I’d not been to a baseball game since moving here and to be honest, the people I’ve met haven’t given me much incentive to go. Coming from the UK, the only sports I could liken it to were rounders, which I played as a child,…Read More

I’d not been to a baseball game since moving here and to be honest, the people I’ve met haven’t given me much incentive to go. Coming from the UK, the only sports I could liken it to were rounders, which I played as a child, or cricket, which is even slower and duller than baseball sounded.

But when we were offered a couple of free tickets, I thought it would be worth checking out. I’d already been a season ticket holder for the beleaguered Seattle Supersonics basketball team and had been to more than my fair share of Seattle Seahawks American football games. I could appreciate basketball for the fast and furious action. American football I’m not sure I’ll ever understand (what kind of sport has the players stop and chat every 30 seconds?)

The Mariner’s play at Safeco Field, a 19.59-acre outdoor park with real grass and a retractable roof. It’s also right next door to Qwest Field, home of the Seahawks. If you want to get the full game experience, you should arrive at 7:05pm for the national anthem. If you don’t, you can show up at 7:15pm, which is when the game really starts.

The rules of baseball seemed fairly straightforward although a friend and I got some pointers from people in front of us. We had great seats; about 28 rows back from the home plate. Ticket prices range from $7 to $55 for a single game and obviously the cheaper the ticket, the higher up and farther away you are.

Safeco Field is a great stadium to see a sporting event, especially on a summer’s day where you can bask in the sun for a while. As far as the facilities go, it’s a haven for fast food and beer-lovers. Beer and soda is available everywhere you look and the food choices are pretty much limited to pizza, burgers, and hot dogs, although there is a nod to Mariner’s player Ichiro Suzuki with a sushi bar. We grabbed a couple of lukewarm hotdogs and a soda, which set us back $13. Fast food definitely does not come cheap at game time and a pint of beer costs $8.

Bad food aside, the true point of going to any match is to experience the spirit of the crowd and even with the Mariner’s losing 3-5 to the Pittsburgh Pirates, people were waving complimentary t-shirts in the air before the final inning in the hopes that it would pull another home run out of their team. The game attracts all types of families and friends of all ages and sizes. Some dress up and dance in the hopes of being captured on the large screen beside the scoreboard.

One guy in our group was lucky enough to catch a foul ball hit by Mariner Richie Sexson. I ducked for cover (I swear it flew higher than the stadium) as our friend jostled to grab it. He got away relatively unhurt although I think most fans who catch a foul ball end up with a bruised hand at the very least.

Many people leave the stadium after the seventh inning to avoid the end game traffic congestion. We left after the eighth, which was just as well as there was no scoring in the final inning, and by that time it was 10:15pm. With a running time of 3.5+ hours I can see why a lot of people think that baseball games go on a bit long, especially given that there are 162 games to get though in just one season.

seattle.mariners.mlb.com Close

Pike Place Market is the heart, soul, and stomach of downtown Seattle. Without it, Seattle would probably be just another built-up city with the usual cluster of big name clothing stores. I find it a bit frightening that this wonderful site was almost sold off…Read More

Pike Place Market is the heart, soul, and stomach of downtown Seattle. Without it, Seattle would probably be just another built-up city with the usual cluster of big name clothing stores. I find it a bit frightening that this wonderful site was almost sold off for commercial development in the 1970s.

Like any self-respecting market should be, Pike Place is the place to come to experience food at its best, particularly Pacific Northwest produce. In the summer, tourists swarm to the market, marveling at the throwing skills of the fishmongers at the corner of Pike Street and Pike Place, or shuffling along from stall to stall to admire the elephant garlic and Bing cherries. Having lived in Seattle for the past four years, and worked just behind the market for two, I have a few great lunch spot recommendations although it’s hard to keep the list to just ten!

1) MARKET GRILL. 1509 Pike Pl #3. Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.682.2654
One of my very favorite spots is Market Grill. The menu choice is a fillet of salmon, halibut, shrimp or chicken, grilled in Cajun seasoning and served in a crusty baguette with onions and tomatoes or with a side of green salad and brown rice. They also serve what I believe to be the best clam chowder in the market, and a side of what may also be the best coleslaw I’ve ever tasted! Sandwiches and salads run at around $6, making a great value meal. You can take out, or if you’re lucky, grab one of the very few bar stools available at their counter. Here you can watch the staff cook fish and shrimp on the grill while you wait and listen to your neighbor's conversations or admire the many wall posters, including a lovely portrait photo of Ronald Reagan.

