Getting around in Seattle can be a little confusing. The first couple of times I visited, I had a tough time navigating the Seattle Streets, and I couldn't figure out how to get anywhere. The Space Needle laughed in my face from what seemed an insurmountable distance. To be fair, I tend to get a little turned around in a lot of cities when I travel there for the first time. In Rome, I actually got turned around on a road, and drove against traffic for a block. Over the years, I've picked up a few points on how to navigate these often confusing Seattle streets.

Seattle streets themselves are not all that confusing. The roads are manageable and well laid out, and maps make getting from place to place look easy. In actuality, traffic and small details like the fact that roads that run north and south are called avenues, while those that run east and west are street can make driving a nuisance. Taking a cab is a simple and cost effective way to avoid having to deal with it, and they help you avoid parking ticket fines, which can be steep (I found out the hard way). In general, some worthwhile places for you or your cab driver to steer you toward include First Street, which is a trendy area for dancing and music, Yesler Way to the south, and Denny Way to the north.

Traveling on foot is also simple, despite the city's hills. Navigating Seattle streets by foot lets you see many sites, as you can quickly hop on and off the many different public bus and rail transit options. Before you travel to Seattle, be aware of the city's strict jaywalking laws. If you jaywalk, there's a reasonable chance that you're going to get a ticket. I received two of them the first time I visited. I don't recommend it. Stick to sidewalks and abide by traffic laws.

Seattle streets are also accessible by bike, and you'll find bike shops all over the city. With these options, I've become very skilled when it comes to navigating Seattle.