Seattle

Understand

History The first humans are believed to have entered the region nearly 4,000 years ago. Englishman George Vancouver mapped the area in the 1790s, but the first white settlers didn't arrive until 1851. Luther Collins led a party of settlers to the mouth of the Duwamish River (in what is today southern Seattle), followed shortly by a party led by the more notable Arthur A. Denny of Chicago, who settled at Alki Point in West Seattle. Confrontations between the original settlers initially flared, only to die out as the groups settled together on the Elliott Bay. The area was then named Seattle by David Maynard, in honor of Chief Si'ahl of the Duwamish & Suquamish tribes, and later officially established as a city in 1869. By the 1880s, development of a modern city came to life with the erection of buildings, a streetcar system, and a lumber mill at the end of a timber skid row (what is now Yesler Way), only to be destroyed by fire in 1889. The city came alive again in 1897 during the Klondike Gold Rush, when Seattle served as the departure city for miners bound for Alaska and the Yukon. Entire hills were sluiced into Elliott Bay to make flat land for development, and the Lake Washington Ship Canal was dug to connect Lake Washington to the Puget Sound. Beyond the gold rush alone, Seattle became a transshipment point in this era, for instance for the Alaskan salmon trade, a role it still plays to this day. The city's economy slowed down again during the Great Depression, but experienced a renewed fervor starting in World War II, as the Boeing aircraft company emerged as a major manufacturer and largest employer in the region. Seattle hosted the 1962 World's Fair, which opened the gates for modernization of the city. By then, Seattle had practically become a company town for Boeing, leaving it vulnerable to its cyclical downturns, particularly during the 1970s oil crisis. The software industry was about to make a big impact on the city, foreshadowed by Microsoft's move from Albuquerque to the Seattle area in the early 1980s. Soon, Amazon, Nintendo of America, T-Mobile, Starbucks, and numerous biotech companies established themselves, bringing an influx of population growth and money into the area. Today, the Seattle metropolitan area's wealth and its four million inhabitants (more than half of the population of Washington State) make it the economic powerhouse of the Pacific Northwest and one of the world's largest technology hubs.

Culture Multiculturalism is seen as a virtue. White people make up about 70% of the population, while more than a tenth of

Getting there

By plane

1 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA IATA), 17801 International Blvd, SeaTac, ☏ +1 206-787-5388, toll-free: +1-800-544-1965. Nicknamed "Sea-Tac", is in the city's southern suburbs 14 mi (23 km) south of downtown Seattle. It's a major domestic hub for Alaska, Northwest and West Coast destinations, and also handles many international trans-Pacific routes, as well as some flights to major European and Middle East airports. In addition, the airport is well-connected to virtually every part of the US, with multiple daily flights to many major US cities, as well as to Alaska and Hawaii. (updated Oct 2023) Alaska Airlines uses this airport as its primary hub and is by far the biggest carrier here, with Delta catching up with an international hub here and an increasing number of domestic destinations. The reliable Link light rail 1 Line (see § Get around) connects Sea-Tac to many points north, including South Seattle, Downtown, Capitol Hill, University of Washington, Northgate, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood. Sound Transit bus route 560 provides direct service from Sea-Tac to West Seattle.

Alternative airports Paine Field (PAE IATA), also known as Snohomish County Airport, about 30 mi (48 km) north of Seattle in Everett, serves limited commercial flights from Alaska Airlines from the western half of the continental US. The much-smaller Bellingham International Airport (BLI IATA), 94 mi (151 km) (about 90 minutes drive) north of Seattle in Bellingham, can be used as an alternative to fly into Seattle, despite the scarcity of flights. Low-cost carrier Allegiant Air flies to Bellingham from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Palm Springs, Phoenix-Mesa and Oakland. They do not fly into or out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Alaska Airlines flies up, only from Seattle-Tacoma only. On the ground Quickcoach offers connections to/from Vancouver, BC while Bel Air Airporter goes to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport via downtown Seattle (Convention Center). This airport also serves as a gateway point to travel to the San Juan Islands by air with San Juan Airlines Portland International Airport (PDX IATA), 160 mi (260 km) (about 3 hours drive) south of Seattle in Portland, is a major airport, but smaller than Sea-Tac, and is another alternative to fly into Seattle, especially with low-cost carriers Allegiant Air and Volaris (flights from Mexico). There are no direct shuttle services from Portland International Airport to Seattle, but there are Greyhound and Amtrak services from downtown Portland to downtown Seattle. In addi

