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Seattle is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — consider printing them all.

Seattle, Washington, [1] is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. Located between Puget Sound and Lake Washington in King County, of which it is the county seat, and overlooking Elliott Bay, Seattle is nicknamed The Emerald City. The city is a damp green gem, with an abundance of evergreen trees throughout, and spectacular views of the Cascade mountains to the east and the Olympic mountains to the west. Known for being the home of the Space Needle, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Amazon.com, Nintendo of America, Starbucks, Costco, and the University of Washington, Seattle is also the home of a vibrant arts scene and an excellent park system.

The Space Needle with Downtown in the Background

[edit] Districts

Seattleites nearly always describe a location in terms of its "neighborhood." This is partly because of a potentially confusing system of street addresses (see Get around). The breakdown into neighborhoods is informal and mutates over time, and while there are often signs on major arterial roads to let you know that you are "entering" a particular neighborhood, the placement of these signs is arbitrary.

Still, knowing what neighborhood you're looking for can be a good sanity check when you're looking for an address. A Seattleite would describe 1401 45th SW as being in West Seattle, and 1401 45th NE as being in the U District (University District), which you'll note are diagonally opposite on the map. See Get around for an explanation.

The Seattle City clerk maintains an interactive map [2] that starts with the high-level districts, but lets you click on those to get the detailed neighborhoods too.

Overview of Seattle districts

• The "Eastside" means the region east of Lake Washington comprising the suburbs of Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond.

[edit] Understand

A view of the Seattle waterfront

Seattle was founded on the rough, physical industries of fishing, logging and coal mining, with San Francisco as her primary customer. Boeing was founded in 1916 and, as natural resources were depleted, grew to be Greater Seattle's primary industry. The region's strong economic dependence on Boeing gave the oil recession and cancellation of the SST (Supersonic Transport) in the early '70s a grim effect. Over the last twenty-five years, the area has become less seedy and more developed with the massive influx of Microsoft money (and other software and biotech proceeds), but Pioneer Square is still the original Skid Row. (Yesler Way was a "Skid Road" for logs skidded downhill using dogfish oil to Henry Yesler's lumber mill).

Seattle is also substantially influenced by the presence of the University of Washington (the largest single campus in the state and recipient of over $1 billion in research grants annually), as well as multiple smaller colleges and universities. Seattle is also the center for financial, public health, and justice systems in the northwestern part of the USA.

[edit] Climate

The weather can be rainy (but is usually just drizzly) on any given day. It can also be sunny and pleasant in January. Mid-June through early September is often sunny. The record high is only 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39°C). The record low is 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18°C). The warmest months are July and August, with average highs in the high 70s (about 25°C), though often having days in the 80s and even 90s (32°C). The coldest month is January, with average lows in the mid-upper 30s (about 3°C), although occasionally can get cold, especially when it is not cloudy. The dark, short, and overcast winter days can be unpleasant and depressing to some, although the bright side is that they are not as cold as the latitude (47.6 degrees North) might lead you to think. The summer, however, is very pleasant. Temperatures are very mild, and most locals do not have air-conditioning in their homes, though all hotels will, and it is advisable to have it for a car if you are there in the summer. The days are also very long, and sunset (let alone twilight) is after 9PM for weeks. Also, the vast majority of days in the summer have no rain, and despite its reputation, many people's lawns go brown in the summer if they do not water. The main challenge of Seattle's weather is more the overcast skies than the rain. One interesting fact is that Seattle has less annual rainfall than New York City; however, the rain is spread out over a larger number of days, so while NYC gets heavier downpours, Seattle's rain usually comes in a drizzle, which only occasionally strengthens to a full-blown torrent. Despite this, if you come in the summer, you should see plenty of sunny weather. The month of December tends to be extremely wet, although due to the fact that Seattle weather is unpredictable, it can still be sunny and mild.

A rule of thumb sums up Seattle's month-by-month weather as such. January starts the year off with a relief from December's torrential rains, but just as quickly subjects the city to what is, for the area, an intense chill. Temperatures can fall below 30°F and snow may fall on several occasions. As Seattle's infrastructure is not built around this, even a moderate freeze creates major problems. In February, the weather is still cold and easily prone to snow, but often is sunny with entire weeks of sunshine. This is only a tease, though, as March is windy and unpleasant. April is when spring makes itself apparent, with schizophrenic weather which will see rain, then sunshine, then hail, then more sunshine, all in one afternoon. May is almost always the best non-summer month, as rain is rare and sun is in ample supply. Temperatures can hit 80 or more. But then June hits and the weather becomes cloudy and rainy once more, though fortunately it's a warmer rain and there is still good weather occasionally. An often said phrase in Western Washington is that summer does not start until the Fourth of July. July through September, however, are what make Seattle a bearable place to live, as rain almost never falls, and temperatures hover around 70 to 80 the whole way through. Toward the end of September, the weather cools, and by early October, it is once again very unpleasant with frequent cold rain and cloudy skies. November and December just get worse, and add possible snow to the mix. Then the cycle begins again, and with the passing of Christmas, the anticipation of increasingly longer days is tempered by the inexorable advent of freezing weather and black ice.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport [3] or just "Sea-Tac Airport", (IATA: SEA), located in the city of SeaTac, connects Seattle to all regions of the world, with especially frequent transpacific routes. The airport is about a 25-minute drive from downtown Seattle when there isn't heavy traffic.

There are several choices for getting from the airport to the city center:

• Metro Transit (city bus) - Route 194 [4] takes 30-40 minutes to reach downtown. Fare is $2.50 during peak hours (6-9AM and 3-6PM) and $1.75 at all other times. Get exact change, exit the terminal near baggage carousels 1/2, turn right and walk all the way to the south end of the building where you will find a couple of Metro bus stops with schedules posted. The 194s at the first bus stop head downtown; the second (adjacent) bus stop is for runs continuing out to Federal Way. Service on this route ends early (the last departures from the airport are 8:30 PM on Saturdays and 7:30 PM on Sundays); at other times, take the train.
• Sound Transit's Link Light Rail connects downtown Seattle and Tukwila, with a shuttle bus continuing to the airport; the rail line will begin operating directly to the airport in December. Fare to downtown is $2.50. Until the extension opens, the 194 bus will usually be faster outside rush hour, but the trains have more space for luggage.
• Taxi - The trip is about 25 minutes by taxi (expect to pay $30-40 plus tip); catch one on the third floor of the parking garage.
• Rental car - On a weekend, you might want to shop the internet for rental cars, since they can be less than $12/day (plus roughly 18% tax; also consider hotel parking fees, if any). Beware of the fact that taking a rental from the airport will incur an 11% "airport tax" surcharge. If you are able to rent a car from a downtown location you will not have to pay this and will save a considerable amount of money.
• Commercial shuttle buses [5] are about $5.00-$12.75 and probably not faster than public transit if you are going downtown, though they do have more room for luggage.

[edit] By train

Amtrak provides service from all along the west coast. The Amtrak Cascades [6] runs four trains a day between Seattle and Portland (two of which continue to Eugene, Oregon) and two a day to Vancouver, British Columbia. The Cascades service to Portland is quicker and much more reliable than the long-distance Coast Starlight, which can be delayed for hours on the long (over a day) trip from Los Angeles, California.