2) ULI’S FAMOUS SAUSAGE. 1511 Pike Place Market. Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.839.11000
Directly opposite Market Grill, you will find the sausage emporium of Seattle. Uli is a German Master Butcher who somehow ended up in the Pacific Northwest. I’ll be honest, I’ve never actually seen him behind the counter although I have seen photos of him and his splendid mustache in the shop window. You can buy different varieties of lamb, chicken, and pork sausages to take home or pick one out and they’ll cook it on the spot. There are maybe two or three seats beside the service counter but given that they’re right on the busy market thoroughfare, you’re better off eating it on the hoof, even if it does mean spilling onions and mustard as you go. The sausages are hot and juicy and Uli’s supplies to an impressive list of Seattle restaurants in case my recommendation isn’t convincing enough.

3) SABRA MEDITERRANEAN SANDWICH. 1916 Pike Pl #14. Seattle, WA 98101
Tel 206.441.4544
Sabra, and the nearby Saigon are little oases of peace. They both serve exotic comfort food and they’re both set back from the main market street. They’re a bit tricky to find but I’d advise asking for directions to the Starbucks store and then look up at all the shop signs until you find Sabra’s mixed in there somewhere. The lady who runs Sabra must be the warmest and calmest person in the market, which immediately puts you at ease. I usually order the lamb shawarma sandwich. The pita bread is warm and fluffy and the meat is tender and flavorful with tzatziki sauce, which usually drips all over my hands.

4) SAIGON. 916 Pike Place #17, Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.448.1089
Almost opposite Sabra is the delightful Saigon. The kitchen counter is tiny but Saigon has a lot of seating available. On a colder day, I’d recommend a big bowl of Chicken Pho soup. It’s heart- and tummy-warming, served up with plenty of noodles, bean sprouts, thick chunks of chicken, slices of onion, a sprinkling of coriander leaves, and a wedge of lime and a small pot of mixed spicy and plum sauce on the side. Great to share are the fresh rolls, which come with tofu or shrimp. Note that Saigon doesn’t accept debit/credit cards so be sure to take cash.

5) LE PANIER. 1902 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.441.3669
Le Panier on the corner of Stewart Street and Pike Place is always busy. Touting itself as “a very French bakery”, Le Panier delivers. Flaky croissants come plain or filled with raspberry and baguette sandwiches are ready to go. If the choice seems limited, I’ve never found this to be a problem. My favorites are ham and butter, crudités, turkey and Brie. About once a year I’ll treat myself to their “Napoleon” mille-feuille. You really have to eat this dessert in the privacy of your own home or hotel room as the second you bite into it, cream and custard shoots out at all angles and a lot of it ends up around, rather than in your mouth. There’s a very small amount of seating available at Le Panier so you can wait for a stool or take out and eat in the small outdoor plaza behind Sabra, if the weather’s good.

6) THREE GIRLS BAKERY. 514 Pike Place #1, Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.622.1045
Three Girls Bakery (not to be confused with Three Sisters in Post Alley) is run by Groucho Marx and a group of hip, young students. OK, so it’s not really, but if you eat there you’ll see where I’m coming from. Working in a kitchen the size of Luxembourg, the staff serve up sandwiches the height of the Space Needle. Sandwiches are made to order and there’s usually a healthy soup selection, all of which are excellent, although I really recommend their mushroom barley soup. There’s a small bar at the back with seating and the turnaround is usually fairly fast so it’s worth waiting. I’d also suggest trying one of their cookies and a pain au chocolat, although possibly not all in one sitting.

7) JAPANESE GOURMET. 82 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.728.6204
Half way up the hill to First Avenue, you’ll find the energetic Japanese Gourmet. Don’t be put off by their window display, the food served inside is real and fresh. The lunch menu offers great deals such as a big daily bento box and five- and eight-piece sushi plates. The edamame is a favorite of mine and on a good day it comes with a generous sprinkling of salt crystals. I also really enjoy the tempura: squash, potato, asparagus, shrimp, and sometimes other unidentifiable vegetables that are equally tasty. The sushi is fairly standard but after having tried sashimi at Tsukiji Fish Market, I’m not sure anything quite compares but it definitely satisfies a craving for Japanese food.

8) FALAFEL KING. 1509 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.381.0857
For anyone planning an evening date, I would not recommend lunch at Falafel King. This is because garlic is the friend of Falafel King. If fresh breath isn’t an issue then I would definitely urge you to try their menu because it’s all fantastic. The chicken shawarma sandwich (which also comes as a plate), the hummus, the baba ghanouj, and the lentil soup that I’ve tried here have all been outstanding. The sandwich is thick, garlicky (of course), filled with juicy chicken and crunchy red cabbage, and necessitates a two-hour nap after consumption. Seating at Falafel King is almost non-existent but, again, I could recommend the courtyard behind Sabra if you get stuck.

9) BACCO CAFÉ & BISTRO. 86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.443.5443
Bacco’s been going through some changes recently. The lunch menu, unfortunately has lost a little of its appeal (I’m lamenting the loss of their Strawberry Vinaigrette Salad) but I have to give Bacco some kudos. This personable café is split between two levels and offers an impressive and imaginative list of fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies. For lunch, I can recommend the Caesar salad with crab. I also enjoy their creamy tomato-basil soup, which is often on their menu. As mentioned, my favorite salad is now no longer available but they have a decent list of alternative salads and panini, wrap, and regular sandwiches.

