Seattle

The best time to visit is July through September, when days are warm and sunny with little rain. May and June are also pleasant, though cooler and wetter. November through February are the rainiest months, with December seeing the most rain days. For the driest, most comfortable weather, plan your trip for July or August.

Pike Place Market suits first-timers who want the market, waterfront, and restaurants at their doorstep. Downtown's Central Business District is central for shopping, dining, and easy transit, with hotels like the Fairmont Olympic and Sheraton Grand. Pioneer Square offers historic brick buildings and a quieter, artsy feel, while Ballard is great for a local vibe with breweries and the locks. The Edgewater sits on the waterfront near the Great Wheel, ideal for views.

The Space Needle offers sweeping city and mountain views. Seattle Center, its surrounding campus, hosts museums and cultural events. Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases stunning glass art. The Seattle Aquarium is great for marine life. Kerry Park provides a classic skyline photo spot.

Day trips from Seattle go to Olympic National Park, with its rainforests, beaches, and mountain trails, and to Snoqualmie Falls, a dramatic waterfall often paired with winery visits. The Boeing Factory tour is another option, showing aircraft assembly. These tours cover the destinations directly, so you can pick based on whether you prefer nature, engineering, or a mix of sights.

Plan 3 days: one for Space Needle, Seattle Center, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Kerry Park; one for Seattle Aquarium, the Great Wheel, and Gas Works Park; a third for Woodland Park Zoo and Fremont Troll, with time for Ballard Locks. A day trip to Olympic National Park or Snoqualmie Falls adds a fourth day.