Seattle

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Located on Puget Sound, Seattle is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, and contains thousands of acres of parkland. Washington State’s largest city, it’s home to a large tech industry, with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered in its metropolitan area. The futuristic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy, is its most iconic landmark.

There aren’t many other cities in America with spotless views of mountains and waterways from the heart of downtown, but Seattle delivers on both natural wonders and world-class attractions all in one spot. In this walkable cityscape, stroll among skyscrapers to mega shopping centers, historic theaters, iconic Pike Place Market, and more.

Fun Facts:

• Seattle has been ranked the top literate city in the USA. They have the highest percentage of residents that hold at minimum a college degree. The Public Library System in Seattle has the highest percentage of library card-holders (per capita) in the entire country.
• In July 2013, it was the fastest-growing major city in the United States and remains in the Top 5 fastest growing cities.
• Amazon, Starbucks, and Nordstrom are based in Seattle.
• July temperatures are nearly 10 degrees higher in Seattle than in San Francisco.
• The Seattle Underground is an exhibit of actual places that existed before the Great Fire, when the city was subsequently raised and rebuilt.
• The second gas station in the world was opened in 1907, on East Marginal Way in Seattle.
• Second only to New York City, Seattle has the most live music performances in the USA.

 
 
 

Bellevue

 
 

In the past 30 years, Bellevue has transformed from a bedroom community to a major business and retail center. Bellevue’s rapidly-expanding economy is anchored by high-tech firms, high-end retail businesses, banking, services, and numerous international companies.

While business booms downtown, much of Bellevue retains a small-town feel, with thriving, woodsy neighborhoods and a vast network of green spaces, miles and miles of nature trails, public parks and swim beaches. The city's public schools are consistently rated among the best in the country.

Surrounded by magnificent natural beauty and outdoor spaces, this one-of-a-kind place offers the ultimate in shopping, dining, and cultural attractions, all within easy strolling distance of popular hotels. Vibrant, modern, and growing, Bellevue is the gateway to the entire Puget Sound region. Within minutes you can explore Seattle's culture and history, visit Kirkland's waterfront parks and galleries, or tour Woodinville's Wine Country, home to over 100 tasting rooms and some of the world's best wines. You can even quench your taste for adventure with a day-trip to nearby mountains for hiking, biking, or skiing.

Fun Facts:

• In 2008, Bellevue was named number 1 in CNNMoney's list of the best places to live and launch a business, and in 2010 was again ranked as the 4th best place to live in America. In 2014, Bellevue was ranked as the 2nd best place to live by USA Today.
• The city's name Bellevue is derived from a French term for "beautiful view."
• As an example of the continuing transformation from a bedroom suburb of Seattle into a leading city in its own right, the largest mixed use project in the U.S. is currently under construction in downtown.

 
 
 

Kirkland

 
 

Kirkland is a vibrant waterfront destination with an unparalleled blend of outdoor recreation, art, dining, and boutique shopping. Located on the shores of Lake Washington just east of Seattle, no other city in the Puget Sound region has as many waterfront parks and beaches as Kirkland.

Kirkland is home to award-winning hotels, wineries, and restaurants, and hosts a dynamic repertoire of events, spanning art openings and performances, to athletic events, wine festivals, and outdoor concerts.

Fun Facts:

• The 1982 Kirkland National Little League team won the Little League World Series.
• Juanita Bay was a favored campsite of the Natives because a wild potato, "wapatos," thrived there.
• Leschi, first operated on December 27, 1913, was the original wooden ferry to transport automobiles and people between the Eastside and Madison Park until her retirement in 1950. The ferry operations ran nearly continuously for 18 hours each day. The construction of the first Lake Washington floating bridge in 1940, however, made ferry service unprofitable and eventually led to its cancellation.

 
 
 

Redmond

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Standing on the sparkling shores of Lake Sammamish, Redmond is an award winning city located in the heart of King County. Residents refer to as “the Eastside." With nationally renowned school public districts, a high quality of life, and an exceedingly strong employment base, it is no wonder that the Eastside is home to the innovative talent that drives the many of today’s worldwide tech giants, including the headquarters of Microsoft.

Residents of Redmond enjoy the very definition of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. In fact, the challenge of living in Redmond and the region is planning it all. Within a 30 minute drive you can experience all the natural wonder of the majestic Cascade Mountains, or the bustle of the Pacific Northwest’s largest urban area. Whether it is unmatched outdoor recreation, raucous events, or the fine dining, vibrant art scene, and exiting nightlife that only a sophisticated, world class city can provide; the Seattle Redmond area stands alone, offering a high quality of life that few locations can match.

Fun Facts:

• The rivers and streams had so many salmon that the settlement was initially named "Salmonberg."
• Redmond has 23 developed public parks, totaling over a thousand acres, including Marymoor Park, one of the most popular parks in the county.
• Redmond has the state's only velodrome. The Redmond Bike Derby, established in 1939, remains the nation's oldest bike race. Redmond is also known as the "Bicycle Capital of the Northwest"

 
 
 

Issaquah

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Issaquah is your basecamp for northwest adventure. Close enough to Seattle and Bellevue to take in the bustle of one of the world’s most dynamic metropolitan regions… yet far enough out to be a mere footsteps from the spectacular Cascade mountains.

