Seattle & the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful and livable regions in the United States. Famous for its clean air and water and surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers and forests, the area is a wonderful place to visit and to call home. Seattle has a mild climate year-round with very little snow in the winter.
Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, offers its residents the best of city and outdoor living. Cultural attractions include world-class museums, art galleries, an aquarium, a zoo, professional and college sports, the symphony, the opera and large annual film and music festivals. If you love nature and the outdoors, you will find excellent running, biking, hiking, camping, boating and skiing nearby.
For working professionals in the Seattle area, opportunities abound. Some of the world's top companies and institutions were started here and have major operations in the region, including Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Costco and REI. The city also has a strong start-up business and technology culture.
Things to Do in Seattle
Classic Seattle
- Pike Place Market — check out Rachel & Billie the Bronze Piggy Banks, the flying fish and the Gum Wall
- Take a spin on the Seattle Great Wheel on the waterfront
- Visit the Space Needle and ride the Monorail, both built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair
Culture
- Take in a performance by Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Opera or the Pacific Northwest Ballet
- Explore Seattle Art Museum and enjoy gallery open houses on First Thursday in Pioneer Square
- Visit the Rem Koolhaas-designed Central Library, the main branch of the Seattle Public Library
Sports
- Cheer on the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park or the Seattle Seahawks or Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field
- See exciting professional hockey at a Seattle Kraken game
- Attend college-level events featuring UW Husky sports teams
Outdoors
- Exercise or relax at Alki Beach Park, Golden Gardens Park and Green Lake Park
- Stroll through the lovely Washington Park Arboretum and Japanese Garden
- Ski or snowboard at the Summit at Snoqualmie, Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass
On Campus
- Learn more about the UW campus through the Visitor Center
- Visit the two museums on campus — the Burke Museum and the Henry Art Gallery
- Rent a canoe or rowboat at the Waterfront Activities Center and experience the stunning views from Lake Washington
Shopping
- Shop at Pacific Place, Westlake Center and the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle
- Visit the different stores and restaurants at University Village near campus
- Browse the many interesting shops in the Fremont and Ballard neighborhoods