10) SESTOS. 1518 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206.652.5809
I want to give a mention to Sestos because if I don’t, you’ll visit the market without even knowing it’s there. Below the market is Western Avenue, which you can access by walking to Victor Steinbrueck Park and then continuing downhill towards the waterfront, or by taking the hidden elevator close to Market Grill. It’s a small, bright café with friendly staff, who take pride in offering specialty Louisiana fare, such as daily gumbos and chilis, along with a great selection of hot and cold sandwiches. If you’re around in the wintertime, ask if they’ve made clam chowder, as it’s the only one I know that rivals Market Grill. My favorite sandwich is the chicken salad sandwich and they produce amazing bagels, which come with a luxurious cream cheese whipped with honey.

www.pikeplacemarket.orgClose

In January 2007, one of the most exciting projects to happen in a long time in downtown finally opened to the public after eight years in the making. Posters for the Olympic Sculpture Park had given anxious downtown residents more lead time than a Michael…Read More

In January 2007, one of the most exciting projects to happen in a long time in downtown finally opened to the public after eight years in the making. Posters for the Olympic Sculpture Park had given anxious downtown residents more lead time than a Michael Bay film. I say anxious because if you visit the city of Seattle, you may notice the distinct lack of green spaces. I live in Belltown so the idea of having a large park within walking distance was a very exciting prospect!

The Seattle Art Museum and the Trust for Public Land purchased the land between Western Avenue, Alaskan Way, and Broad Street in 1999 for a modest $16.5 million. That same year, Microsoft alum Jon Shirley and his wife, Mary, pledged to fund operations so that the park could remain free to public visitors. Two years later, Weiss/Manfredi Architects in New York were commissioned as lead designers and the park you can see now is the result of these collaborative efforts.

The park spans a road and a railway line, drawing your eye from Western Avenue to the waterfront view, which on a clear day allows you to see the magnificent Olympic mountain range. On your first visit I would definitely recommend entering the park from Western Avenue entrance and walking down towards the waterfront as opposed to starting on Alaskan Way.

Being as new as it is, most of the vegetation in the park is still young so you have to see the potential. Fortunately, Seattle is blessed with plenty of sun and rain so it shouldn’t take too long for shrubs and grasses to settle in.

Probably the most striking sculpture at the park is Eagle, by Alexander Calder. It has pride of place in the park and is visible from almost any angle. The PACCAR Pavilion at the top of the park is worth a look to start your tour. You can stop in for a coffee and check out two installations by Pedro Reyes. Next on the trail is Richard Serra’s Wake, which seem totally at home in a setting where you can look out at the Puget Sound and see huge cargo ships running in and out of the Port of Seattle.

There are 21 pieces currently at the park, some I think are wonderful and others not so much. But part of the fun of the park is walking the zig-zag path and considering the different sculptures on the way. On the corner of Broad and Elliott is the Neukom Vivarium by Mark Dion. It’s essentially a 60ft fallen tree that’s been laid to rest in a greenhouse environment and visitors are allowed to observe the different life forms now living off the tree. As you might expect of a greenhouse, it’s a very warm and damp environment. The only element that seems to be missing is a scattering of exotic butterflies.

If you follow the diagonal paths all the way down, you’ll pass Love & Loss by Roy McMakin. It takes a few seconds to put together the pieces of the puzzle but if you stand at the correct angle, you’ll be able to make out the different letters subtly painted onto trees, benches, a table and what has now become a wishing well of sorts.

The Olympic Sculpture Park eventually joins up with Myrtle Edwards Park, where you can continue walking along the waterfront for another mile or so. On a warm summer’s evening, taking in the two parks is an uplifting experience even if it does get busy with joggers and bikers (fortunately there is a separate bike lane.) The two parks are also very popular with dog-walkers and young families, understandable with the many well-paved paths connecting Western Avenue with the waterfront.

If you want to round off the evening in style, I’d suggest ducking into the bar at the Waterfront Seafood Grill on Pier 70 (2801 Alaskan Way) to watch the sun set. Try one of their mojitos, they’re delicious and you can’t beat the Puget Sound and mountain views although at $11 each, the pleasure comes at a price.

The Olympic Sculpture Park is open and free to the public 365 days a year.
May 1-Sept 30: 6am-9pm daily
October 1-April 30: 7am-6pm daily

Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
Tel: 206.654.3100
www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/OSP/default.aspClose

Discovery Park is possibly one of Seattle best kept secrets, and to be honest I hope it stays that way. You need to take the bus (#33 towards Magnolia from 4th and Pike/Pine) or to drive out to Magnolia Bluff where there are at least…Read More

Discovery Park is possibly one of Seattle best kept secrets, and to be honest I hope it stays that way. You need to take the bus (#33 towards Magnolia from 4th and Pike/Pine) or to drive out to Magnolia Bluff where there are at least three, free car parks available to the public. Be sure not to drive down private access roads in Discovery Park though, as military housing is still in use within the 534-acre park.

