Cheap Flights To Seattle
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When to Go
Airport Information
Weather
Things to Do
Local Attractions
Must See Sights
Insider Tips
Getting Around
Overview
Seattle is extraordinary. It's a place where aging grunge rockers sip lattes with young software developers at the local Starbucks. The Emerald City is home to diverse cultures and offers unlimited opportunities to experience metropolitan excitement in a setting of natural beauty. Seattle is framed by the scenic waters of Elliot Bay, Lake Union and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier, Cascade Mountains and Olympic Mountains clearly in view. Visitors will find strong influences from Seattle's thriving Asian, Nordic, Latin and Native populations. A vibrant creativity makes the area a great place to visit and live.
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When to Go
High season tends to run May through September. Steady rain does not typically arrive until mid-October, and hotel rates drastically drop then.
Low season runs November through April.
Best Time to Go
Most travelers prefer to see Seattle in the summer months due to the sunny weather, opening of nearby national parks, festivals, maritime attractions and departing Alaska cruises.
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Airport Information
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
Distance: 15 miles south of the city
Driving times: 25 to an hour to downtown Seattle depending on time of day
Visitors to the city, taking advantage of one of the many available cheap flights to Seattle, will land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), a hub for Alaska Airlines. Sea-Tac is an airy, contemporary facility and is the major air hub for the Pacific Northwest. The airport is the starting point for many international flights to Canada and the Pacific Rim, with direct flights to Europe rapidly increasing.
Average airfare into the city runs approximately $300 from San Francisco or New York, and about $375 from Miami. Many Seattle visitors pay less than the average, saving a considerable amount by shopping for cheap flights to Seattle before making their reservations.
Typical cab rate: Metered cabs to downtown hotels typically run $40-$45 between the airport and downtown hotels. The Shuttle Express counter at the airport offers walk-up service, and public transit buses arrive at and depart outside the baggage-claim area.
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Weather
Seattle's rainy climate soaks the winters, but summers are spectacular and typically in the 70s and low 80s. Autumn is a bit cooler, with October temperatures averaging in the high 50s, dropping to the wet mid-40s in December. The rain continues through April and May, when the temperatures are generally in the mid-50s.
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Things to Do
Rent kayaks at Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club, located in the University District and bordering Portage Bay. Upstairs the cafe features tasty cuisine described as healthy Baja California Mexican.
The Herbfarm - Drinking and eating in Seattle have evolved into a culinary journey. Many foodies plan their vacations to Seattle primarily to visit The Herbfarm, where the nine-course dinner takes at least four hours and includes five Pacific Northwest wines. The chefs lovingly explain the courses to guests and gladly create alternative entrees for those with special dietary needs.
Tour de Chocolat takes chocolate-lovers from learning about where chocolate comes and how it is made at Theo Chocolate, to tempering at Oh! Chocolate and features awarding winning chocolates like Fran's Chocolate. The three-hour excursion includes plenty of tasting, playing and learning about some of Seattle's premium chocolatiers.
Another tour group, Savor Seattle, escorts guests to local vendors who share generous samples of local seafood, artisan hand-made cheese and microbrew beer.
Farestart - Homeless men and women operate this cafe as part of a job-training program. The students prepare a hearty lunch of sandwiches, burgers and fries during the week. The $25 Thursday dinner is masterminded by a guest chef from the city's finest eateries.
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Local Attractions
Space Needle
The most recognizable landmark of Seattle is the Space Needle. Located at the Seattle Center, it was built for the 1962 World's Fair and towers 605 feet above downtown. Equally steep is the $16 ticket to the top. Insiders whisper to visitors that the downtown Colombia Tower offers more impressive views on its 73rd floor for no charge. Skip the grossly overpriced fare at the Needle restaurant as well.
Pacific Science Center
Other attractions at Seattle Center include Pacific Science Center, a small amusement park primarily for young children, a food court in the Center House, The Children's Museum, and Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM). EMP|SFM is housed in an intriguing 140,000 square foot Frank O. Gehry-designed building. The contemporary structure has the appearance of a metal sculpture.
The Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum (commonly known as "SAM") maintains three major facilities: the spacious main museum in downtown Seattle; the cozy Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) on Capitol Hill, and the Olympic Sculpture Park overlooking the Seattle waterfront. Admission to the sculpture park is free. Admission to the other facilities is free on the first Thursday of each month; SAAM also has free admission the first Saturday of the month.
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Must See Sights
The jewel of downtown Seattle is Pike Place Market, the oldest continually operating farmers market in the country. Local farmers, florists and artists display their goods as salmon fly through the air and musicians entertain the crowds.
Nearby on Elliot Bay departs the four-hour adventure to Tillicum Village on Blake Island State Park. A 50-minute cruise to the island offers rich views of Mount Rainier and the Sound. While on Blake Island, visitors enjoy an all-you-can-eat traditional Native salmon bake and an entertaining performance featuring the Tillicum Village dancers. Before returning, visitors watch a traditional carving demonstration.
