For those in their mid-30s, the word Seattle still probably conjures up images of groups of long-haired young men, wearing ripped jeans and plaid shirts and belting out the iconic tunes that defined the early 1990s.
And now, with the Grunge sound enjoying its 20th anniversary, a whole new generation can thrill to the music that defined an era, with the release of Cameron Crowe's new rockumentary, Pearl Jam Twenty.
The coastal city in the state of Washington not only boasts an iconic skyline, but also a plethora of incredible things to do, places to visit and tours to take. Plus, if you can't go a day without your favourite latte, Seattle is home to the first ever Starbucks - the global brand started out in the city back in 1971.
The Space Needle is top of most tourists' lists of things to visit in the city, and no doubt you'll have seen the iconic structure, which was built for the 1962 World's Fair, in the movies Sleepless in Seattle and The Parallax View, as well as in Frasier and Grey's Anatomy. And you can hop in an elevator that travels at 10mph (16kph) and get to the top floor of the structure - situated at the 158m point of the 184m Needle - in just 43 seconds.
A trip on one of the Washington State Ferries, will provide you with plenty of great photo ops of the harbour, as well as the chance to chug across to Bainbridge Island, where you'll find the pace of life slows way down, and a bike tour is the best way to visit the coves, beaches and gardens there.
Go underground… or go native
One of the most fascinating things to do in Seattle is to take a tour of the city beneath the city. Following the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the city was rebuilt on top of the ruins of the old, making for some amazing subterranean passages and roads, dotted with old storefronts, for visitors to explore - www.undergroundtour.com is a great place to find tours to suit your schedule.
Another must-do is the Tillicum Village Experience in Blake Island State Park, which you can reach via a scenic 50-minute cruise. There, you can enjoy some Native-American dishes, including whole Chinook salmon and steaming clams in nectar broth, along with traditional entertainment as the myths and magic of the ancient tribal lifestyle are brought to life.
Boarding pass
Destination Seattle
Filmed there Sleepless in Seattle, 10 Things I Hate About You, Disclosure, Harry and The Hendersons, Pearl Jam Twenty
Celeb fans Anna Faris, Cameron Crowe, Dave Grohl, Rose McGowan
Fly there… Emirates flies directly to New York's JFK airport. From New York, fly with JetBlue or Delta to Seattle. Visit www.emirates.com, www.jetblue.com or www.delta.com for details.
Stay here: Alexis Hotel
In keeping with the whole Seattle vibe, go artsy and boutique during your visit and stay at the Alexis Hotel. Boasting original artwork in each of its 121 rooms, the Alexis is next door to the must-visit attractions of the Pike Place Market, Waterfront and Pioneer Square. And after a day spent trawling the city, relax at the hotel's super-popular hangout, the Library Bistro & Bookstore Bar, where you can sample cocktails, microbrews and over 70 different scotches. Visit www.alexishotel.com
Seattle grace
"Seattle has a thriving arts community. It has a wonderful theatre, painters and artists. It has all the art influences just stuck right there in that corner of the country. It's a special place," says Brendan Fraser.
