Travel Guides > Seattle, WA

Seattle Travel

Consistently touted as one of the best cities in which to live and raise a family, Seattle, Washington is a town that offers a bit of everything to both residents and visitors, including the best in the fine arts and culture, fun and exciting attractions and landmarks, a vibrant waterfront, colorful outdoor markets, and unique local cuisine.

Many first-time visitors head directly for Seattle's most recognizable landmark, the Space Needle. This 605-foot tower, built for the 1962 World's Fair, dominates the skyline. You can ride to the top via elevator and enjoy spectacular views from the observation deck and the rooftop revolving restaurant.

Part of the same complex known as Seattle Center, the Experience Music Project was constructed in 2000. This oddly-shaped, colorfully-painted building traces the origins and history of American Music through the use of technology and interactive exhibits. The Pacific Science Center, also nearby, is a favorite with the younger set, features hands-on science, laser light shows, and the Boeing Imax Theater.

Travel to Pioneer Square for one of the most unique tours found in any big city... the Seattle Underground Tour. After the Great Fire of 1889, Seattle's city planners decided to raise the streets to solve an escalating sewage problem, but impatient business owners rebuilt at the old level. Several years later, the city covered over the old sidewalks, which are still accessible to today's tourists via ladders. Guides tell humorous stories about old Seattle on this one-of-a-kind tour below the streets of the city.

You can't visit Seattle without a trip to Pike Place Market, where the fishmongers sell their goods, bakers offer scrumptious goodies, and local artisans peddle handmade crafts and artwork. Eating here is a definite must as the seafood and other local delicacies and cuisine are out-of-this-world!

Just like any big city, Seattle boasts a number of unique neighborhoods. Chinatown, also dubbed the International District, is home to shops, restaurants, and attractions that represent all the Asian nations. You can tour a fortune cookie factory, visit a Chinese herbalist, purchase martial arts supplies, or enjoy an authentic Asian meal.

The arts abound here in Seattle. The Seattle Symphony Orchestra has been entertaining patrons for more than a century and local theaters offer classic and cutting-edge plays and musicals. Art museums, like the award-winning Seattle and Frye Art Museums, house impressive collections from many genres and periods.

Round out your trip to this amazing Pacific Northwest city with a little bit of nature. The Woodland Park Zoo is consistently ranked as one of the world's best zoological parks. Visit the zoo's award-winning habitats, including the Trail of Vines, Tropical Rain Forest, Northern Trail, and African Savanna.

Also worth checking out: Vancouver, BC, Canada, Portland, Oregon