Seattle - Trolls, Flying Fish and Fun
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Seattle was my departure point on a recent Alaska cruise. Never having been there, I didn’t know what to expect of the Pacific Northwest destination. What I discovered was that Seattle is one of those cities that have a lot of unexpected surprises. Seattle is hip, edgy and fun complete with a come-as-you-are vibe.
Downtown Seattle is located about a half hour from the Seattle Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Airport which makes for an easy commute into the city. Hotels can be expensive during cruise season, so do your homework. The city is easy to navigate, and most hotels will provide reasonably inexpensive parking. Parking lots also dot the tourist areas, so there are no worries there. Walking can be another story. Seattle has very steep hills, so those with disabilities be cautioned. The hike down the hilly streets won’t seem so bad, but after a day of touring the hike up can be trying.
Our first stop was Pike Place Market, which is one the countries oldest farmer’s markets. You can buy pretty much anything here, from handmade crafts to candy to fresh produce. Be sure to stop and watch the flying fish. Fishmongers tossing their fish to unsuspecting visitors make for quite a show.
Surrounding Pike Place are restaurants, bars, and specialty shops offering artesian cheeses, wines and specialty foods. It’s also home to the original Starbucks. There are plenty of musicians and street performers to make it interesting as well.
If you are more in a touristy mood, visit the Space Needle, which offers panoramic views of Mt. Rainer and Puget Sound in the distance. Personal note: We found the Space Needle to be a disappointment, as it doesn’t offer the spectacular views of say, Manhattan or Paris. And, it can be expensive for a family. But, to each his own.
Also located near the Space Needle is the Experience Music project which explores the whole genre of music. Visitors can view musical artifacts and rare memorabilia. Interactive media allows you to listen to musicians tell their stories in their own words. A must-see for anyone truly interested in music.
For the sports fans in all of you, Saturday mornings offer a tour of Safeco Field – home to the Seattle Mariners baseball team. The tour will take you to the field, the locker rooms and the luxury boxes. Plenty of photo ops here with a behind-the-scenes feeling. The tour lasts about 2 hours and is about $10. Money well spent for a true sports fan.
If you want to experience life beyond Seattle, rent a car and drive about an hour to the Washington State wineries of Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest located in Woodinville, Washington. The Chateau Ste. Michelle winery is housed in a gorgeous French Chateau with beautifully landscaped gardens. Be sure to visit the Barrel Room and see the oak barrels stacked long and high. Tours are available in each winery, and then it’s on to the tasting rooms. And, it’s easy to do both wineries, as they are located directly across the street from one another.
On the way back to downtown Seattle, stop at Snoqualmie Falls. It’s a breathtaking 270 foot waterfall that provides a scenic vista to complete your day. There’s a two acre park for a picnic lunch, along with hiking trails to the base of the waterfall. The observation deck on the way down will provide you with some pretty incredible photo opportunities as well.
For those looking for something completely off the beaten path, how about a visit to the 18 foot Fremont Troll? Located in the Fremont, the Troll is the result of collaboration by four local artists. Since a troll under a bridge is not something you see every day, feel free to pose and take pictures next to him or the full size Volkswagen Beetle he’s holding. He doesn’t bite.
Seattle is a city that celebrates its diversity in music, food and culture. Whether you are there for a day, or a weekend, your visit will definitely provide you with a memorable experience.
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