Seattle vacation rentals

About Seattle

Seattle's setting does half the work: saltwater Puget Sound to the west, freshwater Lake Washington to the east, and 14,410-foot Mount Rainier floating on the southern horizon on clear days ('the mountain is out,' locals say). Pike Place Market has anchored downtown since 1907 with fish-throwing mongers, flower stalls, and the original Starbucks.

The city's neighborhoods reward wandering — Capitol Hill's restaurants, Ballard's breweries and Nordic heritage, Fremont's public art. And the ferries are both transport and experience: the 35-minute crossing to Bainbridge Island is the cheapest harbor cruise in America.

Vacation rentals in Seattle

Seattle vacation rentals range from downtown and Belltown condos walking distance to Pike Place, to classic Craftsman homes in Wallingford and Ballard, to the famous floating homes on Lake Union. Water views command a premium; skyline views from Queen Anne are the postcard shot.

Summer (July–September) is peak season with the year's best weather — book early. The rest of the year brings Seattle's famous drizzle but also lower rates and cozy café culture; pack a light rain shell and you'll be fine. For a longer Pacific Northwest loop, the city pairs well with the San Juan Islands and Olympic Peninsula.

Things to do in Seattle

• Explore Pike Place Market — fish throwers, flowers, and the gum wall
• Ride to the top of the Space Needle and visit Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Take the Bainbridge Island ferry for skyline views and a harbor cruise
• See MoPOP and the Seattle Center grounds
• Watch boats and sea lions at the Ballard Locks
• Day-trip to Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park

Couples, foodies, and outdoor lovers

Seattle is a food city first — oysters, salmon, and a coffee culture that goes far beyond the famous chains. Couples get waterfront sunsets and cozy neighborhoods; outdoor lovers get a city where you can kayak at lunch and ski or hike alpine trails on a day trip.