Seattle Travel Tips

Seattle is the most northern of major cities in the US and is appropriately nicknamed the Emerald City. Surrounded by evergreen forests, snow capped mountains, the waters of Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east, the city's tall buildings appear out of the clouds and mists like the Emerald City in the the Wizard of Oz. You definitely know you're not in Kansas anymore!

Seattle is famous for many things. It is associated with perpetually rainy weather, grunge clothing styles and alternative music. This picture I took of the Space Needle represents a typical day - gray, cloudy skies and muted colors, but within a few hours the clouds may disappear and when the sun shines, the city is breathtakingly beautiful, with amazing views in every direction.

On a visit to Seattle you can find great scenery, outdoor adventure, art, theater, museums, major league sports teams and numerous other activities. It is also the headquarters of several successful companies and the birthplace or home of numerous famous people.

As someone who was born, raised and has lived in the Seattle area for my entire life, I decided to compile and share information and links to other lenses on Squidoo that have been written about Seattle. Most of these pages were written by people who live in the area so they will give you a true insider's look at the city.

On this page you will find links to information about the infamous weather, the history, top attractions, culture and famous people who are associated with Seattle.

For people who are looking for a way to see many of Seattle's most popular attractions for less, the Seattle City Pass can save you almost half on the cost of admission prices. It is a great deal for either visitors or people who live in the Seattle area who want to enjoy a staycation.

The Seattle CityPASS can be used for up to 9 days and includes admission to the following:

1) Space Needle (2 trips up the needle within 24 hours - one by day and one at night!)

2) Seattle Aquarium

3) Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour

4) Pacific Science Center or Museum of Flight

5) Experience Music Project/Science Fiction (EMP/SciFi) Museum or Woodland Park zoo

Choose a Place to Stay

The main downtown area is actually fairly compact and many of the most popular places to go are within walking distance from hotels in the "downtown area". All of the major hotel chains are represented along with some hostels and bed and breakfasts.

Visiting Seattle with Your Canine Pals

If you like to travel with your dog, Seattle is a dog-friendly city. There are many hotels that accept canine guests and the city of Seattle has 11 off-leash dog areas with more in the planning stages.

Dog Friendly Hotels in Seattle:

1. Alexis Hotel
2. Edgewater Hotel
3. Hotel Monaco
4. The Westin Hotel