Things to Do in Seattle in the Fall (UPDATED 2023)

Fall in the Pacific Northwest is magical. There is an abundance of fun things to do in Seattle in the fall for visitors of all ages. Watching the orange and yellow foliage pop, going hiking through the Cascades, picking the perfect pumpkin, or visiting haunted houses are just a few of the best things to do in Seattle during the fall season. 

If you’re anything like me, fall is likely your favorite season. From Halloween festivities to Thanksgiving feasts, and everything in between! What makes Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest in general, such a great place to visit in the fall is our beautiful landscapes and farming regions. U-Pick farms are plentiful near Seattle, which is great news for us pumpkin lovers and apple lovers! 

Washington also has some of the best wineries in the region, and what better time to visit than fall when the leaves change colors and the air turns crisp and cool? Sipping locally made wines amid a backdrop of golden leaves and towering mountains is my idea of a great time!

Visiting Seattle this fall? Well, you’re in for a treat. Here are some of the best things to do in Seattle in the fall, plus other fun ways to celebrate the season in and around the Emerald City. 

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Visit Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm

This activity is a great way to spend a fall day with the whole family! Located roughly 45 minutes from downtown Seattle in Snohomish, Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm boasts some of the greatest fall fun in the area!

There is a 12-acre corn maze, U-Pick pumpkin patch, apple cannons, fall games, country store, and more. Visitors can easily spend a whole afternoon wandering the grounds and indulging in fall snacks (roasted corn, caramel apples, kettle corn, oh my!). Be sure to visit early in the fall season because Bob’s is only open until October 31st.

The Sunflower Experience begins on Aug. 19, 2023, and the Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival starts on Sept. 16, 2023. Admission fees and more information can be found on their admission page here

Bob’s also has a fantastic country store on property to shop for delicious fall treats. Here you can buy canned goods, Bob’s Corn merchandise, cooking essentials, toys, and gifts for friends or family! The Country Store at Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm is open daily from 10am-7pm (Aug. 1 through Oct. 31).

Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm is located at10917 Elliott Road , Snohomish, WA 98296

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Sample local wines at Chateau Ste. Michelle 

Though technically located in Woodinville, WA, Chateau Ste. Michelle is close enough to Seattle to rank high on this list–it’s only about a 25-30 minute drive from downtown. If you’re a wine connoisseur, you’ll love sampling Washington wines. Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington’s oldest winery, and it’s absolutely worth a visit in the fall. 

The winery is open daily 11am to 5pm, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday (11am to 7pm). This experience is only for adults 21+. Organize arrangements for any younger members of your travel party before visiting. 

Chateau Ste. Michelle’s summer concert series ends on September 22, 2023. Make sure to call ahead or check online if you’re visiting at any point during the concert series to ensure your experience won’t be interrupted or cut short.

Chateau Ste. Michelle is located at 14111 NE 145th Street, Woodinville, WA 98072

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Get spooked at Stalker Farms (Stocker Farms)

Prepare to be scared when you visit Stalker Farms, a haunted attraction located on the property of Stocker Farms in Snohomish, WA. Venture through a scary corn maze, play games on the midway, and enjoy two haunted houses at Stalker Farms.

There is no age restriction but parental discretion is advised–this event can be frightening for both young children and adults alike. Stalker Farms opens for the season on September 30, 2023, and stays open select nights through the month of October, so make sure to check it out to ring in the spooky season. During select nights, the attraction is open 7pm-10pm.

This was probably my favorite fall activity in Seattle last year, and I absolutely plan to visit again for Halloween this year! I highly recommend getting a VIP ticket to skip the lines, as the wait times for the attractions can be very long. Since you only have 3 hours in one night to enjoy the property, getting a VIP ticket will be worth it to help maximize your time spent at Stalker Farms!

Stalker Farms, or Stocker Farms, is located at 8705 Marsh Rd Snohomish, WA 98296

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Visit the Georgetown Morgue for even more spookiness 

Looking for a scary attraction a bit closer to the Seattle city center? Check out the Georgetown Morgue. This haunted attraction is touted as the scariest attraction in Seattle. 

