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Discover Seattle! Find the best places, food, sights, entertainment and more with our in depth travel guide. 

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Welcome to Seattle

A vibrant city surrounded by unrivaled natural beauty, seattle boasts world-class attractions, a renowned arts and culture scene, major sports teams, and more. it’s a city that offers the best of both worlds—from sailing to shopping and museums to mountains. and it’s all waiting for you to explore. no matter where you come from, what you look like, or whom you love, you can find community, acceptance, and opportunity here. we can’t wait to welcome you to the emerald city, travel professionals:.

We would love to connect! Learn more about what’s new and what resources we have available .

Top Things to Do

Food & drink.

Dreamy islands, scenic drives, and gorgeous natural wonderlands are a quick car, ferry, or seaplane ride away.

One of the most notable things about Seattle is the number of world-class activities, from exquisite dining to breathtaking art, that fit into the accessible city. Another alluring aspect of this area is the plentiful day-trip and weekend destinations nearby, making it easy to have Seattle as your home base or as a jumping-off point for a tour of. Go on and choose your next adventure.

Learn More >>

Fun Facts About Seattle

Did you know.

Seattle is surrounded by three national parks and has more than 485 parks within city limits.

Washington is the second-largest wine-producing state in the US.

289 cruise ship stops are scheduled in Seattle for 2023

There are more than 700+ bars and restaurants within city limits

Washington has more than 1,050 wineries , 420 breweries , and 100

To learn more interesting facts about Seattle, click here. >>

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Trips to Seattle: A Complete Guide

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Seattle is an amazing vacation destination for families, for couples looking for a romantic getaway, for active and outdoorsy adventures, or for solo travelers. The Emerald City is filled with unique attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, a fresh local food scene, and outdoorsy pursuits galore.

Planning Your Trip to Seattle

• Best Time to Visit : Summer, when the weather is warm and dry, and the days are long.
• Language: English
• Currency: U.S. Dollars
• Getting Around in Seattle : Driving is the most common way to get around, but if you want to stay right in the city, there’s a bus system as well as some light rail.
• Travel Tip: Always pack layers when you travel to the Seattle area. Even in the summer, some days or evenings might be cool so a light jacket is never wrong to bring along. In other seasons, weather can vary day by day or even within the span of a single day and a rain jacket is a valuable item to pack, though despite its reputation, Seattle actually sees less rainfall annually than other cities like Boston or New York .

Things to Do in Seattle

Seattle is known for its major attractions like Seattle Center and Pike Place Market, but it’s also an amazing destination for hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures.

• Seattle Center: Seattle Center is home to many attractions all in one spot. It’s popular with residents and visitors alike. The Space Needle is within its bounds and offers great views of the city. Festivals and events are common throughout the year and include cultural festivals, Northwest Folklife, Winterfest and more. And there are plenty of individual attractions here too, from the Pacific Science Center and MoPop, to Chihuly Garden and Glass, to KeyArena, to the International Fountain.
• Pike Place Market: Pike Place Market is an iconic farmers market and the oldest continuously running one in the country . You can buy fresh produce, meats and flowers, but you’ll also find restaurants and eateries galore, as well as shops to explore. Don’t miss the famous Pike Place Fish Market where you’ll see the workers throwing fish, but make sure to wander beyond that as you'll find everything from unique spices to rock shops and artist-made goods within.
• Seattle Waterfront : Just down a giant set of stairs behind Pike Place Market, the Seattle Waterfront is home to places like the Seattle Aquarium, the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, the Seattle Great Wheel , and Wings over Washington , as well as spots like Ivar’s to stop and eat along the water.
• Watch the Seattle Seahawks play at the CenturyLink field and join in the cheering—the fans earned a Guinness World Record in 2013 for loudest crowd roar .

Explore more things to do with our full-length articles on the best things to do in Seattle , the best free things to do , or kid-friendly attractions in Seattle .

