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Emerald City: Seattle City Guide

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City of Flowers, City of Goodwill

Seattle sits at the edge of Puget Sound, with Lake Washington nestled on the other side.  It's a city of bridges and islands, where the high-tech sector regularly has a morning latte with environmental engineers and Burner artists.

The joke is, if it's not raining, wait five minutes.  The constant moisture makes for a verdant landscape, and Seattle thus carries the nickname The Emerald City. While visiting the city may be a tad grey if you do so in the winter, a summertime visit will reward you with a stunning green landscape and some of the best outdoor weather you could ever want for land-based or water-oriented adventures and activities.

Also, here's the story of how Seattle came to have two official city slogans.

Celebrate Summer With Seafair

Given the amount of dark that Seattle residents get in winter it's not surprising that their summer celebration festival lasts six weeks instead of the usual weekend!

Fast approaching it's 60th year of production now, Seafair now includes boating events, sporting events, a milk carton derby, a pirate landing, an air show, the local Buddhist Obon festival, concerts and more.

The first week of August, Seafair welcomes the many ships of Fleet Week.

The Seafair Pirates were originally members of the Washington State Press Club's Ale & Quail Society. In 1949 they transformed into pirates to promote Seattle and Seafair. The Pirates make dozens of appearances annually to hospitals and nursing homes. During the height of Seattle's SEAFAIR Celebration, they appear at several events and parades each day.

Seattle Arts and Events

tickets for local sports, arts and entertainment

Here are some of eBay's hottest ticket deals for Seattle arts, entertainment and sporting events! If you need tickets to that great game or sold-out event, take a look here!
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News from the P-I

The latest headlines from Seattle's Post-Intelligencer

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So, what's with all that rain?

A visitor becomes a resident and finds out for herself

Having moved here in the midst of what locals called the rainiest winter in memory, I'll honestly say, it's not that bad.

No, really. I'm not crazy, and I'm not some kind of fish. I might be part-dwarf which is why I can spend the winter in my cave doing art, but really, the rain in Seattle isn't bad.

Yes, it's really year-round. A few years back I took the Underground Seattle tour along with my dad. The guy leading our tour made the joke that the Seattle rainy season starts at the beginning of August and runs through the end of July. And in the many years I've visited before finally moving here, I'd have to say, I've gotten rained on at all times of the year, no matter when I visit.

This picture is from our visit to Snoqualmie. The Salish Lodge there was the hotel in the tv show Twin Peaks.

However....
- the rain isn't the humid summer rain that filled my New Jersey childhood.
- it's not the pelting rains that reduced driving visibility on the Parkway to zero
- it's never the freezing winter rain that bent all our birch trees in half and knocked out the power

You do have to make a few adjustments. Waterproof shoes are #1. Those are good year round. A good jacket is also a requirement. After that, you adjust if your comfort level demands more. Maybe it's a good rain hat, or gloves, or rain pants. As a pedestrian, I went with the rain pants. The drenching cross-city walks of my Bay Area years are gone, as my new ensemble leaves only my eyes out to face the elements. And I don't feel as encumbered as the little brother in the Christmas Story movie either.

Catch the Colorful Fremont Fair in June

A celebration of art, community and creativity

The Fremont Fair is more often referred to as the "Solstice Parade" by long-time locals. Established over thirty years ago, this community event is based out of the Seattle neighborhood of Fremont. No corporate logos or slogans allowed, there's can't be any motor vehicles and they ask that no animals be part of the parade. The result is a mix of celebration and activism with a strong dose of people power!

The event features a colorful parade, and a large two day arts & crafts festival. Lots of the event is about raising money for community needs, with proceeds going to groups that work to provide housing and organizations that work towards relieving poverty.

One of the features that the parade is known for is the opening brigade of naked, body-painted bicycle riders. It's one of those things that everyone should see at least once in their lifetimes.

For more info, you can visit The Fremont Fair website for full details.

