Seattle, Washington
From WikiAir
Seattle Layover
| Seattle | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Location | |
| Country | USA |
| Latitude | 47°36′0″ N |
| Longitude | 122°19′0″ W |
| Time Zone | GMT/UTC +8 (Standard Time) |
| Statistics | |
| Population | 580,089 (2006) |
| Area | 369.2 km² (approximate) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| Electricity | 110V |
| Language | English |
City Overview
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located in the U.S. state of Washington between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, nearly 108 miles (174 km) south of the United States–Canadian border in King County, of which it is the county seat.
History
Seattle was founded in the 1850s and named after Chief Seattle, or Sealth. In 2004, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 571,480. As of 2005, the city had an estimated population of 573,000 and a metropolitan population of around 3.8 million. Seattle is the hub for the Greater Puget Sound region. Its official nickname is the "Emerald City" (because of the lush evergreen trees in the surrounding area), and it is also referred to as the "Rainy City", the "Gateway to Alaska", "Queen City", "The City of Goodwill", and "Jet City" (the last due to the heavy influence of Boeing). Seattle is known as the birthplace of grunge music, and it has a reputation for heavy coffee consumption because of the many coffee companies that were founded there, including Starbucks and Tully's Coffee. Other notable companies that are headquartered in Seattle include: Amazon.com, Microsoft, Boeing, and Realmedia. Seattle residents are known as Seattleites. Researchers at Central Connecticut State University ranked Seattle the most literate city in America for 2005.
More Seattle History at www.historylink.com
The Airport
- Seattle Tacoma International Airport (IATA: SEA, ICAO: KSEA), also known as Sea-Tac Airport, is located in SeaTac, Washington at the intersections of Washington State Route 518, Washington State Route 99 and Washington State Route 509. It is located about 1.5 miles from Interstate 5. It serves Seattle, Washington and Tacoma, Washington as well as the Seattle metropolitan area. The airport is a hub for Alaska Airlines and its regional subsidiary Horizon Air and has service to many destinations throughout North America, Europe, and East Asia. It is also a focus city for United Airlines.
Layover Hotels
Getting Around
Public Transportation
- The Seattle Center Monorail An elevated monorail line in Seattle, Washington, that runs one mile along Fifth Avenue from Westlake Center in Downtown to Seattle Center in Lower Queen Anne. It claims to be the "only fully self-sufficient public transit system" in the United States, and with a top speed of 50 mph, to also be the fastest full-sized monorail in the country. The monorail trains and their tracks were given historical landmark status by the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board April 16, 2003.
- Operates daily. It departs every 10 minutes from the station at Seattle Center en route to Westlake Center Mall, at Fifth and Pine Street. Each trip takes two minutes to cover the approximately 1 mile route. Each train can carry up to 450 passengers per trip. The Monorail provides two-train service during special events and activities, with departures every five minutes or less.
- Round-trip fares are $3.50 for adults, $1.50 for youth ages 5-12, $1.50 for senior 65+, disabled, and persons with Medicare cards. One-way fares are 1/2 of the round-trip price. Children 4 and under ride free.
Taxi
- There is a flat rate of $20 from the airport to downtown. Try Yellow Cab or Grey Top.
- The transportation center for the airport (except city buses) is on the 3rd floor of the parking garage. Take the overhead walkway from the terminal, then down 1 floor via escalator or elevator. Taxis, hotel & rental car shuttles, and shared ride services are available.
City buses leave from the lower (arrival) level at the south end of the terminal.
Things to See
Space Needle
Experience Music Project (EMP)
2901 Broad St., Seattle WA 98101 206-770-2700
"Exploring and Celebrating music diversity". A truly unique building housing the "Sky Church", a music venue, as well as a wide collection of music exhibits. A hip bar draws an eclectic crowd, usually to the accompaniment of a live band. Open 9/6 - 3/31 from 10am to 5pm (6pm weekends), closed Mondays. Summer hours 10am to 8pm 7 days a week. The bar is open til 11pm or 1:30am, depending on the night. Lots of special shows and exhibits are hosted; check www.EMPLive.org for show listings and times, or call 206-EMP-LIVE. $19.95 for museum entry. Concert tickets sold seperately. EMP is located on the east side of Seattle Center, which also comprises the Space Needle, and Key Arena (home of the NBA team Seattle Supersonics). If you've made it to EMP, take the time to explore Seattle's cultural heart.
