Furnished Apartments in Seattle

Facts About Seattle

Seattle is a city lying on the United States’ West Coast and the primary seat for King County in Washington. It is the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest region and also Washington State. Seattle is one of the country’s fastest-growing cities and a major tourist hub. It lies 100 miles away from the border with Canada. It is also a major gateway for Asian trade and commerce, being North America’s fourth-biggest port. 

Here are interesting facts about Seattle:

• The first European here came in 1792. Vancouver, the explorer, embarked here while charting the North American Pacific Coast. 
• Seattle was originally known as New York. It was renamed after the Denny Party shifted throughout Elliott Bay. 
• The central business district was destroyed in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. Rebuilding took place with streets going up to 22 feet.
• Seattle witnessed a major boom throughout the Yukon Gold Rush. 
• Seattle was the first big U.S. city to get a female mayor between 1926-1928, namely Bertha Knight Landes.
• Boeing opened its operations in a previous shipyard along the Lake Union Shore in 1916 here. 
• The Space Needle goes up to 600 feet and is the idea of Edward E. Carlson, the artist. He sketched the design on a cocktail napkin and the structure came up in only 400 days. 
• Seattle is home to the second-highest number of glass-blowing studios for any global city. 
• It houses the first gas station in the U.S. which started in 1907. 
• 80% of local citizens hold their own public library cards. 

Seattle’s economy is spurred by industrial entities and companies engaged in clean technology, IT, service and design. The GMP (gross metropolitan product) touched $231 billion for 2010. 

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is run by the Port of Seattle. It offers commercial air services to various global destinations. Boeing Field is used for cargo flights. Paine Field is a secondary airport for passengers that started from 2019. It lies in Everett which is 25 miles northwards from the city. 

Cost of Living in Seattle 

A meal at a regular restaurant will cost anywhere around $10-30 while a meal for two at a mid-range outlet will cost $80. A one-way public transport ticket ranges between $2.50-3.75 while a monthly pass comes for $99 on average. Monthly utility costs hover around $204.34 approximately. 

Average housing rentals vary between $1,200-2,909.62 for apartments outside the Seattle city center. For units within the city center, rentals hover between $1,500-6,100. 

Tips for Visiting Seattle 

Here are some tips for visiting the beautiful city of Seattle: 

• Get a three-day Pronto bike share program pass for cheap. Rides under 30 minutes will be completely free with a nominal charge for the extra 30 minutes. This is the best way to explore Seattle. 
• Seattle is also a city for Car2Go. This means you can get point-to-point drop-off and pick-up within the boundaries of the program. 
• Seattle is a walkable city since it is not as large as you may initially think. Have comfortable walking shoes in your baggage. Start from the ferry docks and then go till Pioneer Square in quick time. 
• Seattle has a time-tested and traditional craft beer scene that you should check out. Try the Holy Mountain Brewery and other joints. You should not miss this experience. 
• Seattle is known for its famous coffee and espresso beverages almost everywhere you visit. 
• You can purchase a combo ticket for visiting both the Space Needle and Chihuly. 

Things to Do in Seattle 

There are several fun things that you can do in Seattle. Here’s taking a look at some of them. 

1. What are some popular things to do in Seattle? 

Some of the popular things to do in Seattle include checking out the lovely Seattle Art Museum, the Space Needle, particularly at night-time and also the Gasworks Parks. You can also visit the Snoqualmie Falls near the city or check out the Greenlake neighborhood. 

2. What are some free things to do in Seattle? 

Free activities in Seattle include Mt. Baker and the Snoqualmie National Forest if you are a nature lover. You can also check out the Mount Rainier National Park along with the Gas Works Park, Magnuson Park and Green Lake Park. 

3. Does Seattle have many romantic attractions? 

Seattle is dotted with numerous romantic attractions for couples. You can visit the observation deck on the Space Needle, venture to Alki Beach or even take a ferry ride. Ride on the Great Wheel or explore the Golden Gardens Park or Parsons Gardens. 

4. What are the most family-friendly things to do in Seattle? 

Family-friendly things to do include exploring the lovely Pike Place Market or even checking out Artists at Play. You will love the Theo Chocolate Factory and even the Living Computers Museum and Labs. 

5. What are some unusual things to do in Seattle?

Some unusual things to do in Seattle include taking a selfie with the Fremont Troll or a water taxi ride till West Seattle. You can also pay a trip to the Nordic Heritage Museum or check out the Bruce Lee Exhibit.

Places to Visit in Seattle 

There are several top places worth visiting in Seattle. They include: 

• Space Needle & Seattle Center – Seattle Center contains the famous Monorail and Space Needle. You will also love the adjoining Chihuly Garden and Glass. Take the elevator to the Needle Observation Deck for an amazing 360-degree viewing experience. 
• Pike Place Market – The Pike Place Market covers two floors with everything from food, vegetables and local bakeries to collectibles, bookstores and specialty shops. 
• Museum of Flight – The Museum of Flight houses several interesting airplanes and exhibits. It has the famous Concorde, the first Air Force One and other military planes. 
• Olympic Sculpture Park – The Park lies along Elliott Bay with several fascinating sculptures. You will find the Seattle Art Museum nearby as well. 

Places to Eat in Seattle 

Seattle is home to diverse restaurants and eateries including the Bakery Nouveau which is famous for coffee, croissants and more. Other establishments worth frequenting include Porkchop & Co and Terra Plata for its mimosa brunch. You should also explore Stateside and Marination Mai Kai. 

Street Food in Seattle 

Seattle is home to numerous top street food joints. They include Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max, Mo Pockets, Sugar + Spoon, Momo Express and Kaosamai. Experience filling Chinese, baked, Thai and Vietnamese street food with local goodies. 

Shopping in Seattle 

Seattle offers several shopping zones for tourists including Downtown and Belltown which are home to leading retailers and local stores alike. Check out the Pike Place Market, West Seattle and California Avenue alongside. 

Transportation in Seattle 

The King County Metro offers bus services, South Lake Union streetcar networks and First Hill Streetcar lines. Seattle has electric trolleybuses with Sound Transit express buses and Sounder commuter railway lines. You can access ferry networks while King Street Station serves intercity Amtrak trains. The Sea-Tac International Airport is the primary aviation hub although the Paine Field airport lies nearby. 

Weather in Seattle 

The best time to visit is between September and October. Summer is the peak season while winters are cold and harsh. Early fall is a great time while spring has warmer temperatures with a little rainfall.