10 Things to Do in Seattle in January

For starters, it's a month with very few tourists, which gives it a special appeal, as you can forget about long queues, crowded spaces or waiting in shifts.

Considering that January is one of the quieter months, it makes Seattle from a calm and pleasant perspective. So, if you are one of those people who love to watch the scenery, take pictures or just walk around, then it is advisable to visit places at times when there are the least amount of people. This will be much more rewarding for you. This is the main reason to choose this as your month to visit one of the most populous cities in the northeastern United States.

If you're looking for family activities in Seattle this January, a tour of Woodland Park and the WildLanterns is a great option.

This experience will immerse you in a landscape illuminated by giant lanterns representing animals and wild places around the world.

The zoo is visited all year round, but in January you'll be able to enjoy this spectacle, walking around at your leisure and enjoying each stop thanks to the low number of visitors.

During this event, which lasts throughout the month, the park is dressed up with 300,000 Christmas lights. At this time of year, you can also ride a historic carousel and take part in snow activities in the Snowmazium.

By the way, here you can take advantage of the Seattle CityPass, one of the city's tourist cards that includes discounts at various attractions, including Woodland Park Zoo.

Useful information

• Location: West entrance 5500 Phinney Ave N. South entrance 750 N. 50th Street. Paid parking is available. South entrance can be reached via Metrobus Route 5.
• Hours: May-September 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. September to April 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed December 25th only.
• Additional charges not included: Some activities may incur additional charges.
• Entry fee: The entrance fee is around 30 euros.
• Duration of tour: Just over three hours.

Every January 15 in the United States, the entire country comes together to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King.

This important activist dedicated his life to achieving an egalitarian world, where the rights of all, especially people of African descent, would be respected. In Seattle, on the days around this date, it is usual to enjoy activities dedicated to his story.

Every year the calendar is different, but what is never missing is the great march in his honour. There is no shortage of allusions to his ideals of freedom and work, which accompanied his most famous phrase "I have a dream", spoken at an event of this type that he himself organised.

At Garfield High School you can sign up for a festive rally where, in addition to music, you will enjoy live poetry and the participation of personalities of the moment who will speak about the life of Martin Luther.

It is also an excellent opportunity to follow in Martin Luther King's footsteps through Seattle when he visited the city in 1961.

The tour is interesting, as it touches on historical points of this town and you can do it on your own. On the other hand, the activities planned annually for this celebration are free, so you'll be spoilt for choice.

Seattle hosts the annual Polar Bear Immersion at Matthews Beach on January 1.

It's an ice-cold event where you get to dive into the waters off the beach and enjoy a lively New Year's Eve party.

The event is free and open to anyone of any age, although I recommend that you have a pretty good cold tolerance, as the water temperature is close to freezing, at 0° Celsius.

But don't worry, you don't have to get wet. Younger children and those who do not wish to dive can enjoy the music, games and all the other entertainment of the event, which precedes the polar bear dive.

As an incentive, for the bravest who dare to dive at least up to their necks, there will be a commemorative medal for bravery, and they will be allowed a second dive, if they dare, of course.

It's a very lively and fun activity, some participants are even dressed in costume and you can take unforgettable photos, as well as getting a commemorative T-shirt for the event.

Recommendations

• Don't drink before you dive, it accelerates the process of hypothermia and it won't be fun anymore.
• The maximum time you can stay in the water is 15 minutes, enough to be a polar bear without losing body temperature.
• Keep warm clothes on until the moment of immersion. As soon as you come out of the water, change into dry clothes to warm up.
• If you have a medical condition or heart condition, it is recommended that you consult your doctor and just be a bear watcher at this event - you'll have just as much fun!
• There are toilets, changing rooms and hot showers at the event.
• Hot chocolate and other hot beverages are also available.

The Century Ballroom is an elegant, old-fashioned-looking building where dance and music events are held all the time, accompanied by delicious food.

The theme of these events is varied, and in January it's the turn of the costume parties.

The theme of the costumes is different every year, so it's a good idea to check the calendar if you want to dress up for the occasion. Although no one will stop you from attending in the costume of your choice, as the most important thing is to have a great time. Just don't try to avoid your mask, as it's a must for the dynamics of the night.

The reason for this is simple:you don't come to this masquerade ball in pairs! The idea is to dance with everyone, known or not, and let the night carry the rhythm. Until it's time to take off the masks.

For the magic to be perfect, the organisers are careful to keep a balance in the number of guests, with a limited number of attendees.

Useful information

• Location:: 915 E Pine St..
• Time: The dance starts around 9:00 p.m. but be there half an hour before.
• Ticket price: Around 65 euros if you buy in advance and 75 euros if you buy on the day of the event. Masks are sold at the entrance, in case you forget them, for around 5 euros.
• Duration of the event: The event lasts about 3.5 hours.

Seattle is a city with a wide variety of interesting museums, which tend to be very popular during the high season. That's why, in January, the low crowds will give you the opportunity to explore and enjoy them at your leisure, so you can absorb every detail. They are also a perfect refuge if it's too cold outside.

One of the most recommended is the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), a place where you can learn all about the growth of this movement from its birth to the present day.

Another incredible museum is the Pacific Science Center, which offers a family-friendly space ideal for those travelling to Seattle with children. There is much to see at this museum, from an in-depth exploration of the Galaxy to curious insects and exotic animals.

Entertainment highlights include the IMAX cinema, the Laser Room with its amazing shows and many interactive experiments.