With top-rated schools, unique tourism amenities, and a bustling businesses scene, Issaquah is known as a place of innovation and excitement, family values, and a strong focus on outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. A brand new hospital, plans for a future community college campus, and a growing tourism sector, plus serving as the home for a major global corporation, combine to make Issaquah a unique and authentic northwest community.

Fun Facts:

• Issaquah Salmon Days is an award-winning festival held in Issaquah on the first full weekend of October every year. It celebrates the return of the salmon to their birth waters, and praises Issaquah's history, culture, and ethnic diversity. The two day festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors.
• The world headquarters of Costco is located in Issaquah.
• Gilman Village is a specialty shopping center created from 40+ rescued buildings dating back to the origins of the Issaquah community.

 
 
 

Sammamish

 
 

The city of Sammamish was developed in 1999 and is part of the Eastside suburb of Seattle.
Situated on the shores of hilly terrain east of Lake Sammamish, the city features a landscape of trees, mountains, and lakes. 45,780 residents call this area home.

The recreation options are numerous; Lake Sammamish and Issaquah’s Lake Sammamish State Park offer water recreation. Beaver Lake and Pine Lake are the two biggest lakes in the city. There are many hiking trails and scenic woods around the housing developments, and five major city parks are developed here including Beaver Lake Park, Pine Lake Park, NE Sammamish Park, East Sammamish Park, and Ebright Creek Park.

Fun Facts:

• Sammamish has twice been recognized by Money magazine as one of the
best small towns in America to live in.
• Clint Eastwood was once a lifeguard at Beaver Lake.
• Sahalee's golf course has been frequently ranked among the nation's top 100 courses in the country by Golf Digest. It also hosted its first PGA championship in 1998, the USGA Senior Open in 2010, and the 2016 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

 
 
 

Bothell

 
 

Bothell is a thriving riverfront community that’s undergoing exciting and extensive changes downtown. Straddling two counties (King and Snohomish), Bothell offers great parks and recreation opportunities, quality schools, excellent restaurants and retail, and more.

Fun Facts:

• The city is home to the University of Washington Bothell, ranked number one in the state for value and quality by Money Magazine, and the co-located Cascadia College was recently named the second best community college in the nation.
• In December 1962, LIFE Magazine recognized Bothell's 112-foot (34 m) Christmas tree as the largest living Christmas tree in the world.
• The City of Bothell Freedom Festival is a two-day festival celebrating American Independence, including an annual Fourth of July parade, and a reenactment of the Battle of Concord on the Bothell Landing Bridge.

 
 
 

Snoqualmie

 
 

Snoqualmie / North Bend is approximately 30 miles east of Seattle - half way between Seattle and Snoqualmie Pass. Located in the heart of the Mountains to Sound Greenway, the cities are famous for the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls, a world renowned waterfall that cascades 268 feet over granite cliffs, and Mt. Si, a 4,200 foot mountain that overlooks both cities.

Visitors enjoy the Historic District, the Northwest Railway Museum, unique shops, and more than 50 restaurants for all tastes.

Recreation is abundant. There are more than 40 miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails with connections to regional trails; 40 city parks, including an off-leash dog park; 460 acres of open space at Meadowbrook Farm; fishing; kayaking; and even rally cars!

Fun Facts:

• Many of the exterior shots for David Lynch's Twin Peaks television series and movie (Fire Walk with Me) were filmed in Snoqualmie and in the neighboring towns of North Bend and Fall City.
• North Bend is home to Nintendo North Bend, the main North American production facility and distribution center for the video game console manufacturer Nintendo.
• North Bend was originally platted as Snoqualmie, but renamed Mountain View. It was later renamed North Bend, with Snoqualmie retaining the name for their nearby city.

 
 
 

North Bend

 
 

Snoqualmie / North Bend is approximately 30 miles east of Seattle - half way between Seattle and Snoqualmie Pass. Located in the heart of the Mountains to Sound Greenway, the cities are famous for the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls, a world renowned waterfall that cascades 268 feet over granite cliffs, and Mt. Si, a 4,200 foot mountain that overlooks both cities.

Visitors enjoy the Historic District, the Northwest Railway Museum, unique shops, and more than 50 restaurants for all tastes.

Recreation is abundant. There are more than 40 miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails with connections to regional trails; 40 city parks, including an off-leash dog park; 460 acres of open space at Meadowbrook Farm; fishing; kayaking; and even rally cars!

Fun Facts:

• Many of the exterior shots for David Lynch's Twin Peaks television series and movie (Fire Walk with Me) were filmed in Snoqualmie and in the neighboring towns of North Bend and Fall City.
• North Bend is home to Nintendo North Bend, the main North American production facility and distribution center for the video game console manufacturer Nintendo.
• North Bend was originally platted as Snoqualmie, but renamed Mountain View. It was later renamed North Bend, with Snoqualmie retaining the name for their nearby city.

