Seattle, Washington
Of skyline and shoreline
From the waters of Puget Sound, the United States' northernmost major city cuts a neat outline against the sawtooth Cascade Mountains. One of the fastest-growing parts of the US for decades, Seattle has grown in population by more than 20% in the 21st century, resulting in a cityscape filled with swinging construction cranes and rapidly growing high-rises. The city's expansive shore has also seen its share of renovation: Once roofed by the drab, concrete Alaskan Way Viaduct—demolished in 2019—the downtown waterfront on Elliott Bay was renewed in the early 2020s as a pedestrian-friendly corridor of parks and piers, centered on the Seattle Aquarium and overlooked by historic Pike Place Market.
Of skyline and shoreline
From the waters of Puget Sound, the United States' northernmost major city cuts a neat outline against the sawtooth Cascade Mountains. One of the fastest-growing parts of the US for decades, Seattle has grown in population by more than 20% in the 21st century, resulting in a cityscape filled with swinging construction cranes and rapidly growing high-rises. The city's expansive shore has also seen its share of renovation: Once roofed by the drab, concrete Alaskan Way Viaduct—demolished in 2019—the downtown waterfront on Elliott Bay was renewed in the early 2020s as a pedestrian-friendly corridor of parks and piers, centered on the Seattle Aquarium and overlooked by historic Pike Place Market.
© Mike Reid Photography / Moment / Getty Images 2026-09-11 08:45:52 :