Seattle is a picturesque city, surrounded by lakes and lush green forests. It offers a delightful mix of urban attractions and outdoor recreation, and with sites like the historic Pike Place Market, the unique Space Needle, the historic Pioneer Square and the innovative Experience Music Project, Seattle is the jewel of the Pacific Northwest and a world-class destination.
Pioneer Square is counted as Seattle’s very first neighborhood. It’s located between downtown and the stadiums, enjoying a central location that is easily accessible by foot, bus, trolley, car, commuter rail, train or ferry. Several landmark destinations are included in the twenty blocks, which comprise including Smith Tower, Pioneer Square Park and Pergola, Waterfall Garden, Grand Central Arcade and Occidental Park to name a few.
The Pike Place Market is one of Seattle’s most beloved sites, not only for the fabulous fresh produce, but also for its boisterous vendors whose theatrics attract visitors from far and wide. With their beautifully arranged produce and fresh fish, crabs and mollusks piled high on ice, the Main and North arcades are must sees. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for the flying fish that the fishmongers hurl between their stalls at unbelievable speeds.
The nationally recognized Seattle Aquarium is located on Pier 59, at the edge of Puget Sound's Elliott Bay. The Aquarium offers self-guided exhibits that feature more than 380 species of fish, invertebrates, birds and marine mammals, along with programs, classes, outdoor adventures and special events. The Aquarium features the world’s first aquarium-based salmon ladder and fish hatchery where visitors can witness the entire life cycle of Pacific salmon. It was also the first institution in the world to successfully raise sea otters from conception to adulthood. An exciting new exhibit features the Dark Avenger, a 50+ pound giant Pacific octopus - the largest giant Pacific octopus ever seen.
The 605 foot tall Space Needle was designed by Edward E. Carlson for the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle. It has become a symbol for the city, and is home to events like the annual New Year's Eve fireworks display. The Needle houses SkyCity, a wonderful restaurant with a fresh new menu featuring a variety of Pacific Northwest entrees. The Observation Deck offers a 360° unobstructed view of Seattle’s gorgeous skyline. All O Deck activities have been moved to the inside portion of the level, giving visitors vantage points from every angle.
The Experience Music Project is a unique music museum that combines traditional exhibits with multimedia and hand-on musical activities. Its holdings include over 80,000 artifacts of the rock music era, including the earliest electric guitars, costumes and hand-written lyrics sheets. There is a Sound Lab where you can learn how to play a musical instrument (with the help of a computer), perform in front of an audience and make your own music CD. |