Another must-see is Seattle's historic Pioneer Square District, encompassing the city's first downtown. Many of the district's historic buildings were constructed within a decade of a major fire in 1889. Nightclubs and restaurants now inhabit the district.
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Insider Tips
Getting Around
Getting around Seattle is at once a study in modernity with charming throwbacks to the past, with 1920s-era trolleys connecting to the region's light rail system at Westlake Station. The two form a convenient 14-mile line that is planned to reach the airport by December, 2009. The space-age Seattle Monorail connects Seattle Center and Westlake Mall. The one-mile journey takes about two minutes and departs approximately every 10 minutes.
Amtrak has daily service throughout the Pacific Northwest. Sounder trains connect the suburbs to Seattle on weekdays. Tickets are easily purchased at stations and can be used for transfers on buses. For those traveling by car, Seattle's major highway, I-5, runs right through downtown.
King County Metro Transit offers front bicycle racks and some even offer free Wi-Fi access. One-zone peak fares are $2.00. Rides are free between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily in the downtown Ride Free Area. Greyhound Lines and Northwestern Trailways have regular bus service throughout the region.
Insiders know that the best way to inexpensively travel the local waters is by the Washington State Ferry system, the largest ferry system in the United States. The King County Water Taxi runs 12-minute passenger-only transportation between West Seattle and downtown Seattle for just $3 each way. Walk-aboard and car ferries travel to countless island destinations.
These tips and more are available from the staff of the Seattle Visitor Center, located at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in downtown Seattle between 7th & 8th Avenues. Staff is available seven days a week in the summer and weekdays year-round to provide a wide range of services. Friendly agents can assist with dinner and hotel reservations, offer maps and make recommendations for sightseeing and tours.
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Cheap Flights To Seattle
OverviewWhen to Go
Airport Information
Weather
Things to Do
Local Attractions
Must See Sights
Insider Tips
Getting Around
Overview
Seattle is extraordinary. It's a place where aging grunge rockers sip lattes with young software developers at the local Starbucks. The Emerald City is home to diverse cultures and offers unlimited opportunities to experience metropolitan excitement in a setting of natural beauty. Seattle is framed by the scenic waters of Elliot Bay, Lake Union and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier, Cascade Mountains and Olympic Mountains clearly in view. Visitors will find strong influences from Seattle's thriving Asian, Nordic, Latin and Native populations. A vibrant creativity makes the area a great place to visit and live.
Back to top
When to Go
High season tends to run May through September. Steady rain does not typically arrive until mid-October, and hotel rates drastically drop then.
Low season runs November through April.
Best Time to Go
Most travelers prefer to see Seattle in the summer months due to the sunny weather, opening of nearby national parks, festivals, maritime attractions and departing Alaska cruises.
Back to top
Airport Information
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
Distance: 15 miles south of the city
Driving times: 25 to an hour to downtown Seattle depending on time of day
Visitors to the city, taking advantage of one of the many available cheap flights to Seattle, will land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), a hub for Alaska Airlines. Sea-Tac is an airy, contemporary facility and is the major air hub for the Pacific Northwest. The airport is the starting point for many international flights to Canada and the Pacific Rim, with direct flights to Europe rapidly increasing.
Average airfare into the city runs approximately $300 from San Francisco or New York, and about $375 from Miami. Many Seattle visitors pay less than the average, saving a considerable amount by shopping for cheap flights to Seattle before making their reservations.
Typical cab rate: Metered cabs to downtown hotels typically run $40-$45 between the airport and downtown hotels. The Shuttle Express counter at the airport offers walk-up service, and public transit buses arrive at and depart outside the baggage-claim area.
Back to top
Weather
Seattle's rainy climate soaks the winters, but summers are spectacular and typically in the 70s and low 80s. Autumn is a bit cooler, with October temperatures averaging in the high 50s, dropping to the wet mid-40s in December. The rain continues through April and May, when the temperatures are generally in the mid-50s.
Back to top
Things to Do
Rent kayaks at Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club, located in the University District and bordering Portage Bay. Upstairs the cafe features tasty cuisine described as healthy Baja California Mexican.
The Herbfarm - Drinking and eating in Seattle have evolved into a culinary journey. Many foodies plan their vacations to Seattle primarily to visit The Herbfarm, where the nine-course dinner takes at least four hours and includes five Pacific Northwest wines. The chefs lovingly explain the courses to guests and gladly create alternative entrees for those with special dietary needs.
Tour de Chocolat takes chocolate-lovers from learning about where chocolate comes and how it is made at Theo Chocolate, to tempering at Oh! Chocolate and features awarding winning chocolates like Fran's Chocolate. The three-hour excursion includes plenty of tasting, playing and learning about some of Seattle's premium chocolatiers.
