History
Ancient settlers in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. came over the "land bridge" connecting Russia and the Kamchatka Islands to Alaska during the last Ice Age 12,000 - 15,000 years ago. These people were Asiatic and quickly settled the coastal regions due to the availability of fish as a supplement to grazing off the land and hunting small game in the area. What is now Washington State was first explored by non-Indians in 1592, when Juan De Fuca of Spain visited the Strait which bears his name near present day Seattle.

English sea captain George Vancouver met American captain Robert Gray at the entrance to the Strait in April 1792, but by that time the San Juan islands and other nearby areas had already been explored. The famous Lewis and Clark Expedition took those explorers to the region in 1805-06 in search of the Northwest Passage to India and the Far East. Due to the abundance of beautifully maned animals in the area, fur trading became a major activity with both French Canadian and Indian settlers interacting. Missionaries visited the region and quickly developed congregations who met at local Fort OKanogan and Fort Colville.

Washington Territory was separated from the Oregon Territory in 1853 after settlers from North of the Columbia River petitioned Congress. The territory was huge- extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, but in 1863 the Eastern portion became part of the Idaho Territory.

New industries developed with mining, forestry, shipping and agriculture growing in the late 1800's. The Northern Pacific Railroad brought in a flood of settlers in 1883 and Washington was admitted to the Union on November 11, 1886. Present day Washington State is a diverse region with arid, desert-like topography in the East gradually giving way to mountains. The Cascade Range is a major dividing line which separates the wetter coastal region from the more barren landscape elsewhere. Majestic Mount Rainier (14,410 feet) is one of the most photographed peaks in the area; the region gained world attention in May 1980 when Mount Saint Helens erupted, reducing a previous peak near 14,000 feet to 8,364 feet at present.

In the last 30-40 years, Seattle and the surrounding region have become major sites for the aerospace and technology industries, with Boeing and Microsoft dominating the landscape, spurring related businesses and helping tourism. More history...

Restaurants
Seafood, Italian, Oriental and a wide variety of eclectic nouveau cuisines are featured in and around town, with   94 Stewart, The Fish Club, Palomino, Assagio, Mama Stortini's, Brasa, Cafe Juanita, Chandler's Crabhouse, Cutter's Bayhouse, Labuznik, Benihana and the Old Spaghetti Factory popular with visitors.

Shopping, snacking and sightseeing are fun in the University District, Seattle Center, Food Circus Court, International Bazaar, Northwest Craft Center and Pottery Northwest Frederick and Nelson, I. Magnin and Recreational Equipment Inc (REI) are all favorites. More restaurants...

Clubs and Music
Live music and night views of the city are available at many of the area bars, with the Garden Court and the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel and the Lobby bar at the Westin Hotel both popular. Camlin Hotel's Cloud Room, Stouffer-Madison's Visions Lounge and the Mirabean atop the Sea First Building offer rooftop lounges. Shilsole Bay and Lake Union offer dancing, while the J & M Cafe, Merchant's Cafe, Old Timer's Cafe and Dimitriou's Jazz Alley bring a wider mix. The Comedy Underground and Giggles are for those wishing to lighten up their evening, while the Seattle Opera House, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Fifth Avenue Theatre and A Contemporary Theatre offer more cultured pursuits. More clubs and music...

Area Attractions
Lovers of the outdoors will enjoy Washington State, with the nations newest volcanic monument, as well as over 100 state parks, 26 wilderness areas, three National Parks, six National Forests and three National Recreation areas nearby. Mountain climbing, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, whitewater rafting and clamming are all popular activities.

Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Parks are all worth visiting. Olympic National Forest, the Olympic Peninsula, Coulee Dam, the Lewis and Clark Trail, Old Fort Townsend, Cascade Park and Lake Sacajawea are wonderful for nature lovers, along with the magnificent Columbia River Gorge and the Okanogan and Colville National Forests.