Visit Seattle is set to partner with Hay Festival to celebrate the city’s literary heritage at Hay Festival Winter Weekend from 28 November - 1 December. Over four days, visitors flock to the ‘town of books’, where more than 70 acclaimed artists take part in over 60 events, featuring conversations, storytelling, comedy, arts and music in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye.   With the love of stories engrained in the city’s fabric, Seattle’s Native American ancestors set the groundwork for storytelling from its inception. With UNESCO City of Literature status, the city boasts a rich array of writers, independent bookstores, diverse publishers, and literary organisations, offering a connection between tale, people and place. Boasting an impressive public library system, including its architecturally renowned Central library, Seattle is the perfect exploration ground for the avid book lover.   Visit Seattle will be sponsoring the following events featuring acclaimed authors, comedians and actors from across the globe:  

• Friday 29 November: Luke Evans talks to Carol Vorderman
• Saturday 30th November: Paula Hawkins talks to Julia Gillard
• Saturday 30th November: Glyn Edwards
• Sunday 1st December: Rupert Everett talks to Natalie Hayne
• Sunday 1st December: Russell Kane

  Visit Seattle will proudly highlight its own literary talent by teaming up with the Winter Weekend Book Store to bring attendees the very best literature from the West Coast city, including reading material from its Bookmarked Series and banned books series. Guests can also have their photos taken at the Visit Seattle photobooth and find out more about the city.   Tammy Canavan, President & CEO, Visit Seattle said: “Hay on Wye, being fondly known as the ”town of books”, couldn’t be a more fitting location to highlight Seattle’s UNESCO City of Literature status to a UK audience.   “Seattle wouldn’t be the place it is without the culture, famous names and Native American ancestors who set the groundwork for storytelling. We're really excited to sponsor events featuring an array of globally renowned talented individuals. We hope the weekend will encourage culture lovers to book a trip and visit Seattle to follow in the footsteps of our literary legends themselves. ”   Hay Festival Global CEO, Julie Finch, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Visit Seattle team for the first time, connecting audiences across borders in a celebration of new ideas, joy and hope – what better way for a year-end festival to end one year and spring into the next? We’ll offer a world of different experiences at Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2024, sharing a heady dose of entertainment alongside some bold visions for the future. This will be our biggest Winter Weekend yet and none of that would be possible without the support of our artists, partners and funders. Join us!”   Look out for Visit Seattle at this year’s Hay Festival Winter Weekend from 28 November to 01 December. Visit: https://www.hayfestival.com/winter-weekend/home to book tickets now.

