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Seattle climate

Yes, it does rain a lot in Seattle. But on the other hand, it is rarely unpleasantly hot, and winters are a lot milder than in other places of the same latitude. However, the latitude does mean that winter days are short (which may be the reason that Seattle has become the coffee capital of America). Though winters are not severe, they are chilly, and it can snow. Whenever you go, be prepared for at least some rain and cool evenings.

Getting around Seattle

Seattle is a great city to walk in. It’s very compact, but there can be a lot of hills, so you may want to hop aboard the excellent Metro. The Metro has a Ride-Free zone downtown, so it’s easy to get around without spending a lot of money. You can also buy all-day passes that work for the buses and the Waterfront Streetcar. To get to the Seattle Center, hop on the Seattle Monorail and get a great view of the city. For more views of Seattle’s skyline, take a water taxi to Seacrest Park and you can also relax at popular Alki beach. Driving can be difficult in the city. Between the bad traffic, one-way streets and expensive parking, it’s not recommended. If you’re heading out to Mt Rainier or the Olympic peninsula, you will need a rental car.

What is good to know if travelling to Seattle?

• Seattle Weekly is the city’s main arts-and-entertainment weekly, with detailed information on current film, music, theatre, and arts and an extensive dining guide and database of restaurant reviews.
• From the top of the Space Needle, you get a spectacular view of the city and the harbour.
• The Experience Music Project, at the foot of the Space Needle, is an amazing museum of American popular music, in particular the rock music of the northwest. The brainchild of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and designed by avant-garde architect Frank Gehry, among its exhibits are interactive rooms where you can be a rock musician on stage.
• Seattle offers a variety of harbour cruises, narrated, with meals if you choose; the sunset cruise is spectacular. There are also whale watch cruises. If you have the time and are willing to spend the money, they’re worth it. But for much less of an investment, you can take a ferry to destinations around Puget Sound and you may well see dolphins, if not whales.
• One of Seattle’s hidden treasures is the lovely Kubota Garden, a 20-acre Japanese garden, with native northwest plants and a waterfall, in South Seattle, operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.
• On the plus side of the long rainy season, Seattle has lots to do indoors. This city is an excellent place for film, the performing arts, and professional sports. Seattleites read a lot, too, so you’ll find plenty of bookshops.