 
 
 

Woodinville

 
 

Woodinville is a mere 30 minutes northeast of Seattle, but it might as well be the other side of the world. This small, scenic valley is where the fruit of Eastern Washington meets the vintners, chefs, and flavors of the Pacific Northwest. It’s a delicious crossroads of winemaking, microbrewing, fine dining, and the people who pour their heart and soul into them. Explore, experience, and enjoy!

Fun Facts:

• Woodinville is home to 108 Wineries and Tasting Rooms, and 8 Microbreweries, Distilleries and Cideries.
• Molbak's nursery is nationally recognized and attracts well over 1 million visitors a year. It’s annual Poinsettia festival features over 40 varieties of poinsettia.

 
 
 

Duvall

 
 

Put on your outdoor shoes because Duvall has many opportunities to explore nature year-round! Family-friendly boating, fishing, horseback riding, geocaching, hiking and wildlife viewing are all available right here in the Snoqualmie Valley. Duvall also offers a wide variety of year-round activities and services for every family, making it a wonderful place to raise a family or to enjoy a day exploring a local farm or community event.

Fun Facts:

• On April 28, 1968, nearly 3,000 fans attended a rock concert at a farm in Duvall where an upright piano was dropped from a helicopter. Performances included Country Joe and the Fish. This concert is well-known to locals as the Piano Drop. This event inspired the Sky River Rock Festival which occurred later that year.
• The area that became known as Duvall was historically the home of the Snoqualmie and other ancestral Tulalip Native American tribes. Following their relocation under the Treaty of Point Elliott, the area was homesteaded by veterans of the Civil War.

 
 
 

Carnation

 
 

Carnation is a rural western Washington community of 1,786 residents that is approximately 1.1 square miles in size. Within easy reach of Seattle, Carnation features an abundance of natural beauty and outdoor experiences. Framed by the Cascade foothills and located where the Tolt and Snoqualmie Rivers meet, Carnation is in one of the most productive agricultural regions in the Northwest.

Fun Facts:

• The name "Carnation" was chosen to honor a nearby research farm operated by the
Carnation Milk Products Company.
• Camlann Medieval Village is a living history museum which recreates rural life in England in 1376. 
• Remlinger Farms is a functioning farm located less than a mile outside of Carnation where families can spend time around animals and crops, eat locally raised and grown food, and go on fun park rides.

 
 
 

Renton

 
 

Renton is a beautiful city located on the south shore of Lake Washington, with spectacular views of the lake, the Olympics, the Cascades, and Mount Rainier. The fifth largest city in King County and the 11th largest city in Washington, Renton is quite literally at the center of an extensive regional and international transportation network. The Cedar River runs through the heart of Downtown Renton and offers an abundance of natural beauty.

Fun Facts:

• Renton had Washington’s fastest population increase in the last decade at 82%.
• Home of the Seattle Seahawks headquarters and training facility. 
• Renton has the only Ikea and Fry's Electronics stores in the state of Washington.
• Renton was the childhood home of Jimi Hendrix.

 
 
 

Maple Valley

 
 

Located about 30 minutes east of Seattle and Tacoma, equidistant from the water of Puget Sound and the landscapes of the Cascade Mountains, Maple Valley offers an extraordinary location to enjoy all that our region has to offer.

In the center of the City there are multiple neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, community parks, and access to much of the nature that makes Maple Valley special. Many neighborhoods have access to extensive trail systems that lead to the Black Diamond Mountain Biking trail system and Lake Wilderness Park. The trail system has the potential of leading someone all the way into Downtown Seattle, and it also has multiple connections to the business community. The City of Maple Valley sits along the eastern edge of King County’s urban growth boundary, leaving Maple Valley on the edge of nature’s beauty. It is truly a wonderful and unique natural setting.

Fun Facts:

• One of the ten best cities in the US to raise a family (Family Circle magazine), and the top ten hottest suburbs in the US (CBS Moneywatch).
• Tahoma High School is rated in the top 5% of all High Schools nationwide.
• Vine Maple Valley and Maple Ridge were originally suggested as names for the city. A vote was taken by writing the names on slips of paper and placing them in a hat. Vine Maple Valley won by 2/3, but the word "Vine" was later cut by the post office because it made the name too long.

 
 
 

Kent

 
 

A culturally rich destination, Kent features captivating neighborhoods, award-winning parks, exceptional school districts, and nationally accredited police and fire departments. In recent years, Kent has experienced impressive economic growth, and is nationally known as a prime location for manufacturing.

Kent boasts a wide range of retail stores including antiques, gifts, clothes, books, furniture, crafts, and floral. It offers plenty of parking and lots of places to eat. Residents and visitors alike regularly enjoy the historic small-town atmosphere that is easy and enjoyable to walk. There are 68 parks and open spaces spread over 1,400 acres within the Kent parks system.

Fun Facts:

• During and after the Great Depression, Kent was known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World."
• REI, Oberto Sausage Company, Redline, Diamondback, Raleigh Bicycles, Blue Origin (Amazon’s space subsidiary), and Boeing Space and Defense are all headquartered in Kent.
• Kent was originally known as Titusville.