Seattle, Washington is a one-of-a-kind city where the wharf meets the local coffee shop and top doctors have lunch with grunge rockers. Whether visiting the city to explore the downtown culture or the surrounding wilderness, Seattle delivers some of the greatest diversity in the country. The streets are filled with professionals in business suits and expressive teenage runaways.
There is so much to do in Seattle and at least 5 days is needed to get a good look at the city. Upon arrival, one of the first places to see is the Space Needle.
Built in 1962 for the World's Fair, the Space Needle is one of the top tourist spots in the city. In 41 seconds, an elevator takes visitors from ground-level to 520 feet in the air. The SkyCity restaurant is a great place to enjoy an iced tea during the summer or a cup of good coffee during the winter while enjoying 360 degree views.
Another must-see stop in Seattle is the Pike Place Market. Open 7 days a week and only closed for major holidays, this market has its roots dating back to 1907. Today, the market has about 200 businesses, and hundreds of farmer and craft booths. There's plenty to see and buy so plan on spending a good portion of the day here.
For a great day excursion on the water, head to the wharf for a ferry ride around Puget Sound. The views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains are amazing! The ferry schedule is lighter during the winter, but during the spring there are ferry departures almost every hour.
Exciting diversity and a unique culture make Seattle one of the best cities in the U.S. to visit.
