Kaplan City Guide: Seattle
Seattle, Washington is the largest northwestern city on the Pacific Ocean. It’s nicknamed the Emerald City because of its lush evergreen forests and stunning natural surroundings. We asked our students who studied at our English school in Seattle about their favorite places in the city, and here is what they have suggested.
Spend A Lovely Day At Seattle Waterfront
“I recommend visiting the waterfront. My favorite restaurant there is The Crab Pot.”
Tip provided by:
Stefano Bellelli, Italy
The waterfront in Downtown Seattle is one of the best attractions in the city, stretching for 1.3 miles along the Alaskan Way. The place has a lot to offer, from restaurants and shops to great attractions. While there, be sure to visit the Seattle Aquarium, a 120,000-gallon tank full of marvellous sea creatures from the Atlantic Ocean. Another great activity to do while you are there is to take a boat trip, which will give you a good view of Seattle’s Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Once you finish the cruise, you can choose to have a meal in one of the wide range of dining options available: sea food, sausages, or hot dogs.
Experience the historical Pike Place Market
“I love Pike Place Market. It’s a wonderful, vivid, and colorful place where you can buy almost everything locally produced from fresh vegetables and fruit to tulips and delicious cinnamon donuts.”
Tip provided by:
Julia Streicher, Switzerland
Pike Place Market, which was established in 1907 and is named after the central street, is one of the oldest continuously operated farmers markets in the US. The market offers an unmissable experience, especially if you are a fan of antics (like the tossing of the fish) and handcrafted items. If you’re a coffee lover, you should definitely visit the first Starbucks store, which opened in this market in 1971. While there, you should also check out Golden Age Collectables, which is the country’s oldest comic shop.
Visit The Olympic Sculpture Park
“If you like taking pictures, I recommend you go to the Olympic Sculpture Park because you can see the beautiful sunset with mountains in the background. At the park there is a railway under the bridge where you can see trains carrying airplanes (the Boeing Factory is nearby).”
Tip provided by:
Chiaki Kitayam, Japan
The Olympic Sculpture Park is free outdoor museum/park open to the public all year long. The park was first opened in 2007 and has now become an art icon for Seattle and one of the most popular green spaces in downtown. Olympic Park consists of 3 levels below the surface of the sea and has received numerous awards for its unique design.
Enjoy The View From The Space Needle
“The view from the Space Needle is breath-taking, especially at night when Seattle turns into an ocean of lights.”
Tip provided by:
Julia Streicher, Switzerland
This 605-foot high tower is one of the most iconic and recognizable sites in the city, attracting more than a million annual visitors since its opening in 1962. It was even the inspiration behind the design of the Jetson’s condo in the famous animated cartoon show, and has been featured in many Hollywood films such as Men In Black and Sleepless in Seattle. The Seattle Space Needle is an observation tower that was built in honor of the 1962 World’s Fair. The top offers great views of the city’s skyline, along with the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Elliot Bay, and the surrounding islands.
Have you been to Seattle before and want to share your experience with us? Please leave your tips in the comments section.
Want to find out more about how you can study English in the USA? Contact one of our advisors for more information.
