A city built on hills and around water. A city proud of its arts and cultural institutions, live theaters and the downtown art museum. A city proud of its professional and collegiate sports. This is Seattle. The largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United Stated and one of the country’s fastest-growing cities, Seattle is a thriving metropolis which intertwines a bustling everyday life with serene parks and an outstanding natural beauty. Although a generally wet climate is the norm here, it is common to see many locals who don’t use an umbrella proving that a bit of drizzle is a weak force against the vibrancy of the city. Weather is not an issue when days are filled visiting key points of interest, and the nights are spent reliving Seattle’s noteworthy musical history. Walk along Jackson Street and feel the buzz of nearly 2 dozen jazz clubs which allow the notes of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones and Ernestine Anderson to pour into the city where their careers began. Seattle also gave birth to the grunge scene which promoted the careers of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and is home to the hip-hop artists Macklemore and Grieves.
Planning a trip to Seattle? Then prepare to be immersed in lush evergreen forests, cultural attractions and a booming music scene.
Where to stay
Hotels in Seattle can often be booked out months in advance. Choose instead one of Wimdu’s wide variety of rentals and enjoy the comfort and prime location of a hotel for half the price! Wimdu offers modern apartments set in peaceful neighbourhoods or next to beaches over which the sun sets. Studio apartments are also available and are ideal for those looking for a fully-equipped, self-catering rental from which they can cook fresh produce bought at the Pike Place Market. Or maybe you want to have somebody else do some of the work? Then book a room in a guesthouse or bed and breakfast where tasty meals can be provided for your convenience. Wimdu’s list of accommodation offers is sure to have something to fit your needs!
Fun Facts
- Seattle was the first city across the entire United States to play a Beatles song on the radio!
- The first Starbucks was opened in Seattle in 1971!
- The Space Needle is about 1,320 Milky Way bars tall!
- Seattle hosts the largest "Legalize It" festival in the country.
- The first city in the United States to send its police force to work on a bicycle was Seattle!
Things to see and do
Visitors to Seattle will find it hard to miss the towering Space Needle, making it as good a place as any to begin a tour of this wonderful city. Once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River, as well as being a city landmark, it is one of the most recognized landmarks worldwide. Take an elevator used by approximately 20,000 thousand people a day to reach an observation deck overlooking not only the downtown Seattle skyline, but also the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, and surrounding islands. Before taking the 41-second trip back down to ground level, enjoy a meal 500 feet in the air at the rotating SkyCity restaurant.Residents of Seattle are extremely proud of their cultural city. Visitors can see for themselves by planning a tour of the many institutions it has to offer. Delve further into the city’s music scene by heading to the Experience Music Project (EMP), a non-profit museum dedicated to contemporary popular culture. When finished there, travel to the Seattle Art Museum which consists of its main museum in downtown Seattle, the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) in Volunteer Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the central Seattle waterfront. Finish the evening enjoying a show at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Showbox at the Market or the circus dinner theater at Teatro ZinZanni. However, one day of culture is not enough! Make sure you also fit in the Pacific Science Centre, the Museum of Flight and Frye Art Museum before leaving the city.
After an eventful few days, a spot of relaxation in one of Seattle’s scenic destinations may not sound like a bad idea. One great place to visit is the Olympic Sculpture Park where a 9-acre outdoor sculpture museum and beach can be found. Another popular area is Lake Union and its much frequented Gas Works Park which is a venue for summer concert and the Fourth of July fireworks show. Other parks ring the lake and can be spotted when floating across the lake on a kayak. Wonderful Seattle is also home to Kubota Garden, Green Lake and Kerry Park among other beautiful locations.