Georgetown Morgue opens for the 2023 season on Friday, Sept. 22, and continues on select nights through November 4, 2023. This gives you ample time to prepare for your visit, and maybe even visit more than once! Operational hours vary depending on the day, so make sure to check their website for the most up to date information.

As of August 19, 2023, tickets have yet to go on sale online but I plan to check back every day leading up to opening night to secure a spot. I’ve heard that tickets can sell out for select nights (Halloween night, for example) rather quickly, so I suggest you check their site often to grab tickets for your preferred date!

Georgetown Morgue is located at5000 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, WA 98134

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Enjoy beautiful fall foliage in and around Seattle

One of the best parts about living in or visiting Seattle is that there is an abundance of gorgeous green space and mountain landscapes not too far outside the downtown area. Many of the most loved green spaces are even located directly in downtown Seattle! My personal favorite park within the downtown area is the Olympic Sculpture Garden.

Local spots to enjoy the fall foliage include Discovery Park and the Washington Park Arboretum.

Did you know that Washington State is home to 3 national parks?! Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park are all located in Washington. The closest national park to downtown Seattle is Mount Rainier National Park. Roughly a 1.5-hour drive, Mount Rainier National Park is relatively close to Seattle and is absolutely stunning in the fall.

If you don’t have a car during your visit, or if you just simply don’t want to drive, you can book a tour through Viator to visit Mount Rainier National Park! This full-day tour is between 10-12 hours long and they offer pick-up at select hotels in the Seattle area. If you’re visiting Seattle in the fall, I highly recommend taking a day trip out to see Mount Rainier. You can read more about the tour here!

If you’re more interested in visiting Olympic National Park on the coast, you can also book an organized tour with transportation leaving from Seattle! Similar to the Mount Rainier tour, this Olympic National Park tour is a full day endeavor with snacks and lunch included in the tour price. Olympic National Park is incredibly unique and absolutely worth a visit if you’ve never been before.

Many of the trails and parks around Seattle are dog-friendly! However, it’s best to do your due diligence ahead of time to avoid a misstep. Some parks only allow dogs in certain areas, while others forbid dogs altogether. Most of the parks in the downtown area are dog-friendly as long as Fido remains on a leash. Discovery Park is also a great dog-friendly option! If visiting any National Parks near Seattle, it’s likely best to keep your furry friend at home for the safety of your pooch and the park’s rules.

There also also several state parks and recreation areas located along the Cascades Loop. The Cascades Loop is a scenic driving tour that showcases some of Washington’s most gorgeous views of the Cascade Mountains and surrounding fall foliage. If you have access to a car, I highly recommend spending a day driving along this roadway in the fall months.

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Channel Harry Potter Vibes at the University of Washington’s Seattle Campus (Suzzallo Library)

The University of Washington campus is a great spot to visit in the fall (or, really, any time of the year) to enjoy fall colors amid a backdrop of pretty campus buildings. UW’s campus in the fall reminds me of Hogwarts! For ultimate Harry Potter vibes, visit the Reading Room at Suzzallo Library. You’ll thank me later.

Suzzallo Library on the University of Washington’s campus is open during various hours and days of the week depending on the academic calendar. For the most accurate information related to operating hours, visit their website that lists daily information for visitors.

To visit Suzzallo Library, simply type the following into your map app or GPSSuzzallo Library, Seattle, WA 98105, USA

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Grab a Beer and Brat at Oktoberfest in Leavenworth 

Leavenworth is a small, German-inspired town located less than 2 hours driving away from downtown Seattle. The drive out to Leavenworth is just as scenic as the small Bavarian town itself!

You’ll be able to enjoy authentic German cuisine, sample Washington wines, and stroll through the picturesque Bavarian town. October is one of the best and most popular times to visit Leavenworth, so plan accordingly to ensure you have reservations anywhere you plan to dine or stay! Leavenworth has a great Oktoberfest celebration throughout October during select dates. It’s one of the town’s biggest celebrations (aside from Christmas) and it’s absolutely worth the hype. You won’t regret spending a day or a weekend at Oktoberfest in Leavenworth.

