United States, North America

Seattle in January

Dark, drizzly, and cheap. Great for museums, coffee, and food. Snoqualmie Pass skiing is close.

Quiet valueCool and wet, highs near 48F (9C)

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

The straight answer

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Seattle. Dark, drizzly, and cheap. Great for museums, coffee, and food. Snoqualmie Pass skiing is close.

Weather: Cool and wet, highs near 48F (9C)
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What January is like in Seattle

January in Seattle is cool, dark, and damp. Highs sit near 48F (9C), light drizzle falls on many days, and the sun sets before 5pm. Mountain views are rare, since clouds tend to hide Rainier and the Olympics. On the plus side, crowds are gone and hotel rates are near their lowest, and the city's museums, restaurants, and coffee shops are warm and inviting.

This month suits food lovers, museum fans, and skiers who want a city trip with a day on the slopes. It is a poor pick for hikers, mountain views, or national park trips. For clear skies and open mountain roads, come back between July and September.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Seattle this month.

Skiing at Snoqualmie Pass

The ski areas at Snoqualmie Pass sit about an hour east of the city, close enough for a day trip.

A cozy food and coffee trip

Rainy days are made for long lunches, oysters, and coffee shop hopping. Pike Place Market is calm on winter weekdays.

Museums without crowds

MoPOP, the Museum of Flight, and the Pacific Science Center are easy to enjoy at a slow pace.

What to pack for January

A waterproof hooded jacket (locals skip the umbrella)
Water-resistant shoes
Warm layers like a fleece or sweater
Chains or a car with good tires if you drive to the pass

Our timing tip

Check the pass conditions before any mountain drive, and visit Pike Place Market mid-morning on a weekday, when it is at its calmest.

Book Seattle for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Seattle
Opens a hotel search for Seattle in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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 January. 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.

Seattle in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Seattle?

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Seattle. Dark, drizzly, and cheap. Great for museums, coffee, and food. Snoqualmie Pass skiing is close.

What is the weather like in Seattle in January?

Cool and wet, highs near 48F (9C).

Is Seattle crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in Seattle; most sights can be done without long waits.