Things to Do
- Pike Place Market 1531 Western Ave., Winter, spring, summer and fall, the Pike Place Market is open seven days a week, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Our merchants set their own hours, so it's a good idea to check the shopping and dining guides before coming to visit a specific shop or stall. Generally, restaurants stay open later and during the peak farm season, farmers are frequently set up and ready to sell by 8 a.m. or earlier.
- Pioneer Square
- Situated between downtown and the stadiums, the International District and the waterfront, Pioneer Square enjoys a central location, easily accessible by foot, bus, trolley, car, commuter rail, train, or ferry.
- Museum of Flight
- $14 admission located at Boeing Field, you can tour a Concorde
- KEXP
- Listen to KEXP live on 90.3 FM. A public radio station based in Seattle, Washington, that specializes in independent and alternative rock. You can also hear it on the internet, anywhere in the world by going to their web site www.kexp.org.
- The Seattle Public Library Downtown
- The Seattle Public Library Downtown has an Aviation room.
Shopping
Downtown
- Westlake Center Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, Westlake Center is a four-story, glass enclosed retail pavilion (with a Food Court on the Upper Level) offering a mix of national reputation retailers and a unique selection of the finest quality regional merchandise.
Near the Airport
- Westfield Southcenter Mall Large mall with a bunch of shops and places to eat. (Update 3/26/07), Food court is under heavy renovation and pretty much all of the previously existing eateries are closed with the exception of a Johnny Rockets and typical mall fare such as Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and the like. However, there are numerous strip malls with food establishments within a 1 mile radius. There is also an Olive Garden and a Bahama Breeze (Caribbean cuisine) within the mall parking area.
Where to Eat
- McCormick's Fish House & Bar, ($$$) 722 Fourth Ave, Seattle, Washington 98104, (206) 682-3900. This place has great food specials during happy hour. Also, the finest oyster bar in town. Get a sample platter and they will bring you 6-10 different types of oysters from all over the Pacific Northwest.
- The Metropolitin Grill ($$$$$), 820 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 (2nd & Marion, downtown Seattle), By far the best steak house in town. Not cheap, but worth it.
- Ivars Acres of Clams ($$), Pier 54, Seattle, WA 98104, 206-587-6500. A classic downtown fixture. Located on the water - literally - overlooking Elliott Bay. Don't let the name fool you; there's a lot more on the menu than just clams. In fact, they probably have the widest selection of seafood at a reasonable price anywhere downtown. There's also a nice bar. The restaurant is located a short taxi ride from Pioneer Square, the center of nightlife in Seattle.
- Tai Tung ($$), 659 South King, Seattle, Washington 98104. Located in historic Chinatown, this place has been around since 1935. Excellent Dim Sum and other dishes priced between $8-$12. Open till 2:00am on weekends!
- Wild Ginger ($$$$), 1400 Western Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101. The menu is a pan-Asian cuisines: Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian. The crispy duck is popular, as are all nine satay offerings. This is an upscale restaurant. Expect the average entrée to cost over $30, and plan to fit the scene by dressing casual.
- House of Hong ($$), 409 8th Ave. S., Seattle, 98104. Voted best Dim Sum in Seattle, this establishment is also located in Chinatown.
Clubs, Bars, Nightlife
- Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, Seattles largest Single Malt collection. Live Irish music most nights. During Happy Hour (4-6) they have a bunch of Appetizers all under $3.50
- Pike Brewery & Pub, Very close to the Pike Place Market downtown. Try the Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale.
Safety Advisories
|
WARNINGS: Low |
There are no known safety advisories at this time.
Links
- History Link The Online History of the State of Washington
- Visiting Seattle, the Official Site of the City of Seattle
- Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau
- King County Metro Online, Seattle Transit
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| This page contains content from a Wikipedia article located here. |
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