Seattle, WA

I just love all the big and little holiday craft markets that spring up in November and December. Here are some that I’ve come across for this year:

13th Annual Christkindlmarkt
Festhalle, Leavenworth, Wa
November 28-30, 2008
Friday 11:00 – 7:30
Saturday 10:00 – 7:30
Sunday 10:00 – 3:00

The annual Christkindlmarkt in Leavenworth, WA is a traditional German-style outdoor market. If you have to pick just one Christmas market to go to then this would the the one. It’s an all day outing for the entire family with craft booths and food booths, workshops, children’s crafts, holiday music and everything you could wish for in a Christmas Market.

---

Magic in the Market
Pike Place Market
Saturday, November 29, 2008, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Beginning at noon under the clock, Santa will be by the vintage truck. Stop by and take your own photos of your family with Santa. Enjoy making holiday crafts and the tunes of the Dickens Carolers. Donate 5 cans of food for the Downtown Food Bank and receive a free eco-friendly shopping bag. At 4 p.m. a live concert of instrumental holiday music will warm up the crowd for the 5 p.m. lighting of thousands of lights in the Market.

---

Hilltop Holiday Craft Show
Northwest Arts Center, 9825 NE 24th St, Bellevue WA
December 3, 4 and 5, 2008 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 6, 2008 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$$$: Free Admission

Browse, shop and enjoy thousands of quality crafts from some of the Northwest’s finest artists and craftspeople. See details for more information.

---

21st Annual Victorian Country Christmas
-The Puyallup Fairgrounds
-Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 3-7th, 10am to 9pm
-Sunday 10am to 6pm. Free Parking

Step back in time as the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup are transformed into a Victorian village featuring old-fashioned streets lined with over 530 Victorian stores, tended by shopkeepers in Victorian attire. Entertainment abounds at A Victorian Country Christmas! Visit the beautiful KMPS Holiday Jubilee Theater and see elaborate stage shows and concerts every hour on the hour including: Stardust Follies, The Silver Spurs Country Western Revue, the Singing Nativity and more. Check back soon for other exciting concert and entertainment updates.

---

Kent Holly Jolly Day
Downtown Kent, Washington
Saturday, December 6, 9am – 6pm
$$$: Cash and donations kindly accepted

This jolly event benefits the Kent Food Bank. Start your day off with a Holly Jolly Waffle Breakfast at Maggie’s on Meeker for just $5 then walk it off at the Holiday Bazaar. Take a stroll with the Mayor and ride the carousel. Meet the Kent Fire Department, horse drawn carriages, see Santa and watch the tree lighting. Sounds like a great day out to me!

---

3rd Annual Urban Craft Uprising
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
December 6 & 7th, 2008, 11am-5pm

Crafts, jewelry, fun hats, etched glassware, candles, artwork, quilts, hand made soaps and so much more! Urban Craft Uprising is a community of crafters, dedicated to growing the crafting community and showcasing the best indie crafts out there. Urban Craft Uprising’s second annual revolutionary craft fair, held in December of 2006, brought in over 100 vendors from all over the Northwest and over 6,000 fans excited to see fun, fresh, and funky urban crafts. I’m sure this year will be bigger and better. Report back and tell me all about it!

---

Phinney Ridge Winter Festival and Crafts Fair
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, 98103
Dec. 6 & 7, 200810 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day
$$$: $2 for PNA members, $4 for the general public, plus a can of food for local food banks. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

This is Phinney Ridge’s biggest holiday event! Attracting more than 4,000 participants, the Winter Festival features two buildings filled with 115 high quality, juried crafts booths, live entertainment on two stages, a quilt raffle, a huge bake sale and lunch items.

---

Mercer Island Holiday Gift Bazaar
When: Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m
Where: The Club Room at the Island Square Residence, 2758 78th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA, 98040

Featuring local gifts, jewelry, home décor, boutique wine tastings and other treasures from local artisans, it’s the perfect solution to escape mall madness. Better yet, shoppers will help embrace the season of giving – a portion of all event proceeds go to support Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, while many gifts offered by the vendors are also tied to socially-conscious causes.”

---

21st Annual Seattle Sampling Holiday Tour of Crafts
Friday, Dec. 5, 4-9 p.m. • Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
See Website for participating studios

Visit 12 homes and studios of participating artists during our Holiday Sale and Open House in this self-guided tour. Look for our Seattle Sampling banner at all 12 locations. From beautiful hand built porcelain pieces to blown glass to fine jewelry to ornaments to handpainted & shibori dyed silks, this is a tour to savor.