Every culture vulture needs to add Seattle to their 2024 bucket list. Famed for its music, food, cultural calendar and authentic arts scene, check out these not to be missed Seattle festivals.   Taste Washington (14-24 March) Taste Washington, one of the biggest food and wine festivals in the Pacific Northwest is back. From 14-24 March, the event will feature over 250 wineries alongside the state's best restaurants. This year, the festival presents Pacific Standard - a highly anticipated dinner series - bringing wine lovers and makers together to enjoy a meal prepared by premier chefs. Also worth checking out is The New Vintage, a walk around tasting experience featuring modern cuisine, cocktails, spirits and of course, wine. It's an excuse to dress up and take a spin around the dance floor. Expect talks, tasting and much more.   Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival (12-14 April) In partnership with Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival Committee, Seattle Center Festál presents Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival. Deepening the understanding of Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage, the festival educates through hundreds of performances, martial arts, exhibits and demonstrations. There will also be hands-on children's activities, culinary treats, and more.   Northwest Folklife Festival 2024 (24-27 May) Northwest Folklife is a large open-air music and arts festival at Seattle Center. There will be buskers, concerts and impromptu jam sessions, which showcase the music culture of the city that has birthed some of the greatest musicians. Team music with food from different cultures, whilst learning from a line-up of workshops and lectures.   Indigenous People Festival (8 June) Providing a space for Native people to celebrate their unique culture through dance, song and arts, the Indigenous People Festival is presented at Seattle Center Festál, a series of 24 free festivals taking place throughout the year, in partnership with Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB). Take part in engaging activities and share indigenous experiences.   PrideFest (29-30 June) Located in both Capitol Hill and at the Seattle Center, PrideFest welcomes an array of citywide celebrations. Travellers can expect colourful festivities with bright decor, outfits, excellent music, dancing, performances and special guests.   Capitol Hill Block Party (19-21 July) Celebrating the Capitol Hill neighbourhood, Capitol Hill Block Party has 100 local and national acts performing at bars, outdoor stages and restaurants in the area. Known for creating the world's most influential musicians, such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Seattle is the city for music fanatics and Capitol Hill is where the newest and best in the industry can be found. This year's headliners are still to be confirmed.   Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival (31 August - 1st September) Bumbershoot was named after an umbrella to describe the wide variety of arts and performances that the festival encompasses. Returning in 2024, attendees can expect an abundance of comedy, film, dance, theatre, literature and visual arts. The lineup is heavy on music and has previously featured icons such as Bob Dylan and Mary J Blige. Part of the primary focus of the lineup is regional Pacific Northwest talent. Bumbershoot will be held over the Labor Day weekend.   Refract (17-18 October) Bringing together the art community, Refract will return to Seattle in 2024. The event showcases the medium of glass art in the Pacific Northwest, with around 60 local artists showcasing their talent. Glass art enthusiasts and novices can enjoy artist parties, exclusive open studio tours, special gallery exhibitions, and glass blowing demonstrations at multiple locations.   Cloudbreak (tbc November) A true celebration of the city's vibrant music venues, Cloudbreak  returns in late 2024.  The festival is a joint venture between Visit Seattle and King County, inviting travellers and locals to immerse themselves in Seattle's much-loved live music scene. As part of the music-driven festival, hotel guests at 70 participating Downtown Seattle hotels will gain free access to over 60 concerts across the city. Guests can show their hotel key card along with a special Cloudbreak card on arrival at participating music venues. To plan a trip to Seattle, visit www.visitseattle.org  

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  Nicknamed the Emerald City because of the evergreen landscape which surrounds it, travellers can have the best of both worlds in Seattle. Spend a long weekend exploring the city before swapping the skyline for a mountain, forest or epic Pacific Ocean landscape. Whatever the interest of travellers, Seattle’s borders have them covered.   Island Hopping    San Juan Island   Across the water from Seattle are the San Juan Islands, an archipelago of 172 different islands, one of the biggest of which is the San Juan Island. Accessible via a ferry from downtown Seattle, San Juan Island offers a picturesque harbour, sweeping fields with livestock and beautiful vineyards where visitors can sample a variety of different wines. With historic lighthouses and sweeping fields of lavender, the Island is an ideal spot for those looking to relax, unwind and enjoy slow travel.   Bainbridge Island   Entirely surrounded by salt water and famed for its outstanding natural beauty, rustic character and close proximity to the city, Bainbridge Island is a popular destination for day trippers. Travellers can wander around the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, visit one of the six wineries, or try watersports such as kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. Bainbridge Island also has a fantastic gastronomy offering, with everything from farm-to-fork restaurants to local coffee roasters.   Forest Finds   Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest   Just an hour outside of Seattle, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is an incredible landscape where visitors are fully immersed in nature. Located on the west side of the Cascades between the Canadian border and Mt. Rainier National Park, the historical site boasts breathtaking greenery, magical mountain meadows and views that reflect a painting. The year-round recreational opportunities are endless but summer is a particularly good time to visit, offering opportunities for hiking, fishing, river rafting and bird watching. There are also a number of campgrounds for adventurous travellers looking to sleep beneath the stars.   Hoh Rain Forest: Olympic National Park   Located within the Olympic National Park peninsula opposite Seattle, Hoh Rain Forest is one of the largest temperate rain forests in the US. Tucked away from highways and commercial flight paths, Hoh Rain Forest is the quietest spot in all of North America, meeting the criteria of having a noise-free interval of at least 15 minutes. The beautiful rainforest is home to towering trees adorned with moss and ferns, and multiple trails which explore its green landscape, making it a great place to switch off.   National Parks    Mount Rainier National Park   For a quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, a day trip to Mt. Rainier National Park offers some of the best opportunities for adventure, exploration and learning, all just a two-hour drive from the city. Set sights on the stunning mountain teamed with gorgeous valleys, waterfalls and subalpine meadows. At 14,410ft, Mt. Rainier has more than 130 trails to explore on foot, ranging from easy to challenging, but all with scenic views.   North Cascades National Park   A 2.5-hour drive from the city centre, North Cascades National Park is home to more than a third of the glaciers in the lower 48 US states. With towering summits and broad lakes, the park boasts accessible waterfall hikes, alpine meadows and a range of furry wildlife. On the west side sits Ross Lake and Diablo Lake, with waters of turquoise blue and beautiful views whilst east is home to the green wilderness of Okanogan National Forest. Winding through the park are trails to trek which journey through ageing forests and magical meadows. Here, visitors can spot the chirping wildlife, including chipmunks, marmots and pikas.