What to Eat and Drink

From seafood to produce, Seattle is known for fresh and delicious food across the board. Seattle is located right on the shores of the Puget Sound, which connects to the Pacific Ocean, meaning we get seafood galore. Don’t miss locally caught salmon and Dungeness crab! You’ll find no shortage of restaurants in town that take advantage of local ingredients as Northwesterners take pride in all things local. Tom Douglas is one of the city’s star chefs and his restaurants are all centrally located in or near downtown Seattle and include Northwest cuisine (Etta’s), Greek (Lola), Asian fusion and more. The Northwest in general also puts a focus on locally sourced or organic ingredients, and a number of restaurants factor that into their menus, including The Barking Frog in nearby Woodinville wine country.

Seattle is also known for its microbrewery scene. The Ballard neighborhood has a number of microbreweries, and you’ll find larger Pyramid Brewing and Elysian Brewing in SoDo and Capitol Hill respectively. If you’re not a fan of beer, there is lots of local wine to try due to both Eastern Washington, but also Woodinville Wine Country right outside of Seattle.

Explore more places to eat and drink with these pieces about the top affordable upscale restaurants , view restaurants and where to eat seafood in Seattle .

Where to Stay in Seattle

For the quintessential Seattle experience, stay in the heart of downtown where you won’t need to worry about driving to get to most of the city’s key spots. Options include the Hyatt Regency, Four Seasons as well as a number of boutique hotels. There are also plenty of budget hotel options, too. However, staying downtown means dealing with parking (you’ll pay for parking just about everywhere), traffic and crowds. If you prefer something quieter and more intimate, look to Seattle’s other neighborhoods. Capitol Hill is a fun part of town for nightlife, parks and local shops. Likewise, Ballard, Fremont , and Wallingford have local shopping and fun things to do like the Ballard Locks or going to visit the Fremont Troll.

Explore more about where you can stay in Seattle with this list of the city's best hotels or the top budget hotels .

Getting There

Seattle is easy to get to via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport , which is less than a half hour south of the city. You can take light rail from the airport to the city, and then use Metro Transit buses to get around, but it’s best to rent a car so you can get out of the city core. You can also get to Seattle via Greyhound or Amtrak.

Money Saving Tips

• Explore Seattle’s museums on the first Thursday of each month as many open their doors for select hours for free.
• Seattle’s parks are amazing and all free to visit.
• Use the light rail for some local trips and skip paying for parking in the downtown core.
• Buy a CityPass to save on admission to the top attractions if you plan to do more than one top attraction during your visit.
• Learn more about the cheapest ways to have fun in Seattle with this list of free things to do .

Visit Seattle. "Seattle Facts."

Visit Seattle. "All About Pike Place Market."

Guinness World Records. "Seattle Seahawks Fans 'Cause Minor Earthquake' With World Record Crowd Roar." December 4, 2013

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Visit Seattle in February and You'll Get 50% Off the City's Best Museums

Experience 32 of the finest museums, all for half off.

This February marks the return of Seattle Museum Month, offering visitors to the Emerald City 50% off admission at more than 30 of its biggest institutions.

Visitors who book a room at a participating hotel in downtown Seattle from Feb 1. through Feb. 28 will receive a Seattle Museum Month pass, which offers 50% off admission at participating museums.

Each pass is good for 50% off admission for up to four guests with no limit to the number of museums guests can visit in February.

Participating museums include the Seattle Art Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass art museum, the Seattle Aquarium, The Museum of Flight, and the Museum of Pop Culture.

"We are thrilled to bring back Seattle Museum Month...and offer travelers unparalleled discounts to the region's beloved collections of museums," Tracey Wickersham, Visit Seattle senior director of cultural tourism, said in a statement . "From a detailed journey through aviation history and hands-on exploration of the best of pop culture, to an in depth look at the latest dinosaur findings and a walk through a garden of glass, Seattle offers an eclectic and experiential journey with world-renowned museums."

Some of Seattle's favorite hotels, like the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, and Thompson Seattle are also participating in the promotion.