Getting around

Seattle's public transportation system, while no rival for Chicago or New York City, is the most convenient and simple way to get around most of the city. While public transportation is also good in suburbs such as Bothell and Everett, if you plan on visiting those areas you may wish to use a car. Driving a car in Seattle is possible, but the frequent and awful traffic congestion can leave you frustrated. Parking for free in Downtown and many of the adjacent neighborhoods, such as Capitol Hill, is all but impossible. Seattle is also one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country, although you should be aware of the hilly terrain of the city that often makes cycling difficult. Carsharing services such as Zipcar, and ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber, are also convenient and safe transportation options.

Orientation

Seattle's street designations are generally easy to remember once you understand them. Most of the city is laid out in a grid, with north-south roads called Avenues and east-west roads being Streets. There are occasional irregularities: Ways are long roads that don't always conform to the grid, Drives are long, circuitous routes, and there's the occasional very short Place or Court. Seattle has a somewhat convoluted address system that can be confusing to the uninitiated. Outside the downtown area, the city is divided into 7 compass directional sectors (N, NE, NW, W, E, S, SW; no SE section), with the name of the sector applied to every road that passes through that sector. Streets are written with the sector before the name (e.g. NE 45th Street or NE 45th) while avenues are written with the sector after the name (e.g. 45th Avenue NE or 45th NE). Roads within the downtown area (as well as some avenues east of Downtown and some streets north of Downtown) have no directional designation. Within a neighborhood, locals often omit the directionals when describing places, but mapping websites and apps require them, and may send you miles out of your way if you don't specify them. Take this into consideration when looking for directions to a specific address. When locals give you directions, they may refer to an intersection (especially in the case of a bus stop). The first road mentioned is the street it is at, followed by the crossing street adjacent to the stop, but sometimes they neglect to specify whether it's an "avenue" or a "street," so inquire to be sure and you'll avoid the risk of winding up in the wrong part of the city!

On foot Walking is highly encouraged for short trips, especially if your destination is within Do

See

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles Seattle has a lot to see, be it prominent sights or attractions tucked away in quiet neighborhoods. For more information, look at each district's individual articles.

Seattle CityPASS. A discount pass that includes admission to five attractions for half the normal fee combined. You are entitled to up to two visits (within 24 hours) to the Space Needle and a visit to the Seattle Aquarium. You also get three choices of an Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, admission to the Museum of Pop Culture, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Pacific Science Center the Museum of Flight, or Chihuly Garden & Glass. A CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days starting with the use of your first ticket. Transportation and parking are not included. $127 for adult, $97 for children (ages 5-12), plus tax and a $2 processing fee per ticket. (updated Jul 2024)

Landmarks The first thing that pops into most people's minds when they think of Seattle is the Space Needle, north of Downtown in the Seattle Center. Although it's not the tallest building in Seattle, it still has a wonderful 360-degree view of both the city and the surrounding landscape. It is best to visit at sunset, when the mountains and sky will be lit up in beautiful colors. For a cheaper and less crowded option, head to the observatory at the Columbia Center building, which is higher than the Space Needle! For a better view of the waterfront and the downtown area, go aboard the Seattle Great Wheel. Downtown, the Pike Place Market is Seattle's largest tourist area. Home to the famous fish market, the original Starbucks Coffee shop, produce stands, and a dedicated lane each for florists and foods. Don't forget to visit Post Alley, just a block away from Pike Place as you walk away from the shore, as there are some excellent food and souvenir places tucked away.

