2. Cuisine & Wine A visit to Seattle is not complete without a taste of our excellent seafood. The city's world-class chefs continually delight visitors with recipes featuring locally grown ingredients. The hundreds of dining choices, specializing in cuisine from around the world prepared in a uniquely Northwest style, are truly impressive. And to accompany those perfect meals: Washington's award-winning wines, renowned for their superb flavor. As the second-largest producer of quality wines in the country, Washington has more than 400 wineries (at last count) producing vintages from nine distinct appellations.

3. Diverse and Vibrant Heritage A strong Native American, Asian and Scandinavian presence has greatly impacted the development of this area. From the original inhabitants of this coastal region, to immigrants seeking a new start, the Pacific Northwest has become a melting pot of wonderfully diverse cultures. A large part of Seattle’s heritage can also be attributed to its historic ties to the sea. Our maritime history is evident in many superb museums and attractions in the region.

4. THE VIEW Situated on the shore of Puget Sound between two incredible mountain ranges - the snow-capped Olympics and the craggy Cascades - Seattle is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The tallest and most beautiful volcanic peak in the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier, soars above the city, and Elliott Bay adds a flattering looking glass for the city's mix of modern and historic architecture. It's easy to see that Seattle is a remarkably picturesque place.

5. walkable downtown From the sophisticated elegance of The Seattle Grand Hyatt Hotel to the famous Pike Place Market, from the intriguing International District to historic Pioneer Square, Seattle's downtown is compact and easy to get around. You can walk from your hotel to shopping, dining and many cultural attractions. In fact, Seattle was voted one of the top three most walker-friendly cities in the United States in 2005 by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

6. accessible Chicago is just 3.5 hours away by air and Washington, D.C., is five hours. Sea-Tac Airport hosts non-stop flights from 71 U.S. cities and 16 international cities, and it's only a 20-minute drive via Interstate 5, which passes right through downtown. Driving from Vancouver, B.C., takes about 2.5 hours, and from Portland about three hours. Or relax and enjoy the scenic journey aboard a convenient Amtrak train. Seattle is easy to get to, but hard to leave behind.

7. Entrance to the Northwest & Canada Using Seattle as a base, visitors can travel a few hours by car, train, seaplane or ferryboat and find themselves in Victoria or Vancouver, Canada; the sun-speckled San Juan Islands, the Olympic rain forest; or one of several ski resorts. The city is within a half-day's drive of Washington's booming wine country, mountain hiking trails, beaches, national parks and a live volcano. Anywhere in the Northwest is an easy trip from here.

8. Friendly, Yet Sophisticated Seattle is one of the most welcoming and hospitable places in the country, with a diverse population and a neighborly outlook. At the same time, you'll find all the best advantages of a big city - fabulous restaurants, active nightlife, rich culture, top tier shopping, professional sports, a robust economy and plenty of activities for any preference.

9. THE WEather Yes, really! Despite the reputation, it doesn't always rain in Seattle, which has less annual rainfall than Boston or Miami or even Houston. The light showers that keep the area green and lush are rarely enough to warrant an umbrella. The temperature is mild all-year-round, with almost no humidity. It's pleasantly cool (mid-70s) in summer and warm (upper 40s) in winter.

10. CHTA The premiere cultural tourism think-tank is gathering in Seattle, November 28-December 1, 2007! Come to learn, experience, meet new colleagues, and celebrate cultural tourism in action. We’ll show you why Seattle was named one of The Top Ten North American Cities by Travel & Leisure Magazine!

 

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