Seattle is a coastal seaport city and the seat of King County, in Washington. With an estimated 634,535 residents, as of 2012, Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of North America and one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.
Seattle has three major professional sports teams: The NFL's Seattle Seahawks, MLB’s Seattle Mariners, and MLS’ Seattle Sounders FC. Other professional sports teams include the 2004 and 2010 Women's National Basketball Association champions, Seattle Storm. The Seahawks' CenturyLink Field has hosted playoff games in 2006 and 2008, as well as the NFC Championship game in 2014.
Seattle's mild, temperate, marine climate allows year-round outdoor recreation, including walking, cycling, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, rock climbing, motor boating, sailing, team sports, and swimming. In town, many people walk around Green Lake, through the forests and along the bluffs and beaches of 535-acre Discovery Park in Magnolia, along the shores of Myrtle Edwards Park on the Downtown waterfront, the shoreline of Lake Washington at Seward Park, the shore of Alki Beach in West Seattle, and along the Burke-Gilman Trail. Also popular are hikes and skiing in the nearby Cascade or Olympic Mountains and kayaking and sailing in the waters of Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia. In 2005, Men's Fitness magazine named Seattle the fittest city in the United States.
Visitors can try ripe fruit – raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, and cherries – all grown in Washington state. There are also flavorful coffees, fresh meats and vegetables, refreshing beers, distinctive, spirits, and many other foods and drinks to taste and enjoy. Getting a true taste of Seattle is as easy as dining out. With 37 Zagat celebrity chef restaurants and 13 James Beard award-winning chefs, Seattle has a proven track record for mouth-watering cuisine. Whatever the cuisine, many of our restaurateurs take pride in showcasing the flavors of the great Pacific Northwest, working with farm fresh ingredients or shellfish and salmon pulled straight from local waters.
Seattle is composed solely of sights, sounds, and scenery. Sure, everyone must experience the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Great Wheel at least once, but Seattle has so many more sights to offer within the city proper and beyond. Take a trip to Woodinville for Washington wines. Load up on the Victoria Clipper for an awe-inspiring trip to Canada. Spread your wings at the Museum of Flight, with over 150 artifacts and exhibits for the whole family. Or explore around the city for an eyeful at Kerry Park, take a walk on the waterfront, or step foot onto the ferry and visit the island life for an afternoon. Seattle is a sightseer’s paradise.