by Kyla Myers
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
November 23rd, 2007 at 9:11 pm
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