Seattle in Washington

Seattle, along with hub cities like Tacoma, forms a part of the largest metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest. The home of prominent companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks, this port city is a national leader in the adoption of green technologies. Visiting here is an essential way to experience the real culture of this part of America, from young tech-savvy hipsters to grizzled seafarers. The city has a rich history in aviation, and is home to the largest private air and space museum in the world, the Museum of Flight. Seattle is also a center of architectural innovation, so you’ll be catching a glimpse of many interesting and unique buildings, such as the Seattle Central Library and the Space Needle. Additionally, anyone with an interest in Native American culture will find lots to do, like paying a visit to a local tribe or taking in one of Seattle’s many excellent museums, such as the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. The Space Needle is definitely the most recognizable landmark in Seattle, located in the tourist-oriented (but beautiful) Seattle Center. Of course, there’s never a time to visit the Space Needle when it isn’t crowded, but if you don’t mind the long lines you can take a trip up the elevator and get a great view from the observation deck. For the quintessential Space Needle experience, make some reservations at the SkyCity restaurant and enjoy a meal as you rotate 500 feet above the ground, taking in a panoramic view of the city. The food here is excellent, if somewhat pricey–and those who arrive late will find themselves to be out of luck! Any tourist should be aware that while there are many public transportation services, a car is still the best way to get around. Watch out for traffic jams, though, as this is one of the most congested cities in the nation. On the plus side, hotel rooms are easy to get, even deep within Seattle’s downtown area (although look for prices to rise the closer you get to the center). Seattle is known for having cloudy and rainy weather for much of the year, so summer is probably the best time to visit if you plan on doing anything outdoors. On the other hand, if you love snow sports like skiing, winter is a great time to show up, with the weather in this part of the country still remaining relatively mild. Seattle is heaven for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and sailing. There are many beautiful wilderness areas surrounding the city, as well as numerous large parks within such as Green Lake Park (where anyone can take a walk around the lovely lake in the center) and Discovery Park (the largest park, with several scenic hiking trails). There are also many options for visiting the park at the base of Mount Rainier, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest mountains and a constant presence visible from anywhere in the city. Seattle is surrounded by water, so don’t miss the high-quality seafood and gorgeous views of the ocean. A lover of boats can also have a great time viewing the watercraft at the pier, or even charter a ride and cruise around Puget Sound taking in the sights. If you’re going to Seattle in the summer, you can’t miss at least a part of Seafair. Seafair is a summer-long celebration made up of a series of festivals, large and small, that all take place in different neighborhoods. It begins in early July of each year, always starting off with the funny antics of the Milk Carton Derby on Green Lake. Most of the parades and spectacles are perfect for families with young children, incorporating events such as boat races and public appearances of whimsical characters like the Seafair Clowns and the Seafair Pirates. Seattle is well-known for having a number of street fairs and open markets, often with live entertainment. One of the biggest draws is certainly Pike Place Market, one of the country’s oldest farmer’s markets. You can spend all day browsing the antique stores, craft shops, and other unique locations, then stop for a meal at one of the small family-owned restaurants in the area. If you’re going to be doing your own cooking, pick up some fresh vegetables or fish from the market. The performing arts are huge in Seattle. If you’re a fan of high-brow entertainments like the ballet, opera, or orchestra, it’s likely that a delightful performance will be taking place during your stay. Seattle is also one of the foremost cities in the United States for live theater, so you’ll definitely have the chance to take in a show. You can’t miss the smaller-scale entertainments here, either–Seattle has a lively independent arts scene, from black box theaters to slam poetry events. Because of acts such as Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam, the city is famous for being the home of the “grunge” rock movement, and continues to have an important influence in the world of alternative music. Fans of indie rock can find performances taking place every night in both more conventional and underground venues. Take a look around, and you’ll be surprised at what you can find! Ref : Seattle Guide