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Mother Nature’s City

Where urban energy meets natural beauty

In the Emerald City, discovery begins the moment you step outside. Wake up to breathtaking views of mountains and sparkling waters. Stroll through vibrant neighborhoods alive with culture and charm. Paddle along 200 miles of stunning shoreline or indulge in a culinary scene as bold as the city itself. Welcome to Seattle—Mother Nature’s City.

Get Lost in Northwest Nature

Taste theEmerald City

 Lionhead Courtesy: Lionhead

Top Parksin Seattle

 Washington Park Arboretum Rachael Jones

Mother Nature’s City Awaits

Whether you’re traveling with kids and a dog in tow, planning a weekend with friends, or sneaking away for a romantic getaway, you’ll find hotels in Seattle that feel like they were picked just for you. Explore accommodations for every kind of traveler.

Book Your Trip

Take A Moment To Pause

Fall into the meditative flow state inspired by Seattle’s waterways.

Feel the tranquil peace of Seward Park.

Unwind with sounds of a crackling bonfire at Golden Gardens

Plan Your Seattle Experience

Pick your travel profile and start exploring:

 

A person paddles a yellow kayak on a calm river surrounded by greenery, with sunlight filtering through trees. Text overlay reads "NATURE SEEKER" in bold white letters on a green background. The Space Needle and a monorail in Seattle with the Museum of Pop Culture, overlaid by a green box with white text reading "FIRST TIMER. A table set with seafood dishes, including oysters, mussels, grilled fish, lemon wedges, and a reddish drink, with sunlight streaming in. Overlaid green banner reads "TASTE TESTER" in bold white text. Spacious, modern lobby with large windows and ceiling lights. A green banner with white text in the center reads “MEETING PROFESSIONALS.”. An adult and a child, bundled in winter jackets, walk hand in hand on a forest trail with tall trees. A green banner across the image reads "Family Traveler" in bold white letters.

Itinerary Inspiration

Illustrated map of Seattle highlights points of interest like Pike Place Market, Space Needle, and various neighborhoods. Icons depict local foods, coffee, and activities. Landmarks include museums, parks, and waterfront elements near Elliott Bay and Lake Union.
Illustrated by Tammy Chew

Stepping Out

Shaded by mature trees and lined with charming homes, colorful storefronts, and captivating art installations, our streets provide a window into the city’s diversity, creativity, and natural beauty.

Find a Walking Itinerary
A scenic view of a waterfront park in Seattle, bustling with people enjoying a sunny day near the iconic Ferris wheel. The park features pathways surrounded by greenery, against a backdrop of calm waters and distant industrial cranes under a clear blue sky—perfect for your list of things to do in Seattle.
Overlook Walk David Newman

23 Ways to Get Outside in Seattle

Scampering along sandy beaches, socializing on landscaped patios, boating around scenic lakes and bays, watching open-air concerts and films - ways to explore the outdoors in our beautiful city.

Find an Outdoor Itinerary
A woman in a teal dress stands on a wood platform in front of a mural painted on the wall behind her that reads
Seattle Mural at Block 41 Lily Yu

Discover the Enchanting Charm of Seattle

Seattle’s perfect mix of outdoor adventures, cultural landmarks, and innovative spirit will capture your heart.

Read Lily Yu's Weekend Itinerary
A garden scene featuring large red and green whimsical sculptures resembling flowers. People walk along a path amid lush foliage, including a tree with autumn-hued leaves. A glass structure is visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Sonic Bloom by Dan Corson Rachael Jones

Downtown Green Spaces

Visiting downtown Seattle? Seattle’s proximity to nature sets it apart—and its downtown is full of spaces where you can experience natural beauty among the buildings.

Find a Downtown Green Space
Illustrated map of Seattle highlights points of interest like Pike Place Market, Space Needle, and various neighborhoods. Icons depict local foods, coffee, and activities. Landmarks include museums, parks, and waterfront elements near Elliott Bay and Lake Union.
Illustrated by Tammy Chew

Stepping Out

Shaded by mature trees and lined with charming homes, colorful storefronts, and captivating art installations, our streets provide a window into the city’s diversity, creativity, and natural beauty.

