Photo: David Newman

Seattle Accolades

2024 Accolades

  • March 2024 – Seattle Named North America’s Best MICE Destination – World MICE Awards 
  • March 2024 – Seattle Convention Center Recognized as The United States’ Best Convention Centre – World MICE Awards 
  • February 2024 – Seattle Convention Center named Best Convention Center by BizBash’s Event Experience Awards – BizBash
  • January 2024 – Washington ranked #4 U.S. state for building sustainability – Skift Meetings
  • January 2024 #4 Most Walkable City in the US Condé Nast Traveler
  • January 2024 – Seattle is included in AFAR’s list of 25 Best Places to Travel in 2024 – AFAR 

2023 Accolades

  • December 2023 – Seattle is 2023’s 7th Best City for Christmas – WalletHub
  • December 2023 – Visit Seattle wins 2023 Platinum Choice Award – Smart Meetings
  • November 2023 – Visit Seattle recognized with silver medal for “Best CVB/DMO meeting & incentive planner support by region – West” – Prevue Visionary Awards
  • November 2023 – Seattle recognized with silver medal for “Best U.S. Destination for Meetings & Conventions – Medium” – Prevue Visionary Awards
  • October 2023 – Seattle Selected as “Role Model City” for International Ecosystem Restoration Cohort – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • October 2023 – The United States’ Most Educated City – U.S. Census Bureau 
  • October 2023 – Visit Seattle’s Kissing in the Rain campaign wins Silver Magellan Award for Destination Marketing-Live Installation/Activation Program for Destinations Travel Weekly
  • October 2023 – Seattle Convention Center Awarded 2023 Silver Winner for Best Convention Center Northstar Stella Awards
  • October 2023 – Visit Seattle Awarded 2023 Silver Winner for Best CVB/DMO Northstar Stella Awards
  • September 2023 – Seattle Convention Center Recognized as a 2023 Best Of Award Winner for Best Convention Centers Meetings Today
  • September 2023 – Visit Seattle Recognized as a 2023 Best Of Award Winner for Best West CVBs/DMOs Meetings Today
  • September 2023 – Seattle Convention Center Ranked Among Top Convention Centers Wall Street Journal
  • September 2023 – Merit Award 2023 Winner SEGD Global Design Awards 
  • August 2023 – Kissing in the Rain booth wins Creative Thinkers in the Physical Experiences award Skift IDEA Award
  • August 2023 – North America’s Leading Tourist Board 2023 World Travel Awards 
  • August 2023 – North America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2023 World Travel Awards 
  • August 2023 – North America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2023 World Travel Awards
  • August 2023 Top Three Safest U.S. Cities Gallup
  • July 2023 Most Climate-Resilient Cities (Seattle’s #4) Architectural Digest
  • July 2023 – Visual Communication Award (SCC Summit) – Core77 Design Awards
  • June 2023 – #4 Best City to Live in – Forbes
  • June 2023 – Best CVB/DMO – Visit Seattle – Smart Meetings
  • June 2023 – Best Hybrid-Ready Venue – Seattle Convention Center – Smart Meetings
  • June 2023 – Best Special Event Venue – Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) – Smart Meetings
  • June 2023 – Best Airport Hotel – Cedarbrook Lodge at SeaTac Airport – Smart Meetings
  • June 2023 – Best Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel – Hilton Motif Seattle – Smart Meetings
  • June 2023 – Best City Hotel – Fairmont Olympic & Hyatt Regency – Smart Meetings
  • June 2023 – Best Coastal Hotel – Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport – Smart Meetings
  • March 2023 – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Once Again Named Best Airport in North America – Skytrax
  • March 2023 – Delta was the Most On-Time U.S. Carrier in 2022 – Port Seattle
  • February 2023 – 23 of the best places to see cherry blossom trees bloom in the US – Outdoors Wire/USA Today
  • January 2023 – Seattle just ranked among the best food destinations in the US – Tripadvisor

