Named after Chief Seattle (also known as Sealth) of the Suquamish and Duwamish people, Seattle draws in visitors of all stripes. Its lush National Geographic-worthy scenery, boundary-pushing cuisine and a thriving tech scene has cemented it as a must-visit Pacific Northwest metropolis.
Whether you’re an extrovert, introvert, or ambivert, you will find your place in Seattle. (Photo Credit: Andrea Leopardi)
Seattle for Extroverts:
- An institution in the Ballard neighborhood, the Tractor Tavern’s spell brings in as many regulars as first-time visitors. Every music genre (not just country!) has a home here and on Monday nights, the crowd spins around the room guided by a square-dancing instructor to learn user-friendly steps in real time.
- Trust us, Seattle’s sports scene is as lively as they come. If you’re loyal to your hometown basketball and football teams, take in a Seattle Kraken home game instead. The very new hockey team (they played their first game in October 2021) pounds the ice at the Climate Pledge Arena as part of the NHL’s Western Conference. The Kraken have quickly amassed a legion of fans so even if you don’t know a lick about hockey, you’ll get swept up in the crowd’s energy.
Seattle loves their sports — whether it’s baseball, football, or hockey. (Photo Credit: Edoardo Busti)
Seattle for Introverts:
- 230 acres of sprawling meadows, gardens and wetlands makes The Arboretum an introvert’s dream. Free to all from dawn to 8 pm every day, birders can spot native and migrating waterfowl and there are multiple gardens dotted throughout to explore. If you only have an hour or so to spare, visit the Japanese Garden which offers a traditional tea ceremony at its Shoseian Tea house every Saturday.
- Seattle is synonymous with salmon and the Ballard Locks is where you can get up close and personal with Chinook, Coho and Sockeye via its fish ladder. The fish start swimming upstream from mid-June to September and viewing is free to all for oohing and ahhing. To keep the cycle of life going, head over to Ivar’s Salmon House for alder-smoked salmon and Northwestern-style white clam chowder set against Instagrammable lakeside views.
For the introverts: Make your way to The Arboretum — it’s dreamy. (Photo Credit: Leslie Cross)
Take a walk on the botanical side while in Seattle. (Photo Credit: Brett Wharton)
- For bibliophiles, UW aka the University of Washington’s campus, is open to the general public. The Suzzallo Library’s reading room is affectionately called “The Harry Potter Room” thanks to its striking resemblance to Hogwarts’ hallowed halls. The Quad is also a popular photo spot for the blink-and-you-miss-‘em cherry blossoms that coat the lawns with pink blossoms every spring.
Seattle for Ambiverts:
- For a mellow social vibe, Jazz Alley checks all the boxes and is conveniently located downtown. Heavy hitters like Kenny G. set up shop here along with many a trio and quartet. Bring the whole family and tack on dinner for a full A to Z dinner and live music experience.
- Hikers of all experience levels will love the Rattlesnake Ledge Trail a half hour out of Seattle where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views. Most folks can get up and back in less than four hours and dogs on leashes are also good to go. It can tend to get crowded so depending on your energy level, either strike out early for a little peace and quiet or decide to make new friends on clear days.
For the ambiverts: Hike the Rattlesnake Ledge Trail. (Photo Credit: Fernando Hernandez)
Where to stay: Hotel Vintage Seattle, Hotel Monaco, or the Palladian.
As part of our Stay Human: Come As You Are series, we’re pulling back the layers to tailor immersive city experiences meant for all energy levels – from the most extroverted of us to the ones who prefer to sit back and observe.
