How to enjoy Fall in Seattle — 30 of the best outdoor things to do

Why should you listen to Matthew Kessi (that’s me)?

• The Pacific Northwest is my lifelong playground. 
• As a former travel industry professional, my experience guiding people around Seattle and Washington State gives me valuable insight into the right balance between what is possible and rewarding.
• Unlike big travel websites, I’ve been to all the places, tested the ideas, eaten the food, and taken photos. Unless specified, I don’t receive compensation for naming specific locations — my recommendations come from the heart. 
• Since I live in Seattle, well… I’m around to frequently keep my knowledge updated.
• I’m a practical mystic, which means I actively integrate spiritual sensitivities and meaningful applications in daily life. I can help you find more rewarding experiences grounded in nature — and you can be more present to yourself, your companions, and all the wonders of travel. In another article, “Six steps to deepen your nature connection, “ I write about the fundamentals to do this.

Three-day Olympic Peninsula nature meditation retreat.

In spring and fall, I facilitate mystic nature meditation retreats on the doorstep to Olympic National Park — in a wild area of Washington State, about three hours from Seattle.

This is a one-of-a-kind experience that will transform the way you see yourself in nature. When you pause daily life in order to see what impedes, supports, and transforms you, the resulting healing, wellness, and awakening may surprise you. Superb lodging, food, and mystic-guided experiences await.

Is a nature retreat right for you?

Fall in Seattle plus National Parks, Portland, or Vancouver, BC?

As a lifelong Oregon & Washington State local and former travel industry professional, I know how to get around the Pacific Northwest. I wrote an article about how to get to Portland from Seattle (and vice versa) and an even more specific post about the train between Seattle and Portland. I also offer an excellent itinerary for the Seattle to Portland drive. 

You may be transiting to and from beautiful British Columbia in Canada. In this case, check out two articles about how to train from Seattle to Vancouver and the Seattle to Vancouver drive, which has my very comprehensive map of things to do; see, and eat between the two metro areas. The drive is particularly gorgeous in the fall — especially Chunanuk Drive between Bow, WA and Fairhaven, Bellingham, WA.

Seattle is also a great jumping-off point for exploring the beautiful wilderness of Washington State’s three National Parks. While Mt. Rainier National Park, and epecially Paradise are stunning in the fall season, they require a bit of weather research from mid-October onward. Another epic mountain experience (again, check road conditions) is outlined in Seattle to North Cascades National Park.

But Olympic National Park is available all fall. Access my article, How to Plan an Epic Olympic Peninsula road trip, for all the details.

Do you need help planning an epic Seattle and Pacific Northwest trip?

Whether it’s your first time to Washington State, or you plan to host out-of-towners, I can help you craft an ideal itinerary for your needs. We meet via Zoom for an hour and you’ll:

• Leave the call with a clear plan.
• We can map out two itinerary options.
• Two follow-up email correspondences.

Click HERE for more information or SEND ME AN EMAIL.

Watch Nature’s Intelligence in salmon jumping action.

If ever there were a way to witness Nature’s Intelligence in Fall in Seattle, this is it! These unique species of fish engage in an ancestral call to return to the same rivers and sandy creeks to spawn each fall.

These are five favorite places to set up shop to learn and watch. Depending on the species of salmon (there are many) and location, you can experience salmon migration into November, somewhere.

Take this opportunity to slow down, quiet the mind, and spend some time immersed in Nature’s miracles.

• Ballard Locks (Central Seattle)
• Carkeek Park (North Seattle)
• Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
• Kanaskat-Palmer State Park
• Salmon Viewing locations across Washington State.

Sol Duc River — Olympic National Park

It’s hard to beat the amazement of watching salmon navigate this magical river, just inside Olympic National Park. Best times to spot the jumpers is mid-September through mid-October. It takes about 3.5 hours to get there from Seattle, including a beautiful ferry ride. For more information on planning a visit, check out my article, How to plan an Olympic Peninsula road trip.

Forest Bathing in the Rain — a famous outdoor thing to do

Shinrun-Yoku, the Japanese term for Forest Bathing, was developed in the 1980’s to combat sickness workers experienced in the giant migration from rural areas to cities in Japan. The studies were actually conducted by corporations that wanted a healthy and productive workforce. And daily doses of nature immersion did the trick.

