City Overview
Seattle, Washington
Seattle combines Pacific Northwest natural beauty with urban sophistication and coffee culture.
Surrounded by water, mountains, and evergreen forests, the city offers outdoor adventures alongside tech innovation (Amazon, Microsoft).
The soccer-mad city has one of MLS's most passionate fan bases, making it a perfect World Cup venue.
The Stadium
Lumen Field (Capacity: 68,000)
Lumen Field is renowned for its deafening crowd noise; the '12th Man' Seattle Seahawks fans famously caused measurable earthquakes during games. Home to the NFL's Seahawks and MLS's Sounders FC, the partially covered stadium protects fans from rain while amplifying sound. Perfect for World Cup atmosphere.
Fan Zones & Public Viewing
Seattle committee announced fan zones including Spokane, Pasco, and Yakima in Washington state.
Expected Seattle locations:
- Seattle Center (Space Needle area).
- Westlake Park.
- Gas Works Park.
- South Lake Union.
- Pioneer Square.
Fans Visiting Seattle
Seattle hosts six matches in total.
- Monday, 15th June - Belgium vs Egypt.
- Friday, 19th June - USA vs Australia.
- Wednesday, 24th June - UEFA A vs Qatar.
- Friday, 26th June - Egypt vs Iran.
- Wednesday, 1st July - G Winner vs 3rd A/E/H/I/J.
- Monday, 6th July - Winner 81 vs Winner 82.
Getting There
By Air
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) sits 14 miles south.
- Link Light Rail: Direct from airport to Stadium station (35 mins).
- Downtown: Ten-minute walk from many hotels.
- Water taxi: From West Seattle.
- King Street Station (Amtrak) nearby.
Accomodation
Where to Stay in Seattle
- Downtown: Convention center, walkable to stadium.
- Capitol Hill: Trendy, LGBTQ+ friendly, nightlife.
- Pioneer Square: Historic district, near stadium.
- Belltown: Urban, restaurants.
- Fremont/Ballard: Neighbourhoods with character.
- University District: Budget options near UW.
Eat & Drink
Where to Go
- Sports Bars: ts Eats & Beats, Buckley's, Flatstick Pub.
- Pike Place Market: Iconic food stalls, seafood.
- Asian Cuisine: International District (dim sum, pho, sushi).
- Seafood: Elliott's Oyster House, The Walrus and the Carpenter.
- Coffee: Original Starbucks, local roasters everywhere.
Local Cuisine
Highlights
Pacific salmon and Dungeness crab.
- Oysters (Pacific Northwest specialty).
- Teriyaki (Seattle-style is unique).
- Pike Place chowder.
- Coffee culture (birthplace of Starbucks).
- Craft beer (Georgetown, Fremont breweries).
- Asian fusion.
- Fresh seafood at Pike Place Market.
- Dick's Drive-In (local burger chain).
Top Attractions
What to See in Seattle
- Pike Place Market.
- Space Needle and Seattle Center.
- Chihuly Garden and Glass.
- Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP).
- Seattle Art Museum.
- Seattle Great Wheel.
- Underground Tour (old Seattle).
- Boeing Factory Tour (45 mins north).
- Mount Rainier National Park (2 hours).
- San Juan Islands.
- Ballard Locks.
- Waterfront activities.
Getting Around Seattle
Seattle offers several convenient transportation options for getting around the city and the surrounding metropolitan area.
- Link Light Rail: The Sound Transit Link light rail 1 Line is a fast and popular way to travel. It runs from Angle Lake Station near the airport through downtown Seattle to Lynwood, making 21 stops.
- The trip from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to downtown Seattle (Westlake Station) takes about 40 minutes.
- Buses: Seattle has an extensive bus network, including Sound Transit Express buses with 28 routes connecting Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties. Buses are essential for reaching many neighbourhoods and tourist spots not served by light rail.
- Sounder Train: During weekday rush hours, the Sounder commuter train runs frequently between Lakewood and Seattle (every 20 minutes) and between Everett and Seattle (every 30 minutes).
- An ORCA card is highly recommended for convenient transfers between buses, light rail, and Sounder trains.
- Seattle Streetcar: Owned by the City of Seattle and operated by King County Metro, the two lines (South Lake Union Line and First Hill Line) are not connected
- Washington State Ferries: The largest ferry system in the United States serves the Puget Sound region and the San Juan Islands with ten routes and twenty terminals, connecting multiple counties around the Salish Sea.
- Walking: Walking is highly recommended, especially in downtown Seattle where many attractions like Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle are within a two-mile stretch.
- Rideshares (Uber/Lyft): Uber and Lyft are very popular and convenient for places not served by light rail or buses. They are easy to call and can get you around quickly, especially in metropolitan Seattle where parking can be difficult.
- Lime Bikes and Scooters: Seattle also has bike lanes and trails, making it a good option for short to medium distances.
Practical Tips
- June is often nice; a 'false summer' before 'June gloom'.
- Layers are essential for variable weather.
- Bring a light rain jacket, just in case.
- Coffee culture is serious;– don't order bad coffee.
- Tipping: 18-20%.
- Legal drinking age: 21.
- Sales tax: 10%.
- Very liberal city socially.
- Homelessness visible downtown.
- Jaywalking tolerated (but technically illegal).
- Tech workers everywheres.
- Cascadia soccer rivalry with Portland/Vancouver.
- 'The Mountain is out' means Mt. Rainier is visible (good weather).
- Download OneBusAway app for real-time transit.
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