Seattle is one of our favourite destinations in the beautiful Pacific North West! Just like our home city of Vancouver, it has mountains, water, and plenty of green space. It’s also a very welcoming and inclusive destination with a thriving arts scene, great food, charming neighbourhoods, and so much more. Seattle is located on Puget Sound in Washington State, just a couple hours South of the Canadian border. It’s a great destination for LGBTQ+ travellers and we’ve always found it to be a safe place for lesbian women and couples. We visit regularly as it’s so close to home and we always enjoy our time. If you’re looking for a fun and inclusive city in the PNW, keep reading for our lesbian guide to Seattle!
What To Do
Visit the Gaybourhood
Head straight to the heart of gay culture in Seattle, and visit Capitol Hill. Full of gay and gay-friendly shops, bars, and clubs, this neighbourhood can’t be missed. You’ll also find plenty of rainbow crosswalks!
Go to Pike Place Market
This public market sits on the waterfront looking out over Elliott Bay. It’s one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the US and has become very popular with travellers and tourists. Don’t miss the unique shops, fresh produce stands, family owned eateries, and famous Seattle gum wall.
Discover Seattle Underground
This unique walking tour takes you through a network of tunnels and passageways underneath downtown Seattle’s Pioneer Square.
Seattle Centre
This complex is the centre of arts, education, sports, and entertainment in Seattle! Come here for the famous Space Needle (the city’s most notable landmark), along with numerous theatres, museums, arts centres, and sports arenas. There is so much to see and do here so be sure to add it to your list! Seattle Centre also hosts PrideFest every June.
Spend Some Time in the University District
Head to this relaxed neighbourhood for cute and quirky cafes and eateries, as well as wonderful museums and art galleries. The University of Washington also has a beautiful campus to visit.
Enjoy the Green Space
Seattle is full of beautiful parks and gardens, so be sure to spend some time enjoying its green space. Check out Kubota Garden, Chihuly Garden, Gas Works Park, Discovery Park, Kerry Park, Washington Park Arboretum, Volunteer Park, Carkeek Park, and Green Lake Park just to name a few.
Discover Ballard
Get out of the bustling city centre to visit the trendy waterfront neighbourhood of Ballard. The Ballard Locks are a popular attraction, and this is also a great spot for craft breweries and amazing restaurants.
Take the Bainbridge Island Ferry
This ferry route takes you across Puget Sound, from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Enjoy stunning views of the city and the water!
Visit Belltown
Known for its great restaurants and live music venues, this neighbourhood is also home to Seattle’s most unique movie theatre, Cinerama.
Check Out Fremont
This bohemian neighbourhood is worth a visit for its quirky shops and public art pieces. It’s small and walkable, so be sure to stop by to enjoy its uniqueness. The Fremont Sunday Market is also worth adding to the list!
Where to Stay
There are so many great places to stay in Seattle! Every time we visit we look for accommodations in a different neighbourhood so we can discover a new area. If you want to be central to many of the main attractions in the city, you’ll want to stay in Lower Queen Anne, Belltown, the Waterfront, or Downtown Seattle. This way you will be close to many great restaurants, exciting nightlife, Pike Place, and Seattle Centre! If you’re looking to be in the heart of the gaybourhood and surrounded by LGBTQ+ culture in Seattle, be sure to look for accommodations in Capitol Hill. If you want a local feel, you may want to try something in Ballard. Outside the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Ballard offers a laid back neighbourhood vibe and still plenty to do.
If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations in Seattle, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free. We recently stayed at The Maxwell Hotel in Seattle, a great dog-friendly option in a perfectly central location. Perfect if you like travelling with your pet and enjoy fun boutique hotels! Click here to read all about it.
If you like using Airbnb like we do, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available in Seattle during your stay. We’ve stayed in Airbnb accommodations all over the city, and find that it’s a great way to experience different neighbourhoods like a local. We always find great homes that are private, fully equipped, and priced very affordably. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!
Where to Eat & Drink
Seattle’s food scene is impressive and brings together plenty of different cultures and cuisines. While we are always most excited about the great plant-based options, the city will surely satisfy any foodie. The first stop on your list should be Pike Place Market, with an impressive collection of food stalls and fresh seafood. If you’re vegan like us, be sure to check out Plum Bistro for dinner or weekend brunch, (a Capitol Hill favourite, and always one of our go-tos!) Another must for vegans (and everyone else) is Mighty-O Donuts. With locations all over the city, it’s the best spot for vegan and organic treats. Another veggie friendly favourite is Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe. With several Seattle locations, it’s the perfect place to grab a healthy lunch while you’re out exploring. If you want to try some of the seafood that the PNW is famous for, you may want to check out Walrus & the Carpenter in the Ballard neighbourhood. Nearby is Ballard’s Annex Oyster House, and other popular spots include Westward, Elliot’s Oyster House, and Seastar Restaurant. For Asian cuisine, go to the long standing sushi restaurant Maneki, and for fine dining try Canlis. There is truly something for everyone! With plenty of amazing dining options ranging from casual to upscale, you’ll surely discover something you love.