A growing body of research points to the beneficial effects of exposure to the natural world on health, reducing stress, and promoting healing. Some studies further clarify that only 20 minutes daily (of immersive natural experiences) are essential to producing lasting benefits such as lower blood pressure, higher concentration, improved mental health, and neutralizing inflammation.

My version of Forest Bathing is accessed through a framework of Six Questions to Ask Yourself for a Deeper Nature Connection. Regardless of your approach, a rainy fall day in Seattle (or even overcast) offers an exquisite opportunity to engage your Nature in powerful ways that might just surprise you. For my favorite locations, check out, Forest Bathing in the Seattle rain.

Layer up! And… no umbrellas.

Although Seattle’s weather is usually pretty great in September, the precipitation can begin to fall in earnest by the end of October. It’s best to be well equipped with warm layers and a waterproof, not water-resisitant, outer shell. You’ll also thank youself for wearing waterproof footwear.

On umbrellas, it’s not that we’re snooty about their use. It’s just not practical to dedicate a hand to holding something while navigating nature’s moist wonders.

Visit Mt. Rainier

Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, it is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A. and spawns five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano, while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits. –National Park Service

While most of the services on “the Mountain” as locals call her, close for the season around mid-September, I love to visit this bastion of wonder in October. The fall season hems together stunning hues of red, yellow, and orange with light dustings of snow (like the photo shown). There are trails to explore at all altitudes, but be sure to check road conditions. You’ll compete for parking with way fewer visitors, espeically mid-week.

I provide a comprehensive guide on how to plan an amazing day-trip from Seattle to Mt. Rainier, as well as more specific information for Paradise, which is a true love of mine. Try to go in the morning or a few hours before sunset.

Consider a longer stay on Mt. Rainier?

Paradise Inn closes by the end of September, but if you can sneak in I highly recommend it. Gaze at the stars by night and wake up to pristine alpine air in the morning. But if you visit later in the fall, consider National Park Inn, which is just inside the park from the Nisqually Entrance. There are also numerous options in nearby Ashford, WA. This is a great Airbnb to try.

Travel the Pacific Northwest with purpose and meaning.

A lifetime of wandering about Oregon and Washington State gives me powerful practical wisdom to share about travel. And you receive the bonus of my unique mystic connection to the land. I can show you how and where to deepen in nature. This is perfect for:

• First time visitors to the Pacific Northwest.
• Locals hosting out-of-town visitors.
• Those wanting to experience travel + nature + spirit in new ways.

Explore a Japanese-inspired garden

Ah… my heart opens the moment the topic turns to Japanese-inspired gardens in Seattle, especially in fall, when the layers of texture start to draw contrasting lines. Imagine crimson-red leaves pushing through twisted branches of laceleaf maples while a tranquil brook bubbles over strategically placed rocks designed to welcome tranquility. Bamboo shoots hold a commanding presence despite the deep green moss, and proud pagodas provide vantage points to survey the landscape.

Japan and the Pacific Northwest have enjoyed solid ties for over a hundred years. While the official Seattle Japanese Garden in the Washington Park Arboretum is stunning, many other examples of inspiring fusion between traditional Japanese style and Pacific Northwest botany exist. My article, The most inspiring Japanese gardens in Seattle can provide you with more helpful information.

Play in a giant’s world — find an ancient fir forest

Not every old-growth fir tree has been razed from the land over the past hundred years. There are remarkable remnants of the ancient wonders in several places around Seattle — welcoming despite the mysterious mist sometimes found in fall.

Check out the sprawling hill above Azalea Way in the Washington Arboretum — full of unique redwood, cedar, and fir varieties. Although they are not old-growth, they’ve been providing shade to the world for a hundred years.

Alternately, head to West Seattle and follow the creek through Schmitz Preserve Park — filled with age-old cedar and Douglas fir and teenagers expressing their independent streaks. Even busy Seward Park has a beautiful secret deep within the running trails no one visits — which feels like entering another world. Ravenna Park and several more green spaces can offer this magic — so run for the forests! And be sure to hug a tree.

