle.
8. Get dressed up for Oktoberfest
Fall brings not one but several Oktoberfest celebrations to Seattle and the surrounding area. Check out our guide to this year’s Oktoberfests.
9. Attend the Dia de Muertos Festival at Seattle Center
Celebrate the Day of the Dead at this free festival that takes place at Seattle Center on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 from 11am to 6pm. See more about the festival here.
10. Stock your kitchen for fall baking at a U-pick apple orchard
We love a good u-pick orchard and luckily there are several orchards around Seattle that you can visit this fall.
11. Get your fall decor at a local pumpkin patch
If pumpkin patches are more your speed, here’s our list of adorable pumpkin patches around Seattle that you can visit.
12. Go on a fall train ride to Vancouver, BC
After a two-year hiatus, the Amtrak Cascades route is finally back. This train will take you from Seattle to Vancouver, BC for an exciting fall getaway. Read more about the train ride here.
13. Try some seasonal brews at the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival takes place at Seattle Center September 30 to October 1 at Seattle Center, and tickets are on sale now! See more info about attending the festival here.
14. Visit the Bavarian mountain village of Leavenworth
This Bavarian-style village two hours from Seattle is made even more beautiful by misty mountains and fiery leaves every fall, and there’s lots to do even when Oktoberfest isn’t happening.
15. Get fresh fall produce at your neighborhood farmers market
In addition to the famous Pike Place Market, Seattle has several farmers markets scattered throughout the different neighborhoods. Some are year-round while others are seasonal; to see which ones are open this fall, check out our Seattle farmers markets guide.
16. Race your friends through a corn maze
Who doesn’t love the wholesome fall fun of a corn maze? We love making the trip to Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm for the maze and more.
17. See the fall leaves on the University of WA campus
One fun fall activity is to stroll through the University of Washington campus. You can take in the beautiful fall foliage and the stunning architecture, and visit the epic Suzzallo Library (it looks like it’s straight out of Harry Potter). Then you can walk over to the nearby University Village for some fall shopping and lunch.
18. Eat your fill at Seattle Restaurant Week
Seattle Restaurant Week takes place twice a year: in the spring and in the fall. The fall dates this year are October 23 through November 5. See the participating restaurants here.
19. See the fall foliage at Kubota Garden
Kubota Garden is a gorgeous Japanese garden in Rainier Beach, and it’s free to visit. Fall is a great time to go and see the changing hues.
20. Go on a scenic fall bike ride
There are so many options for a scenic fall bike ride in Seattle! Choose your favorite city park or just follow the 27-mile Burke Gilman trail.
21. Take your sweet tooth to the Northwest Chocolate Festival
Two full days of all things chocolate: that’s the Northwest Chocolate Festival. It takes place at Pier 66 on November 5 and 6 this year. Get your tickets now!
22. See stunning fall colors at the Seattle Japanese Garden
We love visiting the Washington Park Arboretum year-round, but fall is hands-down the best time to go there because of the foliage that you’ll find at the Japanese garden. The first Thursday of every month offers free admission to the garden (but the arboretum is free every day).
23. Get a book and a coffee at a cozy Seattle bookstore
There’s nothing like curling up with a good book and some coffee on a rainy fall day. See our guide to the best independent bookstores in Seattle.
24. Catch the view at Kerry Park
If you want to see an incredible view of Seattle, go to Kerry Park in Queen Anne. Fall is a great time to go, since the summer crowd will be gone (or at least thinned out) and you’ll see some pretty fall foliage.
25. Take a spooky underground tour
Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour is a can’t-miss Seattle activity year-round. That said, if you go in the fall you may get a real kick out of their Underground Paranormal Experience.
26. Warm up with delicious pho at a speakeasy
A great fall dining experience in Seattle is Phởcific Standard Time (also called PST), located downtown in a hidden speakeasy. The cozy vibes and comfort food are ideal for chilly nights. Read all about it here.
27. Take a ferry to a nearby island
Seattle is surrounded by charming islands that you can easily get to via ferry for a fall weekend getaway. See our guide to Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, and more here.
28. Visit the town from Twin Peaks
Did you know that the setting of Twin Peaks is actually incredibly close to Seattle? You can visit Snoqualmie Falls (the waterfalls you see in the opening credits) and even stay at the Salish Lodge there. It’s the perfect (slightly spooky) fall adventure.
29. Warm up in a hot tub boat on Lake Union
Feeling the chill? You can take a hot tub boat out on Lake Union, where you get to enjoy a scenic city view and stay toasty no matter what the weather.
30. Take your pick of local fall festivals
There are so many fall festivals that happen in Seattle and the surrounding area every year from September through November. There’s the aforementioned Oktoberfests and Great Pumpkin Beer Festival (just scroll back up if you missed them), but there’s also the Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth, a medieval village’s fall festival, and more that we make sure to include in every week’s roundup of things to do in Seattle.
31. Shop and eat at a weekend market
We love Seattle’s weekend markets—especially in the fall, when there’s tons of autumnal produce, seasonal treats, and fall shopping to be had. Check out the Fremont Sunday Market, the monthly Seattle Night Market, and the Georgetown Flea!
32. Visit the town where Practical Magic was filmed
Did you know you can easily get to the Practical Magic town from Seattle? It was filmed on nearby Whidbey Island! You can read about how to get to Whidbey Island here.
33. Hike the haunted Iron Goat trail
Go on a fall hike—but make it spooky. The Iron Goat trail isn’t far from Seattle and has a chilling railway tunnel. Before you go, read about the trail’s creepy history.
34. Go to a wizard-themed bar
The Splintered Wand in Ballard is a must-visit in the fall. You can enjoy creative craft cocktails and even visit the bar’s wand shop.
35. Visit a famous grave at a Seattle cemetery
There’s nothing like a walk through a cemetery in the fall. If you go to Seattle’s Lake View Cemetery, you’ll be able to visit the grave of Bruce Lee.
36. Get espresso at a haunted coffee shop at Pike Place Market
There’s a coffee shop below Pike Place Market called Ghost Espresso, and it’s named appropriately. If you go, you can ask to hear stories about the shop’s creepy history and resident ghost.
37. Attend a Ghostly Gala at a historic hotel
Hotel Sorrento has been in Seattle since 1909 so you know its walls hold some stories. This fall you can attend their Ghostly Gala on October 29 in the ballroom.
38. Get wild at Freakout Festival
This fall music festival takes place in Ballard from November 10th to the 13th this year. Described as “a musician’s festival,” it’s truly a unique experience. See their website here.
39. Encounter animals close-up at Brew at the Zoo
Brew at the Zoo is an annual event that we love attending every fall. Leave the kids at home and go enjoy beer and cider tastings at Woodland Park Zoo on October 6. Get your ticket now, as they’re going fast.
40. Go to an after-hours Halloween bash at the Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium also has an adults-only event this fall. Get tickets for their Halloween Bash, which will have food, drinks, a DJ and more on October 26.
Let us know if we missed anything that’s on your Seattle fall bucket list!