Best of the West: Seattle offers parks, dining, big city living

Seattle is the spot for connoisseurs of experience. The contrast of the lush parks, sparkling waters and beaming skyscrapers offers even the most seasoned traveler the chance to enjoy big city living with an outdoorsy edge.

Best Time to Visit: Seattle’s drizzly reputation precedes itself, but it’s not all cloudy skies and rain in the Emerald City. Visit Seattle in August or September to enjoy warm weather and the sun glinting off towering skyscrapers.

Getting there: If you’re flying into SeaTac, hitch a ride on Alaska Airlines and cross your fingers that you’ll get to fly in the plane painted like a giant salmon. Feeling hungry? Order the Signature fruit and cheese platter for a taste of Seattle’s own Beecher’s Flagship cheese and a Seattle Chocolates truffle. Or, take the scenic route and drive in on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass. Be sure to stop for a hike up Mailbox Peak.

Best Splurge Accommodation: The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers guests unbeatable views of the Puget Sound from the comfort of their rooms. http://www.fourseasons.com/seattle/

Best Bargain Accommodation: It’s hard to find a cheap place to stay in Seattle. The Best Western Plus Pioneer Square Hotel offers guests a cheaper option while still keeping them in the heart of the city. The Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle, located across the street from the historic Pike’s Place Market, offer beds for under $40. www.pioneersquare.com/

Must See Attraction: You can’t visit Seattle without visiting the Pike’s Place Market. Go hungry and snack your way through the vendor stalls. Take iconic photos in front of the metal pig and snap a quick video of the “flying fish.” Be sure to check out the vendors across the street. Stop in at Beecher’s for No Woman cheese, Jack’s Fish Spot for a whole-cooked Dungeness crab and then take a selfie in front of the original Starbucks. Take your goodies to the park at the end of the market and watch the ferries pull in and out of the pier. http://pikeplacemarket.org/

Tourist trap to avoid:Though the views from The Great Wheel are spectacular, the ride is expensive and short. You’re better off paying a few more dollars and heading to the observation deck of the Space Needle to check out the city for as long as you’d like.

Best place to take a photo: One of the best views of the Seattle skyline is the view from the Gas Works Park on Lake Union. Lay out a blanket in the grass and admire the city while seaplanes take off overhead.

Hidden gem: Make reservations for Italian food at Pasta Freska on Westlake Avenue. No worries about choosing something from the menu — there isn’t one. The owner will join you at your table to get to know you and then craft a meal with you in mind. http://www.pastafreska.com/

Best place to take the kids: The Seattle Aquarium is pricey, but kids love the interactive tide pool that gives them the opportunity to feed sea urchins, pet starfish and run their hands through sea anemones. http://www.seattleaquarium.org/

Best free attraction: If you’re visiting Seattle in between late-summer and fall, check out the Hiram Chittenden Locks and Fish Ladder to see salmon in the fish ladder making their way back upstream to spawn and boats coming through the locks from the Puget Sound to Lake Washington.

Best paid attraction: Go beneath the city and back in time for a hilarious and informational guide on the Seattle Underground Tour. Check out the original city of Seattle that was almost entirely destroyed in the Great Fire of 1889. http://www.undergroundtour.com/

Best hike: Hit the Burke-Gilman Trail for your morning run. The scenic trail is always bustling with cyclists and runners making their way along Lake Washington. https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/burke-gilman-trail

Best coffee: Resist the urge to walk into a Starbucks. Seattle has several other incredible coffee shops including Seattle Coffee Works, Craftworks Coffee and Seattle Meowtropolitan — the city’s only cat café.

Best food truck: Look for the giant metal pig. The iconic Maximus/Minimus serves up some of the best pork dishes in the city. Order the Minimus Pork Sandwich, add Beecher’s Flagship cheese with a Maximus Ginger Lemonade. http://maximus-minimus.com/

Insider tip: Beware the rush-hour roads. An easy jaunt across the city can quickly turn into an hours-long endeavor if you’re driving during peak commute times. Rush hour starts earlier and lasts longer than most other cities, so plan accordingly.

Where the locals go: Be sure to check out the REI flagship store to load up on your outdoor gear and get trip ideas from the “Green Vests.” They know all the good recreation gems in the area.

Money-saving tip: Walk everywhere. Parking garages in the city center can cost upwards of $20. Seattle is scenic and pedestrian-friendly, so park a little outside town and walk in.

Best live entertainment: Sashay into the intimate Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley on 6th Avenue, the home of the Pacific Jazz Institute. Every seat is within 50 feet of the stage, so all performances feel personal. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/

Dog-friendly highlight: Dogs are welcome all over Seattle. You will see them at café tables, tucked in purses in Pike’s Market and casually walking on leashes through the downtown Target. If you bring your dog to the city, take them down to Lake Washington for a scenic swim.