Seattle Culture
Seattle Among ‘Most Inspiring’ Cities Across The Globe
Creativity, innovation propel city to lofty ranking
By Rob Smith March 4, 2025
You already know all about Seattle’s stunning natural beauty and urban charm. Mountains, water and lush forests offer breathtaking views at every turn.
Now, the city has been named to a list recognizing the Top 20 most inspiring cities in the world. Creative consultancy Superside analyzed 200 cities for creative inspiration (think museums, quality of life metrics, online reviews and attractions focused on design and creativity) and ranks Seattle No. 17 across the globe.
Superside cited Seattle’s rich cultural scene and history of pioneering ideas for the city’s ranking. It also notes that the city contains 63 museums with four-star reviews and exceedingly positive Google reviews. “Creative” attractions include The Museum of Flight, Museum of Pop Culture and Kerry Park.
“Seattle has long been a hub for innovation and creativity,” says Cori Kendrick, Superside’s PR director. “From the mesmerizing glass artistry at Chihuly Garden & Glass to the skyline view from the Space Needle, Seattle seamlessly blends nature, technology, and design in a way that sparks creativity. It’s no surprise that artists, designers, and visionaries continue to draw inspiration.”
Anchorage (No. 3); Las Vegas (No. 4); and New York City (No. 5) were the only other cities in the United States ranked ahead of Seattle. Barcelona finished No. 1, followed by London.
Follow Us
Microsoft Awards $5M Worth Of Grants To AI innovators
The grants are part of the company’s 50th anniversary this year
Microsoft has given 20 organizations $50,000 each as part of its AI for Good grants program. The grants — part of an initiative to celebrate Microsoft’s 50th anniversary this year — recognize organizations for their innovations in artificial intelligence. The organizations — who applied for the grants earlier this year — receive resources to help…
Seattle Commute Survey Shows More Office Activity
Both transit travel and driving trips are on the rise
Downtown Seattle foot traffic still isn’t nearly what it was prior to the pandemic, but more people are commuting to offices on a regular basis. The 2024 Commute Seattle Survey finds that both transit travel and drive-alone trips are on the rise as remote working drops. Citywide, the percentage of people reporting that their jobs…
Seattle Pride Seeks Support As Sponsorships Dry Up
The nonprofit has launched a fundraising campaign to make up for a $350,000 deficit
For Patti Hearn, no amount is too small. Every little bit helps. Hearn, executive director of Seattle Pride, is working feverishly to bridge a $350,000 fundraising gap because of shifts in corporate sponsorship. Seattle Pride — a nonprofit foundation that produces the annual Seattle Pride Parade and a slew of other events, including Seattle Pride…
Tapped Out
Washington lawmakers propose doubling beer and wine taxes
You might be paying significantly more for your pint next year. House Bill 2079, introduced by Representative Lauren Davis (D–District 32), would raise the tax on beer from $4.78 to $9.56 per barrel for most breweries. The bill also proposes doubling taxes on wine from 1 cent to 2 cents per liter and increasing taxes…