Whether you’re a local wanting to make the most of the city’s winter transformation or a visitor eager to experience the unique blend of adventure and culture, we’ve got you covered. Bundle up, grab a coffee, and join us as we uncover the top 25 things to do in Seattle this winter!
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1. Space Needle
No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the Space Needle! Beyond being the defining feature of the city’s skyline, it boasts some of the best views of downtown, Puget Sound and the snow-dusted peaks of the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier. With their 100 million dollar makeover, including the world’s first and only rotating glass floor, a stop at the Needle is all the more essential on a trip to the Emerald City!
2. Savor Seattle Food Tour
Get a taste of the Emerald City with Savor Seattle food tours! Where better to nosh on delicious eats than at the city’s source for local and fresh food, the iconic Pike Place Market. Plus, get an inside scoop on the 100+ year history of the Market and meet the community of people who keep it so lively and vibrant.
3. Catch a Concert
Seattle’s concert scene is shaping up to be nothing short of sensational. Continuing to be a hub of musical innovation and excitement through 2024, catch a show in the city this winter featuring your favorite big-name artists from Madonna to Marc Anthony, Playboi Carti, Fallout Boy, Blake Shelton, and Nicki Minaj! Planning a low-key weekend? Skip the crowds and check out Neumos, or Showbox, for a more intimate evening of live performances all winter long.
4. Pacific Science Center
Spend an afternoon at the Science Center! With a tropical butterfly house, a planetarium and hundreds of hands-on science exhibits, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. At night, one of the world’s largest Laser Dome theaters provide hours of entertainment. And while you’re there, don’t miss the chance to catch a movie on one of the world’s largest IMAX screens!
5. Seattle Comicon
A die-hard fan, a casual admirer, or simply curious about the world of comics and pop culture, Seattle Comicon is the perfect place to indulge your passions and connect with like-minded fans. Get ready for a thrilling adventure as you step into the vibrant and fantastical world of Seattle Comicon from February 29 through March 3, 2024.
6. Beneath the Streets Tour
Get a whole new perspective on the city with a trek through the subterranean corridors of Seattle’s historic underground! Learn about the Emerald City’s origins and how it was rebuilt after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, which buried what was once the hub of downtown 20 feet below the streets we know today.
7. Cheer on the Seattle Kraken
Bringing a wave of energy and enthusiasm to the Emerald City, head over to Climate Pledge Arena to cheer on the newest addition to the NHL, the Seattle Kraken! Whether you are a seasoned fan or new to the sport, immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of Seattle hockey and get ready to unleash the Kraken!
8. Museum of Pop Culture
Never met a bar trivia tournament you didn’t like? Then the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is the place for you! Before entering, take a moment to soak in the design of the building – a colorful creation of visionary architect Frank Gehry. Then, enjoy an afternoon of experiential exhibits covering everything from the Sci-Fi filmmaking to Jimi Hendrix to an ode to horror flicks.
9. Northwest Flower & Garden Festival
The Northwest Flower & Garden Festival has been heralding the start of spring for more than 25 years, as gardening enthusiasts from around the Northwest flock to this annual celebration of flora and foliage. Your ticket also allows you access to a vintage garden market, educational seminars, a gourmet marketplace of craft food and beverages and more!
10. Teatro ZinZanni Dinner & Show
Part circus, part dinner theatre and always extraordinary, Teatro ZinZanni is a three-hour whirlwind of international cirque, comedy and cabaret artists served up with a multi-course feast and generous libations.
11. Alki Beach Winter Food Truck and Beerfest
Just a short water taxi trip across the water, the suburb of west Seattle is home to a cozy beachfront community where PNW and Cali Coast living coincide. Grab a ticket to this year’s Winter Beer & Food Truck Festival in support of the Special Olympics Washington and an receive 8 tasting tokens featuring local breweries paired with a variety of tasty food trucks. alongside stunning views of the Puget Sound.
12. Gates Foundation Discovery Center
Spend an afternoon at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center to learn how the world’s largest private philanthropy works in Seattle and abroad. After a visit, you might even be inspired to help change the world yourself!
13. Celebrate Seattle’s Arts and Culture Scene
Summer is not the only home to an incredible lineup of festivals in Seattle. This winter attend one or all and explore the Irish Festival at Seattle Center, Dance festival March 16, Rock Music Festival March 2-3, Balkan Night Northwest March 16, Asain American Film Festical February 22, CHildrens Film Festical February 2 – 11, and Wintergrass Music Festival February 22-25.
