Explore the history of flight from the Wright Brothers to space travel. Collections at Museum of Flight include commercial, military and civilian crafts. See a 1929 Boeing 80A-1, the sole survivor of its type. The 1926 Swallow was used as the nation's first contracted airmail service starting in April 1926. For those interested in more modern aircraft, there are the dynamic M-21 Blackbird, the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever built, and the VC-137B Air Force One, which flew President Dwight D. Eisenhower on a historic visit to meet with Germany's Chancellor Konrad Adenauer in 1959. Take a walk through the “Red Barn,” a museum in its own right, where the Boeing Company manufactured its first aircraft. There is also a library with an extensive selection of aviation information, as well as a museum store and a cafe on the premises.
About an hour and a half drive from downtown Seattle, this 4,529.2-acre (1832.9-hectare) wildlife refuge was established to protect a rich diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and marine life, encompassing about 300 different species, on the Nisqually River Delta. The picturesque reserve encompasses varied landscapes including wetlands, forests and grasslands. Attracting a large population of migratory birds, the park is a popular site for birding. Hiking is the best way to take in the stunning beauty of the park, with the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail being prominent for spotting wildlife.
Touted to be the city's first waterfront park, the Priest Point Park was once a Native American settlement. A recreational spot, the park is frequented by outdoor lovers and bird watchers. The park can be explored by various trails and bird species like downy, breasted nuthatch, osprey etc. can be spotted here.
When it was built in 1914, this 42-story downtown tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi. In 1962, the 605-foot Space Needle outreached it, and for many years afterwards, the Seattle skyline was bracketed by these two spires. Today Smith Tower, with its many windows and ornate pyramid top, is still a beloved Seattle edifice. Anybody can waltz in to take an old-fashioned ride in one of the eight brass-caged, manually operated elevators. The 35th floor observation deck has lovely views.
Want the best view of Seattle's colourful and glittering skyline? Then take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel, which is situated on the pier off Alaskan Way. The 15-minute ride inside its climate-controlled gondolas will take you to a maximum height of 175 feet (53 meters), where you can capture splendid views of downtown and the picture-perfect moments with your family on a camera. Each gondola has a maximum capacity for eight people, and the wheel is open for tourists 365 days of the year. Considered to be one of the tallest ferries wheels on the West Coast, the Seattle Great Wheel makes for a perfect family joy ride.
In operation since 1942, Admiral Theatre is the local haunt for cultural entertainment. Hosting a number of live performances and other events, the theater is always buzzing with a cheerful crowd looking to have a good time. Whether you want to watch a play, laugh away at a comedy show, tap your feet to catchy rhythms or watch an art-house film, the theater can offer what you are looking for. If you are wondering where to spend the evening, bring some pals along and enjoy a dose of culture at the Admiral Theatre. The quality shows and talented performers ensure you won’t be disappointed.
Take the ferry from Seattle on a 50-minute trip to historic Bremerton. Located close to the ferry terminal, this "floating museum" lets you view the configuration of naval destroyers up close. Named for Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy, a leading Korean Armistice Peace negotiator, this ship was involved in the August 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident, which helped to escalate the Vietnam War. Take an in-depth tour of this historic ship, which is maintained in its original condition.
The corporate headquarters of Weyerhaeuser, the largest timber company in America, devotes a chunk of its property to two public gardens—a rhododendron display and this bonsai collection. The tiny, gnarled trees are fantastic both in shape and age. Some are as much as 1,000 years old. Most are little pines, but there are some deciduous trees as well, and several are arranged in charming miniature landscapes. Bonsai masters give occasional weekend lectures and classes. Tours are also offered every Sunday at noon.
Formerly known as the Rainier Beach High School Performing Arts Center, the place was renamed in 2004 to honor Paul Roberson. He was the first African American to make a mark in film and theater, a civil rights activist and a passionate sports person. The center was built in 1998, and since then is used by the school for hosting various events and programs organized by the students, especially those from their arts curriculum. However, the vision to create the best performing-arts program in the nation, has let them to take major initiatives to host special events to draw a crowd. This includes African Drum and Dance Ensemble show and the musical "Dream girls".
Mount Baker Park Presbyterian Church is a community of worshipers who strongly believe in the preachings of Christ. The church works towards spiritual development of both children and adults by offering contemplative prayer sessions along with bible study and film screenings. Mount Baker church, located near Mount Baker Park, also provides childcare along with community services for social events viz. baptism, weddings and funerals. You can even enjoy listening to the choir here on Sundays and interestingly, they don't just sing gospel alone.
This excellent studio is airy, spacious and accommodates a fairly large amount of people. Home to a number of cultural and social activities and special events too, Rainier Dance Studio is filled with individuals when an event takes place. Also, as the name would suggest, dance lessons or courses are held regularly.