Despite the tranquil, natural surroundings in which the modern city is cosily nestled, Seattle is a vibrant destination, its downtown an important American business and retail centre. A perfect blend of urban parks and plazas along with tall skyscrapers and traditional old West Coast architecture, Seattle is widely adored for being easy on the eye.

Begin your visit to Downtown Seattle by checking in at the Visitor Information Centre, which you’ll find ideally situated in the lobby of the Washington State Convention Centre on 7th Avenue and Pike Street. Here you’ll be able to grab a walking map of the downtown area as well as have a look at what’s on during your stay in the city.

Scores of set-piece festivals are held here each and every year, from the huge urban arts festival Bumbershoot to the prestigious Seattle International Film Festival. At nearby Benaroya Hall meanwhile you can go and enjoy regular music performances, whilst the outdoor public shows on the waterfront offer classical and contemporary music and everything in between all summer long.

Downtown Seattle is a true shopping heaven, with over a thousand retail outfits from flagship stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s and REI all the way to lovely little boutiques where you’ll find all sorts on offer. The Westlake Centre comes alive particularly during the run-up to Christmas, with carousel rides among the festivities to be enjoyed.

If shops aren’t your thing, pay a trip to the Seattle Art Museum. Alternatively if you’re bringing the family then get on board the Monorail and go see the Space Needle less than two kilometres to the north of Downtown Seattle. There are around 150 restaurants of all kinds around this district, making it a paradise for food lovers. Pike Place Market is a particular treat where you can go and savour fresh food from across the region whilst enjoying the view across Puget Sound.

An ideal location in which to base yourself on your visit to the city, Downtown Seattle incorporates Capitol Hill and Belltown to the north right down to Pioneer Square in the south.