Lush green parks and avenues have given Seattle the moniker “Emerald City.” Located on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, the city is bounded by thousands of square miles of evergreen forest and hundreds of miles of salt and freshwater shoreline. With this wealth of nature at their doorstep, Seattleites concentrate much of their recreation in the outdoors.

Seattle’s strong maritime environment comes into sharp focus at Fisherman’s Terminal, home of hundreds of purse seine and gill net boats. Residents often take time to stroll along the piers, watch fishermen mending their nets, and admire the sturdy boats. Downtown, just two blocks from the water, Pike Place Market is one of the last authentic farmers’ markets in the country. A walk through the colorful old market truly becomes a sensory experience as vendors hawk their wares in a dozen different languages.

The city boasts remarkable arts, cultural, educational, and community programs and international festivals. Seattle is noted for its specialty shops. Its proximity to the Orient makes an abundance of imported goods available.

Reprinted, with permission of the publisher, from 50 FABULOUS GAY-FRIENDLY PLACES TO LIVE (www.FabCities.com) © 2005 Gregory A. Kompes. Published by Career Press, Franklin Lakes, NJ. 800-227-3371. All rights reserved.