Museums

Seattle has a number of top-notch museums. Downtown is home to the renowned Seattle Art Museum (SAM), which displays a good assortment of art from around the world. On Capitol Hill, the Seattle Asian Art Museum is part of SAM and focuses mainly on Chinese and Japanese Art, but includes works from as far away as India. SAM also operates the large waterfront Olympic Sculpture Garden near the north end of Downtown, which has free admission. Additionally, The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in the International District is the only Asian Pacific American museum in the nation (as against a museum of a specific Asian nationality). On First Hill, just east of Downtown, is the F

Do

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles

Tours Kenmore Air, 950 Westlake Ave N, ☏ +1-866-435-9524. 20 minute plane tours over Seattle that are narrated by the pilot, with spectacular views of the city. Tours begin and end at the west side of Lake Union. Reservations required. $99.50 per person. Pioneer Square has a variety of tours of the Seattle Underground, the below-street-level corridors that were created when the district was raised by one floor during rebuilding after a massive fire in 1889. These informative tours are a great way to learn about Seattle's early history.

Water tours and cruises Argosy Cruises, 1101 Alaskan Way, Pier 55. Cruise schedule varies by season. Ticket booth: Daily 10AM-4:05PM. Boat tour company with special dinner and sightseeing cruises. The most common tour is the hour-long Harbor Cruise on Elliott Bay, which offers excellent views of the Space Needle, Downtown skyline, freight harbor, and usually some sea lions, with a barrage of informative commentary about local history or interesting ships or cargo passing through that day. The Locks Cruise is a 2-hour one-way trip (in alternating directions) through the locks separating Elliot Bay and Lake Union, with an optional bus ride if you prefer a round trip. Seasonal cruises include the Summer Views Cruise with a sunset on Puget Sound, and Husky Football Cruises on Lake Washington before the games. Most cruises offer a decent full-service bar with large drinks and some snacks. Harbor cruise $30.50. Locks cruise $42.50, bus connection $5 additional. Discounts for kids 4-12 and seniors. (updated Mar 2018) 1 Waterways Cruises, 901 Fairview Ave N Suite A100, ☏ +1 206-223 2060. Cruises on Sa-Su and sometimes F; see schedule online. Office: M-F 9AM-5PM. Luxury dining cruises touring Lake Union and Lake Washington. Regular cruises include 2-hour weekend brunch and Sunday supper buffets, and a 2½-hour four-course dinner (business casual attire). Brunch $65, Sunday supper $60, dinner $85. (updated Feb 2018) There are a number of smaller operations offering private charter cruises, for more niche interests like old steamer ships, sailboats, or just a more personal experience with a friendly captain-and-bartender. These are best searched for online. The ferries are a cheaper way to experience a boat ride. The 35-minute trip to Bainbridge Island, with its quaint harbor village, is scenic and easy to board from downtown. See § Ferries under Go next.

Water sports

Seattle is surrounded by Lake Washington and Puget Sound, and there are a number of bodies o

Buy

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles If you want it, you can most likely get it in Seattle. Residents joke about "shopping local" or "supporting local business" at Amazon, Costco, and Starbucks, headquartered in or near the city. Despite the presence of these corporate giants (or as a reaction to them), Seattleites take pride in the many small, locally-owned businesses also operating here. Major chains and box stores do not tend to thrive in the city or its inner suburbs (with the notable exception of Starbucks, which has eighty-nine locations in the city). A sales tax of 10.25% applies for most purchases, except for groceries, newspapers, and prescription drugs, which are tax-free. Purchases of hard liquor, soft drinks, cannabis, rental cars, and hotel rooms are subject to higher taxes.

Downtown

The Pike Place Market, Seattle's most popular attraction, is well-known for its seafood and produce stands. At the main entrance to the market is Pike Place Fish, famous for its handlers who throw fish to each other, but there are plenty of other seafood stands as well. In the main market complex are several levels of restaurants and shops selling antiques, arts and crafts, and souvenirs, and as the weather gets warmer, artisans sell their wares in the upper open-air level as well. Although it is flush with tourists, especially in the summer months, area residents and Downtown workers regularly shop at the market as well, which minimizes the "tourist trap" feel. It is also believed by many that the lower floors of the market are haunted. The Westlake retail corridors on Pike, Pine, and Union Street between 3rd and 7th Avenues are also a great place to shop, with stores by big fashion and activewear brands. Belltown, just north of the downtown area, has a plethora of designer art galleries, fashion, and accessory workshops. Pioneer Square, just south of downtown, is the cheaper counterpart to Belltown, with more eclectic accessories.

