The best time to visit Seattle depends on what you prioritize: weather, crowds, prices, or specific events. Mid-July through mid-September delivers the most reliable sunshine and temperatures of 21-24°C (70-76°F) with only 5-8 rain days per month. June is a close second and often has more hotel availability before the peak summer rush. For a balance of decent weather and lower costs, target the first two weeks of September or late May through mid-June. Avoid November through February unless gray skies and drizzle don’t bother you and you’re here for the coffee culture and museums. Also see our Seattle weather by month for more planning information.
Best Time to Visit Seattle: Best Weather (July to September)
July and August are the gold standard: 24°C (76°F) highs, 310 hours of sunshine in July, and only 5-6 rain days per month. You can expect 15+ hours of daylight with sunset after 9pm in early July. The downside is cost: downtown hotels average US$300-500 per night in July-August versus US$150-250 in January. September is arguably better than July for many travelers: 21°C (70°F), 220 hours of sun, 8 rain days, and hotel rates dip about 20% after Labor Day. The water in Lake Washington and Puget Sound is warmest in August at around 18°C (65°F), swimmable with a wetsuit. Also see our things to do in Seattle for more planning information.
Best Time to Visit Seattle: Fewest Crowds (October to April)
October through April sees dramatically fewer tourists. You can walk into the Space Needle with zero wait in January versus 45-60 minute lines in July. Pike Place Market is still busy year-round but you won’t be shoulder-to-shoulder in the main arcade. February and March have the lowest hotel occupancy rates and you’ll find US$100-150 rooms in downtown hotels that charge US$400 in August. The trade-off is rain: expect 13-19 rain days per month from October through March. November is the wettest at 152mm with 19 rain days across the month. Also see our Seattle events and festivals for more planning information.
Best Time to Visit Seattle: Lowest Prices (January to March)
January through March offers the best hotel rates. You can book the Four Seasons for US$350-450 per night in January compared to US$700-900 in July. Round-trip flights from major US cities (LAX, ORD, JFK) drop to US$150-250 in January-February versus US$350-500 in summer. Restaurant reservations at popular spots like Canlis or The Walrus and the Carpenter are available on 1-2 days notice instead of 2-4 weeks in summer. Budget travelers should target February: it has the lowest average daily rates across all hotel categories, and the ski season at nearby resorts (Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass) is at its peak if you want to combine city and mountain. Also see our Seattle neighborhoods guide for more planning information.
Best Time to Visit Seattle: Events and Festivals
If you’re visiting for specific events, plan around these: Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) runs mid-May to early June and is the largest film festival in the US by attendance. Seafair spans July and August with the Blue Angels air show the first weekend of August drawing 500,000+ spectators to Lake Washington. Bumbershoot takes over Seattle Center on Labor Day weekend with music, arts, and comedy across multiple stages. Northwest Folklife Festival runs Memorial Day weekend with free admission and draws 250,000 attendees. The holiday season brings the Westlake Center Christmas tree lighting (day after Thanksgiving) and the Pike Place Market holiday market. For a full calendar with dates and locations, see the Seattle events and festivals guide. Also see our where to stay in Seattle for more planning information.
Best Time to Visit Seattle: Months to Avoid and Why
November is the single worst month: 152mm of rain across 19 days, only 70 hours of sunshine, and temperatures of 5-11°C (42-51°F). It’s statistically the cloudiest month in the continental US outside of the Great Lakes. December is similarly gray (55 sun hours) but redeemed by holiday events and decorations. January has the shortest days with sunset at 4:45pm. If you absolutely must visit in winter, February is the best choice: slightly more sun (95 hours), active ski season nearby, and the lowest prices of the year. Also see our Seattle travel tips for more planning information.
