Main Content
As seen from Queen Anne, Seattle scores points as a postcard-perfect metropolis.
Photograph by Rich Frishman
Nestled between Puget Sound and Lake Washington and bordered by the snow-capped Olympic and volcanic Cascade Mountains, Seattle offers a wealth of outdoor adventures, from kayaking to rock climbing. But this fleece-loving city that launched the grunge music movement and a national espresso craze is no backwater. Home to innovative companies including Amazon.com and Microsoft, Seattle supports world-class cultural institutions—the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet—and award-winning theater troupes. And with distinctive neighborhoods on seven hills, the Emerald City boasts diverse attractions, from Old West saloons and high-tech hotels to trendy boutiques and a 100-year-old public farmer’s market.
Seattle Photos and Quiz
Related Features
-
Seattle Must-Dos
Our experts recommend the top attractions in and around Seattle—with advice on how to get the most out of your visit.
-
Free Seattle!
The Emerald City's newest boom is revitalizing its best attractions while offering plenty for penny pinchers.
-
Washington Drive
The Olympics are still surprisingly, romantically wild.
-
Mount Rainier National Park
Get Mount Rainier information, facts, photos, and more in this Mount Rainier National Park guide from National Geographic.
Advertisement
Travel Top 10
-
Hideaways & Inns
Find a destination that's great for anyone in need of a getaway.
Travel Blog
-
Intelligent Travel
Cultural, authentic, and sustainable: This is your brain on travel.
Special Ad Section
-
Audio Slideshow
Take a photographic journey through Montana and hear Annie Griffiths Belt's narrative.
-
Adventure Videos
Check out adventure videos and go "Behind the Lens."