Best Kept Secrets of Seattle, Washington - Escape to Seattle

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I have visited Seattle, Washington many times. When our original honeymoon plans fell through just a week before our wedding, we decided to once again take a trip to Seattle. There are so many different things to do in Seattle that there is never enough time to do them all.

Seattle, Washington is the northernmost major city on the West Coast and the largest city in the state of Washington. A seaport situated on a narrow strip of land between Puget Sound (an arm of the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Washington, about 100 miles south of Canada.

Seattle is named after Chief Seattle, leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. A prominent figure among his people, he pursued a path of accommodation to white settlers.  Seattle is the birthplace of rock legend Jimi Hendrix and the music style known as "grunge," which was made famous by local groups Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.

Seattle has a reputation for heavy coffee consumption, there seems to be a coffee shop everywhere you look and on every corner. Coffee companies founded or based in Seattle include Starbucks, Seattle's Best Coffee, and Tully's.

Seattle's temperate, rainy climate is usually described as temperate with mild, damp winters and relatively dry and mild summers. Like much of the Pacific Northwest, it falls within a cool, dry summer subtropical zone, with cool summer characteristics such as its usually dry summers.

Seattle, Washington is also known as: The Emerald City, Seatown, Rain City, Jet City, The Gateway to Alaska and The Gateway to The Pacific. Seattle residents are known as Seattleites. There are numerous well known people who were born in or have lived in the city of Seattle, Washington.

The Pike Place Market is the soul of Seattle. The Market's traditions, products, and people create a unique shopping destination and a thriving community. The Pike Place Market opened August 17, 1907 and is the oldest continually operated public farmer's market in the country. It is also Seattle's most popular tourist destination. You can buy anything from fresh fish to fresh flowers.

Seattle Center is the original grounds of the Seattle World’s Fair and has been transformed into a center for arts and cultural – there is always something going on here. Trade shows, festivals, concerts, movies and so much more. You can even book a private event!

Seattle’s Historic Pioneer Square has more unique and independently owned shops than any other part of the city. These dusty bookstores, galleries, boutiques, and quaint eateries now inhabit the Emerald City’s most historic buildings. For those on a budget or in search of a one-of a kind gift, this is the place to shop. Just when you thought you found the mots interesting and unique thing you have ever seen... turn around and think again! While you're there, don't forget to check out the beautiful waterfall garden!

Want to take a walk UNDER the city of Seattle? That's right, you can take a guided tour that goes under the city. Seattle's Underground Tour takes you on a historic and hilarious leisurely, guided walking tour beneath Seattle’s sidewalks and streets. It's so much fun and very intersting. Just make sure you wear a jacket, it's pretty cold down there!

Take me out to the ball game... buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks. The 2010 Seattle Mariners season is the 34th season in franchise history. Catch Ichiro, Jr. and the Mariners at Safeco Field! The Mariners are one of three Major League Baseball teams under corporate ownership; the other two are the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays.

If wine tasting is something you enjoy, then you'll be happy to know that there are several amazing wineries in Seattle. The wineries of the Seattle area are strung out to the north and the south of the city, but are well worth the commute. There are over 30 wineries and 20 wine bars in Seattle. Just remember to designate a drive.

Lets not forget the famous Seattle Space Needle. No visit to Seattle is complete without a trip to the top! The view from the top is like no other. Are you brave enough to look over the edge? A soaring 520 feet above ground, the Space Needle’s Observation Deck offers a complete 360 degree view of Seattle. View from indoors or outdoors. Plus the telescopes are always free. If we have parked nearby, we always try to spot our vehicle from the top, it looks so small!

At the top of the Seattle Space Needle there is also a wonderful restaurant, Sky City, with a very unique dining experience. The entire restaurant moves 360 degrees allowing you to take in each course of the city as you take in each delicious course of your meal. Brunch, lunch or dinner, you won't be disappointed! Sky City has also been named Restaurant of the Year!

Here is a budget friendly tip, buy the Seattle City Pass for each person going, it saves you $51.99 per person! In addition to the savings - you won't have to stand in line for tickets! Each Seattle City Pass booklet is valid for nine days. The booklet is “activated” when you visit your first Seattle attraction. So, you get the rest of that day and the following eight consecutive days to use the other five tickets.

The Seattle City Pass is admission to six of Seattle's most popular attractions: The Seattle Space Needle, The Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, The Pacific Science Center, The Woodland Park Zoo, and your choice of The Museum of Flight OR The Music Project/Science Fiction Museum!

Have you ever visited Seattle?