Additionally, the Empire Builder provides daily service to Chicago via Glacier National Park and Minneapolis. Unlike the other three Amtrak transcontinental trains further south, the Builder tends to stick fairly closely to schedule.

Seattle's King Street Station [7] is located south of downtown, near Safeco Field.

[edit] By car

Interstate Highway 5 (I-5) cuts through the middle of Seattle north to south. Interstate 90 (I-90) runs from the I-5 interchange in Seattle all the way to Boston. Interstate Highway (I-405) runs parallel to I-5 on the east side of Lake Washington. Be aware however, that Seattle is a city known for terrible traffic (third worst in the nation behind Los Angeles and New York), especially around rush hour, so be ready for crawling along slowly as you enter the city.

[edit] By bus

• Greyhound, [8]. Seattle's Greyhound bus station is on Stewart St. at the northeast edge of the downtown core.
• Quick Shuttle, [9]. Runs between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Stops in Downtown Seattle (outside the Best Western at 200 Taylor Ave N) and SeaTac Airport (at the main terminal near south end of baggage claim, outside door 00, bays 11-16). Fares from Vancouver to Downtown Seattle are $36 one-way, $65 round-trip; from Vancouver to SeaTac, fares are $49 one-way, $87 round-trip.

[edit] By boat

• Washington State Ferries, 801 Alaskan Way Pier 52, +1 206 464-6400 [10] - Connect downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island, to Bremerton, and to Vashon Island, and connect West Seattle to Vashon Island and to Southworth (Kitsap Peninsula). All ferries are for both vehicles and passenger except the ferry between downtown Seattle and Vashon Island.
• Victoria Clipper high speed catamaran passenger ferries, [11] connect Seattle to Victoria, British Columbia (Canada) and Seattle to the San Juan Islands.

[edit] By cruise ship

The large cruise ships calling on Seattle may be docked at one of two terminals in the Port of Seattle[12].

• Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, 2225 Alaskan Way South, near the middle of Seattle downtown's waterfront, serves as homeport for Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. Has bus, taxi and shuttle connections for transfer of passengers and luggage. For travelers with connecting flights, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is less than 15 miles away.

• Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 W. Garfield Street, (opened April 2009) at the north end of Seattle's downtown waterfront, serves as homeport to Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises.

[edit] Get around

[edit] Navigating

Seattle's street designations make sense once you understand them but, if you don't understand them, you can end up many miles away from your destination.

North-South streets are labeled "Avenues" (or occasionally "Boulevards" and "Ways") while East-West streets are labeled "Streets". The city is roughly divided into a 3 by 3 grid with 7 directional sectors (E, SW, W, S, N, NE, & NW) Street addresses are written with the sector before the name, e.g. NE 45th Street or NE 45th. Avenue addresses are written with the sector after the name, e.g. 45th Avenue NE or 45th NE.

There are four major exceptions:

1. Downtown streets and avenues have no directional designation.
2. There is no SE section. Instead, the S section is extra wide.
3. East of downtown, avenues have no directional designation (streets are preceded by 'E').
4. North of downtown (between Denny Way and the ship canal), streets have no directional designation, but avenues are followed by 'N'.

The twelve streets in the central business district are named as six first-letter pairs (south to north): Jefferson, James, Cherry, Columbia, Marion, Madison, Spring, Seneca, University, Union, Pike, Pine. One way to remember the order of the street pairs is with the mnemonic "Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest."

All in all, it's probably worth a few dollars to buy and carry a map when you're trying to find an address. Seattle's street designations are fully explained in a Wikipedia article at [13].

[edit] By public transit

A Metro Bus

Metro Transit [14] (electric, hybrid and diesel city buses) actually works pretty well. The web trip planner [15] is straightforward and accurate, as long as your bus is on time. During rush hours (Monday-Friday 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) bus fares are $2.00 within the city limits. All other times of day and weekends bus fare is $1.75. Pay exact fare as drivers don't carry change so don't ask (they get pretty annoyed if you do). On Saturdays and Sundays, you can buy an All-Day Pass for $4.00 from the bus driver.

Pay your fare when you board if you're headed downtown. When leaving downtown you pay your fare as you leave the bus (if you're confused the fare box has a sign posted on when to pay). Buses in the downtown core of Seattle are free between 6AM and 7PM, allowing you to just get on and get off. To read the details refer to Metro Free Bus info [16].

When traveling to destinations outside of the downtown core, make sure to ask the drivers Metro buses with green and white "EXPRESS" signs in their windows and/or those whose route signs say "VIA EXPRESS" if they are going to your destination. Some of these express routes are intended for regular commuters traveling between residential neighborhoods and downtown, and make limited or no stops between, but many can be useful for getting to destinations such as the University District, West Seattle, and Ballard.

If presented with multiple routes to get to the same destination, try and ascertain which routes use Hybrid Flyer buses, recognizable by the yellow rather than green route indicators. The Hybrids, unlike every other model Metro uses, have air conditioning — which during Seattle's warm season will be quite useful. Generally the Hybrids are used on routes which go downtown, through the recently renovated underground bus tunnel.

Sound Transit [17] (diesel and hybrid buses, trains) is more expensive, but has many convenient express routes that travel South (to Tacoma), East (Redmond, Bellevue), and North (Bothell, Everett). Some of these buses only run during rush hours, but most, including the routes to the destinations mentioned above, run all day. Check the schedule to make sure.

Link Light Rail [18] operates between Westlake Center downtown through South Seattle, continuing out to Tukwila. Shuttle buses run between the Tukwila station and Sea-Tac Airport [19], which will be replaced by a direct rail connection in December 2009. Fares are $1.75—$2.50 depending on how far you travel; ticket machines are located at all stations, and the tickets must be retained for the duration of your trip. Unlike the buses, there is no free ride zone for trains in the downtown tunnel! Bus transfers can be used on trains, and vice versa.

Sound Transit also operates a commuter rail service called the Sounder [20] between Seattle-Tacoma and Seattle-Everett. However, the Sounder is mostly limited to rush hour service on the weekdays, with some service for special events like Seahawks games.

Additionally, Seattle also has a few other modes of transit: A streetcar line, the South Lake Union Streetcar [21], runs between Downtown and South Lake Union. A monorail line, the Seattle Center Monorail [22] makes a quick connection between Downtown and the Seattle Center, home to the Space Needle. Finally, the King County Water Taxi [23] offers a quick connection between Downtown at Pier 55 and West Seattle, at Seacrest Park near Alki. The water taxi also offers beautiful views of Downtown, the Olympic Mountains, and much of the city.

If you need any help, go to the Customer Stop at Westlake Station in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, or ask a local. Seattlelites are always eager to help!

[edit] By car

Unlike some other American cities, visitors should not be intimidated by the thought of navigating Seattle by car. While rush-hour traffic can be quite frustrating (especially on the freeways), the city's streets and roadways are otherwise quite hospitable. On weekends, you can often rent cars at locations throughout the city for well under $20/day.

Zipcar [24] has cars in many parts of the city, waiting for someone to pick them up, drive them around, and drop them back off. This is best suited for hourly rentals for quick errands. Tourists will almost certainly find better deals on daily or weekly rentals from other companies.

Be mindful of where you park because parking laws are enforced and the fines can be hefty! A parking ticket can be in excess of $35 for going overtime in a 2-hour zone.

