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
Queen Anne showing a city and landscape views

Queen Anne

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

Queen Anne is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Space Needle and Seattle Center, and you can get around town on the metro at Seattle Center Monorail Station.

Queen Anne
Executive Hotel Pacific
Executive Hotel Pacific
3 out of 5
400 Spring St, Seattle, WA
$159 nightly
The price is $188 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$188 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes 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! (3,430 reviews)
"The whole staff is very friendly and accommodating. We were able to check in early with ease and it's walking distance to everything, like pike market, the pier, etc"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Executive Hotel Pacific
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
4 out of 5
60 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA
$189 nightly
The price is $223 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$223 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes 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! (3,448 reviews)
"Found Parking. Thank goodness. Didnt want to pay $30 a night. They did close the food down early due to short staff so I had to go find a place that was open after 9pm. But they made a great recommendation. Besides that, everything was phenomenal, the room, staff, cleaning, view of the water. I go ..."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA
4 out of 5
1301 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA
$166 nightly
The price is $196 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$196 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,556 reviews)
"Epic stay. Would definitely stay here again"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA
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.
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. Popular attractions Lumen Field and Seattle Waterfront are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (195 reviews)
"I had a few questions and requests and the owner was very accommodating and responsive. It's one of the best qualities any owner/manager can have (communication skills). The room is small, but was perfect for my needs. The area is quiet and the property is kept very clean. We did not need to use ..."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Sweet Suites Capitol Hill
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (260 reviews)
"Good neighborhood location."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Ballard's sweet suites
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Pivot Apartments Capitol Hill
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Pivot Apartments Capitol Hill
3.5 out of 5
1208 Pine Street, Seattle, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Seattle. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Pike Place Market and Seattle ...
9/10 Wonderful! (150 reviews)
Great location, but you may hear the freeway
"Great location, but a bit loud right by the freeway. We had an issue with our door code not working when we arrived, but the Sonder app support folks helped resolve it quickly. Watching the fireworks from the rooftop was nice, too. We’d stay here again."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Pivot Apartments 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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Cities near Puget Sound