In addition, Seattle is known for having incredible coffee (try Victrola for some of the best coffee ever), world-class beer (too many to list), and an excellent system of parks, all of which are easily reached on foot or by bus. There are a number of wonderful used bookstores, independent record shops, and various and sundry northwest institutions like yoga studios, metaphysical shops and vegetarian restaurants.

Speaking of food, you cannot go wrong in Seattle. Well, you can, but if you check with The Stranger for their restaurant reviews and recommendations, you'll do even better. Cheaper/casual restaurants can be found in the Capitol Hill and University District neighborhoods; Asian food in the International District; more upscale restaurants can be found downtown and scattered randomly throughout the city.

Suburbs:
There is little of interest or value in the sprawling suburbs just outside of Seattle. For a taste of what suburban Seatle was like before tract housing and office parks, a side-trip to Woodinville (where you may also visit Red Hook Brewery and a few local wineries including Chateau San Michelle), Carnation or Duvall (where there is also good berry-picking) will provide you with great rural charm if it has not yet been paved over.

Mountains & Sound:
The true wonder of Washington state is its natural beauty. There is nowhere else like it in the continental 48 states, and nowhere else is so much so easily accessible. If you enjoy hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities, bring your gear and make some time to get out into nature.

Mt Rainier is the dominant natural feature in the Seattle area. This long-dormant volcano is one of the tallest mountains in the continental U.S., and boasts tons of incredible hiking, camping and outdoor exploration. A car is necessary though it is possible to hitch rides through the park.

The Cascade mountain range lies to the east of Seattle and is a mecca for hikers and campers. A variety of roads ranging from interstate highways to rutted dirt roads provides access to some of the most remote and beautiful wilderness, often within less than a 60-minute drive from the city. If you do choose to explore the backcountry, be sure to carry the appropriate supplies and practice the principle of leaving only footprints and taking only photographs in order to preserve the natural beauty of these areas the Bush administration would like to turn into bauxite mines.

To the west, across Puget Sound, lies the Olympic Peninsula, named for the Olympic mountain range. Olympic National Park hosts what is considered the only temperate rain forest in the lower 48, and has a variety of hiking and camping possibilities. You'll need a car and should look into ferry routes and times (the ferry lines coming back to Seattle can be brutal during peak times in the summer) but this is a really pleasant trip.

Closer to Portland, OR, but still a potential day trip, Mt St Helens is situated south of Seattle and is well worth a visit. It last erupted in a very, very memorable way in 1980. Still very active (though considered generally pretty safe), visiting the volcano is a fun trip even if you just drive around the park. Climbing permits are available for experienced hikers (it is not a technical climb) but are heavily limited and tend to sell out by late February for weekend ascents.

Across the Cascade mountains, to the east, one can drive for hours through an ever-changing environment of pine forests, rocky crags, snowy mountain passes, lowland meadows, barren desert, and grassy plains. See the "other" part of Washington state by taking a 3-hour drive on I-90...

Longer Trips:
It is possible to get to Portland, OR and Vancouver, B.C. quite easily by train or car from Seattle. Vancouver, B.C. is a beautiful Canadian city (passport required, long waits at the border by car) that is pretty easy to get around via public transportation, on foot or by car. Portland, OR is a smaller city, but one that Seattleites often wish their own city would learn a few things from. Boasting excellent light rail, lower housing costs, and a vibrant downtown and suburbs with a fiercely independent edge, Portland is an interesting and enjoyable place to visit. If you go, be sure to stop by Powell's books (an enormous bookstore downtown), and the Rogue brewery for some of the best beer and by far the world's greatest bacon cheeseburger.