Seattle: 5 Things To Do In The City And Its Surroundings
Seattle, the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix and the band Nirvana, is known for its music scene. But the capital of Washington State, in the northwest United States, is also a vibrant city nestled in an extraordinary natural setting. For those who wish to explore this destination, we have compiled a list of 5 things to do in the city and its surroundings.
Visit the Museum of Pop Culture.
Seattle, the largest city in the Northwest United States and the capital of Washington State, is known as the birthplace of grunge music. The city that gave rise to legendary bands like Nirvana still has an avant-garde music scene today.
To discover the cultural and musical facet of the city, one must absolutely visit the Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP. This unique museum opened its doors in 2000 at the Seattle Center under the name "Experience Music Project" (EMP Museum). It focuses on cinema (science fiction, horror, and fantasy), music, and fashion.
Largely funded by billionaire patron Paul Allen, it is housed in a building with remarkable architecture designed by the famous Frank Gehry!
Climb to the top of the Space Needle.
Standing at 185 meters tall, the Space Needle is the landmark for all tourists visiting Seattle. This tower, which is the emblem of the city, was built for the 1962 World's Fair.
It is world-famous for appearing in numerous TV series such as Grey's Anatomy or Dark Angel.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not the tallest structure in the city or its suburbs, but the view from the top is nonetheless breathtaking:
From the top of this tower, the eye sweeps over the downtown skyscrapers, the harbor, Lake Washington, and Mount Rainier in the background... Don't miss this magnificent panorama, which allows you to realize that the Emerald City is caught between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains! To be more precise, note that Mount Rainier is a volcano and it is still active.
Visit Pike Place Market
Before you head out to tackle the trails crisscrossing Mount Rainier, stock up on supplies at Pike Place Market. This public market, running along the shore of Elliott Bay, is the oldest and arguably the most beautiful farmers' market in the United States. It was established on August 17, 1907!
More than a century later, numerous small producers, artisans, and merchants still come to offer their products at this market, which is very popular with both residents and tourists.
4- Embarking on an adventure by following the Cascade Loop
In the Seattle area, nature is right at the city's doorstep, and you don't have to venture far to discover the natural treasures of Washington state, one of the greenest in the country. By taking the Cascade Loop, you'll quickly understand why the city is nicknamed "the Emerald City."
The Cascade Loop will lead you through picturesque places like Leavenworth, a small town that resembles a Bavarian village!
In October, the forest takes on its autumnal colors, and Oktoberfest is in full swing every weekend in Leavenworth: beer steins and traditional dances are celebrated, following the model of Munich’s Oktoberfest!
Continuing your road trip, you can also visit Lake Chelan and its vineyards, the North Cascades National Park, and reach the Pacific Ocean via the Washington State Route 20.
Visit the Woodinville wineries.
A King County town located about a half-hour drive northeast of Seattle, Woodinville is known for its wineries and beverage industry. The city boasts over 100 wineries, microbreweries, distilleries, and cider houses, drawing more than 300,000 visitors each year. Not only wine is produced here but also cider and whiskey!
Although American wines differ from French wines (with higher alcohol content, averaging between 14 and 15%), it should be noted that the state of Washington is at the same latitude as Bordeaux. Craft whiskey is another local specialty... which interests the French! In July 2017, the renowned brand Moët Hennessy acquired the Woodinville Whiskey Company (WWC).
In the Seattle area, WWC's rye whiskey and bourbon age in barrels for at least five years.
Good to know
A "Museum of Illusion" is set to move into the historic Skinner Building in downtown Seattle. Its opening is scheduled for 2024. This new museum will astonish you with exhibitions and interactive installations designed to blur perceptions, stimulate the imagination, and evoke wonder.
The Seattle Aquarium is opening a new "Ocean Pavilion" in the summer of 2024 to showcase tropical species from the Indo-Pacific Coral Triangle. Visitors will be able to admire sharks, rays, schooling fish, mangroves, seagrass beds, and nearly 30 species of corals.
Furthermore, as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the waterfront, the Ocean Pavilion will connect Pike Place Market to the waterfront promenade through observation bridges and publicly accessible stairs. A porthole will allow passersby to observe marine life.
