Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Seattle, Washington! Seattle is a really cool city in the Pacific Northwest and a great place for travelers to explore, though a bit on the pricey side. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit Seattle.
Hate #1: Prices in Seattle
Seattle is expensive. It’s quickly starting to rival San Francisco in terms of prices and cost of living, so it’s going to cost a lot to eat out, stay in a Seattle hotel or visit some of the top Seattle attractions. Some Seattle attractions can feel overpriced, even, in terms of the value you receive for the money you spend. Several of the top Seattle sightseeing spots cost between $20 and $35, which can add up really quickly, especially if you are visiting Seattle with kids. Before your Seattle vacation, research some of the attraction passes to see if you can save some money by bundling your tickets together.
Love #1: Exploring Seattle
There are so many great Seattle tourist attractions; you’re really going to love exploring the city and the surrounding region. Seattle is relatively compact, but there are several really cool neighborhoods where you can get a very different vibe than the downtown area where most visitors stay. The Seattle ferry system is super fun and a must-do for anyone visiting Seattle. Just outside Seattle, you have a ton of outdoor recreation opportunities, from lakes to mountains and even three national parks!
Taking the Amtrak Cascades Train from Vancouver to Seattle
Hate #2: Automatic Gratuities at Seattle Restaurants
We have noticed in a few Seattle restaurants that they will automatically add tips and/or a service charge to your bill. If you’re not paying attention, you might end up double tipping. At least one restaurant added 20% to our bill as a service charge. 15%-20% is the standard tipping amount in the US, but if your service isn’t great, you may not be happy about tipping 20%.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Visiting the USA
Love #2: Pike Place Public Market
Yes, it’s full of tourists, but locals also visit Pike Place Market. There are a ton of things to do in the market, from tons of restaurants, shops and great views of the Puget Sound. Of course, you have to visit the fish market and watch the vendors tossing huge fish back and forth. There are also several open public areas near the market, so you can shop for food items to make a picnic lunch and then enjoy the views from areas within the market.
Hate #3: Aggressive Beggars in Seattle
Seattle has a huge problem with homelessness and mental illness, so you will see a lot of homeless people on the streets, and many aggressive beggars throughout the city. It’s not so much dangerous as it can be annoying, but be sure you stick to well-lighted areas with a lot of people and just keep walking rather than engage with anyone who is asking you for money.
Love #3: Seattle Cuisine
If you love seafood, you’re going to love the food in Seattle. You can get super fresh salmon and Dungeness crab and oysters, either prepared in a restaurant or purchased and cooked yourself at your Seattle accommodation. Ivar’s has some of the best clam chowder you’ll ever try, so make sure you grab some as you walk along the waterfront. Seattle has a huge Asian population as well, so you can get really good sushi and other Asian cuisines in Seattle. When it comes to drinking, Seattle has a ton of bars and pubs, with local brews and craft cocktails to enjoy.
Hate #4: Seattle Freeze & Seattle Weather
Seattle is pretty famous for being very rainy, and that stereotype holds up for several months of the year. The rain in Seattle is usually more of a constant light drizzle, but it can be annoying if you forgot to pack a rain jacket or an umbrella. When it’s not raining, Seattle has some of the best weather in the country!
The Seattle Freeze actually has nothing to do with the weather. It’s about the people of Seattle. They are very helpful, but they don’t really let you into their inner circle. This probably impacts new residents more than visitors, but just know that Seattle residents are tough to get to know.
Love #4: Seattle Architecture
Seattle is a fast-growing city and has some really incredible architecture. Of course, there are a lot of sleek, modern buildings, but there are also historic buildings, especially downtown in the Pioneer Square area. The public library and the Space Needle are two notable structures in Seattle, as well as the Museum of Pop Culture was designed by Frank Gehry.
Hate #5: Seattle Smell
Recreational marijuana use is legal in the state of Washington, so there’s a distinct aroma of pot smoke in Seattle most evenings. It’s not a big deal, but if you’re visiting Seattle with kids, you may have to explain what the funny smell is.
Love #5: Seattle Views & Vibes
Seattle has such a cool “vibe” as you walk around the city. It’s come a long way since grunge music put Seattle on the culture map, but there’s still a ton of great music and entertainment to experience when you visit Seattle.
In addition to the cool vibe in Seattle, you’ll love the amazing views. When the clouds part, take the opportunity to find a lofty perch for viewing the city. Whether it’s from the top of the Space Needle or Queen Anne hill, there are so many great views around Seattle. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to see Mt. Rainier to the south of Seattle. One of the best views of Seattle is from the water; either from a ferry deck or from the Alki neighborhood which looks back on the city.
Seattle is one of the coolest and fastest-changing cities in the US, so I recommend including it in your USA vacation itinerary. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit Seattle. Want more tips for planning a US vacation? Check out these other blog posts: