I have spent years cultivating a list of the best things to do alone in Seattle. I think this city is perfect for exploring solo, regardless of whether you’re an introvert like me who craves alone time or you’re a solo traveler experiencing the city for the first time.
Despite having an unhoused peoples’ crisis and an influx of car break-ins and minor thefts, Seattle remains an overall safe city. According to the Seattle Police Department crime dashboard, crime in Seattle has continued to go down year after year, and that’s especially true of downtown.
I love taking a solo day in Seattle because I can move at my own pace and do the activities I enjoy. Whether you’re a local or a first time visitor, consider this your guide to solo travel in Seattle!
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Things to Do Alone in Seattle
Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more of the best things to do for one in Seattle as I discover them!
Explore Pike Place Market
website | 85 Pike St (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | best for: eating and shopping
Pike Place Market is ideal for solo travelers because there are already swarms of people crowding the stands. Flying solo allows you to go with the flow and peruse the stands and shops at your leisure. Lots of people also make it feel safer and there are plenty of stands where you can grab a bite to eat without feeling guilty for taking up a table.
Being such a popular tourist destination, there are some duds that aren’t worth visiting which is why I created a free self-guided tour of Pike Place Market that includes must-stop shops and some of the Market’s best restaurants.
Check out the city’s museums
One of my favorite things to do in Seattle solo is to explore Seattle’s museums and attractions because these are the places where I really want to take my time. Seattle has dozens of museums, and many of the museums offer free entry at least once per month.
Visiting the Seattle Aquarium alone is nice because it’s so peaceful, and you can sit and watch the fish for as long as your heart desires. Or you can check out the Space Needle and finally cross it off your Seattle bucket list.
Take a tour
Seattle has so much history that you really need a tour (or at least a self-guided tour) to really appreciate the city. If you’re a foodie and don’t want to make small talk with a group of strangers, check out my self-guided food tours. Each one covers major foodie neighborhoods and includes a regularly updated list of restaurants worth visiting, along with tips on what to order and when to go to avoid crowds.
If you’re looking for a guided tour and the opportunity to meet new people, try one of these food tours:
Or take a tour to uncover more facts about Seattle:
Rent a bike
Seattle is a bike-friendly city and there are many places to rent a bike for a quick rendezvous. The Burke-Gilman Trail is perhaps the most popular and encompasses 19 miles of well-maintained paved paths that take you through the Olympic Sculpture Park all the way to Woodinville! Since it’s mostly off the road, it’s very safe for new and experienced bikers alike.
From the Sculpture Park you could also take the shorter 3-mile Elliott Bay Trail for some scenic views of the Puget Sound.
Explore the parks
Seattle has hundreds of parks with features ranging from iconic viewpoints to secret beaches and lesser-known hidden gems. The best Seattle parks for solo expeditions are Green Lake Park for water access, Gas Works Park for its viewpoint of the city, and Discovery Park for its coastal bluff views.
Seward Park is another option for going at it alone since there are always tons of people around, and it’s virtually impossible to get lost since there aren’t too many path options. Mainly it has just one big loop with views of Lake Washington.
Visit the farmers markets
Farmer’s markets are ideal for taking your time and seeking out handcrafted goods and local produce. The University District, Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Fremont ones are my favorite Seattle markets because they have a good number of vendors and happen to be located in some of Seattle’s coolest neighborhoods.
Unwind at a spa
One of my favorite solo activities in Seattle is treating myself to a spa day. I actually prefer going to the spa alone so I don’t have to worry about taking too long or keeping up conversation while I’m soaking. I have a whole list of my favorite Seattle spas, so check it out before deciding which one to book.
Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island
One of the perks of traveling alone is that you don’t need to plan ahead, so why not take a day trip to explore one of the nearby islands?
Bainbridge Island is great for a day trip because it’s the closest island to Seattle and has a popular ferry frequented by both commuters and visitors alike, especially on the weekend. That means there will be plenty of people around for people watching.
In terms of what to do, Bainbridge has tons of cute local shops, like Salt House Mercantile for unique home goods, Millstream Bainbridge for island-inspired gifts, or Zutto for curated antiques. While you’re visiting, make sure to check out the island’s wineries and restaurants.