From farmers markets to a vibrant food truck scene and fine dining, Seattle is a city that has every conceivable taste covered. Creating a lasting imprint on diners, local restaurants pride themselves on having a sense of community deep rooted in Pacific Northwest heritage. The city's close connections to the coastline place seafood at the forefront of its cuisine. Menus are heavily influenced by local farmers and producers from across the state. Take a culinary journey and sample these top five foodie experiences.   Spoilt for choice at Pike Place Market  One of the oldest continuously operated farmers markets in the US, Pike Place Market in Seattle offers everything from locally sourced specialty foods and delicious beverages to artisan crafts. An iconic landmark, the venue is considered 'the soul' of the city spanning nine acres in the center of downtown. Families can sample the culinary delights of Pike Place Market with an Eat Seattle food tour or grab a coffee at the original Starbucks, founded in 1971.   Eat like Tom Hanks at Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar Offering the freshest seafood in the city, The Athenian is noted for its appearance in the 1993 film, Sleepless in Seattle. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, follow Tom Hanks with steamed clams for lunch. Nestled in the famous Pike Place Market, the eatery was first opened in 1909 by three Greek brothers. Once a bakery and a luncheonette, it was one of the first restaurants in Seattle to be issued a licence for beer in 1933. The sign over the front door is the original one, hung there almost a century ago. The view from the restaurant is also one of the best in the city.   Fine dining at Canlis Any discerning foodie visiting Seattle will attempt to get a reservation at Canlis. Combining sumptuous dishes with a sweeping view of the city, the restaurant overlooks Gas Works Park and the Cascade Mountains. The kitchen offers a multi-course dining experience where guests choose three of the courses and the rest are a surprise. Built in 1950, the establishment remains family-owned. It has multiple James Beard awards under its belt.   Willmott's Ghost in the Amazon Spheres The Spheres are an iconic centrepiece created for Amazon employees in downtown Seattle. An original concept, Willmott's Ghost became the second space in the building open to the public, heralded by Pacific Northwest chef Renee Erickson. Gaining inspiration from previous travels to Italy, the menu focuses on the flavours of Rome, and is filled with delicious antipasti favourites and stone baked pizza.   Enjoy the fruits of your labour at The Herbfarm  With over 900 wineries across Washington state, the destination is the second largest producer of premium wine in the country. Seattle has numerous urban wineries within the city, while Woodinville Wine Country has 130 plus wineries on offer. The experiences don't stop at wine. Visit The Herbfarm for 24 Hours at the Farm. Start the morning with a farm tour by assisting the day's harvest. Enjoy brunch and watch the kitchen come to life in preparation of the freshly picked produce. Before dinner, stroll through the gardens, have an afternoon nap or take in the relaxing Sammamish River. Later enjoy the cooked harvest in a romantic, candlelight. Then kick back with an overnight stay in The Willows Lodge. For more information visit: visitseattle.org

 

Get spoilt for choice at Pike Place Market 

    One of the oldest continuously operated farmers markets in the United States, Pike Place Market in Seattle offers everything from locally sourced specialty foods and delicious beverages to artisan crafts and shopping stalls. An iconic landmark, the venue is considered ‘the soul’ of the city spanning nine historic acres in the centre of downtown Seattle. Families can sample the culinary delights of Pike Place Market with an Eat Seattle food tour or grab a coffee at the original Starbucks, founded in 1971.  

