Downtown Seattle Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Seattle Waterfront which includes a marina, sailing and boating
With great shops, bars and restaurants, as well as plenty of open green space, Downtown Seattle is a beautiful area of the city in which to pass the time.

With glittering tall buildings towering over pleasant urban parks and plazas, countless bars and restaurants offering everything you could imagine and plenty of great shops, Downtown Seattle is always abuzz with energy. With the Puget Sound and the waterfront in the background, it is a delightful place to spend some time on your visit to the city.

Head first for the Visitor Information Centre in the entrance of the Washington State Convention Centre located on Seventh Avenue and Pike Street. Here you can collect a map to navigate your way around town and see what's happening.

All sorts of festivals are held here throughout the year. Among them is the country’s largest urban arts festival Bumbershoot, as well as the Seattle International Film Festival. Make sure that you visit Benaroya Hall where great musical performances are held. Or go and watch an outdoor concert on the waterfront – all kinds of music are played there during the summer.

Downtown Seattle is a shopper’s heaven, with big outlets like Nordstrom, Macy’s and REI located here, along with many small boutiques. Head for the modern Pacific Palace to watch a film at the multi-screen cinema. If you visit in winter, check out the Westlake Centre at the Seattle Monorail’s downtown terminal to ride the carousel and enjoy the festive fun. Pike Place Market also is another great spot, a food lover’s paradise offering fresh produce from across the region.

For a more cultural experience, head for the Seattle Art Museum, or board the Monorail and take the kids to see the Space Needle, about 1.6 kilometres to the north of Downtown Seattle. Then at the end of the day, you’ll be spoilt for choice with around 150 great places to eat in the heart of town.

An ideal place to stay when you visit the city, Downtown Seattle is located to the north of Pioneer Square, south of Belltown and Capitol Hill, and lies alongside the waterfront area to the west.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Downtown Seattle Hotel Deals

Executive Hotel Pacific
Executive Hotel Pacific
3 out of 5
400 Spring St, Seattle, WA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$211 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
NZ$211
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,609 reviews)
"Executive Hotel Pacific while somewhat loud is fully and painfully aware of any flaws that it might have. It provides earplugs to all guests free of charge and without asking, it provides spacious rooms with very comfortable beds and ample space for a modest price, and many welcome amenities such ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Executive Hotel Pacific
The Belltown Inn
The Belltown Inn
2.5 out of 5
2301 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA
The price is NZ$217 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$217
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and free bicycles on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,579 reviews)
"Snoring from the room next door was bothersome"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

The Belltown Inn
Mediterranean Inn
Mediterranean Inn
3 out of 5
425 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA
The price is NZ$290 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
NZ$290
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (4,643 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Mediterranean Inn
Hyatt Regency Seattle
Hyatt Regency Seattle
4 out of 5
808 Howell St, Seattle, WA
The price is NZ$325 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
NZ$325
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (4,942 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Hyatt Regency Seattle
Crowne Plaza Seattle - Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Seattle - Downtown, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
1113 6th Ave, Seattle, WA
The price is NZ$231 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$231
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,132 reviews)
"Very impressed with cleanliness and staff. The rooms were very clean and the staff were excellent especially while going through a remodel and being extremely busy. They have limited parking and not a lot of food selection but overall we had a good experience."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Crowne Plaza Seattle - Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Hyatt At Olive 8
Hyatt At Olive 8
4 out of 5
1635 8th Ave, Seattle, WA
The price is NZ$330 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
NZ$330
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,452 reviews)
"Not enough family friendly dining near by."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Hyatt At Olive 8
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Seattle

Belltown which includes night scenes, city views and street scenes

Belltown

Belltown is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights area like Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 and Moore Theater.

Belltown
Pioneer Square featuring heritage architecture, central business district and street scenes

Pioneer Square

Shopping, museums and art galleries highlight some notable features of Pioneer Square. Make a stop by Smith Tower or Pioneer Square while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Pioneer Square Station or Occidental Mall Stop to get around town.

Pioneer Square
South Lake Union featuring a coastal town, a bay or harbour and boating

South Lake Union

4/5(9 area reviews)

Known for its panoramic lake views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in South Lake Union. Check out top attractions like Amazon Corporate Headquarters and El Corazon, and jump on the metro at Lake Union Park Station or Terry Av- Mercer St Station to see more of the city.

South Lake Union
Kerry Park featuring landscape views, mountains and a city

Lower Queen Anne

While you're in Lower Queen Anne, take in top sights like Space Needle and jump on the metro at Seattle Center Monorail Station to see more of the city.

Lower Queen Anne
Capitol Hill featuring heritage architecture as well as an individual male

Capitol Hill

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Volunteer Park while getting to know Capitol Hill, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Capitol Hill Station or Broadway & Denny Stop to see more of the area.

Capitol Hill
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Central District

While you're in Central District, take in top sights like Lake Washington or Seattle Buddhist Temple, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 14th & Washington Stop or 12th & Jackson Stop.

Central District


Downtown Seattle Travel Guide

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