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An introduction: The “Emerald City” Seattle
Turkish Airlines starts direct flights to Seattle!
Public transportation in Seattle
An introduction: The “Emerald City” Seattle
Named after Seattle, the chief of the Suqwamish and Duwamish tribes living around the Puget Sound area, Seattle is the most populous city in the United States’ northwest and an international trade center. Set about one hundred miles south of the Canadian border, Seattle is also known as the “Emerald City” because of its lush green spaces, a landscape set between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Turkish Airlines starts direct flights to Seattle!
As of May 27, 2022, Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Istanbul to Seattle, four days per week. The Istanbul-Seattle route flight time is an average of 12 hours and 10 minutes.
The best times to visit Seattle are in the spring and summer. Set in a region featuring Puget Sound, several national forests and the Cascade Mountains National Park, Seattle’s average temperature is around 20° C in summer and 5° C in winter.
Places to visit in Seattle
As one of the most important trade and cultural centers in the United States, this impressive city has numerous neighborhoods and sights to explore. Let’s get started!
Uptown Seattle
We really cannot omit one of Seattle’s iconic attractions: the Space Needle. Featuring an observation platform with a revolving glass floor, this futuristic tower was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. In addition to the Space Needle, the Seattle Center hosts several museums, a sculpture garden and numerous food and beverage venues.
Space Needle
We really cannot omit one of Seattle’s iconic attractions: the Space Needle. Also one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, the Space Needle was built in 1961 for the 1962 World’s Fair – its futuristic design reflected the dawning of the Space Age, as well as Seattle’s own forward-thinking spirit. The tower is almost 185 meters tall and, in addition to a restaurant, features a rotating glass floor with stunning views. The Space Needle is set in the Seattle Center, a lively space with several museums, a sculpture garden and numerous food and beverage venues.
Pike Place Market
The first stop on our list of Seattle attractions is Pike Place Market. Established in 1907, it is “one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the United States.” Pike Place is also home to the first Starbucks coffee shop, founded in 1971. The Market offers an enormous array of products from small independent businesses and local farmers, artists, and craftspeople. The expansive Market also hosts street artists and musicians.
Seattle Aquarium
Overlooking Elliott Bay, the Seattle Aquarium is home to numerous marine and aquatic creatures, as well as various exhibits and ecosystems, an animal care center, and a café. The Aquarium welcomes more than 800,000 visitors a year.
Pioneer Square
In downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. The area was originally inhabited by the Duwamish and Suquamish people; in the 1850s, settlers arrived and gradually displaced the Indigenous tribes. Known for its Renaissance Revival architecture, Pioneer Square is also home to funky cafes and bars, boutiques, museums, art walks and parks. It is a neighborhood with a rich and illuminating history.
Burke Museum
Housing more than 18 million objects, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture started in 1885 as a depository for the collections of the Young Naturalists’ Society – formed to document the changes in the region. In 1899, it was established as the Washington State Museum and, in 1962, renamed for Judge Thomas Burke, a collector of Northwest Native art. The museum’s exhibitions include dinosaurs and fossils, plants and animals, and Northwest Native art.
Jimi Hendrix Statue
Born in Seattle, Jimi Hendrix was one of the most extraordinary musicians of his era. In 1997, a sculpture of Hendrix was erected at the intersection of Broadway and Pine streets.
Museum of Flight
Located at King County Airport in Tukwila, south of Seattle, the Museum of Flight is the world’s largest private aerospace museum. It was founded in 1965 and attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year. The museum also hosts K-12 training programs.
Alki Beach
About a 30-minute drive from the city center, Alki Beach Park is a popular destination for cyclists, joggers, and skateboarders. Set along Salish Sea and Elliott Bay, Alki Beach offers beautiful views. In addition, the area, which has plenty of restaurants, is known for its outstanding fish and chips.
Public transportation in Seattle
Seattle has a highly developed public transit system that includes water taxis, ferries, buses, street cars and a light rail system. If you plan to use public transportation, purchase an ORCA card.
What to eat in Seattle
With its proximity to the Pacific northwest coast, Seattle is famous for seafood. The city is also home to a variety of other cuisines, with a chef-driven culture shaped by both local products and international influences. Pizzeria Credo, the Pink Door, and the Chan are among the city’s standout restaurants; Tilikum Place and Fremont Brewing are also popular destinations.
Fun and festivals in Seattle
Seattle has a long history as a birthplace for musical trends; among the best known is “grunge,” dating from the 1990s. In any case, there’s no shortage of nightlife in this lively city: Capitol Hill features popular nightclubs and bars, while Union, Broadway and Pike neighborhoods have more upscale venues. In addition, the city hosts numerous festivals, including the Chinatown-International District Summer Festival in June, the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival and the Seattle Theatre Festival.
