United States, North America

Seattle in February

Still the quiet season. Longer days start to help.

Quiet valueCool and wet, highs near 51F (11C)

Seattle skyline, United States — SeattlePhoto: Cacophony, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Seattle. Still the quiet season. Longer days start to help.

Weather: Cool and wet, highs near 51F (11C)
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What February is like in Seattle

February is still Seattle's quiet season. Highs reach about 51F (11C), drizzle and gray skies are common, and the odd dry, bright day feels like a gift. The days are getting noticeably longer, which helps. Crowds are low and prices stay near the year's bottom. Everything in the city is open, while mountain roads are still snowbound.

This month suits budget travelers, foodies, and families looking for an indoor city break with museums and the aquarium. It is not the time for hiking or park trips. If you want green gardens and blooms, wait for late March or April, and for summer weather, July.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Seattle this month.

Low-season prices

Downtown hotels are among the cheapest they get all year, so a central stay near Pike Place is affordable.

The Seattle Aquarium

The waterfront aquarium is warm, indoor, and a hit with kids on a rainy afternoon.

A winter ferry ride

The ferry to Bainbridge Island is cheap and quiet in winter. On a clear day, the views of the city are superb.

What to pack for February

A waterproof jacket with a hood
Warm layers for cool, damp air
Water-resistant shoes
A hat for chilly ferry decks

Our timing tip

Watch the forecast for a dry break and save the Space Needle and the ferry for that day, since the views vanish in low cloud.

Book Seattle for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Seattle
Opens a hotel search for Seattle in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Seattle
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Seattle
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Seattle for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Seattle

Full guide

Pike Place Market

Go before 10am on a weekday. Cruise-ship days pack it by late morning.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Space Needle

Time it for sunset on a clear day. Skip it on socked-in gray days.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Next to the Space Needle; the glasshouse is at its best on sunny afternoons.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Music, science fiction, and pop culture in a Frank Gehry building at Seattle Center.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Washington State Ferries to Bainbridge

The cheapest views in the city. Sunset sailings are the best.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mount Rainier National Park

About 2 hours away. Paradise wildflowers peak late July into August. Check for timed-entry requirements in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the cruise ship schedule. Pike Place and downtown are packed on big ship days from May through September.
Visit Mount Rainier on a weekday and arrive before 9am; Paradise parking fills early in summer.
September offers summer weather with far fewer visitors and lower rates.
Book summer hotels early; the cruise season and conventions keep downtown full.

Know before you go

Mount Rainier's Paradise road is open year-round but other park roads, like Sunrise, open only in summer, often from early July.
Many North Cascades and Olympic high-country roads and trails are snowbound until early summer.
Wildfire smoke can close trails and reduce air quality in August and September some years.