Downtown Seattle Travel Guide

Seattle

Downtown Seattle showing street scenes and central business district
Seattle Waterfront which includes cbd, boating and a marina
Seattle Public Library which includes modern architecture and a city
Downtown Seattle
Downtown Seattle

A clean, walkable city centre with tree-filled public spaces, shopping, boutique bars and restaurants, and views across the Puget Sound.

Seattle’s downtown is a major business and retail centre, set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Puget Sound and waterfront activity. Urban parks and plazas are surrounded by a manmade forest of high-rise architecture with some older buildings mixed in. Further west is the famous Pike Place Market. Dotted in between are a myriad of small and charming bars and restaurants, as well as an assortment of larger establishments and well-known retail outlets.

Start your downtown experience by heading to the Visitor Information Centre in the lobby of the Washington State Convention Centre on Seventh Avenue and Pike Street. Pick up a walking map of the area and find out what local events are scheduled. Downtown Seattle and its surrounding neighbourhoods host around 70 festivals each year, including Bumbershoot, the country’s largest urban arts festival, and the Seattle International Film Festival. It also promotes dozens of musical performances at Benaroya Hall as well as outdoor public concerts on the waterfront. You can hear everything from classical to contemporary throughout the summer.

With more than 1,000 retail outlets, Seattle’s downtown is a great place for shopping in flagship stores, such as Nordstrom, Macy's and REI, as well as a wide array of smaller boutiques. Take in a movie at the multi-screen cinema in ultra-modern Pacific Place. During the winter holiday season, ride the carousel and check out the festivities at Westlake Centre, which is the downtown terminal for the Seattle’s Monorail. Don't miss a trip to Pike Place Market, Seattle's famous foodie haven. Here you can see fresh produce from the region, as well as dine, shop and enjoy the views across Puget Sound. 

Family members not into shopping may enjoy a visit to the Seattle Art Museum or take the kids on the Monorail and head to the Space Needle, a little over a mile (1.6 kilometres) north of downtown. Meet later at one of the 150 eateries that make downtown such a haven for food-lovers. 

Downtown Seattle is a great base to stay while on a visit to the city. It is adjacent to the waterfront area to the west, Belltown and Capitol Hill to the north, and Pioneer Square to the south.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Seattle

Executive Hotel Pacific

Executive Hotel Pacific

3 out of 5
400 Spring St, Seattle, WA
The price is Rp2.955.827 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
Rp2.955.827
Rp3.488.041 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,537 reviews)
"The room was comfortable and spacious, and I slept wonderfully in the King bed. The location is great for getting around on foot in the Pike's Place area, and super easy to get to and from the Symphony light rail line. The room needs a little attention. The towel bar is separating from the wall."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Executive Hotel Pacific
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA

Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA

4 out of 5
1301 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA
The price is Rp2.774.184 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.774.184
Rp3.273.538 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,689 reviews)
"Ease of registration, pleasant staff, cleanliness of room."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
724 Pine St, Seattle, WA
The price is Rp2.957.478 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.957.478
Rp3.489.825 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,065 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

The Paramount Hotel
Hyatt Regency Seattle

Hyatt Regency Seattle

4 out of 5
808 Howell St, Seattle, WA
The price is Rp4.227.328 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp4.227.328
Rp4.988.247 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (4,428 reviews)
"Excellent hotel. The beds were very comfortable. Room was clean. We were close to the elevator which I thought would be an issue with noise but we really didn’t hear anything. It’s on the expensive side but I would stay here again."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Hyatt Regency Seattle
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square

4 out of 5
60 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA
The price is Rp3.286.087 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp3.286.087
Rp3.877.583 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seattle. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk and satellite TV channels. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,529 reviews)
"I had a wonderful 3 night stay at CitizenM. The staff was super friendly and attentive. The breakfast bar was amazing! Fresh fruit, protein, eggs and a variety of bread. Great location! Walkable and scenic."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
The Belltown Inn

The Belltown Inn

2.5 out of 5
2301 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA
The price is Rp2.955.801 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.955.801
Rp3.685.956 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and free bicycles on-site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,907 reviews)
"What a sweet little place, I would definitely stay there again!"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

The Belltown Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Seattle

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Denny Triangle

If you're spending time in Denny Triangle, check out sights like The Spheres or Pike Pine Retail Core and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Westlake 7th St Station or Westlake Denny Wy Station.

Denny Triangle
Belltown which includes street scenes

Belltown

Belltown is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights area like Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 and Moore Theatre.

Belltown
Pioneer Square featuring heritage architecture, central business district and street scenes

Pioneer Square

Shopping, museums and art galleries highlight some notable features of Pioneer Square. Make a stop by Smith Tower or Pioneer Square while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Pioneer Square Station or Occidental Mall Stop to get around town.

Pioneer Square
South Lake Union featuring a coastal town, a bay or harbour and boating

South Lake Union

4/5(13 area reviews)

Known for its panoramic lake views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in South Lake Union. Check out top attractions like Amazon Corporate Headquarters and El Corazón, and jump on the metro at Lake Union Park Station or Terry Av- Mercer St Station to see more of the city.

South Lake Union
Kerry Park featuring landscape views, mountains and a city

Lower Queen Anne

While you're in Lower Queen Anne, take in top sights like Space Needle and jump on the metro at Seattle Center Monorail Station to see more of the city.

Lower Queen Anne
Capitol Hill featuring heritage architecture as well as an individual male

Capitol Hill

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Lake View Cemetery - Bruce Lee's Grave while getting to know Capitol Hill, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Capitol Hill Station or Broadway & Denny Stop to see more of the area.

Capitol Hill

Downtown Seattle Travel Guide