Things to do in Seattle, WA

The Pacific Northwest’s largest city is surrounded by water and boasts a historic seafaring culture. Founded on the harbor of Elliott Bay and reaching only 450 feet above sea level, Seattle’s collection of neighborhoods is located between Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east. Seattle’s rainy reputation aside, with ship canals, locks, marinas, islands, bays, lakes, rivers and creeks dotting the landscape in every direction, much of this major seaport’s identity (Mariners & Seahawks anyone?) is tied up in fishing, sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and commuting by ferry. You simply haven’t seen Seattle until you’ve seen it from the water.

Seattle’s reputation for being a city fueled by coffee, and lots of it, may have something to do with a little company called Starbucks. Founded in 1971, Starbucks was followed in the region by (most notably) Seattle’s Best, Tully’s, Top Pot, Cherry Street, Peet’s, Caffe Ladro, Victrola and Espresso Vivace. The city’s thriving coffee shop scene is also fortified by a dizzying array of independent local artisanal espresso roasters and cafes. Most people have their favorite shop, their local shop, their...  

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The Pacific Northwest’s largest city is surrounded by water and boasts a historic seafaring culture. Founded on the harbor of Elliott Bay and reaching only 450 feet above sea level, Seattle’s collection of neighborhoods is located between Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east. Seattle’s rainy reputation aside, with ship canals, locks, marinas, islands, bays, lakes, rivers and creeks dotting the landscape in every direction, much of this major seaport’s identity (Mariners & Seahawks anyone?) is tied up in fishing, sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and commuting by ferry. You simply haven’t seen Seattle until you’ve seen it from the water.

Seattle’s reputation for being a city fueled by coffee, and lots of it, may have something to do with a little company called Starbucks. Founded in 1971, Starbucks was followed in the region by (most notably) Seattle’s Best, Tully’s, Top Pot, Cherry Street, Peet’s, Caffe Ladro, Victrola and Espresso Vivace. The city’s thriving coffee shop scene is also fortified by a dizzying array of independent local artisanal espresso roasters and cafes. Most people have their favorite shop, their local shop, their on-the-way-to-wherever shop and the interesting thing to note is that there’s no saturating this market. There cannot be too many places to stop and grab a cup. Not here, not ever. Long live caffeine.

Surrounded by 13 national parks in the State of Washington including the Mount Rainier, North Cascade, Olympic, San Juan Island, and Lewis and Clark National Parks, Seattle is home to a general population of rock-climbing, mountain-hiking, bike-riding, snowboarding, all-season-camping eco-conscious nature enthusiasts (and not coincidentally the birthplace of the national retail sporting good and outdoor recreation gear corporation, REI.) Whether it’s beaches, glaciers, waterfalls or rainforest you’re after, you can find it here. Even in town it’s difficult not to stumble upon natural settings for outdoor activity such as Green Lake, Discovery Park, Alki Beach, Seward Park and the Burke-Gilman Trail. Just step outside and take a look around.

Home to critically acclaimed chefs including Jason Stratton of Spinasse, Ethan Stowell of Staple & Fancy, Maria Hines of Tilth, and Tom Douglas of Lola, Seattle has a reputation for being serious about food. The acts of growing, preparing and eating all elevated to near art form status without being pretentious to the point of excluding the everyday Seattleite. It’s a farmer’s market, locavore and seafood culture. Seattle area residents generally like to support their friends and neighbors by buying what the area has to offer and eating what our surroundings inspire.

Making a 2009 Forbes list of America’s Best Cities for Families, Seattle raked as the seventh-most-affordable city in which to raise a family. If all the strollers and dogs out on the sidewalks at any given time are any indication, Seattle is certainly living up to that assessment. Adding to the stroller posse are an increasing number of the city’s substantial LGBT population (Seattle ranks second behind San Francisco with 12.9% of citizens polled identifying as gay, lesbian or bisexual.) And with 53.8% of the city’s population over the age of 25 holding a bachelor’s degree or higher and consistently being ranked in the top two of America’s most literate large cities, it’s no wonder people feel comfortable with the education prospects of raising children in Seattle. The countless family-friendly fairs, festivals, markets, restaurants and activities such as those provided at the local zoos and aquariums, are also great support for local moms and dads. As an added bonus, at well over 120 in the city of Seattle alone, a playground is always just a stone’s throw away. And because dogs are people too (and family members not to be overlooked) it’s worth mentioning that Seattle is regarded as a fairly dog-friendly city. 