If you’re looking to grab a drink in Seattle there are plenty of great options. If you want to be around other people in the LGBTQ+ community, be sure to go out to one of the many hip bars in Capitol Hill. If you’re looking for great beer, check out Elysian Brewery, Fremont Brewing Company, Reuben’s Brews, Rooftop Brewing Company, or Cloudburst Brewing. These are just a few of the top craft breweries in the city, there are many more! If you’re into wine, be sure to check out French wine bar Le Caviste, or for a great selection of local PNW wines try Bottlehouse. With more local and sustainable options and everything on tap, be sure to add Footprint Wine Tap to your list. For cocktails don’t miss Canon, one of Seattle’s best cocktail bars boasting the largest spirit collection in the US. Nearby is Needle & Thread, a speakeasy offering bespoke cocktails. If you’re a serious coffee drinker, Seattle’s cafe culture will impress you! The city is known for it’s coffee being the birthplace of Starbucks (the original cafe is in Pike Place), but it has plenty of great coffee. If you’re into espresso head to Vivace, the cafe that popularized latte art in America. Victrola is also great for espresso based drinks, and they have four quirky locations around the city. If you’re a third wave coffee drinker, check out Analog for a nice selection of single origin roasts and a chill vinyl playlist kind of vibe. Be sure to check out the small batch roaster Lighthouse Roasters and Elm Roasters for amazing single origin beans that are locally roasted with precision. If you want a truly Seattle coffee experience, be sure to sign up for one of Herkimer Coffee’s cupping sessions to sample the latest ethically sourced, single origin roasts. Lastly, grab a pour over at one of the first Seattle third wave roasters, Slate Coffee Roasters.
Lesbian Friendly
The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Washington state are some of the best in the US, and it’s often referred to as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in America. Same-sex marriage has been recognized in Washington since 2012, and LGBTQ+ people are fully protected from discrimination. The state also criminalizes hate crimes that are motivated by homophobia or transphobia, and conversion therapy has been banned on minors since 2018. Both the city of Seattle and the state of Washington are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers, and Seattle itself has an impressive local gay scene. It’s definitely a very lesbian friendly destination to visit! We always feel safe and comfortable being an open couple in Seattle, and have had some wonderful travel experiences in the city over the years. There is plenty of local gay culture, and the scene is thriving in Capitol Hill (the city’s designated gaybourhood). There is plenty of LGBTQ+ nightlife including a long standing lesbian bar called Wild Rose, which is owned and operated by women. Other LGBTQ+ venues are spread through Capitol Hill and Pike/Pine and include Pony, Neighbours Nightclub, R Place, Crescent Lounge, Madison Pub, and many others. Seattle also has an LGBTQ+ centre that hosts events and offers public services, as well as tons of lesbian meet-up events. There’s even a group that does gay speed dating! As you can see, Seattle is a great city for lesbian women and couples. We never have any issues showing affection in public, holding hands in the street, or taking couples photos together. It feels so nice to visit destinations that are inclusive of our community and where we can feel just as safe as we do at home. It you’re looking for a fun city with tons to do and a great local gay scene, then definitely add Seattle to your travel list!
How to Get Around
Walk
The different areas of Seattle are quite walkable. We always do a lot of exploring on foot and find that it’s a great way to experience the city. If you’re able, we recommend spending some time walking around to get a good feel for things! Watch out for some steep hills and remember to bring an umbrella because it does rain a lot.
Rideshare
Both Lyft and Uber are available in Seattle, and are a great option for getting around the city.
Taxi
There are plenty of taxis in Seattle which make it easy to get around without a vehicle. You can call a cab by phone or easily hail one on the street. Rates are reasonable but likely more expensive than using a ride share app.
Public Transportation
Seattle has an extensive public transportation system that includes bus service, streetcars, light rail, and water taxis. You can get an Orca card that works like cash on buses, trains, and ferries, and you can manage your balance online. For information regarding transportation rates and schedules, visit Seattle’s official transportation website.
Drive
If you do drive to Seattle, it’s a fairly easy city to drive in. We often drive down from Vancouver and have a vehicle during our trip to get around the city. Street parking is very straight forward, and you’ll have no problem getting around if you use Google Maps or something similar. There is often a lot of construction so be prepared for some traffic, but nothing too bad!
Bike
Seattle has a great bike network, and a lot of people get around by cycling. There are several bike shares and plenty of bike parking around the city. Some hotels offer free bikes during your stay so you can take them out for a spin while you’re visiting! Be sure to follow proper etiquette and follow local laws when cycling.
Has anyone else fallen in love with Seattle? Let us know in the comments!
