Gay & Lesbian Travel: Seattle

This city sculpted by Puget Sound and Lake Washington and crowned with leafy hills abounds with lively diversions, both indoors and out in nature.

And despite its considerable cachet and year-round popularity (yes, even during the grayer, wetter, winter months), Seattle offers superb restaurants, shops, and accommodations that work for virtually any budget.

Downtown - with its dashing, postmodern skyline - contains a mix of enticing museums, historic blocks, and trendy retail-entertainment strips.