Travel Sustainably in Seattle: The Emerald City is a Natural Fit for a Green Getaway this Earth Day

SEATTLE – Surrounded by verdant rainforests, snowcapped mountains, and the glistening waves of Puget Sound, Seattle is immersed in natural beauty. The city pairs its outdoor splendor with a commitment to sustainability – making it an ideal destination to celebrate Earth Day on April 22.

As the only U.S. city selected as a Role Model City for The United Nations’ Generation Restoration program, Seattle sets the standard for urban sustainability with energy-efficient transportation, LEED-certified attractions, and forward-thinking environmental policies. For example, the Port of Seattle is the first port in the nation to independently require all capable vessels homeported in Seattle to utilize shore power – further distinguishing the city as a sustainable destination for travel.

“Earth Day is a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect and restore our region’s unique natural resources. At the Port of Seattle, we take that commitment seriously, investing in habitat restoration, waste reduction, and decarbonization,” said Chris Guizlo, Director of Communications and Marketing at Port of Seattle. “The recent installation in shore power at Pier 66 provides clean energy to cruise ships at every berth, making Seattle one of the only locations with all of its multiple cruise berths shore power enabled, benefiting our climate and communities this cruise season.”

Seattle offers an exciting range of Earth Day programming and a commitment to environmentally conscious practices year-round, inviting both visitors and locals to travel, dine, and stay sustainably throughout April and beyond.

Celebrate the Planet at Seattle’s Earth Day Events

What better way to recognize Earth Day than to get involved with Seattle’s conservation efforts? Join Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Arboretum Foundation, and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens for their annual Earth Day at the Arboretum event on April 19, as volunteers remove invasive species and restore native habitats in the Washington Arboretum. For more volunteer opportunities to restore Seattle’s natural habitats, visit www.greenseattle.org.

“Seattle shines brightest when we come together to care for our parks and green spaces, and Earth Day is the perfect time to make a difference,” said AP Diaz, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation. “This annual event is a celebration of sustainability, conservation, and community action. Together, we can create a healthier, more resilient environment and ensure our green spaces remain vibrant and welcoming for everyone.”

Other Earth Day events in Seattle and surrounding areas include:

• Celebrate Earth Day Weekend at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (April 19) – Free family-friendly event hosted by Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH).
• Earth Day Fun Run at Magnuson Park (April 19) – Racers will receive a native sapling tree to either plant on their own or to donate to Magnuson Park. A portion of registration fees will be donated to environmental organizations.
• Free Entrance Days in National Parks (April 19) – Entrance fees will be waived at Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades National Parks.
• Celebrate Earth Day at The Museum of Flight (April 20) – Explore how aerospace impacts the world and beyond. Programing includes a seed paper making workshop, a lecture about converting space trash into gas, and more.
• Earth Day Story Adventure with The Environmental Science Center (April 21) – Children aged 2 to 5 and their parents will learn about the science of Earth Day through storytelling and activities.
• Earth Day 2025: Seattle’s Innovation & Leadership in Climate Equity at Townhall (April 22) – Learn about ongoing, local climate solutions at this Town Hall discussion with Seattle Parks Foundation and area climate and equity leaders.
• Earth Talks 2025 at Seattle University (April 22) – Five-minute presentations about sustainability by Seattle University students, staff, faculty, and community partners.
• Ladybug Festival: Earth Day Celebration (April 26) – The annual release of ladybugs into Garfield Community Center, hosted by Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Dine Sustainably: Get a Taste of Seattle’s Sustainable Food and Beverage Scene

From responsibly sourced seafood to farm-to-table dining, Seattle restaurants and wineries are serving up delicious meals with a commitment to sustainable practices.

“At Taylor Shellfish Farms, sustainability isn’t just a practice – it’s the foundation of everything we strive to do. As stewards of the tidelands, we work to protect and enhance the marine ecosystems where our shellfish grow. We prioritize responsible harvesting, habitat restoration, and science-driven conservation to ensure these waters thrive for generations to come,” said Jada Pearson, Marketing Manager at Taylor Shellfish Farms.

Dine sustainably at the following restaurants:

• Atoma, named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America in 2024, takes pride in working with local farmers, ranchers, fishmongers, and winemakers.
• Bamboo Sushi is the world’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant, contributing a portion of their sales to nonprofits that preserve and restore fisheries, watersheds, and ecosystems.
• Café Flora, a Seattle mainstay for over 30 years, features imaginative vegan and vegetarian dishes using organic and sustainable produce from Washington farms.
• Driftwood prioritizes seasonal and local produce and seafood, focusing on regional community partnerships with farmers and tribal fishermen.
• Footprint Wine Tap manages their environmental impact through vineyard management, product transportation, education and waste management, and re-purposed equipment.
• Lark works with local farmers, ranchers, fisheries, and foragers to serve the best of every Pacific Northwest season.
• Terra Plata sources its ingredients from growers and artisan producers who practice organic, sustainable farming.
• Tom Douglas, a James Beard Outstanding Restauranteur and restaurant group, prioritizes local wild salmon habitat preservation.
• In 2022, the Washington wine industry launched Sustainable WA, the first statewide certified sustainability program.

Stay Sustainably: Rest Easy at an Environmentally Conscious Hotel

Seattle offers a range of hotels that allow guests to reduce their environmental impact. 1 Hotel Seattle, the city’s first nature-inspired, sustainable luxury hotel celebrates its opening in early May.

“Seattle has always been a city that values sustainability, innovation, and a deep connection to nature,” said Rob Brandenberg, General Manager at 1 Hotel Seattle.

“The opening of 1 Hotel Seattle just after celebrating Earth Month highlights our dedication to these ideals, offering a sustainable and mindful luxury experience that aligns with the city’s commitment to preserving the environment.”

Sleep green at any of the following Seattle hotels:

• The Hyatt Regency Seattle was the first Seattle hotel to achieve LEED Gold Certification.
• Hyatt at Olive 8 became Seattle’s first LEED Silver-certified hotel in 2009 and features a green roof and energy-efficient fixtures.
• citizenM hotel in South Lake Union and Pioneer Square is Seattle’s first-ever fully modular hotel and is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification. The hotel saves 29% in energy usage and uses solar panels.
• Sheraton Grand Seattle was the first hotel in the nation to launch a “green room” program where guests are rewarded for reducing towel and linen replacement during their stay.
• W Seattle is Green Seal-certified based on its waste minimization, water and energy efficiency, and hazardous substance handling.
• All Kimpton Hotels such as Hotel Manaco, Hotel Vintage, and Palladian Hotel have removed single-use hygiene products and use non-toxic cleaning supplies. They also focus on reducing energy and water usage.

Additional Resources and Content

For more information about sustainable practices in Seattle, go to visitseattle.org and Going Green.

For ideas on how to connect with nature in Seattle, check out these videos on VISITSEATTLE.tv:

• Crowdsourced | Epic Outdoors | Josh Johnson
• Seattle First Takes | Paddling On By

Do you have a recommendation for how to celebrate Earth Day in Seattle? Please submit your ideas to [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.