Seattle is relatively safe for a city of its size, and the urban neighborhoods are generally safe during daylight hours. As in any large city, common sense is in order. Take precautions with your wallet or purse in crowded places, where pickpockets are most likely to work. If you must carry lots of cash, store it in a money belt or hidden pocket. Be discreet with your money when cashing traveler's checks or using ATMs. Keep valuables and shopping bags out of view in parked cars, and keep windows up and doors locked. You may see panhandlers or homeless people sleeping on the sidewalk near Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square, but they are not generally aggressive. Areas around major hotels and residential communities are reasonably safe after dark, but it's always best to travel with a companion.
Extra precaution should be taken at night near the airport, in downtown fringes, along the waterfront and around Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. Belltown is a hotbed of restaurants and nightlife, but after dinner, stick to the busiest streets. Although it is within easy walking distance of downtown hotels, the area in between can be a no-man's-land late at night, so phone for a taxi. (They don't generally cruise the streets.) At night, exercise caution on Capitol Hill and in Rainier Valley, south of the city. Fremont, Queen Anne and Ballard have a mellower atmosphere, even at night, as do Bellevue and the other cities on the Eastside. Consult your hotel's concierge or ask at the front desk for advice on specific areas you may be visiting. Make sure the tour guides and sightseeing companies you choose are legitimate.
Medical facilities are excellent in Seattle. The University of Washington Harborview Medical Center at 325 Ninth Ave. is a renowned teaching hospital and trauma center (phone 206-744-3000; http://www.uwmedicine.org). The University of Washington also has a travel clinic at 1959 N.E. Pacific St. (phone 206-598-4888. http://depts.washington.edu/travmed). A few pharmacies are open 24 hours, but most are open 9 am-9 pm.
Swedish Medical Center is another good option, with hospitals in several Seattle neighborhoods (First Hill, Cherry Hill, Ballard and Issaquah). http://www.swedish.org.
In the case of an emergency, dial 911.
Seattle strives to honor the Americans with Disability Act with curb cuts, ramps and buses with lifts. Because it's a hilly city, however, it can be difficult to get around in a wheelchair. When going to a sporting event, such as baseball at Safeco Field, look for the handicap-accessible area. Many hotels offer wheelchair access, including Inn at the Market, the Alexis, the Sorrento and the W. You can obtain more information from the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens. Phone 206-684-0500. http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/seniorsdisabled/mosc.
Do order a microbrew. Seattleites are boutique-beer snobs.
Don't complain about the weather. Seattle's mild climate ranks 44th for rainfall among major U.S. cities.
Do take advantage of Seattle's easy to use, affordable (free within the city) bus system.
Don't pull out your umbrella unless it's really raining. Hard.
Do understand that Seattle is not on the Pacific Ocean but on Puget Sound, an inland waterway. Even Washingtonians find this confusing.
Don’t talk to Seattleites about grunge music or Kurt Cobain. They've moved on. But do be sure to check out a concert or two at one of the many local clubs. Seattle is still a hotbed for exciting new musical talent.
Do attend a University of Washington Huskies game and cheer for the "U-dub Dawgs." They're skookum, a Chinook word for excellent.
Do stop to smell the flowers in Seattle. Because of the mild maritime climate, lush gardens, exotic shrubs, vivid blooms and even palm trees thrive there.
