Attractions for the Traveler in Seattle, Washington State
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Another article about Seattle: Tours in Seattle and the surrounding area
Seattle is the largest city in Washington State, the northernmost state in the Western United States. Seattle is a hilly city built on seven hills (just like Rome) between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. To the east of the city, Mount Rainier rises to a height of 4,800 meters alongside the Cascade Range, and to the west lies the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic Mountains of the Olympic Peninsula. It is nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of the green color that can be seen in every corner of the city, which is surrounded by forests and lush vegetation. The city is crossed by the Lake Washington Ship Canal and features a large lake in its center called Lake Union, so water is visible from almost everywhere in the city. No wonder Seattle is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the US.
Seattle is considered a young and vibrant city, with welcoming residents, a developed coffee culture, excellent restaurants, and it serves as a recommended starting point for nature trips in the Pacific Northwest. The city, which is considered one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the West, currently has about 600,000 residents. Seattle is located about 155 kilometers south of the Canada-United States border and about 270 km north of Portland, the capital of Oregon.
The first settlers in the area were Native Americans from the Duwamish tribe who arrived in the Americas during the last Ice Age, over 12,000 years ago, from Asia via the Bering Strait. They were a friendly and peace-loving tribe primarily engaged in fishing and whale hunting.
The first white settlers arrived in Seattle only in 1851. It was a group of young people from the Eastern US who wanted to establish the "New York of the West Coast." They even initially named their city "New York." Since most of the early settlers were men, one of them traveled to New England and managed to convince 57 women to make the difficult journey west, settle in the new city, and establish their homes there. The city's natural harbor combined with the many forests surrounding it quickly made it the primary source of supply for construction lumber for Western residents. The construction of the railroad in 1893, which connected the city to Portland, also contributed to the expansion of the forestry and commerce sectors and the city's rapid development. In 1889, a large fire struck the city, destroying large parts of it, but it was quickly rebuilt, this time using bricks and iron. The Klondike Gold Rush in 1897, when gold was discovered in the Yukon region of Canada, greatly contributed to Seattle's prosperity and development, as it became a starting and supply point for miners heading north. Seattle became the banking center for the newly wealthy. During the World Wars, the city's growth continued due to the high demand for timber from the northeastern US.
In the early 20th century, a Boeing factory was established north of Seattle, bringing tens of thousands of workers to the city. In the 1970s, Microsoft began its operations in the city, and to this day, Bill Gates is one of the city's famous residents.
Today, Seattle is not only a vibrant city full of attractions and the port of departure for cruises to Alaska, but also a starting point for trips to the national parks surrounding it, such as Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park.
♥Recommended hotels in central SeattleHilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown, WA A 4-star hotel with 222 rooms, each with a microwave and refrigerator. The hotel features an indoor pool and free internet. Silver Cloud Hotel - Seattle Stadium A 4-star hotel with 211 rooms. Each room has a microwave and refrigerator. The hotel features an outdoor pool. Free internet. Courtyard Seattle Downtown / Pioneer Square A 3-star hotel with 262 rooms. Each room has a refrigerator. The hotel has an indoor pool and gym. Free internet.
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The Main Attractions
Seattle has many attractions and the most efficient way to get to know them and enjoy them is through the wide variety of recommended guided tours available.
Recommended tours to book from GetYourGuide.com:
Seattle's coastline along Elliott Bay - Seattle Waterfront
This is the most touristy area in the city. The famous Seattle market, Pike Place, the Maritime Museum, and the Seattle Aquarium are located along the coastline. At Pier 54, you can rent kayaks or motorboats for a bay cruise, go on fishing trips, or simply rent bicycles to ride along the coastline. From Pier 55, passenger boats depart for scenic harbor cruises as well as to the Tillicum Village (details below). At Pier 57, there are plenty of amusements for children and teenagers, ranging from a classic carousel to video games. From Pier 69, ferries depart for nearby islands, as well as pleasure ships for sunset cruises or cruises including dance parties.
Recommended guided tours within Seattle from Viator:
Pike Place Market
Considered one of the oldest markets in the US and one of the most recommended in the West. The highlight of the market is the fish and seafood stalls, but alongside them is a large selection of fruit, vegetable, and flower stalls. There are also plenty of diverse food stalls in the market. It is recommended to arrive hungry! The market also has several restaurants and cafes, including the world's first Starbucks Coffee. In addition to food, you will find interesting and unique shops on the lower floors of the building, such as an exotic bird shop or a magic shop full of surprises. Near the market are plenty of souvenir stalls and various ethnic shops. The market and its surroundings underwent a major renovation in 2009. Address: 85 Pike Street, Seattle.
