Seattle is known as the 'Emerald City', and just like the home of the Wizard of Oz in the fairy tale, it is a magical place. Rated as one of the world's most liveable cities, after Melbourne and Montreal, it boasts among its citizens three out of the world's ten richest men, including Bill Gates, head of the mighty Microsoft Empire. The city's emergence as a trend-setting and fashionable metropolis with sky-high property prices has occurred in less than 200 years, since it was founded in 1869.

Sitting at the extremity of the United States' northwest, at the gateway to Canada, Seattle reaches for the sky with its landmark soaring 'space needle', built in the 1960s, a modern monument that epitomises the city's image as a high-tech, dynamic and young community.

Seattle is not a place that fosters couch potatoes. Visitors and locals alike revel in the outdoor activities the city's situation provides for. Seattle sits on the shores of two large lakes and Puget Sound, with remote wilderness less than an hour away, and it is flanked by two major mountain ranges (Olympics and Cascades), with Mount Rainier in full view from the city. It is also within easy reach of the San Juan Islands, Pacific Ocean beaches and major rivers.

This active city lends itself to walking tours, particularly around the two main tourist areas, the waterfront and Pike Place Market. In addition, 80 percent of the city limits are surrounded by water, so tour boats also abound. To fully enjoy Seattle be prepared to go boating, and bring a comfortable pair of shoes.

Pike Place Market

Address: First Avenue, between Pike and Pine Streets Seattle

Admission: Free 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 Seattle

Admission: $18 (adults), $11 (children 4-13). Day and night tickets allow for two visits in 24hrs: $24 (adults), $15 (children) Monday to Thursday 10am-9:30pm, Friday and Saturday 9:30am-10:30pm, Sunday 9:30am-9:30pm.

Telephone: (206) 905 2100

Experience Music Project

Address: Seattle Center, 325 Fifth Avenue North Seattle

Admission: $15 (adults); $12 (children 5-17). Other concessions available. Daily 10am-7pm (22 May to 1 September); daily 10am-5pm (2 September to 21 May)

Telephone: (206) 770 2702

Seattle Art Museum

Address: 1300 First Avenue Seattle

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. Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm; closes 9pm Thursday and Friday.

Telephone: (206) 344 5275

Pioneer Square

Address: Seattle

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 Seattle

Admission: $16 (adults); $9 (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

Puget Sound Islands

Address: Seattle

Olympic National Park

Address: Seattle

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

Seattle Aquarium

Address: Pier 59 Seattle

Admission: $19 (adults), $12 (children 4-12). Additional fees for Argosy Harbor Cruise Daily 9:30am to 5pm

Telephone: (206) 386 4300

Washington State Ferries

Address: Seattle

Admission: Prices vary on distance and type of transport

Alaskan Ferry

Address: Seattle

Telephone: (360) 676 0212 for Bellingham office

San Juan and the Gulf Islands

Address: Seattle

Woodland Park Zoo

Address: 601 No. 59th Street, Seattle Seattle

Admission: 1 October – 30 April: $11.50 (adults); $8.50 (children). 1 May – 30 September: $17.50 (adults); $11.50 (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 Seattle

Admission: $7.50 (adults and children). Children under the age of 1 are 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 Avenue NE, Bellevue Seattle

Admission: $10 (Adults); $5 (children 5-17); 4 and under free. Open Monday to Saturday 10am–5pm; Sundays 1pm–5pm.

Telephone: 425 455 1116

Northwest Folklife Festival

Where: Seattle Center,Seattle

When: 27 - 30 May 2011

Seafair

Where: Various,Seattle

When: 25 June to 7 August 2011

Bite of Seattle

Where: Seattle Center,Seattle

When: 15 - 17 July 2011

Bumbershoot Festival

Where: Seattle Center grounds,Seattle

When: 3 - 5 September 2011

Pike Place Market Street Festival

Where: Pike Place Market,Seattle

When: 30 - 31 May 2011

Pike Place Chowder

Address: 1530 Post Alley Seattle

Food Type: Seafood

Canlis

Address: 2576 Aurora Ave N Seattle

Food Type: American

Café Campagne

Address: 86 Pine Street, Pike Place Market Seattle

Food Type: French

Herbfarm

Address: 14590 NE 145th Street, Woodinville Seattle

Metropolitan Grill

Address: 820 2nd Avenue, Downtown Seattle

Food Type: American

Ray's Boathouse

Address: 6049 Seaview Avenue, NW Seattle

Food Type: Seafood

Serafina

Address: 2043 Eastlake Ave. E, Lake Union Seattle

Food Type: Italian

Rover's

Address: 2808 E. Madison Street, First Hill Seattle

Food Type: French

Wild Ginger

Address: 1401 Third Avenue Seattle

Food Type: Asian

Andaluca

Address: 407 Olive Way, Mayflower Park Hotel Seattle

Food Type: Mediterranean

Etta's Seafood

Address: 2020 Western Avenue Seattle

Food Type: Seafood