Seattle is one of the most beautiful and welcoming cities in the U.S. and well worth a visit, particularly during the summer and early fall, when the rainfall that gives the city its nickname is less noticeable. Bring good walking shoes. This is a pedestrian city and very hilly.
One of the city's major attractions is the Pike Place Fish Market, where employees throw three-foot salmon to each other. When a customer orders a fish, an employee at the Fish Market's picks up the fish and hurls it over the countertop, where another employee catches it and preps it for sale. The fun is in the crowds that gather to banter with the employees and to watch the show.
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 Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair, taking in over 2.3 million visitors. The Space Needle is 605 feet high, 138 feet wide at its widest point and weighs 9,550 tons. It can withstand 150 mile winds. This is the iconic landmark of the Seattle skyline. On a clear day, you will see Mount Ranier, the volcano that seems to float over the city in a surreal backdrop.
Next to the Space Needle is the Seattle Music Experience, a museum that rock music fans will enjoy. Filled with music memorabilia and music labs, Jimi Hendrix fans will particularly find a lot to explore.
The original city of Seattle was built of wood and often flooded. When the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed 33 city blocks, the city decided to rebuild in brick two stories above the original street level. The seedier elements of the city took to the Seattle Underground. An underground city of bars, brothels and storefronts can be toured several times a day from its starting point under Pioneer Square.
For more formal sightseeing, there are two tour operators in town that I can recommend.
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.
Since this is the Great Northwest, you have to plan at least one outdoor activity. One great thing to do is to ride the commuter ferry. Familiar to fans of "Grey's Anatomy" the ferries run across Elliott Bay to bedroom communities surrounding Seattle. It's cheap, fun, and if you are lucky, the dolphins will escort your boat.
A great place to stay is the Italian Renaissance grand hotel called the Fairmont Olympic. Built in 1924, this beautiful hotel is the only five diamond hotel in the area. It plays host to literally every social event in Seattle, including most weddings. The opulent lobby, with its marble columns and huge crystal chandeliers is the best place in Seattle to celebrity watch. While I was there a certain Lama visited a certain rock star in his suite. The rooms are very tasteful and elegant, but not large. You may want to treat yourself to a suite. The hotel offers a spa, several incredible restaurants (the chef is fantastic) and impeccable service. The location couldn't be better. You can walk to all major attractions and shopping, or arrange to use the hotels town car.
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.
One of the city's major attractions is the Pike Place Fish Market, where employees throw three-foot salmon to each other. When a customer orders a fish, an employee at the Fish Market's picks up the fish and hurls it over the countertop, where another employee catches it and preps it for sale. The fun is in the crowds that gather to banter with the employees and to watch the show.
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 Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair, taking in over 2.3 million visitors. The Space Needle is 605 feet high, 138 feet wide at its widest point and weighs 9,550 tons. It can withstand 150 mile winds. This is the iconic landmark of the Seattle skyline. On a clear day, you will see Mount Ranier, the volcano that seems to float over the city in a surreal backdrop.
Next to the Space Needle is the Seattle Music Experience, a museum that rock music fans will enjoy. Filled with music memorabilia and music labs, Jimi Hendrix fans will particularly find a lot to explore.
The original city of Seattle was built of wood and often flooded. When the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed 33 city blocks, the city decided to rebuild in brick two stories above the original street level. The seedier elements of the city took to the Seattle Underground. An underground city of bars, brothels and storefronts can be toured several times a day from its starting point under Pioneer Square.
For more formal sightseeing, there are two tour operators in town that I can recommend.
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.
Since this is the Great Northwest, you have to plan at least one outdoor activity. One great thing to do is to ride the commuter ferry. Familiar to fans of "Grey's Anatomy" the ferries run across Elliott Bay to bedroom communities surrounding Seattle. It's cheap, fun, and if you are lucky, the dolphins will escort your boat.
A great place to stay is the Italian Renaissance grand hotel called the Fairmont Olympic. Built in 1924, this beautiful hotel is the only five diamond hotel in the area. It plays host to literally every social event in Seattle, including most weddings. The opulent lobby, with its marble columns and huge crystal chandeliers is the best place in Seattle to celebrity watch. While I was there a certain Lama visited a certain rock star in his suite. The rooms are very tasteful and elegant, but not large. You may want to treat yourself to a suite. The hotel offers a spa, several incredible restaurants (the chef is fantastic) and impeccable service. The location couldn't be better. You can walk to all major attractions and shopping, or arrange to use the hotels town car.
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.
About the Author:
Chris Linch does alot of traveling and he can tell you where to find Cheap Hotel Rooms. Visit this website to do a search for your next destination.
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