HomeGeneral Information—Seattle Guide
There are lots of sights and places to visit during your stay in Seattle. We encourage you to explore the best that Seattle has to offer. The following information will help you plan your stay in our beautiful city.
Resources for Seattle Tourist Information
The following websites have a wealth of information about Seattle!
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel’s website or concierge http://www.fairmont.com/seattle/Recreation/
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce http://www.seatllechamber.com
City of Seattle http://www.cityofseattle.net/html/visitor/tourism.htm
Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau http://www.visitseattle.org/visitors/
Seattle Visitor Center and Concierge Service –(these are branches of the Seattle’s Convention and Visitors
Bureau) http://www.visitseattle.org/visitors/ccc.asp
Map of Downtown Seattle http://maplocator.com/seattle/
Seattle Weather
May in Seattle is beautiful. You will be surrounded with the greens of the trees and plants, the blues of Elliott Bay and the surrounding lakes, and the colors of the rainbow in all the blooming flowers!
Seattle has a mild and changeable climate. The month of May can be warm or cool, sunny or cloudy, windy or calm, and/or rainy or dry. Yes, Seattle does have a reputation for rain, but the rain is usually light and/or misty. You’ll notice that a lot of Seattleites don’t even use umbrellas!
Average May Temperature: 55.7 degrees
Average May Low Temperature: 47.1 degrees
Average May High Temperature: 64.4
How to dress for May weather
Layering is the key—the weather in May can be changeable in this city surrounded by water, hills, and mountains.
What to Pack for Seattle Weather
A small umbrella
Light rain jacket (Seattleites wear jackets with hoods)
Long/short sleeved shirts
Sweater, pullover, or lightweight fleece
Long pants - Jeans and Khaki’s are the norm
Comfortable walking shoes – Seattle is a walking city
Options for Getting Around Seattle
The concierge at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel can help you explore options for getting around Seattle. Stop by and they will provide you with maps and information about the various modes of transportation! The following information will get you started!
Walk—Seattle is a very walkable city. So bring your walking shoes.
Take a bus—Downtown Seattle is served by Metro Transit. There is a ride free area in downtown Seattle. Just hop on and off. Check out their website for information on the ride free area, inclusive of a downtown Seattle map. http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bus/ridefree.html
Take the South Lake Union Street Car—The South Lake Union Streetcar is another way to explore downtown Seattle. The Streetcar starts in downtown Seattle near Westlake Center and travels 2.6 miles to the fastest growing area of downtown—South Lake Union. Hop on and off as you explore shops, restaurants, and parks. http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/about/
Catch a Taxi—easy to do at the main entrance to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Take the Monorail—The Monorail was built in 1962 for the Seattle World’s fair. It provides a fast and fun link between downtown Seattle and the site of 1962 World’s Fair—Seattle Center where the famous Space Needle is located. http://www.seattlemonorail.com http://www.spaceneedle.com
New to Seattle—Light Rail
Seattle now has a light rail system and the downtown station is at Westlake Center. Check out the Sound Transit website to find out how to travel around the Seattle area on light rail.
http://www.soundtransit.org/
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle International Airport, better known as SeaTac, is located 15 miles south of downtown Seattle. Please refer to their website for information about the airport (maps, airlines, arrivals/departures, passenger services, transportation options, dining, shopping, tourist information, contacts) http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/
Directions from Sea-Tac Airport to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel
From Sea-Tac Airport, take 518 East to 1-5 North. Continue on I-5 North for approximately 20 minutes. Take exit #165 (Seneca Street). Proceed two blocks to 4th Avenue. Turn right on 4th Avenue and go one block to University Street. Turn right at University Street. The hotel is on your immediate right.
For detailed guide to Seattle attractions, dining, and spas, please click here to download pdf.
