Seattle is a medium-sized urban hub that is booming economically, growing and evolving rapidly, partly thanks to Microsoft and Starbucks. However, abundant water and mountain sceneries are available, too.

Alki Beach

Located in west Seattle, this sandy beach has lured walkers, joggers, bikers, skaters, scuba divers and volleyballs players.

Ballard

A home to many Scandinavian descent residents, it offers Hiram M. Chittenden Locks where you can watch boats travel from salt water to fresh water. Visit the Golden Gardens Park to watch a breath-taking sunset. Lots of seafood restaurants can be found here, of course. Make sure you stop by Fisherman’s Terminal, where boats keep the fishing industry thriving.

Capitol Hill

It has a mixture of eclectic shops, art-house theaters, wonderful restaurants and some of Seattle’s most historic houses as Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park, Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts.

Fremont

With a signage “Welcome to the Center of the Universe”, you can be sure that it is a venue full of fun. From Fremont Troll to a smoking rocket to a Vladimir Lenin bronze statue, there you can have them all. Make sure you pay a visit to Fremont Sunday Flea Market.

Madison Park

This upper-crust neighborhoods on the shores of Lake Washington are filled up with shops, restaurants and cafes. The Museum of History and Industry can also be found here.

International District

Pungent dishes emit from restaurants like Bush Garden and Sea Garden may tempt you to visit some of them. It is a home to the inner-city oasis Hing Hay Park, renowned for its pagoda.