As described on the City of Seattle website, "the site is one of breathtaking majesty. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges." If you’re fortunate enough to visit the park on a clear day, you will understand that the statement is no understatement and even if you can’t see the mountains, the views through the forests and over Puget Sound are worth going for alone.

We parked in the North parking lot, close to the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, which is home to an art gallery. From here, you have a choice of trails to follow. All are well marked and most markers also indicate distances. We followed the trail to North Beach on Shilshole Bay. At 1pm on a Saturday the tide was out but on the turn. We watched people on sailboats out enjoying the sun, dragging their feet in the water. A large heron stood in the waves, no doubt taking advantage of the abundance of seafood. We saw multitudes of clams spurting water out of the sand and many discarded shells. Clam digging and other fishing activities are prohibited in this park so the beach is obviously a prime spot for herons.

We walked up towards the small lighthouse where North Beach meets South Beach. In the instant that we turned the corner, the noise from the boats in Shilshole Bay dissipated and the beach widened, Rocks and pebbles give way to smooth sand and a scattering of families who made the trek down were picnicking with young children. It’s from here, looking roughly southeast on a clear day that you get an incredible view of Mt. Rainier. It would very easy to loiter on South Beach. Even on a sunny day, foot traffic is fairly light and the beach is quiet and serene. The road that comes close to South Beach is for authorised vehicles only which helps keep out the crowds.

From the beach we picked up the South Beach Trail. All paths are well maintained, with wooden stairways for the steep cliffs that lead down to North Beach and up from South Beach. There were a fair number of joggers and dog walkers on the route and if you’re planning to hike for a while, it’s worth taking a bottle of water and a snack along. At the top of the South Beach Trail in an overgrown meadow we joined the Loop Trail and headed north back to our car. There are a few fields in the park and most are left to their own devices, giving Discovery Park a wonderful air of being abandoned so that you do often feel like you’re on a journey of discovery.

The Loop Trail took us past some of the military housing and through a cluster of woods and brush before we rejoined the paved road back down to the parking lot. For any visitors to Seattle who don’t have the time to visit the mountains or the San Juan Islands, Discovery Park is definitely not a bad substitute. Here you experience magnificent mountain views, get close to the glacial waters of Puget Sound, and all in a location that feels much further than a 15-minute drive from downtown Seattle.

Discovery Park
3801 W Government Way, Seattle, WA 98199
www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/discovparkindex.htmClose

We rented a sailboat for a day and night from the Bellingham harbor. For 4 people it cost $125/person. It was definitely worth the money, what a great experience! We got there around 6pm and stayed the night in the harbor on…Read More

We rented a sailboat for a day and night from the Bellingham harbor. For 4 people it cost $125/person. It was definitely worth the money, what a great experience! We got there around 6pm and stayed the night in the harbor on the sailboat.

The boat was beautiful, 31' long and gorgeous wood on the inside. Our boat slept 7 people, but there was only 4 of us, so we had plenty of room.

We took off about 9am and motored out to Inati Bay since there was no wind to sail with. As soon as we got to the bay and anchored the wind picked up so it was a wonderful afternoon for sailing.

Inati Bay was beautiful, only accessible by boat so it had lots of walking trails and trees. We saw a seal on the way out to the bay and starfishes along the shore on the bay.

We spent most of the time on the boat, just relaxing. It was wonderful.

I definitely recommend going sailing in Washington and I will definitely do it again sometime.Close

Pike Place Market has a very rich history. It is a very large public market. This place is nine acres long. Within these nine acres are buildings, streets, walkways and alleys. It has been open since 1907, when a city councilman named Thomas Revelle came…Read More

Pike Place Market has a very rich history. It is a very large public market. This place is nine acres long. Within these nine acres are buildings, streets, walkways and alleys. It has been open since 1907, when a city councilman named Thomas Revelle came to the aid of the people of Seattle (who had been charged ten fold on the price of onions by middlemen) by coming up with the idea of a public street market. In this way, the farmers could deal with the consumers directly. As a result, customers would meet the producer directly and this philosophy is still instilled with all the Pike Place Market businesses.

A flashback is that on August 17, 1907, farmers brought their produce to First Avenue and Pike Street. There they were swamped with 10,000 customers. Although many customers didn’t get a chance to buy produce (the farmers were sold out by 11am that day), by the end of that same year, the first Market building opened with every space accounted for.

Thanks to Revelle’s great idea of bringing the producer and the consumer directly together, Pike Place Market is world known as America’s premier farmers’ market and houses almost 200-year round commercial businesses; 190 craftspeople and 120 farmers who rent table space by the day. In addition, there are 240 street performers and musicians here along with 300 apartments that are for the low-income residents.

