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Superficially known for its rain, coffee and grunge music, the Emerald City is tied much more closely to the natural beauty that surrounds it. Flanked by Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains to the west and Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains to the east, Seattle is a city of gorgeous views and almost limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Still, Seattle boasts a distinguished arts and cultural scene as well, from the Seattle Symphony, an institution since 1903, and the Seattle Repertory Theater to the Bumbershoot Arts Festival and the Experience Music Project, Paul Allen's shrine to pop music history built in the shadow of the city's signature landmark, the Space Needle.

Seattle's public transportation system is limited to bus service. The cost is free in the downtown area, and beyond that fares are capped at $2 depending on where you're headed with the zone system. Additionally there is the Seattle Monorail - built for the 1962 World's Fair - that connects the Seattle Center and Westlake Mall. Round-trips are $4.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 15 miles south of the city, with two bus lines (No. 174 and No. 194) servicing the downtown area. Taxi fares can run anywhere from $25 to $40.

Enjoy The Summer Weather at "The Safe": Seattle has a reputation for rain (a major reason Safeco Field is a retractable-roof facility), but its summers are often gorgeous sunny days perfect for baseball, and the Mariners enjoy one of the best parks in the majors. Built just south of downtown, the stadium features views of both the Seattle skyline and the Puget Sound against the backdrop of the Olympic Mountains.

Sit in the End Zone Bleachers at Qwest Field: The NFL's Seahawks got a state-of-the-art new home of their own after the implosion of the reviled Kingdome. The most affordable tickets in the house are in the "Hawks Nest," the triangle-shaped bleacher section beyond the north end zone, which sits above the unique end-zone luxury suites made famous when Terrell Owens handed a freshly Sharpied TD ball to his financial adviser right there in 2002.

Charter a Boat for Husky football: With the University of Washington's football stadium standing along the shores of the Montlake Cut, many fans of the Dawgs travel by boat to games. Single-game moorage is available outside, where tailgaters can party prior to kickoff, and the mountain views from inside the stadium during the game are impossible to beat.

Watch the Opening Day Regatta at the Montlake Cut: Yachting season begins in the Northwest each May with the Windermere Cup, held on the narrow waterway near the University of Washington that connects Lake Washington and the Puget Sound. The rowing regatta is followed by the Seattle Yacht Club's annual Opening Day Boat Parade.

Scale the Climbing Wall at REI's Flagship Store: An institution in Seattle since 1944, REI features one of the tallest freestanding indoor climbing walls in the world - a 65-foot monstrosity - on which aspiring mountaineers can test their skills along with new gear. The store also has a mountain bike trail and a variety of instructional courses and clinics. Web site

Hit the Slopes of the Cascades: There's plenty of terrific skiing and snowboarding in the Cascade Mountains to the east, a short drive from downtown Seattle. Snoqualmie Pass is closest, just a 50-mile trip along I-90, while Crystal Mountain (60 miles) and Stevens Pass (70 miles) are well worth the longer, slower drives. If you've got more time to spare, head 200 miles north to Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, one of the top resorts in all of North America.

Tie Up at the Log Boom for Seafair: The marathon, the Torchlight Parade and the Navy's Blue Angels are all popular highlights during Seattle's annual Seafair festival, but the biggest noise comes from the hydros. Spectators in their own boats can tie up at the log boom in Lake Washington for the best view in the city as the unlimited hydroplanes roar past at 200 mph during Chevrolet Cup races. Web site

Space Needle
400 Broad St., Seattle, WA 98109
206-905-2100 or toll-free 800-937-9582
This is Seattle's Eiffel Tower - a 605-foot futuristic tripod with what looks to be a flying saucer near its top. Built originally as part of the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle has become the iconic symbol of the city. Take a high-speed elevator to the observation deck. The 360-degree view of the city is spectacular. You'll end up staying so long you'll grow hungry. That's okay. The food at SkyCity, atop the tower, is excellent. The Space Needle is located one mile northwest of downtown Seattle. There is ample parking or take a cab or public transportation.
http://www.spaceneedle.com/

Pike Place Market
Between First Avenue and Western Avenue, from Lower Post Alley to Virginia Street
Seattle, WA 98101, 206-682-7453
One hundred years ago, these nine acres were home to a farmers market. Later they served as a point of entry for immigrants and a World War II internment camp for Japanese-Americans. Today it is a bustling collection of farmers and fishmongers, specialty shops and fine restaurants, street artisans and street artists. It's the most popular gathering point in Seattle. The market is located in downtown Seattle. There is ample parking or hail a taxi or take public transportation.
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=true

Seattle Central Library
1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104, 206-386-4636
This building is the loveliest wrapping ever given a collection of books. So striking is architect Rem Koolhaas's giant glass-cube design that the public library has become one of the most popular destinations in Seattle -- for natives as well as visitors. Want to tell friends about it? The library has hundreds of computer terminals from which you can log on and send e-mails. The library is located in downtown Seattle. There is ample parking or take a cab or public transportation.
http://www.spl.org/

Experience Music Project
325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109, 206-770-2700 or 1-877-367-7361
The brainchild of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, this inventive, Frank Gehry-designed space was originally intended as a tribute to Seattle native Jimi Hendrix. It soon grew to include musicians of the Pacific Northwest. Now it possesses the breadth and depth of Cleveland's Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. Play guitars, keyboards or drums. Learn recording techniques. Feel what it's like to perform on stage. The Hendrix room remains the museum's most popular exhibit. The EMP is located one mile northwest of downtown Seattle. There is ample parking or take a cab or public transportation.
http://www.emplive.org/

Museum of Flight
9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, WA 98108, 206-764-5720
Enter this six-story glass museum adjacent to Boeing Field and gaze upon some of the most famous aircraft in history. Among the more than 150 full-size planes, helicopters and spacecraft are the first jet Air Force One (President Eisenhower's 1959 plane), the world's first fighter plane, a CIA mach 3 Blackbird spy plane, an Apollo command module and Gossamer Albatross II, a human-powered plane. Take a breather and watch planes take off and land at the adjoining field. The museum is located nine miles southeast of downtown Seattle. There is ample parking or hail a taxi or take public transportation.
http://www.museumofflight.org/Portal.asp?Flash=True

1991 University of Washington (NCAA Football National Championship).
1979 Seattle SuperSonics (defeated Washington Bullets, 4 games to 1).