The Seattle International Film Festival, held annually mid-May to mid-June, is the largest and most highly attended film festival in the United States. – (Based on length of festival, number of films shown and audience size)

Seattle Men’s Chorus is the largest community chorus in North America, and the largest gay men’s chorus in the world (360 singers.)

Seattle is said to be second only to New York City in per capita live performances held each year. The arts scene includes 29 professional theater companies, and more than 80 live music clubs.

Jazz Alley is the third longest-running jazz club in the country. (Following the legendary Blues Alley in Washington, DC and The Village Vanguard in New York.)

Seattle Youth Symphony, founded in 1942, is the largest youth symphony in the nation.

Is Seattle the "smartest city" in the country? A 2006 study by Bizjournals.com says yes. Forty-seven percent of Seattle's adults hold bachelor's degrees, the highest proportion of college-educated residents in any big city. That rate is nearly double the U.S. average of 24.4 percent.

Seattle has more bookstores per capita than any other city, with Seattleites spending double the national average on books yearly. – University of Washington

80% of Seattle residents have library cards. – Seattle Public Library

Seattle was named the most literate city in the country in 2005 in a study done by John Miller, President of Central Connecticut State University. (Based on number of internet book orders per capita, % of adults who’ve read an online newspaper, number of library internet connections and public wireless access, city’s number of bookstores per population, educational attainment, newspaper circulation, number of journals and magazines published there, and library holdings and usage.”) – Seattle Post Intelligencer

Established in 1907, Pike Place Market is the longest continuously operating farmer's market in the U.S. It covers 9 acres of historic property and is home to hundreds of local artists, food vendors, and craftspeople.

The country’s first espresso cart was established in Seattle in 1980: Monorail Espresso. This historic spot on Pike Street is still producing countless cups of steaming espresso every day.

Washington is the 2nd largest wine producing region in the U.S.
– WA Wine Commission

Over 40 countries and regions of the world are represented in the Seattle restaurant scene, in addition to a number of innovative fusion restaurants.

The very first Starbucks was built across the street from Pike Place Market, where you can still grab your favorite beverage today. Don’t miss the original logo hanging over the entrance!

There are 2,200 restaurants in the greater Seattle area. - City of Seattle