Seattle: What To See When Visiting The Emerald City
Seattle is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and certainly the most friendly and interesting in the Northwest. Despite its rainy reputation, the summer and early fall months are a great time to visit. The weather tends to be dry, with low humidity, and cool compared to most of the country. This is an outdoor city, so bring your walking shoes to make the most of your visit. And it’s hilly, so be prepared!
While you are there, you have to visit the Pike Place Fish Market. The market is worth a visit just for the fabulous produce and flowers. Everything seems to grow bigger and better in the Northwest. But the big draw is a booth that sells fish that has become very famous due to some motivational speakers recently. The employees of this booth are very witty, love their jobs and fling fish at each other and customers. A crowd gathers everyday to see the show and enjoy the repartee. Grab some coffee and a hot doughnut from one of the stalls and have a ball.
Right across the street is the first Starbuck’s Coffee, which is worth visiting for the delicious aroma alone. The coffee scent has permeated the creaking old floors and wooden counters and the cozy ambiance is everything a coffee house should be. There is quite literally a coffee house on every corner in Seattle, and still this one is special.
The most easily identifiable landmark in Seattle is the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 Worlds Fair, the Needle is 605 feet high and provides 360 degree views of the city and Elliott Bay. When the weather is fine, you may be treated to a stunning view of Mount Ranier, a still-active volcano that can seem to float over the city like Atlantis.
A museum for rock music fans, the Seattle Music Experience, is located next to the Space Needle in a Frank Gehry designed building. The museum houses music memorabilia and hands on music labs. Particularly interesting is the number of Jimi Hendrix exhibits.
The Seattle Underground: The Great Seattle Fire in 1889, destroyed 33 city blocks. The original structures were built of wood and on filled-in tidelands which often flooded. When they rebuilt the city they did so two stories above the original street level. The less desirable elements of the city literally took their businesses underground. Tours are offered several times a day through subterranean warren of original storefronts, speakeasies and dives.
There are two great tour operators in town.
1) Tour Seattle at your own pace with a hop-on, hop-off Double Decker buses. Get on and off at seven different stops around the city and explore at your leisure.
2) A stranger option is Duck Tours of Seattle. A ‘duck” is an amphibious craft that the company uses to take guests through downtown and then onto nearby Union Lake. Union Lake is where the house from “Sleepless in Seattle” is located, as well as some of the ships from “Deadliest Catch”. The tour operators are crazy, and if your dignity is important, this is not the tour for you. If you are looking for a fun, 90 minute tour, see www.ridetheducksof seattle.com. Prices are about 25.00 adult and 15.00 child. Open daily.
2) A fun and interactive way of seeing the city is aboard a “Duck”. This is an amphibious landing craft developed during WWII. The tour explores both downtown Seattle and a nearby lake familiar to “Sleepless in Seattle” fans.
The grand Fairmont Olympic Hotel is the only Five Star hotel in the area. Built in 1924, this Italian Renaissance beauty has hosted virtually every major civic and private event in Seattle and the ornate lobby is the spot to celebrity watch. The rooms, while elegant, are not large and you may want to opt for a suite. The service and cuisine are everything you would expect from a five star hotel. Try the granola at breakfast. The chef will happily share his famous recipe with you. The hotel is right in the heart of the city.an easy walk to shopping, the Waterfront, Pike Place Market, and the monorail to the Space Needle.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is the only five star hotel in Seattle. A gorgeous replica of an Italian Renaissance palace, this hotel has the grandest lobby in Seattle. Gilt-and-crystal chandeliers hang from the arched ceiling, while ornate moldings grace the glowing hand-burnished oak walls and pillars. Although many of the guest rooms tend to be rather small (with either two twin beds or one king bed), all are very elegant. If you crave extra space, opt for one of the suites, of which there are more than 200 (however, be aware that the executive suites aren’t much bigger than the hotel’s deluxe rooms). The service and cuisine are superb. Make sure you try the chef’s famousgranola at breakfast. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel also enjoys a perfect location–just minutes from the city’s famous Pike Place Market, Seattle Waterfront, and Space Needle. Most of the city’s exclusive events and celebrity watching take place at the Fairmont. Seattle is filled outdoor art, friendly people, beautiful views, and vigorous activity. Do yourself a favor and visit soon.