Seattle was designed on a grid system and was intended to be easy to get around; however, grids and hills don't always mix so navigating our city can be confusing to even long-time residents. Don't let that scare you, though - Seattleites tend to be very friendly and can help you find your way if you get lost.

If you're spending any time in our fine city, it is helpful to be familiar with the various neighborhoods in order to get an idea of where things are in relation to each other. this map provides some of the more commonly referred to neighborhoods for your reference.

By Car:
If you rent or bring a car to Seattle, be sure to bring a map or some other means of getting directions in case you get lost. Almost all roadways run either north/south (Avenues) or east/west (Streets) though there are a few weird ones in there as well. Numbering increases as you head out of the central city in any direction. Street names are preceded by a direction (E Harrison, NE 45th, S Lander, etc.) while avenue names are followed by directional (16th Ave E, Aurora Ave N, etc.). Downtown, streets don't have directional indicators which is a good way to tell when somewhere you're going is in the city vs. the suburbs.

Public Transportation:
Despite being a large, progressive city, Seattle lacks a proper subway system and instead is forced to rely on buses for the majority of public transportation. This is OK, though, as our bus system is extremely extensive and reasonably efficient. King County Metro operates the bus system in Seattle and its suburbs, and you can get to virtually any destination by bus (including our wedding site).

Aside from being an environmentally friendly and socially responsible way of getting around, Metro also is a great way to see the city without having to worry about parking, driving hassles, or other such things, and the fare is usually $1.50 except during peak periods. The fareboxes do not provide change, so be sure to have exact change. You pay as you board the bus if you're heading towards or through the city of Seattle; you pay as you leave the bus if you're heading away from the city. If you're unsure (since it's super confusing), the driver will most certainly let you know when to pay.

Walking:
Built-up areas of the city are extremely walkable albeit a bit hilly. Take some time to explore Seattle on foot if you can make the time and are able to do so.