Seattle has some of the most inventive cuisine west of New York and north of San Francisco, rich with natural ingredients, Asian spices and fresh seafood. For those with an expense account, the financial district has a host of upscale restaurants, including Oceanaire for seafood, at 1700 Seventh (206-267-2277); Union for inventive American cuisine, at 1400 First (206-838-8000); the chandeliered Georgian, at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel at 411 University (206-621-1700, ext. 3169); and steakhouses such as the Metropolitan Grill, 820 Second (206-624-3287). Farther out is the venerable Canlis, overlooking Lake Union, at 2576 Aurora (206-283-3313); or the charming Serafina, an Italian eatery at 2043 Eastlake (206-283-0807). For those in Microsoft territory, the nine-course event at The Herbfarm in Woodinville (425-485-5300), or the Café Juanita in Kirkland (425-823-1505), offer superb dining.

The city’s sport stadiums and arenas are new and first-rate, its theater companies sometimes premiere works that go on to Broadway, and the music scene in Pioneer Square is cutting-edge. The best golf courses are east of Lake Washington. More unusual is a crewed yacht charter, or a seaplane ride from Lake Union (Lake Union Air) to the San Juan Islands or Victoria, Canada.