Eat like Tom Hanks at Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar

    Offering the freshest seafood in the city, The Athenian is most known for its appearance in the 1993 film, Sleepless in Seattle. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, what better time to sit where Tom Hanks once enjoyed steamed clams for lunch with Rob Reiner whilst discussing the mysteries of dating. Nestled in the famous Pike Place Market, the eatery was first opened in 1909 by three Greek brothers. Once a bakery and a luncheonette, it was one of the first restaurants in Seattle to be issued a liquor licence for beer in 1933. The sign over the front door is the original one, hung there almost a century ago. The view from the restaurant is also one of the best in the city.  

Dine lavishly at Canlis

    Any discerning foodie visiting Seattle will attempt to get a reservation at Canlis. Teaming once-in-a-lifetime dishes with a sweeping view of the city, the restaurant overlooks Gas Works Park and the Cascade Mountains creating the perfect atmosphere for a fine dinner, without being stuffy. The kitchen offers a multi-course dining experience where guests choose three of the courses and the rest are a surprise. Built in 1950, the establishment remains family-owned and, with multiple James Beard awards under its belt, is considered one of the best in the US.  

Discover Willmott's Ghost in the Amazon Spheres

    The Spheres are an iconic centrepiece created for Amazon employees in downtown Seattle. An original concept, Willmott’s Ghost became the second space in the building open to the public, heralded by Pacific Northwest chef Renee Erickson. Gaining inspiration from previous travels to Italy, the menu focuses on the flavours of Rome, and is filled with delicious antipasti favourites and stone baked pizza. The interior boasts relaxing pastel colours and stylish seating.  

Enjoy the fruits of your labour at The Herbfarm 

    With over 900 wineries across Washington state, the destination is the second largest producer of premium wine in the country. Seattle has numerous urban wineries within the city, while Woodinville Wine Country, just a stone's throw away, has 130 plus wineries on offer. And the experiences don’t stop at wine. Visit The Herbfarm and immerse in its daily routine by experiencing 24 Hours at the Farm. Start the morning with a farm tour by assisting the day’s harvest. Enjoy brunch served by the talented chefs and watch the kitchen come to life in preparation of the freshly picked produce. Before dinner, stroll through the gardens, have an afternoon nap or take in the relaxing Sammamish River. Later enjoy the cooked harvest in a romantic, candlelight setting before retiring in the comfort of The Willows Lodge.

 

Seattle is home to a thriving and active LGBTQ community. From 24-25 June, the city will celebrate  its 49th annual Pride with a “Galactic Love.” theme. Discover how Seattleites and visitors alike can sashay their way through Pride weekend. 