We toured all of Pike Place Market. Although it was difficult because it is so large, it was worth it. These buildings/shops are the following: Lasalle/Cliff House Buildings, Main Arcade, North Arcade and Desimore Bridge, Economy Market Building, Corner Market and Post Alley Market, Post Alley and Triangle Building, Stewart and Virginia Street Shops and the First Avenue Shops.

This public market has over 10 million visitors per year. When my partner, our friend and I were there it was already getting packed with people at 9am. And I can see why it was. This place is wonderful. You can dine here all day, get a haircut, get a tattoo, listen to a street performer, buy Mexican folk art, purchase an African mask, eat a pastry from a Russian or German Bakery, see a flying fish, buy fresh vegetables and fruits, or purchase roses for your love one, etc.

Pike Place Market Parking Garage (connects you to the shop levels by elevators) is at 1531 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA. This market place is open winter, spring, summer, and fall and seven days a week, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. However, concerning the hours of operation, it varies because merchants set their own time. But generally, restaurants stay open later and farmers during their peak season are usually set up by 8am or earlier.

I recommend arriving to this parking garage during its special rate of $6 for what is called the early bird special. We paid $6.00 for the whole day parking here. You get this rate if you enter before 9am. Although all the shops/vendors are not all open yet (Pike Place/1st Avenue level: Monday-Saturday, 10am to 6pm and Sunday, 11am to 5pm and the Down Under stores: Monday-Sunday, 11am to 5pm), you can still eat a leisurely breakfast at Lowell’s and watch the fishmongers toss a King salmon at Pike Place Fish Market. This is what we did.

The following directions are to the Pike Place Market Parking Garage:

Via I-5 North: take the Madison Street exit. #165, and turn left. Follow Madison Street to Western Avenue. Turn right onto Western Avenue. Follow Western Avenue for five blocks. The entrance to the Market Parking Garage is on the left side of the street.

Via I-5 South: Take the Denny Way/Stewart Street exit, #166. Follow Stewart Street to First Avenue. Turn right onto First Avenue. Two blocks north, turn left onto Lenora Street. Turn left onto Western Avenue. Follow Western Avenue for three blocks (passing Victor Steinbrueck Park on your right). The entrance to the Market Parking Garage is on the right side of the street.

If you are taking the Metro Bus, it will drop you off near the Market on First Avenue or Pine Street. Metro Rider information can be available by calling the local number which is 206/553-3000.

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The Space Needle is one of the landmarks in Seattle, Washington. My understanding is that the concept of this architectural design was conceived from George Jetson’s home in the Jetson carton. When it was built in 1962, it was the tallest building (605-foot tall) west of…Read More

The Space Needle is one of the landmarks in Seattle, Washington. My understanding is that the concept of this architectural design was conceived from George Jetson’s home in the Jetson carton.

When it was built in 1962, it was the tallest building (605-foot tall) west of the Mississippi River. The original name of this architectural wonder was "The Space Cage" and the original name of the restaurant here was called "Eye of the Needle" (now it is called SkyCity).

When we went here we had decided we only wanted to go to the observation deck and the gift shop even though there is the revolving restaurant called SkyCity here. Therefore, we purchased tickets for the observation deck and later purchased our photo taken with a backdrop of the Space Needle. The ticket price for adults is $13, and senior price (65 plus) is $11. Youth (ages 4-13) is $6 and Children (age three and under) is free. If you want to go during the day and evening, it has to be done on the same day. For this, the adult ticket price is $17; for a youth, it is $10. Concerning our picture, it was $13 for the first 5x7 and half-price for the second.

Once you board one of the elevators to get to the observation deck, within 10 seconds you will see Puget Sound, 20 seconds Mount Rainier, 30 seconds the miniature looking skyscrapers and in 41 seconds, you are at the Observation Deck. The Observation Deck is 520 feet above the city.

You will be captivated by the sights you will view. The Observation deck has a 360 degree view. You will see various sights. These include the snow-capped Mount Rainier which to the south, Cascade Mountains to the east, Olympic Mountains to the west and Lake Union. In addition, there are barges, cruise ships and ferries that cross Elliot Bay. We took many grand pictures here and there are photo guides near the sights you see so you can identify what you are viewing. Personally, I would bring your own binoculars to see these spectacular sights. But if you have don’t have any you can look through Space Needle’s super magnified telescopes. I think these are set to magnify eighty times.

If you care to dine here, SkyCity serves brunch, lunch and dinner. You can make reservations during the following hours: brunch Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm, lunch Monday-Friday 11am-3:30pm, and dinner Monday-Sunday 5pm-10pm. The phone number to make reservations is 206/905-2100 or 800/937-9582. Your elevator ride and Observation Deck don’t cost you anything if you dine here.

