Seattle: the home of Frasier, Grunge and Culture.
BY SARAH HAMILTON
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Lying south of the Canadian border, Seattle is Washington state’s jewel, in an unassuming crown. Without the glitz and hype of Los Angeles or the bustle of New York: Seattle is often overshadowed by America’s other great cities. However, this northern gem is definitely worth exploring. Set on a beautiful coast against a backdrop of mountains you won’t be disappointed. Seattle still hangs on to its rugged grunge edge, but this only adds to the charm.
TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
Arriving at the airport couldn’t be easier. Take a quick elevator ride up to either bus 194 (from the south end of baggage claim, door 2) to downtown or grab a yellow cab. A taxi ride will typically cost you $25 – $30 and take around 25 minutes.
TRAVEL IN AND AROUND THE CITY
Getting around the city is no problem; with green electric buses running every few minutes.
HOTELS AND HOSTELS
For a good cheap place to stay, head to the Green Tortoise Hostel on Pike Street, share a 4 bed dorm for $20 a night. With free Wi-Fi, computers, breakfast and dinner twice a week, this place is a favourite with many travellers. For somewhere a little more comfortable, try the Mayflower Park Hotel just two blocks down on Olive Way. Here a room will set you back around $200 a night.
SHOPPING AND STARBUCKS
Go shopping between Pike Street and Olive Way. There is a Macy’s here (don’t forget to show your passport for a discount), an Old Navy, Abercrombie and Fitch and lots more. However, a shopping trip to Seattle wouldn’t be complete without a walk around the famous Pike Place Market. Bustling with locals, fresh fruit, fish, cakes, cookies and coffee you could spend all day here, eating, drinking and shopping.
This area is big on coffee culture and was in fact the birth town of the first ever Starbucks (find it about 200 metres along the main stretch). On Sundays this area hosts BBQ grills but for an even heartier meal head to Pike Place Brewery and try micro ale while you’re there – the vintage cider is pretty good too!
THE HOME OF GRUNGE
Seattle, with a little help from the late Kurt Cobain became the grunge city of the nineties. This is still reflected in the cities nightlife: where gigs occur almost every night. Be sure to check out the listings for The Showbox and Crocodile Café for the best bands. There are some brilliant clubs in Seattle but ignore the well advertised Pioneer Square bar crawl where you pay one (rather pricey) cover charge of $20 for five venues, and instead head to Capitol Hill for a true Seattle night out.
ART AND CULTURE
Seattle is home to some of the world’s finest art museums and exhibitions. Enjoy the Seattle Art Museum on University Way or the Olympic Sculpture Park and admire the modern sculptures in this awesome setting. Music fans should head to the ‘Experience Music Project’ an awe inspiring building; which houses a fine selection of Jimi Hendrix guitars, Kurt Cobain hand written lyrics and lots more. For those who prefer science fiction, pay homage to the original E.T, costumes from Planet of the Apes and plastic Coneheads at the Sc-fi museum downstairs. Finish your day trip with a ride on the Space Needle and admire the views across and beyond Seattle.
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