At the museum themselves, pass holders will be able to see exhibits ranging in all different subjects, perfect for every visitor.

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) has an exhibition on Disney costumes with more than 70 original pieces from some of the most beloved films (including one very special glass slipper). And the Pacific Science Center is hosting an immersive "Hockey Science Lab" where visitors can test out their hockey knowledge on a scaled-down replica rink.

At the Burke Museum, visitors will be able to check out four dinosaurs that were excavated from northeastern Montana only last year. If timed right, visitors will be able to watch paleontologists in action, removing rock from some of their most recent finds.

For a full list of participating museums and hotels, visit seattlemuseummonth.com .

Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure, currently based in Brooklyn. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram , or at caileyrizzo.com .

These Are the Best Times to Visit Seattle

Although Seattle is known for its rainy weather, the Emerald City is much more than a gloomy destination for testing out your new rain jacket. This is especially true if, at the end of a day of hiking in pristine wilderness, you can look forward to a cream cheese-covered hot dog .

In a city of more than 700,000 people with a skyline that stands in contrast to snow-capped mountains nearby, there is no shortage of urban and active adventure. If you're heading that way with kids, check out our guide to eight fun things for families to do in Seattle before you go.

Here at TPG , we have put together a few suggestions for the best times to visit, depending on your travel goals.

When to Find the Best Weather in Seattle

Most people don't head to Seattle in search of sunshine and warmth, but if you time your trip just right, you may get lucky.

July and August are the warmest and driest months of the year. Daily high temperatures are in the mid-70s and it rains only about five days per month. During the wet season from November to January, it can often rain up to 18 days per month. This doesn't necessarily mean that winter weather in Seattle is bad — especially if you plan on heading to the mountains with your skis (or snowboard) in search of deep snow.

Best Time to Visit Seattle for Outdoor Adventure

With Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range and Olympic National Park located within a few hours of driving from the city, it's no surprise that Seattle often serves as a jumping-off point for those looking to hike, climb, bike, fish and ski.

July, August and September offer the best weather for outdoor recreation. Many high-elevation roads — like Sunrise Road in Mount Rainier National Park — often are closed from late September through June.

In the winter, the rain in Seattle usually falls as snow in the mountains, which is great if you're in search of endless powder. The best time to head to Seattle for snow sports is December through April, with prime conditions from January through March.

When to Visit Seattle if You Want to Avoid the Crowds

As with most popular tourist destinations, the best weather usually brings the crowds. If you value the freedom to walk the streets without dodging selfie sticks during a daily dose of sunshine, visit in the months from late October to early March — Seattle's rainiest but least-crowded season.

Rain happens some of the time during spring and fall, but the weather is significantly better than in winter. There will be tourists in the streets — but not the mid-summer crowds.

Best Time to Visit Seattle for Events and Festivals

From food to film festivals, there is always something worth checking out in Seattle. Of course, summer brings myriad outdoor festivals, but there is plenty to do in the spring, winter and fall, as well.

Seattle's nearly month-long International Film Festival showcases more than 400 films from around the world and draws almost 200,000 people annually. The festival usually starts in May and lasts into June, giving guests the opportunity to see a variety of independent short films, features and documentaries — 70% of which will not be shown in theaters — alongside films from established cinematographers and producers.

Bumbershoot, which occurs every year over Labor Day Weekend, may be Seattle's most popular music and arts festival. This renowned festival has been featuring comedians, musicians, dancers and other artists since 1971. The festival — whose name pays tribute to the city's famous weather (a bumbershoot is an umbrella) — also features a variety of food vendors, morning yoga and even an electronic dance experience.

During October, artists and technology professionals come together to create light art exhibitions and a multimedia video mapping contest that is projected on to the Museum of History & Industry. Over four evenings in the Lake Union Park neighborhood, the Borealis Festival of Light features street art performances, installations of light art, and live music. Artists from around the world create visual light shows that are projected onto buildings. Local vendors supply food and drink.

