Washington State, in the north-western extremity of the United States bordered by Canada and the Pacific Ocean, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to blend the fun of a vibrant city vacation with an exciting wilderness experience, all within a relatively short distance of each other.

In the scenically set young city of Seattle, hugging the shores of the Puget Sound, high-tech attractions both educate and entertain at the foot of the city's famous landmark, the soaring Space Needle. It is just a step from the waterfront of this dynamic metropolis onto a ferry, which transports you to the wild windswept Pacific beaches, or the emerald green islands of the Sound.

Travel inland to explore national parks, three within easy reach of Seattle, most set around the peaks of the volcanic Cascades Mountains and sporting forests, rivers, lakes and glaciers. In summer the green western wilderness areas draw thousands of hikers, climbers and cyclists, while in winter the skiers head for the slopes.

The north-eastern part of the state, across the barrier of the Cascades Mountains, is desert-like with warm, dry air and a landscape befitting the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. The southeast is carpeted with wheat fields and dotted with historic towns while the central Columbia River Plateau is a rugged area, sculpted by glaciers and ice age flooding, characterised now by wheat fields, lakes and orchards.

Washington is a diverse and beautiful state that can truly claim to offer 'something for everyone'.

Pike Place Market

Address: First Avenue, between Pike and Pine Streets

Admission: Open daily. Hours vary for different businesses, and Sundays are voluntary opening days so some shops may be closed

Telephone: (206) 682 7453

Space Needle

Address: 400 Broad Street

Admission: $17 (adults), $9 (children 4-13). Day and night tickets allow for two visits in 24hrs: $22 (adults), $14 (children) Sunday to Thursday 10am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 10pm

Telephone: (206) 905 2100

Experience Music Project

Address: Seattle Center, 325 Fifth Avenue North

Admission: $15 (adults); $12 (children 5-17). Other concessions available. Free from 5pm to 8pm on first Thursday of every month (All Access Nights) Daily 10am to 7pm (22 May to 1 September); daily 10am to 5pm (2 September to 21 May)

Telephone: (206) 770 2702

Seattle Art Museum

Address: 1300 First Avenue

Admission: $15 (adults), $9 (youth 13-17), free for under 13; other concessions available. Free admission on the first Thursday of every month. Special exhibition ticket prices vary Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; Thursday and Friday 10am to 9pm

Telephone: (206) 344 5275

Pioneer Square

Admission: Klondike National Park: daily 9am to 5pm. The Underground Tour ticket office opens daily 9.30am to 6pm

Telephone: Pioneer Square Community Association: (206) 667 0687

Museum of Flight

Address: 9404 East Marginal Way South

Admission: $15 (adults); $8 (children 5-17); other concessions available. Admission is free on the first Thursday evening of every month from 5pm until 9pm Daily 10am to 5pm; open until 9pm on the first Thursday of every month. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Telephone: (206) 764 5720

Snoqualmie Falls

Puget Sound Islands

Olympic National Park

Admission: $15 per vehicle; $5 per individual hiker, cyclist or motorcyclist. Valid for seven days Open daily, 24-hours a day. Some roads may be closed during winter. Visitor centre hours vary throughout the year

Telephone: (360) 565 3130

Mount Rainier National Park

Admission: $15 per vehicle; $5 per individual hiker, cyclist or motorcyclist. Valid for seven days Open daily all year round, but access is limited in winter

Telephone: (360) 569 2211

Mount St. Helens

Admission: Depending on what sites one plans to visit, there is a Regional Northwest Forest Pass ($5 per vehicle)

Telephone: (360) 274 0962 (Mount St. Helens Visitor Center)

Seattle Aquarium

Address: Pier 59

Admission: $17 (adults), $11 (children 4-12) Daily 9.30am to 5pm

Telephone: (206) 386 4300

Washington State Ferries

Admission: Prices vary on distance and type of transport

Alaskan Ferry

Telephone: (360) 676 0212 for Bellingham office

Large cruise ships regularly travel to major ports in Alaska but a better, smaller option is the Alaskan Ferry. Departing from Bellingham Washington, these large ferries bounce against the major coastal towns of Canada, The Gulf of Alaska and stretching to the Alaskan Peninsula. The landscape is staggering, revealing hundreds of craggy forest-dense islands and coastlines. Eagles, killer whales, bears and other hardy wildlife are all part of the view. The months of operation are May to September, when the weather is bearable and sunshine illuminates most of the ‘night' hours. Costs vary greatly on length of voyage and accommodation. Most ferries rent cabins but those in tune with Alaska's pioneer spirit can pitch a tent on deck or just use a blanket.

San Juan and the Gulf Islands

The Gorge Amphitheater

Woodland Park Zoo

Address: 601 No. 59th Street, Seattle

Admission: 1 October – 30 April: $11 (adults); $8 (children). 1 May – 30 September: $16.50 (adults); $11 (children) Open daily 1 October to 30 April from 9.30am – 4pm; From 1 May to September 30 from 9.30am – 6pm. Closed 25 December

Telephone: 206 548 2500

Seattle Children's Museum

Address: 305 Harrison Street

Admission: $7.50 (adults and children). Children under the age of 1 free Open Monday to Friday from 10am – 5pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 6pm

Telephone: 206 441 1768

Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art

Address: 1116 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue

Admission: $8 (Adults); $5 (children) Open Monday to Saturday from 10am – 5pm; Sundays from 1pm – 5pm

Telephone: 425 455 1116

Canlis

Address: 2576 Aurora Ave N

Food Type: American

Café Campagne

Address: 86 Pine Street, Pike Place Market

Food Type: French

Herbfarm

Address: 14590 NE 145th Street, Woodinville

Metropolitan Grill

Address: 820 2nd Avenue, Downtown

Food Type: American

Ray's Boathouse

Address: 6049 Seaview Avenue, NW

Food Type: Seafood

Serafina

Address: 2043 Eastlake Ave. E, Lake Union

Food Type: Italian

Rover's

Address: 2808 E. Madison Street, First Hill

Food Type: French

Wild Ginger

Address: 1401 Third Avenue

Food Type: Asian

Andaluca

Address: 407 Olive Way, Mayflower Park Hotel

Food Type: Mediterranean

Etta's Seafood

Address: 2020 Western Avenue

Food Type: Seafood