No city in the United States has a worse reputation for wet weather than Seattle. But most of that rain falls in the winter. Visit between May and September, and you may be surprised by how much sun you see. In fact, according to the Weather Channel, Miami and Atlanta both have more annual precipitation than Seattle.

In the summer, cool temperatures make the Emerald City an ideal golf destination—and some courses boast stunning views of the Olympic and Cascade ranges. Home to the University of Washington, Microsoft and Starbucks, Seattle is a high-energy, high-tech, high-caffeinated city—all that espresso will come in handy to fuel your golf excursion in addition to trips to some of the city’s icons, including the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.

For all the activity, though, Seattle remains at heart a city made up of small neighborhoods, and it can be quite laid back—just remember, Fred Couples grew up here.

Golf
Washington National is surely the Seattle area’s best public course. Reminiscent of England’s great heathland tracks, this 7,304-yard John Fought design is the home of the University of Washington golf teams.

The Golf Club at Newcastle, high atop an old landfill site 10 miles east of Seattle, is owned by former Microsoft man Scott Oki and offers a pair of Bob Cupp/Fred Couples collaborations (Coal Creek and China Creek) with fantastic views of the city. After your round, head upstairs to the cozy Wooly Toad Bar for a cold beer and a game of backgammon.

Kentucky-based Keith Foster designed the gorgeous Druids Glen. The tough approach to the 2nd green is not made any easier by the sight of 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier in the background.

West Seattle G.C. is a delightful city-owned facility located six miles west of downtown. A favorite among the locals, this 66-year-old tree-lined muni was designed by 1904 and ’05 U.S. Amateur champion H. Chandler Egan.

Accommodations
The Sultan of Brunei suite at the Alexis Hotel in which the Sultan stayed during a 1993 economics conference, the Sorrento Hotel (hotelsorrento.com), which appeared in “Sleepless in Seattle,” the Edgewater (edgewaterhotel.com), where the Beatles fished from room 272 in 1964.

Dining
Salty’s on Alki Beach for fish and amazing views of the Seattle skyline; Etta’s near Pike Place Market for equally fine fish; and for steak lovers, the Metropolitan Grill and El Gaucho’s.

Activities
The 43-second elevator ride to the top of the Space Needle; harbor trip with Argosy Cruises around Elliot Bay; an evening out at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley or Tula’s for fine food and live music.