Winter isn't usually when you find tourists flocking to Seattle, but Winterfest from late November into December offers plenty to do. There are ice sculptures, ice skating, live music, a Fountain of Light dance party and a New Year's Eve fireworks display to mark the holiday.

When to Visit Seattle for Whale Watching

Located on the Puget Sound, Seattle is the perfect embarkation point for whale watching in the Pacific.

Orca whales can be spotted year-round but they are most prevalent during the spring and summer (May through October is a safe bet). Humpback and minke whales can also be seen during this season. Gray whales usually stop in Puget Sound on their migration north in March and April.

Cheapest Time to Visit Seattle

Staying in Seattle will generally be most expensive during the summer peak, but surprisingly, it is cheaper to book airfare from certain destinations during early summer.

In order to balance weather, crowds and affordable prices, visit Seattle during the shoulder seasons, which occur in April and May and again in September and October.

Affordable Airfare

According to the travel search engine Skyscanner.com , the cheapest time to buy tickets to Seattle depends on your point of origin. From New York, the cheapest flights average $211 in November. Traveling from DC is also cheapest in November, with similar prices. If flying from Los Angeles or Atlanta, it's cheapest to travel in June. The average cost is around $158 and $247, respectively. The best month to travel from Chicago is in October, when prices land around $154. Make sure to stop by the revamped Seattle Centurion Lounge (no longer a "Studio") while you're in the airport, which opened for business in 2017.

Affordable Hotels

According to historical data obtained by the booking platform Priceline.com, the average daily rate for hotels rated with 2.5 stars and above is around $172. Unsurprisingly, prices begin to rise in May as the weather improves, and peak between June and August — Seattle's high season. In 2018, the average price per night was at its highest, averaging $222. Prices begin to decrease in September, and hit a low point between November and December. During this time, a night can be booked for as little as $135 on average. Check out our reviews of the W Seattle before and after renovations here.

For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter .

Visit Seattle says tourism numbers inching toward pre-pandemic levels

by Chris Daniels, KOMO News Senior Reporter

SEATTLE — Seattle saw more visitors in 2023 than at any other time since before the COVID-19 pandemic .

On Wednesday, at an annual gathering of stakeholders, Visit Seattle CEO Tammy Canavan released new preliminary visitation data. It used two companies: Tourism Economics and STR to gather the data.

Canavan said 37.8 million people came to Seattle and King County in 2023 and spent $8.2 billion, generating $787 million in state and local taxes or $859 for each household in King County.

That was an 8.9% increase in visitors over 2022, a 12.8% increase in spending, and a 12.5% increase in tax revenue, according to Visit Seattle.

The total number of visitors came in at 90.2% of 2019 levels.

The hotel occupancy rate was 68.6% in 2023, thanks to events like dual Taylor Swift concerts , the Major League Baseball All-Star Week, and multiple other large concerts . Hotel occupancy was 79.9% in 2019.

Visit Seattle leaders said that challenges remain, including attracting international visitors who may have encountered delays with visas and re-engaging the corporate travel business. Both sectors show signs of not bouncing back when compared with other tourism draws to Seattle.

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17 Reasons Why You Should Visit Seattle

The Pacific Northwest is an enchanting region from which legends have sprung. In the pocket of the Puget Sound Lowlands, the city of Seattle has flourished, welcoming visitors and new residents. From city-specific opportunities to the majestic nature that thrives around it, here are the top reasons to visit the Emerald City.

Home to more than 100 annual festivals, the city of Seattle loves a celebration. The Emerald City throws parties for food and drink (Taste Washington, Bite of Seattle, Oktoberfest), movies (Seattle International Film Festival), technology (PAX), music (Bumbershoot, Capitol Hill Block Party, Sasquatch Music Festival), and more (Emerald City Comicon, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Pride Festival, Seafair), including for the great state in which it resides (Washington State Fair).

