The Traveling American has visited more than sixty cities in the United States and Canada over the past thirty years. The task of naming the Top Ten large cities in these two countries was a difficult one. We defined large cities as those with a metropolitan population of at least 300,000 and ended up selecting thirteen cities (there were a few ties). We believe these cities are the most memorable places in these two countries for travelers to experience during a short visit.

THE CITY TIED FOR NUMBER 9 IS SEATTLE, WASHINGTON:

Seattle is one of the nation’s major cities with a population of 3.6 million people in the metropolitan area and 750,000 in the city itself. Known today as the headquarters or founding place of major companies such as Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, Nordstrom’s, UPS and Amazon, the city also has a reputation for having beautiful surroundings and a cosmopolitan outlook. Seattle is built on several hills on a narrow strip of land bordering Puget Sound and Lake Washington. In the distance, the Cascade Mountain range and snow-clad Mt. Rainier are visible, along with evergreen forests. Outdoor activities are an important part of life in this community notwithstanding the mild temperatures and frequent precipitation throughout the year.

Here is the background of Seattle and some of the activities available there that make it such a popular destination:

History of Seattle - Seattle was first established in the 1850s by settlers who established a small town with a deep-water harbor in the area now known as Pioneer Square that had been inhabited by Native American Salish tribes. The initial industries in the area were confined to a local lumber mill and some fishing vessels that employed only a few thousand people. Within a few decades, however, the Northern Pacific Railroad built a connection to the transcontinental rail network in Tacoma and the city’s economy expanded to include the production of coal, shipbuilding, shipping, and construction. The adverse effects of a major fire in 1889 were overcome by the discovery of gold in the Yukon Territory and Alaska in 1897. Taking advantage of the people passing through the region, Seattle began to outfit prospectors and provide transportation services to the Great North. Meanwhile, the city used the money flowing into the community to build new infrastructure and modernize its municipal services.

By 1909, the city’s population was approaching 200,000 residents as large numbers of Scandinavians, Italians, and Asians moved to the area. With three railroads now servicing Seattle, the city held an international fair called the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition to show off the city and attract future economic activity. Close to four million people visited the Exposition and put Seattle on the national map. The first half of the twentieth century was full of difficulties for Seattle. Shipbuilders were a major employer during the two world wars, lumber products were in high demand in the growing western states of the United States, and in 1916 the Boeing Company began to build airplanes in the area. At the same time, the depression caused large layoffs in all these industries and the advent of World War II brought the forced internment of over 7,000 Seattle residents of Japanese descent. Once again though, Seattle rebounded in the post-war years as Boeing’s manufacturing business boomed, people settled in the outlining suburban areas, and the city built roads, parks, and other amenities to improve the quality of life for residents. The Century 21 Exposition held in 1962 added the 600-foot-tall Space Needle, the Seattle Center complex, a monorail, and the Pacific Science Center as city attractions and brought ten million visitors to Seattle.

Seattle continued to grow and prosper after the World’s Fair. Three developments in the succeeding years led to the city becoming a magnet for people from all over the world and an important economic force. First, Seattle became the gateway for transportation services to Alaska, Asia, and the North Pacific. This in turn encouraged substantial immigration by Japanese, Chinese and Filipino people. Approximately 730,000 people in the metropolitan area are Asian, Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. Second, in addition to retaining large Boeing facilities in the region, Seattle became the cradle for new businesses that would become technological and consumer powerhouses in the U.S. and elsewhere. Today, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, Google, and other companies generate attention, jobs, and commerce for the city. Third, city residents are proud and active participants in the arts, cultural, music, and sports activities. It attracts young people from around the country because of its lifestyle in the same way that locations like Los Angeles, Austin, New York, and Miami do.

LEADING ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

Seattle offers an interesting mix of distinctive attractions, museums, outdoor activities, performance venues, shopping, and restaurant facilities. Despite ongoing struggles with crime and homelessness in the downtime and unaffordable housing for seniors and young people, the city is actively working with other stakeholders to address those issues.

