# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Travel Planning

Fun Things to Do in Seattle in the Winter

Seattle is the northernmost city on the U.S. mainland, and the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, with a population of about 620,000 in the city, and about 4.2 million in the greater Seattle area. Seattle winters are mild and damp, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to the low-50s Fahrenheit. There are plenty of things to do in Seattle during the winter.

Highland Ice Arena
- Highland Ice Arena is an indoor ice-skating rink in Shoreline, about 15 minutes south of central Seattle. Skaters of all skill levels are welcome, and lessons are available. Public skating hours vary, but there are usually morning, afternoon and evening sessions lasting 2-3 hours. Admission is $6.50 for adults and $5.50 for kids (as of August 2010). Kids 5 and under are free, and group discounts are available. Skate rentals cost $3 per session.
  
  Highland Ice Arena
  
  18005 Aurora Ave. N.
  
  Shoreline, WA 98133
  
  206-546-2431
  
  highlandice.com
Museums
- When the weather is too cool or rainy to be outside, visit one of Seattle's museums to experience art and culture while staying warm and dry. The Seattle Art Museum showcases several permanent and temporary exhibits showing work by artists from all over the world. The Museum of Flight gives visitors a sense of the aviation industry, including past, present and future aircraft. The Museum of History and Industry showcases exhibits on various periods in U.S. and global history. Most museums in Seattle allow you to purchase tickets online to avoid lines and better plan your visit.
  
  Seattle Art Museum Downtown
  
  1300 First Ave.
  
  Seattle, WA 98101
  
  206-654-3100
  
  seattleartmuseum.org
  
  Museum of Flight
  
  9404 E. Marginal Way S.
  
  Seattle, WA‎ 98108
  
  206-764-5700‎
  
  museumofflight.org
  
  Museum of History and Industry
  
  2700 24th Ave. E.
  
  Seattle, WA 98112
  
  206-324-1126
  
  seattlehistory.org
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
- The Seattle Underground Tour is a guided walking tour that takes visitors underneath Seattle's sidewalks and streets to get a glimpse of the Seattle of old, before the fire of 1889 destroyed a lot of the city. You will walk along what were once streets and storefronts in Seattle, and hear plenty of history and stories along the way. The tour begins at a restored 1890s Seattle saloon, and ends at a gift shop. The entire tour is only a few blocks long, so most people can walk it with no problem. During the winter, tours often run daily from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., or 5:00 p.m. on some Saturdays and Sundays.
  
  Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
  
  608 1st Ave.
  
  Seattle, WA 98104
  
  206-682-4646
  
  undergroundtour.com