grunge, butter cutters, Cinnabon and CDs all started here

Aside from the commonly known facts – home of Starbucks, birthplace of grunge, sleepless Tom Hanks, rather rainy climate – there's something you might not know about Seattle: it's achieved the perfect balancing act of urban and outdoor life. Yes, you can get all your city kicks AND all your hiking, sailing, climbing, biking and fishing in one visit. Recover – where else? – in your giant citizenM bed.

For breathtaking views – Space Needle. Test your head for heights at Seattle’s tallest attraction, originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair. Gaze down at the city through the rotating glass floor of the observation deck or out towards Mount Rainier. And if you need to steady your nerves, make your way to the sky-high wine bar.

For street-food stalls – Pike Place Market. Overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront, this bustling farmers' market is one of the oldest in the USA. Today it’s home to produce stalls and street food vendors, where flavours include local chowder and international influences from Madrid and Mexico City to Manila. There’s also a charming craft market for souvenir sourcing.

For stepping back in time – Pioneer Square. If the buildings in Seattle’s original neighbourhood could talk, they would share stories from the Gold-Rush era onwards. Dating back to 1852, Pioneer Square has seen a lot of changes, and is now a thriving public space and home to the stunning King Street Station and a 22ft-tall waterfall.