Seattle, Washington

Ringed by Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and Mount Rainier, Seattle represents the creative and commercial nexus of the Pacific Northwest. Watch fishmongers toss King salmon at historic Pike Place Market before diving into vibrant music, coffee, and tech history across quirky neighborhoods like Ballard and Capitol Hill. World-class institutions like the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and Chihuly Garden and Glass highlight the city's innovative design ethos. Ferries gliding across the harbor round out an experience that seamlessly fuses urban sophistication with wild marine surroundings.