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Seattle Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Seattle Travel & Tourism, Free Seattle Travel Guide Online

Seattle Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap Seattle Travel & Tourism, Free Seattle Travel Guide Online

A visit to Seattle creates a mosaic of colorful impressions that shimmer in the imagination long after the visit ends. Seattle is the Emerald City. Its greenness stems from its abundant rainfall, which encourages the growth of lush vegetation, and also from its reflection in the clear blue/green waters of the Puget Sound.

Mt. Ranier looks down on Seattle from its majestic heights. Driving through Seattle on a clear day has been compared to floating on a cloud in an emerald sky. From the dining room atop the Space Needle, a meal can be enjoyed along with a panoramic view of the whole city.

Pike Street Market is a medley of fresh fish, fruit, vegetable and flower shops right on the water. Sitting at a sidewalk caf�, one can watch the men who work in the fish markets throwing the fish from back to front. As a customer asks to purchase a fresh fish of a certain size, one man selects a fish from the barrel of ice, throws it to the weigher who is positioned in front of him, who in turn calls out the weight and throws it expertly to the wrapper who packages it and hands it to the customer. It is not unusual to see huge tubs of Alaskan salmon, king crab legs, and Dungeness crab awaiting this process in the market.

The old fishing village of Ballard sits on the locks. Relax for a while and watch the ships go from Lake Union to the Puget Sound. A short drive north of Ballard leads to the Woodland Park zoo. It is a distinct pleasure to stroll through the acres of well-kept grounds and to watch the animals enjoying their spacious natural habitats.

When visiting a city, there is always the decision to be made as to whether to have a car available or to rely on public transportation. A car is not necessary in Seattle as there are several choices of bus, trolley and monorail routes. There are even convertible buses dually equipped with gasoline and electrical systems that go underground to double as subway cars! It is easy to drive in Seattle, however, and there is ample parking. An automobile is handy for exploring the sights beyond the city. Walking is another alternative. There are many interesting and beautiful walking tours. Remember, though, that Seattle, like Rome, was constructed on seven hills.

Downtown is built on a slant, so a walk will provide a good workout and may be tiring to small children.

Family attractions are everywhere in the city and suburbs. Seattle Center has a children's museum and interactive science center; Imax theater and several buildings with hands on exhibits. Around Green Lake in the center of Seattle children can roller blade, ride a bicycle or jog. Nearby at the University of Washington, which sits on tranquil Lake Washington, is a beautiful arboretum. There are parks everywhere.

Venture back in time to the days of the original settlers and take a ferry ride on Puget Sound to Blake Island. Arriving at the Island, visitors are greeted with the offering of steaming cups of clams and broth prepared and served by Native American merchants. A delicious fresh salmon feast is then brought to the table after being cooked authentically in the traditional style in a Longhouse on the island. During dinner, Native American dancers perform.

The Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest ballet are world class. Their performances are rated as "fabulous".

Sports fans enjoy the Seattle Mariners, Sea Hawks, Thunderbirds and Supersonics (NBA Basketball). A new indoor stadium hosts baseball and football teams.

Each of Seattle's hills has its own history and special character. Queen Anne Hill is a charming little village within the city with theater, restaurants and shopping. Capitol Hill is similar. First Hill is the site of hospitals professional and medical office buildings.

Beautiful magnolias grace the yards and gardens of the stately landmark homes on Puget Sound. The beauty of the lush green expanses in and around Seattle is assured because of the approximately 38 inches of rainfall per year. The best time of year to visit is July 15-October 1. That is when the area experiences mostly sunny days. The climate is temperate, however, with moderate temperatures throughout the year. During the winter, there is skiing in the nearby Cascade Mountains, but very seldom is there snow in Seattle.

Seattle hosts several festivals each year. Among the most popular with all members of the family are: Bumbershoot Arts Festival featuring artists and performers from around the world which is held toward the end of summer around the time of Labor Day; and the summer food festival called Bite of Seattle which offers samplings of the best of over 50 restaurants. Another favorite is the two-week long Maritime Sea Fair in mid-May, which opens with the arrival of pirate ships approaching on Puget Sound, and ends with a display of fast speed boats with many maritime competitions and concerts in between.

Seattle is a city of great beginnings. Nordstrom's, Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon.com and Eddie Bauer all started there.

Seattle is the largest city in the Northwest with more than a half a million residents in the city itself and another two and a half million in the surrounding suburbs, yet it is very clean and beautiful. It is a memorable place to visit, and one to which the visitor will never tire of returning.

Seattle Attractions: Seattle Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Seattle Travel & Tourism, Free Seattle Travel Guide Online

Note:

If you are going to a number of places in a short period of time, consider buying a City Pass. It covers admission to six attractions (Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Museum of Flight, Seattle Art Museum) for a fixed rate for each age group. Purchase the pass at any of the six sites. It is valid for one week.

