Seattle, WA

With views of natural wonders like Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountain Range, and manmade attractions including the Space Needle, the Great Wheel on Pier 57 and the skyline itself, Seattle is always an eye-popping experience. Residents and regular visitors join first-timers in the flying fish fun at Pike Place Market or by taking part in one of the city’s many festivals, including the three-week Seattle International Film Festival each spring, or Bumbershoot, an international music and arts festival held over Labor Day weekend. At the Seattle Center, Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases eight galleries of the bold glass art of Dale Chihuly amidst lush gardens. One of the best ways to get around is by Washington State Ferries, the most expansive ferry system in the U.S., with ten routes crisscrossing Puget Sound.