The city of Seattle is situated in the eastern area of the state
of Washington in Northwest America, between the waters of the
Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Seattle’s waterfront is
its main attraction , but the city contains a number of must-see sights.
Seattle’s community is built on commerce, fishing and timber,
greatly influenced by the nearby Boeing aerospace company. Full
of gourmet coffee shops, museums, art galleries and a lively
nightlife, the city also celebrates an important tourism industry.
Seattle is a large cosmopolitan city, covering around 90 square
miles / 233 square kilometers.
The city incorporates many smaller communities and important
historic neighborhoods. Among these are the Ballard, Belltown,
Capitol Hill, Pike Place Market, Freemont, Greenlake,
Pioneer Square, Queen Anne, SODO and University districts.
Seattle Tourism:
Tourist attractions in Seattle are varied and impressive, making
Seattle an excellent vacation destination. Many notable landmarks
and monuments, museums and art galleries, parklands, recreational
activities and insightful guided tours of the city.
Top attractions include the Boeing Factory, Hiram M.
Chittenden Locks, Fisherman’s Terminal, the Smith Tower
Observation Deck, Hing Hay Park, Safeco Field Stadium, the
Seahawks Exhibition Center and the Seattle Center – both a
cultural center and popular amusement park constructed for
the 1962 World’s fair.
Seattle is perhaps best known for its eye-catching Space Needle,
which towers around 150 meters / 490 feet on the city skyline,
offering spectacular views. City museums worth a visit include
the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, the Museum of
History and Industry, the Science Fiction Museum and the Seattle
Art Museum (SAM). Popular parklands in the Seattle area include
Discovery Park, Freeway Park, Green Lake Park and Washington
Park Arboretum.
Seattle Transport:
Around Seattle, public transport provides a number of affordable
options, including Amtrak trains, Greyhound and regional buses
and boats from Canada. One of the most popular ways to travel
around the city is on the Metro Transit Buses, which are cheaper
outside of peak hours. Renting a car is another transport option
favored by many visitors to Seattle, allowing easy exploration of
the city and surrounding areas.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 12 miles from downtown
and provides affordable ground transportation, such as taxis, car rental
shuttle buses and limousines.
Seattle Hotels:
The city’s central downtown district is often booked solid during
the summer months, when hotel rates are at their highest.
However, outside of downtown Seattle you will find many
hotels, which are more reasonably priced and near the city center.
Room rates are also often reduced during the rainy season,
from October to April, and at weekends. Bed and breakfast
accommodation in Seattle is both affordable and popular
with visitors, with a number of options being located close to
the waterfront.
Seattle Restaurants:
Seattle takes its coffee very seriously and is famous for being
the origin of Starbucks, with the first store still in operation
at Pike Place Market. Many other stylish coffee shops and
espresso bars can be found throughout the city, together with an
abundance of restaurants. Restaurants in Seattle cater for all
palates and many are concentrated along the waterfront, where
seafood is a particular specialty. The northwest side of the city
is a popular dining location, with restaurants offering Pan-Asian,
Mediterranean, Italian, Mexican and traditional American cuisine.
Seattle Shopping:
Seattle is a popular shopping destination offering a large range
of major shops and stores. Facilities include a number of famous
designer outlets, vast department stores, boutiques and large
shopping malls. Popular shopping areas include Broadway Avenue
East, First Avenue, Maynard Avenue, Pike Street, Pine Street,
Queen Anne and West Dravus, Seneca and Fourth Avenue and
University Way.
Seattle Weather:
The Seattle area is known for its rain, although this is a little
unfair, since the city’s annual rainfall averages less than 40
inches. Much of the weather is both fine and mild, with hot
summers and cooler winter weather. Temperatures are hottest
during the months of July and August, peaking at around 25°C /
77°F. January is the coldest with temperatures during the
daytime about 8°C / 46°F, well above freezing.