Other districts

Ballard: Most shopping options here are on Ballard Avenue NW between 20th & 22nd Avenue NW. If big brands don't interest you, head here for stylish urban and hip fashion. Capitol Hill: Most shops here are in the western part of the neighborhood near I-5 (E Pike & Pine Street, Broadway and Melrose Ave), where the streets are filled with mid-range fashion options and a little bit of everything, befitting the hippest district of Seattle. Here you'll also find two of Seattle's most well-known bookstores, the sprawling Elliott Bay Book Company and used bookstore/cat sanctuary Twice Sold T

Eat

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles Typical of a big city, Seattle has a diverse range of fare representative of cuisines from around the world. Local chains and hole-in-the-wall restaurants dominate the city's dining atmosphere, and hearty. Prices are expensive by American standards; expect a counter-service lunch to set you back about $20, and a full service restaurant meal to cost a minimum of $30 after tax and tip.

Local specialties Seattle's proximity to Alaska and the waters of the Pacific Ocean make it an excellent place to enjoy seafood. Look for salmon during the late summer months as options are abundant and the prices are among the cheapest on the West Coast, especially the red (sockeye) salmon. Shellfish are a prized resource of the Puget Sound, where the cool, clean waters provide an optimal habitat. Clams, mussels and oysters can be found easily, but other specialties like geoducks (pronounced GOO-ey-ducks) are sometimes available for the more adventurous. The Dungeness crab, named for a nearby town on the Sound, is a popular seafood prized for its sweet, tender flesh and high ratio of meat. The Dungeness is a commercially important crab in Washington's waters but other crab species are also common. The Alaskan king crab, caught from the deep cold waters of the Pacific Ocean near Alaska, has a more frequent presence here than the rest of the lower 48. The mild climate also supports many types of fresh produce. Farmers' markets are a normal occurrence on the weekends, especially in residential areas, and they usually have better quality produce than what you can get at supermarkets. They're an excellent opportunity to taste local delicacies and experience the local culture. Apples, which are exported from Washington and shipped all over the world, are in season around September or October. Delicious Rainier cherries are in season June through early August. Seattle boasts a wide variety of Asian cuisine, from East Asia to the South. For several decades the ubiquitous comfort food of choice was the Japanese-inspired teriyaki, a generous portion of grilled chicken in a sweet-savory sauce served over white rice. The family-run hole-in-the-wall shops offering this cheap and filling fast food are increasingly being displaced by more upmarket fare, giving way to the poke and ramen shops popping up across the city. Sushi is widely available, in quality (and price) ranging from pedestrian to exquisite. Thai cuisine is ubiquitous, Chinese restaurants are present in most neighborhoods, and more recent waves of immigrants

Drink & nightlife

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles Few, if any, American cities can challenge Seattleites' love of coffee. This is perhaps best signified by the Seattle-based international chain Starbucks, but locals aren't satisfied by recognized chains alone, as evidenced by the hundreds of good locally owned coffeehouses. The best places to look for coffee are in Capitol Hill or Queen Anne Hill, where they take matters of coffee very seriously. Local favorites include Cafe Ladro, Vivace, Victrola, Caffe Vita, and Zoka, all of whom do their own roasting. Seattle coffee shops have their own slang: drip-brewed coffee is called simply "drip", two shots of espresso in a cup is a "doppio", and a "shot in the dark" is a shot of espresso poured into a cup of coffee, for a boost of extra caffeine. Some independent shops offer free cupping (tasting) classes, to educate customers about specialty beans. If you prefer tea, many coffee shops offer a selection of teas, and specialty tea shops offer a large catalog and can help you with recommendations. Like any other city with a large Asian population, bubble tea or boba milk tea shops exist, and are popular among young people. Bubble tea is basically milk tea with various flavors and tapioca balls. Many of these shops also offer Asian snacks and delicacies. If you are thirsty and hungry, and budget is your main concern, this can be a good option. Most of these can be found in the University District as well as a few in the International District. Craft beer is a Northwest specialty. Washington State is one of the largest growers of hops in the world, and local brewers like to highlight this locally-sourced ingredient. Fresh hop season runs from mid-September to mid-October, when many breweries utilize fresh (not dried) hops for a uniquely local flavor. The larger brewers distribute their products regionally or nationally, while other brews can only be found in local stores or bars; some beers are only available on draft, not in cans or bottles. Elysian (now owned by AB InBev), with three pubs, and the Pike Brewing Company in Pike Place Market, are popular local brewers. Brewery tasting rooms or taprooms, especially around Ballard but also in South Seattle and elsewhere, sell their beers directly to customers by the tasting glass, pint, 64-ounce (about 2 liter) growler, can, and keg. Taprooms are a particularly great option for families and on good weather days: many of them have enormous outdoor seating areas, most have no age restrictions, dogs are allowed, non-alcoholic beverages are also sold, and

