City Spotlight Seattle, WA
If you’re heading to Seattle then there are some great sights and attractions you definitely shouldn’t miss. The top must-sees are: Pike Place Market: Go in the early morning when the market first opens for fresh-cut flowers, super-fresh fish, mouth watering food and lots more. An open-air shopping haven and Seattle institution, take your camera and be sure to watch the flying fish! Pike Place is also home to the original Starbucks and often has colorful street performers. If you need to have a mid-morning pause, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in this area. Seattle Space Needle: The most iconic sight in the city, if you’re feeling energetic, climb the 520 feet to the observation deck for amazing 360 degree views of Seattle. Actually 605 feet tall, the space needle now has a new information system called SkyQ – an interactive plasma screen which allows visitors to search for and see different locations around the city. And for food-lovers, the tower’s rotating restaurant, SkyCity, turns one complete orbit per hour. Woodland Park Zoo: An award-winning Zoo, Woodland Park has over a thousand animals, the largest live collection in Washington State, just minutes from downtown. The zoo boasts a tropical rain forest, a Thai village, African landscapes, and the ‘Zoomazium’ an all-season nature play space where kids can connect with animals, habitats and more. For a trip down memory lane, children and adults alike can ride on the zoo’s historic carousel, and then stroll through the award-winning rose garden featuring more than 290 varieties of roses. The zoo’s new penguin exhibit is home to Humboldt penguins and for those who want to learn more, there are a host of zoo classes and programs year-round for all ages.
Safeco Field: Home of Mariners Baseball, sports fans will love that they can tour one of the premier ballparks in America. Tours include areas of the ballpark that are not normally open to the public: press box, luxury suites, field, visitors’ clubhouse, and much more. Cameras are welcome. Groups may schedule private tours at a discounted rate. Seattle Aquarium: With a beautiful location at Pier 59 on the waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium features creatures from the Puget Sound area and other underwater habitats. During public feedings throughout the day, visitors can watch trainers feed sea otters, harbor seals and diving birds. Their collection also includes a giant octopus, sea lions, and fur seals. In special exhibits, kids can feel a wolf eel's teeth or shake hands with an octopus, or they can find out what real starfish and sea urchins feel like in the touching pool. The IMAX Theatre is located next door to the Seattle Aquarium. If you plan to go to both, buy a combo ticket to save money. Museum of Flight: The home of Boeing, Seattle is lucky enough to have one of the world's largest air and space museums, with indoor and outdoor exhibits spread over 12 acres. The museum has a replica 1903 Wright Flyer, history's first successful powered airplane, on display. "Space: The New Frontier Gallery," is a 6,000-square-foot gallery featuring a fullsize walk-through Destiny module mock-up, moon rocks and a meteorite. The Personal Courage Wing highlights the stories of dedication and heroism of those involved in fighter aviation in both world wars, and visitors can participate in the exciting 3D flight simulators, with special effects such as wind and smoke, and plenty of motion. Written by Ina Rena, courtesy of Isnare.com Photo By Tim Kinght