10 Things to Do in Seattle in Fall

If you plan to visit Seattle in the fall be sure to read this article, the city is full of color and festivals, it's time for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas preparations. Here is a list of the main activities

Nicolas Reffray

Nicolas Reffray

9 min read

10 Things to Do in Seattle in Fall

Seattle in Fall | ©Daniela Becerra

The city of Seattle, located in the state of Washington, is one of the most interesting cities in the United States. In autumn, the reddish and yellow tones dress its parks to offer a unique spectacle. In this article I have selected for you the 10 best activities that you cannot miss during your visit to this incredible city.

Although there is a lot to see and do in Seattle at any time of the year, in autumn, paradoxically, activities, events and popular festivals flourish. From the Chinatown ID Night Market or the Italian Community Festival to a massive event for Lego collectors, the city of Seattle has everything for you to have a great time. Are you ready? Here we go!

1. Join the annual Seattle Marathon

Participating in the Marathon| ©spf50
Participating in the Marathon| ©spf50

Put yourself to the test in one of the most traditional races in Seattle and the entire area. The Seattle Marathon is one of the most anticipated events for locals, every year thousands of people sign up for the oldest marathon in the region, which has been held since the 1970s.

A great way to warm up and at the same time run through much of the city, where you can enjoy incredible views of some of Seattle's most interesting points of interest, its bridges, its architecture, its green spaces.

The marathon has different options, the full course, half course and even a short option for the little ones. It is held every year on Thanksgiving weekend. You can register for the Seattle Marathon online.

Interesting facts

  • When: Thanksgiving weekend
  • Price: from approximately 140 Euros
  • Location: starts at Gas Works Park

2. Visit the fall Chinatown-ID Night Market

Chinatown Seattle| ©Jeff Thomson
Chinatown Seattle| ©Jeff Thomson

Enjoy a night out in one of Seattle's most charming neighborhoods. While every Chinatown in every city in the world has its magic, Seattle's is truly picturesque. Every year, on September 25th, the neighborhood dresses up with an open-air market.

You can enjoy a variety of international foods, live music, and a large number of stores where you can get handmade products, oriental flower arrangements and much more. There is also an important dance open to anyone who wants to participate, the All Ages Dance Party.

The Chinatown-ID Night Market is an ideal event to enjoy with the whole family if you are on vacation in Seattle. Since its beginnings, this neighborhood not only welcomed the Chinese community, but also many others, mostly of Asian origin, so there is a more than interesting cultural mix.

Interesting facts

  • When: September 25
  • Price: Free
  • Location: Chinatown, International District, Seattle

Book one of Seattle's best food tours

3. Join Brick Con

Brick Con| ©Pascal
Brick Con| ©Pascal

If you're a Lego fanatic (or if you're traveling with kids who are) you can't miss this annual Lego convention, where you'll be able to enjoy impressive sets assembled with the famous blocks, enjoy games, buy products, and much more.

Originally Seattle's Brick Con is aimed at the adult audience of Lego fans and collectors, although, of course, no little one is going to be denied entry. This convention is held each year from September 29 through October 2 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. Throughout the week you will be able to see the most gigantic sets you can imagine, with tens of thousands of pieces each.

Ideal to let your inner child out and enjoy one of the most important collectors' conventions in the United States. You will also have your chance to take home an exclusive set at the Brick Bazaar.

Interesting facts

  • When: from September 29th to October 2nd.
  • Price: approximately 20 Euros per person
  • Location: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer St., Seattle.

4. Delight yourself with the annual Italian Community Festival

Eating Festival Pizza| ©Cup of Couple
Eating Festival Pizza| ©Cup of Couple

Delight your senses with one of the tastiest and most picturesque festivals in all of Seattle. Since the late 1980' s this event has been held in honor of the Italian community present in the city of Seattle.

The Italian Festival is held to celebrate all the joy of Italian. With an attendance of more than 25,000 people each year, it is the largest festival of this community in the northwestern United States.

