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.
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.
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!
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.
This is a place that is very difficult to define and categorize. Artists, who have different areas of specialization, all come together here and share their creativity. Housed in an industrial building dating back to the World War II era, this is a place where visitors can freely interact with the artists, who range from blacksmiths to photographers. This is more of an artistic community than a studio, one which encourages people to come and experience art first-hand. Do make an appointment with either the founder, Samuel Farrazaino, or with the specific artist you wish to meet, before dropping by.
This lovely park has been preserved in its natural state, and it has changed very little in the past 100 years. Sitting right on the shores of Lake Washington, this is one of the most beautiful parks in Seattle. Free parking is available. Usage and therefore crowds are lower here than in other Seattle parks. You will feel like you are out in the country rather than in the middle of a bustling city. Enjoy bicycling and walking, and enjoy the trees, birds and small animals that live here.
The American dream is alive and well here at Georgetown Brewing Company. Friends Roger Bialous and Manny Chao turned their brewing-in-the-garage hobby into this fixture of the Pacific Northwest beer scene. With five full-time brews and many others on tap, free samples make this the place for beer geeks to nerd out. Not sure which beer is right for you? The friendly staff is there to answer all your questions. Have a lot of questions? Take a Saturday brewery tour and learn how that fine beverage you're holding is made (just make sure to reserve your spot beforehand).
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.
This two-and-a-half-mile strip of sandy beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area, and it was also where Seattle's first non-Native American settlers spent their first winter. In warm weather, Alki Beach is crowded with sunbathers, swimmers and families. For athletic types, there are volleyball games. The beach is also lined with a path, great for walking, jogging, biking and skating. Across the street there are several cafes and restaurants where you can stop in for a bite after a day in the sea air.