---

NW Holiday Arts Gift Show 2008
The Redmond Athletic Club, 8709 161st Ave NE, Redmond, WA
Saturday, Dec 13 11:00a to 7:00p
$$$: Free admission, Free parking

Billed as a diverse collection of 50 artists from the Pacific Northwest including, potters, painters, jewelry designers, photographers, bakers, sculptors and food specialties.

---

If you know of any others or have one you’d like listed then please let me know!

Seattle’s major airport is called Sea-Tac by the locals. That’s short for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Sea-Tac is approximately 20 minutes south of downtown Seattle. It’s a comfortably sized airport that is easy to get around in. Rental car counters are located in the lower level by baggage claim. Should you find yourself in need of some emergency supplies, Sea-Tac Mall is right down the road. There are also Taxi providers outside the baggage claim area as well as shuttle services or you can catch the Metro Bus for just a couple of bucks. Seattle has excellent local transportation with a large Free Ride area downtown from 6am to 7pm daily. Here is a handy little trip planner. First and Union is in the “Free Ride” bus-zone which runs until 7pm, after that you pay. Most of downtown is on that route.

It’s quite easy to get around in Seattle and if you’re planning to stay downtown and you enjoy walking you may not want to bother with renting a car. Seattle is consistently ranked one of the top 10 walking cities in the U.S. Parking downtown can be quite expensive. On a recent trip to Seattle I discovered this the hard way. My hotel, The Westin Downtown, charged $32-35 a day. Can you say, Ouch! We rarely drove the car because we love walking around downtown Seattle and catching a bus downtown is just so easy. The bus drivers are extremely friendly and patient. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I heard them cheerfully give advise to tourists.

Seattle streets that run north-south are labeled “Avenues”, and east-west running streets are labeled “Streets”. There are twelve of the “Streets” named in letter pairs. As you traverse the streets of Seattle, you may find this mnemonic useful:

Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest

Jefferson & James (J), Cherry & Columbia (C), Marion & Madison (M), Spring & Seneca (S), University & Union (U) and Pike & Pine (P)

All hotels in Seattle seem to have these handy tour maps. It’s a very useful map so be sure to grab one! The map even has super handy little icons to make things easier to find.

If you’re staying downtown and you want to see the Space Needle (of course you do!) then you may want to take the Seattle Monorail. You can catch the monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center and back. It has no other stops but it’s fun. While you’re there have some delicious Seattle Fudge and if you’re a serious music geek, take a tour of the Experience Music Project.

HOURS: Monday-Friday 7:30am-11pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-11pm

You can also take a Washington State Ferry ride across Elliott Bay to one of the islands. I’m always happy to just grab a bucket of steamer clams and get on the ferry and ride to Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, or Vashon Island.

For more information, maps and directions, click here.

Seattle Visitor’s Guide: Part 1 ~ Where to Eat
Seattle Visitor’s Guide: Part 2 ~ What to Do

Seattle, visitors, guide, what to do, what to see, where to go, maps, ferries, Ferry, Washington, Buses, Metro, transportation, getting around, Sea-Tac, Monorail, islands, Space Needle, Westlake Center, downtown, streets, mnemonic, Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest, airport

You’ve made it to Seattle and now you’re wondering what to sights you should see while you’re in town. Seattle is a wonderfully diverse city with great parks, wonderful art, craft markets, farmers markets and endless things to see and do. Here are a few of my favourites:

Pike Place Market - At the risk of repeating myself, be sure to stop by Crêpe de France and get a crepe! Pet and feed Rachel the Pig for good luck. Rachel is a big bronze piggy bank. She brings home the bacon for Pike Place Market. In fact thanks to visitors from around the globe, Rachel brings in $6-9k a year. You’ll find Rachel right in front of the famous flying fish! That’s not all there is to Pike Place Market. The Market has shops, restaurants and a wonderful open air market filled with flowers, fruits and vegetables, street buskers, local honey, handmade clothing and so much more. The Market is open 7 days a week, closing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Take the tour!

Visit Bay Pavilion on Pier 57. You should visit the pier area in general. Pier 57 is a touristy area filled with shops containing souvenirs, restaurants, an arcade and a carousel.

Fremont Troll: The Troll has been hanging around under the Aurora Avenue Bridge for 17 years. He must really like it under there. He’s got his own car, though I doubt he could fit inside. Kids love the Troll and so do I! He’s even been in a movie. If you happen to be visiting in the month of October you can join in the annual Trollaween party.

Take the Monorail to Seattle Center(get Seattle Fudge if you have a sweet tooth) and see the Space Needle. Yes, I know, I’m all about the food!

