United States, North America
Seattle in May
Cruise season starts, gardens are lush, and Northwest Folklife runs Memorial Day weekend.
The straight answer
May is a good month to visit Seattle. Cruise season starts, gardens are lush, and Northwest Folklife runs Memorial Day weekend.
- Weather
- Mild, highs near 65F (18C), drying out
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What May is like in Seattle
May is when Seattle starts drying out. Highs reach about 65F (18C), the rain eases, and the gardens are lush and green. Cruise season begins, so Pike Place Market and downtown can be busy on big ship days. Crowds and prices sit in the middle of the range. Over Memorial Day weekend, the free Northwest Folklife Festival fills Seattle Center.
This month suits families, couples, and garden lovers who want pleasant weather before the summer rush. It is still a little early for the high country, where snow lingers on many trails. For hiking at Rainier and in the Olympics, plan for July through September.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Seattle this month.
Northwest Folklife Festival
The free folk music and dance festival runs at Seattle Center over Memorial Day weekend. It is fun and relaxed for families.
Lush gardens and parks
Late spring is the city at its greenest, with flowers in bloom and long, mild evenings.
The start of ferry season
Drier days make the ferry to Bainbridge Island a pleasant half-day outing with views of the city.
What to pack for May
- A light rain jacket
- Layers for cool mornings and mild afternoons
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses
Our timing tip
Check the cruise ship schedule and visit Pike Place Market before 10am on days when big ships are in port.
Book Seattle for May.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in SeattleOpens a hotel search for Seattle in May, 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 May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in May
Northwest Folklife Festival
Memorial Day weekend
Free folk music and dance festival at Seattle Center.
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 May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Seattle?
May is a good month to visit Seattle. Cruise season starts, gardens are lush, and Northwest Folklife runs Memorial Day weekend.
What is the weather like in Seattle in May?
Mild, highs near 65F (18C), drying out.
Is Seattle crowded in May?
Crowds in Seattle are moderate in May; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
What is happening in Seattle in May?
Northwest Folklife Festival (memorial day weekend).
Keep planning Seattle.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
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