seattle view

Seattle Guide

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'Funny thing this Seattle rain. Not a whole lot of it, but it sure takes a long time to come down' R.L.Walker

seattle guide

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When to Travel to Seattle:
Best: June-September for least rain, except for winter sports October-February, April-May east of the mountains for flowers.
Okay: winter - for indoor culture, but cold, windy and rainy outside unless skiing nearby.

Length of stay not incl. flights:
Minimum worthwhile: 1 day for major sights and a coffee.
Recommended: 1 week, 2 days in Seattle, the rest exploring the beautiful surrounding landscapes.

Arts and Culture:
Museums and Galleries: Seattle Art Museum, Burke Museum [native artifacts] and Henry Art Gallery.
Classical Music and Dance: Seattle Symphony Orchestra at Benaroya Concert Hall, Downtown; Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet at the Opera House, Seattle Center.
Nightlife and Entertainment: plenty of live music venues and clubs catering for all sorts.

Cuisine:
Generally good and of many kinds, but sea food in particular.
Head Downtown to Belltown for the most exclusive city nosh, Pike Square Market for fresh sea critters, and the International District for Asian.

Festivals and Parades:
Jan-Feb, Chinese New Year, International District.
May, Northwest Folklife Festival, International District.
Jul-Aug, Seafair.
Sept, Bumbershoot, International District.

Sports:
Baseball: the Mariners at Safeco Field, Downtown
Football: the Seattle Seahawks at QWest Field
Basketball: the Supersonics at the Key Arena, Seattle Center

Why Travel to Seattle?
It's home to the most successful high technology industry in the world, so culture is young, vibrant and high on money.
It still rocks on the grunge scene of the early nineties and boasts Jimi Hendrix as an early music export.
The city is situated in a very scenic region and is surrounded by many outdoor activity possibilities.
It's just down from Canada if you are looking for a double-country experience.

Downside:
- It's conservative side compared to its Californian cousins, San Francisco and LA.
- It drizzles a lot and is a little on the cool side.

Sights:
Seattle center: the cultural heart of the city, where you can climb the Space Needle for panoramic views or dining, ride the 'futuristic' monorail, and goggle at the visual feasts of the Pacific Science Center and the musical ones in the Experience Music Project.
'U' District: the university district for campus life and Washington Park Arboretum for plant life.
Capitol Hill: Volunteer Park for the Victorian glasshouse; Asian Art Museum; the Henry Art Gallery and Burke Museum for Native American objects.
Pioneer Square: where it all started - the Klondike Gold Rush Historic Park and totem pole filled Occidental Park will tell you all about it.

Short Trips:
Bainbridge Island: by ferry to see Seattle from a watery persdpective.
Tacoma: worth a day to see the impressive Union Station and visit museums.
Also: Olympic National Park, Mt Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, San Juan Islands - see Pacific Northwest Travel