Puget Sound, WA

Travel Guide

Tacoma showing a city, a bay or harbor and a marina
Gig Harbor which includes a marina, a bay or harbor and general coastal views
Seattle Waterfront featuring boating, sailing and city views
San Juan Islands
Capitol Hill featuring a fountain

Encompassing sophisticated urban areas, such as Seattle, and forested islands with mountain views, Puget Sound is nothing if not diverse.

Puget Sound impresses with its jaw-dropping natural beauty, interesting historic cities and scenic byways that help visitors journey through Washington state. Take a sailboat to an island off the coast, visit one of Seattle’s many fascinating museums and attend an art festival in a historic town.

Allow plenty of time to properly explore the large Puget Sound region, which stretches all the way from the northern tip of the state down to Olympia and Yelm. Puget Sound is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean that runs through northwest Washington. This complex estuary system has created varied landscapes including small peninsulas and breathtaking islands.

Seattle, known for its coffee culture and Space Needle tower, is Washington state’s largest city. Explore its trendy shops and the red brick buildings of Pioneer Square, a district that dates back to the Gold Rush. Buy locally made goods and fresh produce at Pike Place Market, browse exhibits at the Frye Art Museum and go for a stroll in Discovery Park, which backs onto the beach.

At the base of Puget Sound is Tacoma, known as the “City of Destiny.” The city hosts several summer art festivals and also features the fascinating Museum of Glass and the Washington State History Museum.

Washington’s Native American history takes center stage in Suquamish, home of the Suquamish Tribe. Visit the memorial of Chief Seattle, an influential leader, at Suquamish Memorial Cemetery. Suquamish’s location along the Agate Pass means it is a good vantage point for stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainier.

Puget Sound’s islands make for great daytrips from Seattle. Take a ferry to Whidbey Island and taste fresh ingredients grown at local farms. Vashon is a peaceful retreat for hikers and beachcombers who want to explore without worrying about crowds.

Fly into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or arrive by Amtrak train from nearby cities. Rent a car to travel around the Puget Sound and hop on ferries to reach the islands.

Puget Sound is a jewel in Washington’s crown and a magical place to discover the legendary natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Where to stay in Puget Sound

Downtown Seattle featuring street scenes and central business district

Downtown Seattle

4.5/5(9,584 area reviews)

Dive into the bustling nightlife and shopping scene, explore the iconic Pike Place Market, and admire architectural gems like the Seattle Central Library. Enjoy seamless connectivity with the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel and Seattle Center Monorail.

Downtown Seattle
Capitol Hill showing heritage architecture as well as an individual male

Capitol Hill

4.5/5(128 area reviews)

Densely populated with mid-rise buildings, this Seattle district boasts nightlife, entertainment, and a counterculture vibe. Explore local bars, fringe theaters, and parks like Volunteer Park, while enjoying street-level retail and Espresso Vivace coffeehouses.

Capitol Hill
Belltown featuring street scenes

Belltown

Densely populated and boasting trendy restaurants, boutiques, and nightclubs, this waterfront neighborhood offers the Olympic Sculpture Park and easy access to major thoroughfares. Perfect for a walkable, lively stay in Seattle.

Belltown
Husky Stadium showing signage and a statue or sculpture

University District

4/5(493 area reviews)

Home to the University of Washington's main campus, the University District features a bustling commercial presence along main streets and is well-connected by two Link light rail stations.

University District
South Lake Union which includes a bay or harbor, a coastal town and boating

South Lake Union

4/5(513 area reviews)

Known for its panoramic lake views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in South Lake Union. Check out top attractions like Amazon Corporate Headquarters and El Corazón, and jump on the metro at Lake Union Park Station or Terry Av- Mercer St Station to see more of the city.

South Lake Union
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks featuring a river or creek and boating as well as a small group of people

Ballard

4.5/5(57 area reviews)

Gardens, bars, and shopping are just a few things travelers enjoy about Ballard. Check out Shilshole Bay Marina or Hiram M. Chittenden Locks while you're exploring the area.

Ballard
Hyatt Regency Seattle

Hyatt Regency Seattle

4 out of 5
808 Howell St, Seattle, WA
$157 nightly
The price is $185 total per night from Nov 1 to Nov 2
$185 total
Nov 1 - Nov 2
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (4,448 reviews)
"Clean room. Big TV with the ability to cast from your own devices. Bed sheets comfy. Staff super helpful. The Market was amazing. Super convenient to have an easy breakfast / smaller meal place on site. Love that it was open so late. Microwave available here for use."

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2025

Hyatt Regency Seattle
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square

4 out of 5
60 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA
$149 nightly
The price is $176 total per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
$176 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seattle. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and satellite TV channels. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,767 reviews)
"Small quarters. Very european."

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2025

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
Executive Hotel Pacific

Executive Hotel Pacific

3 out of 5
400 Spring St, Seattle, WA
$119 nightly
The price is $140 total per night from Oct 26 to Oct 27
$140 total
Oct 26 - Oct 27
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,802 reviews)
"The Executive Pacific Hotel was a great bargain in downtown Seattle, where neighboring hotels were much more expensive. The staff was very accommodating, the room was clean, and the bed was comfortable. I would recommend this hotel to all travelers."

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2025

Executive Hotel Pacific
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy RailSpur Apartments Pioneer Square

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy RailSpur Apartments Pioneer Square

3.5 out of 5
417 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Seattle. Enjoy laundry facilities, concierge services, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (233 reviews)
"It's perfectly located"

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy RailSpur Apartments Pioneer Square
Ballard's sweet suites

Ballard's sweet suites

3.5 out of 5
1458 NW 67th St, Seattle, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room espresso maker. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (287 reviews)
"Room was clean and easy to get to from the city bus. Only negative experience we had is we were unable to lo register for the room early. Our plan landed at 1130 and we got to the facility around 1 and had to wait until 2:45 to access our room. We also were unable to drop off our bags so we waited ..."

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2025

Ballard's sweet suites
Sweet Suites Capitol Hill

Sweet Suites Capitol Hill

2 out of 5
702 18th Ave, Seattle, WA
Stay at this aparthotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi and air conditioning. Popular attractions Lumen Field and Seattle Waterfront are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (239 reviews)
"Quiet, clean and good communication. Kind of a unique setup. Proximity to transit and restaurants was a bit farther than we preferred, but that's on us for not checking ahead of time. Good stay."

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2025

Sweet Suites Capitol Hill
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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