Ecological diversity

Outdoor activities

Since three-fourths of the year’s weather is dreary, Seattleites are that much more motivated to take advantage of outside activities when the weather allows. And when paired with the varied terrain described above, there’s something for everyone. Seattle is a wonder to visit if you like hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, sailing or canoeing.

Industry titans

Seattle brought the world Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, Costco, Boeing, Nordstrom, Expedia, REI and Sub Pop Records (which brought the world Nirvana, Soundgarden and the Shins, to name a few). Come and explore the city that inspired world-class companies, and then go and find the original space in which each of these powerhouses began!

Music legends

On a similar note, Seattle not only turned out entrepreneurial geniuses, but musical ones too. If you love Heart, Jimi Hendrix, Kenny G, Nirvana, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Pearl Jam, Macklemore, Chris Cornell, Death Cab for Cutie or Odesza, then you appreciate Seattle musicians. Seattle is one of the few cities that is solely credited with the birth of its own music genre: grunge. Not enticed yet? Then come for the current music performances. Seattle is on everyone’s list of top cities for live music. Go ahead, Google it.

Movie references

From Sleepless in Seattle to Twilight to An Officer and a Gentleman , Seattle has inspired (and provided the background for) a whole host of of films. You can check out Stadium High School in Tacoma ( 10 Things I Hate About You ) or see landmarks featured in shows such as Frasier . And don’t forget Grey’s Anatomy !

Other than the show-stopping Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle boasts almost 200 art galleries, five art museums (including SAM ) and numerous public art projects scattered across the city. To help people discover all the city has to offer, The Office of Arts and Culture maintains a public-art app called STQRY, and local government provides downloadable maps .

Whale watching

The San Juan Islands are the best place to spot whales, especially orcas. The largest of the San Juan Islands is actually named Orcas (pronounced ‘or-kiss’) Island. Keep your eyes peeled on a ferry across the Puget Sound or set up a proper whale-watching tour!

As of December 6, 2012, adult possession of marijuana became legal in the state of Washington. For some, that is reason enough to visit Seattle.

Attractions

Seattle offers a variety of tourist sites you won’t find anywhere else, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market , the Gum Wall, the Ballard Locks and the Fremont Troll.

Seattle is a full-on city with skyscrapers and bumper-to-bumper traffic sandwiched between the salty Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Mountains beyond Lake Washington to the east. From either side, you’ll catch a sleek city skyline squeezing into the glory that is the Pacific Northwest. This is ‘breathtaking’ redefined.

Sustainability-minded

The Evergreen State works very hard to stay, well, evergreen. Besides, it’s difficult not to think about the environment when Mount Rainier takes up your rear-view mirror on the way to work every day. Seattle’s electric utility, Seattle City Light, was the first in the US to become carbon neutral. Over the past 25 years, recycling by Seattleites saved over three million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2012, single-family households recycled nearly 70 percent of their waste . Seattle is one of five cities in the nation in which more than half of the commuters don’t drive to work solo.

Seattle Center

It would be very unusual to be a first-time Seattle tourist and not go to the Seattle Center . Originally designed, along with the Space Needle, for the 1962 World Fair, it has remained a relevant and prominent Seattle spot. The center houses two professional sports teams: the Seattle Storm and the Seattle Reign. Both Bumbershoot and the Seattle International Film Festival take place on its campus. It is best known, however, for the Space Needle, Seattle Monorail, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly the Experience Music Project) and the Pacific Science Center.

Wine, beer and cider

In Washington state, there are more than 66 vineyards and 62 cideries. Washington has the second-largest number of wineries and fourth-largest amount of cideries in the US. In 2014, Washington State had the second-largest number of breweries in the nation after California. Since then, approximately one hundred more breweries have opened for a current tally of 362.

Aquarium and zoo

The Seattle Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo lead the city of Seattle by example. The aquarium is recognized for its community outreach and mission to support marine conservation. The zoo, founded in 1899, has been awarded for its education programs, conservation efforts and sustainable operations.

