Caitlin Huson

You’d be remiss to think of Seattle as just a moody metropolis filled with a cluster of skyscrapers. Although the city is home to its fair share of towers and its residents have to deal with a lot of rain, there is much more to this town than meets the eye. Because of its diverse geography—the city is sandwiched between Puget Sound and Lake Washington—and breathtaking mountain views in every direction, Seattle is actually an ideal destination within the United States. You can experience everything here—from sandy beaches and forest trails to a world-class shopping scene and award-winning restaurants—without ever leaving the city limits. Here are five of the very best neighborhoods in Seattle to consider the next time you make your way to the Emerald City, each one offering a unique vantage point and exciting things to do. From buzzy Capitol Hill to beachy West Seattle, you can’t go wrong no matter which one you choose to stay by. You’ll just have to come back to experience them all.

As a result of the booming tech industry, Seattle has become a city filled with luxury shopping destinations, high-end restaurants and bars, and popular sports and entertainment facilities, all adding to an increase in visitors and the expenses associated with each visit. While many of the major museums and attractions in Seattle offer discount pricing schemes and the occasional free admission evening, most are on the more costly side on a regular basis. We promise, though, that there are still ways to get a sense of the city and the Pacific Northwest in general without breaking the bank. Geographically positioned between two large bodies of water and two mountain ranges, it should come as no surprise that many of the free things to do in Seattle involve the outdoors. There are also plenty of indoor destinations around town to retreat to on rainy days, all boasting their own beauty and interesting histories. From parks to public artworks, from market places to lesser-known museums, you’ll fall in love with Seattle while visiting all these spots without even spending a dime.