Seattle Overview

Welcome to the Emerald City. Visit a cosmopolitan city where you can shop at fine boutiques, eat fresh seafood at a trendy restaurant, and still breathe fresh air. In the words of Perry Como, "The bluest skies I've ever seen are in Seattle."

Districts

Diversity and tradition fill the streets of Seattle, despite the city's relatively brief history. This medium-sized city is booming economically, growing and evolving at a rapid rate, with help from multinational corporations like Microsoft and Starbucks. For many who live here, however, the blue skies, abundant water, and picturesque mountain ranges are what keep them firmly planted in this beautiful city. Though too many to name, districts include: Capital Hill, International, Pike Place Market, and Seattle Center.

Entertainment

The patriarchs of the local art scene, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) and its brother the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM), have been pushing steadily away from exclusively showing antiquities to showcasing more contemporary art. At SAM, look for rotating modern art shows, and be sure to check out the Native American and African galleries. At SAAM, the vibe is quieter, but spectacular nonetheless.

The contemporary art shows at the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington always have an academic background and a flair for challenging conceptions. The Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA) and a host of edgy galleries such as James Harris and Greg Kucera, showcase young, impoverished, enthusiastic local talent. Check it all out during the monthly neighborhood Artwalks, during which galleries stay open late and serve wine and cheese.

The history of Seattle's ethnic minorities gets a thoughtful, detailed look at the Wing Luke Asian Museum. The Seattle Children's Museum and the Pacific Science Center, both at the Seattle Center, are paradises of activities for kids.

Dining and Drinking

Seattle is a city growing up. Neighborhoods like the University District, Ballard, Fremont, and Capitol Hill attract younger crowds of students and artists with diverse tastes and small budgets. Downtown Seattle and Belltown have become hot spots for new entrepreneurs, high-tech employees, and anyone else with extra spending money. Downtown has changed with the times by raising prices and adding more upper-crust restaurants, bars, and dance clubs. Whether your tastes are for the rugged outdoors or cosmopolitan city life, Seattle accommodates. Day or night, the city can sate your dining and drinking tastes as well.

Where To Stay

Over the past several years, Seattle has become a quite popular tourist destination, especially in the summer when the threat of rain diminishes somewhat. Most hotels are located in the downtown area, but visitors can certainly find excellent lodging options in the outlying areas as well.

Did You Know?

Seattle is an international city. In 1962 the World's Fair was held here and the Space Needle is a much-visited tribute to that moment when the eyes of the world were on Seattle.

Orientation/Geography

Seattle is located on the northwestern border of Washington State. Boise lies 405 miles southeast, Portland is 145 miles south, and Vancouver (BC) is 165 miles north.


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