One of Seattle's more popular nicknames is that of the "Emerald City." There seems to be some debate as to whether this is due to the city's more than 300 parks, or whether it is related to the futuristic and unique city skyline that might remind people of the classic city from The Wizard of Oz.

Seattle's location and cultural roots have led it through some interesting developments over time. The city celebrates both its Asian and Scandinavian roots as well as the history of the region's Native Americans. Seattle has also been substantially shaped by its location, defined by water. It is surrounded by the Puget Sound to the west, Lake Washington to the east, and Lake Union in the center. Seattle's economy developed with a strong base in maritime industries, which continues to today. Always popular with young romantics are the ferry rides, but the waterfront also offers a vast array of commercial, retail and tourist ventures.

Seattle's ever-changing and distinct culture can be seen in many features of the city. Architecture provides the most obvious example of the city's personality. The Space Needle, a 605-foot-tall construction built for the 1962 World Fair, has become the symbol of Seattle. From the observation deck near the top, visitors can get a grand view of Downtown Seattle's Skyline, of Mount Rainier, and of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. The futuristic Needle represented the Fair's theme of an improved life through the advancements of science. The Fair drew 2.3 million visitors.

One of the more recent examples of Seattle's creativity is the Experience Music Project, which features a three-story guitar sculpture. Seattle also houses the country's largest floating residential community - the houseboats on Lake Union.

Seattle is a place that balances big business and a healthy environment, sports and the arts, family and single-living, individualism and a deep sense of community pride. With quality schooling, affordable health care and a low crime rate, Seattle offers a life that balances favorable studying, working and living conditions. It is an ideal city to live in if you have brought your family along with you for your studies.

For those interested in quality food, Seattle has a number of big names that have pushed them into the international scene. You may recognize Tom Douglas, Kaspar Donier, Thierry Rautureau, Kathy Casey, Jim Drohman, Scott Staples, Christine Keff and Tamara Murphy. As one might expect from a city as varied as Seattle, the new style of food is varied and exciting.

Also related to the city's love of food and history is the Pike Place Market, which was saved from the corporate moguls who would have destroyed it. The market-the nation's oldest, continually operating farmer's market-is now carefully protected and dedicated to preserving its roots while creating a wonderful venue to share the region's fresh fruits, vegetables, seasonal flowers, herbs, seafood, spices and cheeses. More than 250 merchants, 100 farmers, 100 street performers, and 200 craftspeople make this a bustling, vibrant attraction.

Second only to NYC in their total number of performances, Seattle boasts an active arts scene, complete with a local major symphony, an opera, and ballet companies (only five other cities in the country can say the same.) Music in Seattle ranges from the symphony to the city's hopping club scene and stops for some jazz and cultural specialties along the way.

• Another memorable aspect of life in Seattle is the number of large or technology and big businesses that call the city home, including REI, Eddie Bauer, Nintendo, Starbucks, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Amazon.com, RealNetworks and Microsoft. With these large companies come wealthy individuals who have contributed to a variety of causes, making Seattle a growing center of philanthropy. The city also boasts a number of world-class medical centers and is the national leader in trade with Asia.

• Sleepless in Seattle
• "Frasier"
• Fabulous Baker Boys
• Say Anything
• Starman
• War Games
• An Officer and a Gentleman

ATTRACTIONS

Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
SAM has an impressive collection of more than 21,000 objects of art. These pieces range from Old Master paintings to African masks to contemporary art of the Northwest. SAM also houses a number of special exhibits and provides tours and educational experiences for students. It has a number of free days to make the museum more accessible. Also available on a different site is the Seattle Asian Art Museum featuring Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Southeastern Asian and Himalayan art.

Fremont
If there were a single place that could capture the funky nature of Seattle, Fremont would have to be that neighborhood. A sign proclaiming, "Welcome to the Center of the Universe" is the first hint to strangers that they have wandered into an area of the city destined to leave its indelible mark. Oddities are all around.

The Rocket - The Fremont Business Association recognized the need for a suitable landmark that would do justice to the Center of the Universe. There was much debate as to what such a landmark could be, but the answer became clear with news of the deconstruction of a 1950s cold war-era rocket fuselage. The Rocket was promptly acquired and after several years in storage and an embarrassing failed attempt, scientists were able to display the 53-foot rocket in 1994. The rocket also bears the Fremont crest and famous motto, "De Libertas Quirkas" - "Freedom to be Peculiar."

Fremont Troll - This friendly fellow occupies the space under the Aurora Bridge, a product of the Fremont Arts Council in 1990. The 18-foot giant is crushing a Volkswagen Beetle in one hand. He also gets to be the guest of honor at the roving party that begins under the bridge October 31 each year, and has come to be known as "Trollaween." Revelers then wander away to see the other sites of Fremont.

Interurban Sculpture - Perhaps the best-known statue(s) would be the Interurban Sculpture, which honors the light rail line that used to connect downtown Seattle with all of its neighborhoods. The statue depicts five people and a dog standing under a shelter. The sculpture has become a symbol of Seattle's creativity and fun-loving mischief as countless people dress and redress the statues to celebrate weddings, birthdays, farewells, popular causes, demonstrations and any other host of things that they think up. The only rules are that no commercial messages can be used and that the statues be cleaned up when a display is done.

Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
The first museum in the world devoted to the genre of science fiction opened its doors in Seattle on June 18, 2004. The museum explores science fiction in literature, movies, television, and art, and challenges visitors to think about the meanings of the medium.

University District
The University of Washington is housed in a park-like 700-acre campus, known to the locals as "U-Dub." As might be expected from a college town, low-priced restaurants and pubs abound along the "Ave" (University Avenue). The University Bookstore provides a thriving shopping scene, and young people wander the streets and sidewalks in crowds.

Seattle Center
The Seattle Center was first created for the 1962 World Fair. It has become the center of many of Seattle's most important festivals and events and expresses the interests and passions of the city. The Seattle Center sees more than 10 million visitors pour through it each year for countless events, some of which are highlighted on the Events page. Permanent features of this 74-acre park include the Seattle Opera, Intiman Theater and the Space Needle.

Pacific Science Center - This is the first science and technology museum in U.S. history. This family-friendly museum offers hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theater, laser light shows and a planetarium. Do not miss the life-size robotic dinosaurs, the giant robotic insects or the virtual-reality simulators.

The Experience Music Project - This interactive museum shows the creative process of American music, with more than 80,000 musical artifacts. Those include the world's largest collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia, as well as guitars played by Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters and Kurt Cobain. Don't forget to try your hand at playing one of the many instruments at the museum.

Sources:
(http://www.seattle-travel-services.com)

(http://www.fremontseattle.com)

(http://www.seeseattle.com/visitors)