Beyond the Cabin: Takeoff in Seattle
Learn more about Seattle’s role as the birthplace of several cultural movements with cabin crew member Abdul Rauf
This article is part of Singapore Airlines’ Beyond the Cabin Season 2 video series, in which cabin crew unveil experiences in their favourite destinations.
Seattle is famous for landmarks such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the Fremont Troll. But few people realise that this vibrant city in the Pacific Northwest is also the birthplace of many things – including grunge music and, of course, Starbucks.
This cultural cachet is what draws Singapore Airlines cabin crew member Abdul Rauf to Seattle’s shores. “My favourite thing about Seattle is its culture. Its heritage is preserved through its museums, historic sites and vibrant neighbourhoods, making it an engaging and rewarding destination for history enthusiasts,” he shares.
Join Rauf as he embarks on an illuminating tour of the Emerald City.
Be sure to check out the infamous Gum Wall and fresh seafood offerings at Pike Place Market
Visit a historic coffee store
It could well be said that Seattle is the epicentre of modern coffee culture – at least, in the United States. After all, the world’s first Starbucks store (also known as the Original Starbucks) opened at Pike Place Market in 1971 – the brainchild of friends Gerald Baldwin, Gordon Bowker and Zev Siegl, who shared a love for coffee and tea. Over 50 years on, the store still sports its original sign and company logo featuring a two-tailed mermaid.
Join the snaking queues for a latte or a cold brew, and then explore Pike Place Market — one of the oldest public markets in America — with your coffee in hand. “What’s so interesting about a market, you may ask? How about witnessing the spectacle of fishmongers tossing huge fish in the air? This is a tradition in the market, attracting amused onlookers and photographers,” Rauf says.
While at the market, don’t miss the infamous Gum Wall. In the 1990s, local patrons and performers at a nearby improv theatre would stick their used gum on the wall. Over the years, the Gum Wall expanded brick by brick and has since become a bona fide tourist attraction.
The rise of Seattle’s grunge movement was a defining moment in musical history
Immerse yourself in grunge music
Seattle is synonymous with grunge music. “The rise of the city’s grunge movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s was a defining moment in musical history. Grunge bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam catapulted Seattle further into the global music arena,” Rauf notes.
Today, grunge fans can visit iconic music venues such as Central Saloon, which hosted Nirvana’s first Seattle show in 1986, and the Moore Theatre, where Alice in Chains and Mad Season once performed. Rauf also recommends stopping by Easy Street Records, where Pearl Jam played a surprise 16-song set in 2005. “The store is well-known for its extensive selection of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and music memorabilia. It also showcases live performances from both emerging and established artists, playing a pivotal role in Seattle’s music scene,” he says.
Guitar enthusiasts should check out Emerald City Guitars, which offers an extensive selection of vintage, rare and collectible instruments, along with accessories such as amplifiers and pedals. “To me, Emerald City Guitars is more than just a shop. It’s a hub that strings musicians together – a place for people to connect and share their love for music,” Rauf says.
Discover the history of flight
Seattle technically isn’t the birthplace of aviation – that title belongs to Ohio, where the famous Wright brothers lived and worked. However, the city is home to the Museum of Flight (bookable through Pelago), the largest independent air and space museum in the world.
“Needless to say, being a cabin crew member also means I’m an aviation geek. The Museum of Flight offers a captivating journey through the world of flight, enabling visitors to understand and value the achievements of aviation pioneers,” Rauf says. “My favourite thing about the museum is its extensive collection of over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, ranging from military jets to experimental planes.”
There’s plenty to discover in Seattle’s Pioneer Square – both above and below ground (Photo credit: Shutterstock)
Explore Seattle’s roots
Learn more about Seattle’s own rich heritage at the Pioneer Square district, which is regarded as its historic birthplace. This was where the city’s founders settled in 1852, creating a downtown area where business and industry thrived.
“Pioneer Square’s distinctive charm lies in its architecture. Romanesque Revival, Italianate and Beaux-Arts styles can be seen on and within its buildings, many of which were reconstructed after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889,” Rauf says.
There’s plenty going on beneath Pioneer Square’s sidewalks too. After the fire, the city was rebuilt on top of the ruins and the streets were elevated by as much as 35 feet in order to address sanitation and flooding issues. This resulted in a network of subterranean passageways known as the Seattle Underground. Take a guided tour of this atmospheric labyrinth and delve deep – quite literally – into Seattle’s fascinating history.
At Singapore Airlines, we’re all about taking you places – whether that’s 30,000 feet in the air or 3,000+ attractions across the globe. Check out our travel experiences platform Pelago and lifestyle rewards app Kris+, and discover how you can get the most out of your next trip.
Singapore Airlines flies to Seattle four times weekly on the Airbus A350-900.