Audio Guide: Seattle Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Seattle

Overlooking Puget Sound's Elliott Bay on the West Coast of the United States, the port city of Seattle is renowned for its surrounding waters, mountains, evergreen forests, and thousands of acres of parkland. The largest metropolitan area in today's Washington State had been inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years prior to the European pioneers. The first European to set foot on this land was George Vancouver, in May 1792, during his expedition for the Royal Navy to chart the Pacific Northwest.

The settlement was named "Seattle" in 1852 in honor of Chief Si'ahl (anglicized as "Seattle") of the local Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. Seattle was incorporated initially as a town in 1865 and then as a city in 1869. The corporate seal of the city carries the date "1869" and a likeness of Chief Si'ahl in the left profile. That same year, Seattle acquired the epithet of the "Queen City," a designation officially changed to "Emerald City" in 1982.

Logging was Seattle's first major industry. By the late 19th century, it had become a commercial and shipbuilding center as a gateway to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. Pike Place Market, a popular local market and tourist destination, dates back to that era. Opened in 1907, it is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the country.

A shipbuilding boom in the early part of the 20th century became massive during World War I, making Seattle somewhat of a company town. It was mildly prosperous during the 1920s but was particularly hard hit by the Great Depression. Still, throughout that period, a number of local museums were established, including the Seattle Art Museum, which opened in 1933.

The city regained prosperity after World War II partially due to the local Boeing company, which established Seattle as a center for aircraft manufacturing. Seattle celebrated its restored affluence with a bid to host the 1962 World's Fair, for which the iconic futuristic-looking Space Needle was built. The Seattle Aquarium, on the downtown waterfront, was opened in 1977.

Starting from the 1980s onwards, the Seattle area has evolved into a technology center with companies like Microsoft and Amazon becoming established here.

Seattle also has a significant musical history. It nurtured the early careers of Ray Charles and Quincy Jones, and is the birthplace of the rock legend Jimi Hendrix, bands like Nirvana and Foo Fighters, and the alternative rock movement grunge. You can learn about this and more at the Museum of Pop Culture, a psychedelic structure clad in shades of aluminum and stainless steel.

Another key landmark on the city's skyline is the Seattle Great Wheel, one of the largest Ferris wheels in the U.S.

For a more detailed acquaintance with Seattle's fantastic mix of indoor and outdoor attractions, take this self-guided introductory walk.