Surrounded by water and mountains, every angle of Seattle affords a majestic sight, whether it is the Cascade Mtn. Range to the east, Elliot Bay (a section of The Puget Sound) and the Olympic Mtn. range to the west, Mount Rainier’s stunning 14, 410 ft peak to the southeast or lake Union and Washington both within city limits! There exist many attractions within Seattle worthy of visiting, such as the Space Needle. Standing 650 feet above the ground makes for some amazing photo opportunities on the observation deck. EMP (The Experimental Music Project) hosts unique architecture both on the exterior and interior of the building and has sounds to delight ones senses as well. Eat at the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market on the waterfront, and then quench your thirst by milling alongside the locals at one of the many infamous café’s or microbreweries. You may then want to work off your extra calories by hiking along the trails of Discovery Park that contains 550 acres!

	Top rated hotels
	1. Hotel Ändra 2000 Fourth Avenue (Belltown) 4. Alexis Hotel - a Kimpton Hotel 1007 First Avenue (Capitol Hill/First Hill) 2. Residence Inn Seattle Downtown/Lake Union 800 Fairview Avenue North (Belltown) 5. Sorrento Hotel 900 Madison Street (Capitol Hill/First Hill) 3. Silver Cloud Inn Lake Union 1150 Fairview Ave North (Belltown) 6. Hotel Monaco Seattle - a Kimpton Hotel 1101 Fourth Avenue (Capitol Hill/First Hill) View more Seattle hotel info »«

	Top rated attractions
	In Seattle 1. Green Lake Park This niche of a lake is nestled in the community known as Greenlake and is a beautiful park centered with the small lake. There exist a running/biking/walking trail that encompasses the lake, as well as tennis courts, a par 3 golf course, basketball, baseball and soccer fields. Bring a Frisbee, a picnic lunch and enjoy the lush serene scenery of Greenlake.  « hide 2. The Seattle Underground Tour Get a history lesson, exercise and see Seattle as it existed back in 1889. It was then that Seattle’s business district now known as Pioneer Square was burnt to the ground in the Great Seattle Fire. The re-construction occurred one to two stories higher than the original level, thus leaving an underground of history to be re-discovered. Enter Bill Speidel whom started “The Underground Tour” in 1965 and it has since thrived and become one of Seattle’s most popular tourist draws that offers guided tours of the ruins below. There also exists an adult version tour that incorporates the more seedy aspects of business in the olden days, not intended for children.  « hide 3. Pike Place Market Situated on Seattle’s waterfront overlooking Elliott Bay, Pike Place Market offers a slice of Seattle’s history as it was established in 1907. The market sprawls 9 acres and encompasses bountiful fish markets, restaurants, produce stands, antique shops and many other merchants. Pike Place Market is infamous for its antics derived from the fishmongers whom heap their fresh fish catch (flying fish) into the air for viewers to admire. It is also one of the nations oldest public markets to date and is still in full operation. Whether you choose to dine, shop or just be a spectator Pike Place Market offers something for everyone.  « hide 4. Visit Alci Beach Park This stretch of sand is located in lesser-known West Seattle about a 15-minute drive from downtown Seattle that provides un compromised stunning views of the downtown skyline as well as the cascade mountain range to the east. Alki is where the first white settlers hunkered down in 1851 before retreating to downtown Seattle. In the summer and warmer months the beach is strewn with sunbathers, volleyball players, cyclists and joggers making it a prime destination on hot days in the city.  « hide 5. The Fremont Troll under the Aurora Avenue Bridge This large sculpture needs to be witnessed to really be appreciated as it has lots of elements, the main one being the crushing of a Volkswagen Bug under one of the troll’s hands! He stands 18 feet tall, weighs 2 tons and is comprised of rebar and concrete, making it an art piece as well as a playground for adults and kids alike. The troll is a memorial honoring the fatal bus crash occurring at the sight in 1998.  « hide 6. Observe Seattle from the Space Needles observation deck. Originally constructed for the 1962 World’s Fair the Space Needle has become the main landmark for Seattle and allows visitors to embark up its elevator to the observation deck 520 feet above sea level. Here you can dine in the revolving Sky City, a dinning room that allows you to take in a 360-degree view of Seattle and its surroundings. Conveniently located in the heart of the city at Seattle Center one can easily gain their bearings and hone in on the structure as it dominates the skyline here at 605 feet.  « hide 7. A Ferry Boat Ride To Bainbridge Island Embarking out into the Puget Sound via a ferryboat to nearby Bainbridge Island is a wonderful way to experience the spectacular views from a different perspective. You can either opt to board with or without your vehicle, as the opportunity exists to ferry your car as well for an added expense. The voyage to Bainbridge is an estimated 35 minutes and upon arrival you will feel as though you have been transported to a getaway island of sorts. The island is five miles wide and ten miles long encompassing 28 square miles, enough terrain to warrant a vehicle if you plan on exploring the territory. You can also opt to take a shuttle or taxi to nearby restaurants and shops to enjoy lunch, then shop & view the numerous art galleries.  « hide 8. Experience Music Project (Musical Museum) EMP is housed in a very eclectic funky structure designed by architect Frank Gehry & is the brainchildren of former Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen. The building alone is worth the visit, but venturing into the museum itself will open up a whole new musical and visual experience like no other! The museum is a combination of interactive and interpretive exhibits that span the entire musical spectrum from rock & roll to gospel and everything in between. The sound lab, Jimi Hendrix Exhibit and Guitar Gallery are just a few of the noteworthy venues worth checking out, so allow ample time to absorb all that the EMP has to offer. It is also located on the Seattle Center Campus at the base of the Space Needle and is easily spotted as the building calls out to you!  « hide View more Seattle attractions » « View less Seattle attractions

