United States, North America
Seattle in November
The wettest month with the shortest days. Mountain roads start closing for winter.
The straight answer
November is a month to think twice about visiting Seattle. The wettest month with the shortest days. Mountain roads start closing for winter.
- Weather
- Wet and dark, highs near 51F (11C), the rainiest month
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What November is like in Seattle
November is Seattle's weakest month. It is the rainiest month of the year, with highs near 51F (11C), gray skies most days, and sunset in the late afternoon. Mountain roads start closing for winter, and views of Rainier and the Olympics are rare. The upside is low prices and empty museums, and the city itself stays fully open.
This month is best only for bargain hunters and food and coffee lovers happy to stay mostly indoors. Families, hikers, and first-time visitors will get far more out of July through September. If you must come in the off season, December has holiday lights to lift the mood.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about Seattle this month.
Some of the lowest rates of the year
Hotels drop sharply, so it is a cheap time for a food-focused city break.
Indoor Seattle
The Museum of Flight, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Pacific Science Center fill rainy days with kids.
Thanksgiving in the city
Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, and a long weekend of good food and museums can work well here.
What to pack for November
- A fully waterproof jacket with a hood
- Waterproof shoes
- Warm layers
- A good book or game for long, dark evenings
Our timing tip
Plan your trip around indoor sights, and treat any dry afternoon as a bonus for a walk along the waterfront.
Book Seattle for November.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in SeattleOpens a hotel search for Seattle in November, 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 November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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 November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Seattle?
November is a month to think twice about visiting Seattle. The wettest month with the shortest days. Mountain roads start closing for winter.
What is the weather like in Seattle in November?
Wet and dark, highs near 51F (11C), the rainiest month.
Is Seattle crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months in Seattle; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Seattle.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
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