| Attractions, activities and events are plentiful in Seattle, | | | | planetarium. The Pacific Science Center also has |
| Washington. Its unfortunate knowing many tourists | | | | hosted numerous traveling exhibits such as The |
| avoiding traveling to Seattle because they've been | | | | Titanic's Artifact Exhibit, just a few years ago. If you |
| misinformed about the rain. Yes, it rains more than your | | | | are accompanied by children during this vacation, the |
| average city, and yes it's important to visit during the | | | | Pacific Science Center is a no-brainer. |
| summer months to fully appreciate everything we | | | | 5. Safeco Field / Quest Field - The Kingdome was |
| have to offer. But if you do decide to visit our great | | | | imploded years ago which gave way to Safeco Field, |
| city, and only have vacation time during the spring, | | | | home of baseball's Seattle Mariners, and Quest Field, |
| winter or fall...go for it! | | | | home of football's Seattle Seahawks. These |
| Professional sports, site-seeing, ethnic food, street | | | | state-of-the-art stadiums are loaded with added |
| performers, and art are just a few things Seattle has | | | | features and a great layout for awesome views of |
| to offer. If you have a particular taste for something, | | | | the fields. Views of the city, the Puget Sound and |
| Seattle probably has it. And if you stay in one of the | | | | choices of food that go way beyond hotdogs and chili |
| local downtown hotels, most of the sites can be | | | | fries are standard here. |
| accessed on foot. But, before you make your travel | | | | 6. Pioneer Square - Pioneer Square refers to an area |
| plans, do yourself a favor and get a map to gather as | | | | neighborhood. Pioneer Square's historical significance |
| much information as possible, so you don't overlook | | | | goes back well over 100 years. Today, it's the city |
| anything. | | | | premier location for partying. Internet cafés, |
| 1. Seattle Center / Space Needle - Built in the 1960's, | | | | nightclubs, restaurants, bookstores and art galleries |
| the Space Needle was constructed for the opening of | | | | dominate this location. If you are looking to have a |
| the World Fair in 1962. One of the most identifiable | | | | good time, get out your walking shoes, as no car will |
| buildings in the world; it's impossible to miss. Take the | | | | be needed. |
| time to get a bite to eat and get a bird's eye view of | | | | 7. Boeing Tours - Ever wonder how they make |
| the city in the rotating restaurant located at the very | | | | airplanes? Boeing's Everett plant, located roughly 30 |
| top. After your meal take in a little fresh air on the | | | | miles north of Seattle off I-5, is the home to the largest |
| observation deck. The Seattle Center surrounding The | | | | free standing building in the world. Boeing offers daily |
| Space Needle is an event in and of itself. The Seattle | | | | tours on catwalks that allow you to look down on the |
| Center is a fairground loaded with concession stands, | | | | making of some of the largest aircraft ever to be built. |
| rides, art, a water fountain display, and home to the | | | | Make sure to check times, and their age and height |
| Paul Allen's Experience Music Project. Seattle Center | | | | requirements for children. Also check out the Museum |
| hosts numerous outdoor events during the summer | | | | of Flight located south of Seattle, another must. |
| months. Schedule at a minimum one or two days to | | | | 8. Seattle Aquarium - Seattle Aquarium is located on |
| see all of these, at the very least. | | | | Pier 59 in downtown Seattle. Starfish and plant life are |
| 2. Pike Place - Fish tossing, quaint restaurants and | | | | amongst some of the things children and adults alike |
| street entertainers are the heart and soul of Pike | | | | will enjoy seeing during their stay. Make sure to check |
| Place Market. Nearly 100 years old, Pike Market is a | | | | out the numerous seafood restaurants in the area as |
| collection of small venders selling anything and | | | | well, they have amazing eats. |
| everything from fruits, antiques, fresh produces, and of | | | | 9. Washington Ferries - Nothing screams Pacific |
| course, fish. Pike Place is a Seattle staple and a | | | | Northwest like our Ferries. Walk or drive on, then relax. |
| must-visit during your stay in Seattle. | | | | Sea lions, seagulls and other wildlife are all part of the |
| 3. Ballard locks - The Hiram Chittenden Locks, known | | | | experience. And depending on where you plan on |
| to locals as the "Ballard Locks" help ships pass from | | | | visiting, a ferry ride might be your only choice. I |
| the Puget Sound to Lake Washington by rising and | | | | recommend standing in the very front to let the wind |
| lowering water levels. Another big attraction is the fish | | | | blow across you face. Ferry schedules are often, |
| ladder in the viewing room that allows visitors to watch | | | | especially in downtown. |
| salmon swimming upstream into Lake Washington. | | | | 10. Bill Gates Residence - How does the richest man in |
| The pristine landscaped grounds around the Ballard | | | | the world live? Who knows, but it's gotta be good. And |
| Locks allow visitors a place to eat or just watch the | | | | no, I'm almost positive Bill Gates doesn't offer tours of |
| squirrels. | | | | his crib. But if you get a chance, wouldn't it be cool to |
| 4. Seattle Pacific Science Center - The Pacific | | | | say you drove by his house with the slight chance you |
| Science Center is one of the biggest tourist attractions, | | | | might see Bill Gates fetching the newspaper. For |
| located just south of the Seattle Center, and is not | | | | directions, just ask any resident of Medina, Washington, |
| your typical museum. There's no shortage of things to | | | | where you might find the mansion owned by the |
| do: IMAX Theater, tropical butterfly house, and the | | | | richest man in the world. |