If you want to go to the Observation Deck and SpaceBase (where the gift shop is that is filled with a variety of items, such as adult and children’s clothes, office gifts, collectable items, books, etc.), you can go during the day or the evening or both. The operation hours are as follows: Monday-Sunday 9am-12am. A contact number is 206/905-2100.

The Space Needle is located at 400 Broad Street, Seattle WA, 98109. It is near the Monorail and Seattle Center House at 5th Avenue North and Broad Street. From downtown Seattle: Start at Alaskan Way and head northwest for .3 miles. Then turn right on Lenora Street, heading northeast. Then turn left on Alaskan Way (via Highway 99, Alaskan Freeway), heading north for 0.6 miles. Then turn left on 6th avenue, heading northwest for 0.1 miles. Bear left on Denny Way, heading west for 0.2 miles. Then turn right on 4th Avenue heading North and you are there. From I-5: take exit number 167-towards Mercer Street/Seattle Center. Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Turn right then left onto Valley Street. Valley Street becomes Broad Street. Space Needle is located on the corner of 4th and Broad. I highly recommend this landmark site. Not only will you have a great photo opportunity here, but you can also dine, have a scary high elevator ride to the Observation Deck, purchase souvenirs in the gift shop, do some great people-watching, and see street performers at the base of the Needle. There is also a food court and a mall at the base of the Needle. Parking is available at the base of Space Needle, but we wouldn’t pay the price it was asking. It claims that its valet parking saves time and is convenient, but it is very expensive. It is $13 for the first four hours and then $26 after four hours, with the taxes included. We instead paid $6 for two hours of parking. This parking garage was on the corner and across the street from this Seattle icon.

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Snoqualmie Falls is midway between the communities of Snoqualmie and Fall City. It is 25 miles due east of Seattle. The Snoqualmie River cascades 270 feet through a spectacular rock gorge. This falls is supposed to be 100 feet higher than the famous Niagara Falls.…Read More

Snoqualmie Falls is midway between the communities of Snoqualmie and Fall City. It is 25 miles due east of Seattle. The Snoqualmie River cascades 270 feet through a spectacular rock gorge. This falls is supposed to be 100 feet higher than the famous Niagara Falls. And during winter months, the falls can increase in flow to over 36,000 cubic feet per second. Therefore, it is one of Washington State’s most popular scenic attractions. One and a half million visitors tour this attraction.

Snoqualmie Falls is part of an attractive two-acre park. There is an observation platform that is 300 feet above the Snoqualmie River. This offers a gorgeous view of the falls and surrounding area. The water falls 270 feet into a 65-foot-deep pool before continuing on downstream. In addition, there are native trees and shrubs that make the park a great place for having a picnic or taking a walk. Also, benches, picnic tables, drinking fountains and restrooms are all very close. The park also has a gift shop called The Falls Gift Shop. We went in here and saw many souvenirs such as stuff animals, T-shirts, Sweatshirts, puzzles. It also sells candy and soda, which we bought. Lastly, there is the Salish Lodge that is perched on the overlook to the falls. It offers great accommodations, fine dining, and a specialty gift shop.

There are two hydro plants here. These two power plants provide 41, 990 kilowatts of electricity. This is enough energy to service 16,000 average homes. The location of Plant 1 is buried behind the falls in solid rock and has five generators. Through a vertical shaft behind the crest of the falls, water enters the plant. After coming 270-feet down the shaft through two 8-foot pipes and passing through the turbines, it returns to the river through a tunnel about 450-feet long. As a visitor, you can view the tailrace discharge in the rock wall at the foot of the falls. Still today, almost a century after start-up the four original Plant 1 generators are still producing power. And in 1905 a fifth generator was added and then later upgraded in the 1950s. This then caused the total capacity of the plant to have 11, 900 kW.

Snoqualmie’s Plant 1 site is recognized as an historic landmark by both the National Register of Historic Places and the American Society of Civil Engineers because it was the world’s first completely underground electric generating facility.

Concerning the second plant, a 1,215-foot tunnel diverts water to it. It has a generating capacity of 30,090 kW. This tunnel begins above the falls on the north side of the river. It runs through the rock, under the observation platform and continues on the crest of the hill above Plant 2. As a result, the water flows through two pipes and down 515 feet to the two turbines in Plant 2. Then it returns to the river.

After viewing the falls, many people take a walk down the River Trail. It is a one mile round trip hike through trees and open slopes, ending with a wonderful view from the base of the fall, 300 feet below. Also, when you approach the falls, you will travel near one of the Hydro plants here (Plant 2). Then you follow the signs to the wooden walkway that leads to the viewing area. But if you take this hike, you must be prepared for a good uphill workout on the way back to the trailhead. My partner and our friend started to take this hike but said it was too strenuous for them. In addition, they said they spotted a lot of people off to the side trail that were out of breath. Therefore, you should be in pretty decent shape to hike this trail.