  PrideFest   Taking place in Capitol Hill and Seattle Center on 24 and 25 June, PrideFest is celebrated across three stages, two beverage gardens, through local businesses, as well as family and youth programming. The much anticipated events are a citywide celebration of everything love has to offer. And visitors can expect colourful festivities with bright decor, outfits, excellent music, dancing, performances and special guests. Headliners for PrideFest this year include Little Miss Hot Mess, Angel Bonilla, Jayla Rose, and Thorgy Thor.   Seattle Pride Parade   Join the dazzling display of LGBTQIA+ performers on Saturday 25 in Downtown Seattle from 11am-3pm. Starting at Fourth Avenue and ending at PrideFest at Seattle Center, this ishe largest parade in the state and the celebration brings more than 300, 000 people together to celebrate equality and advocate for an even more colourful future.   “Rainbow on the Eastside” Pride Month Art Show   With 19 diverse artists showing off their talents, the third annual “Rainbow on the Eastside” exhibition for Eastside LGBTQIA+ artists will be on view at the Centro Cultural Mexicano (CCM) in Redmond until the 30th June.   Pride Weekend at Rhein Haus   Local beer garden Rhein Haus is hosting a full weekend of activities with drag bingo, brunch and musical performances. Beginning on 24th June, festivities kick off with a Bingo and Brunch, headlined by Willow Pill from RuPaul’s Drag Race. You can also expect appearances from Drag Race’s Nicky Doll and Ada Vox, Madison Rose, Queen Andrew, Londyn Bradshaw, Rowan Ruthless, and Dion Dior Black.   Runway Pride Drag Brunch   On the 25th June, Runway Pride Drag Brunch is the perfect way to kick off the Pride parade. Grab the glitter, the drinks and the colourful getup, before heading to popular Mexican hotspot downtown, the Taqueria Cantina.. The Red carpet Pride Celebration will take place on the plaza of Landmark Harbor Steps with the amazing Ladie Chablis hosting, talented local Drag Queens performing and special guests from everyone’s favourite drag show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. Special guest Rock M Sakura will be performing.   Explore Capitol Hill   An LGBTQ+ haven all year round, Capitol Hill is Seattle’s gayborhood. Home to artists, hipsters, musicians and students from all walks of life,  those looking to experience the LGBTQ+ scene of Seattle, with its pride-painted roads, is the place to be. The district has an array of LGBT run businesses, such as Broadcast Coffee, Proto101 and Bang hair salon in addition to gay bars  Unicorn and the The Cuff Complex.   W Seattle - Stand for Love Package   Allowing guests to celebrate in style, W Seattle is offering a Stand for Love Package, for one and all. With high-floor accommodations, two tasty cocktails in the Living Room Bar, and an exclusive Pride Pack which includes a disposable camera, Pride flag, handheld fan, sunscreen, water and liquid IV. Travellers should use the code YX1 up until 30th June to redeem the offer.

Welcome the arrival of the autumn season in Seattle where there's a host of festival, exhibitions and culinary events offering exciting new reasons to visit.   Fantastic festivals Savour local craft beer at Seattle Fresh Hop Beer Festival The arrival of the fresh hop season sees the return of the Seattle Fresh Hop Beer Festival, 7-8 October, at the Warren G. Magnuson Park aircraft hangar. Visitors will be able to try beers by some of the best breweries in the Pacific Northwest, feast on local street food, and enjoy live music, competitions and games. There's even a Hoppiest Hound contest where dressed-up pooches can win prizes. freshhop.com   Glass art festival, Refract, returns Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience has announced it'll return to Seattle 13-16 October. The event features live demos by talented artists, architecture tours, exhibitions and glass blowing lessons. More than 70 creatives will be showcased across 50+ events taking place throughout Seattle and the neighbouring cities of Everett, Bainbridge Island, Issaquah and Tacoma. refractseattle.org   Pike Place Market's Harvest Festival Pike Place Market hosts the annual Harvest Festival on 29 October. The family-friendly event will see a full day of festivities in the form of live music, cooking demos and activities for the little ones. Vendors will also show what's new in season. www.pikeplacemarket.org   Exciting exhibitions Learn about AI at MOHAI Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine opens at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) on 15 October. The first travelling museum exhibit in the US to focus on artificial intelligence, the exhibit outlines what AI is, how it works, its significance and how it may evolve and develop over time. Running until 8 January 2023, there'll be a number of interactive displays, games and puzzles. mohai.org   Indigenous tattoos at the Burke Museum The Burke Museum will welcome Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing of the Northwest from 6 November until 16 April 2023. The exhibition will explore the rich history of Indigenous tattooing in the Pacific Northwest through photographs and works of art. Visitors will be able to learn stories of Indigenous tattoo artists and how the once banned practice is honoured in a traditional way. www.burkemuseum.org   Delicious dining Michelin-starred Sushi by Scratch Restaurants opens in South Lake Union The highly anticipated Sushi by Scratch Restaurants opened its first Seattle location on 1 September. Located in the South Lake Union neighbourhood, the intimate, 10-seat restaurant serves a 17-course omakase menu alongside craft cocktails and Japanese whiskey. The restaurant is headed up by Chef Phillip Frankland Lee who has four other Sushi by Scratch Restaurants in the US, one of which has a Michelin star. www.sushibyscratchrestaurants.com   Support local producers at Seattle Restaurant Week Seattle Restaurant Week is a bi-annual event returning to the city 23 October – 5 November. A celebration of local chefs, diners can feast on discounted dishes at partner restaurants, food trucks and pop ups. Visitors can support the community further by donating to Good Food Kitchens which provides free, nutritious meals to those in need. srweek.org   For more information, visit www.visitseattle.org.

