Seattle Travel Guide
 |
Coffee lovers and foodies alike will enjoy the tastes of Seattle. A unique city bordering the Puget Sound, Seattle is commonly known as both the city where Starbucks was born and the place to go to get a high quality meal at a low price. Admired for its rugged beauty, Seattle has much to offer in terms of nature and entertainment. The perfect blend of the great outdoors and modern civilization, there is plenty to do both indoors and outside.
Things to Do in Seattle
If you plan to visit Seattle, Pike Place Market shouldn’t be missed. An indoor-outdoor farmer’s market selling fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, newly cut flowers, local arts and crafts and much more, Pike Place Market brings all of Seattle’s finest tastes to one location. Many visitors also enjoy Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour. The original stores and streets or Seattle are now buried beneath the hustle and bustle of a modern society, but they still exist and can be toured by those who want to catch a glimpse of what Seattle used to be like. Seattle can also be toured via several food and coffee tours that allow you to taste your way through the city.
Sports fans will be pleased to know that Seattle is also home to Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners and the National Football League’s Seattle Seahawks. Both teams play in the heart of downtown in side-by-side stadiums. Those who like heights may want to visit Seattle’s famous Space Needle observation deck and dine in the rotating Sky City restaurant for a real treat. Several ferry rides are also available or if you are willing to take a short drive, you can hike Washington’s beautiful Mt. Rainer.
Peak Seasons & Best Times to Visit
Seattle is a rainy city during most of the year. Although the winter may bring snow, it brings more rain (and ice) than anything else. October-May is known as Seattle’s rainiest season making some of the city’s most popular offerings unpleasant or impossible. In June and July, Seattle is heavily traveled while students are out of school. But these months tend to still receive a fair share of rain. August and September are the best months to visit Seattle, as the sun tends to come out and kiss the cheeks of both tourists and locals alike.
Airfare and Ground Transportation
Discount airfare to Seattle can be found as Sea-Tac Airport is located just a short drive away from the city, in-between Seattle and neighboring city Tacoma. If you aren’t flying from a major airport or a hub city, you may need to connect at another airport in order to find cheap flights to Seattle. Both Northwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines are known for offering traveler friendly fares to and from Washington. On average, discount airfare to Seattle typically runs about $253 roundtrip from LAX, $223 roundtrip from SFO, $450 roundtrip from JFK and $312 roundtrip from ORD.
Many visitors to Seattle prefer to rent a car since the streets are fairly easy to navigate. But other options are also available. Seattle offers an extensive bus system that runs all over the Puget Sound, and also offers a monorail system that runs between popular sites like Seattle Center and Westlake Village. From the airport shuttles and taxis are also available. An average drive between Sea-Tac and Seattle take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic, while public transportation takes 30-40 minutes on average.
Hotels and Lodging in Seattle
If you want to take in the sites of the city, it is ideal to actually stay in the city since many attractions could be within walking distance of your hotel. Seattle offers both popular chains and low-budget options. But the hidden jewel of Seattle is definitely its offering of quaint bed and breakfasts nestled in some of the city’s older and more unique neighborhoods like Queen Anne, which is known for its 19th Century architecture.