Seattle

Situated between Elliott Bay and Lake Washington, Seattle is not only the state’s largest city, but one of the most recognisable cities on America’s West Coast. Its iconic skyline punctuated by the futuristic Space Needle, the wilderness of the Puget Sound at its back and the peak of Mount Rainier soaring in the distance, Seattle is renowned as the original home of Microsoft, Boeing and Starbucks, and continues to be a vibrant and relevant city to this day.

Today, it is still the capital of caffeine with some of the world’s best coffee shops gracing its streets. And fine dining has now entered the equation too. Pike Place Market, one of the USA’s oldest operating markets, cover nine acres and specialises in the finest ingredients and seafood the region has to offer, as well as countless stalls and restaurants all demonstrating the city’s fine culinary prowess.

There’s plenty to see and do around the city, and Seattle benefits from a great public transport system. Visit the historic Pioneer Square neighbourhood and head beneath the streets to see the remains of the city’s original downtown. Take in the city’s expanse from the 53 metre tall Seattle Great Whell on the edge of Pier 57 or ride up the iconic Space Needle. The Seattle Art Museum and the Chihuly Gardens and Glass are a must for art lovers, and for those who just enjoy a stroll in a new city, the bars and cafés of Capitol Hill are well worth a visit.