10 Rainy Day Activites

what to do in Seattle when it's raining

A lot of what passes for rain in Seattle is endurable. Locals favor raincoats, rainpants and hats over umbrellas for getting around when it's wet and windy. Here are some fun places to stay dry whether it's winter or summer.
Pike Place Market
Seattle's historic Pike Place Market is a popular destination for city residents and tourists alike. Located near the waterfront, this multi-level building features dozens of artisans, vegetable growers, flower sellers, craftspeople and more. Load up on organic produce or fresh seafood, or browse the unique gift and specialty shops.
Space Needle
The anticipation begins on the ground, the moment your eyes and your imagination take in the magnificence of the iconic structure you've seen only in pictures. The adventure continues as the elevators propel you to the Observation Deck, 520 feet above our metropolis.
Experience Music Project
emplive.org is the official Web site of Experience Music Project, an interactive music museum celebrating creativity and innovation in popular music.
Pacific Science Center
Seattle science and educational museum, IMAX theater, planetarium, and science exhibits under the Space Needle.
Seattle Aquarium
See, touch and explore our amazing underwater world at the Seattle Aquarium. Get face-to-fin with marine life and discover the natural wonders of the Puget Sound.
Seattle Art Museum
Get visitor, exhibition, collection, and event information for all locations. Art activities and resources for teachers, kids, and art enthusiasts.
Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture
The Burke is the Pacific Northwest's hub for natural history and cultural heritage. From volcanoes to Native American baskets, you can see it on the Burke Web site. Enjoy!
Museum of Flight
Explore the unique intersection of science and design at the Museum of Flight.
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop has been here in one form or another since 1899, in continuous operation by the same family.
Nordic Heritage Museum
The Nordic Heritage Museum is located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle.

Guides for Seattle Travel

The biggest thing you really need when you come here is a map of the city. Having so many bridges, it can be very tricky getting the hang of driving around. You might want to check out the County Bus Website if you're looking for transit info, or try the independant Seattle Bus Monster for real-time info.

If you'd like directions, plus travel and activity suggestions, the guides below are informative, helpful and fun.
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Bumbershoot: Musical Mecca and So Much More

How to Stay Busy Over Labor Day Weekend

For those of you who will be in Seattle over Labor Day weekend, Bumbershoot is the event to catch!

It's three days of music, comedy, spoken word, food, and crafts. The event bills itself as the largest contemporary arts and music festival in North America, and my experiences there left me no reason to doubt that claim. If your goal is to hear as many bands as is humanly possible in a day or two, this would be the place to attempt it.

Pick a musical genre and stake out a spot at the corresponding theme stage, or follow your musical faves all over the venue. You'll hear both unknown bands and major headliners, all on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to give the schedule a once-over before you get to the event itself.

The site for the event is the City Center, left over from teh World's Fair. You'll be adjacent both the Space Needle and the Experience Music Project. (shown here, the Needle reflected on the EMP building)

The word "bumbershoot" has a varied and debated history which you can read about here.

Bumbershoot is put on by One Reel, a not-for-profit arts organization, which also stages a summer concert series and is the group behind the West Coast performance shows by Theatro ZinZanni.

Puget Sound's Island Communities

Seattle sits on the edge of Puget Sound. Nearby are a variety of island communities, some of are connected by bridges and some by ferry service.
Puget Sound - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Puget Sound (pronounced PYEW-jit) is a fjord connected to the Pacific Ocean via the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It extends from Admiralty Inlet in the north to Olympia, Washington. The surrounding area, which includes six of the nine largest cities in Washington State (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Kent, Bellevue and Federal Way), is home to about 4 million people.
Bainbridge Island - Kitsap County, WA USA
Welcome to Bainbridge Island - Kitsap County, WA USA
Whidbey Island Washington
Visitors Guide and Directory, Tourism, Whidbey Accommodations, Events Calendar
Welcome to the Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce
Located in the Heart of The Puget Sound we are just a 15 minute car ferry ride from West Seattle, Tacoma and Pt Orchard.
Camano Island
Camano Island lies between Whidbey Island and the mainland. It ranges from less than a mile to over 7 miles wide and almost 18 miles in length.
Travel San Juan Island Washington - Washington State Travel in the Puget Sound
San Juan Island, Washington in Puget Sound is a Pacific Northwest treasure. The Island and its main town of Friday Harbor are just a short distance from Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, B.C., yet San Juan Island is separated from the busy mainland by more than just the mesmerizing inland waterways of Puget Sound.
Mercer Island Historical Society
Just over five miles long and two miles wide, Mercer Island lies in Lake Washington east of the City of Seattle and west of the City of Bellevue. About 21,000 people make it their home.