Pike Place Market

First Avenue and Pike Street

206 - 625-4764

Nine decades old, Pike Place is one of Seattle's most popular landmarks, as famous for the antics of its vendors as it is for its merchandise. Its most popular buildings are the Main and North arcades, with the carefully arranged stacks of produce, fresh fish, crabs and mollusks piled high with ice. The best time to visit the market is on a weekday morning.

Over half of the market's open-air stalls are now devoted to locally made arts & crafts, and its lower levels are filled with small shops, from Indian spice stalls to magicians' supply shops. The streets surrounding Pike Place Market continue the maze of shops, with ethnic food stalls, plant shops, galleries and gift boutiques. Pike Place Market is in the northwestern corner of downtown, close to the waterfront.

Seattle Center

305 Harrison Street

206 - 684-7240, Fax: 206 - 684-7342

Seattle Center general information: 206-684-7200

The 1962 World's Fair, also known as the 'Century 21 Exposition', brought in over 9 million visitors from around the world for a glimpse of Tomorrow, Seattle-style. What remains of the futuristic groupings of exhibition halls, arenas and public spaces is today called the Seattle Center.

The grounds are home to dance, theater, opera, museums and Key Arena.

The following are part of the Seattle Center:

(

) Space Needle

219 4th Avenue North

206-443-2100

Elevator hours are Sunday 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to midnight. There is no elevator fee for restaurant patrons. 206-443-2111

The Space Needle is a 600ft (180m) rocket styled observation station and restaurant. After the 41 second ride up its elevators to the top, visitors are treated to breathtaking 360� views. The top of the 605-foot Space Needle is the best place to orient oneself to the city and its surroundings

Observation Towers

Bank of America Tower (formerly Columbia Seafirst Tower), 701 Fifth Ave., offers a dramatic but less panoramic view from the 73rd floor because its observation deck doesn't go completely around the building. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays;. 206-386-5151.

(2) Monorail

206-441-6038;

A 1.5 mile experiment in mass transit, is another signature piece of the 1962 fair. Today, it provides fun and frequent transport between downtown and Seattle Center, covering the distance in only two minutes. It runs at least every 15 minutes daily, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, between Seattle Center and Westlake Center.

(3)

Flag Pavilion & Plaza

(4) International Fountain

with jets of water that pulse to the beat of music point to the cosmopolitan sympathies of the fair.

(5) Seattle Opera House

home of the opera, symphony and ballet

(6)

Pacific Science Center

200 Second Avenue North

For general information, call 206-443-2001

Laser Light Show:206-443-2850

Planetarium: 206-443-2920.

IMAX Theater: 206-443-4629

The Pacific Science Center

has hands-on exhibits for children, an impressive new Boeing IMAX Theater and a gift shop. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays. Admission charged.

Located at the Seattle Center, the Pacific Science Center houses the Willard W. Smith Planetarium, with ever-changing shows on such subjects as dinosaurs, space exploration and Alaska. Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-6 pm. Admission charged.

In the museum's Science Playground, you can play tic-tac-toe with a robot or virtual basketball.

The IMAX theater has hourly screenings 10 am-8 pm. Film tickets sold separately.

Laser light shows at the Boeing Spacearium feature music from artists ranging from leading artists. Shows run throughout the day (midnight show on Saturdays.

(7) Fun Forest Amusement Park

take children on Fun Forest amusement park rides (open noon to midnight daily in summer)

(8)

Children's Museum at Seattle Center

c/o Seattle Center House 305 Harrison

206 - 441-1768

Admission charged. 206-441-1768

The Center has exhibits and hands-on activities for the whole family. Check out "Mountain Forest," which describes and shows the flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest, and "Discovery Bay," an infant/toddler area designed to exercise motor skills.

Seattle Children's Theatre

has two theaters. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 206-441-3322.

The U District

University of Washington

The U District is 3 miles (5km) northeast of downtown and accessible by bus.

The campus sits at the edge of a busy commercial area known as the U District. The main streets here University Way, commonly called the Ave, and NE 45th St. are filled with affordable restaurants and cafes, art houses, cinemas and student bars. 'U Dub', as most people refer to the university, is a lively place that's definitely worth touring, especially in spring, when pink and orange flowered azaleas paint the campus in brilliant hues.

Washington Park Arboretum

206-543-8800

Daily 10-4

Donation requested

The park features 5500 different plant species within 200 acres (80ha) of mature forest and gardens. At the southern edge of the arboretum is the Japanese Garden, a collection of koi pools, waterfalls and manicured plantings. Bird watching is popular at the northern end of the arboretum, as are canoeing, fishing and swimming. Free public tours are offered.

Broadway

its multitudes of sweets shops and cafes, it's also a fine place to locate sugar and caffeine. Adjoining St Marks Cathedral where a chorus features a chorus that performs Gregori

dotted with restaurants and pubs along the neighborhood's main strip. With an chants on Sunday nights.

