A bustling metropolis in the US Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Washington, is full of fantastic sights and things to do during a holiday here. Sip coffee in its famous cafés, touch the sky atop the Space Needle and shop for bargains at Pike Place Market on Seattle package holidays.
The city's main airport is Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), commonly shortened to ‘Sea-Tac’. Just 20 minutes by cab to downtown Seattle, it welcomes several flights from Dublin and Cork.
The local currency is the US dollar and the time is eight hours behind the UK's. The main spoken language is, of course, English. While Seattle is a large, cosmopolitan destination, many visitors find the locals friendly and relaxed.
As Seattle has several outdoor attractions, visiting from June to September, when temperatures are frequently in the mid-20s, is ideal. From spring to autumn, Seattle’s music scene comes alive, with festivals such as Northwest Folklife in May and the Earshot Jazz Festival in October. Hiking at nearby Mount Rainier National Park is a big draw for nature lovers looking to break up their trip with a day or two out of the city, and summer is the best time to experience it.
That said, even in winter, the weather is usually milder than in the UK and Ireland. Expect temperatures between 5°C and 10°C, even in January. Winter is the quietest time to visit, and although it can be rainy, there are several museums, indoor attractions and fantastic cafés and restaurants you can check out on Seattle city breaks.
With your Seattle flight and hotel booked, you can look forward to seeing what makes the Emerald City tick. The architecture of the city is undeniably beautiful. Stroll around downtown for a few hours, perhaps stopping at Pike Place Market to browse the food stalls and grab some coffee or a plate of prawn pasta for lunch. Seattle, the site of the first Starbucks store, boasts an excellent range of independent cafés.
You may be excited to learn that Seattle package holidays are a dream for nature lovers, with cycle-friendly streets and excellent mountain biking trails just outside town. Seeing majestic Lake Union, perhaps by kayak or antique wooden rowboat, is another romantic idea for activities on Seattle weekends. Afterwards, hop back into town for a coffee to warm up after a day of adventuring.
Seattle, or 'Jet City', is well known as the home of a number of delicious foods. Look out for Top Pot Doughnuts – best enjoyed with the city's famous coffee – as well as Beecher's Handmade Cheese and Dick's Drive-In burgers. Check out Seattle Coffee Works for a taste of different brews from all around the world.
Seattle will satisfy your fast food cravings as well as your health kicks, offering high-quality organic produce. If you’re looking for healthier options, the area is well known for its apples, Rainier cherries and many other organic goods. On the drinks side, the range of craft beers served at its cosy pubs or a bottle of Rachel’s Ginger Beer will hit the spot.
Seattle flight and hotel deals open up a world of top shopping opportunities, whether you're seeking a treat for yourself or souvenirs to impress loved ones back home. As you can probably tell, Seattle is one of the country's best places to find food gifts – look for local coffee, bottles of Pacific Northwest wine, artisanal cheeses and chocolates.
Whereas Pike Place Market is a shopping hotspot, you’ll also find plenty of branches of Whole Foods Market around town. Native American crafts, blown glass and locally made jewellery, other popular souvenir choices, can be found at the many craft boutiques around the city. Northgate Mall and Pacific Place are two of the biggest shopping centres in Seattle. The former, the larger of the two, is located to the north of the centre. Pacific Place is a plaza-style collection of shops downtown.