Sleep

Individual listings can be found in Seattle's district articles

For such a large city, there is a surprising lack of accommodation options available, thus rooms in Seattle are more on the expensive side. Most sleeping options are in Downtown and consist mostly of mid-range or high-end hotels. Other options, especially budget hotels and hostels can be found near the Seattle Center, the University District, the International District, and in North Seattle. There are also bed and breakfast options in Fremont, Ballard, and Capitol Hill. Some low-priced motels along Aurora Ave N are notoriously associated with prostitution, drug dealing, and other crimes; travelers primarily interested in sightseeing should look elsewhere. Alternatives to Seattle accommodations are a train ride away south in Tukwila and SeaTac, especially the areas surrounding the airport. Because of their proximity to light rail stations that offer a direct ride to major stadiums and arenas, airport-area hotels offer a frugal, traffic-free alternative for tourists in town for a sports or entertainment event. By SouthCenter Mall in Tukwila, there are more hotels to choose from with a wide range of rates. You can also find more options for hotels across the I-90 bridge in Bellevue or other towns on the other side of Lake Washington, such as Kirkland, Issaquah, or Renton.

Go next

Within the metropolitan area Edmonds — a few miles north, the lively waterfront town that travel legend Rick Steves calls home. Everett in the North Sound — about 25 miles north, home to a massive Boeing factory, where many of its wide-bodied aircraft are assembled. Tacoma in the South Sound — one hour south, where you can find one of the largest zoos in the country, as well as history and art museums. Bellevue — across Lake Washington, Seattle's largest suburb features posh shops and restaurants. Redmond — across Lake Washington, the home of Microsoft and Nintendo of America.

Across the water Take a scenic ferry ride to the communities across the Puget Sound:

Bainbridge Island (35 minutes one way) — a bedroom community with a lovely little commercial district and lots of preserved green space. Bremerton and the Kitsap Peninsula (60 minutes one way) — a suburban community with a large naval base. Vashon Island (20 minutes one way) Port Orchard (30-40 minutes one way) Victoria and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada (2 hr 45 min, plus time to pass through border) — BC's compact and historic capital.

Day trips Just getting out and driving around the area with no destination in mind can be a great experience, as the Seattle area, like most of the Pacific Northwest, is very scenic. If you'd like more specific destinations, try some of these:

Olympic Peninsula — wild beaches on the Pacific Ocean, Cape Flattery (the extreme northwestern point of the contiguous U.S.), and some of the only temperate rain forests in the lower 48 states at the Olympic National Park. Portland, Oregon — three hours south, noted for its rose gardens. It's the largest city in the U.S. without a sales tax. Whidbey Island — 1-2 hours north, a charming place with quaint towns. Mount Vernon and Bellingham — two small towns 1-2 hours north. Every start of spring, the tulip fields near Mount Vernon pop up with vibrant colors and are a major tourist attraction. San Juan Islands — two hours north, the most immersive Salish Sea experience. Vancouver, Canada — three hours (plus border security) north, Canada's principal west coast city.

Cascade Mountains The Mountains to Sound Greenway via I-90 is the quickest escape into the mountains. Snoqualmie — with the scenic 300-foot-high (90 m) Snoqualmie Falls. North Bend — where parts of the 1990 David Lynch TV series Twin Peaks were filmed. The North Cascade Loop — a road trip over Stevens Pass (US-2) and through North Cascades National Park. Leavenworth — a Bavarian-style town on the east side of the Cascades. Mount Rainier Nati