Pike/Pine Corridor

a nightlife hotspot of all-night coffeehouses, live-music clubs and rowdy, smoke-filled bars. If you're looking for late night action, this is one of Seattle's most lively scenes. Capitol Hill is a mile (2km) northeast of downtown and connected to the city center by bus.

Queen Anne

Rising above Seattle Center is Queen Anne - a neighborhood of majestic red-brick houses and apartment buildings, sweeping lawns manicured to perfection and gorgeous views of the city and bay. Queen Anne is not nearly as established as other neighborhoods, but it does have cafes, trendy music clubs and some old-time Seattle entertainment. The main reason to visit is to check out the view. The
observatory deck at 3rd Ave and Highland Drive is the best spot for it, especially at night or sunset. Queen Anne is just over a mile (2km) northwest of downtown and has frequent bus connections to the city center.

Experience Music Project

Museum of Rock �N' Roll combines exhibitions of artifacts with interactive displays that help people create and play music on their own. A tribute to the "Seattle Sound," the museum was financed by billionaire Paul Allen who was inspired by Jimi Hendrix, the legendary Seattle guitarist of the 1960's. Memorabilia from the bands Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden and many other local groups are displayed along with the history of the bands that sprang from Seattle and redefined the industry.

Seattle Art Museum

100 University Street

206 - 625-8900, Fax: 206 - 625-8913

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm, Thursday till 9 pm.

Free the first Thursday of the month.

Save your ticket! It will admit you to the Seattle Asian Art Museum if you go within one week. 100 University St. at 1st Avenue. Phone 206-654-3100.

The mammoth Hammering Man sculpture guards the museum's entrance. Within are four floors of African, European and Northwest Coastal Native American art.

Jonathan Barofsky's towering metal "Hammering Man" makes the museum at 100 University St. easy to spot. Visitors pass the gift shop and climb an impressive staircase to the main galleries.

Among the museum's most distinguished permanent collections are African, Northwest Coast Indian and Asian art. "The Russian Decorative Arts: The Plestcheeff Collection" offers visitors a look at Russian porcelain and decorative arts. And "The Northwest Art/Asian Affinities" exhibit explores the relationship between Asian aesthetics and recurring motifs in the work of Northwest artists.

Seattle Asian Art Museum

1400 E. Prospect.

206-654-3100.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm, Thursday till 9 pm.

Admission charged.

Free the first Thursday and Saturday of the month.

Your ticket is also good for admission to the Seattle Art Museum within one week.

This museum houses one of the nation's most important collections of Asian art. The building itself is a gorgeous example of art nouveau architecture. Ample free parking.

Woodland Park Zoo

5500 Phinney Ave. N

206-684-4800

Open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Admission charged.

Discount for King County residents.

Butterflies and Blooms," an outdoor exhibit representing nearly 1,000 butterflies of North America, opens May 13 and runs through summer at the award-winning zoo. Another summer exhibit (opening May 27) is the Dragons of Komodo, where visitors can get an up-close-and-personal glimpse of the largest lizard in the world.

The zoo is a pioneer in open-environment exhibits where animals live in natural settings with a minimum of fences. Popular spots include the Northern Trail of Alaska, the tropical rainforest exhibit, Elephant Forest and the African savanna.

University of Washington Museum

15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 41st Street

206-543-2280.

Admissioncharged.

free Thursday 5-8 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., until 8 p.m. Thursday.

The

museum is a mecca for contemporary art in Seattle. On display this summer will be "Andy Warhol: Drawings, 1942-1987," with more than 200 rarely seen drawings that survey Warhol's entire career. It runs July 20 through Oct. 8

Museum of History and Industry

2700 24th Ave. E.

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m

Admission charged.

206-324-1126.

This is the place to get a sense of Seattle's distant and not-so-distant past. Exhibits of artifacts bring to life Seattle's roots (from the Klondike Gold Rush to Boeing's early days), and a new show, "See All About It," features 100 images of 20th-century Seattle taken by Seattle P-I photographers.

The museum offers walking tours (to the Montlake Cut with a museum historian and the Washington Park Arboretum with a naturalist), on most weekends through September.

The museum is off Montlake Boulevard, south of Husky Stadium and the Montlake Bridge

Argosy Cruises

(206) 623-4252

Piers 55 and 57 at the foot of Seneca St. and Lake Union

Hours:

The 1-hour cruise departs daily at 11, 12:15, 1:30, 2:45, 4 and 5:15, June-Sept.; at 12:15, 1:30, 2:45 and 4, Apr.-May and in Oct.; at 1:30 and 2:45, rest of year.

The 2.5-hour cruise departs daily at 10, noon, 1, 2:30, 4 and 7, July-Aug.; at 10, 1, 4 and 7, in June and in Sept.; at noon and 3, Apr.-May and in Oct.; at noon and 1:30, rest of year.