Being on the coast, Seattle has the best seafood. Salmon, oysters, tuna – if you name it, it’s better in Seattle. And that includes chowder (step aside, New England). More into turf than surf? Dick’s Drive-In has got your back. Not into meat or fish? Washington State produces approximately 60 percent of apples for consumption in the US, and they are darn delicious.

Last but certainly not least, visit Seattle for the history. The city was founded in 1851 and named after Chief Seattle, the chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish Native American tribes, who forged a relationship with the settlers. A few decades later, the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 tore it down. The city’s people, while rebuilding, developed a network of underground tunnels, so be sure to take the Underground Tour .

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Seattle to Restart Downtown Tourism With $5 Million Budget Boost

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

October 13th, 2023 at 11:53 AM EDT

Seattle is another major U.S. city trying to save its downtown with tourism.

Dawit Habtemariam

Seattle will receive $5 million in funding next year to bring in more conventions to boost downtown tourism.

“We are focused on more aggressive marketing and where we really needed that bump was on the convention sales side,” said Visit Seattle CEO and President Tammy Blount-Canavan.

On October 4, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed legislation that modified the hotel assessment fee, which goes toward Visit Seattle’s marketing. Starting in January, guests will pay 2.3% of the room rate, instead of a flat $4. That will lift Visit Seattle’s current $18 million in hotel assessment funds by about $5 million next year. Visit Seattle’s budget will total $40 million next year.

This isn’t the first time Visit Seattle has gotten a funding boost. In March last year, the mayor signed legislation that raised the rate from $2 to $4.

A big focus of the new law will be the Seattle Convention Center’s $2 billion Summit building, which opened in February. The Summit is expected to bring an additional $260 million in visitor spending.

The marketing cash comes as Seattle deals with a slow post-pandemic recovery. Downtown hotel occupancy last year stood at 65%, down from 80% in 2019. A big reason is the sluggish return of business travel and the city’s top overseas market, China, is “not even close to recovering to 2019 levels,” said Blount-Canavan.

@anaiknd only showing the good parts #fypシ #seattle #seattletiktok #thingstodo #thingstodoinseattle #glossier #pikemarketplace #starbucksroasteryseattle #pourtoi #foryou #weekend ♬ original sound – darcy stokes

Seattle Tourism’s Impact on the Local Economy

Tourism contributes $8 billion in spending to Seattle. The city also wants to address crime and public safety, and support retail businesses. 

“When there are convention-goers, the streets are activated,” said Blount-Canavan. “There’s a lot more vibrancy that supports all of the small businesses that are part of downtown, the restaurants, the stores, the shops, the transit, the sightseeing, the attractions, all of the above.” 

Like Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco and other major citie s, Seattle is contending with large numbers of vacant offices and the loss of commuter spending and foot traffic. Vacancy in the city’s downtown stood at 24% in third quarter, according to Cushman & Wakfield . Seattle’s major downtown employers like Amazon, Nordstrom and Costco have struggled to bring employees back into the office or have scaled back their workforces, said Blount-Canavan. Seattle isn’t the only city investing in tourism to save its downtown. In December, Washington D.C.’s city council raised its hotel tax to inject over $18 million into Destination DC’s budget in part to fill the spending gaps left by federal employees opting to work hybrid or remote. The funds are going toward Destination DC’s upcoming $20 million global marketing campaign .

In the years ahead, more cities will have to lean on their travel industry to remain economically viable because hybrid and remote work isn’t going anywhere, said U.S. Travel Association CEO and President Geoff Freeman at the Skift Global Forum in September.

“Getting the traveler into these markets is more important in ’24 and ’25 and beyond than it ever was before,” he said.

This story has been updated to correct the hotel assessment rate and the amount of Visit Seattle’s total budget. 

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Seattle Seahawks hosting potential successor to Geno Smith on a top-30 visit for 2024 NFL Draft

Geno Smith is the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback for 2024, but there's doubt as to whether he will have that role for the long term.

And the Seahawks are doing work to evaluate potential successors, as evidenced by the latest reported top-30 visit for Seattle.

