Seattle Is Thriving—Discover How Locals Are Keeping the Emerald City Green
Seattle not only reshaped a picturesque section of the West Coast but actually created it. Much of the downtown area is built on soil transported to fill in wetlands during the early 1900s, and the entire 120-foot Denny Hill was regraded starting in 1897 to pave the way for even streets. However, as the 21st century brought to light the consequences of rapid growth and industrialization, the city embraced a philosophy of conservation and ecological balance.
With nature visible at every turn—good luck not noticing the choppy waters of Puget Sound, the towering Douglas firs, or the distant Olympic Mountains—it’s easy to argue for the preservation of this beauty. Beyond simple recycling, municipal composting has become routine, and renewable hydropower from the North Cascades energizes the city. While the Emerald City is named for the lush forests surrounding it, its green reputation also reflects a commitment to environmental priorities. This approach connects sustainability with Seattle’s culture, recreation, and community.
As the Pacific Northwest experiences a growing population and a mild climate, the region has had to rapidly transition from a mindset of frontier expansion to one focused on sustainable long-term growth. Less than two centuries after white settlers first arrived on Duwamish land, Seattle is now dedicated to preserving its existing natural and cultural treasures.
We chatted with three local influencers—fashion designer Dan McLean, community farmer Roy Williams, and Erin Meyer from the renowned aquarium—about how sustainability is interwoven into the fabric of modern Seattle and how visitors can experience this innovative spirit. We’ll also share insider recommendations for the best spots to stay, shop, play, and dine in the city.
Image courtesy of Dan McLean
Dan McLean
Fashion Designer
When Dan McLean creates a bootleg fashion piece, it’s not simply a counterfeit aimed at mimicking a luxury label. Instead, she refers to her works as fan art, such as a jacket crafted from upcycled Louis Vuitton bags or a choker necklace made from a Gucci purse clasp. Growing up in nearby Tacoma, she enjoyed a
“I believe we have a reputation for embodying the Pacific Northwest style, and that's true. I own an Arc’teryx jacket. It's well-known here because of the frequent rain and the hiking culture... but I wanted to introduce more high fashion to the city.
“I like to describe myself as a fashion designer first, and then later say, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m also sustainable.’ In my last show, I transformed a collection of wedding dresses. These dresses are worn once, they get dirty, and then often end up at Goodwill. Why not repurpose them into something new?
“I’ve never considered tossing my clothes out. Perhaps it’s because that mindset is ingrained in us here in the Pacific Northwest. We tend to be more sustainable than many other places.
“I frequently attend music shows at Neumos, both Showboxes—Sodo and Showbox Market—the Crocodile, and downstairs at Madame Lou’s. There’s an incredible amount of musical talent in this city that often goes unnoticed; it’s somewhat underground. I know many talented friends who are excellent rappers, and there are numerous metal bands here.
“My primary goal upon graduating was to elevate the fashion scene in this city. It seems that when really creative people emerge here, they often leave for L.A. or New York because they don’t see any fashion opportunities locally. I genuinely want to showcase what our city has to offer.”
Roy Williams
Managing Director, Black Farmers Collective
Raised in South Seattle by a Black father and a white mother, Roy Williams grew up acutely aware of the city’s history of real estate redlining and Black exclusion—issues so significant that Harvard Law School’s Systematic Justice Project dedicated its inaugural journal volume to them. After teaching subjects like chemistry, biology, physics, and environmental science, he returned to the city he believed embraced his multiracial family and taught nutrition at the Seattle Art Institute. This experience inspired him to think about how helping people grow their own food could also strengthen the community. When the city sought ideas for a challenging, sloped piece of land next to a freeway in Yesler Terrace, he spearheaded a coalition to establish the 1.5-acre Yes Farm, an urban haven filled with tomato plants and vibrant leafy greens, whose harvest supports local organizations and mutual aid efforts, sometimes distributing produce directly from the garden. Williams admires the community gardens at Beacon Hill Food Forest, which welcome public access every day. He continues to explore downtown’s Pike Place Market, where he enjoys wandering through the stalls.
“Growing even a small amount of food can be one of the best choices for your health. [There are] numerous health benefits tied to community building and connecting with others. It fosters a sense of agency in nature, deepens empathy towards other living beings like plants and animals. Moreover, as the news about climate change becomes increasingly dire, offering people a chance to actively improve themselves and their community brings a glimmer of hope.
“In a broader sense, it’s about viewing life not solely as a process of extraction but as one of restoration. In farming terms, this concept revolves around regenerative practices, focusing on sustainable land that we can continuously enhance.”
“The Northwest is experiencing significant demand, and many people are relocating here. This necessitates a more dense development approach. However, one downside is the diminished connection to nature. [The public is] invited to visit Yes Farm, where you can enjoy a lovely view of the city and witness the transformations Seattle has undergone. This area is on Native land, and from that vantage point, you can observe the changes that have occurred since the forest was logged. The logs were transported down Yesler Way, through Skid Row, to a sawmill that constructed the original town.
“I believe that a farming space can serve as a community hub where individuals can connect and exchange knowledge, even across language differences. . . . This aspect of community is very important to me.”