• Car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times.

Car Rental Companies include:

• Alamo Rent A Car, +1 800-462-5266 [25].
• Avis Rent A Car, +1 800-331-1212 [26].
• Budget Rent A Car, +1 800-527-0700 [27].
• Dollar Rent A Car, +1 800-800-3665 [28].
• E-Z Rent-A-Car, +1 800-277-5171 [29].
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car, +1 800-261-7331 [30].
• Hertz Car Rental, +1 800-654-3131 [31]].
• Thrifty, +1 800-847-4389 [32].

[edit] By bicycle

Bicycling is better than in most cities, except for the damp roads, frequent rain and hills, so you may wish to pick up some raingear. Some major roads in Seattle have properly maintained bicycle lanes. Bicycle usage is increasing significantly since the early 2000s and the car drivers are perhaps a bit more accustomed to bicycles than in some other major cities.

You can pick up a free Seattle Bike Map (as well as other local city and county bike maps) at the Seattle BikeStation, 311 3rd Ave S between Main St & S Jackson St almost next door to the train station. They also give suggestions on how to bicycle where you are going and how to do it safely.

Bicycle transportation in the greater part of Seattle is facilitated further by the Burke-Gilman Trail [33]. This is a paved walking/jogging/cycling trail that winds its way from the north end of Lake Washington, down around the University of Washington, then west towards Ballard. The trail is on an old railroad right-of-way, so it maintains a very consistent elevation and is excellent for commuting or a casual day's touring. Myrtle Edwards path is located on the sound, starting at the north end of downtown and continuing for the most part all of the way to the Ship Canal Locks. It is much more scenic than the Burke and more peaceful as it does not intersect with any roads. As well it has gorgeous views of the Olympics and Mt. Rainier.

All Metro buses are equipped to carry two or three bicycles [34] on racks on the front, at no extra charge. Metro doesn't allow riders to load or remove a bicycle in the downtown Ride Free Area during peak times except in the tunnel, although it doesn't hurt to ask if you've goofed.

[edit][add listing] See

See the district articles for more listings.

[edit] Tours

• Seattle Tours [35] provides tours of the Boeing factory as well as walking tours and sightseeing opportunities by plane, boat, raft, bus, and more. Priced from $9.95.

• Seattle Tours [36] is a three hour, 50 mile tour of Seattle. Door to door service from SeaTac, Tukwila, Bellevue and downtown Seattle. Seattle Tours also runs a daily tour to the Boeing Assembly Plant (see below) which also includes a stop at the Columbia Winery for a tour and tasting.

• Ride the Ducks Seattle [37] is a 90-minute ride on an amphibious World War II vehicle (yes, part of the ride is on Lake Union), not cheap ($23 adult) and not for those with a limited sense of humor (the style is a bit over-the-top). Definitely unique. 5th Avenue and Broad Street, across from the Space Needle. Open-year round.

• Show Me Seattle [38] A fun, small tour on a mini-bus!

• Gray Line [39] offers the standard big-city set of tours, including $21 for two and a quarter hours on a double-decker; $29 for a three-hour bus tour, and $49 for seven hours of combined bus and boat touring.

• Beeline Tours [40] offers a $38, three-hour tour similar to Gray Line, but in a smaller vehicle (that is, with fewer people).

• For a more intimate and quirky tour try Show Me Seattle Tours [41]. Their mini-bus holds a maximum of 14 people. Highlights of their tour are the Troll in Fremont, salmon ladder at the Locks, and the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat.

• Argosy Cruises [42] offers a harbor cruise, two lake cruises, a locks cruise, and dinner cruises.

• Tillicum Village on Blake Island [43] - scenic cruise from downtown Seattle, authentic native salmon feast and dance performances. Blake Island State Park was an ancestral campground of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indian Tribes believed to be the birthplace of Chief Seattle.

• Seattle Underground Tour [44] will take you underground in Pioneer Square. In 1889, 25 square blocks of Seattle were destroyed in a fire. When rebuilding, the city decided to raise the streets in the city approximately one story. Eventually the sidewalks were raised as well, and people traveled between the second story of the rebuilt buildings. The Seattle Underground was born!

• The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour, a 45 minute drive north of Seattle, is a fascinating look at where Boeing makes the 747, 767, 777, and 787 airliners — the world's largest building, as measured in cubic volume. See the Everett article.

• EverGreen Escapes [45] runs half-day, full-day and multi-day tours and adventures throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. Featured tours include a half-day tour of 4-5 wineries in Woodinville, full-day trips to Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier and the Olympic National Park. All tours go out in bio-diesel fueled Mercedes Vans and include local and organic produce and beverages. For the truly adventurous, try beginning rock climbing or kayak trip through the Ballard locks.

[edit] Museums

• Seattle Art Museum: Displays an good overview and assortment of art from around the world.

• Seattle Asian Art Museum: Focuses on Chinese & Japanese Art, but includes works as far away as India.

• The Henry Art Gallery: One of the biggest contemporary art galleries in Washington.

• Museum of Flight: Collection includes 131 aircraft ranging from wood and fabric crates to the sleek Concorde.

• Pacific Science Center: Interactive science museum with butterfly atrium, IMAX and planetarium.

• Experience Music Project: Rock & Roll museum with special Jimi Hendrix exhibit.

• Science Fiction Museum: Home of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.

• Frye Art Museum: A small private collection featuring 232 paintings by Munich-based artists.

[edit] Indoors

Most major indoor attractions are located in a small portion of the downtown area, easily traversed on foot.

• Pike Place Market: Downtown
• Central Library :Downtown An uniquely designed building with an enormous glass-fronted atrium.
• Smith Tower :Downtown The oldest skyscraper in Seattle a waterfront view and elaborate Art Deco style.

Seattle's Downtown from Space Needle.

• Space Needle:Seattle Center
• Monorail:Seattle Center
• Seattle Aquarium:Downtown
• Seattle Bug Safari:Downtown A bug zoo and a gift shop.

[edit] Outdoors

• Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (a.k.a. Ballard Locks) in Ballard. Check out the fish ladders and if you're lucky you'll see huge Pacific Northwest salmon coming and going.
• Check out the troll under the Aurora Bridge, near Fremont!
• UW Waterfront Activities Center - Rent a canoe and explore the arboretum
• Woodland Park Zoo (South Gate at N 50th St and Fremont Ave N, on Phinney Ridge), [46]. $15 for adults ($11 in winter), is open 9:30AM to 4PM in the winter (October 1st - April 30th), 6PM in the summer (May 1st - September 31st). It has mostly realistic and spacious habitats for the animals, unlike the animal jails in some zoos. The Raptor Show at 3PM on non-rainy weekends is particularly entertaining if you get the bird handler with the Bronx accent: "If dis boid's head were da same size as youses, its eyes would be da size of sawftbawls."

