Pamela’s List offers temporary and permanent positions in so many amazing places, it can be hard to choose which one to go to next. In a series of blogs like these, we are helping to showcase the appeal and attractions of some of the different cities and regions where Pamela’s List can send you next. This week, we are taking a look into the often rainy but always beautiful city of Seattle in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Pamela’s List has open positions in the city of Seattle itself as well as the surrounding areas of Tacoma, Olympia, and other parts of the overall western Washington area. Seattle is known for its iconic skyline, its dedication to arts and culture, its high standards for food, and award winning public transportation system. It has quickly become one of the fastest growing cities in America.
Seattle has a long and rich history. The city of Seattle was officially founded in 1851 and was named after Chief Sealth of the Duwamish and Suquamish Native American tribes. The first permanent European settlers soon arrived in 1852, and it became a booming logging town with many sawmills producing lumber that was mainly destined for the also booming San Francisco Bay Area. Seattle’s early economy relied heavily on timber from old-growth forests that existed at time of settlement. Lumber continues to be one of the primary industries in the region, but with the growth of industries like aerospace and information tech, Seattle has now become a city packed full of smart and innovative professionals.
Seattle is a city that values art and culture. The city hosts many different festivals throughout the year, including film festivals, music festivals, and more. Seattle also has a professional symphony orchestra and opera company with world-renowned musicians and singers, and an active, thriving art scene with dozens of museums and galleries to explore. The Seattle Art Museum is the largest museum in the Northwest United States. It features collections of American art, Asian art, European sculpture, African art, Pacific Northwest art, modern and contemporary American art as well as rotating special exhibitions. The famous Fremont Troll sculpture is also in Seattle. This public art project is literally a giant troll made up of parts from an old bridge and a Volkswagen Beetle crawling out from underneath a bridge in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. It may be a little strange and creepy, but it is a totally unique and fun example of Seattle’s sometimes bizarre and artsy personality.
Seattle is the birthplace of grunge music and was the home to some of the most iconic bands in history, such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is another museum in Seattle that explores popular culture through exhibitions on music, film, comics and video games. If you visit only a single museum during your time in Seattle, it should be that one. The Museum of Pop Culture’s building, nestled at the feet of the Space Needle, is an attraction in and of itself with its curved and colorful metallic textured walls. It is home to some of the coolest exhibits including some focused on musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Prince, or shows and movies like the actual Captain’s chair from Star Trek’s Enterprise, and Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from the Wizard of Oz. Whatever your pop culture interests, you will be sure to find something that will excite you here; there is truly no other museum quite like it.
Sports are also a big part of the culture in Seattle. The city is home to many professional teams including the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners, and there is never any shortage of sporting events to attend. In addition to pro sports, Seattle residents are fiercely loyal to the University of Washington Huskies. UW’s Huskies has been one of the best teams in the country recently with 4 championships in this decade. If you are in Seattle during football season, try to catch a game between UW’s Huskies and Washington State University’s Cougars. The rivalry between the two always makes for a lively and competitive game.. Go Cougs!
Beyond Seattle’s dedication to art, music, and local sports teams, Seattle is also a great spot for foodies. Seattle offers many options for foodies to explore their culinary creativity with many restaurants offering fresh seafood dishes from all over the world or locally sourced ingredients that are grown in Washington State’s rich soil. There is a big emphasis on farm-to-table freshness in Seattle’s food scene. Many of the local restaurants pride themselves on choosing only the highest quality ingredients available.
If you want something really fresh with a dash of entertainment, head to Seattle’s famous Pike Place fish market. It is a little bit of a tourist trap, but the fishmongers put on a really fun show throwing the fish around. It is something you have to see for yourself to really appreciate. While you are there, head into 1912 Pike Place for a hot cup of coffee from the very first ever Starbucks Coffee. Starbucks may be on just about every corner in every city around the world at this point, but the first one started right here in Seattle. Nothing goes with a gray and drizzly Seattle day quite like a steamy cup of coffee.
As for coffee, there is more to coffee in Washington than Starbucks! Something that many people have never tried anywhere else but can be found at little coffee stands all over the region is White Coffee. White coffee is not necessarily coffee with a lot of milk, but actually means coffee made with unroasted coffee beans. It is ground and made just like regular coffee, and usually is made as shots of espresso. Since the beans are not roasted, white coffee has a much more mild and nutty flavor than regular coffee, and also contains more caffeine. That extra bit of caffeine can really come in handy in the middle of a long shift!
In addition to its food and cultural attractions, Seattle has excellent public transportation options like light rail, buses, ferries, and monorails that allow residents to easily get around without needing a car. Seattle has one of the best public transportations systems in the whole nation, making it a really convenient location for flight travelers who want to avoid the cost of renting a vehicle.
Seattle is a city of contrasts between old and new, natural and high tech. The city has a rich history, which can be seen in the architecture and culture. It is also a hub for arts, culture, and a progressive attitude. Seattle’s food scene is also quite diverse and there are many different options to choose from, including some of the freshest seafood on the west coast and great coffee. Public transportation in Seattle is also one of the best things about the city as you can get around pretty quickly and easily without the fuss of having to deal with a car. If Seattle sounds like the right fit for your next adventure, Pamela’s List has the opportunity for you!