The 2-hour cruise departs daily at 11, 1:15 and 3:30, June-Sept.; at 1 and 3:30, Apr.-May and in Oct. at 1pm, rest of year

1-hour narrated trips along the waterfront and past the shipyards or a 2.5-hour tour through the Hiram Chittenden Locks to Lake Union. A 2-hour cruise of Lake Washington departs from AGC Marina on South Lake Union.

Admission based on length of tour.

Boeing Everett Plant

Everett is 30 mi/48 km north of Seattle.

Take I-5 to Exit 189, then SR 526 W. for 3.5 mi/5.5 km.

206-544-1264 (Be sure to call first for updated tour information).

Tours are available of the Everett plant that manufactures the Boeing 747, 767 and 777 airplanes. Monday-Friday 9 am-3 pm, with approximately six tours each day. Tickets are distributed beginning at 8:30 am, but lines start forming at 7 am in summer months. Tickets are usually gone by noon May-October. No tours on major holidays or the second half of December. Rules: No reservations; no still photography; and no video cameras, cell phones, purses or bags allowed (all these must be stowed in your car). Be prepared for a bit of a walk and steep stairs (wheelchair accessible). Visitors must be at least 50 in/127 cm tall. Tours last one hour

Pioneer Square Historic District

The original Seattle downtown, Pioneer Square is made up of six city blocks of restored century-old buildings. They now house shops, restaurants, offices, nightclubs and galleries. On Fridays and Saturdays, the area is awash with music lovers going to taverns and clubs. Pioneer Square is just south of the current city center, bounded by 1st and 3rd Avenues and Yesler Way and S. Jackson Street.

Burke Museum

University of Washington/Db10

N.E. 45th Street at 17th Avenue N.E.

206 - 543-5590, Fax: 206 - 543-9285

Daily 10 am-5 pm, Thursday till 8 pm. Admission charged.

This museum at the University of Washington contains exhibits about dinosaurs, fossils and cultures of the Pacific Rim, as well as the bones of the Kennewick man. The museum

keeps a good collection of dinosaur skeletons, but its real treasures are its Indian artifacts, especially the collection of cedar canoes and totem poles. It is also the school's fine art show space.

Have coffee and biscotti in the Boiserie Cafe, charming with its 19th-century paneled walls

Frye Art Museum

704 Terry Avenue

206 - 622-9250

Cafe and gift shop. Tues-Sat 10 -5 Thursday till 9 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm.

Admission: Free

The Frye Art Museum on First Hill has been handsomely renovated and has a permanent collection of 19th- and 20th-century Russian and other European art. Other eclectic exhibits include comic strip art and works by Melville Holmes.

Henry Art Gallery

Northeast 41st and 15th Northeast

206 - 543-2280

Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-5 pm, Thursday till 8 pm.

Free Thursday 5-8 pm.

Underground parking.

The newly renovated and expanded Henry Gallery, at the edge of the University of Washington campus, includes beautifully curated exhibits of modern painting, sculpture and photographs. Noontime and evening lectures are offered. Caf� opens onto a small sculpture courtyard. Gift shop has a fine selection of note cards, handmade jewelry and books.

Klondike Gold Rush Museum

117 S. Main Street , Pioneer Square

206-553-7220.

Daily 9 am-5 pm. Free.

Located in Pioneer Square, this national historic park is more a building than a parkland, but it's worth a visit for its exhibits that commemorate the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. Seattle was a major gateway for the Klondike prospectors, who boarded ships there on the way to gold fields in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. In addition to photographs, artifacts and slide shows, the park staff presents interesting demonstrations of gold panning and discussions of the harsh conditions faced by the miners

Museum of Flight

9404 East Marginal Way South of the City by Boeing Field

206 - 767-7373, 206 - 764-5720, Fax: 206 - 764-5707

Daily 10 am-5 pm, Thursday till 9 pm.

Admission is free the first Thursday of each month 5-9 pm.

The Museum of Flight's glass-walled gallery is several stories high to display authentic historic aircraft suspended from the ceiling.

In the steel-and-glass Great Gallery, visitors can experience the history of aviation with dozens of full-size authentic historic aircraft suspended six stories above. A new section focuses on early air mail planes. You can board the original Air Force One, the only presidential jet open to the public.

The museum's core is the "Red Barn,"the original Boeing Airplane Co. factory.

Fans of aviation will enjoy the extensive collection of planes and aviation and aerospace artifacts

Flyer Works,

the

annual Fourth of July event at Myrtle Edwards Park on the Seattle waterfront, is held in conjunction with Ivar's Fourth of July fireworks show. Events and activities include an aerial parade, kids workshops, demos and static displays on the ground, plus a pyrotechnic act preceding the fireworks.

The Blue Angels

make the museum their base annually when they are in town to perform at Seafair, the city's summer celebration.

Museum of History and Industry

2700-24th Avenue East

206 - 324-1125

Call for directions: 206-324-1126.