[edit] Parks

• Carkeek Park is a sweet little beach park in North Seattle. Good hikes, and may have salmon migrating upstream in fall.
• Cowen Park has a play structure for children and a backstop for baseball/softball. Cowen is connected to Ravenna Park via a wooded ravine that makes for good jogging and walking. It is a particularly nice walk in the (rare) snow.
• Discovery Park [47] in Magnolia is great for kite-flying as well as a trail to the beach with great cliffs and boat watching.
• Gasworks Park [48] in Wallingford is built on the former site of the city gas facility, and a few hulking tanks and pipes are preserved, giving it a slightly eerie feel. The hill at the center has a sundial on top, and offers a spectacular view of downtown across Union Bay, as well as gusts of wind great for kite-flying. Don't eat the carcinogenic dirt!
• Golden Gardens Park in Ballard is one of two places in Seattle that still allows bonfires on the beach. Set on the Puget Sound, it offers spectacular views of the sun setting over the Olympic mountain range on clear days.
• Green Lake [49], north of the University District, has side-by-side 4km (2.75 mile) asphalt and gravel trails for walking, jogging and rollerblading around the circumfrence of the lake, plus several sports fields. The path is good for people-watching as there is a constant stream of thousands of Seattlelites all day long. On the East side there are areas of grass where you can often find pick-up soccer, volleyball as well as basketball on outdoor courts. There's also an indoor swimming pool, which is much cleaner than the lake. If the signs warn that the lake is closed, don't ignore them or risk getting "swimmer's itch" from the plentiful parasites spread through duck feces. The surrounding neighborhood is vibrant and fun in good weather, with rental rollerskates, bikes, restaurants, etc.
• Kerry Park [50] on Highland Drive on Queen Anne Hill is the single most photographed view of Seattle, with a spectacular cityscape with the Space Needle in front and Mt. Rainier visible behind the skyline. For the best view, go on a clear summer day around 9PM... the sun will have just dropped behind the Olympic range, the city lights will just be coming on, but there will be enough sunlight left that Rainier glows purple behind the city.
• Kubota Garden [51], a spectacular 20-acre park space in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of South Seattle. To quote the linked website, the Garden contains "streams, waterfalls, ponds, rock outcroppings, and an exceptionally rich and mature collection of plant material." Established by Fujitaro Kubota in 1927, he wanted to "display the beauty of the Northwest in a Japanese manner."
• Magnuson Park / Sand Point, the second largest park in Seattle, used to be a US Naval base. The remaining naval buildings are now used for recreational purposes and to host shows. Magnuson boasts multiple sports fields, a boat launch, an off-leash dog park, and lots of walking trails. The Sound Garden (after which the local Seattle band was named), is on NOAA property. It is public art work that moans eerily in the wind.
• Myrtle Edwards Park [52] on Elliott Bay has a nice view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Also a great place to take a walk, jog or bike ride. The walking and cycling paths (at times separate) start north of the ferry piers and go right along the water for 1.5 miles, and provide a delightful way to get close to the harbor. It is separated from the rest of the city by several train tracks, so you won't have to listen to any vehicle traffic.
• Ravenna Park in the Ravenna area is a park named for its wooded ravine. It is good park for baseball, soccer, tennis, or have a barbecue. Ravenna Park is connected to Cowen Park via a trail alongside a little creek. This park provides a basic feel for the nature that can be found outside of the city.
• Olympic Sculpture Park is a new park on the waterfront built and maintained by the Seattle Art Museum. It has wonderful views across the water and contains sculptures built by famous artists including Richard Serra and Alexander Calder.
• The University of Washington Arboretum [53] is 230 acres of urban greenery with collections of oaks, conifers, camellias, Japanese maples and hollies. Often filled with people going for walks on sunny summer days, especially weekends. The Japanese gardens are a special spot.
• Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, home of the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM).
• Waterfront provides one of the best views while walking in Seattle (if you don't mind the crowds).

[edit][add listing] Do

See the district articles for listings.

[edit] Events

• Seafair [54] is in July and early August. Neighborhood events such as parades and street fairs run throughout the festival, with the downtown Torchlight Parade in late July. Seafair culminates in early August when hydroplane races and the Blue Angels bring loud, fast boats and planes to Lake Washington.
• Bumbershoot [55]. A music and arts festival, held on Labor Day weekend (beginning of September) in the Seattle Center, featuring dozens of local and world-class musical acts.
• Northwest Folklife Festival [56]. A more low-key and global version of Bumbershoot, held in the Seattle Center on Memorial Day weekend (end of May). Even more important - it's free ($10 donation per person per day requested at the entries - but not required).
• Bite of Seattle [57]. Part of Seafair festivities. Held in mid/late-July in the Seattle Center. Eat till you explode.
• Hempfest A two-day cannabis festival in mid-August. Held at Myrtle Edwards park on the Seattle waterfront, it's the largest marijuana rally in the world and the biggest annual political event in Washington. Features political speakers, vendors, food, several stages with many bands, and lots of open pot smoking (especially at 4:20)! It is a demonstration for the political reform and the legalization of marijuana. [58]
• Capitol Hill Block Party [59], Yearly live music event held on Capitol Hill over a weekend in mid-summer (usually the end of July). Consists of primarily local independent bands of various styles, coupled with some bigger name independent label acts.
• Fremont Fair [60]. Home of the Solstice Parade (including the nude bike ride) is a really fun drunken time all over Fremont. Vendors, bad live music and eclectic crowds at the bars makes for an interesting time. Friends who live in Fremont become especially valuable for a place to crash.

[edit] Cycling

• Mountain biking. The best riding in Seattle is underneath I-5 between Eastlake and Capitol Hill at the Colonnade [61].
• A little further out, try riding "The Tapeworm" in Philip Arnold Park in Renton, southeast of Seattle. Other great trails are in this park, as well.
• Burke Gilman Trail. 26-mile paved path dedicated to non-motorized travel. Goes from Golden Gardens park, on Puget Sound near the Locks, to Bothell Landing where it connects to Sammamish River Trail, which goes to Marymoor Park (in Redmond).

[edit] Boating

• Center For Wooden Boats, 1010 Valley St. (at the south end of Lake Union), ☎ +1 206 382-2628, [62]. Visit and poke around boats in various stages of restoration, from big broken hulks to gorgeous polished speedsters. Rent an antique boat and go for a row or a sail. They as well offer free sailboat rides on Lake Union. Call ahead to check the schedule.  edit

• Northwest Outdoor Center, (on west side of Lake Union), [63]. Kayak rentals.  edit

• Agua Verde, on Portage Bay between Lake Union and Lake Washington, [64]. Kayak rentals.  edit

• Waterfront Activities Center, (at the University of Washington, a quarter mile south of Husky Stadium), ☎ +1 206 543-9433, [65]. Canoe rentals. Parking sucks except after noon on Saturdays. Paddle across the Lake Washington Ship Canal into the Arboretum and watch ducks, geese, swans, random migratory birds, and lots of other boats. If you're an experienced sailor, you can also rent a sailboat after a checkout with their staff. Open to the public ($7.50/hr) and students ($4/hr).  edit

• Lake Union Crew, on Lake Union, ☎ +1 206 860-4199, [66]. Learn to row! Classes are held year round and occur over a 4 week period with 3 classes per week. There are evening and morning sessions to fit any schedule. The classes teach you the basics of sweep rowing (one oar per rower) and sculling (two oars). The facilities are beautiful and located right on Lake Union just south of the University Bridge.  edit

• Elliott Bay Cruises, on Lake Elliott, ☎ +1 206 623-4252, [67]. Cruises as short as one hour around Elliott Bay are available from Argosy Cruises, departing from Pier 55.  edit

[edit] Pro Sports

Safeco Field

• Seattle Mariners, member of Major League Baseball's (MLB) American League, plays at Safeco Field through the spring and summer. See [68].

