Great American Cities -
Seattle
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Seattle
Nested between Puget South and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier in the background, Seattle has a spectacular setting. The home of Microsoft and Boeing, the city's growth since the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 has been vigorous. Its prime location and enviable lifestyle make Seattle one of America's most attractive cities.
Known to many for its music scene where flannel-clad singers and artists mope in cafes all day and basements rent for $80 a month, the city has outgrown its own stereotype. Seattle caught a scent of success and turned giddy. Today, it's a thriving urban core amid spectacular natural beauty; people who live here have it good and they know it.
Seattle is also a city of contradiction: its roots as a logging town versus its progressive ecofriendliness; its growth in business versus resistance to the global marketplace. It can build empires (Starbucks, Microsoft) and then shun them (World Trade Organization). But these are all signs of a city struggling to define itself, a dynamic place on the cusp of maturity and an exciting entry point to any exploration of the Pacific Northwest.
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Washington Vacation Rentals |
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Seattle - Overview
Seattle's mix of mountain views, clean streets, expresso stands, and rainy weather was the magic formula of the 90s, attracting transplants from across the US. The droves of newcomers provide an interesting contrast to the older residents who remember Seattle as a city-town, not a metropolis swarming with young millionaires. Money from local successes has helped drive rent sky-high in some areas, but the grungy, punk-loving street culture still prevails. The city is under cloud cover 200 days a year, but when the skies clear, Seattle rejoice that "the mountain is out," heading outside to soak in the sun.
Seattle's first downtown and later a decrepit skid row, Pioneer Square is now a revitalized business neighborhood and National Historic District with a thriving art and music scene. Many of its buildings were constructed in the years between the two pivotal events in the Seattle's history - the Great Fire of 1889 and the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98.
For the lovers of art, Seattle is a wonderful destination. At the entrance of the Seattle Art Museum stands the giant 'Hammering Man', a 48-ft animated steel sculpture created as a tribute to the workers. The museum's permanent collection includes 23,000 objects ranging from ancient Egyptian reliefs and wooden African sculptures to Old Master paintings and contemporary American Art.
Located on Seattle's historic working waterfront, the Odyssey is the country's first maritime discovery center. It uses interactive exhibits and short films to explain how the maritime and fish industries contribute to the well-being of the region.
Said to be the soul of Seattle, Pike Place Market is known as much for its colorful personality as for its abundant local produce. Established in 1907, the country's oldest continously operating farmers' market is now a historic district bustling with farmers, artists, and street performers.
Besides its vibrant downtown, Seattle offers plenty of other opportunities for exploration and recreation. Immediately north of downtown are the prime cultural venues of Seattle Center, while to its northeast is the proeminent Capitol Hill. Farther afield are the lively University District, Woodland Park Zoo, and the characterful neighborhoods of Fremont and Ballard.
The Seattle Center is the proud legacy of the city's second World's Fair in 1962. This 74 acre urban park contains several innovative structures, cultural venues, and excellent museums. Among the most striking is the Space Needle. Supported by 3 curved steel legs, the needle's glass enclosed tophouse offers an observation deck and a revolving restaurant.
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