Federated Forest

This majestic forest full of ancient fir trees unassumingly hugs the side of a busy road whisking people to and from Crystal Mountain ski area and Mt. Rainier. It could be a bad ski day. But stop on the way home and soak up the spirit. Or, plan this as the destination.

Play on the (Kitsap) Peninsula — Bloedel Reserve and Heronswood Garden

Although not in Seattle proper, two extraordinary gardens in Kitsap County are worth a trip across the Salish Sea in the fall. Bloedel Reserve (Bainbridge Island) and Heronswood Garden (Kitsap Peninsula near Kingston Ferry) provide surprise and delight around every bend.

I’ve written about Bloedel Reserve in a photo essay highlighting fall colors’ beauty. The internationally-awarded grounds are expansive with several zones: meadow, wetlands, forest, formal residence gardens, Japanese garden, and the luscious moss garden. The Japanese teahouse inspired by the native longhouses of the Coast Salish Tribes is exquisitely unique — surrounded by the most precisely raked gravel zen garden. It is not to be missed!

Timed-entry tickets are required. Adult tickets are $22, and I suggest securing entry first thing in the day, at 10:00 AM (Tuesday through Sunday), and then following up this experience with a short 10-mile drive through beautiful fall foliage to Heronswood Garden. This 15-acre space is owned by the Port Gamble S’Kllalam Tribe, who have infused rich life into the organic oasis. Enjoy the three distinct zones: a fern garden, a northwest garden, and a formal English Garden.

This trip is a great day jaunt from the Seattle area and serves up a drive through brilliant fall leaves. Follow my exact itinerary in the article, The best way to revive in a Salish Sea day trip — Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula. Watch the video below:

Mindfulness and the art of the CHOP — Seattle’s Capitol Hill — outdoor things to do in the Fall

I’ll begin this section with what makes an urban hike in my neighborhood — Capitol Hill — so fresh and vibrant. Visual stimulation is everywhere. Much of it consists of a mix of art — expressions associated with the Black Lives Matter protests that started in June 2020 after the murder of George Floyd.

I present a real-time account of the art in a photo essay written in June 2020 titled Art of Seattle CHOP. CHOP stands for Capitol Hill Occupied Protest and consisted of a small portioned area in the heart of Capitol Hill near the Seattle East Precinct Police Station. Today, you’ll find large letters spelling out “Black Lives Matter” on Pine Street between 11th & 12th Avenues.

Capitol Hill is central in the city and easy to reach by Link Light Rail. The tight commerce core between Pike/Pine offers quirky shops and the celebrated Elliott Bay Bookstore. I like Cafe Vita for coffee and Honey Hole Sandwiches, Bimbo Burritos and Oddfellows Lodge for food — but there are so many great restaurants in the area to try.

From this central business district, I suggest wandering up to 15th Avenue East and on to statuesque Volunteer Park, also featured in a more concise article about how to enjoy nature in Seattle during Autumn.

Getting to Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill has been popular with locals and visitors alike for over a hundred years because of the close proximity to Downtown Seattle. While there is a convenience Link Light Rail station in the heart of the action, it’s a brisk uphill walk about a mile from the hustle and bustle of Pike’s Place Market. Grab coffee at Starbucks Roastery and window shop along the way.

Urban hiking South Park — the one not on TV

I’d never really heard much about South Park until the closure of the West Seattle Bridge required driving a maze of roadways to get between the central part of Seattle and the waterlogged peninsula. I noticed the brightly colored buildings and made it a point to return to wander this part of the Duwamish Waterway that might appear to the untrained eye to be just another industrial zone.

This tiny neighborhood is an area where the Duwamish Tribe is believed to have used summer camps for fishing before contact with European settlers. The Army Corps of Engineers reworked the winding river in the early 20th century to allow an easier path for marine commerce. Slowly, the water bounty dwindled, and the summer fishing camps dispersed.

Today work is underway to reclaim parts of the Duwamish River, and I feel it’s essential for any Seattleite to learn and understand the land we inhabit. An urban hike around South Park is one way to start in this direction. Several anchor restaurants serve fantastic multi-cultural fare. Visit the quirky local coffee shop, Resistencia — to start the experience. Read the placards on display around the historic (and renewed) South Park Bridge and follow Dallas Ave S to get a feel for the former bank of the river. The neighborhood is walkable and charming, with lots of surprises along the way.