• Seattle Seahawks, member of the National Football League (NFL), plays at Qwest Field through fall and winter. See [69].

• Seattle Sounders FC , member of the Major League Soccer (MLS). The third different Seattle soccer team to bear the "Sounders" name, it will play at Qwest Field from March through October, with possible playoff games in November. Check [70] for details.

• Seattle Storm, Seattle's WNBA team plays at KeyArena. [71].

• Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL junior hockey team plays at KeyArena through the winter hockey season [72].

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Drink

See the district articles for listings.

[edit] Coffee

Seattle is the home of Starbucks [73], Seattle's Best Coffee (now owned by Starbucks), and Tully's [74], but there are hundreds of good locally owned coffeehouses. (Besides the places below, see the district articles.)

• Alki Bakery, 2738 Alki Ave SW, +1 206 935-1352. Free Wi-Fi.

• All City Coffee Georgetown, 1205 S Vale St, +1 206 767.7146. Stop by every Saturday morning to hear DJ Tamlin spinning reggae. Free Wi-Fi.

• Bellino Coffee, 2421 2nd Ave, +1 206 956-4237. European style coffee shop located in Belltown. The focus of the place is to make top notch espresso drinks. They have also created a comfortable place with nice chairs and outdoor seating.

• C and P Coffee Company [75], in West Seattle, +1 206 933-3125. Offers awesome coffee from Lighthouse Roasters, free wireless access and live music.

• Caffè Bella [76], in Belltown, +1 206 441-4351. Organic coffee from Caffé Vita coffee roasters. Pastries, tea, wine and beer at night. Live music. Free wireless access. Near the Space Needle on 5th Ave.

• Local Color [77], in Pike Place Market, +1 206 728-1717. Serves Caffé Vita coffee in Pike Place's largest independent coffeehouse. Also an art gallery, with new art on the walls at the beginning of each month. The first Saturday of every month, holds an art opening 6PM-9PM.

• Zoka [78], in what is variously known as the Meridian District or Tangletown, between Wallingford and Green Lake. Hip students, professionals, and soccer moms meet here. Great desserts and whole grain scones. Roasts their own coffee, supplying to cafes across the U.S. and at Zoka's two cafes in Japan. There is also one north of the U-Village shopping complex on Blakely.

[edit] Bars and Taverns

In Washington, "bars" have a full liquor license, while "taverns" are restricted to beer, wine and cider. Seattle bars have world-class beer selection, featuring local Northwest style micros.

• The Wildrose [79], one of the country's oldest lesbian bars, is on 11th and Pike. A full bar, the 'Rose' also serves light meals and snacks. The requisite pool table is always waiting for the next challenger.

[edit] Microbreweries

Seattle is home to a number of microbreweries.

• Diamond Knot Alehouse, [80], 621 Front St., Mukilteo, +1 425355-4488. On the waterfront, next to the ferry and peanut shells on the floor. What more could you ask for in a pub.
• Elysian Brewers, [81], 3 locations across Seattle, brews can be found in local bars and sold in individual bars at local grocery stores.
• Hale's Brewery & Pub, [82], 4301 Leary Way, (206) 706-1544. Located between Fremont and Ballard, was established in 1983 and is one of the pioneer microbreweries in the nation. The brewery operations are in open view of the comfortable pub. Available throughout the Northwest.
• Mac & Jacks, Brews can only be found on tap in local bars, and is not bottled. Most popular variety is the African Amber. Additional varieties can occasionally be found at local pubs.
• Pike Brewery, On 1st Ave. near the Pike Place Market. Great variety of beers (try the Kiltlifter) and good food too. Can be found in grocery stores and on tap at some bars.
• Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery, & Restaurant [83], 1201 First Ave. S. One of the more prominent breweries in Seattle. This beer can be found on tap at numerous bars across the city, as well as in most local grocery stores.
• Redhook Alehouse, [84], 14300 NE 145th St., Woodinville. Boasts a substantial menu and a well established line of beers, including seasonal varieties. Can be found at bars and restaurants throughout the city, and readily available at most grocery stores.

[edit][add listing] Eat

See the district articles for listings.

[edit] Steak & Seafood

• Canlis Restaurant :Queen Anne Hill

• Crab Pot Restaurant & Bar:Downtown

• Crush:Madison Valley

• Ivar's Salmon House :Wallingford

• McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant:Downtown

• The Metropolitan Steakhouse:Downtown

• Ruth's Chris Steakhouse:Downtown

• Ray's Boathouse:Ballard

• Salty's on Alki:West Seattle

[edit] Asian

• Upmarket Asian fusion food at Wild Ginger (just north of the Symphony Hall at 3rd and Union) and
• Monsoon (obscurely located on 19th E, on the far side of Capitol Hill from downtown).
• Thai Tom, on University Ave and 47th. Authentic Bangkok-style Thai food. Show up early or be prepared to wait up to an hour for a tiny table at this tiny eatery.
• Araya's Exceptional food, one of many Thai restaurants in the University District, but the first and only completely vegan Thai restaurant in Seattle. Some dishes substitute imitation meat-ish products for meat, some just use veggies, grains, etc. Used to be located on the 47th block of the Ave, has since relocated to a bigger, nicer location on 45th Street.

For the best variety, head to the International District.

• Maneki ( 304 6th Ave S Seattle, WA 98104-2714 Phone: (206) 622-2631) Maneki is Seattle's oldest sushi bar. Located in the International District, is one of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle at an affordable price. Call ahead to reserve your own tatami room.

[edit] Mexican

Seattle is not known for Mexican food, but...

• Agua Verde, Boat St., [85], On Portage Bay between Lake Washington and Lake Union, just south and west of the University of Washington is a standout, attractive but informal, with creative, contemporary Mexican cooking, including a lot of great vegetarian and seafood options. Show up early, be prepared to wait half an hour, or get your food to go and sit at the picnic tables by the lake outside. They also rent kayaks and do tours around Lake Union.

• Mama's Mexican Kitchen, 213 N 85th St., +1 206 706-9352 in Belltown

• Gordito's Healthy Mexican Food has huge servings, a fast, but sometimes long line, way-cheap prices, amazingly tasty burritos that most folks can't finish in one sitting, lots of homemade salsas (on the salsa bar), an outdoor patio, and always nice service. If you ask most people in Seattle where the good Mexican food is, they'll say Gordito's or the Taco Bus that drives around town (good luck finding it).

• Tacos Guaymas at several locations - closest to downtown is on Broadway near Pine - offers authentic Mexican meals (like you find in the Oaxaca market). Try the Sopa de Tortilla or the Wet Green Burrito.

• La Carta De Oaxaca [86], in Ballard is well-known for amazing small plates (tapas-style) of Oaxacan food. Usually crowded, but there are excellent margaritas to pass the time.

• Cactus, in Madison Park [87], A local favorite. A creative mix of Mexican, Southwestern and Spanish cuisine complemented by great cocktails. Always full, outdoor seating in the summer.

