Weekend Getaway: Seattle

Editor's Note: As a special travel feature for September, TheStreet.com offers a series of weekend getaways, each designed to help you find the Good Life. Enjoy!

Make a list of cities you'd like to visit this fall and Seattle may not top your survey -- but it should.

In fact, a weekend in this gem (officially nicknamed the Emerald City, thanks to its evergreen surroundings) will be just the beginning of an inevitable infatuation.

Seattleites rightly glory in their cosmopolitan center, a city with proximity to mountain ranges, lakes and countless acres of woods.

And with all the elements of a major metropolis -- cultural activities, shopping, sights and renowned dining -- Seattle manages to maintain the feel of a small town when broken down into its unique neighborhoods.

To get a real sense of the city, experience as many of them as you can.

Discovering Pike Place

Begin your sightseeing with Pike Place Market, the country's longest continuously operating public market, where locals and vendors mingle in a labyrinth of food, flowers, crafts and entertainment.

Catch a glimpse of fish flying through the air; all the seafood is as fresh as can be, and often so are the fishmongers hocking it. Sample Washington's finest nuts, jams and honeys (perfect for thoughtful souvenirs and gifts). Select a striking bouquet of flowers to brighten your hotel room during your stay. Pass by street performers and artists then watch the cheese-making magic at Beecher's Handmade Cheese.

You can even order a latte at the first Starbucks here. While there may be a line, just breathing it in while staring at the original mermaid logo -- a bit racier than its evolved sister -- makes the wait go by quickly.

Other market hotspots, all located on Post Alley, include The Tasting Room, America's first cooperative wine cellar, featuring Washington artisanal and hard-to-find wines; The Perennial Tea Room, offering collectible teapots and fine teas from around the world; Kell's, a warm and welcoming authentic Irish pub; and local favorite, The Pink Door, with stunning roof views of Elliot Bay, classic Italian fare and if you're lucky, cabaret acts.

Exploring the Neighborhoods

The oldest part of the city, Pioneer Square, is also downtown.

Visit galleries and shops along its tree-lined streets. And if you're so inclined (or declined) take the Underground Tour to explore the Seattle's archaeology.

The tour originates at Doc Maynard's Public House then descends below street level, dispensing a thorough historic background of the city prior to its retrograde and rebuilding after The Great Fire of 1889.

If you prefer department stores and malls to market stalls, there are plenty throughout downtown, all within walking distance from most hotels. Most notable is Nordstrom's flagship store, located next to Pacific Place Mall. High-end retailers Barney's, Furla and Louis Vuitton, plus a slew of other shops, are all within blocks.

	A Fragrant Offering from Pike Place

Seattle is recognized as America's most literate city, and it shows; the number of bookstores -- new, used and specialized -- is staggering.

The Elliott Bay Book Company in Pioneer Square bears all the authenticity and creaky floors a respectable bookstore should. The University Bookstore in the University District (home to the University of Washington) hosts notable readings, signings and events.

And perhaps the best thing to happen to Seattle's bookworms and architecture mavens is the stunning Seattle Public Library. Opened in May 2004, this remarkable Rem Koolhaas-designed building is an impressive structure, both inside and out. Circumnavigate the block, go in and take a tour, guided or on your own -- the building is a feast for the eyes, even before you get to the one million volumes it houses.

Sleeping in Seattle

	The Beginning of an Empire

From sleek boutique hotels to adorable houseboats, accommodations in Seattle vary as much as its neighborhoods.

For a unique experience, try one of the city's many bed and breakfasts.

For luxury-seekers, the Fairmont Olympic is right in the heart of downtown's business and shopping district; the red brick Sorrento Hotel is not far from downtown on First Hill. Both offer old-world charm and veritable hospitality. Or try downtown favorite Hotel Monaco, which welcomes pets or even provides you with one (a chubby goldfish) for the duration of your stay.

If you prefer to fall asleep to the sounds of the Waterfront, stay right on the Bay at The Edgewater. From there, you can take to the water on an Argosy Boat cruise or check out the largest ferry system in the U.S. with a ride to Bainbridge Island.

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