The Seahawks, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport , are hosting South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler on a top-30 visit.

While not in the first-round conversation, Rattler is regarded as one of the better signal-callers set to be available on day two, having resurrected his career with the Gamecocks after transferring from Oklahoma.

In his final college season in 2023, Rattler posted career-highs in passing yards (3,186) and yards per attempt (8.0).

A prospect who earned praise for his ability to produce big plays consistently despite playing behind a bad South Carolina offensive line, Rattler has the physical tools needed to excel at quarterback in the modern NFL.

And, with Smith set to enter free agency as a 35-year-old in 2026, the Seahawks could well see Rattler as an excellent candidate to be his heir apparent at the game's most important position.

The Seahawks have already made one major quarterback move this offseason, striking a trade with the Washington Commanders for Sam Howell. The visit of Rattler indicates they are not done adding to their depth chart behind Smith.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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Jones Soda Is Getting Into the Alcopop Game

Plus, a notable bagel shop gets a second location, and more news of the week

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Share All sharing options for: Jones Soda Is Getting Into the Alcopop Game

Jones Soda has always had a grunge era vibe. The craft soda brand’s signature black-and-white, customer-submitted photos that adorn its bottles give it a vaguely MySpace air — artsy and hip back when Jones launched in the late ‘90s out of Vancouver, British Columbia, now nostalgic for anyone who grew up drinking Jones. Now the company — which has been based in Seattle since 2015 — is jumping onto the latest beverage mega craze with a line of hard sodas called Spiked Jones.

(SIDE NOTE: Wait, is that a punny reference to director Spike Jonze? Jones Soda has at times embraced skateboarding and Jonze got his start shooting skateboarding videos, so the brand and the filmmaker occupy the same cultural milieu. We asked a spokesperson for Jones Soda and they said that no, apparently it’s just a coincidence. Weird!)

This product launch comes at the tail end (hopefully) of the hard seltzer era, during which every brand — including Rainier Beer — felt compelled to release a hard seltzer . Spiked Jones is instead a “hard soda,” with a bigger punch than most hard seltzer. There’s a version sold in 19.2-ounce cans that has an ABV of 6.9 percent and a 12-ounce can version with an ABV of 8.4 percent; a couple of those and you’ll feel like you’re in a skate video, even if Spike Jonze isn’t involved. Flavors include grape, strawberry lime, and green apple.

Fair Isle has a kelp beer now

In entirely different beverage news, last week Ballard brewery Fair Isle released a beer called Salacia, a saison that has been brewed with sugar kelp from local producer Blue Dot Sea Farms . Sugar kelp, long a feature in Asian cuisines, has more recently become a trendy American ingredient — though you don’t see much of it in beer. According to the press release, Salacia is supposed to have the “soft lingering tartness of a Myer Lemon” and “a unique minerality and body with subtle layers of umami, salinity, and aromas of a spring ocean breeze.” It’s available at the Fair Isle taproom as well as PCC and Town and Country Markets grocery stores.

Rachel’s Bagels is headed to Lake City

Rachel’s Bagels and Burritos, the celebrated Ballard breakfast takeaway spot, is opening a second location inside Lake City’s Elliott Bay Brewing , which used to be Brother Barrel. Rachel’s owner Paul Osher emailed Eater Seattle about the news, adding that the team there will serving “a trimmed version of our Ballard menu” due to a smaller kitchen. The target opening date is April 24 and the address is 125353 Lake City Way.

A cutting-edge bar called Guillotine is opening on Capitol Hill

Get it? Cutting edge? Anyway this craft cocktail bar and restaurant is set to open on May 7 in the Broadway space that used to be the bar Witness. Owners Andrew Larson and Colin Smith are both seasoned bartenders and have recruited Joey Walter, recently the chef de cuisine at Bar Solea, as executive chef. The press release promises guests “an avant-garde experience where front of house meets back of house seamlessly” and the sample food menu we saw promises a lot of flourishes — even the beef jerky has a fried koji glaze on it.

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