Seattle

Nestled between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle’s rich heritage goes all the way back to the Native American tribes who settled these corner of the modern north-western United States thousands of years ago. The modern city takes its name from ‘Chief Seattle’, who was close to its original founders.

When the sun is shining and the skies are blue, you can see all the way to the snowy peaks of Mount Rainer. Another distinctive feature of the Seattle skyline is the Space Needle dating back to 1962, when it was built for the World’s Fair.

A glittering array of musical stars have emerged from Seattle over the years, most notably the grunge bands which dramatically rose to prominence in the 1990s: Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden three among many. The legendary Jimi Hendrix was born here in this city, whilst further back in the last century the careers of jazz stars such as Ray Charles and Quincy Jones were boosted by Seattle’s rich scene. Enjoy a taste of its enduring musical scene with a visit to see the Seattle Symphony Orchestra at Benaroya Hall, listen to some jazz at Lucid in the University District, or some blues at the Highway 99 Blues Club by the waterfront.

Across this diverse city there is so much to see and do. Head to the historic Pioneer Square to learn more about the history of the gold rush in the region. Elsewhere visit Belltown, the busy streets of Downtown Seattle and of course soak up the heady atmosphere at the Seattle Waterfront. Take Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour to go and explore the passageways of the old city, whilst on the rather more modern waterfront you can go and enjoy the fresh seafood before visiting the Pike Place Market. Take a trip northwest to the Magnolia neighbourhood and walk through the forest at Discover Park where you’ll enjoy an unmatched view of Puget Sound.

Seattle rests in an ideal location if you want to go and enjoy the great outdoors. Take a cruise on the Puget Sound where you’ll be able to observe the scenery, the pristine beaches and the islands, not to mention enjoy a captivating view of the city’s skyline. Two-and-a-half hours’ drive away is the Olympic National Park, where you can hike for miles and see the dazzling waterfalls. Head ninety minutes east and you can visit Mount Rainier National Park.

When you’ve explored the city and ventured further afield to see what else Washington State has to offer, come back and watch the sunset from Kerry Park where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the Emerald City by night.