[edit] Vegetarian

• Cafe Flora [88], 2901 E. Madison. In the Madison Valley neighborhood offers upscale, all-vegetarian cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Menus change weekly. Closed on Mondays.

• Carmelita [89], 7314 Greenwood Ave N. Where you go to celebrate a special event or impress a date: exquisite vegetarian fare with excellent service in an elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere. The chef, Dan Braun, is back in charge of the kitchen after a few years away, with a menu that changes more often than the seasonal menu they had been following. It's enough of a top-notch eating experience that you can even take meat eaters there to have a wonderful meal.

• Teapot Vegetarian House [90] is an all-vegan restaurant serving delicious, exotic Pan-Asian vegetarian dishes.

• Bamboo Garden [91] serves up delicious food from the rich tradition of Chinese vegetarian cooking. With a menu that boasts over 120 items, there's a lot to choose from, and the servings are generous. Also one of the few certified Kosher restaurants in Seattle. Located on 364 Roy Street.

• Moonlight Cafe, 1919 S. Jackson St. (on the north edge of the International District), +1 206 322-3378. Serves excellent vegan mock-meat versions of Vietnamese and Chinese dishes such as noodle bowls and sesame beef. In fact they boast a full vegan menu with as many dishes as their separate carnivorous menu offers. $7-$10.

• Cyber Dogs [92], 800 Convention Place (in the convention center @ the corner of Pike and 9th, across from the Express Lanes Onramp), +1 206 405-DOGS. Serves superb and delicious vegetarian and vegan dogs, coffee, juice and beer. Internet access available.

• My Sweet Lord Cafe 5521 University Way NE. Hare Krishna restaurant that is by donation only. Open 6:30-9:30 PM Tuesday-Saturday.

[edit] Vegan

• Hillside Quickies, 4106 Brooklyn Ave NE, (206) 632-3037. Vegan Sandwich Shop using Tempeh and Tofu. The Jerk influenced sandwiches are excellent.

• Chaco Canyon Cafe [93], 4757 12th Ave NE (at corner of 50th and 12th), Vegan Bakery and cafe that features a raw foods menu. Coffee and Tea Available.

• The Wayward Cafe [94], 901 NE 55th St, (U-District) 100% Vegan, worker owned, collectively run.

• The Squid & Ink [95], 1128 S Albro Pl 98108, (Georgetown) Amazing all vegan, mostly wheat-free food with mock seafood theme.

[edit] Other

• Lots of good Ethiopian food in the Central District. Panafrican on Pike's Place Market is also pretty good. Try Mesob on 14th and Jefferson.

• Le Pichet is an excellent French bistro, in the heart of downtown Seattle. Hint: try the roast chicken!

• Red Mill Burgers [96]. Two locations: Phinney Ridge 312 N 67th St and Interbay 1613 W Dravus St, has really tasty beef and veggie burgers.

• Truly Mediterranean, 4741 12th Ave NE. Makes wonderful falafel, shawerma, and other delights. In a surprisingly quiet corner of the University District.

• Dick's Drive-in has 5 locations around Seattle. Any local can tell you were the nearest one is.

• Beth's Cafe, 7311 Aurora Ave N, [97] is a Seattle institution. One of the last true 'greasy spoon' diners, it is open and serves breakfast 24-hours a day, 364 days a year (it is closed the day after Thanksgiving for cleaning.) Frequented by an eclectic mix of goths, punks, stoners, workers and yuppies, the appeal is as much people-watching as the food - go with friends when you have a couple of hours to spare. Their specialities are omelettes, available in 6 or 12 egg varieties, with bottomless plates of hashbrowns. Ask for crayons and paper and you can hang your artistic creations on the wall when done. Note that Beth's is very popular and long lines can form for tables around rushes, which tend to be in the early evenings and around midnight.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

See the district articles for listings.

[edit] Budget

• Seattle Green Tortoise Hostel [98]. 105b Pike St. +1 206 340-1222 or +1 888 424-6783. New location is conveniently located at First Ave. and Pike Street, right across the street from the famous Pike Place Market, and around the corner from its old Hostel. The new hostel, with a view of the Puget Sound and the Market, has 30 newly-remodeled bunk rooms in the elegantly restored Elliot Hotel Building. Free internet stations and WiFi, free dinner 3 nights a week, and free breakfast every morning. The Green Tortoise is a Seattle backpacker institution that also runs festive low-budget bus tours to Mexico and Central America.

• Hostel Seattle [99]. 2327 2nd Ave. +1 206 706-3255 or toll free +1-877 846-7835. Warm friendly accommodation @ 25.00 u.s. for dorm style bed. Private room available. Free breakfast and Wi-fi. All rooms have murals painted by local artists.

• Panama Hotel [100]. If you want a private old-fashioned room, modest but clean, with bathroom down the hall -- consider the historic Panama Hotel, in the International District. Very relaxing tea / coffee house, with free wireless internet connections, on the street level.

• Red Lion Hotel Fifth Avenue Seattle Hotel [101]. Phone: 206-971-8000, Fax: 206-971-8100. Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue is a distinctive downtown Seattle, Washington hotel featuring modern lifestyle amenities, concierge, restaurants/lounges, meeting venues, business & fitness centers, and Seattle’s largest rooftop dining patio - a unique Seattle Lodging experience.

[edit] Mid-range

• Best Western Seattle Hotel in Pioneer Square [102], 77 Yesler Way, +1 206 340-1234 or +1 800 800-5514. The only hotel located in Seattle's Pioneer Square district. Close to Safeco Field, Qwest Field, the local ferry terminal, and many other popular Seattle Attractions.

• Best Western University Tower Hotel [103]. 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE. +1 206 634-2000 or +1 800 899-0251. Formerly called the (Edmund) Meany Tower Hotel, a nicer but mid-priced hotel in the University District with a long history. Because the hotel is round, the rooms are shaped roughly like pie wedges and all have a view of something.

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle - Downtown [104]. 206 Western Ave W. +1 206 281-9393. All suite hotel located in Queen Anne with views of Elliott Bay, 4 blocks from Seattle Center and the Space Needle, 6 blocks from the Olympic Sculpture Park.

• Renaissance Seattle [105]. 515 Madison Street. A full service hotel in the heart of downtown.

• Travelodge Seattle Center, 200 6th Ave N, ☎ 206-441-7878, [106]. Two blocks east of the Space Needle and monorail terminal, adjacent to Belltown. About a mile's walk (or a few minutes on the monorail) from the downtown core.  edit

• University Inn [107]. 4140 Roosevelt Way NE. +1 800 733-3855. Ideally located in the heart of Seattle’s University business district, only minutes from downtown and a few blocks from the University of Washington. This Seattle boutique hotel is pet-friendly, has a 100% smoke-free environment and includes a hearty breakfast bar.

• The Watertown Hotel [108]. 4242 Roosevelt Way NE. +1 866 944-4242. Also in the University District. Modern design, good location, moderately priced. Free high speed internet in rooms. Comfortable, spacious. Friendly staff. Exercise room with some limited equipment. Refrigerators, microwaves and coffee pots in each room. Friendly, capable staff. Great location, near university. Offers free breakfast and beer-wine-snack happy hour in the evenings. Also offers free bikes, if you want to take a ride during your trip.