Continue this experience by driving 3.4 miles up the road (S Marginal Way) to the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center to learn more about the Duwamish people. Terminal 107 Park, across the street, has some open views of the Duwamish Waterway and reclamation areas with traditional fishing nets.

Columbia City — a historic gem of urban hiking in South Seattle

Columbia City is an enclave of South Seattle that oozes with history. A defined main street in the center harkens back to the 1950s when every borough had a movie theatre, drugstore, and meat shop. The local butcher is still in business.

Olympia Coffee is a great place to start the day, maybe before a tasty meal at Geraldine’s Counter (made from scratch comfort food). There is a lot in the several blocks around this intersection (S Ferdinand & Rainier Ave S), from art galleries to bakeries to brewpubs. But the best part is to take a self-guided historical tour by visiting the Rainier Valley Historical Society, where they provide pamphlets for the neighborhood discovery stroll.

A walking street also starts at the circle at 37th Ave S (at Ferdinand), and the Farmer’s Market is on Wednesday’s 3-7 PM (through the middle of October). The best part about Columbia City is that it’s conveniently located on the Link Light Rail line, making it a breeze to get here on a layover at Seatac Airport or from Downtown Seattle.

Add a deeper layer of nature immersion to your visit and walk to and through nearby Seward Park. That’s about 1.5 miles each way (30 minutes), not including whatever length of walk you desire at the beautiful park. If you go, skip the busy outer beach walk and venture into the center of the peninsula where the old-growth cedar and fir hang out.

Olympic Sculpture Park

The setting of this patch of thought-provoking exhibits could hardly be matched on a clear day. This front-row view of the Salish Sea is soulful in any weather, but on a clear fall day when the Olympic Mountains emerge in all their grandeur, it’s hard not to feel the delicate balance between the city and nature.

The diagonal pathways meander through casts of metal and grasses planted strategically, bringing to life the feeling of wandering through the dunes at the beach. All the while, the Space Needle hovers above this scene.

Take the pedestrian walkway over the railroad tracks from the nine-acre park to meet up with the Elliott Bay Trail — which brings you north along with the sound as far as you fancy (also mentioned below).

Wander the revitalized waterfront.

Big changes are taking place on Seattle’s waterfront. The oppressive viaduct was removed a few years back, clearing the way for an expanded esplanade heading up the hill to Pike Place Market. Take in the smells of a salty port, and drop into a shop or enjoy seafood with a view.

Chinatown and UPS Waterfall Park — great Fall in Seattle outdoor thing to do

Chinatown is a fun place to visit. Some of the best Asian cuisines live in this historic neighborhood, along with colorful dragon gates and other art. Occidental Square offers exciting sculptures, and it’s hard not to be inspired by the beautifully flowing UPS Waterfall Park.

Grab a bite to go from Honey Court Seafood Restaurant or any of the great Chinese restaurants in the area, and have a seat below the metal pergolas that frame the rock wall that, at the time, was the most expensive US park to build per square foot.

A speakeasy museum with a view?

Smith Tower, located near Pioneer Square in the Old Town of Seattle, was once the highest building West of the Mississippi River. It has a colorful history–associated with prohibition shenanigans and more. As I write in an article about Rooftop Bars in Seattle, this makes a great place to enjoy the skyline–especially when the fall colors abound.

Elliott Bay Trail — outdoor Fall in Seattle sea breeze mindfulness

Reclaimed from heavy industry in the 1980s, this inspiring series of bike and pedestrian pathways connects visitors with the best elements of Seattle. Work continues to update the shoreline that shares space with the deep dark green water of the Salish Sea — new beaches are being formed to help support more natural habitats for salmon and other water life.

Start at the Olympic Sculpture Park (mentioned above) near Pier 70 and continue for about 1.5 miles to Elliott Bay Park (photo above). Even if the breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains aren’t available, the urban mix of industry, ships, and famous skyline icons offer an interesting juxtaposition with Seattle’s connection to nature. Take a substantial jacket because there is no protection from the elements on this three-mile outing — especially if exploring around sunset.

