STRESSLESS IN SEATTLE
Direct f lights to America’s tech capital make this easygoing city more accessible than ever
SEATTlE may not have the iconic sights of New York or the glitz of los Angeles, but nor does it have the frenetic pace and brashness. known as the U.S.’s tech capital (Microsoft and Amazon are based here), it also has the terrific backdrop of the Mount rainier National Park, home to the famous 4,392m-tall snowcapped peak. And now that Virgin Atlantic has launched daily direct flights, there’s never been a better time to explore.
Seattle is nicknamed the Emerald City on account of its 6,000 acres of parkland and there’s a welcoming, easy-going vibe that’s hard to resist.
The sunny days of summer are fast approaching and with them the lively Seattle International Dance Festival (seattlesidf.com) next month, followed by July’s tasty Seattle Street Food Festival (seattlestfoodfest.com).
CULTURE CLUBS
MAkE a beeline for MoPop, officially known as the Museum of Pop Culture (mopop.org), a striking space dedicated to music and movies, with interactive exhibits covering everything from Jimi Hendrix to Star Trek.
Next door is the whimsical
Chihuly Garden and Glass museum (chihulygardenand
glass.com), filled with designs that wouldn’t look out of place at the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
BOEING BOOM
CHANCES are you’ll have arrived in Seattle aboard one of Virgin Atlantic’s new 787 Dreamliners, built just down the road at Boeing’s HQ in Everett.
Go behind the scenes and see how they are put together at the Future Of Flight Aviation Centre (boeing.com).
Tours of the world’s largest building — the doors are each the size of a football pitch — reveal how these metallic birds go from the factory floor to the skies. You’ll never look at a 747 in quite the same way.
ISLAND LIFE
ACrOSS Elliot Bay and a 35-minute ferry ride from Downtown is quiet and quaint Bainbridge Island. This tiny community, with its pretty white picket houses and harbour filled with fishing boats, is an idyllic escape from the city bustle.
Stroll along Winslow Way to enjoy the family-run cafes, boutique galleries and independent shops. The ferry ride back towards the skyscrapers of Seattle is another highlight.
Arguably, the best view of the city is from the top of the Space Needle (spaceneedle.com): the futuristic tower dominates the skyline and has become the symbol of the city. Built in 1962, the tower’s design was based on a bagel on a stick.
KING OF THE HILL
SEATTlE’S hippest neighbourhood is Capitol Hill, known to locals simply as ‘The Hill’ and famed for its laidback vibe, cosy cafes and bohemian bars. Prop up the dive bar at Montana ( montanainseattle.com), a drinking den big on character.
For something more sophisticated, order a craft cocktail at Sun liquor (sunliquor.com). The rebuttal, a mix of cachaca, sherry, banana liqueur and bitters, is recommended.
For a hearty brunch the following morning, head to The Wandering Goose ( thewanderinggoose.com). Try the Hangtown Fry — fried oysters, poached eggs and pork belly.
MARKET MADNESS
ONE of the most famous addresses in Seattle is the Pike Place Market, the longest continuously running farmers’ market in the U.S. It now covers six floors offering some of the city’s best food.
Chains are not permitted unless they originated in the market — which Starbucks did. Crowds gather outside the branch for a caffeine fix.
But Pike Place is much more than Starbucks. Take a tour with Savor Seattle (savorseattle
tours.com) for two hours of local insight and culinary treats.