Love where you live
Art & Culture
Seattle has a fine art scene. Every weekend, numerous live theatre productions are performed all across Seattle including the 5th Avenue Theatre, that is sometimes used as a training ground for many new Broadway shows. The Seattle Symphony, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Seattle Opera are three of the longest performing arts centers in Seattle. You’ll also find unique experiences including dinner theatres like Teatro ZinZanni, The Triple Door and a host of museums. There is a little something for everyone, from family-friendly fare programs, to shows one can only describe as “suitable for adults.” Pioneer Square is home to America’s first Art Walk, which began in 1981. On every first Thursday of the month, from 6 pm to 8 pm, local galleries display new exhibitions and artists. In Occidental Square, local artisans set up booths and sell ceramics, jewelry, prints, and more.
The most iconic symbol of Seattle is the Space Needle. Built for the World’s Fair in 1962, it has views of Elliott Bay, The Cascade Mountains, and Mt. Rainier. Another World’s Fair holdover is the Seattle Center Monorail, which connects people from Seattle Center to downtown’s Westlake center. Pikes Place Market is another favorite; It is home to the original Starbucks café, over 225 artisans, fish-tossing (for which it has become famous), the gum wall, and a plethora of street performers. Other Seattle sites to enjoy are: The Central Public Library, the Seattle Aquarium on the waterfront’s Pier 59, the Seattle Great Wheel, the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour, Chinatown-International District, and the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room.
Shopping & Dining
It’s hard to beat the Pacific Northwest when it comes to all things local. From boutiques and department stores, to antique malls and specialty food purveyors, Seattle is a shopper’s and diners paradise. The downtown retail district is home to a wide variety of stores, including Nordstrom’s flagship store and other Seattle-grown national brands like REI, Brooks Running and Filson. Many of Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods have charming boutique-lined commercial streets as well as markets, vintage malls, and thrift stores.