Seattle is a city best known for three things: rainy weather, hot and delicious fresh brewed gourmet coffee on every block and one of the most amazing music scenes in the world. While rain falls in Seattle most days of the year, the people of the city are rays of sunshine, with amiable personalities and a generous spirit not found in most large cities.
Seattle is known as Jet City due to the Boeing Aircraft Corporation being headquartered there. It is also called Emerald City for the lush forests that surround the city and can be found in certain neighborhoods within the city. The hustle and bustle of the citizens of Seattle is a caffeine-fueled revelation to most visitors, yet the pace is decidedly laid back and relaxed.
Visitors notice the pervasive smell of coffee in the air, the gleaming spire of the Space Needle glinting in the all too rare sunlight and the music that seems to flow through the air from the numerous bars and clubs that dot the city, famous for its diverse musical leanings. It is a testament to the pioneering spirit that built the city, where life in the early days was often rough yet the people of this once Western Outpost continue to thrive and grow.
Where is Seattle
Seattle is located in the Northwest corner of Washington State, only 100 miles from the Canadian border. It is located on a strait between Puget Sound – which leads to the nearby Pacific Ocean – and Lake Washington.
How to get to Seattle?
Visitors to Seattle usually arrive at Seattle Tacoma International Airport – better known as Sea Tac Airport – and is located in SeaTac, Washington, the border city between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. City access can be gained through taxis, rental cars, busses or the popular Central Link light rail train, a metro service that can take one anywhere in the city. Private car services are also available for those who wish to make a grand entrance at their hotel.
Attractions in Seattle
Seattle has so much to offer visitors. Friendly people, beautiful sights and sounds and fresh ground coffee on every corner; what could be better than that? The Emerald City is like a small town in a large city; come experience it firsthand and you may never want to leave.
Sightseeing & Museums in Seattle
One of the newest attractions in Seattle is the Seattle Great Wheel, which opened in June, 2012. This 175 foot tall observation Ferris wheel is the tallest in the United States. On top of the Great Wheel one can observe the city laid out in its entirety – a heady experience not to be missed!
The museums in Seattle are an eclectic mix, much like the population of the city itself. The Seattle Pinball Museum contains over fifty vintage and recent pinball machines set to free play. All guests can play as many games as they like and experience the evolution of the pinball era.
In the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum features the gorgeous product of noted glass artist Dale Chihuly’s amazing glass sculptures and chandeliers, with an outdoor garden that combines beautiful flora with glass sculpture as well.
The EMP Museum is a pop culture junkie’s dream come true. This quirky and fun museum is an interactive experience in testing your pop culture knowledge in a hands on environment for a laughing good time. And for the artistically inclined, the Frye Art Museum features works from some of the preeminent artists of the past and present, as well as works by up and coming local artists.
Outdoor Activities in Seattle
It may rain a lot in Seattle but that doesn’t stop people from enjoying a wealth of outdoor activities. The Washington Park Arboretum offers visitors a chance to paddle a canoe to explore 230 acres of over 4,000 species of trees, vines, shrubs and plants. For a beachcombing experience, head to Alki Beach.
Shopping in Seattle
Pike Place Market is a landmark in the city. This open air shopping center is best known for the fishmongers who throw fish at one another – and often at passersby – for a high flying fun experience. Pike Place has many vendors and there is always something new and exciting to see at this iconic landmark that opened in 1907 as a farmer’s market.
Bibliophiles will love the Elliot Bay Book Company, an independent bookstore that also contains another Seattle favorite – a full service coffee shop. Browse, read and buy hard to find or out of print books at Elliot Bay. For an outstanding shopping day the Westfield Southcenter mall is the place to go. With a wide variety of boutiques, department stores and specialty shops, you can shop until you drop and still not see everything in this giant indoor mall.
Dining and Nightlife in Seattle
Pike Place Chowder is located in Pike Place Market. It has some of the best and the freshest seafood available in the Pacific Northwest. People come from miles around to try the fish, lobster and shrimp, but as the name suggests, it is their chowder that keeps folks coming back for more.
Paseo Caribbean gives one a taste of the Caribbean in the heart of Seattle. This funky café has some of the best island cuisine in mainland America, in a fun atmosphere that is as relaxed and laid back as a refreshingly cool island breeze.
Seattle nightlife is all about one magical word: music. This city has a thriving music scene that is diverse and prolific. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley is a classic jazz club that has been in Seattle since the early days of the Jazz Age. This is a hot club playing cool jazz and some of the greats have played its diminutive stage.
Showbox Theater is a great venue for live music. This club has hosted some of the best bands in the industry and is best known as being a birthplace of the Grunge movement of the 90s.
For something on the edgier side, check out the Pink Door. This lounge and restaurant combines dinner with an amazing burlesque show.
Excursions in Seattle
- Public Market Tours: This behind-the-scenes tour of Pike Place Market is the most popular tour in the city. Visitors spend 90 minutes being taken through the places in the Market that normal daily visitors never get to see. Watch in amazement how this massive outdoor market operates and learn about its rich history and the important role it has played in Seattle commerce through the years.
- Queen of Seattle Paddle Wheel Cruise: See Seattle from the water on one of these exciting paddle wheel cruises and relive the era of the Klondike Gold Rush. These fun cruises are a great way to while away a lazy afternoon, with some cruises offering full meal service. It is a fun and romantic way to spend an evening with a loved one, too.
Event Tourism in Seattle
Seattle is one of the top cities in the States when it comes to even tourism. Not only the large bedspace provided by the countless excellent quality hotels, but also the expertise of the organizers and the charm of the city contributes to the ultimate perception as the best city for events in the attendees' mind.