2022 Accolades

  • December 2022 – Platinum Choice Award – Seattle Convention Center’s Summit Building – Smart Meetings
  • December 2022 – 2 major King County cities ranked among happiest in America – Seattle Refined
  • December 2022 – Study: Seattle is the No. 1 city in the US for single people – My Northwest
  • November 2022 – World Design Award – Seattle Convention Center’s Summit Building – The Architecture Community
  • November 2022 – Seattle ranks among best cities in the world – Seattle Agent Magazine
  • October 2022 – Greenest Cities in America (Seattle ranked seventh) – Wallet Hub
  • October 2022 – Seattle Ranks In Top 10 Best Big Cities In US – Secret Seattle 
  • October 2022 – Seattle’s Green New Deal Wins Global Recognition and Award at the C40 World Mayors Summit – Seattle.gov/Office of the Mayor
  • October 2022 – The Best Cities in the U.S.: 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards – Conde Nast Traveler
  • September 2022 – Cities with the best coffee culture in America – MSN
  • September 2022 – This Seattle food tour was ranked one of the best experiences in the world – Curiocity 
  • August 2022 – The 7 Best U.S. Cities and Towns to See Fall Foliage – Smarter Travel
  • July 2022 – Seattle was just ranked one of the top 100 Best Cities in the US for 2022 Curiocity
  • June 2022 – 21 Of The Most Exciting Destinations To Visit This Year – Travel Noire
  • May 2022 – Seattle ranked the fifth best city in the nation for starting a career – The Center Square
  • April 2022 – Seattle named No. 1 city for young professionals – KOMO News
  • March 2022 – Seattle Ranks High On 2022 ‘Best Places To Live’ List – Patch
  • March 2022 – Seattle named America’s most desired city for post-grads in Axios poll – KIMA-TV
  • March 2022 – Alaska Airlines lands coveted spot on TIME’s list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2022 – TIME
  • March 2022 – King County Parks is the largest park system in the nation to earn ‘Salmon-Safe’ certification – Patch  
  • March 2022 – Pike Place Market voted once of the top 10 best public markets – USA Today
  • March 2022 – Seattle named the #1 city to move to for new college graduates – Axios
  • February 2022 – Olson Kundig’s The Century Project at the Space Needle wins AIA Award – Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce
  • February 2022 – 17 Seattle-area chefs and restaurants nominated for revamped James Beard Awards aimed at diversity, equity and excellence – The Seattle Times
  • January 2022 – Is Your Hometown One of the Best Coffee Destinations in America? – Fodor’s Travel Guide
  • January 2022 – Seattle named one of the 15 best places to visit for solo female travelers – Travel + Leisure
  • January 2022 – In best airline rankings, Delta Airlines is #1 and Alaska Airlines is #2 – The Wall Street Journal
  • January 2022 – Seattle rated #1 among the top 10 cities for young professionals – CNBC

2021 Accolades

  • December 2021 The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022 – Travel + Leisure 
  • December 2021 – Seattle listed among the Best Places to Travel in 2022 – Travel + Leisure
  • December 2021 – Seattle listed among the Best U.S. Cities to Visit at Christmas – Condé Nast Traveler
  • July 2021 – Seattle listed among World’s Greatest Places of 2021 – TIME
  • June 2021 – Seattle is first major U.S. city to vaccinate 70% of eligible population – Forbes 

2020 Accolades

  • February 2020 – Seattle ranked second among Healthiest Places to Live in the U.S. – WalletHub
  • January 2020 – Seattle placed sixth in Top 10 U.S. Cities with the Most Overall Votes – Trips to Discover