[edit] Splurge

• Alexis. 1st Avenue (near the Coleman ferry docks and at the edge of the financial district). This art-themed hotel has original works throughout the lobby and in the rooms. Furthermore, it sports a big old [Dale Chihuly] glass piece in the lobby.

• The Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown [109]. 1113 Sixth Avenue +1 800 521-2762 or +1 206-464-1980. This hotel has a superb location in Downtown Seattle, close to everything great in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy the view of the Space Needle out of the guest rooms. A few blocks away are the historic Pike Place Market, the new Seattle Central Library, Safeco Field and Qwest Field in Pioneer Square. This hotel also offers a great Port of Seattle Cruise Package as well as many other Seattle vacation packages. This hotel is home to The Regatta Bar and Grill featuring the freshest seafood and prime meats.

• Hotel Deca [110]. 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE. +1 800 899-0251. Near the University of Washington. Originally opened in 1931, Seattle’s Hotel Deca is a stylish 158 room full service "boutique hotel" in the heart of Seattle’s lively University District. With its panoramic Seattle and mountain views and comfortable, well-appointed rooms and suites, Hotel Deca offers contemporary accommodations featuring art-deco motifs. Hotel Deca is 100 percent non-smoking and also features wireless internet access.

• The Edgewater [111]. Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way. +1 800 624-0670 or +1 206 728-7000. Near the Pike Place Market, right on the water, and famous for three things: you could at one time literally fish right out of your window, it was the site of a notorious Led Zeppelin incident, and the Beatles stayed here during their 1964 tour. Rooms either face the city with no great view other than the Space Needle, or face the water. These latter rooms enjoy the non-stop action of the ferries and cruiseliners in the harbor. The restaurant is elegantly decorated with a few outdoor tables right over the water.

• The Fairmont Olympic [112]. 411 University Street. +1 206 621-1700. The only hotel in the Northwest to win a five-diamond award. The Fairmont pulls off grand and luxurious perfectly. Holding true to the Fairmont name. The hotel is in the middle of downtown Seattle. The hotel can start at $450 per a night in peak season. Where in others it can start at low $300's.

• Hotel 1000, 1000 First Avenue, ☎ +1-(206) 957-1000, [113]. New high-tech, boutique style hotel in downtown  edit

• Hotel Max [114]. 620 Stewart Street. +1 866 833-6299. In the heart of downtown Seattle, the Hotel Max offers an artistic setting for both business and leisure travelers.

• Hotel Monaco Seattle [115]. 1101 4th Avenue. +1 800 945-2240. . Funky Kimpton boutique hotel directly across the street from the W in the heart of the city.

• Inn at the Market Hotel, 86 Pine Street, [116]. Centrally located in the historic Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle, facing the waterfront and Elliott Bay. Short walk to Seattle Art Museum, Benaroya Hall, Pioneer Square, Westlake Center, and lots of dining and shopping.  edit

• MarQueen Hotel [117]. 600 Queen Anne Avenue North. Located in the Queen Anne neighborhood near downtown. Boutique lodging accommodations near the Space Needle and local tourist attractions.

• Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle [118]. 2125 Terry Avenue. +1 206 264 8111. Designed by Hirsch Bedner, this AAA 4-Diamond award recipient hotel exudes an 'East meets West' theme with sleek modernity. Furthermore, the hotel offers a prime location in downtown's cultural epicenter.

• The Sorrento Hotel [119]. 900 Madison St. +1 800 426-1265. This historic hotel has crowned the First Hill since 1908. It is a posh, Italinate, 7-story hotel with fine dining in the AAA - 4 diamond Hunt Club - For a classy night out before the "hopera".

• W Seattle [120]. 1112 Fourth Ave. +1 877 W-HOTELS or +1 206 264-6000. For the terminally hip traveler. Decorated in a stunning palette of black, black, silver, cream, and black.

[edit] Contact

The area code for the City of Seattle is 206. Surrounding areas use other area codes, including 425 which encompasses the eastside and northern suburbs including Bellevue, Redmond, Lynnwood, and Everett, 253 for all areas south of Kent such as Tacoma, Federal Way, and Fife, and 360 for all areas outside the greater Everett-Seattle-Tacoma corridor but west of the Cascades. All of Washington east of the Cascades uses the 509 area code.

Free Wi-Fi can be found at all Seattle Public libraries, and is available to users with Wi-Fi enabled laptops and wireless devices. The City of Seattle provides free Wi-Fi access in the Columbia City and University District areas as part of a pilot project. The project also provides coverage in four downtown Seattle parks: Occidental, Freeway, Westlake and Victor Steinbrueck, as well as the City Hall lobby area. The Seattle Center also provides free wireless internet in the Center House building [121]. Some of the Metro and Sound Transit commuter buses offer free Wi-Fi.

There are various internet cafes in the Seattle area, especially in the University District and the Downtown neighborhoods. Additionally, many coffee shops offer free and paid wireless access (all Starbucks locations offer T-Mobile internet access points).

[edit] Stay safe

Seattle is a fairly safe city. You should have no problems walking out and about at night, although staying in bright areas at this time is never a bad idea, and walking in Rainier Valley, the Central District, Lake City, Pioneer Square, and Seattle Center at all after hours is not advisable. The downtown area is a lot safer than most other U.S. cities. Auto theft is a problem in the city. Never leave valuables in a visible place, and always lock your car doors. Another possible problem is that drivers in Seattle are typically nice, but can be impatient, due to the amount of traffic, although as long as you're careful as a pedestrian, there is not a high risk of getting hit. Cyclists should be extra wary of traffic and parked car doors, especially downtown.

Similarly, motorcyclists should be warned that as a city with unpredictable weather a large portion of the year, motorcycling is not as commonplace as in other states. Drivers exhibit an alarming obliviousness to motorcycles, and riders should take care to stay well out of a car's blind spot, and preferably ahead of rather than behind any car.

[edit] Cope

• Crybaby Comforts, ☎ (425) 260-4788 (lisa@crybabycomforts.com), [122]. rental company specializing in baby equipment and toys. You can rent everything from a car seat to a crib. Delivery available throughout the Greater Seattle Area.  edit

• Happy Little Traveler, ☎ (206)935-0733 (info@happylittletraveler.com), [123]. High quality baby equipment rentals servicing the Pacific Northwest. Rent cribs, car seats, strollers and toys. Items can be delivered to you or use their storefront pick up site in West Seattle. The company is fully insured for baby equipment rentals.  edit

• Tiny Tots Travel, LLC., ☎ (425) 943-0099 (info@tinytotstravel.com), [124]. Rents high quality baby equipment such as cribs, car seats, highchairs, toys, and more! Delivery available.  edit

[edit] Newspapers

• The Seattle Times [125] ($0.50 daily, $1.50 Sundays) is the only remaining daily newspaper in the Seattle area and covers local, national and international news.

• The Seattle Post-Intelligencer [126] (free, online only) has ended its print edition, but still maintains local reporters and an online presence.

• The Seattle Weekly [127] (free, published Wednesday) is one of many free weeklies that are published in the Seattle area. The Weekly has a longstanding reputation for in-depth coverage of arts and local politics.

• The Stranger [128] (free, published Thursday) is an alternative weekly newspaper noted for its social commentary, political opinion, arts, comics, music coverage, and local news items.