Snoqualmie Falls: Hiking, an observation deck, a gift shop, a two acre park and oh… a tiny little 270 foot waterfall! If you have the time and the money, go up and see the falls and have breakfast or brunch while you’re there. The Salish Lodge, located next to the falls is fabulous and romantic, I’d highly recommend the chocolate pot of hot chocolate, made fresh with Scharffenberger chocolate, at your table!) The Falls are gorgeous and the restaurant is in Wine Spectators list of award winning restaurants practically every year.

Gas Work Park: The site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company. Gas Works park contains remnants of the sole remaining coal gasification plant in the US. Particularly beautiful in fall.

Pioneer Square: Pioneer Square is the home to a ton of great art galleries, delicious restaurants, fun shops and you can even buy a Utilikilt there in the city from which they hail! While you’re there, take the Seattle Underground Tour. Fun Tour. Go early enough to hit The Elliott Bay Book Company if you love books or go late so you can have drinks after.

The Seattle Public Library: A masterpiece in architecture, the Seattle Public Library occupies an entire block. Be sure to check out the Red Room, it’s rather surreal.

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM): The SAM was built in 1933 and has a towering Hammering Man out front.

The Museum of Flight: One of the largest air and space museums in the world.

The Japanese Tea Garden: A 3 1/2 acre formal garden designed and constructed under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida in 1960. Chado (The Way of Tea) demonstrations are offered periodically in the traditional teahouse.

Chinatown: Stop in Uwajimaya, the best asian grocery store.

Theo Chocolate: The first roaster of Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa beans and the only roaster of organic cocoa beans in the United States.

Volunteer Park: Enjoy a spectacular view of Seattle from the water tower and all it will cost you is a steep stair climb. The Conservatory, a Victorian greenhouse modeled on London’s Crystal Palace, stands at the north end of Volunteer Park and is one of the original Victorian greenhouses from the turn of the century. The Conservatory is a must-see for horticulturists.

Seattle Visitor’s Guide: Part 1 ~ Where to Eat
Seattle Visitor’s Guide: Part 3 ~ Getting Around

Seattle, WA, visitors, guide, what to do, what to see, where to go, Fremont Troll, Gas Works Park, Theo Chocolate, Uwajimaya, Museum, Flight, Chinatown, Japanese Tea Garden, Seattle Public Library, Red Room, Pioneer Square, Snoqualmie Falls, Salish Lodge, Pike Place Market, Rachel, pig, parade, SAM, Art, Museum, Monorail, horticulture, the conservatory, Volunteer Park

If there is one philosophy I subscribe to it’s “Think Global, buy local.” If you’re in Texas, eat beef. When you’re in Seattle, eat seafood.

Here are a few of my favourite Seattle restaurants:

1. Elliot’s Oyster House: My favourite Oyster Bar but don’t limit yourself, they also offer a full menu of extraordinary foods. If you like oysters you should sit yourself down right at the Oyster Bar and chat with Award Winning Master Shucker, David Leck. He’s a doll and will give you extra oysters if you’re nice and show an interest. David loves his job and it shows.
2. The Lobster Shop: My favourite “dress up” restaurant. Located at Dash Point, the Lobster Shop is a bit of a drive and on the pricey side, but I find it hard to think of anywhere in the world where I’ve had better lobster and I’ve lived all over the world. Afterward you can have a stroll along the moonlit beach. This is a great restaurant for a romantic dinner for two.
3. Salty’s: Salty’s is probably my overall favourite restaurant. It’s the one place I never miss when I’m in Seattle. There is one at Alki Beach and one at Redondo, which is further out. Redondo is my fave. Go for brunch on Sunday if you can, it’s unforgettable! If not, you can go for the Early Bird and get the best prices.
4. Assagio: If you are craving great italian, you can’t go wrong with Assagio!
5. Typhoon or Thai Ginger: If you love Thai food (The Gulf of Siam Seafood curry at Typhoon is unbelievably good and packed with seafood.)
6. Dilettante Chocolates: Looking for fabulous coffee and a pastry? This is your perfect afternoon stop.
7. Cafe Umbria: Voted Best coffee in Seattle. Put them to the test!
8. Flying Fish: Located in the heart of Belltown, the Flying Fish restaurant is warm and inviting. I went late at night, with no reservation, and was instantly charmed. Their menu consists of small plates, large plates and platters so you can fit your choices to your level of appetite. Try the Sister-in-law Mussels, the thai ginger broth and the chili-lime dipping sauce are sure to please!

---

Seattle Visitor’s Guide: Part 2 ~ What to Do
Seattle Visitor’s Guide: Part 3 ~ Getting Around

Seattle, Restaurants, Visitors, Seafood, Best, Typhoon, Elliott’s, Oyster House, Thai, Gulf of Siam, Lobster Shop, Salty’s, Assagio, Dilettante Chocolates, Cafe Umbria, Dash Point, Guide