Top 10 Things to do When You get to Seattle

Congratulations on your visit, or your move, to Seattle! Whether you are new to the city or are intimately familiar with it, many adventures await. With that in mind, here are 10 must-do activities.

1. Hit the Coffee Shops and Microbreweries
Coffee joints are everywhere in Seattle, and so are microbreweries. Each one has a special ambiance and unique flavors that are fun to sample as you hop around town. Lisa Grimm, at "Seriously Eats"  wrote a brief history of Seattle Microbreweries here.

2. Uncover the Stairways
Seattle is hilly, and many buildings have lovely stairways. If you enjoy obscure adventures, what's better than setting out in search of steps? The quest will take you to all types of buildings and neighborhoods. Here's a MAP to get you started! Speaking of neighborhoods…

3. Check Out the Neighborhoods
If you've already done number four, try again. Odds are good that there are even more neighborhoods to check out (West Seattle, anyone?). Seattle is your new home; what better way to get to know the city than to cover every neighborhood, whether you are renting or have bought? Plus, entrepreneurs and savvy real estate investors can keep an eye out for promising properties.

4. Look into Real Estate Investing
Speaking of real estate, Seattle has one of the hottest and most expensive housing markets in the country. If you buy a fixer-upper, you could rent it out for a nice profit. Get in touch with a property management company to better understand your options.

If you're visiting, owning rental property is a great way to make future trips tax deductible.

5. Go Swimming
Seattle offers many swimming options, including the fun Lake Washington, Puget Sound and indoor and outdoor pools. Be sure to check out Colman Pool, which could quite possibly be the top pool in the U.S. It's even saltwater.

6. Take Advantage of Nature
From whale watching to hiking to visits to the San Juan Islands, the Seattle area has plenty of opportunities for you to get in tune with nature; take advantage of them, especially the beaches! Once you dive into daily life, it's harder to carve out these times.

​7. Discover Ways to Get Around the Traffic
With some planning, there are great alternatives to sitting in city traffic. Biking is big in Seattle, and it offers a new adventure every day. There is also public transportation with light rail bus services. Traveling during off-peak times is another good option if you can swing it.

8. Go to the Tourist Spots
Ironically, many people who live in a city never do touristy things and visitors often miss all but the most obvious. Get to know the city through the public transportation system... it's a great, stress free, way to see the sights. Go to spots such as Pike Place Market and the Elliott Bay Waterfront, 

Other iconic spots include Dick's Drive-In and the Space Needle. No explanation needed for the Space Needle; it's what represents Seattle on TV. ​Dick's is an iconic Seattle eatery that was founded in 1954 and that has since spread to multiple locations. Best burgers around! Pike Place Market is like a farmer's market, and you can find the freshest seafood and produce there, while the Elliott Bay Waterfront offers gorgeous views of the bay and is easily accessible in downtown Seattle.

​9. Find the Farmer's Markets
Practically every Seattle neighborhood has at least one farmer's market, and you can often shop all year round. Check out the Magnolia Farmers Market and others, support local agriculture, enjoy music and people watch.

 10. Meet People!
People are one of the best things about Seattle. Activities abound, including volunteer efforts, workshops, book readings, yoga classes and fitness camps​, so you can find at least one thing that interests you.

Also... check out the business organizations; there are many professional groups, such as the American Marketing Association - Puget Sound Chapter, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the National Property Management Association (NPMA) - Northwest Chapter.
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There's a city out there waiting for you to explore it. Time to get started!

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Patrick Rogers
​...is the Principal Property Manager for Asurent Property Management in Eugene Oregon and his company can be found here: PropertyManagementEugeneOregon.com