Nicknamed the Emerald City due to the verdant landscape which surrounds it, travellers get the best of both worlds in Seattle. Spend a long weekend exploring the city before swapping the city skyline for a mountain, forest or epic Pacific Ocean landscape. Whatever the interest, Seattle’s borders have them covered.   Island Hopping  San Juan Island Across the water from Seattle are the San Juan Islands, an archipelago of 172 different islands and accessible via a ferry from downtown Seattle. San Juan Island offers a picturesque harbor, sweeping fields with livestock and vineyards where visitors can sample a variety of different wines.   Bainbridge Island Entirely surrounded by salt water and famed for its outstanding natural beauty, Bainbridge Island is a popular destination for day trippers. Travellers can wander around the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, visit one of the six wineries, or try watersports such as kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. Bainbridge Island also has a fantastic dining scene, with everything from farm-to-fork restaurants to local coffee roasters.   Forest Finds Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Just an hour outside of Seattle, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest lets visitors get fully immersed in nature. Located on the west side of the Cascades between the Canadian border and Mt. Rainier National Park, the historic site boasts breathtaking greenery. The year-round recreational opportunities are endless but summer is a particularly good time to visit, offering hiking, fishing, river rafting and bird watching.   Hoh Rain Forest: Olympic National Park Located within the Olympic National Park peninsula opposite Seattle, Hoh Rain Forest is one of the largest temperate rain forests in the US. Tucked away from highways and commercial flight paths, Hoh Rain Forest is the quietest spot in all of North America, meeting the criteria of having a noise-free interval of at least 15 minutes. The rainforest is home to towering trees covered in moss and ferns, and multiple trails.   National Parks  Mount Rainier National Park For a quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, a day trip to Mt. Rainier National Park offers some of the best opportunities for adventure, all just a two-hour drive from the city. At 14,410ft, Mt. Rainier has more than 130 trails to explore on foot, ranging from easy to challenging, but all with scenic views.   North Cascades National Park A 2.5-hour drive from the city centre, North Cascades National Park is home to more than a third of the glaciers in the lower 48 US states. With towering summits and broad lakes, the park boasts accessible waterfall hikes, alpine meadows and a range of wildlife. On the west side sits Ross Lake and Diablo Lake, with beautiful views whilst east is home to the green wilderness of Okanogan National Forest. Winding through the park are trails to trek through ageing forests. Here, visitors can spot wildlife, including chipmunks, marmots and pikas.

As leisure and business travel rebounds, one airport and airline are doubling down efforts to attract travelers. That airport is Snohomish County’s Paine Field Passenger Terminal (PAE), that airline is Alaska Airlines, and the region they both serve is Seattle NorthCountry. Located just 15 miles north of Seattle’s city limits, this stress-free alternative to Sea-Tac is noted as a top small commercial airport, with Paine Field Passenger Terminal served by Alaska Airlines. From PAE, Alaska Airlines operates 18 peak daily departures to nine western markets including San Francisco, San Diego, Orange County, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Boise, Spokane, Tucson (seasonal), and Palm Springs (seasonal). In addition, Kenmore Air recently announced it will begin daily service at Paine Field to Orcas Island and San Juan Island beginning July 14. “At a time when other airlines are scaling back their service to smaller, regional airports, it’s noteworthy to see Alaska Airlines increasing its investment in Paine Field, Snohomish County, and Seattle NorthCountry,” said Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, which operates the Paine Field Passenger Terminal “This strategic growth is a boon for residents and visitors and is a welcome opportunity for us to introduce more travelers to Seattle NorthCountry.”

