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Seattle is located on Puget Sound in the majestic Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by mountains, forests, and thousands of acres of parklands, the area around the city is perfect for RVing. If you are planning to explore Seattle and other attractions in Washington, VroomVroomVroom can help you find the perfect RV rental for your next road trip.
Experience Seattle from above the iconic Space Needle, hike in the wonderful foothills of Mount Rainier, paddle along Puget Sound, catch all the action at a Seattle Mariners game, or simply set out on a drive in your motorhome to witness the evergreen lakes that earned its nickname “The Emerald City”.
Some of our favorite things to do year-round in Seattle are:
Summer (June, July, August): Soak up some rays and head to some of the famous beaches in Seattle such as the Alki Beach, Madison Park Beach, and Golden Gardens. Take advantage of the weather and enjoy an outdoor flick at Westlake Park every Friday. Make sure to stop by at the Pike Place Starbucks, also known as the Original Starbucks in Seattle to get some coffee.
Fall (September, October, November): Catch a Seattle Seahawks Game and hear the crowd roar as players make a run for the playoffs at CenturyLink Field. If you're spending the spooky holiday in the city, don't miss the Halloween festivities and parties including the Seattle Thrillers, Georgetown Morgue Haunted House, Great Pumpkin Beer Festival, Harvest Festival, and FreakNight Festival. Only an hour and a half drive from the city via WA-167 S, the Mount Rainier National Park is an incredible place to go on scenic outdoor adventures.
Winter (December, January, February): Go ice skating at the Castle Ice Arena in the Renton Highlands area which is only half an hour drive from Seattle. Other places to skate around the city are Olympic View Arena in Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood Ice Center. You can sample the brews at Winter Beer Fest at Magnuson Park or go on the Chocolate Indulgence Tour with Savor Seattle Food Tours. Don't forget to head down to Lake Union to witness some stunning boats lit up with holiday lights in December.
Spring (March, April, May): You can go gray whale watching, shop at Ballard Farmer's Market, visit the beautiful Jimi Hendrix Memorial or watch the Seattle Mariners play at T-Mobile Park. You can also admire the cherry blossoms in full bloom at Washington Park Arboretum. And if that isn't enough, go on a day trip to Mount Vernon to see the vibrant tulips in all shades at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Year-Round: Check out some of the most iconic landmarks and attractions in the city, including the famous Seattle Center, Olympic Sculpture Park, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Art Museum, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. If you're up for a 2-hour road trip, head to Leavenworth in your RV to soak up the picturesque views and German vibes. The beautiful Enchantments hike, which is located off of Icicle Creek just outside of Leavenworth, is worth a stop.
Bryn Mawr Beach RV Park is located next to Lake Washington off Rainier Avenue South. Open year-round, it is the only camping spot for motorhomes in Seattle. The park maintains 28 sites with great amenities including 10 hookup sites, laundry facilities, pool table, swimming pool, fishing opportunities, and a boat launch.
Seattle/Tacoma KOA is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Seattle via I-5 S. The campground serves up an array of breathtaking sights for RV rental and motorhome rental guests. Keeping company with the Green River, the camp provides easy RV parking. You can stay at premium, deluxe, or shaded tent sites and choose from full on-site amenities, including guided Seattle tours.
Dash Point State Park rests in the calm solitude of Northern Washington, located on SW Dash Point Road. Hidden between Seattle and Tacoma, the park has 114 campsites in addition to 27 utility campsites, 1 dump station, 4 restrooms, and 6 showers. A popular destination for water recreation, the park offers plenty of water activities and great views of Puget Sound.
The Space Needle in Seattle lures visitors to its sky-high attractions. Head to the observation deck and have a look at the city skyline. Amuse yourself with an evening of fine dining at the Sky City Restaurant. See the views of the ferries and ships that speckle Lake Union and Elliot Bay. Take in the beauty of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier from the best viewpoint in Seattle.
Pike Place Market is a farmer's market that was established in 1907. Today, the market has expanded to include specialty foods and a craft market. You can meet local farmers and enjoy delicious food from a number of restaurants along the waterfront.
