Season guide · Seattle · United States
Seattle in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown Photographer / US Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Quick answer
September is often excellent; rain returns in October and dominates November, with autumn colour and lower prices. Expect highs up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 40 rainy days across September–November. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 4°C (39°F) to 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 40
- Sea
- 10°C (50°F) to 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 22°C (72°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 7 | 12.5 h | 4/5 |
| October | 16°C (61°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 14 | 10.7 h | 3/5 |
| November | 11°C (52°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 19 | 9.2 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 16°C (61°F) against a yearly 16°C (61°F), and 40 of the year's roughly 155 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Bumbershoot arts and music festival at Seattle Center (usually Labor Day weekend)
- November: Holiday tree lighting and carousel at Westlake Center (usually late November)
Good choices for autumn
Historic site · Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour
After the 1889 fire the city raised its streets by a storey, leaving old sidewalks and shopfronts below ground.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Tukwila
Museum of Flight
Allow at least half a day; the Aviation Pavilion across the footbridge holds the large airliners.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Park · Capitol Hill
Volunteer Park and Conservatory
An Olmsted-designed park at the top of Capitol Hill with a 1912 Victorian glass conservatory, a water tower whose stairs lead to a viewpoint, and the Seattle Asian Art Museum in a 1930s Art Deco building.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Rainy day
Gallery · First Hill
Frye Art Museum
A short walk uphill from downtown; pair it with lunch on Capitol Hill.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Gallery · Seattle Center
Chihuly Garden and Glass
A museum devoted to the work of Tacoma-born glass artist Dale Chihuly, with eight galleries, a glasshouse with a 30-metre suspended sculpture and a garden where glass forms mingle with plants beneath the Space Needle.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Art
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Rainy day
Day trips in autumn
- Snoqualmie Falls (About 40 minutes by car) — An 82-metre waterfall on the Snoqualmie River, with an observation deck and a trail down to the base.
- Woodinville wine country (About 35 minutes by car) — More than 100 wineries and tasting rooms, many making wine from eastern Washington grapes, cluster in this town northeast of Seattle, along with Chateau Ste.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Seattle?
Yes: September is among the best months. September is often excellent; rain returns in October and dominates November, with autumn colour and lower prices.
+What is the weather like in Seattle in autumn?
Highs of up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 40 rainy days over the season.