Seattle, the Emerald city, sits on the shores of Puget Sound surrounded by mountains to the east and west. Lovely views of blue waters and snow capped peaks seem to appear everywhere - around the next bend in the road or between the buildings downtown.
The beauty of the Pacific Northwest is captured in the many parks of Seattle, clothed in a rich greenery of the lovely plants and flowers that grow easily in the mild climate (summers of 75 - 85 degrees, winters of 35 - 55 degrees). Many of Seattle’s parks offer view vistas, sandy beaches, grassy knolls for picnics, or trails to explore.
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Beyond the city, there are great day-trips just a short drive away.
Just visiting Seattle's neighborhoods, each with the feeling of a small town, offers an array to entertain and explore.
And about that rain rumor, Seattle's annual rainfall of about 36 inches (less than many U.S. cities) comes typically in the form of brief showers or a light mist - mostly in winter.
Downtown Attractions:
Downtown Seattle is vibrant, constantly renewing and improving, while retaining a love for its past and a friendliness that remains true. Many areas of downtown offer views of the surrounding sound and mountains. Seattle’s downtown offers unique shops, sophisticated department stores, distinctive galleries, excellent restaurants, cozy cafes, and of course... a coffee shop every block or so.
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| Pike Place Market is perhaps the most popular “must-see” downtown. Over 100 local farmers sell their produce at this, the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the U.S. |
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| As well, more than 200 permanent businesses call the Market their home. Art and craft items are displayed and sold across from prolific displays of fresh flowers in bunches as big as they are affordable. |
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History of the Pike Place Market.
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| Seattle’s well known symbol, the Space Needle, is located at Seattle Center. |
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Seattle
Center hosts
many annual summer events such as the Folklife Festival, the Bite of Seattle, and Bumbershoot. Seattle Center is also now home of the Experience Music Project (EMP), the multi-million dollar project of former Microsoft partner, Paul Allen. Just the outside of this “no straight lines, no corners” building is something to see, and the inside... is a music experience! |
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The
Pacific
Science Center, located here as well, offers hands-on
science and math exhibits where you can play virtual basketball, hang-glide,
or throw your fastest pitch to be measured by radar.
The IMAX Theater offers a 35 x 60 screen and surround sound to experience a climb of Mount Everest or a trip to Alaska. |
The
Seattle
Opera,
Pacific Northwest
Ballet, and several theaters call Seattle Center home as well.
From Seattle Center at the north end of downtown, the Monorailwill take you back to the center of downtown and deliver you to Westlake Center, an impressive four level retail mall.
Outside, a south facing open space attracts many for a casual lunch or afternoon break. Nearby are several major department stores including Nordstrom and the Bon Marche.
| The Seattle Art Museum, located in the central downtown area, offers exhibits from all over the world, with particular emphasis on Asian, African, and Northwest Native American art. The museum is hard to miss with the 48 foot mechanical sculpture, Hammering Man, at its entrance. SAM stays open late on Thursday evenings, with poetry readings and live music. |
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Not far from the art museum is Benaroya Hall, the new symphony hall. With an exquisite concert hall and lovely glass sculptural works by Seattle’s Dale Chihuly, Benaroya Hall something to see. There is a free daily tour. |
Seattle
holds its own for art and culture, with more quality theaters than any
city in the country except New York. Several theaters downtown host
touring Broadway productions and national concert acts. Seattle has
many fine art museums and galleries in addition to the Seattle Art museum
downtown.
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History of Pioneer Square.
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part of town and takes participants through the original streets to view the old storefronts of downtown Seattle, now below street level. The Pioneer Square area was settled by pioneers in 1852, having been a Native American village before that time. |
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In the mid-1800's, trees were skidded through this intersection over small greased logs paving the street to Henry Yesler's saw mill at the waterfront - earning it the nickname of "skid road", which later changed to the nickname, "skid row".
History of Downtown Seattle.
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On the 1st Thursday of every month, art appreciators turn out, as the galleries stay open late for evening Gallery Walks. |
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This area is also home of the renowned Elliott Bay Book Company, one of Seattle's favorite bookstores, with a reputation for being one of America's best. Open quite late in the evening, offering a relaxed atmosphere for book lovers, with book signings and free readings of works, by writers from all over the world.
Not
far from Pioneer Square is Seattle's baseball stadium, Safeco
Field.
With
its retractable roof, this stadium is ready rain or shine. Nearby
is the new Seahawks
Stadium.
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Nearby,
is the
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Seattle Tours:
Small Van Tour - Show Me Seattle Tours
Fun, Wacky Tour - Ride the Duck Tours
Bus Tour - Grayline
Walking Tour - Walking Tour of SeattleSound / Lake Cruises:
Argosy Cruises
Waterways CruisesSeaplane tours:
Kenmore Air
