Welcome

The Seattle area is a hidden gem, an emerald if you will, in the corner of the country. It offers something for everyone. All of the usual city perks - professional sports, museums, shows, and culture. There are many neighborhoods tucked throughout the city, each with their own vibe and each offering so much. What's so special is the way nature intertwines with the city. Not more than 30 minutes outside of the city you will find yourself surrounded by mountains. If you don't want to travel that far, there are numerous parks to find some refuge from the surrounding urban jungle. There is also plenty of water for all of the water lovers out there. Seattle itself is sandwiched between Elliott Bay, off of Puget Sound, and Lake Washington. One of my favorite things is being anywhere in the city and still seeing mountains - either the Cascades to the north and east, Olympics to the west, or the looming Mt Rainier to the south.

I've only been in the area for a couple of years now, but I've been able to do quite a bit of exploring and I'd like to suggest some activities for those new to the area, or those looking for new things to try. I've been fortunate to have several visitors to show around the area so I've compiled quite the list. There are a few items that are 'must-dos' for everyone visiting Seattle and are in my Seattle 101 book.

If you know of anything else I should add to the list, feel free to let me know.

Downtown Seattle as seen from the Space Needle

Lake Doubtful near Cascade Pass in the North Cascades