Quintessential Seattle

If you want to savor the Emerald City like a local, start by familiarizing yourself with some of its passions.

Coffee

It may be a cliché, but coffee is a huge part of Seattle's cultural identity. Starbucks has enough local fans to be a presence here, but to understand the coffee culture—and to get a great cup of coffee—visit one of the numerous independent shops and local mini-chains, several of which manage to roast their own beans on-site without burning them. A Seattleite's relationship with coffee ranges from grabbing the daily quick fix in the morning to spending half the day at a local shop where every barista knows their name (and coffee order), reading, chatting with friends, or tapping away on a laptop. Many coffee shops pull double duty as art galleries, and some of them even pull double duty as good art galleries. Occasionally, shops feature hard-to-get coffees at special "cupping" events, which take on the structure and feel of wine tastings.

Music

It's mystifying that many people still persist in describing all manner of the city's carefully disheveled indie rockers as grunge. Today you're more likely to catch alt-country bands, post-emo songwriters, or eclectic folk-pop like the Fleet Foxes than anything resembling grunge. The city's love of music is demonstrated more outside of its clubs than in them. You can see it in the independent record shops, where staff members handwrite poetic recommendations; in the continued success of local label Sub Pop Records; in the fanatical support for local radio station KEXP; in the health of midsize venues that can draw national acts; and the tendency of coffeehouse baristas to treat their shifts like DJ sessions.

Pacific Northwest Cuisine

With such an active population, and easy access to the best the sea and the land have to offer, it's no wonder that eating well is so important to Seattleites. Pacific Northwest dishes emphasize fresh, locally produced ingredients; even some of the fanciest restaurants get their raw materials from the city's farmers' markets, Pike Place Market, and in some cases from their chef's own organic farms. These fresh, seasonal goods can be combined in straightforward ways—inventive takes on American comfort food is a recent trend—or fused with European and Asian influences. Many of Seattle's chefs have gained their fame through their ambitious takes on Pacific Northwest cuisine, but you don't have to spend big bucks for a taste: many bistros, bakeries, and cafés use local and organic ingredients as a matter of principle.

The Great Outdoors

Yeah, it rains a lot … in winter. But summers are gorgeous (as are most falls and springs), and with a major mountain range on each side and Mt. Rainier rising to the south, it's no wonder that Seattleites are obsessed with the outdoors. The best adventures—heading east to hike in the Cascade range; south to hike in Mt. Rainier or Mt. St. Helens national parks; west to camp, hike, and spot wildlife in Olympic National Park; or across the Sound to explore one of many nearby islands on foot or by canoe or kayak—involve leaving the city, but even within Seattle proper, there's plenty to do. Kayaking is one of the easiest sports to try, thanks to the abundance of water; many people paddle around Portage Bay. Favorite urban parks include Discovery Park, Washington Park Arboretum, and Seward Park. Enjoying an outdoor adventure is easy and memorable here.