Seattle Sights

Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Market is one of the most recognizable and visited landmarks in Seattle, and is on my must-do list. The market is just west of 1^st Ave, with the famous sign near the intersection of Pike St and 1^st Ave. Below the sign you will find the golden pig, often seen in pictures, and the seafood stand famous for throwing fish around. This is a must see for everyone, although the guys do get frustrated when a large crowd has gathered and everyone is just there to watch them, no one is buying anything. The crowd also presents a nuisance by the road block it creates while trying to navigate through the market. There are many shops south of the fish stand, a few favorites of mine. Just around the corner is a small donut stand. I love getting a few of the small donuts to munch on while I explore the market. Up the stairs is a small wind-up toy shop which always makes for a fun, quick stop that brings out the inner child. Down the steps and down the hall, you will find the Pike Place Pub and Brewery, a great lunch or dinner stop. North of the fish stand is the rest of the market. The hall is an amazing collection of colorful, fresh produce and flowers. The original Starbucks is across the street – you can’t miss the crowd outside taking pictures. Next door is Piroshky Piroshky, a Russian bakery which I have heard very good things about. The market is also home to the Underground, a couple levels of permanent shops. There is an eclectic assortment of shops throughout the market, appealing to a wide audience. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants tucked throughout the market, some offering an amazing view out across Elliott Bay as you enjoy an intimate meal.

Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (approximate times, check web site for individual shop hours)

Location: Between Western Ave and 1st Ave (west - east) and Virginia St and Pike St (north - south)

Kerry Park

A must see Seattle icon is the Space Needle. Many people like to go the Space Needle, but I prefer Kerry Park – a little park tucked in Queen Anne on the big hill. Kerry Park is the most popular location for photographing the skyline, and for obvious reasons. One, the amazing view – the Seattle skyline with the Space Needle front and center, and if you’re lucky enough to go on a clear day, Mt Rainier behind the city in the distance. Two, it’s free - no cost for that amazing view. Kerry Park also provides a view of Elliott Bay and the ferries crossing it. The park can be beautiful at sunset, with the skyline bathed in light from the setting sun and the city coming to life at night.

Best spot in Seattle to see the skyline

Hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Fee: Free

Location: W Highland Drive, between 2nd Ave W and 3rd Ave W

Fremont Troll

Fremont is a neighborhood in North Seattle, just across the bridge. It is better known as the center of the universe. Fremont has a great atmosphere, is very artsy, and is a wonderful place to spend time exploring or just relaxing with friends. One Seattle icon located in Fremont is the Fremont Troll, found under the Aurora Bridge (SR 99) on 36^th St and Troll Ave. The troll was the winning submission in a contest for using the space under the bridge and now attracts many people, especially tourists, each year. There is a lot more to Fremont than just the troll though. The neighborhood actually has a walking guide to its many unique sights. I spent a fun afternoon, following a delicious tour at the local Theo Chocolate factory, following the guide to places like the center of the universe sign post, giant Lenin statue, rocket, and the bus stop (look closely at the dog) to name just a few. The history house on 34^th Ave, just east of the bus stop, is also a fun place to explore, or pick up a few books! There are many wonderful shops, restaurants, and bars tucked throughout Fremont. The neighborhood is also host to several fun festivals and celebrations throughout the year.

Hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Fee: Free

Location of Fremont: Ship Canal to the south, Stone Way N. to the east, N. 50th Street to the north, and 8th Avenue N.W. to the west

Space Needle

The Space Needle is probably Seattle’s most well known icon. Driving around the city, it’s hard to miss. It is not known for being Seattle’s tallest building, which it is not (that title belongs to the Columbia Tower), but for its unique architecture. The Space Needle was built for the World’s Fair hosted at the Seattle Center. I recommend going to Kerry Park to get a view of the city with the Space Needle in it, but if you really want to you can go up in the Space Needle as well. There are two options, 1) Eat at the restaurant up top or 2) Buy a ticket to go up on the observation level. They have a ticket deal to let you go up twice in a day, once during the daytime and once at night. I would suggest going just before sunset if you can time it and just getting the normal ticket. I would definitely wait for a clear day before going up, to make the most of your view and see the mountains surrounding the Seattle area. The Space Needle does provide a unique view since it is located just north of downtown. There is a lot of history written on the walls of the observation deck, and there are a few interactive displays so that you can learn more about what you are looking at. If you are new to Seattle, I would wait to go up until someone comes to visit, because the Space Needle does get old after a while – which is why I now prefer Kerry Park. I love having the Space Needle as part of the Seattle skyline though!

Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Friday and Saturday: 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Sunday: 9:30 AM - 9:30 PM

Fees: Adults (14 - 64) $17.00 (Day & Night $22.00)

Youth (4 - 13) $9.00 (Day & Night $14.00)

Senior (65+) $15.00 (Day & night 20.00)

Active Military Adult (with ID) $15.00

Active Military Youth (with ID) $8.00

Child (3 and under) Free

Day & Night ticket allows you to visit the Space Needle twice within a 24-hour period

Location: Seattle Center, 400 Broad St. Seattle, WA 98109

Seattle Waterfront

The Seattle waterfront along Elliott Bay has several gems sprinkled throughout the piers and is home to many activities. Many tours start from the piers, such as Argosy boat tours, general Seattle tours, and numerous cruises. The Seattle aquarium also calls the waterfront home. Across the street is the Hill Climb, providing access to Pike Place Market. There are several restaurants like Ivar’s, Crab Pot, Elliott’s Oyster House, and Red Robin. A couple of those places have walk up windows for ordering fish and chips. One of my favorite activities is getting fish and chips and sitting on the wooden steps on the pier in between the Argosy Harbor Cruise terminal and Elliott Oyster House, enjoying my food and the view out across the bay. There is a small ice cream place nearby too for some great dessert. There are several souvenir shops as well, like Simply Seattle, Pirates Plunder, Pier 55 Shirt Company, and Ye Old Curiosity Shop. They all have similar items such as clothing, picture frames, mugs, and shot glasses. Ye Old Curiosity shop is more than just a souvenir shop, it also has quite an extensive collection of curiosities including mummies, shrunken heads, and interesting creatures. The shop is definitely worth a visit. At the far north end is the Olympic Sculpture park. During Christmas the waterfront park is filled with light displays.

Location: Alaskan Way from Broad St to Yesler Way

Ballard Locks

The Ballard Locks, more formally known as the Hiram M Chittenden Locks, are a great place to spend some time. The main attraction is of course the locks, one big and one small. I always think its fun to see the locks in work, helping boats overcome the 20 – 22 feet that separate the fresh water ship canal leading to Lake Union from the salty Puget Sound. I never realize just how large the locks are until I see them emptied for cleaning. In addition to the locks you can take a stroll through the Carl S English Jr Botanical Gardens, or meander across the locks (when they’re closed of course) to check out the fish ladder. There are some large viewing windows to watch the fish swim through, as well as several informative displays talking about the fish. Check out the website to figure out the best times of year to see some fish swimming through.

Hours: Grounds Access: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Year-Round

Fish Ladder Viewing Room: 7:00 AM - 8:45 PM Year-Round

Visitor Center:

Winter: October - April

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Summer: May - September

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Free guided tours are provided from March 1 through November 30. Call the visitor center at (206) 783-7059 for tour times and additional information.

Fees: Free

Parking: $1.50/hour, 3 hours maximum

Monday - Saturday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Location: 3015 NW 54th St., Seattle, WA 98107

Alki

Alki is in West Seattle and has a great little beach with many restaurants to choose from just across the street, ranging from hamburgers to great clam chowder to upscale gourmet. The beach provides several volleyball nets for sand volleyball as well as picnic tables and bonfire pits for gatherings. The view from Alki is beautiful, looking towards the Olympic mountains. Alki is where the settlers first landed and named the place New New York. There is a monument to mark this event, located towards the west end of the beach, near 63^rd Ave SW and Alki Ave SW I believe. There is also a small statue of liberty at Alki. If you are driving over from Seattle via the West Seattle Bridge, I would suggest driving around via Harbor Ave SW which provides amazing views across Elliott Bay of Seattle and its skyline. Alki is a great place to grab a meal and enjoy the view with good company.

Location: 1702 Alki Ave. SW, Seattle, WA

Looking east along Alki beach, with the Space Needle in the distance

Columbia Tower

The Columbia Tower is the tallest building in Seattle, in the state of Washington, and west of the Mississippi – well that last one is in terms of the number of floors it has. It has an observation deck on the 73^rd floor, a few floors down from the very top which is occupied by a member’s only club. The woman’s bathroom on the 76^th floor at the top has the best view of any bathroom, overlooking the city and distant Cascades mountains to the east. If you are crafty enough, you may just find your way up into the bathroom. Due to its popularity, there is a sign outside requesting that men refrain from entering.

Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Fees: Adults $5

Seniors and Students $3

Location: 701 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA

206-386-5151

Columbia Tower downtown, seen from the Smith Tower

Smith Tower

The Smith Tower was the tallest building in Seattle, in the State of Washington, and west of the Mississippi – for the 50 years after it was opened. It now stands dwarfed by the nearby Columbia Tower downtown Seattle. Because of its diminutive stature, at least by today’s standards, the views are not outstanding. The view to the north is just of the nearby tall buildings downtown and feels like you are the short person stuck in the back of a group missing out on something. You can see the shipping terminal, Qwest Field, Safeco Field, and all that is south of the city – although that’s really not much to look at. If you are lucky, the mountains will be out on a clear day, including Mt Rainier. There were only one or two other people when I went so it is pretty quiet. The most fascinating part of the Smith Tower is probably the Chinese Room that is surrounded by the observation deck that wraps around the building. This famous room has the wishing chair, which if a woman sits in it, she is supposed to be married within the year.

Hours:

April and October: Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

May - September: Daily 10:00 AM - Sunset

November - March: Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Note: Observation deck may be closed for special events, check schedule on web site for availability

Fees:

Adults $7.5

Seniors (60+) $6.00

Students (with ID) $6.00

Children (6 - 12) $5.00

Children (5 and under) Free

Location: Near Pioneer Square, 506 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA