Month guide · Seattle · United States
Seattle in September
What September is really like in Seattle: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jordon Kalilich, Public domain
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Seattle. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. Often a lovely month, dry and mild, with summer crowds thinning after Labor Day.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Seattle: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 12°C (54°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 30 days. Compared with August (26°C (79°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 16°C (61°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:46
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 19:22
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Sea
- 12°C (54°F)
Autumn (September–November). September is often excellent; rain returns in October and dominates November, with autumn colour and lower prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: September is one of the pricier months.
Events in September
- Bumbershoot arts and music festival at Seattle Center (usually Labor Day weekend)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Viewpoint · Queen Anne and Seattle Center
Kerry Park
Come at dusk on a clear evening when the city lights come on and Rainier glows pink.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- After dark
Park · Fremont
Gas Works Park
Rusting towers of a former coal-gasification plant stand on a grassy point on Lake Union, preserved as industrial sculpture.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Garden · Montlake
Washington Park Arboretum and Japanese Garden
Visit in April or May for azaleas and rhododendrons, or October for maples.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Couples
- Outdoors
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
What to pack
For highs near 22°C, lows near 12°C and 7 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Seattle?
One of the best months to visit Seattle, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June–August. Compare every month.
Seattle in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Seattle?
It is one of the best months to visit Seattle. Often a lovely month, dry and mild, with summer crowds thinning after Labor Day.
+How warm is Seattle in September?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Seattle in September?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.