Planning a trip to Seattle? There’s a few pitfalls you’ll want to avoid in order to make the best of your visit, but if you’ve never been here before you have no way of knowing about them. That’s why we put together this guide full of hard-earned local wisdom. If you can avoid making these 11 common mistakes, your trip to Seattle will be one of the most memorable experiences you’ve ever had (in a good way!).
Here are the top 11 mistakes to avoid when visiting Seattle:
1. Being unprepared for walking uphill.
People expect steep streets when they visit San Francisco, but for some reason everyone is surprised by the hills in Seattle. The iconic Kerry Park in Queen Anne is at the top of a hill. Pike Place Market is at the bottom of a fairly steep slope. Capitol Hill is—you guessed it—on top of a hill. (Fun fact: The hills in Seattle were originally such obstacles that the pioneers who built the city attempted to level some of them, which you can read about if you look into the regrading of Denny Hill.)
You can get around much of the city on foot, but only if you’re prepared to walk uphill a lot. So when you’re packing for your trip to Seattle, consider swapping out the heavy suitcase for a backpack and the heels for comfortable walking shoes. You’ll thank us later.
2. Not exploring all the nature outside of the city.
Seattle is a beautiful city full of endless things to do, but one of its biggest perks is its proximity to some of the country’s most stunning natural areas. If you don’t venture out to one of them during your trip, you’ll miss out on part of what makes Seattle worth visiting. Washington state is home to three epic national parks: Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park (home to a rainforest!), and North Cascades National Park. That’s in addition to our 140+ state parks, plus so many stunning hikes near Seattle. If you feel up for an adventurous day trip, read our guide to visiting Rainier National Park this summer!
Transportation tip: If you want to get out to the trailheads but don’t want to rent a car, you can hop on the bus thanks to Trailhead Direct. Multiple stops in the city and a low fare make this an accessible, convenient option for getting to some popular hiking trails near Seattle (not in the national parks). Unfortunately it only runs on weekends starting in May and ending on September 1.
3. Not visiting at least one island.
Parks and trailheads aren’t the only destinations worth exploring outside of the city. Seattle is also a convenient launching pad for day trips to islands bursting with small-town charm and idyllic nature. You can easily hop on a ferry for a day trip on Vashon Island, Whidbey Island where they filmed Practical Magic, or Bainbridge Island, which has the must-visit Bloedel Reserve. If you have more time to spare, the San Juan Islands are magical and have lots to explore over a longer trip.
4. Expecting places to be open late at night.
Have you heard of the city that never sleeps? That’s New York, not Seattle. A lot of Seattle restaurants close by 9:00 p.m. If you’re looking to go out and enjoy some vibrant nightlife in Seattle, your best bet is Capitol Hill. It’s very walkable with lots of bars and restaurants that are open late, and it is also Seattle’s most LGBTQ-friendly neighborhood. Belltown is also a good spot for live music and bars.
Hungry after 9:00 p.m.? Here are a few reliable spots to get late-night grub in Seattle:
- Dick’s Drive-In (multiple locations that are open daily until 2:00 a.m.)
- Beth’s Cafe in Green Lake (open until 4:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Lost Lake Cafe in Capitol Hill (stays open as late as 3:00 a.m.)
- Aladdin Gyro-Cery & Deli in University District (stays open until 2:00-3:00 a.m.)
- Bangrak Market (closes between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.)
- Hot Cakes (late-night dessert with locations in Ballard and Capitol Hill)
5. Bringing an umbrella instead of layers.
You can bring an umbrella to Seattle if you want. You won’t get kicked out of the city. Most locals just don’t bother with umbrellas because the rain here is usually more of a mild drizzle. All you really need is a decent waterproof jacket with a hood, and you probably won’t even need that if you’re visiting in July or August. The most important thing to wear in Seattle is layers, because the weather can fluctuate quickly throughout the day—and even in the summer you might get chilly after the sun finally goes down at 9:00 p.m.
