55 Interesting Facts About Seattle [Free Fact Cards]

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Discover some interesting facts about Seattle in this collection of fun facts! From its iconic Space Needle to its rainy reputation, explore the fascinating side of the Emerald City. Perfect for curious minds of all ages.

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Seattle is a fantastic city that is nestled in the beautiful Pacific Northwest region of the United States, and it’s bursting with interesting facts that will make you say, “Wow!”

Did you know that Seattle is famous for its rainy weather? It’s not just any rain; it’s a gentle mist called drizzle that gives the city its lush greenery. Seattle is also home to the Space Needle, a towering spaceship-like structure that was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. You can ride up to the tippy-top and see the whole city! And guess what? Some of the world’s most famous companies, like Starbucks and Amazon, started right here in Seattle. So, get ready to explore these fun facts and many more about this incredible city by the sea. Seattle has something exciting for everyone!

Interesting Facts About Seattle

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  1. The United Postal Service started in Seattle
  2. The Washington State Ferry System is the largest in the country and the third largest in the world, carrying more than 25 million passengers each year.
  3. Seattle’s most-photographed object is not the Space Needle.
  4.  The band Soundgarden got its name from Seattle
  5. Seattle has nearly 500 houseboats, more than anywhere else in the world.
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  1. Seattle is the best city in the country for bicyclists.
  2. Seattle Library has perks for members
  3. The world’s largest floating home is located on Lake Union in Seattle.
  4. Seattle is built on top of another city.
  5. Much of Seattle’s Natural Environment Was Altered To Make it Livable.
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  1. Seattle is surrounded by two mountain ranges, the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Mountains to the east.
  2. The Space Needle in Seattle was originally sketched on a napkin
  3. The Great Fire of Seattle destroyed most of the business district in 1889.
  4. Apart from White, native and African Americans, Seattle has a large number of Asian Americans, Hispanic, Latino and Pacific Islanders living in it.
  5. Seattle is the first city to have police on bicycles.
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  1. Seattle is the perfect place for nature lovers.
  2. The highest temperature ever recorded in the city was 103°F on July 29, 2009, while the coldest temperature during wintertime in Seattle was 0°F on January 31, 1950.
  3. Seattle is home to the country’s first 24/7 radio station
  4. There is a big troll living under one of Seattle’s bridges
  5. Seattle is one of America’s most well-educated cities
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  1. The eye of the Fremont Troll is made out of a VW Beetle hubcap.
  2.  Bruce Lee’s final resting place is in Seattle
  3. The University Bridge gets regular baths to protect it from the heat during the summer.
  4. Seattlites are quite cultured. It is ranked as the most literary city in the US with the highest percentage of citizens with a college degree or higher.
  5. The bronze pig and the flying fish of Pike Place Market have interesting backstories
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  1. Seattle is home to the world’s first floating bridge and the world’s longest and widest floating bridge.
  2. Seattle has an entire wall filled with used gum.
  3. Pike Place Market is Seattle’s top attraction today, but it was in danger of being destroyed in 1963.
  4. Seattleites purchase sunglasses in spades
  5. The first Starbucks is not in Pike Place Market. The very first Starbucks opened in 1971 at 2000 Western Avenue and no longer exists.
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  1. People in Seattle buy the most sunglasses per capita than in any other U.S. city.
  2.  Real-life superheroes Once patrolled Seattle
  3. Many of Seattle’s Parks Were Designed by the Olmsted Brothers
  4. Seattle sits on top of an underground ghost town
  5. Our city has the second-highest per capita rate for live music performances in the country, second to New York City.
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  1. The Emerald City is America’s fastest-growing technology hub
  2. Seattle City Light is a publicly owned utility, powering 90% of the city with hydroelectricity. It has zero carbon footprint.
  3. There are more dogs and cats than children in Seattle.
  4. Seattle Seahawks Fans Caused An Earthquake.
  5. The name Seattle comes from Chief Seattle, or Chief Si’ahl, who was a prominent Native American leader.
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  1. Seattle has a building nicknamed ‘Darth Vader’.
  2. Seattle is the Birthplace of Grunge
  3. Harbor Island is the largest man-made island in the country. 
  4. The Seattle Ferry System is the largest in the country
  5. The name Seattle is derived from the Suquamish word “Sealth”, the language of the first white settlers who arrived in 1851.
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  1. The Original City of Seattle is Underground
  2. The famous Pike Place Market originally started due to overpriced onions.
  3. Seattle was founded by the Denny Party in 1851
  4. Despite having infamous rainy weather in winter, Seattle receives less annual rainfall than New York, Atlanta, Boston, and Houston.
  5. Gold was discovered in the Canadian Klondike region in 1896, thus starting the largest boom period in Seattle, called the Klondike Gold Rush. 
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  1. Seattle is one of the country’s most eco-friendly cities
  2. The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge is the longest floating bridge in the world. It’s an incredible 2,285 meters long and connects Seattle and Bellevue.
  3. Seattle has several nicknames like Emerald City, Jewel of the Northwest, and Future Queen City of the Pacific.
  4. Seattle was the first major American city to have a female mayor.
  5. Seattle is (allegedly) home to the world’s first gas station.
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Are you looking for more fun and engaging facts to share with your family? Check out these other posts for more facts!

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