Visiting Seattle in an environmentally friendly way has gotten simpler, helping you experience both enjoyment and duty. Eco-friendly travel in Seattle is more accessible than ever, offering many sustainable things to do. Seattle is celebrated for its environmental activities, with lots of options that help limit your carbon footprint, such as cycling the Burke-Gilman Trail, kayaking in the city, or riding an electric bus. Options like guided Seattle bus tours now include low-emission fleets that let you explore responsibly. This guide includes the most ecological ways to see Seattle’s top attractions, including Pike Place Market and Discovery Park. If being more sustainable is important to you when traveling, make this your first stop.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Travel in Seattle?
As a leader, Seattle is at the forefront of sustainability. The city mostly relies on hydroelectric energy, works to make its cities more environmentally friendly, and keeps putting effort into public transport to decrease the use of fossil fuels. If you’re a traveler, this means you can see the city’s trademarks and environment, all the while keeping your eco-impact low. Eco-Friendly Travel in Seattle is not just possible—it’s encouraged through the city’s infrastructure and green initiatives.
A sustainable trip doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, and by choosing this way, you can have better, more genuine travel experiences.
Getting Around Seattle Without a Car
Public Transit: Convenient and Green
Seattle boasts one of the most comprehensive and eco-conscious transit systems on the West Coast. The King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit Light Rail offer reliable service across the metro area, running on hybrid and electric vehicles.
Whether you’re heading from the airport to downtown or hopping between neighborhoods, public transit is:
- Affordable
- Energy-efficient
- Widely accessible
A single ORCA card gives you access to buses, trains, and ferries. For tourists staying multiple days, it’s a must-have for getting around sustainably.
Bus Tours with a Green Angle
If you’re looking for a guided introduction to the city, eco-conscious Seattle bus tours offer an excellent alternative to renting a car or taking rideshare services. Several operators have transitioned to electric or low-emission fleets, combining convenience with sustainability.
While not the central focus of this guide, these tours provide a structured way to explore iconic landmarks, especially helpful for first-time visitors or cruise passengers with limited time.
Explore on Two Wheels
Seattle has been highly ranked as a city for bike transportation. Hundreds of miles (of roads) are dedicated to cycling, and major trails like the Burke-Gilman connect many districts. With Lime and VeoRide, you can use a bike whenever you need one and leave it anywhere.
No matter where you cycle in Seattle, biking is a great way to keep healthy and help protect the environment.
Walkable and Beautiful
Since Seattle is fairly compact, walking here is easy. Plenty of the city’s main points of interest, including Pike Place Market and the Olympic Sculpture Park, can be reached without a car. In reality, much of the city’s downtown area was arranged to lessen the need for people to drive.
Because Belltown, Capitol Hill and Downtown are near restaurants, museums and parks, you won’t have to travel far to visit them.
Where to Stay: Eco-Friendly Hotels in Seattle
Seattle offers a variety of green-certified hotels that prioritize sustainability without compromising luxury. Here are some top-rated options:
Hyatt at Olive 8
The first LEED-certified hotel in Seattle is also known for energy-saving lighting, systems that put water conservation first, and earth-friendly cleaning supplies. It’s only a few steps from main bus and subway stops and easily walkable areas.
Hotel FIVE
The boutique hotel helps to conserve water, cooks with local produce in its restaurant, and uses waste-reducing measures all over the resort.
The Edgewater Hotel
Because it is directly on a waterfront, this hotel collaborates with environmental groups and lets travelers rent bikes to go about the city.
Making a reservation at properties that participate in these programs may make your trip more sustainable.
Eco-Friendly Things to Do in Seattle
Pike Place Market
Anyone visiting would love this market; inside, only local producers offering sustainable and ethical goods can be found. To help save the environment, leave your plastic bags at home and use your own bag instead.
Olympic Sculpture Park
Seattle Art Museum supervises the garden and has placed contemporary works of art among native trees and flowers. It is free for everyone to visit and boasts great views of Puget Sound.
Discovery Park
The Magnolia neighborhood is home to Seattle’s largest park. Thanks to its forested acreage, many trails and beaches, both nature and animal lovers feel at ease there.
Washington Park Arboretum
Working with the University of Washington, this garden presents sustainable design and a wide variety of plant communities from different parts of the world.
Seattle Japanese Garden
To spend a calm day among nature, the neatly preserved garden shows how successfully humans create peace with their surroundings—an excellent place for unhurried travel.
Sustainable Dining and Local Food Culture
Seattle’s food offers an appreciation for the region’s natural produce, especially organic, nearby and meatless foods.
Plum Bistro
Plum Bistro on Capitol Hill is a stylish vegan restaurant, choosing to focus on organic and genetically modified-free foods.
Cafe Flora
For years, this vegetarian place has cooked up tasty meals with produce from the season and places a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Frankie & Jo’s
Craving dessert? The menu here is made using coconut milk, maple syrup and home-made cashew milk so it tastes like a dessert, but with less carbon footprint.
In both Ballard and the University District, you can choose your own sustainable snacks and interact with local farmers at nearby farmers’ markets.
Day Trips and Low-Impact Outdoor Adventures
Seattle’s surrounding landscape offers ample opportunity for nature-based adventures that are low on emissions and high on impact.
Kayaking on Lake Union or Elliott Bay
Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore Seattle’s waterways. It’s a peaceful, zero-emission way to experience the city’s maritime culture and spot floating homes and sea planes.
Hiking in Mount Rainier National Park (carpool or take a shuttle)
Accessible within a couple of hours, Mount Rainier offers a pristine escape. Choose guided, eco-certified tours or shuttle services to reduce your footprint.
Bainbridge Island by Ferry
Take a short ferry ride (operated by Washington State Ferries, a hybrid fleet) to Bainbridge Island for biking, wine tasting, and exploring charming small-town streets—all walkable.
Tips for Sustainable Travel in Seattle
- Bring your own water bottle: Seattle’s tap water is clean and delicious.
- Use the ORCA transit pass instead of car rentals.
- Pack reusable utensils and containers for food on the go.
- Avoid single-use plastics at markets and cafes.
- Support local businesses and artisans rather than chains.
- Leave no trace when exploring outdoor areas or parks.
Final Thoughts
Eco-friendly travel in Seattle isn’t just possible—it’s part of the city’s identity. Whether you’re exploring neighborhoods by bike, enjoying a locally sourced meal, or staying at a LEED-certified hotel, every decision you make contributes to a more sustainable planet.
While Seattle bus tours offer a structured and increasingly green way to see the sights, don’t hesitate to step off the beaten path and experience the Emerald City on your own terms. Seattle invites you to travel with intention—and rewards you with breathtaking views, innovative culture, and a deep connection to nature.