Known for rainy days, Starbucks Coffee and its rock music scene, this progressive city offers beautiful natural surroundings and dynamic city life. Situated on the Puget Sound, Seattle is surrounded by the waters of Elliot Bay, Lake Union and Lake Washington, as well as by lovely views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Inside the city's exciting districts, hip coffeehouses, farmers markets, world-class museums, notable theaters, concert halls and innovative restaurants keep the metro abuzz.

Seattle is home to corporate giants like Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon.com, T-Mobile USA and Nordstrom. Among the city's top industries are information technology, healthcare and manufacturing. Seattle's proximity to the ocean is conducive to numerous maritime trades such as ship construction, fishing and transportation; its music and film businesses produce significant revenue, too. Businesses specializing in eco-friendly building and energy solutions are on the rise.

The focal point of the city, Pike Place Market, is located downtown by the water. Founded in 1907, this huge market now houses numerous shops and galleries, as well as an extensive selection of produce, meat, fish and other fresh foods. Strolling...  Read more »

Known for rainy days, Starbucks Coffee and its rock music scene, this progressive city offers beautiful natural surroundings and dynamic city life. Situated on the Puget Sound, Seattle is surrounded by the waters of Elliot Bay, Lake Union and Lake Washington, as well as by lovely views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Inside the city's exciting districts, hip coffeehouses, farmers markets, world-class museums, notable theaters, concert halls and innovative restaurants keep the metro abuzz.

Seattle is home to corporate giants like Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon.com, T-Mobile USA and Nordstrom. Among the city's top industries are information technology, healthcare and manufacturing. Seattle's proximity to the ocean is conducive to numerous maritime trades such as ship construction, fishing and transportation; its music and film businesses produce significant revenue, too. Businesses specializing in eco-friendly building and energy solutions are on the rise.

The focal point of the city, Pike Place Market, is located downtown by the water. Founded in 1907, this huge market now houses numerous shops and galleries, as well as an extensive selection of produce, meat, fish and other fresh foods. Strolling entertainers and musicians cater to crowds while sidewalk cafes, fine dining rooms, coffee shops and bars in the downtown neighborhood accommodate the influx of tourists who frequent the area.

Home of grunge music in the '80s and '90s and now an enclave for indie artists, Seattle features a plethora of recording studios and live music clubs where up-and-coming bands perform. And each year, several major music festivals attract fans with an impressive lineup of bands. Bumbershoot, a huge weekend-long music and arts event, features national headliners and regional grassroots artists on stages spread across the grounds of Seattle Center, drawing over 100,000 fans. In addition, the massive Northwest Folklife Festival celebrates the work of regional musicians.

If you're interested in learning more about Seattle history, visit the city's first neighborhood, Pioneer Square. Settled in the 1850s, the district is lined with historic buildings, many of which were constructed after the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed most of the original structures. Today, old-fashioned streetcars transport visitors on a tour of neighborhood landmarks. Native American totem poles, a turn-of-the-20th-century pergola and an old train station help commemorate the city's past, and attractive shops and restaurants occupy many of the old buildings. A small portion of the neighborhood that survived the Great Fire remains below ground and is the focal point of the fascinating Underground Tour.

According to most folks, Seattle's greatest appeal lies in its surroundings, and several lush, expansive parks allow visitors access to the region's natural wonders. Paddle around Lake Union for an exceptional view of the city, or hike at Discover Park on Magnolia Bluff, which overlooks cliffs, ocean, meadows and dunes. Located on the waterfront, Myrtle Edwards Park showcases the beauty of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. Gazing at the panorama, locals and visitors alike are captivated by the Emerald City.