Daily 10 am-5 pm. Admission charged.

Learn about Northwest culture through photographs and narratives, including exhibits on salmon and the history of the ferries. The museum is less than 1 mi. from the University of Washington, in the Montlake District off I-5.

Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art

1116 108th Ave. N.E.

425-455-1116.

Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm.

Admission charged.

Across Lake Washington in Bellevue is the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, a spectacular collection of collectible and antique dolls, teddy bears, miniatures and toys. The sophisticated displays interest doll and toy collectors as well as children.

Wing Luke Asian Museum

407 7th Ave. S.

206-623-5124

Tuesday-Friday 11 am-4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday noon-4 pm.

Asian-American art and history are the focus of this museum in the International District southeast of downtown.

Fremont

Between N. 34th and 50th Streets, and

Phinney Avenue N. and Stone Way N.

This artistic community 10 minutes north of downtown blends unusual public art (such as a giant car-eating troll that lurks under a bridge, and an original Soviet statue of Lenin) with small breweries, antique shops, bookstores, European-style pubs and restaurants and avant-garde parades and events. Art walks are held the first Saturday of the month, 4-7 pm. A walking guide and brochure are available at most Fremont shops and at "hysterical markers," which are poles along the street.

Waterfront

Seattle's waterfront is a 3-mi/5-km stretch of shops, restaurants, visitor attractions, parks and piers. Start at Pier 54 by the Washington State Ferries dock. Pause at Ivar's for a cup of clam chowder. Duck into the Seattle Aquarium for an hour-long visit. Next door, at Pier 59, view the spectacles in the Omnidome IMAX theater. Wind up at Myrtle Edwards Park, the most popular downtown walking and jogging area. Though the area is a great place to stroll, you can also take advantage of the Waterfront Streetcars when you need a rest: The tracks run along the water from Pioneer Square to near the park.

Discovery Park

3801 W. Government Way

206-386-4236

Park open daily dawn to dusk

with the Visitor Center open 8:30 am-5 pm.

Located 15 minutes north of downtown in the Magnolia neighborhood, Discovery Park is on a high bluff with panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula. Rare birds and other wildlife may be sighted in and around its cliffs, beaches, meadows and thick forest

Gas Works Park

Open daily dawn to dusk.

At Northlake Way and Meridian Avenue.

On Lake Union's north shore, this park was once the site of an actual gas works. The grassy knolls offer spectacular views of the downtown skyline, houseboats and sailing vessels. Don't miss the sundial.

Volunteer Park Conservatory

1400 E. Galer

206-684-4743.

Open daily 10 am-7 pm (closing at 4 pm in the winter)

Free.

If time permits, visit the 106-step Observation Tower, south of the museum

Just yards from the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park Conservatory is a must: Victorian-style greenhouse with numerous species of exotic and tropical plants, especially orchids and cacti.

Washington Park Arboretum

About 15 minutes east of downtown, off Lake Washington Boulevard (near Madison). 206-543-8800.

For Tea House information, call 206-324-1483.

Tripods require advance permission: 206-684-4080.

Admission to the arboretum is free.

The Japanese Garden is open daily 10 am-5 pm March-November.

Admission charged.

(Fee includes entry to the Tea House, which is open only on the third Saturday of the month April-October.)

Stroll among 5,500 species of plants, both native and nonnative, including specimens of west coast trees. Paths wind through the park's 230 acres/90 hectares. One of the most colorful spots complete with pond, benches and rare plants, is the Seattle Japanese Garden.

Enchanted Park

In Federal Way, about a half hour's drive south of downtown. I-5 Exit 142B

253-661-8001

Admission charged.

Open daily during the summer (Easter to Memorial Day, weekends only) 11 am-7 pm

Two parks in one:
Enchanted Village, with live entertainment, is an amusement park for children.
Wild Waves Water Park attracts all ages, with its giant wave pool, water rides and the Wild Thing�a double-corkscrew, single-inversion roller coaster.

Holiday of Lights

, with its 600,000 lights and displays, is open from early December to early January, 6-10 pm. Admission charged. (includes rides).

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

Often known as the Ballard Locks, they funnel boats between Puget Sound's Shilshole Bay and Lake Washington. Next to the canals is the largest salmon fish ladder in the Pacific Northwest. Underwater viewing windows let you look at the fish�sockeye late June through August, coho in September. A botanical garden and a regional visitor's center and bookstore are also located at the locks.

Omnidome Film Experience

near the Seattle Aquarium

206-622-1868.

Admission charged.

This IMAX theater shows its signature film, The Eruption of Mt. St. Helens, every 90 minutes 10 am-8 pm daily. Other films vary but usually run 40-45 minutes in length

Tillicum Village

For exact times, call 206-443-1244.

Admission charged.