Fall Happenings

With the arrival of the fall rains, the Seattle mushroom season gets underway. The Puget Sound Mycological Society stages an annual Wild Mushroom Exhibit in October.

Catch the Seattle Gay & Lesbian Film Festival which also happens in October.

If you've got kids, you might like the special events hosted at the Woodland Park Zoo. There's a Pumpkin Bash in October, and the Turkey Toss in November, where you get to see the animals get their own special holiday treats! Check their calendar for dates and times.

10 Non-Rainy Day Activities

what to do in Seattle when it's not raining

Here are some suggestions for things to do in Seattle when the weather is nice outside. Yes, you can do them when it's wet, just be sure to bring along your raincoat, rain pants and some waterproof shoes.
Seattle Underground Tour
BILL SPEIDEL'S UNDERGROUND TOUR is a leisurely, guided walking tour beneath Seattle's sidewalks and streets.
Seattle's Pike Place Market
Seattle's Pike Place Market is open daily, with fresh produce, local craftspeople and so much more! This waterfront locale is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. It's near the Ferry Terminals, is easily reachable by public transit and offers attractions for the whole family.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
The Ballard Locks, as they are more commonly called, are fun and also have a fish ladder.
Woodland Park Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo is located in Seattle, WA.
Washington Park Arboretum ~ Center for Urban Horticulture ~ UW
The University of Washington Botanic Gardens is dedicated to research, teaching and public service concerning the selection, management and role of plants and of ecosystems in the urban environment
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park has a play area with large play barn, and big hill popular for flying kites. Special park features include a sundial, and a beautiful view of Seattle.
Fremont Troll
The Fremont Troll Lurking under the north end of the Aurora Avenue bridge is one of the most popular art pieces in Seattle.
Seattle Chinatown Tour
Chinatown Discovery's Asian Cultural Tour includes a sit-down presentation and a leisurely guided walking tour.
Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
Every fall the salmon return to Issaquah. And so, too, do thousands of young students, who come to see these magnificent fish return from their grueling journey at sea, to fight against the current and spawn in Issaquah Creek.
Ride the Ducks of Seattle
Tour Seattle by land and water on a World War II amphibious landing craft.

Seattle: the Emerald City

here is an overview of the city of Seattle

The center of this map is the downtown area of Seattle, near where highway 5 runs north to south through the city. Bridges and ferries run east to west making connections to surrounding areas.

Hit The Slopes

Skiiing outside the Seattle Area

The Pacific Northwest location and proximity to mountains gives Seattle a semi-local ski season that can run from October to April, depending on where you are and how far you are willing to drive to snow.
The Seattle Times: Seattle and Washington skiing, snowboarding news and conditions
Complete snow reports for alpine skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding for Washington resorts. Updated snow conditions for Summit at Snoqualmie, Crystal Mountain, Mount Baker, and Stevens Pass and the rest of the Northwest.
WA Pass Reports, Text Only
Find your local and national weather forecast and doppler radar at King5.com, Seattle Washington's trusted news source.
Seattle Skiing Centers & Resorts Reviews on Insider Pages
Find Seattle, WA Skiing Centers & Resorts reviews on Insider Pages. Insider Pages reviews help you find the best Skiing Centers & Resorts in Seattle, WA.
SkiWashington.com - Ski Areas of Washington
Snow information and conditions for all over Washington State

What do you like to do in Seattle

Please share your own tips for things to do in Seatlte, or tell us about something fun you did while you were there!

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