Seattle travel guide: Travel tips, reviews, photos, & videos from real travelers.

Seattle Travel Guide: Reviews, photos, & videos

In the Wizard of Oz, the Emerald City is a magical place full wonder and excitement where dreams really do come true. So it’s fitting Seattle has earned this nickname as well. Located in between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle truly is a gem of a city where major corporations flourish (Starbucks, Microsoft), culture and music thrive (grunge, Nirvana) and the iconic architecture stretches to the skies in an inspiring skyline that belies its nickname. Although known for its relatively rainy and overcast climate, Seattle’s “dry” months contain some of the more pleasant weather in the greater United States - with temperatures peaking in the high 70’s in the summer. The good news is this: rain or shine there’s always something to do in Seattle. With a fantastic park system, visitors can enjoy the lush green Seattle landscape in places like Myrtle Edwards Park – which overlooks scenic Elliott Bay – and the spectacular Kubota Garden – a 20 acre slice of Seattle paradise that contains streams, ponds, waterfalls and a rich and diverse plant life.

Wanna see Seattle from high up? Well, there’s no better place than the famous Space Needle which provides visitors not only with a birds eye view of downtown Seattle, but also the contrasting ocean view to the west and snowy mountain scenery to the North. Need something to do over Labor Day this year? Well why not check out Seattle’s word famous Bumbershoot – an international music and arts festival held every year on the 74 acre Seattle Center. The profusion of eclectic music and art that transcends upon the Emerald City during this passionate and energetic weekend is only a small taste to the historic and constantly evolving arts scene that exists in Seattle year round! Unlike the always changing arts scene, the Pike Place Market has been continually operating since 1907. Overlooking Elliott Bay, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest farmer’s markets in the United States and is a must visit for anyone visiting the city. And with six companies on the 2008 Fortune 500 list of America’s largest companies finding their home base in Seattle, the economy and real estate market tend to maintain stability during the tough times and often explode with growth during the good times. It’s like Dorothy said at the end of the movie: There really is no place like home. Especially if that home (or 2nd home) is Seattle.

Tags: Boating, Family-friendly, Fishing, Hiking, Night-life, Romantic, Shopping, Urban

Weather

Current conditions
Partly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s. North wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 10 mph or less after midnight.
Low: 41° F.
Tomorrow's forecast

Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s. Northeast wind to 10 mph.
Hi: 59° F, Low: 44° F.

Weatherbug's weather page.

Reviews(Average Rating: 81% for 4 reviews)

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ConfusingPhilosophyReviews: 4
Posts: 0
A Melting Pot of Humble Culture
04/15/2009
Rating
90%
Seattle, WA, USA
I left my heart in this rain-slicked town back in my childhood when I visited family that lived here. Now that I look back on my visit to Seattle, I miss the days of the tulip festival, visits to Pike’s Market, and the countless art museums. For those who do not enjoy wet cold weather, this may not be the ideal city. At times, it can warm up, but it often also returns to the cool rainfall (which I found refreshing). My favorite location, hands down, is Pike’s Market. From the humble shop keeps with homemade products to freshly made fried chicken and clam chowder, there’s never a dull moment here. The museums and urban coffee shops also painted a melancholic cosmopolitan feel that I found appealing in such an urban atmosphere. While this may be a city one loves or hates, it’s a place you need to visit!
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A2travelguy
- Top member
Reviews: 14
Posts: 18
Experience This!
09/04/2008
Rating
88%
Seattle, WA, USA
When I first visited Seattle in 2001, I was most impressed by an attraction next to the Space Needle: The Experience Music Project. Don't be deceived by its crushed can facade (designed by the controversial Frank Gehry). This is a version of the Rock and Rock Roll Hall of Fame the way it should have been built in Cleveland. Founded by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen, a Jimi Hendix fanatic, the museum ids designed as a tribute to Hendrix and others who came from the Pacific Northwest's vibrant music scene. Despite its local focus, it really manages to capture the spirit of rock music as a whole. I'm disappointed to find out that they recently eliminated what were called the Experience Music Guides – cumbersome CD players equipped with headphones and a scanner, in which you could walk up to an exhibit and hear the music associated with it. Apparently, they now rent iPods for a fee. Still, the museum's focus is on using almost all of your senses to experience the music – right down to the play-along interactive laboratory where you learn to be a real guitar hero. Or drum hero. Or keyboard hero… You get the idea.
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jjkennedyReviews: 1
Posts: 0
Seattle: A Great City for Your Dad
08/31/2008
Rating
50%
Seattle, WA, USA
Seattle sits on the banks of Puget Sound like an aging hippy. Tucked up in the northwest corner of the country, there’s an odd, untroubled tranquility about it. Perhaps the weather’s responsible. Moderate temperatures grace the area year-round, and, consequently, the city attracts an eccentric population: moneyed elite are outnumbered by the well-worn, madcap souls meandering the streets. If you’re used to a New York or Los Angeles, Seattle can’t compete; however, if you enjoy a laid-back metropolis with plenty of outdoor activities at a stone’s throw, this is an exceptional destination. State parks, island getaways, and water activities abound. In terms of things to do within the “Emerald City” limits, be sure to wander around Pike Place Market (see flightless fish fly) and get lunch in the International District. Also, snapshots outside the Experience Music Project and the iconic Space Needle are requisites. Hold off until next season to see the Mariners. Other worthwhiles: Starbucks’ flagship, Mount Rainier, a day trip to Vancouver and/or Victoria, Canada; night life: The Garage at Broadway Ave., downtown. You'll be upset if you don't have an umbrella - the Pacific Northwest is never without mist and rain. (Before you go, check out Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas by Tom Robbins; it will get you acquainted with Seattle city life.)
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Mark R Marker
- Top member
Reviews: 4
Posts: 25
Seattle: The Emerald City
07/20/2008
Rating
95%
Seattle, WA, USA
As the result of a contest in the early eighties, Seattle has been known as the “Emerald City”. In all honesty, there is very little physical resemblance between Seattle and that city where the Wizard of Oz lived. However, Seattle is one of the “greenist” cities in the United States. Seattle is located on the coast of Washington, surrounded by a hundred mile radius of forest. I suppose that is the reason for the “emerald” in its name, but it is much better than other informal names, such as “Rain City” (due to its massive amount of rainfall per year), “Coffee City” (Seattle being the birthplace of Starbucks) and “Jet City” (Boeing’s main plant is located in the vicinity). The metropolitan area is located right on Puget Sound. One of the best places to visit is by the Ferry docks, where the salty smell in the air is mixed with the aroma of fresh seafood. From this location, it is easy to get to the city’s main attractions like the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Aquarium, and Pike Place Market.
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River rafting Misty
- Top member
- Travel guru
Reviews: 16
Posts: 254
Seattle-King County Association of Realtors
03/19/2009
This realtor association serves the greater Seattle area.
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River rafting Misty
- Top member
- Travel guru
Reviews: 16
Posts: 254
Seattle Chamber of Commerce
03/19/2009
Provides information about businesses, events and other information about the greater Seattle area.
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