Seattle, USA Plan a trip

Seattle is a city you’ll want to visit again and again, if only to get round its many fantastic restaurants, galleries and museums.

First-time visitors to Seattle will be keen to see some of its most iconic landmarks. This includes, of course, the Space Needle which towers over the city, originally built for the World’s Fair in 1962.

Staggeringly, Seattle also has around 200 art galleries and museums, with highlights including Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP) and the Olympic Sculpture Park.

Seattle is arguably the festival capital of Washington, with a packed calendar of over 100 festivals and celebrations. Visit at the right time and you might catch Bite of Seattle, Oktoberfest, Seattle International, Film Festival, Emerald City Comicon, Sasquatch Music Festival or the spectacular Seafair Parade.

The foodie scene in Seattle is famously good, starting with the city’s love of caffeine. This is where the first Starbucks opened, and the coffee shop still stands today. There’s no shortage of places to get a great cup of coffee and a gourmet doughnut, but food lovers should also make a beeline for
Pike Place Market. This Seattle institution has been running since 1907, and it’s where you’ll find fresh seafood, farmer’s stalls and a host of great eateries.

But there’s more to this bustling metropolis than meets the eye, as it has a number of distinct and fascinating neighbourhoods to explore. Each offers something unique, whether its Greenwood with its dive bars or serene Roosevelt and Greenlake with its yoga studios and vegan restaurants.

Seattle definitely has its quirky side, with weird attractions such as the Gum Wall of Seattle. And perhaps there’s something in the fresh Pacific Northwest air, but the city is also famous for producing some of the most legendary musical talents – from Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana to Chris Cornell and Death Cab for Cutie. It even claims to have invented grunge. So as you’d expect, there are plenty of fantastic live music venues to choose from.

All of this is set to the backdrop of glorious natural scenery, from the majestic active volcano Mount Rainier to the wildlife-rich Puget Sound of the Pacific Northwest – a top spot for whale watching. Drive just a few miles out of the city and you can immerse yourself in wilderness and outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and sailing.

Plan your trip to Seattle today!

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