SEATTLE
Area: Cities
Country: United States of America


Location:
In the NW United States, in the W-central part of Washington State. 145 mls S of Vancouver, Canada. 15 mls N of Seattle_Tacoma international airport.

Telephone code from UK:
1 206

Website:
http://www.seeseattle.org

Position:
Tucked away within an intricate coastline of inlets and islands, on the E shore of Puget Sound and sheltered by the Olympic Mountains to the W. The Cascade Mountains rise beyond the suburbs to the E. The city sits largely on a hilly rise, dropping steeply on the coastal side.

Description:
Originally settled in the 1850s, Seattle developed rapidly when it became the ideal staging post for the Klondike gold prospectors heading for Alaska in the late 19th century. Today, the "Emerald City" is the home of the major aircraft manufacturer Boeing and numerous hi-tech companies such as Microsoft, as well as a major Pacific-rim centre of trade and industry. In addition to hosting big multinationals, Seattle attracts large numbers of tourists to its picturesque maritime location, surrounding national parks and spectacular mountains. The fashionable waterfront area, with its sought-after residences, restaurants and houseboats, is a particular magnet for tourists. It has a compact central area _ no more than 2 mls long and º ml wide _ and the variety of public transport options make it easy to get about.

Suitability:
A favourite holiday destination with middle to upmarket American couples, mature family groups and coffee lovers, although often outnumbered by the business fraternity, especially those involved with the city's principal employers, Boeing, Microsoft and Starbucks.

Accommodation:
The whole range, from de luxe downtown high-rises to basic motor inns; a few self-catering options. Most properties featured are equipped with their own fitness centres, sometimes including indoor pool and sauna.

Shopping:
As good as any large American city. Fine choice of major department stores and upmarket fashionable retailers, concentrated along several downtown streets or in indoor malls such as the Westlake Center. Pike Place Market _ which remains the country's oldest functioning farmers' market _ offers visitors fresh seafood, meats and dairy products among crowded aisles and brick streets thickly populated by street performers and unusual gift shops; it's also home to the original Starbucks coffee house. Best buys are specialist coffee, locally made glass and native American art.

Entertainments:
Daytime: lively downtown offers a host of activities from shopping to museums (including Klondike Gold Rush Museum and Museum of Flight); historic underground streets of Pioneer Square; zoo; aquarium; the dramatic 520-ft Space Needle tower (Seattle's most conspicuous landmark with spectacular views of city and Puget Sound from revolving restaurant or observation deck). Seattle Center (1 ml N of Pike Place Market) boasts 74 acres of entertainments, arts, spectator sports, dining and shopping. The waterfront between piers 67_48 bustles in summer with street cafes and colourful speciality shops. Nightlife: restored Pioneer Square is an eclectic centre of life after dark, with charming cafes, pubs and clubs; the waterfront is a bustling hive of activity in the warmer months. Choice of theatres and cinemas; symphony orchestra and ballet at Seattle Center.

Eating:
Seafood in all its forms and for every budget, to be enjoyed at many waterfront and downtown restaurants as well as at hotels. A self-styled coffee capital, with coffee bars on almost every street corner, in department stores and at sports venues, offering specialist beverages _ many with added flavourings or liquors.

Public-transport:
City buses connect suburban neighbourhoods with business and commercial centres in downtown; free transport zone in central downtown. Airport buses run 24 hrs a day. Monorail links Seattle Center and Space Needle with central downtown's Westlake Center and Pine Street in less than 2 minutes. Finely restored streetcars (trams) imported from Australia ply the waterfront. Ferries across Puget Sound and to Vancouver Island, Canada. Efficient train service to Vancouver. Plenty of taxis and even limousines.

Local-excursions:
Half day: city tours; Boeing tour; variety of ferry trips among the inlets and islands of Puget Sound; whale watching. Full day: San Juan Islands cruise; Tillicum Village (native American cultural centre); Bainbridge Island; national parks of Mt Rainier (14,500-ft dormant volcano peak) and Mt St Helens (noted for its devastating 1980 eruption). 2 days: Victoria and Vancouver, Canada.