Seattle Waterfront
With
numerous fun-but-tacky tourist shops and the Alaskan Way
Viaduct thundering overhead, it's a wonder any natives visit
here. But the views are spectacular; the Bainbridge Island
ferry leaves from Colman Dock; and the popular Summer Nights
at the Pier concerts play at sublime Pier 62/63. The Seattle
Aquarium and the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center are also
here. The old streetcar clangs along the length of the waterfront,
and the green spaces of Myrtle Edwards Park take over from
the concrete mayhem at the northern end.
Space Needle
Built
for the 1962 World Expo, this distinctive structure, rising
600-plus feet above Seattle Center, has since become Seattle's
most famous landmark. Come take in the 360-degree view of
mountains, Elliott Bay and Seattle neighborhoods. Stock
up on Seattle souvenirs at this gift shop on high. Dine
at the refurbished SkyCity rotating restaurant, where every
seat has a view. Special events include the New Year's Eve
and July Fourth fireworks. The Space Needle also hosts private
parties and does catering. Pay parking is available, or
take the monorail from downtown.
Bite of Seattle
More
than 60 restaurateurs from the Seattle area flock to Seattle
Center for this event. They set up booths and sell their
specialties to the masses. Come hungry and try gourmet appetizers,
entrees and luxurious desserts from numerous restaurant
menus. Once you've had enough to eat, meander through the
booths dedicated to novelties and specialty items, or let
your kids play interactive games and win prizes. Admission
to the event is free. Most food samples cost less than USD.
Held annually during July; check website for this year's
dates.
Pike Place Market
One
of Seattle's most famous landmarks, this is the oldest continuously
working public market in the country. Shop for fresh vegetables
and fruits. Stop by Pike Place Fish to see fish fly. The
market has numerous shops, including a health food and herb
store, craft stores, and flower stands. Stop by Sur la Table,
where you'll find tools with which to prepare your recently
purchased ingredients. Don't forget to pick up fresh-baked
pastries for dessert, and stop at one of the restaurants
for lunch or an authentic Seattle latte before heading home.
Underground Tour (The)
Pioneer
Square is Seattle's oldest neighborhood, and it wasn't always
a pleasant place to visit. The area was once filled with
Wild West fixtures like brothels and card rooms. This tour
takes visitors around Pioneer Square above ground and also
to a hidden Seattle that now lies underground. About 25
square blocks of Pioneer Square have hollow spaces under
the sidewalks, thanks to peculiarities of the reconstruction
after the great Seattle fire of 1889. Tours take about 90
minutes and run hourly 10am-6pm in summer, less frequently
in other seasons. Admission runs USD9 for adults, with discounts
for seniors, students, children 7-12, and with valid AAA,
military or ISIC cards. Cash and traveler's checks only
are accepted. ATM is on-site.
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Because
this Seattle-based store has been around for over 100 years,
this is a bona fide event for many Seattleites. Once a year,
usually at the end of July, Nordstrom holds its two-week-long
Anniversary Sale. The store drops prices on name-brand apparel
and accessories for men, women and children. Come early
because the crowds start to gather around the doors before
the store opens. The sale also takes place at the other
branches, including Bellevue Square, Northgate Mall, Southcenter
Mall and Alderwood Mall.
Washington Park Arboretum
This
200-acre park is a must-see for every Seattle visitor with
even an hour of free time. With its lush green spaces, its
breathtaking Japanese Garden (open 10am daily, +1 206 684
4725), and its abundance of rare trees, plants and flowers
(more than 40,000 species), it is one of the brightest jewels
in the Emerald City. Scenic and aptly named Azalea Way cuts
a path through the park.
Experience Music Project (EMP)
It's
supposed to look like a broken guitar but "heart"
and "lung" have also been used to describe this
140,000-square-foot music museum. Conceived by Paul Allen
and designed by Frank Ghery, the museum takes you through
music history by immersing you in nearly 80,000 artifacts
including photos, sound archives, costumes and musical instruments
from notable artists. The Northwest Passage exhibit examines
how musicians and groups from the Northwest, such as Jimi
Hendrix, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Screaming Trees
and the rest, helped to shape rock music.
Gray Whale Migration (Northbound)
After
spending the winter months off Baja California, the gray
whales make their way north to their feeding grounds in
Alaska. The Washington coast is filled with prime viewing
spots to watch the whales during their spring migration.
The town of Westport on the Olympic Peninsula offers whale-watching
charters from March to May. Call the Chamber of Commerce
for information and to arrange a boat trip to see these
spectacular marine mammals up close.
Safeco Field
Located
just south of Pioneer Square, this state-of-the-art sports
facility is home to the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club.
Costing a controversial USD520 million to build, the park
is designed to resemble the ballparks of yesteryear, with
its brick facades and real grass, but it's also filled with
modern amenities, including luxury suites, restaurants and
bars, and a retractable roof for rainy days. The baseball-only
stadium seats 46,621 fans. Public and private tours are
available.
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| Seattle
is proof that the phrase "good weather" is a matter
of perspective. If you're hearty and don't mind getting
a little wet, the city is a good place for outdoor activities
all year long. Summers are cool and usually dry. Though
high temperatures then average in the mid 70s F/24 C, occasional
August days reach near 90 F/32 C. Nights can be cool, so
take a sweater or jacket. Winters are drizzly and overcast,
but mild. January temperatures run 35-45 F/3-8 C. Any snow
that falls does not last. Although it may occasionally rain
hard in Seattle November-February, a steady drizzle is more
common. (It's usually accompanied by thick clouds that can
hide the spectacular mountain scenery for days and, sometimes,
weeks at a time.) No matter when you visit, rain gear --
a raincoat or an umbrella -- is a good idea. The best months
to see Seattle are June-August -- but that's also when the
city is most crowded with other visitors.
Like
most large U.S. cities, Seattle suffers from traffic congestion;
however the public transportation system in Seattle and
the surrounding area is user-friendly and many of the important
downtown sites are accessible on foot. If you stay at a
downtown hotel, you'll be within a 20-minute walk of Pike
Place Market, Pioneer Square and the waterfront, and you
can use the Monorail to get to and from Seattle Center.
The trolley is convenient for traveling along the waterfront
or to Pioneer Square and the International District, but
not much else. You'll need to go by bus or taxi to reach
more distant sights.
If
you have time, the most interesting way to travel in the
Seattle area is on one of the Washington State Ferries.
Not only are ferries a lifeline for people who commute from
area islands across Puget Sound; they're also a great sightseeing
experience. If you plan to take a vehicle on the ferry,
arrive in plenty of time (one hour) prior to launch, especially
on weekends and in the summertime.
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