Find a Walking Itinerary
A scenic view of a waterfront park in Seattle, bustling with people enjoying a sunny day near the iconic Ferris wheel. The park features pathways surrounded by greenery, against a backdrop of calm waters and distant industrial cranes under a clear blue sky—perfect for your list of things to do in Seattle.
Overlook Walk David Newman

23 Ways to Get Outside in Seattle

Scampering along sandy beaches, socializing on landscaped patios, boating around scenic lakes and bays, watching open-air concerts and films - ways to explore the outdoors in our beautiful city.

Find an Outdoor Itinerary
A woman in a teal dress stands on a wood platform in front of a mural painted on the wall behind her that reads
Seattle Mural at Block 41 Lily Yu

Discover the Enchanting Charm of Seattle

Seattle’s perfect mix of outdoor adventures, cultural landmarks, and innovative spirit will capture your heart.

Read Lily Yu's Weekend Itinerary
A garden scene featuring large red and green whimsical sculptures resembling flowers. People walk along a path amid lush foliage, including a tree with autumn-hued leaves. A glass structure is visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Sonic Bloom by Dan Corson Rachael Jones

Downtown Green Spaces

Visiting downtown Seattle? Seattle’s proximity to nature sets it apart—and its downtown is full of spaces where you can experience natural beauty among the buildings.

Find a Downtown Green Space

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Two people in a green kayak in the glassy blue water of Puget Sound. A small sliver of land is on the horizon. A deep blue sky fills the background. Courtesy Alki Kayak Tours

Water World

From wildlife-rich Puget Sound on the west side to calm and clear Lake Washington on the east side, water is a vital and joyful part of the city’s identity. And let’s not overlook the many bodies of water in Seattle’s interior, including Lake Union and Green Lake. Dozens of parks, streets, and boat ramps provide easy access to the public, a fact that’s especially important during the warmer months of the year. Here’s a guide to making the most of the city’s spectacular waterways.

Enjoy the Wet Outdoors

Two people walking hand-in-hand near a serene lake, surrounded by large, lush green trees. A bench is visible nearby, and the sky is partially cloudy, adding to the peaceful atmosphere. Green Lake Rachael Jones

Accessible Outdoors

With over 485 parks, Seattle is the perfect place to enjoy nature. Discover why Seattle is called the Emerald City by exploring parks and green spaces in the city or nearby at one of Washington state’s three national parks.

Seattle welcomes visitors of all abilities to explore the city’s plethora of communities, activities, attractions, hotels, and more. Discover inspiration, resources, and first-hand experiences below as you get ready to embark on your next great adventure in the Emerald City.

Find Accessible Outdoor Activities

View the Accessibility Travel Guide

Mother Nature-Inspired Cuisine

A hand squeezes a lemon wedge over a plate of oysters on ice. The dish is garnished with other lemon wedges and a small container of sauce. The scene is set against a dark background, highlighting the freshness of the seafood.
Courtesy Shuckers

Storied Shellfish

From oysters to clams to crab, Seattle has a long (and delicious!) history with shellfish.

Taste the city’s legendary local seafood
A collection of fresh root vegetables, including turnips and kohlrabi, displayed on a wooden surface. Several containers of leafy greens are also visible, adding a variety of textures and colors.
Seasonal Produce at Seabird Charity Burggraaf

Eat Local

Fertile orchards and farm fields, lush and mossy forests, and the bountiful waters of the Salish Sea make Seattle the perfect place for locally sourced dining.

Read about Seattle's locally-sourced dining
A picnic spread on a checkered blanket featuring sandwiches, bread, fruits, chocolate, and pastries. A woven basket, flowers, and a bottle are part of the arrangement. The scene conveys a cozy and inviting outdoor meal setting.
Photo by Charity Burggraaf / Styling by Nelle Clark

Pike Place Picnic Party

There’s so much to eat and drink at Pike Place Market that it’s hard to know where to begin. Here’s a sample spread to inspire your own perfect picnic.