I highly recommend this place. This is a great family attraction for everyone. You can view the falls, hike the River Trail, shop at The Falls Gift Shop, learn about the hydro plants, have a picnic on the park’s grounds or stay at the Salish Lodge. In addition, there is free parking and it doesn’t cost anything to enter this park. We rented a car to drive from Seattle to get here. The address is 6501 State Hwy 202, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. It takes about 30 minutes to drive it. To reach the falls, you take Interstate-90 east from Seattle to the Snoqualmie Falls exit (Exit 27). From there, you follow signs taking you through the community of Snoqualmie to the falls. It is open all the time, except when there are services and power plant tours being in effect.

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I booked this fantastic tour online. It is one of the best tours I have ever been on. For a small amount money ($49 plus $4.31 tax), I have gorgeous memories of a lifetime. If you have a time restriction in Seattle, I recommend this…Read More

I booked this fantastic tour online. It is one of the best tours I have ever been on. For a small amount money ($49 plus $4.31 tax), I have gorgeous memories of a lifetime. If you have a time restriction in Seattle, I recommend this tour to go. Although I like Space Needle, Pike Place Market and other Seattle attractions, none of them can hold a candle to going on this tour.

Although this tour takes several hours, it is worth it! In addition, we had a wonderful tour guide/bus driver named Ron. He looked like Jack Nicholson and had the attitude of the characters played by Walter Matthaw and Jack Lemmon in the movie "Grumpy Old Men". He was a little rude, little obnoxious but a heck of a tour guide. Oh yes, and his jokes were corny and the majority of us on this tour thought he needed new material. But in spite of this, Ron gave a wonderful and informative tour.

Ron first informed us that we all needed to be quiet because he didn’t want to hear us and so he could talk about the bus tour. In addition, he told us that he would leave us at the Mount Rainier National Park, if we were not at the location of pickup at the park when the tour ended. The following are the highlights of this tour:

After traveling a short time--probably an hour--our bus stopped in a town called Greenwater. There everyone could have a restroom break and could buy snacks and souvenirs at the convenience store and take pictures.

On the way to Mount Rainier we saw Cedar River. This was where the Salmon swam up to spawn. Also, along this route we saw wild roses that were pink and white shrubbery. These actually keep the debris off the highway so it doesn’t blow around. Then we continued on the route to an area called Maple Valley. Here the town is growing too fast and has a result, the roads can’t keep up with it. Here the bus driver said it was illegal for farmers to use round bails to feed their cows. And most of the tourists asked him why. Without hesitating, he grinned and said, "We want to make sure the cows get a square meal." We then continued on and drove through a town called Black Diamond. At one time, it was a coal mine community. But as the years had gone by, the mine was shut down due to it not having enough coal to sell commercially, however the community survived. As we continue our drive, we passed over the Green River, known mostly for the Green River Serial Killer.

Then has we got closer to Mount Rainier, you could see more of the Douglas Fir trees. Ron told us that in order to calm down the ecological people, the logging operations plant two trees when they take out one. But he said in actuality, that only one tree will survive anyway, but this is the way these logging businesses deal with these people.

We passed White River along our journey. It is a river that has a milky appearance to it. My understanding of what Ron was saying is that there is silk that comes down from the mountains that makes a powdery, white cornstarch texture substance that makes the river this color.

Once we arrived at the Mount Rainier National Park, it was around noon time. Most of the people on this tour ate at the Paradise Inn, while others ate at a more fast-food place that was at the Visitor Center, where the seating was outside. Our restaurant was in the lodge. It had the rustic look. The chairs and tables were wood. Here my partner ordered buffalo sausage quesadillas. I ordered a turkey wrap and our friend ordered a spinach salad. All the food was tasty and not very expensive.

At Mount Rainier National Park, we took pictures of Mount Rainier, the wilderness and the scenery on one of the trails (which included waterfalls and an elk). I can’t remember the name of this trail but Ron cautioned us not to go on the Skyline Trail or the Wonderland Trail. According to him, none of us had time to hike the Skyline Trail because of the time we had here and the other one would take a week to hike (93 miles long).

This place is like going to heaven. You will see the majestic snow/glacier-capped Mount Rainier (elevation is over 14,411 feet), and other surrounding mountains and several kinds of wildlife can be present, such as elk, bear, mountain goats, etc.

Our bus left the Mount Rainer National Park at 2:30pm. On the way back, we took a different route to Seattle. A few of the things we saw was Reflection Lakes, waterfalls and of course mountains. We had a photo opportunity when we stopped at a waterfall. In addition, the bus driver made a stop in a town called Eatonville, WA.

