United States, North America
Seattle in July
Peak summer, peak crowds. The most reliable weather of the year.
The straight answer
July is one of the best months of the year to visit Seattle. Peak summer, peak crowds. The most reliable weather of the year.
- Weather
- Warm and dry, highs near 76F (24C)
- Crowds
- 5 of 5
- Prices
- 5 of 5
What July is like in Seattle
July is Seattle at its most reliable. Highs sit near 76F (24C), rain is rare, the air is dry, and the mountains stand out clearly on most days. It is peak season: hotels are at their priciest, cruise ships crowd the waterfront, and parking at Mount Rainier fills early. Seafair brings neighborhood parades and hydroplane races.
This month suits families, hikers, and first-time visitors who want to pair the city with Rainier or the Olympic Peninsula. It is a poor fit for budget travelers or anyone who wants a quiet trip. September gives you nearly the same weather with smaller crowds.
Make the most of July
What is especially good about Seattle this month.
Seafair
The summer festival runs from July into early August, with neighborhood parades and hydroplane races on Lake Washington.
Mount Rainier opens up
Sunrise, the park's high road, often opens in early July, and Paradise wildflowers start to peak late in the month.
Olympic National Park
Summer is the best time for the rainforest, the coast, and the high country, reached by ferry and a long drive.
What to pack for July
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Hiking shoes for Rainier and the Olympics
- A warm layer for cool mountain mornings
- A reusable water bottle
Our timing tip
Book summer hotels months ahead, and arrive at Mount Rainier before 9am on a weekday, since Paradise parking fills early.
Book Seattle for July.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for July
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in SeattleOpens a hotel search for Seattle in July, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in SeattleWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in SeattleTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Seattle for July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in July
Seafair
July into early August
Neighborhood parades, hydroplane races, and the Blue Angels air show over Lake Washington in early August.
Things to do in Seattle
Pike Place Market
Go before 10am on a weekday. Cruise-ship days pack it by late morning.
Space Needle
Time it for sunset on a clear day. Skip it on socked-in gray days.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Next to the Space Needle; the glasshouse is at its best on sunny afternoons.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Music, science fiction, and pop culture in a Frank Gehry building at Seattle Center.
Washington State Ferries to Bainbridge
The cheapest views in the city. Sunset sailings are the best.
Mount Rainier National Park
About 2 hours away. Paradise wildflowers peak late July into August. Check for timed-entry requirements in summer.
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 July, quick answers
Is July a good time to visit Seattle?
July is one of the best months of the year to visit Seattle. Peak summer, peak crowds. The most reliable weather of the year.
What is the weather like in Seattle in July?
Warm and dry, highs near 76F (24C).
Is Seattle crowded in July?
July is peak crowd season in Seattle; expect lines at the headline sights.
What is happening in Seattle in July?
Seafair (july into early august).
Keep planning Seattle.
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