Mount Rainier sits 14,410 above sea level and is a feast for the senses. Wildflower meadows perch along the icy base of the mountain, while forests cover the lower slope elevations. With six rivers produced from the mountain, the area sustains a unique ecosystem, founded by glacial and tectonic activity. It has a second unique distinction of being an active volcano.
Kerry Park offers fantastic views of downtown Seattle, and over the bay. If you visit the lookout on a clear day, you will be able to see Mount Rainier in the distance. If you are looking for a postcard-worthy photograph of Seattle, this is where you will find it.
On hiring an RV in Seattle
Unlike when hiring a rental car, people tend to book an RV a bit further in advance, and there are a few reasons for this.
When you’re hiring an RV, you’re not simply hiring something with four wheels to buzz around a city for a few days, instead you’re hiring a vehicle that you could well be living in for days, weeks, or even months. As such, people tend to have far more specific needs — some may require a certain number of berths, perhaps an onboard kitchen, or more comfortable living space. All this means that doing your research to find the right RV for you can pay off handsomely — but it also means that supply is more limited. When supply is limited, it is a good idea to book as far in advance as possible so that you know that the RV you need will be waiting for you when you arrive.
With this in mind, while it isn’t unusual for people to book a hire car the day before they need it, with RVs, people often book their vehicle months in advance. So our advice to you is if you’re planning to rent an RV, start researching today, and when you find the right RV for you, book it!
One more point, another way RV rentals differ from regular cars, is that bookings are not instant. Once you make an RV booking it will need to be approved by the provider. Yet another reason not to leave your RV rental until you’re sitting in the airport boarding lounge.
If you’re new to RVs and not sure where to start, please give our RV rental information page a read as it explains many of the basics you’ll need to know to make an informed decision.
We could start off by telling you that a typical customer hiring an RV in Seattle tends to look at RVs with two or four berths (including a toilet and shower). This isn’t really all that helpful though, as they type of RV you should hire in Seattle depends very much on the type of RV you — rather than a typical customer — needs. Consider the following questions:
How big is your travel group? What is your budget? What facilities do you need — or not need? Where are you planning to go? How long for? Knowing the answers to these questions — and plenty more — is the best way to make sure the RV you hire in Seattle is the right one for you.
Solo travellers or couples might find a compact RV to be more than enough, while families — especially those with young kids — or larger groups might prefer a more spacious motorhome with multiple sleeping areas.
Next, consider the facilities you need and the facilities you want. These might sound the same, but they are very different! Basic RVs often include a bed and simple cooking gear, while more luxurious options feature kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable bedding. For example, if you’re planning on camping, perhaps paying the extra for comfortable beds isn’t really necessary, but if you’re not even packing a tent, then the extra expense required to get more comfortable beds might be a smart choice.
Where you’re going also matters. If you’re planning to just potter around Seattle and its immediate surrounds, then you could probably get away with a standard RV. That said, if you’re planning to drive from Seattle to Denver — or Los Angeles — something more spacious would be a sound investment.
Think about your budget, as RVs vary in cost depending on size, amenities, and rental duration, and while shortening the length of your trip might bring different options within your budget, spending more to get a bigger van may mean you’ll spend even less on hotels. Either way, do the math!
In conclusion, when you’re booking an RV for pickup from Seattle, it pays to be honest when considering what you need versus what you want, along with what fits with your budget and overall travel plans. It’s the best way to maximise your chance of getting the perfect RV for you.
For most rental RV providers, the minimum age to rent an RV is the same as for car rentals — 21 years of age. Depending on the RV rental supplier, those under 21 may only be able to rent certain vehicles. Double check with the RV rental provider to see what their specific requirements are.
In most cases, you won’t need to present a special type of licence to rent an RV — you’ll only be asked to present your standard and valid full driving licence. Keep in mind that a probationary, learner permit, or provisional licence are not accepted for RV hire. If your licence is in a language other than English, you’ll need to provide an International Driving Permit in conjunction with your valid licence. If you’re unsure as to whether your licence will be accepted, you should contact your prospective RV provider prior to booking.
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