Seattle
Seattle sits between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, with Mount Rainier appearing and disappearing through the clouds like a shy giant. The tech money from Amazon and Microsoft has transformed the skyline, but the soul of the city is still in Pike Place Market, the independent coffee shops, and the music scene that gave birth to grunge. On a clear day, there are few more beautiful cities in America.
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Seattle travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Seattle?
3 to 4 days. Day one: Pike Place Market (watch the fish throwing, get a coffee at the original Starbucks — or better yet, at a local roaster), Pioneer Square, and the waterfront. Day two: Space Needle ($35-43), Chihuly Garden and Glass ($32, stunning blown glass), and the Museum of Pop Culture ($28). Day three: Capitol Hill for food and nightlife, the Fremont Troll, and a walk around Green Lake. Day four: ferry to Bainbridge Island (35 min, $9.45 round trip) or a Mount Rainier day trip.
Does it really rain all the time?
Seattle gets less annual rainfall than New York, Houston, or Miami — but it's spread out over more days. From October to May, expect overcast skies and light drizzle. Most locals don't even use umbrellas (it's more of a steady mist). But June through September is genuinely beautiful — warm, dry, and with some of the longest daylight hours in the country. That's when the city really shines and why Seattleites are so happy in summer.
What should I eat in Seattle?
Seafood runs this city. Pike Place chowder from Pike Place Chowder ($10-14) is excellent. Get oysters at Taylor Shellfish ($2-4 each). Dungeness crab is the local specialty. For Asian food, the International District has incredible pho, dim sum, and ramen — Dough Zone for soup dumplings, Jade Garden for dim sum. Coffee culture is serious — skip the original Starbucks line and go to Elm Coffee Roasters, Victrola, or Storyville. Dick's Drive-In is Seattle's beloved no-frills burger chain ($4-7).