Affectionately known as Emerald City, Seattle is a major coastal seaport with easy access to the mountains and green spaces. The Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Jazz, Indie rock and indie dance music Starbucks Coffee, Microsoft, Rainy weather, eclectic outdoor activities, Boeing Factory- these are the first few things that immediately come to mind when someone thinks about Seattle.
- Seattle – Dave Morrow – / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Informally referred as “Gateway to Alaska”, “Rain City”, and “Jet City”, Seattle is a cosmopolitan city where 59 languages are spoken and it has number of iconic symbols associated with it. Let’s have a look at tourist attractions Seattle is famous for:
1. Space Needle:Â The Space Needle is in The Heart of Seattle and needs no introduction. Located at the Seattle Center, this iconic sky-scraper weighing 9550 tons is 605 feet high and 138 feet wide (at its widest point). It is the most famous vantage point in Seattle and visitors wait for hours to pamper themselves with panoramic views of Downtown Seattle Skyline, Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Baker, Mount Rainer, Elliott Bay and surrounding islands. This architectural wonder features an observation deck and a rotating SkyCity restaurant along with a gift shop.
- Seattle Space NeedleDarwin Bell / Foter / CC BY-NC
2. Pike Place Market: Sprawling over 9-acres, Pike Place Market is The Soul of Seattle. It came into existence over a century ago when cost of onions increased manifolds to eliminate middlemen. It served as a platform where customers would meet the producer directly. Today, Pike Place Market is globally recognized as America’s premier famer’s market and caters to over 10 million visitors every year.
It comprises of more than 200 commercial businesses, 100 farmers and 190 craftsmen, 240 street performers and musicians. To summarize, Pike Place Market is a small village within the big city. If you wish to get an insight into the Pike Place Market, just go for Market Ghost Tours and Market Heritage Tours.
3. International District:Â The Chinatown-International District of Seattle is very interesting as well as diverse. It is the major hub of Seattle’s Asian American community. It is just the right place for aficionados of South Asian cuisine as here are served the best of Chinese, Singaporean, Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Filipino and Cambodian delights. Since Seattle is the major seaport trading with Asian countries, there is multitude of grocery stores selling goods imported from China, Japan and Vietnam. For those who are fascinated by gold jewelries, they can shop designer ornaments from 10 karat to 24 karat at jewelry stores.
- Chinatown-International District of Seattlesea turtle / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Major attractions at International District Seattle: Hing Hay Park, Wing Luke Asian Museum, Kobe Terrace, Danny Woo Garden
4. Woodland Park Zoo: Woodland Park Zoo is an award-wining zoological garden. It is home to a wide selection of animals from South America, Asia and Africa. In its North America and Pacific Northwest section visitors get see a few selection of animals which they may never see in the wild. The zoo remains flooded with visitors in summers as this is the time concerts dedicated to zoo animals are organized. It is indeed the best time to visit Seattle with kids and flights to Seattle usually fly full during this time of year.
5. Mount Rainier:Â Mount Rainier National park is centered on the spectacular cone of stratovolcano Mount Rainier. It is outstanding destination for scenic drives, hiking, and mountain climbing. Cascading trails magnetize hikers and climbers through lush forests of cedar, fir and hemlock, subalpine streams, meadows of wildflowers, to alpine slopes of glaciers and tundra. Cyclists enjoy exploring the paradise during the months of September and October when there are comparatively less vehicles on road and hues of fall enhance the landscape beauty.
- Seattle Mount RainierMichael Holden / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Must-to-visit attractions of Mount Rainier: Ohanapecosh, Paradise Grounds, Sunrise Area, Carbon and Mowish Area, Campgrounds, and Longmire Area
6. Pioneer Square: Pioneer Square takes the visitors back to 19th century. Home to art galleries, bookstores, museums and brick and stone buildings, Pioneer Square boosts of city’s some of the best nightclubs, sports bars and cafes. When here, don’t forget to take the one-of-its-kind Seattle Underground Tour to explore the spooky city beneath Seattle’s present street level.
- Seattle Pioneer SquareSeattle Municipal Archives / Foter / CC BY
Travel Tips to Seattle:
Seattle is a year round destination but tourism surges during the months of June, July, August and September. Reason being, Seattle enjoys the best weather during these 4 months and gives travelers a chance to make their Seattle trip an exceptionally ecstatic experience by adding Seattle-Alaska cruise tour in their itinerary. No doubt, to get a choice hotel room and cheap flights to Seattle during this season, travelers need to book their travel packages 3-6 months in advance.
Travelers who wish to travel to Seattle on discounted airline tickets and yearn to enjoy luxuries of elite hotels by booking off season hotel discounts whilst enjoying pleasant climate should plan their trip in shoulder season, i.e., May or October.
Of all of the places I have been to, I have never made it to Seattle and I don’t know why. This post has made it a must see on my list of places to visit. Thank you!