2019 Accolades

  • December 2019 – Seattle placed seventh among Top 50 U.S. Cities Ranked by Progress of Urban Sustainability – Commercial Café 
  • December 2019 – Port of Seattle wins the cruise Critic Award for Best North American Homeport 2019 – Cruise Critic
  • December 2019 – Washington State ranked #1 in Best States Rankings for 2019 – U.S. News & World Report
  • November 2019 – Seattle-area among the top 20 Best Cities for Healthy Aging – Pantagraph
  • October 2019 – Seattle remains #1 in the nation for Best Places for Businesses and Careers – Forbes
  • October 2019 – Seattle Ranked as the Second Most Dynamic Large City in the Nation – Point2Homes
  • October 2019 – Two Seattle museums among the top 25 list for best museum restaurants – Vacation Idea
  • September 2019 – Seattle ranked #1 for Best Coffee Cities in America –WalletHub
  • September 2019 – Seattle has the best public transportation in the United States –Business Insider
  • September 2019 – Seattle named #16 Best City in the Nation for Singles –Apartment List
  • August 2019 – Seattle’s Sinking Ship Garage voted among Top 3 Coolest Parking Spots in the U.S. –Looking4.com
  • August 2019 – Seattle recognized among top 10 Most Walkable Cities in the U.S. –USA Today
  • July 2019 – Seattle named a Top-Rated U.S. & Canada Cruise Destination in Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards –Cruise Critic
  • July 2019 – Seattle ranked among best cities for business travel in 2019 –fundera
  • June 2019 – Yelp ranks Seattle #4 Most Inclusive City in the Nation –Yelp
  • June 2019 – Seattle ranked the nation’s 9th Best Large City in 2019 America’s Best Cities Index –Resonance
  • June 2019 – Seattle’s Lucinda Grain Bar named among “The Best Bars in America, 2019” –Esquire Classic
  • May 2019 – Seattle named among best destinations worldwide for celebrating Pride in 2019 –Hometogo
  • March 2019 – Seattle ranked one of the most environmentally progressive cities in the U.S. –PCMA
  • March 2019 – Seattle Restaurants Listed 7 Times out of 100 on Travel and Leisure’s Best Restaurants for Groups in the U.S. –Leisure
  • February 2019 – Seattle’s Palihotel included on the 2019 “It List.” –Travel + Leisure
  • February 2019 – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ranked #3 Most Relaxing Airport in the U.S. –The Travel Channel
  • January 2019 – Seattle’s King Street Station named one of 12 Most Beautiful Train Stations in the U.S. – Condé Nast Traveler
  • January 2019 – Seattle ranked #1 best city in the U.S. for STEM jobs –WalletHub

2018 Accolades

  • December 2018 – Seattle Selected as Top Destination for 2019 –USA Today Travel
  • December 2018 – Seattle recognized as #9 best city for fast-growing women-owned companies –Inc. 5000
  • December 2018 – Seattle named one of top 10 cities to visit in 2019 –Lonely Planet
  • December 2018 – Seattle named one of the Top 5 Convention Cities in the U.S. –MeetingSource
  • October 2018 – Seattle is named one of “The 10 Most Intriguing Travel Destinations for 2018″ –Wall Street Journal
  • October 2018 – Through the 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards, Condé Nast names Seattle one of the Best Cities in the U.S. –Condé Nast
  • September 2018 – Delta Sky Club at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is named the best airport lounge in North America –World Travel Awards
  • September 2018 – Seattle named one of the World’s Most Reputable Cities 2018 –Forbes
  • September 2018 – TripAdvisor names Seattle one of the nation’s fastest-growing tourist destinations –TripAdvisor
  • August 2018 – Taste Washington was voted #9 in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest –USA Today
  • August 2018 – Seattle selected as one of the top 26 most stylish cities in the U.S. –Expedia Viewfinder
  • August 2018 – Seattle named #10 best city in the world for women entrepreneurs –Dell’s 2018 Women Entrepreneur Cities Index
  • August 2018 – Seattle ranked as #9 best city in the nation for women entrepreneurs –TechRepublic
  • August 2018 – The Space Needle unveils the first and only revolving glass floor in the world, known as The Loupe –The Space Needle
  • July 2018 – Seattle selected one of the ‘10 Best Places to Travel for Labor Day Weekend This Year’ –Travel Channel
  • July 2018 – Seattle ranked #1 as “2018’s Best Big Cities to Live In.” –WalletHub
  • June 2018 – Seattle included in “Guide to America’s 10 Greenest Cities” –Hertz
  • May 2018 – Seattle included in top-rated vacation destinations list for North America –Expedia
  • April 2018 – Seattle selected as the #10 Best Place to Live according to U.S. News & World Report’s “125 Best Places to Live in the USA” rankings –U.S. News & World Report
  • March 2018 – Mayflower Park Hotel selected Best Historic Hotel in America –HHA; Most famous hotel in Washington – MSN; 10 of the Best Value Hotels in America –Reader’s Digest
  • March 2018 – Seattle Named One of the World’s Must-See Literary Destinations –Expedia
  • February 2018 – Washington’s Natural Beauty Makes the List Twice for Top U.S. Road Trip Destinations –Travel + Leisure
  • February 2018 – Seattle’s Chinatown Included in ‘Top 10 in the U.S.’ List –East Bay Times
  • January 2018 – Visit Seattle recognized as one of NewsCred’s Top 50 in Travel –NewsCred
  • January 2018 – Seattle Named One of ‘52 Places to Go in 2018’ –New York Times