6. Going to Pike Place Market at the wrong time.
Pike Place Market is a tourist destination in Seattle that is worth visiting—even the locals swing by for the produce, fish, fresh flowers, and restaurants. However, you’ll enjoy the market more if you’re strategic about avoiding the crowds. The market is most crowded on summer weekends. If you go before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays you’ll be able to browse easily without being packed in like sardines. The only downside is that some vendors and shops may be closed, so pick your poison.
Transportation tip: Don’t try to drive right up to the market. Pike Place Market has banned cars from the main thoroughfare to make it more pedestrian-friendly. If you must drive to the market, there is an on-site parking garage with three entrances.
7. Not taking advantage of free things in Seattle.
Seattle can get expensive fast. To help you stretch your dollars, we have a big guide full of free things to do in Seattle such as touring The Spheres, and you can also take advantage of free museum days in Seattle on First Thursdays (which also includes some other attractions like the Seattle Japanese Garden). Finally, it may not be free but we also have a compilation of locals’ favorite cheap eats in Seattle.
8. Only exploring the downtown core and Seattle Center.
Seattle has some incredible main attractions that you should try to see: Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, and the revamped waterfront with lots of improvements such as the new Overlook Walk. These attractions are all inside of a 1.4-mile radius so you can see them all without ever leaving downtown and the nearby Seattle Center. That said, Seattle is a city made up of many neighborhoods—and each has its own distinct charms.
You can visit Fremont to see the Fremont Troll and shop at the Fremont Sunday Market. Ballard is home to the Ballard Farmers Market on Sundays, as well as the National Nordic Museum, a sandy beach at Golden Gardens, and the Ballard Locks. West Seattle’s biggest claim to fame is Alki Beach but it also has Lincoln Park and cool spots like Easy Street Records & Cafe in The Junction. The U District is worth a visit for the beautiful University of Washington Campus and its spring cherry blossoms, plus there’s plenty of shopping and restaurants there to cater to the annual wave of students. Pioneer Square is Seattle’s oldest neighborhood and full of historic charm and art galleries. Capitol Hill is where you go for LGBTQ+ bars and a lively nightlife. And if you’re looking for time in nature, head to Seattle’s biggest city park in Magnolia: Discovery Park.
We could list even more Seattle neighborhoods worth exploring, but then we’d find ourselves in another pitfall…
9. Trying to visit too many neighborhoods in one day.
Remember how we said Seattle is a city of neighborhoods? If you’re lucky enough to get an aerial view of Seattle from your plane seat (or just look at a map), you’ll be able to see how spread out the city is—and how bodies of water like Lake Union, Green Lake, canals, and bays divide it up into sections. When planning your trip’s itinerary, don’t try to do Pike Place Market, West Seattle, Capitol Hill, and Ballard all in one day or you’ll waste a lot of time in transit. It’s usually best to limit each day’s exploring to activities in two to three adjacent neighborhoods (such as Fremont, Wallingford, and Ballard).
Transportation tip: You’ll save yourself a lot of time sitting in traffic if you take the Link light rail, the street car (which goes between Pioneer Square and Capitol Hill), or even the West Seattle water taxi.
10. Prioritizing tourist traps over local hidden gems.
Forget about spending money on the Great Wheel or standing in line for the first Starbucks. Instead let us tell you about Seattle’s most whimsical and underrated attractions, such as the giant Northwest Trolls, a secret urban waterfall near downtown, and a rooftop garden with a view. Even some locals don’t know about all 12 of these hidden gems in Seattle—and best of all, they’re free!
11. Spending too much money on ride shares
Did you know that Seattle has the most expensive ride share prices in the country? If you want to save money during your time in Seattle, your best bet is to purchase and load an Orca card as soon as you arrive. You can use it for the bus, the Washington state ferries, the Seattle Center Monorail, the First Hill streetcar, and the Link light rail. If you’re flying into SeaTac Airport, skip the crowded wait area for ride shares and take a $3 light rail ride to your destination instead! And yes: the Seattle light rail is dog-friendly.