Welcome to this tranquil slice of the Seattle, Washington pie! While just mere minutes from downtown Seattle, you’ll feel much farther away in West Seattle. This neighborhood is known as a laid-back residential area, while still being within the city limits. This neighborhood is ideal for guests looking for more access to nature. Staying in West Seattle is a great location for a quieter getaway to Seattle.

West Seattle is surrounded on three sides by water: Duwamish Waterway on the east, Elliott Bay the north, and Puget Sound the west. Given this, you’re guaranteed great water views from almost anywhere in the neighborhood. Along the sound, you’ll be able to walk the sandy shores of Alki Beach, go kayaking, go bike riding, or simply relax in the sun and watch the ever-going volleyball matches.

To venture out of West Seattle, we recommend traveling via public transportation, Uber, or via your own car. You can even take the ferry for a unique trip. This will take the longest but will give you a unique view of the city.

While known for nature and quiet afternoons, if you’re looking for a little more action, head to West Seattle Junction. There you’ll find plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and unique shops. When you book a holiday to the Emerald City, you’re setting yourself up for the best vacation for family-friendly fun.

History of West Seattle

First settled in the mid-1800s along the shores of Alki Beach, West Seattle remained relatively untouched for years after that. It was a quintessential Pacific Northwest area, surrounded by rough, beautiful waters, harsh weather, and undeniable beauty. By the early 1900s, the small town began to grow as more and more public infrastructure was created to connect West Seattle with downtown Seattle, making it a more appealing place for families to settle.

Although West Seattle has remained a neighborhood of Seattle throughout history, the residents haven’t always wanted this. There have been many moments in time when community members have pushed to annex themselves from the city and become their own, instead. While these attempts have all failed, the distinct feel and separation of the neighborhood is still apparent today.

Things to Do in West Seattle

The main attraction of West Seattle is certainly its nature, from beaches to lush forests. There are plenty of other great things to do though while staying in a West Seattle rental home. Some of the things on this list will be within walking distance from your rental property, others are activities to do in nearby neighborhoods.

Here are our recommendations for things to do in West Seattle:

• Alki Beach: From relaxing in the sand while reading a book, to hopping into an exciting game of beach volleyball, there’s plenty to do on Alki Beach, for beach goers of all interests.
• Lincoln Park: This green park is a great place to relax in nature but also has some adrenaline-pumping activities, like zip-lining.
• Seattle Water Taxi: Enjoy a unique way to get to and from your townhome, apartment, or home rental by taking the Seattle Water Taxi to and from downtown Seattle, enjoying the sights along the way.
• California Ave SW: Known as the Main Street of West Seattle, especially the Alaska Junction area. This is a great spot to find cafes, restaurants, and shops.
• White Center: Just outside of West Seattle is an up-and-coming neighborhood, White Center. Head here to check out some eclectic bars, shops, massive wall murals.
• Downtown Seattle: West Seattle is a short drive from Downtown Seattle, giving you easy access to all of Seattle’s hotspots like Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, the Seattle Aquarium, the Space Needle, the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Center, and Chihuly Garden.
• Lake Washington: Although surrounded by different bodies of water in West Seattle, head over to Lake Washington and stroll through the The Washington Park Arboretum for unique plants that you’ve likely not seen elsewhere.
• Visit Nearby Neighborhoods: Other great nearby neighborhoods to check out while in Seattle are Madison Valley, Ballard, Fremont, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Belltown.

Our Seattle Vacation Homes

You’ll get plenty of perks by booking a house rental directly for your next vacation. You’re not only saving on third party fees from Airbnb or Vrbo, but you’re getting the personal touch of dealing with the property managers directly. As Seattle locals, we know the best hidden gems in the city. We truly love this city and want to share that with you.

We’re able to help you with all of your Seattle vacation needs. We can point you in the right direction for anything from nearby grocery stores to fun, unique things to do in the area, based on your interests. From the moment you check-in, you can rest assured you’re in good hands while in Seattle.

All of our properties come equipped with free wifi, fresh linens, and a washer/dryer. Some properties have window air conditioning units and/or gas fireplaces.

Get ready to enjoy a vacation to Seattle unlike any other by staying in West Seattle.