Another tour group, Savor Seattle, escorts guests to local vendors who share generous samples of local seafood, artisan hand-made cheese and microbrew beer.
Farestart - Homeless men and women operate this cafe as part of a job-training program. The students prepare a hearty lunch of sandwiches, burgers and fries during the week. The $25 Thursday dinner is masterminded by a guest chef from the city's finest eateries.
Back to top
Local Attractions
Space Needle
The most recognizable landmark of Seattle is the Space Needle. Located at the Seattle Center, it was built for the 1962 World's Fair and towers 605 feet above downtown. Equally steep is the $16 ticket to the top. Insiders whisper to visitors that the downtown Colombia Tower offers more impressive views on its 73rd floor for no charge. Skip the grossly overpriced fare at the Needle restaurant as well.
Pacific Science Center
Other attractions at Seattle Center include Pacific Science Center, a small amusement park primarily for young children, a food court in the Center House, The Children's Museum, and Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM). EMP|SFM is housed in an intriguing 140,000 square foot Frank O. Gehry-designed building. The contemporary structure has the appearance of a metal sculpture.
The Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum (commonly known as "SAM") maintains three major facilities: the spacious main museum in downtown Seattle; the cozy Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) on Capitol Hill, and the Olympic Sculpture Park overlooking the Seattle waterfront. Admission to the sculpture park is free. Admission to the other facilities is free on the first Thursday of each month; SAAM also has free admission the first Saturday of the month.
Back to top
Must See Sights
The jewel of downtown Seattle is Pike Place Market, the oldest continually operating farmers market in the country. Local farmers, florists and artists display their goods as salmon fly through the air and musicians entertain the crowds.
Nearby on Elliot Bay departs the four-hour adventure to Tillicum Village on Blake Island State Park. A 50-minute cruise to the island offers rich views of Mount Rainier and the Sound. While on Blake Island, visitors enjoy an all-you-can-eat traditional Native salmon bake and an entertaining performance featuring the Tillicum Village dancers. Before returning, visitors watch a traditional carving demonstration.
Another must-see is Seattle's historic Pioneer Square District, encompassing the city's first downtown. Many of the district's historic buildings were constructed within a decade of a major fire in 1889. Nightclubs and restaurants now inhabit the district.
Back to top
Insider Tips
- An insider foodie tip: skip the Bite of Seattle and Taste of Tacoma events. Despite the local flavor of the early days, much of the festivals' recent food offerings are from traveling carnival-style vendors. Gang-related violence at both events has also become a serious concern.
- For those indulging in Seattle's thriving theater scene, avoid the touring musicals. Local professional theaters including the Seattle Repertory Theater and A Contemporary Theater (ACT) offer outstanding local talent complemented with impressive visiting performers. Seattle is second only to New York in the number of live theater productions per capita.
For those with adventurous palates, Seattle's Ethiopian district is a treat. Portions at the local Ethiopian restaurants are generous, and diners typically find they have enough left over for two additional meals. Approximately 20 restaurants serve traditional and innovative Ethiopian cuisine, with standouts including the economical Mesob and the more upscale Meskel.
- Parking in Seattle is expensive with lots charging anywhere between $12 and $30 a day, but some of the downtown merchants offer tokens and validation for two-hour parking. The rare metered spaces range from $1.50 to $2.50 per hour for short-term parking.
Getting Around
Getting around Seattle is at once a study in modernity with charming throwbacks to the past, with 1920s-era trolleys connecting to the region's light rail system at Westlake Station. The two form a convenient 14-mile line that is planned to reach the airport by December, 2009. The space-age Seattle Monorail connects Seattle Center and Westlake Mall. The one-mile journey takes about two minutes and departs approximately every 10 minutes.
Amtrak has daily service throughout the Pacific Northwest. Sounder trains connect the suburbs to Seattle on weekdays. Tickets are easily purchased at stations and can be used for transfers on buses. For those traveling by car, Seattle's major highway, I-5, runs right through downtown.
King County Metro Transit offers front bicycle racks and some even offer free Wi-Fi access. One-zone peak fares are $2.00. Rides are free between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily in the downtown Ride Free Area. Greyhound Lines and Northwestern Trailways have regular bus service throughout the region.
Insiders know that the best way to inexpensively travel the local waters is by the Washington State Ferry system, the largest ferry system in the United States. The King County Water Taxi runs 12-minute passenger-only transportation between West Seattle and downtown Seattle for just $3 each way. Walk-aboard and car ferries travel to countless island destinations.
These tips and more are available from the staff of the Seattle Visitor Center, located at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in downtown Seattle between 7th & 8th Avenues. Staff is available seven days a week in the summer and weekdays year-round to provide a wide range of services. Friendly agents can assist with dinner and hotel reservations, offer maps and make recommendations for sightseeing and tours.
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