The so-called Mount Rainier factor is one of the strongest magnets in the Seattle mystique.
Few cities sit so close to nature.
Wilderness is just 45 miles away, the huge snowy mass of Mount Rainier just a little farther than that. Seattle's proximity to splendid scenery is of the things that keeps people working here through the long, dark, wet winters. If you have a free day while you're here, I recommend getting out of town to really understand what makes Seattle so special. You'll need a car. And if you want to wander far from the road, you should bring a lunch, a sturdy pair of shoes and some warm clothing in case the weather changes.