Rent a kayak or SUP
Seattle is known for its water activities, and you by no means need a group of people to rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for the day. Lake Union and Green Lake are my preferred spots for kayaking and SUP, especially because there will be a lot of other people around you.
You can rent gear at NWOC or the Green Lake Boat House. Just plan on bringing a dry bag to protect your personal belongings!
Visit the Seattle Central Library
website | 1000 4th Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | best for: architecture and book lovers
Visiting libraries is one of the most underrated things to do in a new city. Seattle’s Central Library is not only massive, but it’s architecturally fascinating. The exterior is obviously impressive, but the interior is just as captivating.
There are 11 floors of inclining rows of books that form the iconic book spiral, and the top levels are really inviting for remote work or reading a good book…without feeling the pressure to buy $7 lattes just to earn your seat.
People watch in a cozy cafe
In the event you are in the mood to drink some fancy lattes, Seattle has countless cozy cafes for you to sit and people watch to your heart’s content. I have so many favorite coffee shops in Seattle that I’ve basically lost count, though I’m partial to Ondo Origins for their minimalist, cozy vibe or Ghost Note Coffee for their cocktail-like approach to crafting coffee drinks.
Go to an author talk
If there’s an author you’ve been dying to meet, see if they’re doing a talk at Seattle’s Town Hall. This is a fantastic solo activity since you can really nerd out on a topic you find interesting. Plus some of the authors get sold out, so you’re most likely to snag a solo seat.
For cookbook-specific talks, check out Book Larder. It’s a cookbook-only bookstore that frequently hosts cooking classes and guest speakers. I used to volunteer at the author talks and every single one has been well run and fascinating. Many include bites from the book!
Shop around Seattle’s best neighborhoods
Seattle has a lot of cool shopping neighborhoods, but it can be overwhelming to navigate them by yourself. I broke down all of the best neighborhoods by activities, whether you’re in the mood for antiquing, thrifting, pursuing art galleries, or hunting for the best beer bars.
If you’re into exploring PNW artists, most of Seattle’s neighborhoods host monthly art walks. These ones specifically are in great shopping areas:
- Pioneer Square – Every first Thursday
- Fremont – Every first Friday
- Capitol Hill – Every second Thursday
- Belltown – Every second Friday
- Ballard & Georgetown – Every second Saturday
- Downtown – Every fourth Friday
Better yet, explore Seattle’s street art scene with this handy mural guide or see if you can climb all of the stairs in the city (yes, it’s a thing). Being able to urban hike at your own pace makes this one of the best things to do alone in Seattle.
Take a class
If you’re wondering what to do alone in Seattle, consider taking a class. Not only is it a great way to learn a new skill, but you can take a class that’s genuinely interesting to you versus catering to what a group wants to do. Plus, you may meat new people!
This glass fusing session in Everett shows you how to turn broken glass into your own colorful canvas, or you can discover glass blowing and make your own ornament. I’ve always wanted to learn how to make pasta, and taking a class seems like the perfect way to start.
If you’re looking for studios with a ton of class options, check out The Works, Monster, or The Pantry!
Join a rec sports league
When I first moved to Seattle, I made all of my friends by joining the Underdog sports league. It’s a carefree way to move your body and almost everyone who signs up is doing so solo. This means you won’t suffer “picked-last” syndrome from middle school days since everyone’s virtually strangers and just there to have fun.
Grab a bite to eat
People may not think dining solo is one of the best things to do alone in Seattle. But I low key love it because it often means you’re able to get a table at the more popular spots or, at the very least, secure a single bar seat without having to wait long.
Of all my favorite go-to Seattle restaurants, some are better for solo dining than others. The Walrus and the Carpenter is nice because it fills up quickly, but they have bar seating. It’s the perfect spot to polish off a half-dozen oysters by yourself without anyone watching.
CrackleMi is great for introverts like myself because you order at a kiosk and literally don’t have to talk to anyone. Spice Waala, Paseo, and Un Bien are similarly introvert-friendly because they’re grab-and-go with a few tables, whereas Made in House offers low-key, cafe-style seating akin to a coffee shop.
For more ideas, check out my guide to cheap eats in Seattle. Many of these are perfect for a solo bite.
More to do around Seattle
I’m a big believer anything you can do as a couple or group can be done solo! So after you make your way through this list of the best things to do alone in Seattle, check out my other guides for more activities.
