There are so many things to do during fall in Seattle. September to November is the best time to visit Seattle because the tourists thin out, the weather is still pretty good, and the fall colors start setting in. Plus, kids are back in school so it feels less crowded everywhere you go.
If you’re wondering what to do during fall in Seattle, let this list be your guide. Fall is my favorite season, so I live it up to the fullest each year. This is my vetted list of things to do in fall in Seattle you don’t want to miss!
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Things to Do During Fall in Seattle
Here are my favorite things to do once the cozy season sets in! Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more ideas as I discover them.
Overwhelmed by trip planning? Delegate it to me and let me create a custom itinerary just for you.
Ready to plan on your own? Here’s what to do in fall in Seattle!
Find fall foliage
I’m always on the hunt for the best fall foliage in Seattle. As temperatures have risen over the years, I’ve noticed the trees lining Seattle streets have become more vibrant late into the fall season.
There are a ton of places to go right in the city, such as these best parks in Seattle: Green Lake, Washington Park Arboretum, Lincoln Park, Volunteer Park, and Kubota Garden. You’ll be amazed at the way the leaves can turn deep gold, fire-y red, and rusty orange right here in the city!
If you have the time for a day trip, check out the fall colors further afield around Washington state. There are a ton of hiking trails you can visit, with some of the best for fall foliage being around North Cascades National Park, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, and Leavenworth.
My favorite day trip for fall colors is Mount Rainier. There’s nothing like taking a day trip to Mt. Rainier and seeing a view of Mount Rainier up close surrounded by autumn leaves. See my guide to the best Mt. Rainier hikes for specific trails you can take to see beautiful foliage.
Six days throughout the year, the National Park Service hosts Free National Park Days. Two of those are September 28 and November 11, so take advantage if you need to (but still donate if you can!).
Hunt for larches
One specific type of fall foliage to seek out is larches. If you’re not familiar, they’re a phenomenon where evergreen trees turn gold and drop their needles like a deciduous tree with leaves. They are rare throughout the United States and Canada, but you can find them right here in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest.
What makes them so interesting is the time of year they appear changes annually. They usually start showing in late September, but sometimes it goes into late October. Locals have dubbed the activity of seeking larches going on a “larch march” or having “larch madness”.
If you’re interested in finding these magnificent trees, check out my guide to the best larch hikes!
Go pumpkin picking
There’s nothing I like doing more than u-pick. Pumpkins are no exception! One of the best things to do during fall in Seattle is head to a local farm to visit their pumpkin patch. Many also have a corn maze, activities for kids, farm animals, food, and souvenirs!
See my guide to Halloween fun in Seattle for my list of favorite pumpkin patches near Seattle. Many of them have activities for kids and festive food like pumpkin-spiced desserts!
Visit a u-pick apple orchard
Fall might be my favorite season because it’s an excuse to make my mom’s famous homemade applesauce recipe. Apples cook down into nothing, so you need a ton for applesauce. There’s no better way to get that many apples than spending a few fall days at a u-pick orchard.
It saddens me deeply that there aren’t a ton of large u-pick apple orchards around Seattle. Most are in central/eastern Washington and the Columbia River Gorge. The ones close to the city tend to be super small and not all that impressive.
However, I found a few on the west side of the Cascade Mountains worth checking out.
Gordon Skagit’s Farms
website | 15598 McLean Rd | Mt. Vernon, WA | distance from Seattle: ~1 hr, 15 min
This farm has a small u-pick apple orchard next to a great pumpkin patch with a bunch of pumpkin varieties you don’t see at most farms. It’s near some of the best things to do in Skagit Valley, so it’s worth a day trip.
Jones Creek Farm
website | 32260 Burrese Rd | Sedro-Woolley, WA | distance from Seattle: ~1.5 hrs
I almost went to this apple orchard with my niece when we went to high tea at Willowbrook Manor a few minutes down the road, but alas I haven’t been yet. From the pictures, though, it definitely has rows of apple trees!
Bellewood Farms
website | 6140 Guide Meridian | Lynden, WA | distance from Seattle: ~2 hrs
I haven’t been to this one yet, but it’s the place everyone always recommends for u-pick apples. Once I try it, I’ll add it to my Bellingham guide for the next time you’re in the area!
