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Discover the fascinating blend of sportsmanship and cultural heritage characterising Washington State, offering a range of engaging experiences. From the lively atmosphere of Seahawks fans in Seattle to the tranquil scenes of surfers at Westport Light State Park and the delightful ambience of Leavenworth surrounded by the Cascade Mountains, embark on exploring Washington’s diverse sports and cultural background.

In Seattle, Sports is Part of the City’s Culture

  • The Seahawks: The Seahawks are one of the most popular NFL teams in the country, and their fans are known for being some of the loudest. Their home stadium, Lumen Field, is one of the most intimidating venues in the league.
  • The Mariners: The Mariners are a Major League Baseball team that plays at T-Mobile Park in downtown Seattle. They are known for their friendly fans and their beautiful ballpark.
  • The Storm: The Storm is a WNBA team playing at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. They are one of the most successful teams in WNBA history, having won four championships.
  • The Sounders: The Sounders are a Major League Soccer team that plays at Lumen Field in Seattle. Lumen Field is the setting for Seattle’s World Cup men’s soccer games in 2026.
  • The Huskies: The Huskies are the University of Washington’s athletic teams. They compete in various sports, including football, basketball, and baseball.
  • The Kraken, the National Hockey League’s newest expansion team, play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena, a state-of-the-art facility committed to sustainability.

FUN FACTS:

  • Rough & Tumble: first women’s sports-focused bar in Washington and just the second bar in the U.S. devoted to showcasing women’s sports.
  • Seahawk fans set the Guinness World Record twice for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event (within a few months in 2013), registering 136.6 decibels and later 137.6 decibels.
  • In October, Climate Pledge Arena became the first arena to achieve Zero Carbon Certification, awarded to buildings that are energy efficient and can demonstrate a significant reduction in carbon footprint. There are 12,500 plants and trees on site, including a living wall, while rainwater harvesting fills a 15,000-gallon cistern to resurface the ice.

From Seattle to Spokane, Here’s Where You Can Explore Washington’s Murals

Seattle: Dive into the Ballard neighbourhood’s 180+ murals by Ryan Henry Ward and Sarah Robbins’ nature-inspired works downtown. Be sure to see Stevie Shao’s Chinese heritage murals on Capitol Hill.

Port Angeles: Embark on the Mural Trail, exploring over a dozen murals capturing Indigenous and maritime culture. The Ennis Creek mural and the 30-foot-wide Elwha Klallam mural are must-sees.

Tacoma: Join the Tacoma Murals Project’s virtual walking tour for 25+ urban artworks. Explore RickyLovesPainting’s bold, lettered murals and vibrant Opera Alley.

Bellingham: Witness nature-inspired Gretchen Leggitt murals, Jason LaClair’s Indigenous art, and the community-centric Rocket Canvas Project downtown.

Vancouver: Immerse yourself in 40+ murals depicting local attractions. Experience the Great River Arts Festival in September for live mural creation.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s new international arrivals facility features a collection of Native American art that reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Spotlight:  Leavenworth

Nestled in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is a charming town that transports visitors to the heart of Bavaria. Its Alpine-style architecture, authentic German cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene make it a popular destination for those seeking an authentic European experience.

  • Bavarian-inspired architecture: Leavenworth’s storefronts and buildings are adorned with intricate woodwork, arched windows, and colourful nutcrackers, fascinating history and craftsmanship facades reminiscent of traditional Bavarian villages.
  • German-style food halls: Indulge in hearty German fare like sausages, pretzels, and schnitzel at Leavenworth’s many food halls, often accompanied by a traditional brew or stein of beer.
  • Nutcracker Museum: Discover nutcrackers’ fascinating history and craftsmanship at this unique museum, home to an extensive collection of these iconic figurines.
  • Annual Oktoberfest celebration: Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest, complete with traditional music, dancing, and plenty of beer.

Washington’s Forgotten Coast – A Road Trip

 Photo Credit:  Jordan Kay

Beachfront stops for surfing, shellfishing, and the best dining in the state’s southwest corner.

  1. Surf’s Up at Westport Light State Park: Experience year-round surfing at Westport Light State Park, where wet-suited surfers brave the waves. Venture onto the mile-long jetty for a close-up view of athletes hanging ten.
  2. Dig Deeper at Twin Harbors State Park: Join the clamming festivities at Twin Harbors State Park when state regulators give the green light. Armed with a clam gun, visitors can extract razor clams during low tide, turning the beach into a clamming party. Gear is available for rent but remember your big rubber boots.
  3. Tuck In at Tokeland Hotel: Discover the charm of Tokeland Hotel, Washington’s oldest inn, now enhanced by Seattle chef Heather Earnhardt’s Southern-themed Wandering Goose restaurant. Indulge in delicious baked goods and soak in wood-fired hot tubs with scenic views of Willapa Bay and its waterfowl residents
  4. Pour One Out in Raymond: Explore Raymond, a logging town still embracing its lumber heritage. Amidst the logs, find a thriving beer scene. Pitchwood Alehouse offers coastal brews in a classic tavern setting, while Wild Man Brewing features meads and West Coast favourites, including the humorously named IPA “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

More about Visit Seattle & Washington State Tourism

ABOUT SEATTLE AND WASHINGTON STATE:

Visit Seattle, the State of Washington Tourism and the Port of Seattle are working in partnership to advocate, promote, develop and sustain international tourism to Seattle and Washington State, including Seattle as the Gateway to Alaska cruising. The alliance also aims to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce and job creation.

For more information about Seattle, see https://visitseattle.org/. For inspiration on Washington State, visit https://stateofwatourism.com/, and for information about Seattle-Tacoma Airport and Alaska cruising, see https://www.portseattle.org/.

ABOUT LINKD TOURISM

In 2023 Linkd Tourism celebrates 36 years and attributes its long-standing success to a fluid understanding of its clients’ requirements and the travel industry environment both in Australia and New Zealand. Linkd Tourism represents the Colorado Tourism Office, Alamo Rent-A-Car (North America), Aqua-Aston Hospitality (Hawaii), Hong Kong Tourism Board, Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization, New York State, Seattle & Washington State, Arizona Office of Tourism, Visit Anaheim (PR Australia) www.linkdtourism.com