The Northwest metropolis has been voted the most livable city in the USA several times. One reason for this was its location between the Cascade Mountains and the San Juan Archipelago. The skyline of Seattle – Washington’s largest city – on the iridescent blue-green Puget Sound is most impressive in the evening light, when the reflective glass facades of the futuristic skyscrapers form a sharp contrast to the evening sky. In good weather you can see the imposing Mt. Rainier in the background. At the Seattle Center, built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the 184-foot-tall Space Needle offers unparalleled views from its observation deck and two restaurants. But Seattle has much more to offer than just modern urban flair: the lively old town around Pioneer Square.
According to localcollegeexplorer, downtown Seattle and Eliott Bay are surrounded by the six Seattle Hills. The seventh, Denny Hill, was demolished in the early 1800s to expand the business district. This is where Denny Regrade was born with the district of Belltown, which wakes up from its slumber in the evening and offers lively nightlife and live music.
The proximity to the high mountains and the sea has earned Seattle a reputation as a rainy city, but it is actually drier here than New York City, Miami or Houston. The fun-loving Seattle people, who are said to have a high level of education and a pronounced pride in their city, are not bothered by this: the high quality of life and a comprehensive range of cultural and leisure activities make up for the supposed shortcomings. And it’s not just the distinctive coffee culture – many cafés serve up to twenty types of coffee – that shows how enjoyable it is. at Pike Place,the oldest market in the USA, traders loudly advertise their wares. Culinary delicacies of all kinds are offered in the streets and alleyways. Not far from here you can board the restored Australian Tram and be transported almost to Pioneer Square, where the original heart of Seattle beats. From here you can continue by subway. Saved from the threat of demolition by persistent residents, the area around Pioneer Square is now a lively artists’ quarter. Visible from anywhere and impressive at any time of day is the majestic peak of Mount Rainier, just 110 kilometers away. To Seattleites, it’s quite simply “The Mountain.” The Indians reverently called it “Tahoma”—the mountain that was God.
Seattle information
Location and Size
Seattle is the largest city in the Northwest of the USA and lies between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, about 155 km south of the Canadian border. Seattle covers an area of 369 km² and lies at an altitude of 54 m above sea level, 217 km² is land area.
Population
Approximately 652,000 people live in Seattle, the metropolitan area has more than 3.6 million inhabitants.
Arriving
by plane
Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) International Airport is 14 miles south of Seattle.
Economy
Seattle is one of the centers of the IT industry, the most important IT company based in Redmond near Seattle is the software manufacturer Microsoft. But other well-known companies such as Amazon, the software specialist Adobe, the aircraft manufacturer Boeing and T-Mobile USA are also based in and around Seattle. Another well-known Seattle-based company is the global coffeehouse chain Starbucks, which was also founded here.
Climate
Seattle has a humid climate, with most rainfall occurring between January and May and between October and December. However, daytime temperatures are mild year-round. June to August is the warmest and driest time of the year, with temperatures averaging 24°C. In winter, temperatures rarely drop below 0°C. Snowfall is rare. The best time to travel is from April to November, with less chance of rain and long summer days.