There are also several ethnic newspapers including Northwest Asian Weekly, and numerous neighborhood newspapers including the North Seattle Journal. The University of Washington also publishes The Daily of the University of Washington.

[edit] Hospitals

Seattle has a large number of primary- and secondary-care medical centers, including the only level 1 trauma center serving Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Additionally, Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center is the pediatric referral center for those same states.

• UW Medicine [129] The UW Medicine system is operated by the University of Washington. It includes Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, Eastside Specialty Center, Hall Health (Student Health Services) and Sports Medicine Clinic. UW Medicine joins with Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in offering health care for children. Both work with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in providing oncology care for patients of all ages through the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
  • Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, +1 206 744-3000 [130] Seattle’s Level 1 trauma center, and the hospital where most critically injured patients are either airlifted or ambulanced. 24-hour Emergency Room, Centers of Emphasis for neurosciences, trauma, burns, reconstruction and rehabilitation, mentally ill and medically vulnerable, and AIDS/STD treatment.
  • UW Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific, +1 206 598-3300 [131] The second hospital component to the UW Medicine system, this hospital is one of the biggest and best teaching hospitals in the United States. 24-hour Emergency Room, shares facilities, staff and doctors with Harborview.
• Children's Hospital and Medical Center, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, +1 206 987-2000 [132] Children's Hospital is a private hospital specializing in pediatrics. It is also home to the University of Washington's School of Pediatrics. 24-hour pediatric emergency room.
• Swedish Medical Center [133] Swedish Medical Center is a large nonprofit health care provider. It has three main hospital locations in Seattle and is also affiliated with many other suburban hospitals and clinics. Among the things Swedish is known for are its Cancer, Bariatrics and Heart Institutes. Swedish Hospital will treat all patients who need care, regardless of their ability to pay.
  • Swedish Medical Center First Hill, 747 Broadway, +1 206 386-6000 [134] Certified Primary Stroke Care center, 24-hour ER, 24-hour Pediatric ER. This is the Main Swedish Medical Center campus.
  • Swedish Medical Center Cherry Hill, 500 17th Avenue, +1 206 320-2000 [135] Certified Primary Stroke Care center, 24-hour ER.
  • Swedish Medical Center Ballard, 5300 Tallman Ave. NW, +1 206 782-2700 [136] 24-Hour ER

In the event of a medical emergency anywhere in the United States, dial 911 for free from any phone, including payphones.

[edit] Get out

[edit] Boating

If you're staying anywhere near downtown, the state-run ferries [137] hardly seem like "getting out" since they leave from a pier at the south end of the waterfront, an easy and interesting walk from downtown. Passengers on foot only pay for the westbound trip; the return to Seattle is free.

• Take a trip to Bremerton and back. Almost 2 hours on the water, in a place as scenic as the Aegean Sea, with walk-on passengers costing a little under $6 round trip.
• Or, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island (30 minutes one way). Get off on the other side, walk about 1/2 mile into town for lunch or dinner, and walk back to ferry to come home.

[edit] Driving

Just getting out and driving around the area with no destination in mind can be a great experience, as the Seattle area, like most of the Pacific Northwest, is very scenic. If you'd like more specific destinations, try some of these:

• The Mountains to Sound Greenway, Mountains to Sound Greenway via I-90 is the quickest "escape" from the city into the nearby Cascade mountains. Snoqualmie Pass is just an hour away, offering great views, summer hiking and winter skiing.
• Two mountain passes, Snoqualmie Pass (follow I-90 east) and Stevens Pass (take I-405 to Highway 522 east, then take Highway 2 east) provide fantastic views. Of the two, Stevens is arguably the more scenic.

• Snoqualmie Falls, [138] (Snoqualmie, east of Seattle on I-90). The falls are scenic, and if you want to stay longer than it takes to just gawk, the Salish Lodge [139] is pricey but incredibly romantic, with in-room Sanijet spa baths and fireplaces. The lodge offers two restaurants with views overlooking the falls. Trivia tidbit: Snoqualmie Falls is nearly 300 feet in height, compared to Niagara's 180 feet.

• Grove of the Patriarchs, in the Ohanapecosh River valley in the southeast part of Mount Rainier National Park, takes you on the short hiking trail through groves of thousand year-old cedars.

• North Bend (also out I-90) is the town where parts of the 1990 David Lynch TV series Twin Peaks [140] were filmed. West of North Bend on SR 202 near the town of Snoqualmie there are displays of historic railroad cars, locomotives and other railroad equipment located at the Northwest Railway Museum [141]. Train rides are offered April - October, as well as a "Santa Train" in late November and early December, plus several other special events offered during the year.

• Roslyn is also out I-90 (not far past Snoqualmie Pass) and is where the TV series Northern Exposure was filmed. It holds many festivals including The Manly Man Festival, Pioneer Days, and Moose Days -- the latter is an annual Northern Exposure gathering held in late July. Might be worth a stop if you're out that way, or if you're a fan of the show, but it's a very small, quiet town without much to do most days. However, there is a great small museum in the downtown core right next to the Oasis Cafe. It is worth a browse as it profiles the city's coal mining past. Roslyn is worth the stop if you have the time!

• The Cascade Loop [142] consists of a two-day minimum round trip over Stevens Pass and the North Cross-state Highway (US 2 and SR 20). It's a long drive, and SR20 is closed usually from November to April/May, but you'll see the most spectacular scenery in the state, visit towns made to look like the old west and a Bavarian Village, see the Columbia River and apple orchards on the east and deep rain-forest on the west side. [143]
• The Olympic Peninsula features beaches on the Pacific Ocean, Cape Flattery (the extreme northwestern point of the contiguous U.S.), and the only temperate rain forests in the lower 48 states: the well-known and easily accessible Hoh Rainforest, the Quinalt Rainforest and the Queets Rainforest. Other notable scenic areas on the Olympic Peninsula are Crescent Lake and Hurricane Ridge. You can take the Kingston ferry over from Edmonds and follow Highway 104 west until it meets up with Highway 101 (head north), or head south on I-5 to Olympia and catch Highway 101 West there. Doing the complete loop is a nearly day-long drive, and you could easily spend several days there, but you'll see a lot of fantastic scenery even if you never stop the car.
• Mount Rainier National Park 2.5 hours south and east from Seattle
• Mount St. Helens 2.5 hours south from Seattle
• Vancouver, British Columbia is just 140 miles north of Seattle on I5. Vancouver will host the 2010 Olympics [144].

[edit] Skiing/snowboarding

• Snoqualmie Pass - Summit and Alpental resorts on hour east on Interstate 90.
• Stevens Pass - Resort about two hours East of Seattle on highway 2
• Crystal Mountain Mount Rainier
• Mount Baker North, near Bellingham.
• Mission Ridge East of Steven's Pass, near Wenatchee.
• Whistler - North America's top rated ski resort, about a four hour drive north of Seattle past Vancouver on the Sea to Sky Highway.

[edit] Other

• Anacortes Kayak Tours- Not in Seattle, but an easy driving distance (60 minutes), and folks can be sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands with Anacortes Kayak Tours [145]. Unlike other kayak tours in the San Juans, this company does not require an expensive ferry ride.

Vancouver ← Mountlake Terrace ←	N  S	→ Kent → Portland
END ←	W  E	→ Bellevue → Spokane