Ballard Locks — the interchange of saltwater and freshwater Seattle

The Ballard Locks inspire visitors with the mechanical marvel of giant gates providing the boundary where the freshwater from city lakes reaches the salty goodness of the Salish Sea. The grounds are free to enter, and paid parking is available.

Follow signs to the main attraction and walk on narrow passages over the giant steel doors that tirelessly hold back tons of water, juggling up and down all day long. Continue toward the other side of the channel to the salmon ladder, where you might find some late-season King or Coho working up the energy to jump up another wrung on the ladder.

Most people seem to beeline to the action of the locks, but I also enjoy a peaceful stroll around the gently looping Carl S. English Botanical Garden. There are many rare plants and trees in this green space, so be sure to pick up a map of the species — near the Army Corps of Engineers visitor center.

See the salmon jump?

By the thousands, three species of salmon journey through the Ballard Locks each year. It begins with Sockeye in June and ends with Coho in September. The best viewing is above or below (photo shown) the fish ladder. The parking on the south side of the locks (the Discovery Park side) is closest to this experience.

Take a float — nature boating options for Fall in Seattle

It makes sense that a city known for water in every direction would offer some soulful options to boat in the area. Lake Union is central to this recreation. Rent a tiki boat for a spin, or even floating hot tubs. But it’s more likely you’ll connect with the scene a little more deeply by using a canoe or kayak and exploring the area around Union Bay.

In particular, I love the marshy coves that extend north from the Washington Park arboretum. For this, it’s closest to rent canoes or kayaks from UW Waterfront Activities Center.

Argosy Cruise between the fresh and salt.

This sight-seeing line does a great job bringing information about the Seattle area–especially by water– to life. A particularly interesting experience is the tour of Ballard Locks cruise. This is a one-way version that (at the time of this writing Fall 2024) costs $54 per adult or $69 with transportation provided back to the starting point.

Point Defiance Park — Tacoma’s urban forest

My mom grew up on the edge of Point Defiance Park, so I’ve visited this wonderland of nature throughout the seasons of my life. This 760-acre urban forest inspired me to write a separate article with all the information, Point Defiance Park — Tacoma’s urban wilderness. This place has something for everyone, and if you’ve not explored Tacoma in general, you’re missing out — check out the Proctor and Stadium Districts for starters.

The showstopper in the fall season is Five Mile Drive, with breathtaking canopies of ancient maples that seem to hover over the roadway. While most of the drive closed due to unstable cliffs, you can still bike or hike various distances from accessible parking areas. I love the colors of the canopy above the Rhododendron Garden (photo shown), which is an easy hike from the zoo parking lot.

Dune Peninsula at the Park.

My Irish-immigrant relatives were drawn to Tacoma to work in a smelter, situated on the water near Point Defiance Park. Today, the signs of heavy industry have slipped away except for a reclaimed peninsula of land with views of Mt. Rainier and the Vashon Island Ferry. The new park offers a nod to the local Tacoma writer Frank Herbert, who created the seminole novel Dune.

Skagit Valley harvest season

There are other places for harvest season fun, like farms around Aurora and beyond Woodinville. I’m just partial to the Skagit Valley for all the variety of things to do throughout the year. This breadbasket of Western Washington is an hour (plus) drive from Seattle and offers a little bit of something for everyone.

Try Gordon Skagit Farms and crunch on a fresh apple, or launch a pumpkin at Burlington Harvest Festival and Pumpkin pitch (last weekend in September). Christianson’s Nursery, a perennial gem, serves up a great fall vibe, and many more “harvest loop” inspirations can be found on the Skagit Valley Website. If you’re interested in a fun place to stay for a few days to enjoy the scene, look at the information in my article about La Conner.

Enjoy fall splendor on the drive to Vancouver, BC.

The Skagit Valley and the neighboring Salish Sea are well discussed in my comprehensive guide to driving between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada. The article includes a beneficial interactive map with my favorite places to stop along the way — including Whatcom Falls (photo shown). If you want a “wow” drive for leaf-peeping consider the marvelous Chuckanut Drive–between Bow, WA and Fairhaven, Bellingham, WA.