2017 Accolades

  • December 2017 – Seattle named one of ‘10 Hottest Gay Destinations for 2018’ –Orbitz
  • December 2017 – Junebaby, Mutsuko Soma, Pintxo, Alchemy, and Dough Zone Dumpling House all rank among “Eater Awards 2017” –Eater
  • November 2017 – Syrah Walla Walla Valley Powerline Estate ranks #2 on “Wine Spectator’s prestigious Top 100 list for 2017” –The Seattle Times
  • November 2017 – W Bellevue and Loews Hotel 1000 both ranked among “Richards Picks: Best Hotels in the World, Fall 2017” –Huffington Post
  • November 2017 – Seattle selected as one of 52 destinations in the world on “Fodor’s Go List in 2018” –Fodor’sTravel
  • November 2017 – Seattle Second U.S. City Named a “UNESCO City of Literature” –CN Traveler
  • October 2017 – Seattle ranks #9 “The Best Big Cities in the U.S.” –Condé Nast Traveler
  • September 2017 – Seattle ranks among “10 Best Cities for Family Vacations in 2017” –Family Vacation Critic
  • August 2017 – Thompson Seattle ranks #5 “Top 15 City Hotels in the Continental U.S.” –Travel + Leisure
  • August 2017 – Seattle’s Alaska Airlines ranks #3 “Top 5 Domestic Airlines” –Travel + Leisure
  • August 2017 – Seattle’s Holland America Line ranks #5 “Top 10 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines” –Travel + Leisure
  • August 2017 – Seattle’s Holland America Line ranks #10 “Top 10 Large-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines” –Travel and Leisure
  • August 2017 – San Juan Islands ranks #6 “Top 10 Islands Continental U.S.” –Travel + Leisure
  • May 2017 – Seattle’s Kerry Park ranks #5 among the “10 Best Places to Picnic in the West” –The Los Angeles Times
  • May 2017 – Seattle ranks among “The best U.S. cities for a romantic urban honeymoon” –Travel + Leisure
  •  March 2017 – Washington ranks #5 among 2017’s “Best States Rankings,” earning the top score on the West Coast –U.S. News & World Report
  • February 2017 – Seattle ranks #4 among “2017’s Healthiest Cities in America” –WalletHub
  • February 2017 – Seattle ranks #6 among “Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2017” –U.S. News & World Report 