Inspiration to create your own picnic party
A hand squeezes a lemon wedge over a plate of oysters on ice. The dish is garnished with other lemon wedges and a small container of sauce. The scene is set against a dark background, highlighting the freshness of the seafood.
Courtesy Shuckers

Storied Shellfish

From oysters to clams to crab, Seattle has a long (and delicious!) history with shellfish.

Taste the city’s legendary local seafood
A collection of fresh root vegetables, including turnips and kohlrabi, displayed on a wooden surface. Several containers of leafy greens are also visible, adding a variety of textures and colors.
Seasonal Produce at Seabird Charity Burggraaf

Eat Local

Fertile orchards and farm fields, lush and mossy forests, and the bountiful waters of the Salish Sea make Seattle the perfect place for locally sourced dining.

Read about Seattle's locally-sourced dining
A picnic spread on a checkered blanket featuring sandwiches, bread, fruits, chocolate, and pastries. A woven basket, flowers, and a bottle are part of the arrangement. The scene conveys a cozy and inviting outdoor meal setting.
Photo by Charity Burggraaf / Styling by Nelle Clark

Pike Place Picnic Party

There’s so much to eat and drink at Pike Place Market that it’s hard to know where to begin. Here’s a sample spread to inspire your own perfect picnic.

Inspiration to create your own picnic party

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Travel Responsibly

A person walks through a lush, green forest on a winding dirt path surrounded by tall trees and dense foliage, with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Aaron Davis

Practice Leave No Trace on Trail and in Camp

One of the easiest ways to protect the trails and natural places you love is leave those places untouched by your visit. The Washington Trail Association provides 7 guidelines to reduce your impact.

Read Trail Smart Tips
Four people sitting on a log at a sandy beach, enjoying a conversation while overlooking the ocean. A ferry can be seen in the distance, and the sky is clear, indicating a calm and sunny day.
Margaux Helm

Recreate Responsibly in Washington

The Recreate Responsibility Coalition (RRC) has developed and shared guidelines and messaging to ensure people have safe and successful outdoor adventures while caring for the places we recreate.

Learn How to Recreate Responsibly
A cyclist in a yellow shirt rides along a tree-lined, green-hued bike path on a sunny day. To the right, buildings adorned with greenery and graffiti contrast the left side, where cars pass by. Shadows of leaves cast intricate patterns on the path.
Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Green Travel Made Easy

With progressive transportation, leading composting practices, and a commitment to environmental preservation, the Emerald City consistently ranks as one of the greenest in the country.

Make Your Travel More Sustainable
A person stands in a large indoor space with walls covered in lush greenery. The words
Garry Belinsky

Going Green

As you travel around the globe, adopting eco-friendly practices is an excellent way to help reduce your carbon footprint.

Adopt Eco-Friendly Practices
A person walks through a lush, green forest on a winding dirt path surrounded by tall trees and dense foliage, with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Aaron Davis

Practice Leave No Trace on Trail and in Camp

One of the easiest ways to protect the trails and natural places you love is leave those places untouched by your visit. The Washington Trail Association provides 7 guidelines to reduce your impact.

Read Trail Smart Tips
Four people sitting on a log at a sandy beach, enjoying a conversation while overlooking the ocean. A ferry can be seen in the distance, and the sky is clear, indicating a calm and sunny day.
Margaux Helm

Recreate Responsibly in Washington

The Recreate Responsibility Coalition (RRC) has developed and shared guidelines and messaging to ensure people have safe and successful outdoor adventures while caring for the places we recreate.

Learn How to Recreate Responsibly
A cyclist in a yellow shirt rides along a tree-lined, green-hued bike path on a sunny day. To the right, buildings adorned with greenery and graffiti contrast the left side, where cars pass by. Shadows of leaves cast intricate patterns on the path.
Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Green Travel Made Easy

With progressive transportation, leading composting practices, and a commitment to environmental preservation, the Emerald City consistently ranks as one of the greenest in the country.

Make Your Travel More Sustainable
A person stands in a large indoor space with walls covered in lush greenery. The words
Garry Belinsky

Going Green

As you travel around the globe, adopting eco-friendly practices is an excellent way to help reduce your carbon footprint.

Adopt Eco-Friendly Practices

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Next >>

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