14. Cheer on the Seattle Sounders
From the exhilarating chants to the nail-biting moments in the box, every second of a Sounders game is filled with heart-pounding action. Whether you’re a lifelong soccer enthusiast or new to the sport, attending a Sounders game is an absolute must for any fan. So grab your scarves, put on your green gear, and get ready to join the sea of cheering fans as they kick-off March 2 at Lumen Field
15. Become a Pinball Wizard
Thanks to the Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show (going on its twelfth year in Seattle) and the world’s largest weekly pinball tournament at Fremont’s Add-a-Ball, the Emerald City is something of a pinball haven.
Transport yourself back to your childhood days of arcades, lights and pinball flippers at the Seattle Pinball Museum. Or gather up some quarters and head to Shorty’s, a dive bar in Belltown credited with igniting Seattle’s pinball fever.
16. Taste Washington
Calling all wine connoisseurs, this one’s for you! Two days, 200 wineries, and over 50 of the regions finest restaurant join us at the Lumen Field Event Cetner for this year’s Taste Washington event on March 16 and 17.
17. Wings Over Washington
Take a ride in Wings Over Washington’s state-of-the-art “flying theater” and allow it to transport you on an aerial adventure high above Washington! 5K Cameras and Mushroom VR make for an immersive and lifelike experience as you soar over the state’s most scenic landmarks.
18. Dig Some Crates
There’s nothing more satisfying than unearthing a rare gem in a dusty stack of albums, and fortunately, Seattle has no shortage of record shops. If you’re in Ballard, Sonic Boom Records is a must-visit, sometimes offering in-store performances and events. Easy Street in West Seattle is another local favorite, also doubling as a diner café! Vinyl and hash browns, is there anything better?
19. Volunteer Park Conservatory
On a chilly winter day, balmy 75-degree heat can feel like a far-off dream. Luckily you can find a steamy oasis right here in the city at the Volunteer Park Conservatory. The 100-year-old greenhouse is made up of 3,426 individual glass, and recently underwent a $3 million restoration and improvement project. Inside, the warm air will transport you to a tropical paradise bursting with a world-class botanical collection ranging from cacti to rare succulents from around the world, some as old as the building itself!
20. Seattle Public Library
Strolling down 4th Avenue in downtown Seattle it’s hard to miss the geometric, futuristic design of the Seattle Public Library. The real treat is inside, where colorful hallways and escalators add to the sensory experience.
21. Plan a Romantic Dinner
It’s no secret that Seattle is a city with a wealth of incredible dining options, which makes it an ideal place to be when Valentine’s Day rolls around. For dinner with a view, try Six Seven, with its sweeping vistas of the Olympic Mountains or fine dining institution Canlis, set into the hillside above Lake Union. For an intimate atmosphere, grab a table at The Blue Glass in Ballard or Single Shot in the heart of Capitol Hill.
22. Seattle Cocktail Week
Sip your way through the city at this year’s Seattle Cocktail Week. Enjoy a week-long celebration of all things cocktails and explore the innovative and creative drink culture that the Emerald City has to offer. From classic cocktails to cutting-edge concoctions, top bartenders from around the city will showcase their skills and provide guests with unique demonstrations and delicious drinks that are sure to impress.
23. Seattle Museum Month
Celebrate the diversity of Seattle’s museums and cultural institutions throughout February during Seattle Museum Month. Guests of participating hotels around downtown Seattle have access to the region’s top museums for half-price.
With a museum ready to be explored in nearly every neighborhood, it’s the perfect way to duck the raindrops for an hour or two. Map out your route with our top picks for must-visit exhibits!
24. Central Cinema
Lights, camera, snack-tion! Central Cinema brings together some of Seattle’s best qualities – great beer, great food and top-notch rainy day entertainment. As one of the first theaters in the area to add dinner and drinks to your moviegoing experience, they have this model down. Order bites from the wait staff, then choose from draft beer, cocktails or wines to wash it all down!
25. Opera and Performing Arts
Transporting audiences to a world of elegance and sophistication with its exceptional productions and world-class performances, settle into the enchanting world of the Seattle Opera. Whether you are an opera aficionado or new to this art form, the Seattle Opera offers a diverse repertoire that caters to all tastes, featuring timeless classics and compelling contemporary works. Prepare to be moved by the power of the human voice, exquisite music, and stunning visual artistry this Winter with this year’s debuts of Swan Lake and The Life & Time of Malcom X at McCaw Hall.
Though wintertime in Seattle is known for being a bit dreary, that doesn’t have to mean a bleak calendar. From eclectic cultural experiences to local cuisine that will broaden your palate, the Emerald City is bursting with winter activities to keep your mind, belly and schedule fulfilled!