MoPOP

• Location: 325 5th Avenue N in Seattle Center. Paid parking and a variety of public transportation routes, including the Seattle Center Monorail.
• Hours: Open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Admission fee: Around 30 euros.
• Length of tour: The tour lasts about 2 to 3 hours.

Pacific Science Center

• Location: 200 2nd Ave N.
• Hours: The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
• Additional costs not included: Tickets for the IMAX cinema.
• Entrance fee: The entrance fee is around 20 euros.
• Duration of the tour: The complete tour can take between 3 and 4 hours.

Visiting Pike Place Market is always a good idea, but in January it's an ideal stop. Besides the fact that it's less crowded and you'll find the spaces clearer to enjoy, you can sit down in one of the restaurants and taste the exquisite flavours without rushing.

You can stroll around the handicrafts market and take home an unforgettable souvenir. In addition, the curious shops of retailers that are usually crowded, will be almost exclusive for you. Not to mention the farmers offering their fresh and delicious produce.

The atmosphere at Pike Place Market is lively and relaxing in January. Buskers liven up the stroll and, if you keep an eye on the events calendar, you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

This is the place where Seattle's heart beats and a place that's never missing from the best food tours of Seattle.

Interesting facts

• Location: 85 Pike St.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., although some restaurants may open as early as 7 a.m. and offer breakfast, while others stay open until midnight. Closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas only.

Seattle is a beautiful city that deserves to be immortalised in a photograph, and January, with its clear streets, is the perfect opportunity. If you're looking for a great place to capture the best images, the 360° view from the Sky View Observatory has just what you're looking for.

Known as the Columbia Center, it is 295 metres high, making it the tallest building in Washington.

This observatory is located on the 73rd floor, which was renovated in 2010 to offer this incredible view of the entire city.

Visiting the Sky View Observatory is an incredible experience, which you can also put on your list if you visit Seattle in October, when the scenery is especially enchanting.

While you're enjoying the view, relax at the Sky View Café and sample local wines and beers, cocktails and some high-altitude snacks, with a very Pacific Northwest flavour.

Of course, don't forget to stop at the gift shop for a souvenir of this unforgettable visit.

Useful information

• Location: 700 4th Ave.
• Hours: Thursday-Sunday 12 noon-10pm, Monday 10am-2pm. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Entry fee: admission costs around 25 euros.

Speaking of a beautiful view of the city from the heights, nothing can compare to what the Space Needle has to offer. Without a doubt, one of the best panoramic views of Seattle.

In January, you'll also be able to go up without waiting in the usual queues that occur during the rest of the year.

Also known as the Space Needle, it was built in 1962 and immediately became a symbol of the city.

It has an incredible lift that will take you right up to the observatory in no more than 43 swift seconds. Once at the top, you will discover one of the most breathtaking views.

Not only can you see the islands of Puget Sound, but the Olympic Mountains and even the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier.

The decks are slightly sloping glass walls that you can lean against to "float" over all of Seattle. The ultimate experience! To buy tickets you can use the CityPass. It's one of the best ways to see the city, enjoying the scenery while capturing unforgettable photographs.

Useful information

• Location: 400 Broad St.
• Hours: Every day from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm.
• Entry fee: Admission costs around 35 euros.

Seattle is almost entirely surrounded by mountains, so it's no wonder that it's a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. If you're travelling in January and have time, because you're spending for example 5 days in Seattle, I recommend getting out of the city to spend a few hours having fun in the snow.

Although there are many places to go, perhaps the most interesting is Snoqualmie Pass, just 45 minutes from the city. Here you'll find a wide range of activities from skiing to snowboarding, and two hours away is Stevens Pass, another classic destination for winter sports enthusiasts.

If you're keen to get out in the wilderness, but don't fancy these sports, my advice is to book a trip to Mount Rainier, one of Washington State's best national parks.

Sometimes the cold weather can put you off taking a tour of Seattle's streets. If, however, you don't want to miss out on the opportunity to learn about some of the city's history, a great option is to take a guided tour of its underground passages.

This tour, which lasts about an hour, takes you through the passages that run under Pioneer Street until they reach street level in 1890.

All these passages were built over 120 years ago and are part of the first stage of the city. The guide will explain why they were built and how a small Indian camp became a city like Seattle.

Do you like to enjoy nightlife activities even more? January is no exception, especially in Seattle, where there are plenty of things to do at night.

The city's nightlife is still active at this time of year, albeit to a lesser extent than in summer, but you'll always find great bars to hang out in.

One of them is the Pike Brewing Company, where you'll no doubt opt for top-notch beers, as well as a wide variety of beers. The place has a vintage décor, with bicycles hanging from the ceiling, and various advertising posters lining the walls. On weekdays this pleasant bar is open from 11:00 to 21:00.

On the other hand, if you prefer something more lively with live music, then you'll love Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, where you can listen to live jazz while you enjoy fine dining.

It's located on the corner of 6th Avenue and Lenora Street, right in the heart of downtown Seattle. The cost of admission will depend on the bands playing each day, so check the calendar to find out.

Seattle weather in January

In January, as in the rest of the winter, you'll find temperatures in Seattle to be very cold, wet and sunny.

The average daytime temperature is around 7°C, while at night the thermometer drops to around 2°C. In addition, it usually rains for almost half the month.

Obviously, this means that you should bring warm coats and mackintoshes. In addition, I advise you to look for comfortable shoes for walking even in the snow.