The Pacific Northwest is known for its rain, and Seattle is no exception. Months of endless winter drizzle leaves it beautiful, lush and green in the summertime, and the city has little humidity – a special treat if you're coming from the East Coast.

So if natural beauty is your thing, Seattle is the place for you. It's surrounded by mountains, water and acres of parks. On a clear day, a good view of the iconic skyline, made famous by the Space Needle, is not to be missed.

For attendees of CUNA's America's Credit Union Conference, which takes place June 26 to 29, Seattle offers plenty of options to quench your thirst, fill your belly, and inspire you with beauty and entertainment. Here's CU Times' round-up of a few can't-miss bars, restaurants and activities in the Emerald City.

what to see and do while in seattleBottoms Up

  • Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor Ave. SW, 206-328-8226) allows you to come for the food and stay for the view. This Hawaiian-Korean fusion restaurant offers a variety of reasonably priced options including tacos, sliders and Hawaiian mac salad, just to name a few, and the outdoor patio seating offers a spectacular view of Elliott Bay. Happy hour drink specials vary, and there are additional locations throughout the city.

  • Sip on margaritas and enjoy a taco at Poquitos (1000 E. Pike St., 206-453-4216). Poquitos has received numerous awards including Seattle Weekly's Reader's Choice Award for Best Mexican Food. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Explore the vast wine list at Purple Café and Wine Bar (1225 4th Ave., 206-829-2290), a downtown staple serving up American fare.

  • Rooftop Brew Co (1220 W. Nickerson St., 206-457-8598) is one of Seattle's newest nano-breweries. Complete with a deck and tasting room, the relaxed environment is a great place to unwind after a long day at the conference. Various drink specials are available.

  • The Whale Wins (3506 Stone Way N., 206-632-9425) offers a wood-fired, vegetable-focused menu featuring top-quality ingredients from local beaches, gardens and farms. Happy hour is Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Try the wood-fired pizza, have a drink and listen to music at The Crocodile (2200 2nd Ave., 206-441-4618) and check the calendar for upcoming concerts. Happy hour pizza and drink specials are offered daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. to close.

where to eat while in seattleForks Ready

 

  • El Gaucho (2505 1st Ave., 206-728-1337) is an upscale steakhouse featuring 28-Day Dry-Aged Niman Ranch All-Natural Certified Angus Beef Brand Prime steaks.

  • Westward (2501 N. Northlake Way, 206-552-8215) on Lake Union is a beautiful spot for a black-tie dinner. Reservations at this popular spot fill up quickly, but its food and outdoor patio, complete with a fire pit, make it worth the potential wait.

  • Local 360 (2234 1st Ave., 206-441-9360) is a sustainable restaurant in the heart of Belltown. Its emphasis is on local sourcing, with the majority of its ingredients originating from within a 360-mile radius of Seattle.

  • It may be pricey, but Six Seven at the Edgewater Hotel (2411 Alaskan Way, 206-269-4575), the recipient of Seattle Magazine's 2016 Best Restaurant award, impresses with its seasonal cuisine made from organic ingredients and breathtaking views of the Puget Sound. If you want to experience it without breaking the bank, try the happy hour, offered Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

what to see and do while in seattleWalking Shoes On

 

  • If you've never been to Seattle, be sure to visit the Space Needle (400 Broad St., 206-905-2100). Visit on a sunny day and you'll see breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier and Elliot Bay from 520 feet above.

  • Pike Place Market (85 Pike St., 206-682-7453) is another can't-miss Seattle favorite. Situated in the heart of downtown, the nine-acre market has a little something for everyone, including specialty foods, seafood, crafts, restaurants and shops.

  • Take a walk, have a picnic, rent a kayak, or just relax and enjoy the view after a long day at Alki Beach (1702 Alki Ave. SW, 206-684-4074). The beach stretches from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliot Bay.

  • Explore below Seattle's streets during a 75-minute walking Underground Tour (614 1st Ave., in Pioneer Place Park, Pioneer Square, between Cherry and James Street, 206-682 4646). The tour gives you a glimpse of the passages that were once the main roadways and first-floor storefronts in old downtown Seattle.

  • Even if you don't go in, you should definitely walk by the flagship location of the Seattle Public Library (1000 4th Ave., 206-386-4636). The visually-pleasing glass and steel building would impress any architect – or anyone just intrigued by design. In 2007, it was voted #108 out of #150 on the American Institute of Architects' list of Americans' favorite structures in the United States.

  • Another visually stunning building with one-of-a-kind architecture is the Experience Music Project Museum (325 5th Ave. N., 206-770-2700). The museum describes itself as a leading-edge nonprofit museum, dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary popular culture.

  • Seattle is also known for its ferry transportation system. Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island for a unique view of the city and its surrounding areas.

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