2016 Accolades

  • December 2016 – Seattle ranks among “18 Best Cities in America for Solo Travelers” –Travel + Leisure
  • December 2016 – Western Washington ranks #2 among the “Top 10 Destinations of 2017” –Lonely Planet
  •  December 2016 – Seattle’s The Walrus and the Carpenter and Elliot’s Oyster House rank among “America’s Best Oyster Bars” –Food & Wine
  • December 2016 – Seattle ranks among “6 Places to Throw an Unforgettable Bachelorette Party” –Trip Advisor
  • December 2016 – The Olympic National Park’s designated”One Square Inch of Silence” ranks among “The 10 Coolest Places to Go in 2017” –Forbes
  • December 2016 – Seattle ranks #5 in “The 26 Hottest Food Cities of 2016” –Zagat
  •  November 2016 – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ranks among “Nine American Airports for Art Lovers” –Travel + Leisure 
  • November 2016 – President Barack Obama awarded Bill and Melinda Gates with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Nov. 22, 2016. Created in 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aims to “help all people lead healthy, productive lives.” –Puget Sound Business Journal
  • October 2016 – Seattle ranks #15, “The 20 Best Cities for Runners Training for a Marathon” – Shape.com
  • October 2016 – Seattle ranks #9, “The Best Big Cities in the U.S.” –Condé Nast Traveler
  • October 2016 – Seattle recognized as “Best North American Homeport” –Cruise Critic, Editors’ Picks Awards 2016
  • September 2016 – Seattle ranks #1 among the “Best NFL Cities for Pregaming” –Redfin
  • September 2016 – Seattle ranks among the top eight “Best Fall Escapes in  the US” –National Geographic
  • September 2016 – The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ranks among “America’s Best Kid-Friendly Airports” –HolidayLettings
  • September 2016 – Seattle’s Frye Museum ranks #7 among the “Best Free Museums” in the U.S. –USA Today, Readers Choice Awards 2016
  • September 2016 – Seattle’s Georgetown Inn ranks among the “Best Hotels Under $150” –USA Today, Reader’s Choice Awards 2016
  • August 2016 – Seattle ranks among the “16 Best Places to Live in the US” –Outside Magazine
  • July 2016 – Visit Seattle ranks among “Top 25 Tourism Websites in the World in 2016” –Skift 
  • July 2016 – Seattle ranks #14, “Best Cities in the U.S.” – Travel + Leisure, World’s Best Awards 2016
  • July 2016 – The San Juan Islands rank #5, “Best Islands in the Continental U.S. ” –Travel + Leisure, World’s Best Awards 2016
  • July 2016 – Seafair Summer Fourth ranks #7,”Top 10 of the Nation’s Best 4th of July Firework Shows” –USA Today
  • July 2016 – Seattle rank #3, “Best Tech Cities in the U.S.” –CBRE, 2016 Scoring Tech Talent
  • June 2016 – Seafair Summer Fourth ranks #8, “The 20 Most Extravagant Firework Displays in the U.S.” –TIME
  • June 2016 – Seattle ranks #2, “Top U.S. Summer Destinations” –AAA
  • June 2016 – Seattle ranks #3, “Top 10 Cities for Milliennials” –Inc.com via ABODO
  • May 2016 – Seattle’s Bumbershoot recognized as one of “50 Essential Summer Festivals’ –The New York Times
  • May 2016 – Seattle ranks in Top 4 in Outside magazine’s tournament of 64 towns for 2016 America’s Best Town. Seattle ranked #1 in the Culture division –Outside magazine
  • May 2016 – Seattle ranks #10,”12 Best Cities for Running” –Women’s Running
  • May 2016 – Seattle’s Bumbershoot and Washington’s Sasquatch rank on “Summer 2016’s 30 Must-See Music Festivals” –The Rolling Stone
  • April 2016 — Seattle ranks #7, “Best Airports in North America” –Condé Nast Traveler
  • March 2016  – Seattle ranks #7, “Best Places to Live” –Condé Nast Traveler
  • March 2016 – Seattle recognized as one of “Best Seafood Cities in America” –CBS
  • March 2016 – Seattle’s Beecher’s Cheese Company is recognized as one of “10 Restaurants Taking Farm-To-Table To A Different Level” –Thrillist 
  • March 2016 –Seattle ranks #9,”11 Best Cities for Vegans” –Matador
  • February 2016 – Seattle ranks #17, “Best Cities in North America” –Travel + Leisure
  • February 2016 – Seattle Symphony wins Grammy Award for “Best Classical Instrumental Solo” for violinist, Augustin Hadelich’s, solo of L’arbre des songes on Seattle Symphony’s recording of Dutilleux’s Violin Concerto –Grammy Awards
  • February 2016 – Seattle’s Space Needle and Pike Place Market recognized on “America’s Bucket List” – Trail Blazer magazine
  • January 2016  – Seattle ranks #10, “Top 10 Most Popular Travel Destinations” –Kayak.com 
  • January 2016 –Museum of Flight’s new Aviation Pavilion (open June 2016) recognized as “16 Intriguing Things to see and do in the U.S. in 2016” –CNN

