Epic Solo Trip to Seattle: A Complete Travel Guide
Planning a solo trip to Seattle and looking for the perfect travel guide? This post has the best tips on safety, transportation, things to do, and so much more!
WHY SEATTLE IS GREAT FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
Known as the Emerald City of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is surrounded by lush greenery, stunning mountains, and beautiful water views. The natural views from the city can’t be beaten and bring visitors to the Evergreen state.
While the constant drizzle keeps the city cool, our locals are anything but cold! Seattle folks are very friendly and welcoming. The city is one of the most progressive cities in the United States and has a very strong culture of inclusivity of all identities. As a solo traveler, you will definitely feel comfortable being yourself in this city! Pair that with a vibrant and rich cultural scene and Seattle is a great place for your next solo adventure.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR YOUR SOLO TRIP TO SEATTLE
Safety for Your Solo Trip to Seattle
Whether a destination is safe is an important consideration when traveling, especially for solo travelers. There’s always a bit more risk when it comes to taking a solo trip, so it’s always a good idea to understand what to expect in terms of safety.
In general, Seattle is a safe place, as long as you follow the basic safety rules of any city. Post Office UK actually named Seattle, Washington as the number one top place to visit in their list of the Safest Solo Travel Destinations. To calculate their solo travel safety index, they considered factors like crime rate, the total number of police officers, internet connectivity, medical institutions, and more.
With that being said, Seattle’s crime rate has risen over the past few years, so you should take the proper precautions when visiting. However, most crimes witnessed in Seattle are property crimes (vs violent crimes) like larceny theft and motor vehicle theft. So when it comes to personal safety, Seattle is relatively safe.
In addition, Seattle has a large unhoused population and you will see encampments in the city. This can definitely feel a bit off-putting and uneasy for some, especially when you don’t know what to expect. From my own personal experience having lived in the city as a female in her twenties, this can take some getting used to. Most of the time I felt completely safe walking past encampments, but there were a few times I was uncomfortable and just took an alternate route.
The best advice I have for all my solo female travelers out there is to trust your gut, use common sense, and have your wits about you at all times. Downtown Seattle usually clears out at night, but other neighborhoods like Capitol Hill remain lively. Don’t be scared to take on this city!
When to Visit Seattle
The absolute best time to visit Seattle is in the summer. We have fantastic weather, with temperatures normally staying in the mid-70s to 80s. Seattlites defrost and come out of hibernation, so it’s super fun and lively to be out and about. One thing to note is that the Puget Sound region had its fair share of wildfires in the past few years, which can make it difficult to go outside.
Spring, fall, and winter can also be very fun in Seattle! Come see the cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, maple leaves litter the roads in the fall, and snow sprinkle our mountains in the winter.
Getting Around Seattle
Before taking your solo trip to Seattle, you should know how to get around the city. Public transportation is good for getting around the city and most neighborhoods are accessible by the Link light rail or the King County Metro. You can even take the light rail from Seatac Airport to downtown. However, given how spread out the city is, public transportation can definitely be slow. If you have the budget, you can use rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft.
If you plan on accessing locations outside of Seattle, renting a car for the day will be your best option. I do not recommend renting a car if you’re only going to be exploring the city. Seattle can be super stressful to drive around, especially with its steep hills and very limited parking.
To make your trip as easy as possible, I recommend choosing a stay in an area you want to explore and that is super close to public transportation!
Top Seattle Neighborhoods to Stay In and Explore
Capitol Hill
Just east of downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill is super fun, eclectic, and full of life. It caters to the younger crowd and is populated with many options for nightlife, food and drink, and shopping. You’ll find yourself crossing many rainbow-painted crosswalks, symbolic of the neighborhood’s history as Seattle’s LGBTQ epicenter.
South Lake Union (SLU)
Home to the tech giants Amazon and Meta, South Lake Union is north of downtown and is known for rapidly developing over the years due to quick tech growth. SLU’s restaurant scene is quite lively, so visit for a bite to eat or a stroll along the lake.
Queen Anne
Sitting on top of a hill north of downtown, Queen Anne has stunning views of the city. The neighborhood is a bit more quaint and quiet, perfect for those who enjoy a smaller city feel.
Ballard
Located a bit further from downtown, Ballard is a super charming and homey neighborhood. Like Capitol Hill, Ballard is known for its lively nightlife with more of a focus on bars and live music.
