Season guide · Seattle · United States
Seattle in summer
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Dry, mild and sunny with long evenings, outdoor festivals and peak crowds and prices; occasional wildfire smoke in late summer. Expect highs up to 26°C (79°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 17 rainy days across June–August. June–August are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- 11°C (52°F) to 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 17
- Sea
- 11°C (52°F) to 13°C (55°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 22°C (72°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 | 16 h | 4/5 |
| July | 26°C (79°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 4 | 15.6 h | 5/5 |
| August | 26°C (79°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 4 | 14.3 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 25°C (77°F) against a yearly 16°C (61°F), and 17 of the year's roughly 155 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- June: Fremont Solstice Parade (usually the weekend nearest the solstice)
- June: Seattle Pride Parade (usually late June)
- July: Seafair festival events (usually July to early August)
- July: Capitol Hill Block Party (usually July)
- August: Seafair Weekend with hydroplane races and an air show (usually early August)
Make the most of the weather
Aquarium · Downtown and Pike Place
Seattle Aquarium
Check the day's feeding and talk times at the entrance and plan around the otters.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Park · Belltown
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Seattle Art Museum's free outdoor park zigzags down from Belltown to the shoreline, with large works by Alexander Calder, Richard Serra and Louise Bourgeois framed by views across Elliott Bay to the Olympics.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Views
- Outdoors
Landmark · Ballard
Ballard Locks
Visit in summer to see salmon in the fish ladder, then stroll the botanical garden beside the locks.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Park · Magnolia
Discovery Park
Seattle's largest park covers about 216 hectares of forest, meadows and sea cliffs on a former army post in Magnolia.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
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
Day trips in summer
- Bainbridge Island (About 35 minutes by ferry) — The ferry crossing gives the best skyline view of the city.
- 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.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Seattle?
Yes: June–August are among the best months. Dry, mild and sunny with long evenings, outdoor festivals and peak crowds and prices; occasional wildfire smoke in late summer.
+What is the weather like in Seattle in summer?
Highs of up to 26°C (79°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 17 rainy days over the season.