Seattle is the city where Starbucks and Boeing were born. Tourists come here to enjoy the views of the largest metropolis in the northwestern United States, feel its character and taste the freshest seafood. Spend a week here – the city will find something to surprise you.
Where it is and how to get there
Seattle is located in Washington state, less than 200 km from the border with Canada. Although not the capital, it is the largest city in the region. It is often called “emerald” – all thanks to the dense evergreen forests around.
This place gained popularity because of the port, which one of the ten largest in the USA. And if earlier the main occupations of citizens were associated with the sea, now Seattle is one of the main IT cities in the world – the headquarters of Amazon, Expedia Group and other large companies are located here.
There are no direct flights from Russia to Seattle. You will have to get there with transfers. Ticket prices start from 38,000 rubles in both directions. Travel time – from 15 hours.
Where to live
Budget hotels can be found in the Seattle suburbs. This option is convenient if you rent a car (the trip to the center will take 20–30 minutes). You will also need a car to go to natural attractions around the city. Rental cost per day starts from 4,500 rubles. Without personal transport, it is better to stay in the center.
Good budget options:
- Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle – from 3100 rubles per night*
- Travelodge by Wyndham Seattle By The Space Needle – from 6400 rubles per night*
- Courtyard Seattle Downtown/Pioneer Square – from 7600 rubles per night*
When is the best time to come
It’s not for nothing that Seattle is sometimes called the city of rain. Late autumn and winter are considered the rainiest times of the year. The average temperature in November–March does not rise above +5 °C.
The most favorable season for traveling around Seattle is from May to September. At this time, the air warms up to +25 °C.
Things to do
Seattle combines modern skyscrapers and authentic culture. There are many museums, art objects, and parks. In the surrounding area you can find hiking mountain trails to volcanoes and lakes. What is a must-do in the city?
Explore the sights
Space Needle
The main attraction of Seattle is the tower Space Needle. The height of the skyscraper is 184 meters, in appearance it looks like a needle stretching to the sky, and at the very top there is a “flying saucer”. Tourists can visit the restaurant and observation deck, which offers views of the city, bay and mountains. Entrance fee: $35*.
You need to walk around the metropolis for a long time, exploring every corner. Lots to see on Downtown Boardwalk. There are fish restaurants, luxury hotels, and sea vessels sail along the bay. Aquarium, where you can see fur seals, seals, beavers and other fauna, is also located nearby. And on Pier 57 you can find Seattle’s Great Wheel 53 meters high. An ideal place to admire the sea panoramas of the city.
Seattle Big Wheel
After walking along the boardwalk, head to Columbia Center– the tallest skyscraper in the metropolis. In the same area, pay attention to the Central Library in a futuristic style.
Columbia Center
In the city you can find corners with different cultures. Asian lovers, for example, can head to Chinatown. If that’s not enough, explore the Japanese Garden, located at the southern end of Washington Park.
Photo: f11photo/shutterstock.com
In general, Seattle is a city of parks, there are so many of them that you can walk in a new place every day.
Museum lovers will also love Seattle. The largest private Aviation Museum in the USA is located right at the airport. We also recommend visiting the Museum of Pop Culture, where celebrity guitars, costumes and movie props are collected. Seattle Art Museum — The collection includes artifacts of various cultures and nationalities, the complex also includes Olympic Sculpture Park.
Museum of Pop Culture
Felix Mizioznikov/shutterstock.com
Visit the market and try the pies
Pike Place Market – the oldest market on the continent. Here you can find everything: from freshly caught fish to cheese and bread. Tourists come here not only for shopping, but also for beautiful views. Neat counters unwittingly force visitors to purchase goods. The sellers themselves have long become iconic. They came up with an interesting move to be remembered and attract tourists. The show “Flying Fish” gained fame throughout America. The idea is simple: sellers throw fish to each other, accompanying such a game with shouts. If manual dexterity allows, visitors themselves can take part in the performance. It’s better to come to the market at the very opening – at 7 am.
Pike Place Market
EQRoy/shutterstock.com
It was on the territory of the market that the first coffee shop opened its doors in 1971Starbucks. The place is still preserved – coffee won’t surprise anyone anymore, but everyone wants to touch a historical corner.
On the territory of the market there are also Russian cuisine establishments founded by immigrants from our country. Finding them is easy – it’s almost impossible to pass by the signs saying “Pirozhki, pirozhki.”
Honoring the memory of great musicians
Photo: Iryna Makukha/shutterstock.com
The city is inextricably linked with two musicians – Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. The great Hendrix was born in Seattle. Not long ago, a monument was erected to him at 1604 Broadway.
Another legend is the lead singer of Nirvana. A few months before his death, Kurt Cobain purchased a house in Seattle, where the tragic event happened. Fans continue to come here on the musician’s birthday and death. You will find the house at 171 Lake Washington Blvd E.
Learn street art
Photo: Alex Cimbal/shutterstock.com
Seattle is a creative and creative city. Here you can find unusual details and stylish solutions everywhere. If you like everything bright and memorable, this is definitely the place for you.
The city’s most controversial landmark is the bubblegum wall. It is located in the Pike Place market area. It all started in 1993, when students, standing in line at the theater, decided to have fun and stuck chewing gum on the wall. Local residents and tourists continued to leave rubber bands on nearby buildings. The most unusual district of the city is Fremont. For a long time it was even called the capital of the counterculture and the republic of artists, and the residents dubbed it the “Center of the Universe.” The main object is Fremont troll, who settled under the bridge. There is also a statue of Vladimir Lenin here. Festivals and holidays are often held here: a parade of naked cyclists, which is organized on the day of the summer solstice, and others.
Go on a hike
Seattle is surrounded by mountains and national parks. Be sure to rent a car this weekend and go on a short hike outside the city. Most popular destinations:
Volcano Rainier. Tourists can complete an easy trek in 24 hours, admiring the peak of the tallest mountain in the Pacific Northwest. A 10-hour route is best for this.
Volcano Rainier
Olympic National Park. There are mountains, sandy beaches, and even tropical forests. Tourists can stay overnight at a campsite or rent a cottage. More details on the official website.
Olympic National Park
Northern Kascad. It is located two hours from Seattle. A ski resort is open here, where Americans and Canadians like to come. The park got its name thanks to the high cascade mountains.
North Cascade
Seattle is an underrated city where industry and art, future and past, mix. There are not as many tourists here as in Los Angeles or New York, but the metropolis will definitely surprise you with culture and nature.
*Prices valid at time of publication
Photos: unsplash.com/shutterstock. com
