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A visit to Seattle creates a mosaic of colorful impressions that shimmer in the imagination long after the visit ends. Seattle is the Emerald City. Its greenness stems from its abundant rainfall, which encourages the growth of lush vegetation, and also from its reflection in the clear blue/green waters of the Puget Sound.
Mt. Ranier looks down on Seattle from its majestic heights. Driving through Seattle on a clear day has been compared to floating on a cloud in an emerald sky. From the dining room atop the Space Needle, a meal can be enjoyed along with a panoramic view of the whole city.
Pike Street Market is a medley of fresh fish, fruit, vegetable and flower shops right on the water. Sitting at a sidewalk cafe, one can watch the men who work in the fish markets throwing the fish from back to front. As a customer asks to purchase a fresh fish of a certain size, one man selects a fish from the barrel of ice, throws it to the weigher who is positioned in front of him, who in turn calls out the weight and throws it expertly to the wrapper who packages it and hands it to the customer. It is not unusual to see huge tubs of Alaskan salmon, king crab legs, and Dungeness crab awaiting this process in the market.
Family attractions are everywhere in the city and suburbs. Seattle Center has a childrens museum and interactive science center; Imax theater and several buildings with hands on exhibits. Around Green Lake in the center of Seattle children can roller blade, ride a bicycle or jog. Nearby at the University of Washington, which sits on tranquil Lake Washington, is a beautiful arboretum. There are parks everywhere.
Sports fans enjoy the Seattle Mariners, Sea Hawks, Thunderbirds and Supersonics (NBA Basketball). A new indoor stadium hosts baseball and football teams.
Seattle is a city of great beginnings. Nordstroms, Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon.com and Eddie Bauer all started there. Seattle is the largest city in the Northwest with more than a half a million residents in the city itself and another two and a half million in the surrounding suburbs, yet it is very clean and beautiful. It is a memorable place to visit, and one to which the visitor will never tire of returning.
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