Coastal Seattle boasts a year-round moderate climate, suburbs on nearby islands, a strong economy - Microsoft headquarters is close by - and spectacular inland scenery: the 4,392-m (14,410-ft) Mount Rainier is often visible 87km (54 miles) to the southeast.

Seattle, where the blockbuster TV series Grey's Anatomy is based, is a vibrant place whose residents embrace the outdoors - after they've had their coffee: Seattle is the home of Starbucks and innumerable coffee houses.

This city is a cornucopia for cruise passengers. To view the coastline or for a walkabout on the small islands climb aboard one of the many ferries, which accommodate pedestrians, cars and cyclists. Or you can hire a car for the scenic two-hour drive to Rainier. Boats and kayaks may be hired from marinas just a taxi ride from the two piers where cruise ships dock. Or board the monorail to Seattle Center, for an elevator up the city's iconic, 184-m (605-ft) Space Needle. Stroll to Pioneer Square, with its tours of ‘Underground Seattle', a now-subterranean commercial district dating to the 1890s. Grab a taxi to neighbourhoods such as trendy Ballard, where the flavour of its original Scandinavian residents is strong, or Belltown, gentrified into upscale accommodations, restaurants, shops and music clubs.

Highlights
• The Waterfront: Offers great views of Puget Sound.
• Seattle Aquarium: Includes animals and birds.
• Downtown: The site of fabled, century-old Pike Place Market. Vendors here have the freshest produce, cheeses and baked items, but tourists love to watch the fishmongers toss whole fish to each other. Good restaurants here, too.
• Olympic Sculpture Park: A 3.5-hectare (9-acre), outdoor branch of the Seattle Art Museum, and a place for relaxation, with paths that wander by waterfalls and fishponds.
• Museum of Flight: Located about 16km (10 miles) from the cruise terminals, this museum features over 150 vintage and modern aircraft, and flight simulators that utilise 3-D film and motion.

Seattle's Convention & Visitors Bureau
Citywide Concierge Center, 7th Avenue and Pike Street, Seattle, USA
Tel: +1 206 461 5888.
Website: www.visitseattle.org

The Waterfront and Pike Place Market offer souvenirs, including packaged smoked salmon from Alaska. But for finer purchases, head to nearby Pacific Place mall, the location of big-ticket names including Tiffany and Coach, as well as mid-priced chains such as Nordstrom's and Eddie Bauer. There are plenty of boutiques between First and Sixth Avenues and Olive and University Streets, and in Belltown.

Seattle residents appreciate good food made with locally produced ingredients from the sea and organic farms. Every cuisine can be found here, from extravagant American standard dishes to upscale European and Asian restaurants.

The climate is moderate, with bright summer days. The drizzling rain comes from mid-December into March.

Washington State

GMT - 8.

US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents.

English.

Northwest edge of the USA.

594,000.

Federal Republic since 1789.

Protestantism and Catholicism are dominant.

Americans are renowned for their openness, and informality is usually the norm. Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home. As a rule, dress is casual, except in high-end restaurants, hotels and clubs. Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the USA and is not allowed on public transport or in most bars and restaurants.

Tipping: Widely practised, as service charges are not usually included in the bill and waiters expect 15-20% gratuity.