Visit Seattle

Nick-named the “Emerald City”, this Pacific Northwest metropolis sits on the Puget Sound surrounded by mountains and evergreens; its pop-culture image famously includes rain, coffee, and grunge-rock, but Seattle is so much more.

Recreation opportunities in the city (and surrounding areas) are unsurpassed: mountain climbing, white water rafting, fishing and whale watching are just a few of the activities favored by locals and visitors.

Seattle also offers a sophisticated nightlife scene featuring blues, hip-hop, rock and plenty of dance clubs – not to mention exquisite dining venues, dynamic museum exhibits and much more.

Oh, and about that reputation for rain? Seattle’s annual precipitation is less than New York’s, Atlanta’s, Miami’s, Boston’s and…well, you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Flights to Seattle

Flying to Seattle is easy, and so it finding cheap flights to Seattle. Just head to the airport that locals refer to affectionately as “Sea-Tac”.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): This hub for Alaska and Horizon airlines serves destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe and parts of Asia.

Attractions in Seattle

Seattle is the perfect mix of indoor/outdoor attractions, and here are a few of the highlights:

Pike Place Market – A Seattle institution in the heart of downtown; vendors sell farm-fresh produce, flowers, and handicrafts. Visit a bakery, see the original Starbucks, and try a tasting tour.

The Waterfront – Enjoy gorgeous views of the bay and the Olympic Mountains, then check out the Olympic Sculpture Park with its out-sized art (and it’s free).

Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour – Tour the Boeing facility just 25 miles north of Seattle and see actual jets being assembled; you can even design your own. Plus try out the interior of a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Shopping and Restaurants in Seattle

Did you find a cheap flight to Seattle? Then put your savings to good use:

Dining: Fresh seafood including rainbow trout and salmon is a specialty here, but so are steaks and sushi, and you’ll also find restaurants featuring cuisines from around the globe. Try a cup of Seattle’s famous coffee – after all, this is Starbucks home town (but there are plenty of independent coffee purveyors here, too).

Shopping: Renowned for eclectic bookstores, vintage clothing boutiques and retro design shops; a great place for gourmet specialty shops and chocolatiers, too.

Smart Tip

Looking for an international experience, but don’t want to travel too far? Head to Canada; just drive north from Seattle on Interstate 5 and you’ll be there in a couple of hours. Don’t forget your passport.

More Information on Seattle

Looking for Seattle’s most popular attractions or off-the-beaten-path gems? Find them here:

Seattle Metronatural – Seattle’s official visitors site provides updates on the best attractions plus where to stay and dine, and an “essentials” guide with maps and weather information.

Seattle.Gov – This local guide to area attractions offers a weekly event calendar, walking tours, plus great photos and a list of “Seattle Icons”.

Seattle Times – The popular newspaper site offers the latest on music, nightlife and hot new restaurants, plus movie listings, traffic info and shopping deals.