Nestled between mountains and Puget Sound, Seattle has something for everyone
The residency program believes in a healthy work-life balance for residents and their families during this busy time. With its vibrant city life and abundant outdoor activities, Seattle has easy access to wonderful adventures.
Seattle is well known for its placement within the idyllic vistas of the Pacific Northwest. Situated on Puget Sound, the city lies between the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east. Southeast of the city in the Cascade Range is Mt. Rainier, its 14,410 feet dominating the skyline on a clear day. There are countless days with perfect mountain views. Despite its rainy reputation, Seattle has less rainfall per year than New York City, Houston, Boston or Philadelphia.
A Diverse City
Seattle is a culturally dynamic city, home to a diverse population. The area within Seattle’s city limits was home to the Duwamish tribe long before the first European Americans settled in 1851. Native history and culture is an important part of the city and the region. In addition to Native Americans, there is a strong Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian population. The city is also home to many first- and second-generation immigrants from Africa, Central America, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Pacific Rim. After English, the most commonly spoken languages in the hospital are Spanish, Vietnamese and Somali.
Seattle has an active LGBTQ community with several fun events throughout the year. Residents have enjoyed playing bingo for the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, and walking in the annual Pride Parade each June.
Get Outdoors!
Outdoor life is a integral part of the city. From walking your dog around Green Lake with latte in hand, to barbequeing on the beach while the sun sets over Puget Sound, to a long bike ride on the Burke-Gilman Trail, there are acres of parkland throughout the city. The many lakes and rivers and the Sound also have boating opportunities, from paddling small kayaks to riding the large ferries that are part of Washington’s public transportation system.
The mountains are easily accessible in summer for gorgeous hikes to alpine lakes and surrounding peaks on trails lined with wildflowers and huckleberries. In the winter, alpine skiiers and snowboarders delight in the numerous resorts just an hour’s drive away. Snowshoeing and nordic skiing are also popular ways to explore the area.
Music and Arts
If you like live music, Seattle has more than 80 music clubs scattered throughout many neighborhoods, including Capitol Hill, Ballard, Fremont, SoDo and the Central District. The summer brings even more venues when many parks and the Woodland Park Zoo host their annual concert series. Although we are the city that originated grunge, there is a diverse selection of bands to suit any taste.
If classical music is more your speed, Benaroya Hall is home to the Seattle Symphony. The Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest Ballet perform at Seattle Center.
There is excellent live theater, supported by seven theater schools, 29 professional theater companies and 56 fringe theater companies. Many playwrights, novelists and poets also call Seattle home.
Five art museums and 190 galleries display fine art as well as folk art from Asian American and Native American cultures. In addition to established galleries, many neighborhoods host a monthly art walk, where local businesses display work by local artists. You can walk through the shops while sampling tasty treats and listening to live music.
Delicious Northwest Cuisine
Seattle is an epicure’s delight. Whether you choose neighborhood haunts, ethnic cuisine or restaurants with acclaimed celebrity chefs, dining is an experience in sheer culinary artistry that relies heavily on the bounty of locally sourced foods. From sushi to salmon to soul food, Seattle’s eateries can satisfy cravings for a dish from any corner of the world. If you prefer to be behind the stove, local farmers' markets and Pike Place Market provide fresh seasonal ingredients like halibut, wild salmon, Dungeness crab, sweet onions, mushrooms, stone fruits, berries and asparagus.
Did you know that the climate in Seattle is similar to some of the finest winemaking regions in France? Although a relatively young wine industry, Washington has quickly grown to be the nation’s second largest wine producer, and is ranked among the nation’s top wine regions. In addition to the Puget Sound appellation, Eastern Washington boasts ten more appellations which make for an excellent weekend getaway.
Microbreweries have also established a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the well-known Redhook and Pyramid, Washington state has more than 100 craft breweries.