Best time to visit Seattle

Seattle: a city of hippies and hipsters, hi-tech and nature, craft beer and coffee, and rain. Lots and lots of rain. Or is it?

Yes, Seattle gets more rainy days than most other cities in the United States, but it’s actually drier than, say, New York or Miami.

When to visit depends on what you want to do in Seattle. If you want to explore the parks and gardens that gave the Emerald City its name or catch incredible views from the Space Needle, you’ll want sunny skies – which come with crowds of tourists.  If you’d rather pay less for accommodation and avoid the crowds in the low season, you’ll also need an umbrella.

Despite the association with inclement weather, Seattle has something for every type of traveler, whatever time of year you decide to visit. Whether you’re looking to explore iconic architecture or dive into a thriving craft beer scene, here’s our guide on when to visit Seattle.

Explore museums and farmers markets in the shoulder season (April to May and September to October)

Spring and fall see lower temperatures than the short summer and fewer crowds while still escaping the heavy rain showers of winter. 

Budget travelers can find good deals on accommodation and car rental rates at this time. Even during the shoulder season, the best time to drive through Seattle is between 9am and 4:30pm and later between 7pm and 6:30am to avoid rush hour. 

September has one of the highlights of the cultural calendar: Bumbershoot, a multi-day arts festival that began in the 1970s. There’s always the chance of a late summer early in October before the city gears up for Halloween.

Average highs are in the 50s and 60s (Fahrenheit) during the spring and fall, so you’ll want to bring a warm layer for the evenings. Rainfall is characteristically a persistent yet light drizzle rather than a deluge, and more than half of these months are completely dry days. Still, an umbrella is a sensible precaution.

Head to the outdoor parks and festivals in the high season (June to September)

Although blistering sunny weather is infrequent in Seattle, overcast but not rainy days are not unusual. The record number of consecutive dry days is 55, set in 2017. Your best chance for a clear forecast falls between June and September. 

With better weather comes more crowds. However, the…