Overview
Seattleites don't tan, goes the joke, they rust. But overcast days and long winter nights have made the city a haven for moviegoers and book readers. Hollywood often tests new films here in Seattle, and residents' per-capita book purchases are among North America's highest. Seattle has all the trappings of a travel destination metropolitan hub - two daily newspapers; a state-of-the-art convention centre; professional sports teams; a diverse music club scene; and top-notch ballet, opera, symphony, and theater companies. A major seaport, the city is a vital link in Pacific Rim trade.

Things to Do
Seattle, like Rome, is built on seven hills. As a visitor, you're likely to spend much of your time on only two of them (Capitol Hill and Queen Anne Hill), but the seven knobs are indeed the most definitive element of the city's natural and spiritual landscape. Years of largely thoughtful building practices have kept tall buildings from obscuring the lines of sight, maintaining vistas in most directions and around most every turn. The hills are lofty, privileged perches from which residents are constantly reminded of the beauty of the forests, mountains, and waters lying just beyond the city - that is, when it stops misting long enough to see your hand in front of your face. To know Seattle is to know its distinctive neighbourhoods. Because of the hills, comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Dining
Seattle has been a culinary capital since the influx of Microsoft money created a demand for a more expansive and creative restaurant scene. The city's reputation among foodies owes as much to its thriving ethnic communities - particularly Japanese, Chinese, and Thai - as it does to its access to wonderful local produce, organic meats, and, of course, seafood. It seems as though half of the restaurants in the city are Pan-Asian and the other half are Pacific Northwest fusion; however, far from creating gimmicky food, chefs here create great things when they blend styles.

Shopping
Making the rounds at the dozens of antiques shops and art galleries is a popular pasttime with locals. This is a city that loves music and literature, so there are also plenty of bookstores and music shops where you can browse for hours. The best selection is Downtown, but you'll find good shopping all over the city.

(Original information sourced from www.discoveramerica.com)