Courtesy of Indo-Pacific Films (left); courtesy of Seattle Aquarium (right)
Erin Meyer
Chief Conservation Officer, Seattle Aquarium
Erin Meyer is well aware of the Seattle Aquarium's star attractions: the giant Pacific octopus, the playful harbor seals that eagerly await their daily feedings, and the long-lived rockfish gliding through the expansive 120,000-gallon tank. However, upon returning to her hometown after a career focused on studying marine snails and eelgrass beds around the globe, the Seattle-born marine biologist discovered that the aquarium has a global mission as well; it conducts research, offers educational programs, and develops state-of-the-art facilities. Set to open in 2024, the new Ocean Pavilion will highlight the diverse coral found in the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding ecosystem, while the 100 percent fossil fuel-free structure will create a direct connection to Pike Place Market. Meyer emphasizes the importance of the human aspect in her role, stating that she aims to foster empathy for ocean-dwelling animals so that people feel inspired to care and take action.
“We’re currently experiencing an extraordinary transformative period in Seattle . . . predictions suggest that around 15 million people will visit our waterfront annually. As this development progresses, we’ll see the emergence of a 25-block park stretching from the ferry terminal all the way to the Seattle Art Museum and the sculpture park on the other end.
“When the Ocean Pavilion opens later this year, it will be entirely dedicated to the Coral Triangle [in the western Pacific], as the threats to our oceans are of a global magnitude. For instance, discussing ocean acidification allows us to highlight its effects on our local oyster farmers.
“The area where the Ocean Pavilion is located once comprised wetlands. This land served as an ecosystem for the Coast Salish peoples, who harvested clams and berries here. We must implement systems to filter the runoff from the hills along our waterfront, as the natural systems are no longer in place. Approximately 80 percent of the kelp forests in our waterways have been lost, largely due to climate change.
“Sustainability is about causing no harm. Regeneration takes it a step further by envisioning a way to give back more than you take. It's about striving for better rather than merely avoiding harm. Since 2014, we have been carbon neutral and are now aiming to become climate positive. Our goal is to offset more energy than we consume, with 96 percent of the seawater used in the Ocean Pavilion being recirculated.
“Children and adults who feel young at heart come in and experience touching a sea cucumber for the first time. They look spiky, so many expect them to feel prickly. But when they actually touch them, they’re surprised to find they are soft and squishy! That moment brings me so much joy.
Photo by Ishaan Kansal/Unsplash
How to Experience Seattle Like a Local
Seattle thrives in its unique position between the serene Puget Sound and the majestic Cascade Mountains, embodying a rich blend of contrasts. Innovative tech companies flourish alongside a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, and the city’s indie music scene radiates a West Coast vibe even as its population continues to grow rapidly.
Dining Destinations
The picturesque Elliott Bay frames the Seattle skyline and significantly influences the city’s culinary landscape. At RockCreek Seafood and Spirits, chef and fishing enthusiast Eric Donnelly showcases an array of global seafood, celebrating not only local favorites like Hood Canal oysters and Neah Bay rockfish but also offerings from the South Pacific and Atlantic. Meanwhile, the Boat, a Vietnamese gem, serves a singular renowned chicken dish in a ship-shaped setting. In the Central District, a historically Black neighborhood, Communion marries Northwest cuisine with soul food, featuring dishes like crawfish “hood sushi” and traditional New Orleans gumbo.
Even Seattle’s classic establishments embrace change. Canlis, though remaining in its iconic midcentury hilltop location, refreshes its menu by blending its famous 1950 salad with inventive Asian-influenced dishes crafted by chef Aisha Ibrahim, who succeeded the adventurous Brady Ishiwata Williams. Williams later opened Tomo in 2021 in West Seattle, offering an eclectic Japanese American menu featuring stinging nettle chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) and signature kakigori shaved ice, all set in a space that humorously retains its former adult video store aesthetic.
Shopping Hotspots
Nestled within Capitol Hill’s Elliott Bay Book Company, a cozy coffee shop serves the essential brews needed to navigate this two-story literary paradise, packed with indie charm and personal staff picks. This neighborhood values authenticity, evident in places like Throwbacks Northwest, where vintage Sonics tees endure despite the NBA team’s departure in 2008. In Ballard, Filson showcases the local brand’s hunting and fishing apparel, skillfully blending practicality with style. On a lighter note, Archie McPhee offers a treasure trove of whimsical gag gifts and costumes, including a delightfully absurd rubber chicken museum tucked in the back of the shop.
Things to Experience
True to its name, Seattle Center serves as the vibrant core of a city known for its blend of cutting-edge technology and counterculture. Families can enjoy the Pacific Science Center and its enchanting butterfly garden, all just a short stroll from the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop), where a striking guitar tower and grunge displays coexist with sci-fi relics. Nearby, Chihuly Garden and Glass transforms delicate artistry into mesmerizing oversized flowers, while the iconic Space Needle looms overhead. Pike Place Market spreads across the city’s hilly waterfront, featuring artisan booths, a renowned fish market, and vibrant bouquets of fresh flowers. The National Nordic Museum narrates the story of how immigrants shaped Ballard’s fishing industry, and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (affectionately known as Ballard Locks) offers visitors a glimpse of a functioning boat lift and an intriguing fish ladder.
Photo By CineCam/Shutterstock
Accommodation Options
The Korean chain Lotte Hotels brings a contemporary flair to its Seattle tower, enhancing its stylish rooms with vibrant artwork and breathtaking views of Puget Sound. In contrast, the spa offers a serene escape with its all-white decor, designed to rejuvenate weary guests in a tranquil, monochromatic setting.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel continues to impress after a century in operation, showcasing its marble floors, vintage chandeliers, and a storied history of hosting presidents. A newly introduced 360-degree bar in the grand lobby captures the essence of glamorous travel, while a glass-enclosed swimming pool provides a cozy retreat for those inevitable rainy days in Seattle.
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