THE BEST SEATTLE THINGS TO DO FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
Taking a solo trip to Seattle can be super exciting because there are a ton of cool things you can do, both in the city and its surrounding areas!
Popular Seattle Tourist Attractions For Your First-Time
If it’s your first time in Seattle, these popular attractions are must-dos. As a local, I still enjoy playing tourist and visiting these locations!
#1. Visit the Space Needle
Location: Downtown Seattle | 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA
Cost: $35+ (bundle with other attractions on City Pass)
Why you should go: Built for the World’s Fair, the Space Needle is Seattle’s most iconic landmark! It has a revolving glass floor observation deck, where you can catch the best panoramic views of Seattle. If you’re over 21, enjoy the views with a cocktail at Loupe Lounge. With that said, it’s pricey to ride up. So, if you want to save a few dollars, visit the Smith Tower instead. The views of downtown Seattle are equally incredible, but at $19 a ticket instead.
#2. Shop and Dine at Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market
Location: Downtown Seattle | 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free (but budget $$ for food and shopping!)
Why you should go: Pike Place Market is a bustling, lively marketplace with over 200 local vendors who sell fresh produce, flowers, artwork, jewelry and so much more. Watch the iconic fish throwers, stick your gum on the gum wall, and get a look at the very first Starbucks (although the line to get in is always atrocious, not worth it in my opinion). The food and drinks here are also DELICIOUS. My favorites are Pike Place Chowder, Rachel’s Ginger Beer, and Beecher’s.
#3. Muse the artwork of Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
Location: Downtown Seattle | 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA
Cost: $30+
Why you should go: Seattle Art Museum houses a really wide variety of pieces, spanning all different forms, cultures, and time periods.
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#4. Awe at the stunning glasswork of Chihuly Garden
Location: Downtown Seattle | 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA
Cost: $27+ (bundle with other attractions on City Pass)
Why you should go: Filled with Dale Chihuly’s intricate glasswork, Chihuly Garden is simply breathtaking. The vibrant and whimsical artwork is so awe-inspiring – definitely worth a visit!
#5. Explore the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPoP)
Location: Downtown Seattle | 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA
Cost: $25+ (bundle with other attractions on City Pass)
Why you should go: The Museum of Pop Culture is super immersive and curates collections focused on some of the best contributions to popular culture in tv, film, music, and video games. Spend a couple of hours here checking out Kurt Cobain’s guitars, making live music in the Sound Lab, and trying out new indie video games.
#6. Picnic near Seattle Center’s International Fountain
Location: Downtown Seattle | 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Why you should go: If you’re looking to cool down in the summertime, the International fountain is a perfect place to throw a blanket down and people-watch.
#7. Walk around the galleries and shops of Pioneer Square
Location: Downtown Seattle | 100 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Why you should go: Pioneer Square’s romanesque architecture is so dreamy. Wander around the area that’s home to lots of cute coffee shops, clothing boutiques, and art galleries.
Top Non-Touristy Things to Do on Your Solo Trip to Seattle
Want to experience Seattle like a local? Then these activities are for you!
#8. Visit Local Coffee Shops
Seattle is known for its coffee culture and rightfully so – I mean, who wouldn’t opt for a hot cup of joe when it’s grey and rainy 75% of the year? Immersing yourself in Seattle’s coffee culture is a rite of passage for any visitor.
Best spots: Seattle Coffee Works (Capitol Hill), Mr West Cafe Bar (University Village), Kaladi Brothers Coffee (Capitol Hill)
#9. Go brewery hopping in Fremont
If you like beer, Fremont has a bunch of breweries that are within walking distance from each other! Brewery hopping is the perfect activity for a sunny day in Seattle.
Best Spots: Reuben’s Brews, Urban Family Brewing, Bad Jimmy’s
#11. Explore the nightlife in Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is known for its diverse nightlife scene, from clubs to dive bars, you can almost find anything you’re looking for. Seattle is also super casual, so most clubs don’t have a strict dress code (but look online just to be sure!). Make sure you try a Seattle Dog when you’re out there… they’re so good.
Best Spots: RheinHaus, Unicorn, Hula Hula, Redhook Brewlab, Optimism Brewing
#12. Paddleboard, Kayak, or Bike around Green Lake
Blessed with a sunny day in Seattle? A fun thing to do is to spend the day at Green Lake, a popular park with a 2.8-mile path that is perfect for a bike ride. You can also rent paddleboards or kayaks at the Green Lake Boathouse and get on the water.
