6 Things to Do Alone in Seattle
Seattle might be the easiest big city in America to visit alone. People keep to themselves (sometimes a little too much), the coffee shops are built for one person and a laptop, and the best sights are walks, ferries and viewpoints that don’t need a companion.
In this guide
- 1. Graze through Pike Place Market
- 2. Walk the waterfront to Olympic Sculpture Park
- 3. Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island
- 4. Hike the bluffs at Discovery Park
- 5. Spend an afternoon on Capitol Hill
- 6. Watch the sunset from Kerry Park
- Eating alone in Seattle
- Getting around without a car
- Staying safe
- A sample solo day
- Common questions
It’s also compact enough to get around without a car. Here are six things to do alone in Seattle, plus how to eat, stay and move around solo.
1. Graze through Pike Place Market
Pike Place is the obvious first stop, and it’s better solo than in a group. You can drift at your own pace, stop when something smells good and never wait while someone else decides.
Go early, before 10am, when the fish throwers are warming up and the crowds are thin. Eat as you go: a chowder cup, a fresh piroshky, a bag of mini doughnuts. Then walk down the lower levels, which most visitors miss. They’re full of odd little shops, old comic stores and a magic shop that’s been there for decades.
2. Walk the waterfront to Olympic Sculpture Park
From the market, follow the waterfront north to Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s free, it’s open every day, and it’s one of the nicest places in the city to just walk and think.
The park zigzags down to the shore of Elliott Bay, with big outdoor sculptures along the path and the Olympic Mountains across the water on a clear day. Keep going along the Myrtle Edwards Park trail if you want a longer stroll. It’s flat, quiet and safe in daylight.
3. Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island
This is the best thing you can do in Seattle for about $10. The Washington State Ferry leaves from Colman Dock downtown and takes 35 minutes to cross Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island.
You only pay going west, so the return trip is free. Stand on the outer deck for views of the skyline and, if you’re lucky, Mount Rainier. On the island, walk up to Winslow’s main street for a coffee, a bookshop and a bite, then catch a ferry back at sunset. It’s a lovely solo afternoon, and you don’t need a plan.
4. Hike the bluffs at Discovery Park
Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest park, and it feels far from the city even though it isn’t. Trails wind through forest and meadow out to sandy bluffs over the Sound.
The loop trail is about three miles and easy. Take the side path down to the beach and the West Point Lighthouse. It’s popular enough that you’ll pass other walkers, which is reassuring when you’re on your own. Bus routes reach the park from downtown, so you don’t need to drive.
5. Spend an afternoon on Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is Seattle’s liveliest neighborhood, and it’s full of solo-friendly spots. Start at Elliott Bay Book Company, a huge independent bookstore with creaky wood floors and a café. Then grab a coffee at one of the many local roasters nearby.
Walk north to Volunteer Park, where the glass Victorian conservatory is full of tropical plants and costs only a few dollars. The water tower next to it has a free observation deck. In the evening, Capitol Hill has plenty of bars with counter seating, which is the easiest way to eat and drink alone without feeling stared at.
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6. Watch the sunset from Kerry Park
Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill is the view on every Seattle postcard: the Space Needle, the downtown towers and, on a clear evening, Mount Rainier floating behind them.
It’s a small park, more of a terrace really, and it’s busy at sunset. Go anyway. Solo travelers have an advantage here, since squeezing one person onto the rail is always easier than four. Take the bus up and walk back down through Queen Anne’s pretty residential streets.
Eating alone in Seattle
Seattle is very easy for solo diners. Many restaurants have counter or bar seating, and sitting alone with a book is completely normal here. Try a sushi bar, one of the many ramen shops or an oyster happy hour, which is a local tradition between about 3pm and 6pm.
For a cheap, quick lunch, a teriyaki shop is a Seattle staple. It’s not glamorous, but it’s filling and fast.
Getting around without a car
You won’t need one. The Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown and on to Capitol Hill and the University District. Buses cover most of the rest, and downtown is very walkable, if hilly.
Pay with an ORCA card or tap a contactless bank card. Rideshares fill the gaps late at night.
Staying safe
Seattle is generally safe for solo travelers, including women traveling alone. Like any big city, it has rougher patches. Parts of downtown around Third Avenue and Pioneer Square can feel uneasy at night, so stick to busier streets after dark and take a rideshare back if you’re unsure.
Stay in Belltown, the waterfront area near Pike Place or Capitol Hill. They’re central, lively and well connected.
A sample solo day
If you only have one full day, here’s an order that works. Start with breakfast at Pike Place around 8am, then walk the waterfront north to the Sculpture Park. Loop back downtown for lunch and catch an early afternoon ferry to Bainbridge.
Back in the city by late afternoon, ride the bus up to Queen Anne for sunset at Kerry Park, then finish with dinner at a counter seat on Capitol Hill. It’s a lot of walking, so wear proper shoes. Seattle’s hills are steeper than they look on a map.
On day two, give Discovery Park the morning and Capitol Hill the afternoon. The one honest warning: if it’s raining, and it might be, swap in the Seattle Art Museum or the Museum of Pop Culture. Locals rarely carry umbrellas. A good rain jacket with a hood is the Seattle way.
Common questions
Is Seattle good for solo travel?
Yes. It’s walkable, has good transit and is full of solo-friendly cafés, parks and viewpoints.
Is Seattle safe for a woman traveling alone?
Generally, yes. Use normal big-city sense at night, especially downtown.
How many days do you need in Seattle alone?
Three days covers the highlights comfortably, including the Bainbridge ferry.
Do you need a car in Seattle?
No. Light rail, buses and ferries reach everything in this list.
When is the best time to visit Seattle?
July to September for dry, sunny weather. Fall is quieter, cheaper and moody in a good way.