As summer approaches following the dropping of Covid entry requirements, there’s no better time to plan a trip to Seattle. With cultural connections, great gastronomy and amazing accommodations, check out new reasons to visit the thriving city this summer.   Arts and Culture Smith Tower Celebrates 108th Anniversary (4 July) This Fourth of July, Seattle’s oldest skyscraper, Smith Tower is celebrating its 108th anniversary. Guests can celebrate with a cocktail 35 floors up at the Observatory Bar. In celebration, Smith Tower is introducing cocktail classes with their established bartenders where guests can drink and dive into the art and history behind the craft..   Capitol Hill Block Party returns (22-24 July) Celebrating the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Seattle, Capitol Hill Block Party has 100 local and national acts performing at bars, outdoor stages and restaurants in the area. Known for creating the world's most influential musicians, such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Seattle is the city for music fanatics. This year’s headliners include Charli XCX and Diplo.   The 5th Avenue Theatre (August) The 5th Avenue Theatre marks the return of live musical theater to Downtown Seattle in August. The venue will welcome four new musicals including Afterwords, and so That Happened, The Prom, and award-winning Come From Away.   Gastronomy  Eat Seattle Supporting small businesses in an undiscovered neighbourhood, Eat Seattle has launched a new South Lake Union Tour. Led by talented chefs in the area and in the kitchen, highlights of the walking tour include hand-rolled sourdough bagels at Rubinstein and Korean-Hawaiian fusion at Marination. The tour stops in six different locations for tastings and talks.   Cava Azul Located in the centre of Woodinville, less than a half hour drive from Seattle, Cava Azul is a new modern Mexican restaurant which boasts a 100-seat dining room with views of the food being dished up in the kitchen. Open seven days a week, for brunch, lunch and dinner with a selection of agave spirits and cocktails.   King Leroy  King Leroy is the birth child of the team behind Seattle’s hottest oyster spot, The Walrus and Carpenter. Located in South Lake Union, the venue will be serving up butter-milk brined chicken wings and tater tots to fried bologna sandwiches. Open on weekdays, guests can expect cold local brews as well as friendly service.   Metier Brewing Company Taproom One of the few Black-owned breweries in the area, Métier Brewing Company Taproom has extended its Woodinville establishment. Opening a second taproom in the Central District, the venue serves up homemade beer in a range of varieties. Black-owned Japanese street food provider, Umami Kushi, is a resident at the taproom offering richly flavoured simple eats which complement the beers.   Stays Level Seattle This month, Level Hotels & Furnished Suites is due to open its first Seattle location. Level Seattle offers a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom suites featuring full kitchens and living spaces. Guests will have access to an indoor basketball court and climbing wall, co-working spaces, and indoor-outdoor entertainment areas w.   Astra Hotel Opening this month as part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, Astra Hotel boasts tech-forward interior along with large meetings and events space, ground level dining, a coffee bar, and rooftop bar. The 265-room hotel, decorated with interactive digital artwork, is located in the South Lake Union neighbourhood..   For more information, visit www.visitseattle.org. 

Seattle’s hospitality industry is cheering the news it will be a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The announcement was made by FIFA l during a live, international broadcast. Seattle is one of 16 cities across North America selected by FIFA to host matches . Beth Knox, President & CEO for the Seattle Sports Commission and SEA 2026 Bid Committee Co-Chair, said: “Our city has been preparing for this moment for over a decade, laying the groundwork with previous FIFA bids.” The United Bid Committee estimates that 2026 host cities will collectively generate more than £4 billion in short-term economic activity, and 40,000 jobs will be supported. Tammy Blount-Canavan, President & CEO at Visit Seattle, said: “The announcement represents one of the most significant moments in Seattle’s proud history.” “Our sales team and hotel partners are leading an extraordinary feat to secure over 10,000 hotel rooms on peak nights across the region – which ultimately had a pivotal role in our selection as one of the host cities.” The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a 48-team tournament hosted by the three North American nations – both firsts for a FIFA World Cup. An announcement on the number of matches, and the rounds Seattle will host, is expected in June 2023. Visit Seattle anticipates all hotels within a two-hour drive of Seattle will be fully utilised.

Seattle-Tacoma Airport welcomes a new international airline next month. Turkish Airlines will start flying to Sea-Tac four times a week from Istanbul. It launches service on 27 May on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The airport currently offers 37 international routes to 23 countries. The new service is in time for the airport’s opening of its $1 billion International Arrivals Facility. It allows the airport to handle double the number of international passengers during peak times