What do people love about Seattle? Chat up a local or long-term resident and you may hear effusive praise for Seattle’s balance and diversity.

“The diversity that Seattle has at its fingertips is really amazing. You can easily immerse yourself in a park or a green space for a half day, but within an hour, drive to the city,” says Kirsten Gardner, a tour guide at travel company Evergreen Escapes. “[In the city,] you have every ecosystem you can hope for in the state of Washington.”

Whether you are a heritage addict, an outdoor daredevil, or a contemporary culture devourer, Seattle has a full platter of experiences that you will delight in. For busy travellers who prefer to avoid the hassle of planning an itinerary, a well-curated tour is the answer. Let the associates at Pan Pacific Seattle point you in the right direction.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market is one of the oldest food markets in the US. It began its run in 1907 as an experiment to create a public place where farmers could sell their fresh produce directly to consumers. Only 10 farmers showed up on its very first day of operations on 17 August 1907. However, thousands of shoppers had gathered for the occasion, and the farmers were sold out by lunchtime. Over a century later, Pike Place Market continues to be an iconic attraction, and a place to connect with Seattle’s farmers and artisanal producers.

A tour you can consider is the “Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle City Tour” by the highly rated Shutter Tours. It begins with a historical overview of Seattle (first stops are Pike Place and Pioneer Square), before ferrying you away from the city centre to experience other gems, such as the picturesque Snoqualmie Falls (82 metres) on the east of Seattle. As a bonus, when you sign up for the tour, you will receive a link to a 30-page Pike Place guide, complete with photography tips.

Alternatively, join a summer-only Pike Place tour run by Friends of the Market, an advocacy group that supports the area’s conservation and education efforts. You can explore Pioneer Square on your own with a walking map, or join the neighbourhood’s free tours in the summer.

To appreciate Seattle from a design perspective, book a downtown Seattle tour with the Seattle Architecture Foundation. Conducted by volunteers who have received extensive training in architectural styles, these tours will help you to differentiate between the architectural forms that dominate Seattle’s cityscape, and alert you to distinguishing details that you might otherwise miss.

Another way to get intimately acquainted with Seattle is through its colourful food culture. If you need a guide to the best places to eat in Seattle, look to Savor Seattle to lead the way. After all, their mission is to “connect hungry minds and stomachs with Seattle’s best foods and libations.”

Whether your gastronomic proclivities tend toward upscale comfort foods, top chefs, or the eclectic and experimental, there is always a food tour suitable for you. If your interest is primarily in wines, you can purchase a Wine Passport from Savor Seattle’s web site or mobile app, and visit up to 10 participating wineries at your own convenience.

If you have covered sufficient ground within the city centre, and have an extra day or two to spare, consider taking a trip out to the Olympic National Park. This World Heritage site is just a two-hour drive from Seattle. Alternatively, visit the stunning Mount Rainier National Park—an active volcano and Washington icon less than two hours from Seattle.

Evergreen Escapes offers both destinations as full-day nature sightseeing tours. If a more rugged experience is what you seek, get in touch with them to customise a private tour.