It can be a challenge to sit still in Seattle. Flanked by the Olympic and Cascade mountains and pressed up against the shores of two great lakes, not to mention the verdant forest that has given it the nickname ‘Emerald City’, it can be hard to fight the urge to get out an explore.
Yet equally the city lends itself to lazy afternoons spent in philosophical discussion in one of its famous coffee houses, or perusing the latest in contemporary art at a new gallery opening in Belltown. There are more university graduates in Seattle than any other city in the US, and the liberal, forward-thinking culture it is famed for can be intoxicating from the first few tastes.
This is also a city of neighbourhoods, one where urban planning has long since taken a back seat to the natural expression of its distinct and varied localities; from the teeming fish markets on the Puget Sound waterfront to the refined nightlife of Georgetown there’s plenty to experience and explore.
Where to stay
Pan-Pacific Seattle is a Travellers’ Choice award winning hotel which has a perfect set-up for business travellers with a great central location. Hotel 1000 is another great downtown option with superb levels of service and comfort.
Where to eat
Canlis has been around since the 1950s yet remains as fashionable with foodies today as it was then. Quinns is more informal, with a vibrant atmosphere and a great menu that mixes traditional comfort food with more creative American fare.
What to see
A ferry to Bainbridge makes for an excellent afternoon’s diversion; Seattle’s dramatic geography is best viewed from the water. Washington Park Arboretum showcases more of nature’s finest and can be explored by footpath or canal. The Museum of Flight is just one of many superb museums.
