Changes

Seattle is the largest city in the State of Washington, northernmost major metropolitan area in the United States, and one of the largest on the West Coast of North America. With a population of 617about 618,334 000 and a metro population of 3.5 million, it is the 23th most populated city in the United States. Seattle is also home to the most diverse ZIP code (98118) in the country, with 59 languages spoken within it's borders.

Seattle is situated on the beautiful Puget Sound. Seattle is just a few hours east of the Olympic Nation Forest, home to some of the world's largest temperate rain forests, and is also about 1 1/2 hours west of the Cascade Mountain Range. Seattle is served by many different transit agencies ([http://transit.metrokc.gov King County Metro] is the main transit agency in the city, along with [http://www.soundtransit.org Sound Transit]/[http://www.commtrans.org Snohomish County Community Transit]/[http://www.piercetransit.org Pierce County Transit]/[http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries Washington State Ferries]) offering buses, trains, light rail, tram lines, bus rapid transit, and ferries. One bonus for weary travelers travellers is the downtown ride free area, which serves all of downtown Seattle until 7pm 19:00 daily. All buses are free of charge in the ride free area. Link; however, is not.

There is plenty to do and see in Seattle if you are not just passing through. Of course you will want to visit the world famous Pike Place Market or Seattle Center, but those are not the only attractions for travelerstravellers. Seattle is very welcoming to travelers travellers as it is a city of transplants. Venture out of downtown and you will be very happy that you did. Take a bus out to Wallingford and see Gas Works Park on Lake Union or head on over to the Republic of Fremont (the center centre of the Universe) and visit the Troll under the Aurora Bridge. Sample the delicious (and cheap!) foods in the International District and lounge around in one of the city's many parks.

Transit in the U-District is some of the best in the city. Downtown is a 15 minute bus ride away during most hours. Buses run on regular schedule usually until 1 01:00 or 2 am 02:00 on weekdays, the U-District is one of the only neighborhoods neighbourhoods with Owl (night) buses running through it. Owl buses run overnight, usually about once an hour.

Now, the University District is not the only place in Seattle to find hitch hikers, buskers, and the like. Capitol Hill is another area of town frequented by hitch hikers. Capitol Hill is the city's most densely populated neighborhoodneighbourhood, center centre of gay rights, and home to many Seattle artists, musicians and travelerstravellers. Due to it's diversity and wealth of parks, Capitol Hill is an ideal place for hitch hikers to crash, get a bite to eat, get a drink, or just hang out. The proximity to downtown is also hard to beat. A multitude of bus lines (including an Owl bus) run through Capitol Hill and Central Link light rail is a 10 minute walk down the hill. The First Hill Streetcar will be arriving on Capitol Hill in 2013 and the University Link light rail line will be following in 2016. Adjacent First Hill also has world class medical facilities, including Harborview Medical Center (The Northwest's only Level 1 trauma centercentre).

The main thoroughfares on Capitol Hill are Broadway/15th Ave (going North/South) and Pike St/Pine St/Denny Way/E John St/Madison St (Going East/West). Your best bet to score some cheap food is on Broadway. Many hitch hikers and buskers hang out in front of [http://www.ddir.com Dick's Drive-In] on Broadway. Cheap burgers and open til 2 amuntil 02:00. The best parks to sleep in would be Volunteer Park (Located in a very affluent part of Capitol Hill) and Interlaken Park. Ask any local and they can point you in the right direction.