Purchase tickets on Pier 56, at Seneca, one hour before departure

Located on Blake Island, Tillicum Village is a re-creation of a Native American settlement. Rain or shine, tours are four hours long, including a one-hour boat ride each way, a buffet-style salmon meal prepared in the traditional native style and a Native American dance presentation. One or two tours daily in winter, more frequently in summer.

Seattle Events: Seattle Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Seattle Travel & Tourism, Free Seattle Travel Guide Online

The Seattle Center hosts more than 1,500 events every year, including summer festivals celebrating the cultures of the Philippines (June), China (June), Brazil (August) and Tibet (August).

January

- Chinese and Vietnamese New Year's celebrations

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

February

- Mardi Gras

March

- Imagination Celebration/Art Festival for Children

Seattle Fringe Festival

April

- Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

May

- Yacht season opens (first Sat)

International Children's Theater Festival

First run performances by groups from around the world.

University Street Fair - Crafts, entertainment.

Northwest Folklife Festival - largest festival in the country.

Pike Place Market Festival - food, music, crafts.

Seattle International Film Festival

June

Fremont Solstice Parade and

Fremont Arts& Crafts Fair- crafts, food

Out to Lunch Summer Downtown concerts

Summer Nights on the Pier Concert Series

July

4th of July fireworks over Lake Union and Elliott Bay

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival

Caribbean Festival- A Taste of Soul- food, music

Chinatown International District Summer Festival- performances, food, crafts

Bite of Seattle Food Fest

Pacific Northwest Arts and Crafts Fair

Seafair

August

Freeway Park Festival

Summer Concerts at Solstice Plaza

Annual Sunset Supper at the Market

Art-Nature-Literature Festival

Annual Rainier Valley Heritage Festival

Annual Tibetfest

September

Bumbershoot

- festival of music, visual arts, crafts

Taste Of Washington Farms

The Annual Taste of Washington Farms takes place on Labor Day. This celebration of Washington agriculture combines farmers, educational groups, tastings, chef demonstrations, and kids activities in a fun learning environment.

Location: Pike Place Market

Contact: Phil Megenhardt 682-7453 ext. 240

October

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest of the Austrian-American club, the german-american chamber of commerce, the Swedish Club, the Austrian-American council

Location: 1920 Dexter Avenue N., Swedish Club, Seattle

Contact: Heidi Busek (206) 374-0244

Sponsored by: Gaerman-American chamber of commerce

December

Christmas Ship- brightly lit vessels tour the beaches with vocal groups singing to people on shore

Theater, Music, Dance

Seattle has a number of theatres, dance groups and music. You'll find enough variety within the Pacific Northwest to satisfy any avid performing arts lover.

Seattle Opera

206-389-7676;

Intiman Theatre

206-269-190

Seattle Symphony Orchestra

305 Harrison Street 206 - 443-4747

Tickets, 206 - 443-4740

Pacific Northwest Ballet

4649 Sunnyside Avenue North

206 � 441-2424

Empty Space Theatre

95 South Jackson Street

P.O. Box 1748

206 - 467-6000

Seattle Repertory Theatre

155 Mercer Street

206 - 443-2222

Sports

Key Arena is home in season to Seattle's National Basketball Association team the Super Sonics,

Seattle Mariners play major league baseball at Safeco Field , the 46,500 seat stadium with a retractable roof.

NFL Seahawks

play football at Husky Stadium on the University of Washington campus.

Seattle Thunderbirds., Seattle's hockey team play in Seattle Center and Key arenas 206-684-7200

Bicycle rentals and excursions: Terrene Tours 206-325-5569

Golf courses

are plentiful as are driving ranges. Seattle Park Dept. has information: 206-684-4075

Hiking and horseback riding: Miles of forest trails are available. Call U.S. Forest Service 206-470-4060

Fishing is available from piers at Green Lake and Lake Washington, in county parks and in lakes and streams. The Washington State Dept. of Wildlife can be reached at 425-775-1311 for license information.

Private companies can arrange deep sea fishing, salmon, salt water fishing and fishing on Elliott Bay. Check the telephone directories.

White water rafting and bald eagle sight seeing tours are available.

Mountain climbing and skiing are possibilities.

Beaches

: Swimming and scuba diving are favorite summer sports. There are saltwater beaches at Alki and Golden Gardens, and freshwater beaches on Lake Washington and Green Lake.

Tennis

: The City Park Dept. maintains nearly 100 public courts.

Automobile Racing

: There are three major raceways in the area. Seattle International Raceway, Evergreen Speedway, and Spanaway Speedway. Racing schedules vary.

Seattle Facts: Seattle Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Seattle Travel & Tourism, Free Seattle Travel Guide Online

Seattle is on the western coast of Washington; the northwestern most state in the continental US. The largest city in the state, Seattle sits on a slender slip of land between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Lake Union and the Lake Washington Ship Canal divide the city into northern and southern halves. The Capitol Hill and Queen Anne neighborhoods lie south of the canal, the U District is to the northeast.

