Seattle’s distinct neighborhoods and melting pot of cultures combine to create a one-of-a-kind destination. The Emerald City is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest with a population of over 650,000 people, and offers a seamless combination of cosmopolitan activities and stunning natural vistas. Its unique atmosphere has helped to cultivate companies such as Microsoft, Costco, Amazon, Boeing, and Starbucks, all of which have invested heavily in the community. Natural surroundings make the city ideal for outdoor activities, and travelers will find ample opportunities for kayaking, hiking, fishing, running, and more. The city's activities cover a wide range of interests from surveying the metro area at the Space Needle, to experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of Pike Place Market.
Dining
Seattle’s culinary scene is second to none, and features almost every type of cuisine under the sun. Many of the restaurants use a farm-to-table approach when preparing meals, utilizing locally grown and produced ingredients.
Il Terrazzo Carmine, located in Pioneer Square, has been Seattle’s go-to Italian restaurant for over three decades. Visitors will love the menu of traditional dishes, and the warm atmosphere of the dining room.
Bateau is a steakhouse that’s relatively new to the restaurant scene, but has quickly established itself within the community. It’s located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and has fully embraced the farm-to-table approach and features popular dishes such as Reuben Mille Feuille and the Bateau Burger.
Revel is located in the Fremont neighborhood and features Korean-inspired cuisine in a relaxed dining room with vibrant art and music. The menu features a variety of comfort foods such as rice bowls, dumplings, and noodles.
Attractions
The iconic Space Needle is a can’t-miss tourist site for every visitor. The tower was constructed in 1962, and took only 400 days to complete. It reaches 605 feet into the Seattle skyline, with an observation deck for visitors at 520 feet.
Pike Place Market has been a major part of the community since it opened for business in 1907. It may be one of the most famous public markets in the world, and contains numerous vendors, shops, and restaurants. People can visit the original Starbucks, buy Seattle’s finest seafood, or just visit the boutique shoppes.
Chihuly Garden and Glass features one of the foremost collections of glass-blown artwork on the planet. It opened in 2012 contains the works of world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. No trip to the gallery is complete without visiting the Glasshouse. This greenhouse-inspired venue is full of glass blown flowers, including a 100-foot long glass sculpture suspended in the air.
Things to Know
Learning and teaching are top priorities in Seattle, a major reason the city ranked sixth on Forbes list of the 10 Most Educated Cities in America. Seattle’s emphasis on education shines through in its network of museums and learning centers. The Pacific Science Center is one of the city’s top destinations for families, and can be found in the shadow of the Space Needle. The goal of the center is to help children find interest in discovery and experimentation through a variety of interactive programs, exhibitions, and more.
In addition to the major companies listed above, Boeing’s aircraft manufacturing company was also founded in Seattle, making the city a key aviation hub, and the ideal location for The Museum of Flight. The museum contains over 150 planes, thousands of aviation artifacts, one-of-a-kind exhibits, and a 3D movie theater that shows space and aviation documentaries. It’s located at Boeing Field, just south of the King County International Airport.
Discovery Park provides visitors with opportunities to experience the area's lush natural surrounding without leaving the city limits. The park is free to enter and covers over 500 acres northwest of the downtown area. You’ll find beaches, sand dunes, meadows, forests, hiking trails, cultural center, and some of the best views of the downtown skyline.