It is recommended to visit the market midweek in the morning when it is less crowded. The stalls and shops in the market close in the afternoon, but the excellent restaurants and bars continue to operate. You can also take various guided tours in the market, ranging from a 90-minute tour called the Market Heritage Tour departing from the market's visitor center located at the corner of 1st Ave and Pike St, through food-focused tours, to a nightly "ghost" tour of Seattle: Market Ghost Tour.
Seattle Center
Another site full of attractions. It was established in 1962 as the site of the "Century 21" World's Fair, which was dedicated to the theme of "Science and Space in the 21st Century." The center is located north of downtown Seattle and is connected to it by a monorail that was also built specifically for the fair. The center features a variety of museums, which are particularly suitable for families, a basketball stadium, a children's amusement park called "Fun Forest," an opera house, performance halls, gardens, fountains, restaurants, and shops. In the heart of the site is the Flag Plaza with the International Fountain.
The most dominant building in the complex is the "Space Needle," which is 185 meters tall. A fast elevator will take you in 40 seconds to the top of the tower, which resembles a flying saucer, to an observation deck from which a magnificent view of Seattle and its surroundings is reflected. You can see the Olympic Mountains, the Cascade Range, the impressive Mount Rainier, Lakes Union and Washington, and Elliott Bay. It is recommended to purchase a small panoramic map of the city for a modest sum with a brief explanation of the main places before going up to the observation deck. The building also has interactive educational displays and a luxury restaurant. The "Needle" is now one of Seattle's prominent landmarks. Address: 400 Broad St., Lower Queen Anne.
View from Kerry Park
A beautiful view (free of charge!) of Seattle is located on the hill where Kerry Park is found (Address: 211 West Highland Drive).
From this point, you can see the downtown area, the Space Needle observation tower, the bay, and the yacht marina.
Smith Tower
Another view of the city can be taken from the Smith Tower, a historic 42-story building built in 1914 that was considered for fifty years the tallest building in the Western US. Address: 508 Second Avenue, Seattle. The tower is located in the heart of the "Pioneer Square" area.
Pioneer Square
Located at the southern end of downtown Seattle. This is the oldest area in Seattle, which has been renovated and restored. In the square is a large totem pole and next to it a statue of Chief Seattle (after whom the city is named). In the narrow streets adjacent to the square, in red brick buildings, there are many galleries, cafes, book and art shops, antique shops, and after dark, it is a bustling area of nightlife and music.
A fascinating tour in the neighborhood is the Seattle Underground Tour to central Seattle from the period before the great fire. When the city was rebuilt after the fire, it was built above sea level, above the ruins of the burned district. it was renovated for tourists and today you can tour underground in a restored subterranean city. A fascinating historical guided tour is held at the site.
The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is also located in the neighborhood. This is a small museum telling Seattle's role in the years 1897-98 during the gold discovery in the Yukon. During the summer months, a gold panning demonstration is held twice a day. Address: 319 2nd Ave. S, Pioneer Square.
Capitol Hill
An alternative and young neighborhood in the northeast of the city near the university. It is full of people with tattoos, piercings, and colorful hair. It is also known as the entertainment district for the city's LGBTQ+ community. Broadway is the main street in the neighborhood with a selection of excellent cafes, ethnic restaurants, special shops, galleries, bars, and clubs with music performances. Dance steps for rumba, tango, twist, samba, and more are imprinted on the street's sidewalks.
♦ Guided tours outside Seattle - for purchase from Viator:
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
These are the locks that separate the ocean waters from Lake Union and Lake Washington. Since there is a height difference between the sea and the lakes, you can see how the ships are raised from the ocean waters through the lock system to the higher lake waters. There is also a visitor center on-site with explanations on how the locks operate, the history of the site, and more. Fascinating! In July, you can see the salmon climbing to the lake in artificial ladders built to facilitate their journey. The locks are also called Ballard Locks. Address: 3015 NW 54th St, Seattle.
Lake Union
A beautiful lake located in the middle of the city (a short drive north of downtown) that became famous in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" for its houseboats, where people live on the water while the lake serves as a parking lot for light planes and their yachts. Most of the houses are built on the west and east banks of the lake. The best way to see them is by driving on Fairview Ave. E on the east side of the lake. The lake offers a variety of active recreation options such as kayaking. Around the lake are sprawling parks, the largest of which is Gas Works Park, a favorite for kite flyers. Every year in the summer, many concerts and the American Independence Day fireworks celebration are held there. The lake is also known for the "Wooden Boat Festival" held there in July.
Seattle also has a selection of recommended museums, parks, a zoo, an aquarium, and fascinating guided tours.
Seattle is also a paradise for shopping enthusiasts with shopping centers, giant department stores, a factory outlet center, and wonderful markets.