Chihuly Garden Glass amazes visitors with displays of colour and fine artistry. With the iconic Space Needle serving as its backdrop, this unique exhibit – conceived by artist Dale Chihuly – features glass sculptures that have to be seen to be believed. The splendour of lush gardens showcasing Chihuly's signature glass creations is a truly serene experience. Easily accessible via the Seattle Monorail, there is no excuse for not experiencing this incomparable display of nature and glass.
Seattle's most famous landmark, the Space Needle's futuristic design rises over 600 feet (182.88 meters) tall. The tower was originally built for the 1962 World Expo in Seattle, and was designed with cutting-edge know how by award-winning engineer John K. Minasian, known for his work at Cape Canaveral, home of the U.S. Space Program. From the top, the Space Needle provides 360-degree views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay, and the Cascade and Olympic mountains. Besides the Skydeck restaurant, the Space Needle also features a gift shop and observation deck.
Here, where the streets of downtown's business district angle down around Elliott Bay to the south, are the flatlands where Seattle was first built. Nightclubs, art galleries, tourist shops, design firms and restaurants dominate Pioneer Square. The area's First Thursday art walk draws huge crowds to the studios, galleries and street performers, and the nightclubs keep the neighbourhood buzzing with activity till wee hours of the morn'. The kitschy Underground Tour explaining Seattle's early history is a perennial tourist favorite, as is the more sober Klondike Gold Rush Museum, which details the Yukon gold fever that made Seattle richer. Yesler Way, which slices the neighbourhood in half, has a footnote in history as the original "skid row". There are also several small parks in the area, including the quiet Waterfall Park, the shady cobblestones of Occidental Park, and the totem-pole decorated triangle at First and Yesler, Pioneer Place Park. The neighbourhood also marks the popular shopping destination of the city, famous for all kinds of knickknacks such as tapestries, rare artworks, books and what-nots!
Formerly serving as the abode and garden of a timber baron, Bloedel Reserve is now an exquisite pastoral preserve. The French-influenced house has been turned into a visitor's center, which also serves as a lavish wedding venue. Taking the spotlight away from the home, however, is the collection of ornamental gardens adorning its front yard. Each garden boasts a different style. One will find a reflecting pool, a Japanese Zen sand garden and teahouse, a moss garden and an azalea garden here. Accentuating the landscape is the rhododendron hillside and the surrounding forested area. While picnicking is prohibited in the gardens, one can wander along the verdure and take in the unbridled beauty of the gardens.
Crescent Creek Park is a fun maritime-themed playground in the heart of Gig Harbor. Sprawled across a large space, the park is also referred to as City Park by the locals. The parkland comprises natural creek bed and specimen trees, which stand to reflect the natural heritage of Gig Harbor. The most noteworthy feature of the park is PlayBooster, a model fishing vessel. While children have a gala time playing in the sandbox, you can marvel at the delightful play equipment of the Crescent Creek Park.
Saint James Cathedral is located in the First Hill area, overlooking downtown Seattle. With its elegant facade and double steeples, the cathedral epitomizes quiet grace. Opened only on selected holy days, the two new bronze ceremonial doors, by renowned German artist Ulrich Henn, tell the story of the great procession of the human family towards the heavenly city. The cathedral holds a full schedule of services. Mass is offered several times a day all week.
Seattle Washington Temple is a stunning temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) located in Bellevue. It is the 19th active LDS church. It is adorned with a prominent single spire and its height was reduced due to its nearness to Bellevue Airfield. The church's building is a spectacle of grandeur. Besides its regular services, the church also conducts the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, as also talks and Bible sessions. Check the website for service timings and more.
Inaugurated in 1982 in the historic City Hall building, located on East Main Street in Monroe, the Monroe Historical Society & Museum is a popular tourist attraction and local history museum. Featuring a wide range of local historical artifacts that highlight and pay tribute to the rich heritage of the region, this museum witnesses thousands of tourists every year. This history museum also preserves a huge repertoire of important documents, books and other literary works within its premises that are restricted from public viewing. The Monroe Historical Museum's much acclaimed self-guided walking tour is also a favorite among tourists.
Built in 1892, and rebuilt in 1902 after a fire destroyed most of the original building, Trinity Parish Episcopal Church situated on 8th Avenue in the heart of Seattle is a historic and popular church that is visited by devotees from across the city in large numbers. This church building reflects the English Gothic Revival Style and is one of the most important cultural landmarks of the neighborhood. Tourists from afar visit in large numbers to take a look at the famed stained walls of this church. The spiritual and serene atmosphere at Trinity Parish Episcopal is ideal for those looking to get away from the rest of the world for some time or for those looking to light a candle and pray.
Formerly serving as the abode and garden of a timber baron, Bloedel Reserve is now an exquisite pastoral preserve. The French-influenced house has been turned into a visitor's center, which also serves as a lavish wedding venue. Taking the spotlight away from the home, however, is the collection of ornamental gardens adorning its front yard. Each garden boasts a different style. One will find a reflecting pool, a Japanese Zen sand garden and teahouse, a moss garden and an azalea garden here. Accentuating the landscape is the rhododendron hillside and the surrounding forested area. While picnicking is prohibited in the gardens, one can wander along the verdure and take in the unbridled beauty of the gardens.
Chihuly Garden Glass amazes visitors with displays of colour and fine artistry. With the iconic Space Needle serving as its backdrop, this unique exhibit – conceived by artist Dale Chihuly – features glass sculptures that have to be seen to be believed. The splendour of lush gardens showcasing Chihuly's signature glass creations is a truly serene experience. Easily accessible via the Seattle Monorail, there is no excuse for not experiencing this incomparable display of nature and glass.