It is a completely free event that will allow you to enjoy typical Italian food and flavors, along with the most enchanting traditional live music. Ideal to enjoy with the whole family, since there are also games and competitions, and the overall atmosphere is very pleasant.

An ideal place to savor the best Neapolitan pizzas, the most delicious artisan pasta dishes and incredible cannolis. An event to enjoy with a good appetite. Definitely one of the best things to do in September in Seattle.

Interesting facts

  • When it takes place: September 24 & 25
  • Price: free
  • Location: Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St.

5. Tour the Washington Park Arboretum

Washington Park Arboretum| ©Kirk & Barb Nelson
Washington Park Arboretum| ©Kirk & Barb Nelson

Tour one of the most charming places that Seattle has in autumn, the monumental Arboretum With its more than 93 hectares of green spaces, this is one of the must-see and one of the things to see and do in Seattle in 3 days if you enjoy walking in the middle of nature and you are on vacation in the city.

Why tour the Washington Park Arboretum in autumn? It is precisely worth walking its trails in autumn, because it is when the green tones give way to lovely layers and more layers of reds, ochers and yellows. A spectacle that will leave you amazed and that does not occur at any other time of the year. If you take one of the bike tours in Seattle you can get close to this incredible place and enjoy riding its trails.

The place is truly immense and free access, so you can spend the whole afternoon here, bring some snacks, a blanket, and organize a picnic in the middle of nature. Definitely an ideal place to enjoy with children in Seattle, or also as a couple, as it can be a very romantic plan, considering this majestic background.

Interesting facts

  • Price: free
  • Location: 2300 Arboretum Drive, Seattle

6. Experience the Day of the Dead Festival

Celebrating the Day of the Dead| ©Atenas
Celebrating the Day of the Dead| ©Atenas

Live a Latin experience in the heart of Seattle. Every November 6th is celebrated around the world the Day of the Dead, a holiday that has its origins in the Latin tradition, more specifically Mexican, of honoring those who have left this world.

What might sound like a gloomy and sad event is instead one of the most luminous and colorful celebrations you can imagine. Everyone, adults, young people, men, women and children dress up as flower-filled skulls, and dress up with lots of color to take to the streets and present offerings to their most beloved dead.

Enjoy dancing, live music, games and parades at Seattle's Day of the Dead Festival. A spectacle not to be missed, which is suitable for the whole family. All the joy of Mexico and Latin candor takes over the streets of Seattle for an entire day. Definitely one of the best things to do in Seattle in November.

Interesting facts

  • When: November 6
  • Price: free
  • Location: Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion, 305 Harrison St., Seattle.

7. Celebrate Halloween in Seattle's bars

Halloween Costumes| ©Daisy Anderson
Halloween Costumes| ©Daisy Anderson

Two of the most important holidays that take place in autumn in the United States are undoubtedly Thanksgiving and Halloween. For some time this day is not only for the little ones, in Seattle the bars receive for 3 nights a crowd eager to celebrate Halloween with a drink or a mug in hand.

The tradition of the bar crawl (literally it would be to crawl from bar to bar) has a very particular attraction on these dates. Everything takes on a monstrous tinge, so the traditional Trick or Treat is replaced by Trick or Drink, competitions and contests are held for the best costumes, and much more.

You will be able to experience the authentic American party atmosphere in one of the most fun celebrations of the fall. Please note that this type of event is not allowed for children and young people under 21 years of age.

Interesting facts

  • When it takes place: October 28, 29 and 31
  • Price: from 15 Euros per person approximately
  • Location: Stage Seattle and surrounding area, 172 S. Washington St.

8. Experience all the magic of tradition celebrating thanksgiving

Celebrating Thanksgiving| ©fauxels
Celebrating Thanksgiving| ©fauxels

Few holidays are as representative of the American spirit as Thanksgiving. So if you're visiting Seattle this fall, you can experience it like a local.

Every year on the fourth Thursday of November, family and friends gather to give thanks for freedom, bonds and affection around a large table laden with delicacies. Of course, there are many who decide to enjoy this great dinner outside, which is why many restaurants offer options ranging from the most traditional to variants that seek to break with tradition.

