Seattle is one of the world’s renowned tech hubs and our location enables MSDS students to take advantage, not only, of the local tech industry for internships and full-time jobs, but additionally the public and private relationships this program has cultivated. This includes tech giants, the healthcare industry, finance and more. There is no shortage of mid-size companies and innovative start-ups in the Seattle area. More specifically, the city of Seattle is also home to an expanding not-for-profit sector which includes notable organizations, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
In addition to a booming tech sector, Seattle is also known for being a nature-filled mecca. The city is home to beautiful public parks, stunning lakes, the Puget Sound, and breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.
Seattle has a mild climate year-round, with very little snow in the winter and comfortable temperatures in the summer. It does tend to be noticeably overcast during the winter, of course, but there are plenty of fun activities to pursue even when the skies are cloudy. Cultural attractions include world-class museums, a Woodland Park Zoo, Pike Place Market, professional sports teams, an aquarium, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and more.
KUOW
KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle’s NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization that produces award-winning journalism, innovative podcasts, engaging community events, and more.
KUOW is owned by the University of Washington and operated by Puget Sound Local Radio. This is a good place to learn of upcoming local events.
Things to do within Seattle
Museums
Seattle Art Museum (Asian Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park)
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
Farmers Markets
Tours
Bill Speidel’s underground tour is Seattle’s most unusual attraction, a humorous stroll through intriguing subterranean storefronts and sidewalks entombed when the city rebuilt on top of itself after the Great Fire of 1889.
A Tai Tung regular, Bruce Lee would always sit at the same back table and order his two favorite dishes: Oyster Sauce Beef and Garlic Shrimp. If you come to dine in, be sure to check out the famous Bruce Lee table!
Beaches & Parks
Alki Beach spans the furthest north point of West Seattle. It has a scenic two mile walk from the Water Taxi (taxi service that goes between Downtown Seattle and West Seattle) to Alki Point. During the summer there are various events and fairs that are announced regularly.
Community Celebrations
The spirit of the Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival & Parade is one that spans more than six decades. A tradition since the 1940s, Seattle has hosted the annual African American community festival and parade as a custom writing celebration of the city’s ethnic diversity. Originally part of the International Festival, it would be known over the years as the East Madison Mardi Gras and the Pacific Northwest Black Community Festival. It not only has been credited as the inspiration behind SEAFAIR (which emerged during the early 1950’s) but also continues to be held during SEAFAIR’s annually activities.
Film Festivals
Seattle Asian American Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
Tasveer Film Festival will create a lively, stimulating, and focused environment for conversation, education, and exploration of issues that face its Diaspora. Through a series of film screenings, panels, post film Q&A, and networking opportunities, our goal is to involve audiences not just with the films presented, but to create a prolonged space where the social, political, personal, and international issues that form the core subjects of those works can be discussed and understood.
Things to do outside of Seattle
If a vehicle is a rental option for you, the cheapest within the Seattle metro area is at SeaTac, near SeaTac International Airport.
British Colombia, Canada
Immerse yourself in more than 300,000 blooms at world-renowned The Butchart Gardens with a quick day trip to Victoria from downtown Seattle on our high-speed Victoria Clipper catamaran. Soak in the culture of Victoria and wander The Gardens’ intimate paths lined with an array of flowers. With 55-acres bursting with color, no visit to Victoria is complete without exploring the iconic gardens!
Explore Vancouver, BC for a day. There are buses that go between Seattle and Vancouver, BC regularly. The Skytrain will allow visitors to explore the city without the need for a car.
Whale Watching
Hiking
Trailhead Direct is a pilot project co-led by King County Metro and King County Parks. This project seeks to ease vehicle congestion, reduce safety hazards and expand access to hiking destinations along I-90. The Trailhead Direct service runs on designated weekends and holidays.
Tulip Festival