Travel to Seattle

Travel to Seattle

Home to the original Starbucks coffee shops and grunge music, Seattle is located between Lake Washington and the Puget Sound waters and flanked by snow-capped mountains to the west. The city has plenty of small friendly neighbourhoods, modern shopping centres, waterfront restaurants and splendid skyscrapers. As Perry Como once said, The bluest skies Ive ever seen are in Seattle.

Transportation to Seattle

Seattle Tacoma International Airport is located 12 miles south of the city centre and offers regular services to many domestic and international destinations. Regular bus connections from the airport serve downtown Seattle. Amtrak trains connect the city to its vast network and Greyhound coaches provide an alternative means of transport. By car, Seattle can be reached from the east via Interstate 90, and from the north and south by Interstate 5.

In Seattle itself, a good public transport system with buses and a Monorail provides easy access to downtown and several suburbs with an inner city fare free zone. Metered taxis are easy to find in Seattle as taxi stands are positioned across the city.

What to see

Seattle is home to several prominent landmarks, with the Space Needle the most outstanding. An elevator takes visitors up to the viewing platform and a rotating restaurant offers magnificent views of the skyline. Pike Place Market is the USAs oldest working market and sells a huge variety of fresh seafood. Underground tours let visitors discover the Seattle of old, lurking just beneath the surface.

Seattle boasts a good number of captivating museums, with The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame the nations only one dedicated to the pioneers of this genre. The Experience Music Project is housed in a magnificent building and showcases the history of popular American music and rock n roll.

Daytrips

Tacoma is just a 40-minute drive from Seattle and a popular day trip destination for visitors to the region. Home to the world famous artist, Dale Chihuly, the artists glass sculptures are exhibited in various venues, including the restored 1911 Union Station and the 152 metre long Bridge of Glass leading to the Museum of Glass. The San Juan archipelago in the straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca is made up of over 170 islands and another 300 rocky outcrops during low tide. Four of the islands are connected by Washington State Ferries (Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw) and offer activities including whale and bird watching, cycling, cruising and kayaking.

Activities and leisure

Alki Beach, across Elliott Bay from downtown, is a haven for roller skaters, walkers and cyclists. A water taxi sails between the downtown Seattle waterfront and Alki Beach. Several other beaches are also nearby. Sea kayaking is popular on Lake Union, where guided tours can be arranged.

Safety issues

The many stunning wilderness areas to explore in Washington State can present visitors with risks and you should be careful when participating in outdoor activities. Driving can also put you at risk of accident or injury. Certain districts of Seattle can be unsafe at night; you should remain watchful. It is highly recommended to take out travel insurance.