Rock music may have helped define the Seattle character, but this city is really a sophisticated yet casual town with lots of indoor and outdoor things to do. Noted worldwide for the Space Needle, Seattle is all about water, from the above-average rainy days to the rivers and canals that run through its green valleys to the deep bays of Puget Sound. Located in the watchful shadow of Mt. Rainier, Seattle is known as the "Star of the Pacific Northwest." What started out as a big timber town has become better known for Starbucks and the high-tech halls of Microsoft and Boeing. It has become the cultural hub of the Northwest, with world-class symphonies, ballet, opera and a thriving artistic community. Because it's a major seaport for Pacific Rim trade, Asian culture and cuisine flourish here and the international districts are always abuzz with new flavors and finds. As you can imagine, seafood is a huge draw, as are the phenomenal salmon hatcheries that provide fish to a large portion of the country. Visit the Pike Place Market for virtually everything fresh and delicious under the Northwest sun. The Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges add a picturesque landscape and loads of outdoor activities, from hiking to climbing to skiing. There's little wonder then, that so many visitors soon become residents after falling in love with this amazing city. Don't worry about the rainfall; it definitely won't dampen your spirits.
