Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THIS CITY WAS MADE FOR WALKING
Yes the monorail was highly revolutionary in 1962, and the streetcar will bring
back pleasant memories of the 1930s if you're over 85, but on a pleasant clear
spring day in Seattle, you can't beat the visceral oxygen-drinking act of walking.
Because most of Seattle's through-traffic is funneled north-south along one of
three main arteries (I-5, the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Aurora Ave N), the central
streets aren't as manic as you'd imagine. In Belltown and Pioneer Square your
worst hassle is a few innocuous panhandlers, in downtown the hills might slow
your progress slightly, while on the waterfront you'll need to watch out for the
seagulls - and the tourists! Seattle's most walkable neighborhoods are leafy
Capitol Hill and Queen Anne. If you're really adventurous, ditch the car/bus/train
and explore the U District, Fremont and Ballard on that entertaining alfresco
people-watching bonanza, the Burke-Gilman Trail.
Car & Motorcycle
Driving
Seattle traffic is disproportionately heavy and chaotic for a city of its size, and parking is
scarce and expensive. Add to that the city's bizarrely cobbled-together mishmash of
skewed grids, the hilly terrain and the preponderance of one-way streets and it's easy to
see why driving downtown is best avoided if at all possible.
Rental
Although it can be a hassle in the city, having your own set of wheels can be handy for
reaching neighborhoods that are further afield, such as Ballard or Georgetown, and for
exploring areas outside of Seattle proper. To rent a car, you need a valid driver's license
and a major credit card.
There are rental agencies in Sea-Tac airport, located in the baggage-claim area, with
pickup and drop-off service from the 1st floor of the garage. Car-rental agencies within
Seattle include the following:
Avis
( 800-331-1212;
www.avis.com
)
Budget
( 800-527-0700;
www.budget.com
)
Dollar
(
800-800-3665;
www.dollar.com
)
Enterprise
(
800-261-7331;
www.enterprise.com
)
