SEATTLE — Seattle is steeped in museums, galleries, performance venues and more, making the arts & culture theme an easy one to build an itinerary around for clients.

Known as the ‘Emerald City’ for its lush green landscapes, Seattle has plenty of cultural must-sees for any visitor’s itinerary, and all are icons in their own right.

Getting around is a pleasure as Seattle is clean and walkable. And the rapid transit system provides access from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Westlake Station downtown.

The first stop on just about every visitor’s list is Pike Place Market. Opened in 1907, it’s the top tourist attraction in the state of Washington, with 17 million visitors annually. With an eye to maintaining the unique market vibe, Seattle brought in rules of authenticity in 1971 to retain the market’s rustic charm, and prevent modernization. A two-hour food tour here is a must-do and includes a knowledgeable guide taking you on foot to several shops throughout the complex. Delicious tastings of gelato, mac ’n cheese, clam chowder and more await!

Another icon that needs no introduction: Seattle’s Space Needle. The iconic landmark provides spectacular views, especially from The Loupe Lounge, the world’s first rotating glass floor, complete with tilted glass benches for amazing sightlines over Seattle.

Coffee culture? It’s certainly a thing in Seattle. The city consumes the most coffee per capita and is home to more coffee shops than any other U.S. city. Seattle, of course, is where Starbucks got its start, and you can still get a coffee at the oldest operating Starbucks in the city where there’s almost always a line outside. Seattle was also the first city to open a Starbucks Reserve roastery, in 2014. Some say the 15,000-square foot facility is like something out of a Willy Wonka story, if he had built the ultimate coffee shop instead of a chocolate factory!

Craft beer culture is big in Seattle too. Seattle has a booming beer scene with close to 70 breweries. Visitors can head over to the city’s Ballard brewery district and explore 10+ craft breweries within a one-mile radius.

As for the arts, Seattle has much to offer on that itinerary theme too. The city is home to more than 80 theatre companies, not to mention the Seattle Symphony, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Museums abound, from fun offerings including the Museum of Pop Culture and Seattle Pinball Museum, to the stunningly beautiful Chihuly Garden & Glass, and Seattle Art Museum. Families flock to The Museum of Flight, the Seattle Aquarium and the Woodland Park Zoo.

Visit Seattle’s Tourism Manager, Caitlyn Shearer, says Canada is a top priority when it comes to inbound tourism.

“Canada has always been an important market for us here in Seattle as our top international market,” says Shearer. “In 2019 we saw 1.74 million visitors whose economic impact on our city came to US$500 million. Looking at 2022, we are currently at 1.1 million visitors with $322 million and climbing!”

Shearer adds: “With the addition of Seattle’s NHL team, the Kraken, and nonstop service from seven destinations across Canada, including a new year-round flight from Montreal, we are looking forward to welcoming Canadian visitors who maybe haven’t been before, showing them what makes the Emerald City really sparkle.”

For more ideas on arts & culture offersings in Seattle, see visitseattle.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/.