Seattle City Guide - overview

Seattle is known as the 'Emerald City', and just like the home of the Wizard of Oz in the fairy tale, it is a magical place. Rated as one of the world's most liveable cities, after Melbourne and Montreal, it boasts among its citizens three out of the world's ten richest men, including Bill Gates, head of the mighty Microsoft Empire. The city's emergence as a trend-setting and fashionable metropolis with sky-high property prices has occurred in less than 200 years, since it was founded in 1869.

Sitting at the extremity of the United States' northwest, at the gateway to Canada, Seattle reaches for the sky with its landmark soaring 'space needle', built in the 1960s, a modern monument that epitomises the city's image as a high-tech, dynamic and young community.

Seattle is not a place that fosters couch potatoes. Visitors and locals alike revel in the outdoor activities the city's situation provides for. Seattle sits on the shores of two large lakes and Puget Sound, with remote wilderness less than an hour away, and it is flanked by two major mountain ranges (Olympics and Cascades), with Mount Rainier in full view from the city. It is also within easy reach of the San Juan Islands, Pacific Ocean beaches and major rivers.

This active city lends itself to walking tours, particularly around the two main tourist areas, the waterfront and Pike Place Market. In addition, 80 percent of the city limits are surrounded by water, so tour boats also abound. To fully enjoy Seattle be prepared to go boating, and bring a comfortable pair of shoes.

Getting around: Seattle city centre is well serviced by public transport with an excellent bus system, historic streetcars along the waterfront, and a high-speed elevated Monorail which links downtown to the Seattle Center and offers views over the harbour and beyond. There is also the Washington State Ferry system that offers scenic excursions outside the city limits. The bus system is the most extensive and runs throughout the night, but less frequently after 8pm. Buses provide free transport within the downtown area between the Waterfront and 6th Avenue and Pioneer Square and Battery Street, from 6am to 7pm. The Ride Free Area also includes the Metro Tunnel, which goes underneath the city avoiding traffic congestion. In addition there are the old-fashioned Waterfront streetcars or trams that are of more use to tourists than commuters, allowing passengers to hop on and off with an all day ticket at the various tourist attractions along its route. Fares on buses and trams are slightly more expensive during peak hours and there are no services on Sundays. Taxis can be hailed from taxi ranks or ordered by telephone. Parking in Seattle is expensive and limited, but traffic isn't too bad outside of rush hour and the city is fairly easy to navigate. Renting a car for excursions outside the city is a good option; a minimum age of 25 years, an International Driving Permit (national drivers license sometimes accepted) and a credit card are required.