Why fall is the best time for a Seattle staycation

Don't let the unofficial end of summer get you down; there's still plenty of time to explore Seattle and other parts of the state before the weather turns.

Why it matters: Local travel is booming, recent Airbnb data reveals , and for many Washingtonians — especially those without kids and school to worry about — this month and next are among the best times for staycations.

The big picture: More travelers are staying close to home, with Airbnb reporting a surge in bookings within a 300-mile radius — roughly a tank of gas — from where people live.

• "Local travel is growing twice as fast as long-distance travel on Airbnb," a statement from the home rental company reads.

By the numbers: With so much natural beauty, Washington is unsurprisingly among the 10 states with the highest percentage of in-state travel, according to Airbnb.

• More than 30% of Washingtonians who booked on the platform in the first half of 2024 stayed in state.

Zoom in: Typically, Seattle hotels experience a 3–5% reduction in occupancy and rates go down between peak summer and early fall, according to Visit Seattle, though both can fluctuate depending on local events.

• There's also plenty to do around town this fall as the Mariners are still contenders in the American League West, the Seahawks' season is kicking off and there are new murals to explore throughout downtown, James Sido of the Downtown Seattle Association told Axios.

Plus: The Waterfront Park's Overlook Walk is just weeks from opening — and that will be "one of the best urban public spaces on the West Coast," he said.

What they're saying: "Early fall is one of the best times for Washingtonians to enjoy Seattle," Visit Seattle president and CEO Tammy Canavan told Axios.

• "The weather is perfect, the city is alive with a great mix of activities and high season is just getting underway for our performing arts community."
• Normal rainfall for September in the Seattle area is just 1.6 inches, with an average high temperature of 72°, and the first half of October is typically half as wet as the second, per the National Weather Service .

Zoom out: Among the top local destinations for guests from Seattle traveling between June 2023 and June 2024 were Spokane, Tacoma, Leavenworth, Redmond and Renton, per Airbnb.

Go deeper: The most popular Airbnbs in Washington for Seattleites