Pike Place Market - Early in the 1920s, an enterprising real estate owner decided to build a permanent exhibition space near the bay to house the farmers and vendors who sold products from carts and wagons in that area. Renovated several times since then, the Pike Place Market covers nine acres with a dozen buildings clustered around a central arcade. There you will find close to three hundred restaurants and other businesses selling everything from fresh produce crafts to art and clothing. One popular attraction is the fishmongers who stack their fresh catches and crabs on ice for purchase but also specialize in throwing the “flying fish” all around the place. Another is the flower stalls with beautiful bouquets and unique flowers for sale. Lunch time is especially crowded with downtown workers and tourists jostling for a space at the counter.

Space Needle - Built as part of the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle towers 605 feet over the Seattle Center section of the city providing views of the entire area from the bay to the Olympic Mountains and the Cascade Range. At the base of the tower, the pavilion displays information about the tower along with interactive activities for children. The elevator takes people up to both indoor and outdoor observation decks. There is also a revolving glass floor and a café serving light fare and drinks called the Loupe.

Original Starbucks and Coffee Shops - Even before Starbucks became a nationwide phenomenon, Seattle residents were wild about coffee. There are coffeehouses all over the city with regular coffee, expresso, and specialty blends available in hundreds of establishments. These range from almost 150 Starbucks stores in greater Seattle to ice cream shops, the public library, and corporate cafeterias. One of the most popular locations is the store known as the Original Starbucks located at 1912 Pike Place where vestiges of the original equipment, menu, and décor are photographed by the patrons who line up along the sidewalk to get their coffee and marvel at the chain’s success.

Museums – Like other cities, there are a wide variety of museums for residents and visitors to enjoy in Seattle. What sets them apart is the quality of the facilities there and the support provided by the community for their efforts. Some of the best museums to visit are the following. First, the Seattle Museum of Flight housed at Boeing Field has the world’s largest collection of air and space items. The aircraft there include a Concorde airplane, JFK’s Air Force One, a Space Shuttle Trainer, and three dozen vintage airplanes including fighter planes from World War I and II. Simulators allow visitors to experience several types of air and space flight too. Second, farther north in the town of Everett, visitors can tour by reservation one of the Boeing plants where commercial aircraft are assembled inside the world’s largest building. You can see the assembly line and exhibits showing how planes are designed and built. Third, the Pacific Science Center located in Seattle Center houses IMAX theaters, a Laser Dome, a Planetarium, hundreds of indoor and outdoor exhibits, and displays on dinosaurs and human physiology. Fourth, the Museum of Science and History explores the history of the city and the industries which supported its growth with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Other interesting museums include the Seattle Aquarium, Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Pop Culture, and the Gates Foundation Visitor Center.

Outdoors Activities – Enjoying the outdoors is an essential part of life in Seattle. Despite variable weather, hiking, biking, kayaking, walking, and boating are common activities people enjoy. The largest park area set aside for such activities is Discovery Park located northwest of the downtown area. With excellent views of the water and the mountains, saltwater beaches, and forested trails, these 534 acres offer something for everyone. There are Japanese gardens in the International District and the Gas Works Park on a peninsula overlooking Lake Union and the entire downtown.

Nightlife and Festivals - Seattle has an excellent reputation for having a good nightlife that includes dance clubs, clubs with live performances and DJs, comedy shows, and quirky late-night activities. The Capitol Hill area is popular for its restaurants and counterculture roots, while younger people frequent bars and outdoors spots on the Downtown Strip on weekends. Seattle Center draws a lot of people to its venues for different city festivals including food and art events, a film festival, ethnic events, and music performances.

Nearby destinations - There are other locations worth exploring if your time permits when visiting the Pacific Northwest. Day trips to hike or observe nature at the Mt. Rainier National Park provide access to a stunning alpine wonderland located two hours southeast of Seattle. Further south the awesome beauty, power, and majesty of the famous volcano at Mt. St, Helens can be experienced at the Johnson Ridge Observatory or at the Silver Lake Visitors Center.