Best of Seattle-Tacoma
Markets, ferries, mountains and two waterfront cities on Puget Sound.
See things to do »Seattle and Tacoma at a Glance
Seattle and Tacoma sit about 35 miles apart on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, a long, deep arm of the Pacific dotted with islands and crossed by green-and-white car ferries. On a clear day the view from either city takes in two mountain ranges: the Olympics to the west across the water and the Cascades to the east, with the snow-covered cone of Mount Rainier towering over everything to the southeast. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the region's main gateway, sits between the two cities, which is where the name SeaTac comes from. The airport also gave its name to the small city that surrounds it, and the 1 Line light rail now links it directly with downtown Seattle, so many visitors never need a car for the city part of their trip.
Seattle is the larger city and the one most visitors come to see. Its downtown slopes steeply down to the waterfront, where Pike Place Market has been selling fish, flowers and produce since 1907 and the ferries leave for Bainbridge Island. A mile north, Seattle Center, the grounds of the 1962 World's Fair, holds the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Museum of Pop Culture. Beyond them is a city of distinct neighborhoods, from Scandinavian-rooted Ballard and quirky Fremont to Capitol Hill's bars and coffee shops, each worth an afternoon.
Tacoma, the smaller and older industrial port to the south, has reinvented itself around art and history. Its waterfront Museum District is built on the work of glass artist Dale Chihuly, who was born there, and a short walk links the Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, the Washington State History Museum and America's Car Museum. Point Defiance Park, at the city's northern tip, has old-growth forest, beaches and a zoo and aquarium.
The real draw for many visitors, though, is what lies beyond both cities. Mount Rainier National Park is a full but rewarding day trip, Olympic National Park and its rain forests are reachable on a long day, and the ferry ride to Bainbridge Island is the easiest scenic cruise in the region. Seattle is also the busiest homeport for Alaska cruises in the lower 48 states, and many travelers add a few days in the city before or after a sailing.
This guide divides the region into four areas, each with places worth seeing and bookable tours, plus a dining guide built around the market, seafood and neighborhood favorites, and a calendar of the festivals that return each year. Summer is dry, mild and busy; the rest of the year is cooler and often gray, but rarely as wet as the region's reputation suggests, and museums, markets and restaurants keep visitors busy in any weather.
Explore Seattle-Tacoma by Area
Top-Rated Things to Do in Seattle-Tacoma
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Seattle-Tacoma may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Where to Eat in Seattle-Tacoma
Seafood leads the way in Seattle and Tacoma: oysters from the Sound, wild salmon, Dungeness crab and clam chowder, served everywhere from market counters to white-tablecloth dining rooms. Pike Place Market alone could feed you for days, the neighborhoods hold some of the region's best chef-driven restaurants, and in Tacoma the restaurants along Ruston Way look straight out over Commencement Bay.
Festivals and Events in Seattle-Tacoma
Festival season around Puget Sound runs from spring tulips to the fall state fair. Northwest Folklife fills Seattle Center over Memorial Day weekend, June brings the film festival and Pride, Seafair takes over the summer with parades, hydroplane races and an air show, Bumbershoot closes summer at Labor Day, and the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, near Tacoma, runs in September.
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Seattle-Tacoma — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Seattle?
July through September is the driest and sunniest stretch and the best time for mountain day trips. It is also peak cruise season and the most expensive time for hotels. Spring brings tulips and cherry blossoms, and fall is quieter with good weather into October.
How do I get from Sea-Tac Airport to downtown Seattle?
The 1 Line light rail runs from the airport station to downtown Seattle in a little under 40 minutes and continues to Capitol Hill and the University District. Taxis and rideshares take 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Is Tacoma worth visiting from Seattle?
Yes, especially if you like museums or glass art. The Museum District is compact and walkable, and Point Defiance Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Tacoma is about 45 minutes from downtown Seattle by car without traffic, and Sound Transit trains and buses also connect the two.
Can I see Mount Rainier on a day trip from Seattle?
Yes. The Paradise area of the park is roughly two and a half hours from Seattle by car, and guided day tours run from downtown hotels. Higher roads usually open fully only in summer, and a timed-entry reservation may be required at busy times, so check the National Park Service site.
Where do Alaska cruises leave from in Seattle?
From two Port of Seattle terminals: Pier 66 on the downtown waterfront and Smith Cove at Pier 91, north of downtown near Magnolia. The season usually runs from spring into early fall.