United States, North America
Seattle in October
Fall color and the return of the rain late in the month.
The straight answer
October is a quiet, good-value month to visit Seattle. Fall color and the return of the rain late in the month.
- Weather
- Cool, highs near 60F (16C), rain returns
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What October is like in Seattle
October is cool and colorful. Highs drop to about 60F (16C), and the first half of the month is often dry, with crisp mornings and fall color in the parks. Late in the month, the rain returns in earnest and the days grow shorter. Crowds are light now that cruise season has wound down, and hotel prices fall to fair levels.
This month suits couples, food lovers, and travelers who enjoy fall color and a quieter city. It is a gamble for mountain trips, as weather turns and high roads start to close. For hiking and clear peaks, plan for July to September instead.
Make the most of October
What is especially good about Seattle this month.
Fall color in the city
Maples and other trees turn gold and red in parks and neighborhoods, especially in the first half of the month.
A calmer Pike Place Market
With most cruise ships gone, the market is easier to explore, and fall produce fills the stalls.
Cozy rainy days
When the rain returns, the Burke Museum, MoPOP, and the coffee shops make for easy indoor days.
What to pack for October
- A waterproof jacket with a hood
- A warm sweater or fleece
- Water-resistant shoes
- A hat for chilly ferry rides
Our timing tip
Come in the first half of October for drier days and fall color, and save outdoor plans for any clear morning in the forecast.
Book Seattle for October.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for October
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in SeattleOpens a hotel search for Seattle in October, 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 October. 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 October, quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Seattle?
October is a quiet, good-value month to visit Seattle. Fall color and the return of the rain late in the month.
What is the weather like in Seattle in October?
Cool, highs near 60F (16C), rain returns.
Is Seattle crowded in October?
October 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 October
Before you book.
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