	Top rated restaurants
	1. Maneki Restaurant Maneki Restaurant is hyped by the locals as one of Seattle’s best Sushi Bars and thus it gets filled up in no time at all, so be sure to make a reservation! The fish is very fresh and the portions are generous so plan on leaving with a happy palate and a full tummy. The bento box meals are the way to go if you like your Japanese food cooked, but if you’re into the raw variety, then the sushi & sashimi are the way to go!  « hide 6. The Pink Door The Pink Door usually does not lead one to associate an establishment with Italian food, but once you walk through the doors and down the stairs you are graced with a definite resemblance of old world Italy. There also exists a delightful outdoor deck that you can dine on and take in the glorious views of the Puget Sound; a romantic combination indeed. Person’s rave about the cioppino, antipasti and wood fired pizzas. It gets crowded so reservations are definitely recommended.  « hide 2. House of Hong House of Hong is said by many to have the best dim sum in all of Seattle! One quirk may be the lack of parking; they do have two free lots but they fill up quickly, so take that into consideration if you are running short on time. Take solace that your wait for a table will be much less than your parking space and that you’ll have a hot pot of tea and a waiter at your disposal in no time. Now its time to get down to business and order some Dim Sum then feast on the delicate morsels contained within them as they arrive warm and steamy at your table. There exist a wide variety of Dim Sum dishes and flavors to choose from at House of Hong so order away and enjoy!  « hide 7. Il Bistro Il Bistro’s ambiance illuminated from red-lit candles sets the mood for Italian indulgence from start to finish/ from appetizers to desert! The staff is ultra friendly, attentive and very knowledgably of dishes on the menu, so don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions. The Il Bistro will magically transform you to Tuscany during your dinning experience as the cuisine is reminiscing of the region.  « hide 3. Spuds Fish & Chips Spuds Fish & Chips Greenlake location has acclaim from many to host the best fish & chips anywhere west of the Mississippi! It may not be the healthiest fare around, but it is definitely the freshest and most delicious battered fish and fries you’ll find anywhere around the Northwest. The scenery of the lake makes for a fantastic backdrop to enjoy a splash of malt vinegar and a dab of tarter sauce.  « hide 8. Garage This hip billiards room/ bowling alley/bar caters to Seattle’s younger crowd and is dotted with a wide array of hipsters defining coolness. Garage is very sleek and stylish with orange and purple décor alongside a wooden dinning area that serves up pub-style food fare, but beware the prices are not equivalent of pub prices. Happy hour from 3-7 pm is the best time to go, as they offer $5 an hour pool rates and $10 an hour bowling rates.  « hide 4. Dukes Chowder House Dukes Chowder House steams up a wide array of chowder bowls, so selecting the chowder sampler is a route taken by many, as it enables you to taste four of the varieties. The menu of seafood is diverse and exquisite spanning a wide range of fresh offerings from the pacific ocean of the Northwest. There is a lovely outdoor deck to dine on (weather permitting) and an indoor expansive bar that hosts a great happy hour.  « hide 9. Chapel Bar Despite its previous incarnation as a funeral home chapel, the current transformation into bar and lounge has made it one of Capitol Hill’s most hip and popular hang outs. Persons still gather here to honor each other (although it be a more festive mood) and take in the chapel like atmosphere of stained glassed windows & wooden architecture. The spirits flow freely here, and we're not just talking about the drinks!  « hide 5. Tulio Tulio is a bustling Italian Trattoria located in the heart of downtown Seattle that serves up fine dinning in the form of contemporary Italian cuisine. One can be satisfied on appetizers alone at this intimate eatery, as they are abundant and sensationally delicious. It’s creative chef, unique ingredients and warm hospitality make Tulio a go to spot for locals and visitors alike, as the cuisine is constantly satisfying and worthy of a re-visit.  « hide 10. Nectar This establishment mixes it up with live music and DJ’s spinning tunes when there is not a live act on the schedule. An upstairs balcony accommodates a pool table and is ideal for chatting, as it is less loud upstairs. There also exists an outdoor deck and roll up garage doors for when the weather gets hot. The bar offers up some toasty tasty sandwiches and thin crust pizza with Gorgonzola cheese, not to mention quenching liquid beverages.  « hide

	Seattle Insider tips
	1. Seattle Neighborhoods to Avoid Seattle has to be one of the safest cities to visit from a tourist point of view, as there are very few seedy areas that one could accidentally stumble upon. Just be sure to steer clear of Aurora Ave. in North Seattle and Rainer Ave. in South Seattle.  « hide

	Seattle nightlife
	In Seattle 1. Del Rey This chic club with its art deco motif sets a classy mood for cocktails and appetizers. They pride themselves on their drinks, but the food takes a photo finish second place and compliments the libations marvelously. The hues of red and other dimly lit colors make lounging in one of their booths very comfortable and relaxing.  « hide 2. Twilight Martini Lounge Located in hip Belltown, the lounge serves up its specialties of well-crafted martinis of many varieties in this open spaced club that hosts a lively happy hour and great views of the Puget Sound. They also have live DJ’s spinning six nights a week.  « hide

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