The stop was at a restaurant called Aaron’s Ark. It is located at 204 Center Street E, Eatonville, WA, 98328. Their phone number is 306-832-6633. This placed is known for its 30 flavors of milk shakes and the logger’s pie (a chuck of an apple pie slice). Here my partner got a delicious hot fudge sundae and I got the logger’s pie. My slice of pie was huge (it was enough to feed two people). It was scrumptious. I couldn’t eat it all so I saved it for breakfast the following day. Anyway, the main ingredients of it were caramel, raisins, and apples on a flaky, yummy crust with white frosting on the top crust. I am not a real fan of apple pie, but this was great!

We returned to Seattle around 6pm. Our driver dropped every passenger off at his/her hotel. This tour was splendid! I highly recommend this! In my opinion, Gray line organized this tour thoroughly (great sights to see and great stops along the way) and hired a great tour guide when they hired Ron.

You can reach Gray line of Seattle at 1-800-426-7532. It is located at 4500 W Marginal Way S.W., Seattle, WA 98106. If you go on this tour, you need to meet at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel and Towers Lobby on 6th and Pike, Downtown Seattle. You must show up no later than 7:40am, since the tour leaves at 8am.

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We ate a late dinner at Elliot’s. We didn’t have reservations but were seated within 15 minutes. The seating here was packed both inside and outside. This place is on the waterfront. If you are fortunate enough, you will be seated by a window overlooking…Read More

We ate a late dinner at Elliot’s. We didn’t have reservations but were seated within 15 minutes. The seating here was packed both inside and outside. This place is on the waterfront. If you are fortunate enough, you will be seated by a window overlooking the waterfront or seating on the boardwalk/dock under a patio umbrella with a plastic table and chairs. Although we didn’t make a reservation, we were lucky enough to have an inside booth overlooking the water.

This restaurant has three dining areas, plus a private dining room. One is the outside seating on the waterfront and the other three are inside the restaurant. As soon as you walk in, you check in with a receptionist and then your waiter seats you.

We had a lovely waiter named Jeff. Right away we knew we were all gay (gay people call this gaydar) so the dining experience started off great. He helped us select our meal and later our desserts. And later he gave us the dessert menu as a souvenir. In addition, he was attentive. Lastly, he took a picture of the three of us.

Jeff seated us in the second inside dining area overlooking the waterfront. Our booth had a comfortable, soft upholstery seating encased in an oak wood trim. The cloth was green and gold. The booth’s table had gold metallic swirls on it. The walls in this dinning room had reproduction prints of fish and wood fish sculptures hanging on rustic oak poles. The lighting here consisted of a hanging ceiling fixture shaped like a dome on the center and eight lamps surrounding it with gold metal leaves.

My partner and I ordered the same entrée. We ordered the prime top sirloin and scampi brochette. It was a prime center-cut top sirloin paired with prawn scampi brochette. It was served with roasted mashed potatoes and market vegetables. This entrée was priced at $35.95. Our friend ordered a salmon entrée, which I think she paid $26 for.

After having a savoring meal, Jeff showed us the dessert menu. We first weren’t going to order anything but then gluttony took over. As a result, we all ordered yummy desserts. My partner ordered crème brulee, which was priced at $5.95. It consisted of baked custard topped with a caramelized sugar crust and finished with fresh fruit. I ordered the fried chocolate truffles sundae which consists of dark truffle ganache coated with graham cracker and almonds then deep fried. It is served with vanilla ice cream in a praline cup and topped with chocolate and caramel-rum sauces and toasted almonds. The cost of this is $7.95. And our friend ordered the fried long stem strawberries which are kaitafi-wrapped long step strawberries dusted with powdered sugar and served with orange crème anglaise, dark chocolate sauce and rum-caramel sauce. This cost of this dessert is $8.95.

The drink prices vary on what you order. Our domestic bottled beer was $3.25 each.

When the bill came for the three of us, the total was 147.15. This included a few drinks, the entrées and the desserts. This of course did not include the tip we left. Although this place is a little costly, it was worth every penny. The waiter was attentive and helpful, the food was superb (food you would die for) and the ambience was wonderful. A friendly, comfortable, romantic and scenic atmosphere would best describe this restaurant.

Elliot’s Oyster House is located at pier 56 in Seattle, WA, 98101. The telephone number is 206/623-4340. I highly recommend this restaurant. For the past two years, it has been named to Tom Horan’s America’s top ten club’s list of top ten seafood houses. These types of restaurants are chosen based on food, selection of quality wine and spirits, value, reputation, history, and overall dining experience. In addition, this place has an enormous oyster bar. It is 21 foot long. Because of Elliot’s location (on the waterfront) and its great relationship with the oyster farmers, it can provide one of the biggest selections of fresh oysters in the world.

Elliot’s hours of operation are the following: for lunch daily it is 11-4:00pm, for dinner it is 4-10pm on Sunday through Thursday and 4-11pm on Saturday and Sunday. Progressive Oyster Happy Hour is 3-6pm on Monday thru Friday in the bar (beverage and appetizer specials and drink specials are located in the Cove Lounge).

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