If you are looking to experience an authentic Thanksgiving dinner, you can't miss The 5 Point Café. At this tavern you can enjoy the traditional smoked turkey and potatoes, accompanied by green salads, cranberry sauce and everything else that a good Thanksgiving dinner entails. The 5 Point Café is one of the most classic places in town. Its history dates back to 1929, when it opened its doors. Undoubtedly one of the places to visit in Seattle.

Interesting facts

  • When: 4th Thursday of November
  • Price: from 30 Euros per person approximately.
  • Location: 415 Cedar Street, Seattle

9. Go crazy with black friday deals

Taking advantage of Black Friday| ©Anastasia Shuraeva
Taking advantage of Black Friday| ©Anastasia Shuraeva

If you love shopping, you can't miss one of the most anticipated events for everyone: Black Friday. Every year, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, stores offer some truly amazing deals. Whether you're looking for electronics, phones, apparel, home décor or whatever you can think of, you'll find that everything is discounted by as much as 60 to 70%. That's why no one misses out on Black Friday.

In Seattle there are many places to indulge in this shopping frenzy, but Downtown is one of the most popular. With stores like the popular Macy's, Vans, Nordstrom, Toys R Us, Apple store, Best Buy or Zara, you can buy your gifts for Christmas. Black Friday is taken as the start of the holiday shopping season.

If you plan to stay for the holidays, know that there is a lot to see and do in Seattle at Christmas.

10. Enjoy Oktoberfest in Seattle

Fremont Oktoberfest.| ©KingD
Fremont Oktoberfest.| ©KingD

Experience one of the most popular festivals in Seattle and the Puget Sound region. Oktoberfest is without a doubt one of the most classic celebrations around the world. It originally comes from Munich, Germany, but was gradually adopted by beer lovers everywhere.

It's worth mentioning that if you find yourself in Seattle, you can't miss Oktoberfest on Fremont Street, one of the most fun in the area. With three straight days of events, live music, parties and the best varieties of beer (more than 80 in total), this is one of Seattle's busiest festivals and one of the events you can't miss if you like beer.

Interesting facts

  • When it takes place: September 16, 17 and 18
  • Price: from 15 Euros per person approximately
  • Location: 3503, Phinney Ave, Seattle

Temperatures in Seattle in autumn

In Seattle| ©Michael Gwyther-Jones
In Seattle| ©Michael Gwyther-Jones

Temperatures in Seattle during the fall are pleasant, especially during September, where you can find days of 20 degrees Celsius, ideal for walking around the city. By the end of October and the first weeks of November, it starts to drop gradually to an average of 7 degrees Celsius. Don't forget to check the weather in Seattle before you leave.

Seattle's Fall Tourist Season

Tourist Bus in Chinatown| ©Viator
Tourist Bus in Chinatown| ©Viator

Autumn is an ideal time to visit the city of Seattle, since the school break in the United States is over, so fewer people are seen on the streets. In addition, tourism tends to opt for the summer months, so you can enjoy the city much more without the crowds.

Fall prices in Seattle

Money in Euros| ©Pixabay
Money in Euros| ©Pixabay

Lodging prices in autumn in Seattle are usually lower than in the warmer months, so you can get a very good hotel for less money. Regarding the price of things, Seattle is not characterized as a particularly expensive city. Remember that the fourth Friday of November is Black Friday, an excellent opportunity to go shopping.

What to pack to visit Seattle in the fall

Packing your suitcase| ©Craig Adderley
Packing your suitcase| ©Craig Adderley

The packing of your suitcase is always very particular, however, according to the temperatures in Seattle in autumn (with an average of 12 degrees Celsius during the three months) it is not superfluous to include a sweater, a warm jacket and a raincoat, since Seattle is famous among other things for its constant rains. Another thing you should not miss in your suitcase are comfortable clothes and shoes, since Seattle is an ideal city to walk around.