Compared to the rest of the city, the downtown orientation is quite straightforward. Historic Pioneer Square contains most of the most popular tourist sites. Seattle Center, home to many of the city's cultural and sport facilities, is just northwest of downtown. Alaskan Way is the Waterfront's main street. Interstate 5 runs north and south through the city center.

Population

: 539,700 (Greater Seattle Area: 3,149,700)

Topography

: Seattle is located on 12 hills. It contains more than 300 parks, totaling 5000 acres

Elevation

: 512 feet

Area

: 91.6 sq. miles (88.5 are land; 3.1 are water)

Emergency

:
911

Telephone Area Code

206

Time :

Pacific Time Zone (3 hours behind New York City; when it is 12:00 noon in New York, it is 9:00AM in Seattle.

Rainfall:

34-37 inches of rainfall each year

Average Temperatures:

Month

High

Low

January

44F

34F

February

49F

36F

March

52F

38F

April

57F

41F

May

64F

46F

June

69F

51F

July

85F

54F

August

84F

54F

September

69F

51F

October

64F

32F

November

50F

39F

December

45F

35F

Spring, early summer and fall are ideal times to visit Seattle. From late March to mid June and from mid September through mid November days are usually warm but not too hot, and evenings are pleasant. Many festivals are held during this time period. In the spring, the landscape is decorated with colorful wildflowers. Spring thunderstorms and floods can be severe, but acres of lush greenery are produced as a result. Summers are a popular time to visit, but the days are often intensely hot. The morning air in the Fall is crisp and cool, and most days are sunny.

Public Holidays:

January 1 New Year's Day

January ( 3^rd Monday) Martin Luther King Jr's birthday

February (3^rd Monday) Presidents' Day

May (Last Monday) Memorial Day

July 4 Independence Day

September (1^st Monday) Labor Day

November 11 Veterans' Day

November (4^th Thursday) Thanksgiving Day

December 25 Christmas Day

How to get around:

Note: Seattle Transportation, of the City of Seattle, is responsible for the City's streets and bridges, bike paths, street trees, traffic signals and signs, etc. It does not operate transportation vehicles such as buses, trains, ferries, etc.

Air

: Seattle - Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac)

From airport-Gray Line Airport Express (206) 626-6088 (every 1/2 hour)

Shuttle Express Limo Van 800-942-7433 or (206) 622-1424

Metro Public Bus System (206) 553-3000

Ferry

- Washington State Ferries sail between Coleman Dock (Pier 52) and Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula and Bainbridge Island. Call 888-808-7977 for information on this and other ferries.

www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

Fareless buses operate downtown in the area bordered by sixth Avenue., the freeway, Battery St., the Waterfront and Jackson St. Fares beyond this zone are reasonable..

King County's Metro Transit

(206-553-3000 or 1-800-542-7876) operates the buses. You may find information about them at

http://www.metrokc.gov/. The ferries that cross Puget Sound are operated by Washington State (206-464-6400). For this information, see

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

For information about state highways and freeways (206-368-4499), also see

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov.

Community Transit (425-353-RIDE or 1-800-562-1375), at

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/pubtran/getthere/Ctbus.htm, provides bus service to Snohomish County, with transit links to downtown Seattle, as well as Pierce Transit (1-800-562-8109), at

http://www.ptbus.pierce.wa.us/ also providing connections to downtown Seattle from Pierce County.

For information about
AMTRAK (1-800-USA-RAIL) trains, see that agency's web pages at

http://www.amtrak.com. For information about
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (1-800-809-2673), see

http://www.bnsf.com/.

The SeaTac airport is operated by the Port of Seattle (206-728-3000), at

http://www.portseattle.org. This agency also operates the city's marine ports.

King County maintains and operates the
King County International Airport / Boeing Field (206-296-7380); see

http://www.metrokc.gov/airport/.

The City of Seattle and SEATRAN encourage travel by bicycle, and have information on bike programs (206-684-8563. Further information is available by contacting Cascade Bicycle Club (206-522-BIKE), at

http://www.cascade.org

Greyhound(1-800-231-2222), at

http://www.greyhound.com/ operates an inter city bus service

The Monorail (transport from downtown Seattle to the Seattle Center) is operated by a private firm overseen by the City of Seattle's Seattle Center (206-441-6038).

http://www.seattlemonorail.co

There is also a water taxi providing transport between West Seattle and Downtown Seattle, which operates during fair weather months (206-684-0224).

http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/DON/tax

Downtown is served by
Waterfront Streetcars, which are 1920's trolleys imported from Australia The waterfront streetcar/trolley is operated by King County Metro (206-296-0100

http://www.metrokc.gov/

Taxis are operated by private contractors, under licenses with the City of Seattle.

Seattle Kids Activities: Seattle Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Seattle Travel & Tourism, Free Seattle Travel Guide Online

Children's Museum at Seattle Center

c/o Seattle Center House 305 Harrison

206 - 441-1768

Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art

1116 108th Ave. N.E.