2015 Accolades

  • 2015– Seattle ranks #9, “Top 15 Large U.S. Cities” –Condé Nast Traveler 
  • 2015 – Seattle ranks #15, “America’s 20 Best cities for Beer Lovers” –Travel + Leisure
  • 2015 – Seattle ranks #18, “Most Charming Cities” –Travel + Leisure
  • 2015 – Seattle ranks #8, “Most Walkable City” –Redfin
  • 2015 – Seattle named #1 city in U.S. to find a job –Wallet Hub
  • 2015 – Seattle named #1 “Fastest-growing Big City in the U.S.” –U.S. Census Bureau
  • 2015 – Seattle ranks #2, “Best Hotel Wifi” –Hotel WiFi Test
  • 2015 –Seattle named #1 in highest job growth for small businesses in the U.S.” –Pachex IHS Small Business Jobs Index
  • 2015 – Seattle ranks #3, “Best Market in North America for Hotel Property Investment” –Urban Land Institute
  • 2015 – Seattle ranks #4, “Best Market in North America for Office Property Investment” –Urban Land Institute

2014 Accolades

  • October 2014 – Seattle-Tacoma ranks #3 airport in the nation for traveler amenities –Global Gateway Alliance
  • September 2014 – Seattle named the “Most Sustainable City in the Nation”  –STAR Communities
  • August 2014 – Seattle ranks #9, “Best Cities for Boaters”  –Redfin
  • August 2014 – Seattle named #1 ” U.S. City for Culture”  –Business Insider 
  • August 2014 – Seattle ranks #2, “America’s Coolest Cities”  –Forbes
  • July 2014 – Seattle ranks #9, “Best Places in the U.S. for Business”  –Forbes
  • July 2014 – Seattle ranks #2 city in the U.S. for tech jobs –NerdWallet
  • June 2014 – Seattle ranks #6, “Most Walkable City in America”  –Smart Growth America
  • May 2014 – Seattle named #1 “LGBT-friendly City in U.S.” –NerdWallet
  • May 2014 – Seattle ranks #7, “Fittest Cities in the U.S.” –American Fitness Index
  • March 2014 – Seattle ranks #3, “Most LGBT-friendly Places in America” –Advocate magazine
  • February 2014 – Seattle’s Slate Coffee Bar ranks among “Top 10 Coffee Houses across the U.S.” –USA Today
  • February 2014 – Washington state’s Franklin Falls of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest ranks among “Top Easy, Scenic, Winter Trails in the U.S.” –USA Today, The Active Times
  • February 2014 – Washington state’s Summit House Restaurant of Crystal Mountain ranks among “Top Restaurants atop of North America’s Most Notable Summits” –USA Today
  • February 2014 – Washington state ranks #9, “Happiest States in the U.S.” –Gallup
  • February 2014 – Seattle ranks #7, “Top 10 Metropolitan Areas for Singles” –Zillow Blog
  • February 2014 – Seattle ranks #7, “World’s Most Romantic Trip Destinations” –Society of American Travel Writers
  • February 2014 – Seattle ranks #2, “Most Romantic Cities in America” –Amazon
  • February 2014 – Seattle voted ‘Reader’s Pick’ for the West’s “Best Places to Live” –Sunset magazine
  • February 2014 – Seattle is the second most literate city in America –Central Connecticut State University Annual Study
  • January 2014 – Seattle ranks #7 in the U.S. for public transportation –Walk Score
  • January 2014 –Pike Place Market is the “Best Market in America” –Business Insider

Media Contacts:

Kauilani Robinson – (206) 461-5839 | [email protected]

Kelly Hatfield – (206) 461-5805 | [email protected]

 

 

(Updated 2/20)

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