For more information about how to plan a visit to Leavenworth, check out this post on my blog! I outline everything you need to know about visiting this cute Bavarian town, give you first-hand tips, suggest the top accommodations for every budget, and more in this post. Whether you’re planning to visit Leavenworth during Oktoberfest or simply another day out of the year, my blog post helps guide you through important things to note before you go.

>> Leavenworth, WA: The Best Day Trip from Seattle

Leavenworth’s Visitor Center is located at940 US Hwy 2, Suite B, Leavenworth, WA 98826

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Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island

Charming and quaint Bainbridge Island is accessible by ferry from Seattle’s downtown waterfront. It’s roughly a 35-minute ferry ride, and it’s a great spot to spend an afternoon in the fall. Visit the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and grab a bite to eat along Main Street. There are also a plethora of hiking and biking trails for visitors to enjoy.

The ferry ride itself to Bainbridge Island is wonderfully splendid, even in the rain. On a clear day, you’ll get great views of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound. On a cloudy or rainy day, you can sit inside the ferry’s cozy interior lounges and enjoy Seattle in all her glory while embracing typical fall Seattle weather! Don’t forget a rain jacket, though.

Taking the ferry is a great, inexpensive way to get outside of the city for a day. It’s less than $10 round-trip per person (for walk-on passengers), or roughly $20 one-way per vehicle if you bring your car. I suggest the walk-on option, as it is cheaper and less of a hassle. The island is walkable and easy to navigate.

From the Seattle Ferry Terminal at Pier 52, you can organize ferry transport to Bremerton. For a schedule of departure times, visit the WSDOT Ferry page.

The Seattle Ferry Terminal is located in downtown Seattle at Pier 52, or by typing in the following address:801 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98104

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Go on a haunted ghost tour of Seattle 

Rated as one of the best ghost tours in Seattle, the Seattle Terrors tour is a 1-hour long tour that shares some of Seattle’s haunted history and ghost stories. It’s the perfect blend of history and creepiness, which makes it an awesome experience to enjoy around Halloween.

This is a great tour to do if you’re wanting to stay within the downtown Seattle area. The tour starts outside the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seattle, and covers a 1-mile walking route over the course of about an hour. Make sure to wear comfortable footwear, and bring a jacket. Once the sun goes down in Seattle, the breeze from the Puget Sound can make the Pike Place area pretty chilly!

For ideas on what to pack for a visit to Seattle in the fall, check out my Amazon Storefront. I have a whole list of items to spark inspiration for your fall trip to Seattle.

To book a spot on an upcoming Seattle Terrors Tour, visit their website here.

There are also other great tour companies leading ghost tours of Seattle. Many of these tours can be found on Viator or GetYourGuide. A great spooky tour offered on Viator covers the dark history of Seattle, where you’ll visit haunted alleyways, theaters, and other spooky sites. You can read more about this dark history tour here!

Once you’ve purchased your tickets, the meeting spot for the tour is at the Four Seasons Hotel, 99 Union Street, Seattle WA, 98101

 

Explore Elliott Bay Book Company

The fall weather in Seattle will make you want to cozy up with a warm cup of coffee in one hand and a good book in the other. Seattle has great coffee and great bookstores, so you’re in luck! One of the best spots to find your next read at the Elliott Bay Book Company. The staff have great recommendations and there is even a monthly book club! It’s been a Seattle favorite since 1973.

In the fall and around Halloween, I love picking up a horror novel. Elliott Bay has a great selection of not only horror, but other seasonal favorites for readers of all ages. There are also events held like author talks and book signings.

There is a cafe inside the shop, too, with coffee, tea, pastries, and more. Happy reading!

Elliott Bay Book Company is located at 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122

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While you’re here, you might also enjoy some of my other recent blog posts. Check them out and let me know what you think!

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• What to Pack for a Winter Trip to Seattle, WA
• Best Alaska Cruise Shore Excursions Worth Every Penny

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