Are you looking for great food and a relaxed lifestyle? Then a Seattle solo trip should be on your solo female travel bucket list! It is easy to find things to do alone in Seattle to fill your time. But also, there is not too much going on where you feel overwhelmed.
Food, drinks, and even outdoor activities are available while traveling solo in Seattle. I think you can spend days just eating through the city. And there is also plenty of space to walk it off as well.
Here’s what you should know when planning your Seattle solo trip.
Where to stay in Seattle as a solo traveler
Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle
The only hostel I would recommend for your solo trip to Seattle is Green Tortoise! I think it’s a social hostel ideal for solo travelers who want to meet new people. It also has space inside the rooms and in common areas for remote workers to get their work done.
Green Tortoise Hostel is located across the street from the Pike Place Market. You are in the heart of downtown Seattle with easy access to public transportation since downtown parking can be difficult. Within a few minutes, you can find restaurants, shopping, bars, and more.
How to get around Seattle traveling solo
Seattle was way hillier than I expected! I walked quite a bit and used public transportation and rideshares. If you want to visit the surrounding areas, it is best to rent a car. Mount Rainier is a tourist favorite, but I didn’t have time for many of the outdoor activities on my solo trip.
Where to drink and eat as a solo traveler in Seattle
Plum Bistro
For vegan travelers, check out Plum Bistro! It’s a Black-owned restaurant on Capitol Hill. Their dishes are flavorful, with reasonable portions. Their drink menu also includes cute and unique cocktails. I think Plum can work for solo travelers in Seattle, couples, and even families.
Wild Poke
Poke is one of my favorite dishes to try in new cities and Wild Poke did not disappoint. Wild Poke is a poke restaurant located in the Pike Place Market. They have regular toppings and choices, including ahi tuna, salmon, seaweed salad, vegetables, and more. They top their bowls with their special sauce if you request it.
Oddfellows Cafe + Bar
Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Oddfellows is a cafe with a European vibe. Oddfellows offers brunch, lunch, dinner, and a bar and coffee shop atmosphere. I love places such as Oddfellows because it can be suitable for solo travelers to socialize at happy hour or even take a breather during a busy day.
Communion
One of my favorite Black-owned restaurants in Seattle was Communion. The atmosphere is unapologetically Black, from the menu to the playlist. Communion is booked months in advance unless you show up right when they open to sitting at the bar.
What I loved the most about Communion was the menu! The hood sushi with catfish in the middle was divine, and the banana pudding topped everything off. But, of course, a Seattle solo trip is not complete without a visit to Communion.
Cafe Hagen
A Dutch-style cafe was a much-welcomed surprise in Cafe Hagen. I recommend one of their skillets – it was one of the best breakfasts/brunches I had in Seattle! This cafe is also a cozy location for solo travelers in Seattle who work remotely. You can eat or work from one of their comfortable couches or many tables.
Portage Bay Cafe
A social media recommendation was Portage Bay Cafe, so I decided to go for brunch. They have multiple locations around the city, including a brunch bar-buffet. As a solo female traveler, I had to wait a little while before getting a seat at the bar. Make a reservation if you can ahead of time.
Life on Mars
For vegetarian and vegan options while solo traveling in Seattle, check out Life on Mars. They offer a menu full of plant-based dishes you can eat indoors, at the bar, or on the patio. It gets lively at night, so on your Seattle solo trip, be sure to sit at the bar to make friends.
Biscuit Bitch
Another recommendation that I enjoyed was Biscuit Bitch, a must-visit on your Seattle solo trip. Those solo travelers fans of biscuits will find something on the menu to take away. You can get smothered biscuits, a sandwich, and plenty of other savory biscuit-centric dishes.
Mantra Thai Restaurant & Bar
If you decide to visit the Space Needle, grab food at Mantra Thai Restaurant & Bar. Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines, and I loved their sweet sticky mango rice. Mantra looks fancy on the outside, but it feels more laid back on the inside. They also offer lunch specials!
Bacco Cafe
Your Seattle solo trip will have no shortage of food options downtown. Bacco Cafe is a tasty option for brunch, and I recommend trying their french toast and special mimosas. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating as well.
Carmelos Tacos
Wherever there are tacos, I will find them. Carmelos Tacos came highly recommended, and they did not disappoint. You know the food will be good when it’s on a paper plate and comes from a stand. Carmelos taco options include chicken, beef, vegetarian, and many other combos.
Hi-Spot Cafe
A bit further from downtown in the Madrona neighborhood is Hi-Spot Cafe. The Madrona neighborhood feels more residential, which rubs off the Hi-Spot Cafe. It has a homey, local vibe to it that I appreciated. There is also a bakery at the entrance if you do not want to stay for brunch sandwiches, benedicts, pancakes and other breakfast delights.
What to do on your solo trip to Seattle
Hot Chocolat Macaron Class
On the west side of Seattle, indulge in a macaron-making class! Michael is a former firefighter and owner of Hot Chocolat, where you can find artisan chocolates and macarons. He offers two types, one for making chocolates and another for macarons. Trained in France, Michael is a great teacher, and you make whatever you take.
Mad Scientist Cocktail/Mocktail Lab
I love a unique Airbnb experience! The Mad Scientist Cocktail/Mocktail Lab is a fun spin on a regular cocktail class. Jenn (the host) gives you some recipes to follow but allows you to “go mad” and get creative with your drink. You also get a fabulous lab coat and can create your mad scientist name to set the mood.
Space Needle
For one of the best views of Seattle, head to the Space Needle for incredible views. It is an observation tower where you can see downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, Cascade mountains, etc. Try going around sunset to observe with a view, and it costs $35.
Seattle Ferris Wheel
If you are solo traveling in Seattle and looking for outdoor activity on a sunny day, try the Seattle Ferris Wheel. It is $14 for adults, and buying tickets online is easiest if you can print them; however, you can buy them in person. You get a fabulous view of the city, and the Ferris wheel is located on Pier 57.
Seattle Gum Wall
Is this a slightly disgusting attraction? Kind of haha. However it is a free activity to do in Seattle for those budget-friendly solo female travelers! The wall itself is located in/right outside the Pike Place Market. There is not much to see, but it looks cool in photos!
Pike Place Walking Tour
Someone will tell you about the Pike Place Market on your Seattle solo trip. It is one of the top attractions in the city and for a good reason. There is tons of food and shopping for you to indulge in on your solo trip to Seattle, including fresh seafood, the first Starbucks, brunch, and tons of other places.
Check out websites such as Viator and Get Your Guide for paid tours. Or, if you are staying at Green Tortoise Hostel, they also offer free walking tours of Pike Place. Regardless, a visit to the Pike Place Market is a must!
On being a Black solo female traveler in Seattle
Before my Seattle solo trip, everyone told me how great Seattle is for Black solo female travelers. I would concur that I had a great time! There are many Black-owned businesses to support and find where Black Seattle locals hang out too.
I also had no issues when I went out solo to experience Seattle nightlife. My favorite spot was Communion which had delicious food and even better vibes. But it is not as diverse as a city such as Houston or New Orleans, so I would not visit with that expectation as a Black traveler.
A solo trip to Seattle is a yes!
I enjoyed eating my way through this city. I think I would return for another solo trip to Seattle in the summer to experience more of the outdoors. Also, I would have loved the opportunity to go to Mount Rainier, but it just didn’t work out with my schedule. But I think Seattle does need to be on your U.S solo travel bucket list for sure!
Are you looking for more solo travel guides? Check out this solo travel guide to Charleston.
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