Seattle's many neighborhoods have their own heritage and distinct flair. Here are just a few of our diverse neighborhoods.

Downtown

Seattle's downtown core is like a blender - combining everything that makes the city work. Boutique shops and flagship department stores mix it up with government and finance offices. Buildings erected during the Gold Rush mingle with 21st century architecture. The tallest skyscraper in the Northwest (the 76-story Bank of America tower) rises out of downtown Seattle, as does a parking structure that looks like a sinking ship. Lavish restaurants and sidewalk espresso carts provide nourishment, while a treasure-trove of cultural choices provide enlightenment and entertainment. And there are enough mountain and water views to fill a book with postcard memories.

Pioneer Square

Seattle began in Pioneer Square. In the 1850s, the city set its sights on becoming great - and then got right to work building and growing. Even the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, which left the business district in smoldering ruins, couldn't keep the city down. Pioneer Square was rebuilt and today is one of our most eclectic neighborhoods. The 19th century Romanesque Revival brick buildings are filled with art galleries, cafes, independent shops, bars, nightclubs and office space. By day it's a vibrant retail area; by night, a bustling hotspot. Wandering visitors admire the Tlingit totem pole, the Pergola, cobble-stoned Occidental Park, the waterfall garden, historic King Street Station and the stately Smith Tower, once the tallest building in the world outside Manhattan.

Chinatown - International District

One of Seattle's oldest neighborhoods, the International District was settled in the late 1890s and is possibly the only district in the nation that includes Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, African-American, Vietnamese, Korean and Cambodian inhabitants. A vibrant community, the "ID," as Seattleites call it, is a melting pot of Asian restaurants, markets, martial arts schools and specialty shops. Hing Hay Park is home to an ornate pavilion and dragon mural, as well as a memorial to fallen Chinese-American veterans of World War II. The ID hosts cultural events throughout the year, including lion dances during Lunar New Year celebrations and a summer festival. The Wing Luke Asian Museum celebrates the culture, art and history of Asian Pacific Americans.

Ballard

Bordered by Salmon and Shilshole bays, the Ballard neighborhood was settled in the 1850s by Scandinavian immigrants who left a lasting impression on the town's heritage. Residents hold an annual parade to honor Norwegian Constitution Day on May 17. Ballard grew up on fishing and millwork, and at the turn of the 19th century was the world's biggest producer of wood shingles, promoting itself as "Shingle Town USA." On Market Street and Ballard Avenue, visitors find an assortment of restaurants, galleries, shops and pubs. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, built to move boats between Lake Washington, Lake Union and Puget Sound, are a popular draw for tourists and locals. Other attractions include the Shilshole Bay Marina, Golden Gardens Beach and the Nordic Heritage Museum.

Fremont

Fremonts artsy, eccentric background mixes with a sense of humor that led the community to proclaim itself The Center of the Universe. Vintage clothing stores, tattoo parlors, brewpubs, restaurants, art galleries and a music studio founded by Stone Gossard of the rock band Pearl Jam are at home here. Some of Seattle's best-loved (though not critically acclaimed) public art adorns Fremont, including the Fremont Troll devouring a Volkswagen bug under the bridge; Waiting for the Interurban, a life-size statue of people waiting for the train (frequently decorated by locals); a controversial bronze statue of Lenin (originally from Slovakia); and a 53-foot rocket that appears to be in perpetual launch mode. Even the blue and orange drawbridge that leads into the neighborhood is artsy; the bridge tower sports a neon sculpture of Rapunzel. The Fremont Sunday Market, loosely organized like the markets of old Europe, is a bargain-hunter's paradise.