425-455-1116.

Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm.

Odyssey, The Maritime Discovery Museum

Pier 66, 2205 Alaskan Way

206-374-4000

Daily 10-5

Admission charged.

The center has four galleries with more than 40 interactive exhibits that explore Seattle's waterfront heritage. The entryway looks through glass onto the pier and the Sound. The next gallery shows the many ways that Puget Sound is used by freighters, ferries, ships and boats. A virtual kayak journey follows. The Harvesting the Sea gallery explores the world of commercial fishing. An outdoor observation deck on the 5^th floor provides panoramic views of Elliott Sound, the waterfront and the Seattle skyline.

Seattle Aquarium - Marine Park

Pier 59, Waterfront Park

206 � 386-4320, Fax: 206 -386-4328

daily, in summer 10 am-7 pm, after Labor Day 10 am-5 pm.

Admission charged.

The salmon ladder at the Seattle Aquarium offers a bottoms-up view Home to sea otters, harbor seals, jellyfish, nautilus, diving seabirds and 366 species of fish, the Seattle Aquarium on Pier 59 offers an up-close look at Northwest sea life. A highlight is "Sound to Mountains: A Watershed Journey," which recreates an interactive watershed and educates viewers as to the importance to salmon of functioning watersheds.

Visitors can watch diving birds be fed at 11 a.m.; divers feed the fish each day at 1:30 p.m.; the otters, harbor seals and fur seals are fed at 11:30 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m.

This aquarium offers a compact collection of marine exhibits, including sea lions, sea otters and an enlightening depiction of Puget Sound's intertidal life and salmon runs. One such salmon run returns to the aquarium itself

Woodland Park Zoological Gardens (Zoo)

5500 Phinney Avenue North

206 - 684-4800, Fax: 206 - 684-4854

Winter hours: 9:30 am-dusk (last admittance 4 pm). Summer hours: daily 9:30 am-6 pm.

In Seattle's city zoo, the elephants inhabit a state-of-the-art habitat (funded by voter bonds at US$1 million per elephant). The newest exhibits are the Asian Trail of Vines and a 6-acre/2.4-hectare Northern Trails exhibit with bald eagles, bears, otters and snowy owls. There's also a penguin area.

Seattle Center

305 Harrison Street

206 - 684-7240, Fax: 206 - 684-7342

Seattle Center general information: 206-684-7200

The 1962 World's Fair, also known as the 'Century 21 Exposition', brought in over 9 million visitors from around the world for a glimpse of Tomorrow, Seattle-style. What remains of the futuristic enclave of exhibition halls, arenas and public spaces is today called the Seattle Center.

The center hosts more than 1,500 events every year, including summer festivals celebrating the cultures of the Philippines (June 10-11), China (June 16-18), Brazil (Aug. 20) and Tibet (Aug. 26-27).

The grounds are home to dance, theater, opera, museums and Key Arena.

The following are part of the Seattle Center:

(

) Space Needle

219 4th Avenue North

206-443-2100

The Space Needle is a 600ft (180m) rocket styled observation station and restaurant. After the 41 second zip up its elevators to the top, visitors are treated to breathtaking 360� views. The top of the 605-foot Space Needle is the best place to orient yourself to the city and its surroundings

Observation Towers

The best free view in the city may be from the 108-step climb to the top of the old water tower in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. Open daily.

(2) Monorail

206-441-6038;

A 1.5 mile (2.5km) experiment in mass transit, is another signature piece of the 1962 fair. Today, it provides fun and frequent transport between downtown and Seattle Center, covering the distance in only two minutes. It runs at least every 15 minutes daily, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, between Seattle Center and Westlake Center. Tickets are $1.25 for adults, 50 cents for children 5-12 and seniors, free for children under 4.

(3)

Pacific Science Center

200 Second Avenue North

For general information, call 206-443-2001

Laser Light Show:206-443-2850

Planetarium: 206-443-2920.

I\MAX Theater: 206-443-4629

The Pacific Science Center

has hands-on exhibits for children, an impressive new Boeing IMAX Theater and a gift shop. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.

In the museum's Science Playground, you can play tic-tac-toe with a robot or virtual basketball.

The IMAX theater has hourly screenings 10 am-8 pm.

Laser light shows at the Boeing Spacearium feature music from artists ranging from Sinatra to Hendrix. Shows run throughout the day (midnight show on Saturdays.

(4)
Fun Forest - Seattle Center - Amusement Park

370 Thomas Street

206 - 728-1585 or 206-684-8582

(open noon to midnight daily in summer)

Fun Forest Amusement Park�Located at the Seattle Center, this modest amusement park has rides geared toward children, bumper cars and miniature golf.. On the north end of downtown, at the foot of Queen Anne Hill.

(5)

Children's Museum at Seattle Center

c/o Seattle Center House 305 Harrison

206 - 441-1768

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