Baily Farm
website | 12968 Springhetti Rd | Snohomish, WA | distance from Seattle: ~40 mins
This one is the closest to Seattle, but I haven’t had a chance to visit yet. I’ll update it with my take on the quality of orchards when I do!
Get spooked at a haunted house
Another of my favorite fun Halloween activities in Seattle is to visit a haunted house or farm to get spooked. Many of the area pumpkin patches turn their corn mazes into haunted fields at night, but you can find a bunch of spooky spots right in Seattle.
For example, the most popular is probably the Georgetown Morgue (yes, a historic morgue that held dead bodies!). However, there’s also the Nightfall Orphanage in West Seattle or the Seattle Chocolate haunted factory tour in Tukwila.
If people jumping out at you isn’t your thing, you can also go on a ghost tour around the Emerald City. For example, you can take a walking ghost tour of Pike Place Market or go on a walking ghost tour and pub crawl.
Explore Seattle like a tourist
I find fall the best time to explore Seattle like a tourist because the crowds thin out as people go back to school.
For example, spend a sunny day taking one of my self-guided Seattle food tours or eat your way around Pike Place Market. Then take a stroll from downtown Seattle to the Space Needle, Seattle Center, and Olympic Sculpture Park for amazing views of the Puget Sound. Finish your day with a walk up to Capitol Hill for some amazing restaurants and cocktail bars.
If it’s a rainy day, head inside to the Seattle Aquarium or one of our countless museums that are a fun thing to do in Seattle in summer too thanks to their air conditioning. Some of my favorites include the Seattle Art Museum and Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum.
Enjoy the last of the sunshine outside
Spend the last of Seattle’s sunny days going on some of the best hikes in Seattle. Some of my favorite places to walk are the Elliott Bay Trail, Green Lake, Gas Works, and Discovery Park.
You can even hop on your bike and take the Burke-Gilman Trail, making sure to take stops at the Ballard breweries and the best Seattle farmers markets.
Another one of the best things to do during fall in Seattle is enjoy the last bit of sunshine on the water. You can rent kayaks or canoes at NWOC or UW. Or try your hand at a hot tub boat on Lake Union! For more ideas, check out my guide to the best water activities in Seattle.
Fall is also the last bit of time you can comfortably enjoy the views from a ferry outside on the deck. Take a day trip to Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island on a whim to explore the farms, shops, and fall colors.
Plan a fall weekend getaway
Fall is one of my favorite times to visit the Pacific Northwest because the weather is still pretty nice and the leaves start changing colors. It’s a great time to get the last of the best glamping in Washington state in, or book one of the most unique hotels in WA, dreamy PNW cabins, or Washington’s most romantic Airbnbs.
Need help planning a trip? I’m a registered travel planner and would love to make you a custom activity full of fall adventures!
Visit wine country
One of my favorite things to do during fall in Seattle is visit wine country when vineyards start harvesting their grapes. You can visit the best Seattle urban wineries right here in the city to taste their fall releases or take a day trip to try my favorite Woodinville wineries just 30 minutes away.
If you have time to explore more of the best wineries in the Pacific Northwest, head to one of these areas further afield:
- Lake Chelan wineries (4 hours from Seattle)
- Walla Walla wineries (5 hours from Seattle)
- Willamette Valley wineries (4 hours from Seattle in Oregon)
- Eugene, OR wineries (5.5 hours from Seattle)
If you venture to Oregon, consider going glamping in Oregon Wine Country or stay at one of these unique boutique hotels in Eugene to explore the southern part of Willamette Valley. Make sure to visit 5th Street Public Market while you’re there!
Eat all the fall foods
Fall also brings some of my favorite foods like mushroom, soup, squash, and more gut-filling comfort food. When I’m not making one of my go-to fall recipes like carrot parsnip soup, squash mash with hazelnut pork, or curry stuffed sweet potatoes, I’m making my rounds at Seattle restaurants that change their menu with the fall season.