| Average temperatures in Seattle in °C | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max | 8th | 10 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 11 | 9 |
| Min | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8th | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 8th | 5 | 3 |
Things to see in Seattle
Space Needle
The Space Needle is doubles as the most prominent landmark on the Seattle skyline and the best place to admire the city itself. The 360-degree view from the 600-foot (184-meter) observation deck offers magnificent views of Seattle and all surrounding areas, including Puget Sound, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, and more. A souvenir shop and the SkyCity Restaurant are located directly below the deck. Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 09:00 to 11:00, Friday and Saturday from 09:00 to midnight. www.spaceneedle.com
EMP Museum – Experience Music Project | Science Fiction Museum
The 13,000 square meter building, designed by the well-known architect Frank O. Gehry, is itself a sculpture worth seeing. Inside the building, the Experience Music Project is an interactive museum that houses an exhibition by the homeland’s son, Jimi Hendrix. It is a chronology of Seattle’s vibrant music scene and music studios. Even the most inexperienced musicians who pound the drums, practice guitar chords and practice singing will sound like rock stars afterwards. Part of the building houses the Science Fiction Museum Hall of Fame, the world’s first science fiction museum. The offer includes all aspects of the genre of literature, visual arts and films. Opening hours: in summer daily from 10 am to 7 pm and in winter daily from 10 am to 5 pm www.empmuseum.org
CHIHULY Garden and Glass
Chihuly Garden and Glass provides an insight into the inspiration and influences of artist Dale Chihuly. Located right in Seattle Center next to the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass is an exhibition hall with eight galleries that showcase the artist’s colorful and fantastically imaginative glass artworks. The exhibition continues in the lush garden with shrill, creative glass sculptures. Opening times: Sun-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri & Sat 10am-9pm. 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
Pike Place Market
It’s the heart of the city, it’s open year-round, it delivers the best goodies and it’s one of Seattle’s most iconic attractions: We’re talking about the 36,000 m² Pike Place Market. With its witty vendors and huge range of goods, it’s one of Seattle’s most popular attractions. Aisles lined with gleaming fruit and veg, tables overflowing with bouquets of fresh flowers, and stalls selling all manner of locally made jewellery, clothing and gifts.
The popular market is also known as the “good soul of Seattle” because on the first day it opened, on August 17, 1907, eight farmers were able to sell their goods to more than 10,000 people. So many came to see what was then a new market. The rush hasn’t decreased since then. Today you can find more than 200 companies, 190 craftsmen and about 100 farmers here. More than 10 million people visit the market every year. The first original Starbucks branch is also located here.
Tours from Seattle
Bainbridge Island
The view of the Seattle skyline from the ferry is worth the trip alone. A special experience is a walk through downtown Bainbridge with its galleries, boutiques and coffee houses. Shop for unusual North West gifts in historic Winslow’s cute little cafes and shops.
Getting there (35 minutes):
By Boat: Take the Washington State Ferry from Pier 52 on the Seattle Waterfront.
Snoqualmie Falls
The views from the top and bottom of the 82 meter falls are spectacular. The “Salish Lodge & Spa” lodge offers a breathtaking view of the waterfalls and the opportunity to be spoiled with culinary delights at a high level http://salishlodge.com/ . The Northwest Railway Museum provides insight into the Victorian era, and a short train journey through the Snoqualmie Valley is a special experience.
Getting there (30 minutes east of Seattle):
By car: Take I-5 South, I-90 East, exit 27 toward Snoqualmie.
Tacoma
One of the main reasons for visiting Tacoma is the glass factories. Hand-blown glass art has become very popular, and the Tacoma Museum of Glass pays homage to the craft. The best way to experience the glass installations by local artist Dale Chihuly is to take a tour of the Tacoma Art Museum.
Getting there (40 minutes):
By car: Take I-5 South from Seattle, I-705 North to the Tacoma exit.
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
The 1980 volcanic eruption devastated the region, leaving rubble and ash in its wake. Visitors can learn about what happened back then at the park’s visitor center.
Getting there (4 hours)
By car: From Seattle on I-5 South; follow SR 504 east for 8 km to Mount St. Helens Silver Lake Visitor Center.
Boeing Plants & Future of Flight Aviation Center, Everett
About 50 km north of Seattle is the Boeing aircraft plant, where the types B747, B777 and B787 are assembled. The production hall built in 1968 for the B747 jumbo jet is the second largest building in the world with a volume of almost 13.4 million cubic meters. Visitors can take a 90-minute tour of the factory and see where and how the planes are assembled. On the site, where more than 30,000 employees work in three shifts, there are also three painting halls and a separate rail terminal for the delivery of materials. The aircraft and rocket manufacturer Boeing has also set up the future of flight aviation center with an extensive shop on the 415-hectare site.
Getting there
By car: From Seattle on I-5 North; Exit 189 westbound. Turn left after the Boeing Assembly building (where 526 meets 84th St. SW and Paine Field Blvd.). The Boeing Tour and Future of Flight Aviation Center are on the left.
