Seattle

Why Seattle for a Bach Trip

Seattle is the bach trip for groups who want Pike Place Market mornings, ferry rides to the islands, Capitol Hill bar density, and an outdoor scene with mountains and the Sound. The food culture is one of the most underrated in America. Coffee is a religion. Craft beer and cider are everywhere. The bachelorette circuit favors groups celebrating with a long weekend of food, ferry trips, and a few good nights out. Bachelor groups do well with brewery tours and the Mariners or Seahawks game day.

The right group is foodie, comfortable with rain (yes, it actually rains a lot), and into the Pacific Northwest aesthetic. The wrong group is looking for warm weather; Seattle is gray more often than not.

Where to Base Your Group

Downtown for tourist proximity (Pike Place, the Space Needle, the waterfront). Capitol Hill for nightlife and food density. Belltown for upscale-but-walkable. Hotels: The Edgewater (waterfront), Hotel Sorrento (boutique historic), Thompson Seattle. For groups, vacation rentals in Capitol Hill or Belltown; expect $400 to $1,000 per night.

When to Go (and When to Avoid)

Best months: late June through early October. Summer is dry, sunny, and 75 degrees; one of America's best-weather seasons. Rest of the year is grey and rainy. Avoid major Seahawks home games and Sea-Tac peak travel times.

The Day Scene

Pike Place Market in the early morning (before the cruise crowds): the original Starbucks, fish-throwing at Pike Place Fish Market, gum wall photo. The Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center. Ferry to Bainbridge Island (30 minutes each way, walk-on with no car) for the harbor day. Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park for an outdoor day (each two hours from Seattle). Underground Tour of Pioneer Square. Coffee crawl through Capitol Hill (Vivace, Stumptown, Victrola).

The Night Scene

Capitol Hill: Knee High Stocking Co (speakeasy), Canon (whiskey bar), Cha Cha Lounge (dive). Belltown: Blu Cantina, Trinity Nightclub. Pioneer Square: Tavern Law (cocktails). For dancing, Q Nightclub. Belltown and Capitol Hill close at 2 AM.

Food and Drink Worth Planning Around

Seattle food has surged. Top picks: Canlis (the splurge, on a hill with Lake Union view), Ben Paris, Communion. Salmon: Ivar's Salmon House for the touristy classic. Sushi: Sushi Kashiba (the famous chef's counter). Pizza: Delancey, Serious Pie. Brunch: Tilth, Portage Bay Cafe, Glo's. Late night: 13 Coins (24-hour diner). Coffee: Vivace, Slate, Lighthouse Roasters. Don't miss Beecher's Handmade Cheese in Pike Place.

Pro Tips

Light Rail from Sea-Tac to downtown is $3.25 and 35 minutes. The original Starbucks at Pike Place has a line out the door; coffee is the same as any other location. The fish-throwing show at Pike Place Fish Market happens randomly, not on schedule. Ferry to Bainbridge is a free 30 minute scenic ride if you walk on. Pike Place Market vendors take cash; bring some. And Seattle's Underground Tour is genuinely fun and worth the 90 minutes.