One great way to do that is during Seattle Restaurant Week. It runs every spring and fall, giving you an opportunity to eat at new restaurants for less. Many participating restaurants offer 3-course pre fixe meals for $35-$65 during lunch or dinner. Others like food trucks have specials that are just as good of a deal.
Attend Oktoberfest
One fall festival I always put on my Seattle events calendar is Oktoberfest. My favorite is the Fremont one, where you can sample a ton of different beers from area breweries.
Other options farther away include Oktoberfest Northwest in Puyallup and Leavenworth Oktoberfest. These are a bit more traditional, with larger steins, lively music, and many people dressed in traditional Bavarian garb.
If you go to the Leavenworth one, make sure to visit the best Leavenworth restaurants while you’re there! If you need a place to stay, rest our head at one of these cabins in Leavenworth.
Go to a sporting event
Fall is when a lot of Seattle’s sport seasons overlap. For example, you can go to a Mariners baseball game, Seahawks football game, Sounders or Reign soccer game, Storm basketball game, and Kraken hockey game in the fall.
Book winter trips
You may not be ready to think about winter just yet, but one of the best things to do during fall in Seattle is reserve your winter getaway! Many of the best cross-country skiing areas in Washington like Leavenworth and Winthrop get completely booked in January and March, so booking early makes sure you have somewhere to stay.
Here’s my list of dreamy winter cabins in Washington to book ASAP. If you need ideas of areas to explore, here are some of my winter guides:
- The Definitive Guide to Mt. Hood Ski Areas
- 52 Best Winter Cabins in Oregon
- The Magical Winter Balloon Festival You Need to Attend
- What to Do in Winthrop During Winter
- Why You Should Visit Lake Chelan in Winter
- Cozy Things to Do in Leavenworth in Winter
- How to Spend an Amazing Winter Day in Bend
- Must-Eat-At Restaurants in Whistler Village
Best time to visit Seattle in the fall
While fall is only a few short months, there are certain times during the autumn season that are better than others to visit Seattle.
I highly recommend visiting in September or October when the weather is milder and days longer. It can be as sunny as it would be in summer months, yet you’ll still get fall vibes when the leaves start turning in early October. Especially if you plan to do a lot of outdoor sightseeing, this can make your trip more pleasant.
However, if you want to really avoid the summer crowds that are still thinning out come early fall in Seattle, consider the shoulder season of November and December. It may be darker and rainier, but hotel prices tend to be lower and you’ll be able to experience the city more like a local. Plus you’ll be here when the Seattle holiday markets start happening.
Seattle weather in the fall
The rainy season in Seattle typically begins in late October or early November. Especially because of daylight’s saving, it can feel especially dark and grim to those not used to the cozy fall-to-winter transitional weather. Make sure to bring a good raincoat with a hood (especially since locals don’t use umbrellas ;).
Temperature wise, fall starts in the mid-to-high 60s and then transitions to the high 40s the closer it gets to winter. The days are especially temperamental in September through early October, where you may start the morning bundled up and then strip items off in the late afternoon when temperatures feel as high as they would in July and August. So make sure to pack layers and be ready for anything!
Seattle fall events
I have a constantly updated list of events on my Seattle events calendar, but here are some of the most popular annual food, drink, craft, entertainment, and music festivals you can look forward to come autumn in Seattle:
- Washington State Fair (Labor Day Weekend – late Sept)
- Fremont Oktoberfest (Sept)
- Seattle International Film Festival DocFest (Oct)
- Washington Fresh Hops Festival (Oct)
- Northwest Chocolate Festival (Oct)
- Earshot Jazz Festival (Oct – Nov)
- Gobble Up Food Fair (Nov)
I also have a whole list of things to do in Seattle in September, so check that out too!
More seasonal activities in Seattle
After you’re done with best things to do during fall in Seattle, get ready for winter with these guides. It’ll be here before you know it!
- What to Do During Winter in Seattle
- Day Trips in Winter from Seattle
- Winter Vacation Spots in Washington
- Seattle Christmas Activities Even the Grinch Would Like
- Best Seattle Holiday Markets
- Buy the Best Pacific Northwest Gifts for Everyone on Your List
- Things to Do in Seattle During Spring (beyond the cherry blossoms!)
