Things To Do in Seattle in Winter

Looking for things to do in Seattle during winter? You’re in luck, as the Emerald City has no shortage of fun things to do during the colder months.

Whether you’re a Seattle local or are a tourist just visiting for a weekend in the city, this is your comprehensive list for all the things to do in Seattle in winter!

Best Things To Do in Seattle in Winter

What are the best things to do in Seattle in winter? While Seattle might not be renowned for its white Christmases, the city still has a way of bringing to life the holiday season through ample festivities during the winter months.

Whether you’re looking for fun things to do in Seattle in the winter with the whole family or the best things to do in Seattle in winter as a couple, the list below has something for you.

Continue reading to discover the 15 best things to do in Seattle in winter and get ready to feel extra festive this winter season.

Iconic Seattle Landmarks With Winter Charm

Even in cooler weather, classic Seattle destinations remain compelling:

• Seattle Waterfront: Walk along Elliott Bay (weather permitting) to enjoy brisk views of Puget Sound and the industrial skyline.

These spots are accessible year-round, and winter often means fewer crowds.

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Fun Things To Do in Seattle in the Winter

Pike Place Market

Wintertime is by far one of the best times of the year to visit Pike Place Market. All of the vendors carry a festive attitude and the stalls of Christmas goodies and sparkly lights amplify the holiday atmosphere.

Getting holiday gifts from Pike Place Market is also a wonderful way to support local vendors while getting a high-quality, meaningful gift for a friend or family member.

Hot Tub Boat Rental

Ever thought of enjoying Seattle in the winter while relaxing in a steamy hot tub boat? Lake Union offers hot tub boat rentals so that you have an excuse to kick back and relax and get into the holiday spirit.

Regardless of light drizzle or snowfall, you can enjoy the brisk Seattle winter kept warm by a wood-fired hot tub while lazily drifting in Lake Union.

A hot tub boat rental expedition is one of the most fun things to do in Seattle in winter and should definitely be added to your holiday traditions list.

Embark On a Wintry Coffee Crawl

There are few things that bring out the holiday spirit more than a warm cup of coffee. If you enjoy a festive cup of brew and want to go on an expedition to find the best holiday-themed drinks, why not do a coffee crawl and get a true taste of the Emerald City?

For one of the tastiest things to do in Seattle in winter, visit these 12 coffee shops.

1. Moore Coffee Shop
2. Anchorhead Coffee
3. Milstead & Co.
4. Preserve And Gather
5. Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company
6. Tougo Coffee Cafe & Bakery
7. Little Oddfellows
8. La Marzocco Cafe
9. Anchored Ship Coffee Bar
10. Fremont Coffee Company
11. Kaladi Brothers Coffee
12. Victrola Coffee Roasters

Best Things To Do in Seattle Winter with Kids

Enchant

Enchant is a holiday event in Seattle that features an intricate labyrinth of Christmas lights. The Christmas light displays create a festive maze for parents to explore with their kids.

A couple of the other fun activities of Enchant include the ice skating rink and a reindeer scavenger hunt.

Woodland Park Zoo

Another fun and festive thing to do in Seattle in the winter is paying Woodland Park Zoo a visit. The entire zoo becomes a maze of twinkling holiday lights and a cheery atmosphere during the wintertime.

If your kids are fond of wildlife and bright Christmas lights, make sure that you visit Woodland Park Zoo this holiday season.

Urban Sledding

One of the best things to do in Seattle in winter is to go to urban sledding. Some of Seattle’s best parks turn into ideal urban sledding spots during the winter where Seattleites flock to with their families.

If you’re looking for ways to make this holiday season more fun and festive, grab your snow gear, a couple of sleds, and the family and head to one of Seattle’s parks for an urban sledding adventure.

Family-Friendly Winter Experiences in Seattle

Seattle provides plenty of winter activities suited for kids and families:

• Zoo Light Displays: Seasonal lighting installations at Woodland Park Zoo and other venues are a festive crowd favorite.

• Children’s Museum & Aquarium: Interactive exhibits make for perfect rainy-day outlets.

• Holiday Parades & Lights: Neighborhood holiday parades and light displays extend the festive feeling throughout the season.

These experiences provide joy and community connection even during the colder months.

Romantic Seattle Things To Do in Winter

Ice Skating

What could be more festive and romantic than going ice skating with your significant other? There are few activities that induce the holiday spirit more than gliding across an ice rink with someone you love and a crowd of other people who are feeling the holiday cheer as much as you are.

Here are four locations in or around Seattle where you can have your romantic ice skating outing:

1. Seattle Center
2. Highland Ice Arena
3. Lynnwood Ice Center
4. Kent Ice Centre

Pacific Northwest Ballet

Another one of the best winter things to do in Seattle is to get tickets to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet. The Pacific Northwest Ballet puts on a moving performance of The Nutcracker, which makes for the perfect date night.

Going to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet is not only a wonderful experience, but it’s also a great way to support local Seattle talent and artists.

Eat a Festive Meal in the Space Needle

What better romantic thing to do in Seattle in the winter than to view the city from its most iconic building?

In the rare event that the Emerald City is graced with a dusting of snow, one of the best things to do would be to head up to the observation deck of the Space Needle to marvel at the snowy landscape below.

Things To Do Near Seattle in Winter

Winter Day Trips and Nearby Adventures

If you’re looking to expand beyond the city limits:

• Leavenworth: This Bavarian-style mountain town becomes a winter wonderland with lights, ice sculptures, and holiday markets.

• Ski & Snow Play: Nearby ski areas like Stevens Pass offer snowboarding, skiing, and winter fun just a short drive from Seattle.

These excursions add seasonal variety and are great options for weekend or extended winter plans.

Take a Day Trip to Leavenworth

One of the best things to do near Seattle during winter is taking a day trip to the Bavarian-style city of Leavenworth. This Bavarian-themed mountain town turns into the epitome of festiveness during the holiday season.

The entire city is covered in Christmas lights and becomes filled with tourists and seasonal vendors selling festive goodies such as sausages and apple cider.

Visit during the winter ice festival and enjoy the glistening ice sculptures dotting the park. And while you’re there, pay a visit to the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum and Leavenworth Reindeer Farm.

Go Skiing at Stevens Pass

Another big entry on the list of things to do near Seattle in winter is skiing on the slopes of Stevens Pass.

Just an hour and a half from Seattle are one of the most magical snowy passes in Washington State. Visit Stevens Pass for a fun family getaway during the holiday season and enjoy sledding, skiing, or snowboarding while basking in the wintry landscape.

Snowflake Lane Parade

Snowflake Lane is a winter event that is held in Bellevue, a 15-minute drive from downtown Seattle.

If you are looking for one of the best winter things to do in Seattle and one that will make you feel truly festive, make sure to put Snowflake Lane on your calendar. Snowflake Lane begins the last weekend of November and runs until Christmas Eve.

Enjoy the festive lights, cozy holiday tunes, and a warm hot chocolate to welcome in the Christmas season.

Indoor Things to Do When It’s Cold or Rainy

Seattle’s winter weather often brings rain and chilly temperatures, making indoor attractions especially inviting:

• World-Class Museums: Visit the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pacific Science Center, or the Seattle Art Museum,

• Coffee Culture: Seattle’s café scene comes alive in winter — cozy spots like Victrola, Little Oddfellows, and other local favorites are perfect for extended winter coffee crawls.

• Live Shows & Theater: From musicals to ballet performances (like The Nutcracker), winter is peak season for live arts.

These indoor options keep you engaged even when the weather is typical Seattle winter rain.

Free Things To Do in Seattle in Winter

Theo Chocolate Factory

Looking for decadent Christmas gifts to get for your partner or friends? Pay a visit to the Theo Chocolate Factory and enjoy sampling some of Seattle’s best artisan chocolate.

Admission to the chocolate shop is free and free samples line the shelves, making this one of the most festive things to do in Seattle in the winter. If you want to take a tour of the whole factory, you can reserve an hour-long tour for $12 and taste test all of the seasonal chocolates that Theo’s Chocolate Factory is selling.

Of course, if you’d like to spend money, support this local business by stocking up on seasonal chocolates that you especially enjoy so that you can savor the holiday season well into the new year. A holiday-infused chocolate bar from Theo’s Chocolate Factory makes for a perfect stocking stuffer or Christmas Eve gift that anyone will enjoy.

We recommend Theo’s festive peppermint crunch dark chocolate bar, Theo’s luscious gingerbread spice milk chocolate, or indulge your senses in Theo’s white chocolate eggnog bar.

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Tips for Enjoying Seattle in Winter

• Dress in layers and waterproof outerwear; Seattle winters are more rain than snow.

• Take advantage of museum free-admission days — many offer seasonal specials.

• Warm up with local seasonal food and drink — from coffee shops to bakeries, winter flavors bring comfort.

Visit One of Seattle’s Bookstores

There are few things more Christmas-y than picking out a cozy Christmas tale to read during the holiday season.

If you’re fond of the literary world and want to add a new addition to your collection of books, swing by one of Seattle’s many independent bookstores.

Browsing is free, so find a cozy corner and snuggle up with your favorite book. If you’d like to spend money, few gifts are as memorable as a beautiful copy of a Christmas classic. And gift book shopping at an independent bookshop gives you an excuse to immerse yourself in and support Seattle’s literary scene.

Some of Seattle’s best local bookstores include:

• The Elliot Bay Book Company
• Phinney Books
• Left Bank Books Collective
• Queen Anne Book Company
• Third Place Books Ravenna
• Twice Sold Tales
• Third Place Books Seward Park

Seattle Public Library-Central Library

If you’re a self-proclaimed book worm then one of the best things to do in Seattle in winter visits Seattle’s public library.

Seattle Public Library is 11-stories tall and has room to house more than one and a half million books on its shelves. Wonderful and educational winter activity in Seattle is an afternoon or evening spent between the book-lined shelves of the Seattle Public Library.

Relocating To Seattle Soon?

If you’re planning a relocation to Seattle during this holiday season, give yourself the best gift possible by hiring a moving crew to help you relocate.

Focus on the important aspects of the season, like bringing your family together and making new traditions in your new home city while our moving crew takes care of the heavy lifting and transportation side of your move.

Here at On The Go Moving and Storage, we have a team of professional movers that’s ready to help make this relocation the easiest one of your life. Contact On The Go Moving to learn more about our storage services, various moving packages and qualified team of movers.