Seattle Washington is one of our favorite cities to visit. So after our recent visit in early October we decided to blog about a few of our favorite spots and tips for first time visitors.
Logistics
The downtown area of Seattle is a quite compact, so we always find a parking garage in the area (this visit it was at Pike & 5th) and just walk around the city. While buses are available, frankly, you really don’t need them. There is a even a monorail that literally goes nowhere, with only two stops, one being the beginning and the other being the end.
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Public Market is a must-see attraction
If you visit Seattle, you have to visit Pike Place Market, arguably one of the most well known sites in the city, and rightfully so. The market is a cornucopia of sensory stimuli, from the olfactory essences of fresh produce and baked goods to the visual stimulation of literal flying fish and the auditory overload of vendors hawking their wares. I enjoy getting a bag of the Black Forest Cherries at Chukar Cherries and a tasty beef and cheese piroshky from Piroshky Piroshky. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss the lower levels of the market. I feel many people get caught up in the hubbub of the main level and never make into the bowels of the market, where some truly bizarre stores and objects reside.
The Gum Wall is co-located with Pike Place Market
Since you’re so near the infamous gum wall, I suppose it’s worth a look. I personally don’t get the attraction about visiting a wall covered with gum. It looks exactly like what you think, but more disgusting. I did enjoy the entrepreneurial spirit of a kid selling individual sticks of gum for $1.
Waterfront Area
A short walk from Pikes Place Market is the Waterfront Area which contains the Seattle Aquarium and the Seattle Great Wheel, among other attractions. We most recently visited on a beautiful sunny day in early October, so a ride on a 175 foot Ferris Wheel with expansive views of Seattle was a great idea. The entry line was quite long, but they load 5 cars at once with 4 people per car, so we only waited 20 minutes. If it’s a nice day when you’re in town I highly recommend taking a ride, and at $12/adult the price is actually reasonable.
Seattle’s Great Wheel located on the waterfront next to the aquarium
View from the top of the Great Wheel
Seattle Center
The 605 foot Space Needle dominates the landscape in Seattle. Just look up, walk towards it and you’ll end up at the Seattle Center Park. If it’s a clear day then by all means spend the $22/adult to go to the top of the Space Needle. But if it’s overcast and rainy save your money and try another day. If walking from downtown you may as well stop off at the original Top Pot Donuts location on 5th avenue and pick up a tasty treat.
The Space Needle dominates the skyline
The top of the Space Needle and part of the monorail
Stop in at the original Top Pot location on 5th Ave for a donut and a cup of coffee
The guitar sculpture at the EMP
In any type of weather we highly recommend a stop at the Experience Music Project Museum, a melange of music and pop culture in a modern museum format that stimulates the mind. There are a number of permanent exhibits, such as those on Seattle music icons Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana, and rotating exhibits like AC/DC on our first visit and Star Trek on our second visit. Allow a minimum of two hours, and potentially much more if particularly interested in an exhibit.
An area of the Jimi Hendrix exhibit
The Nirvana exhibit include Kurt Cobain’s iconic sweater
AC/DC visiting exhibit included an Angus Young signed guitar – SG custom model from Gibson circa 1992
Green River Trail
If you’re staying at the Kent KOA, the Green River Trail is literally at your doorstep. I enjoyed morning walks on this trail every day we stayed, and Karla and I went for a 20 mile loop bike ride around the entire Green River & Interurban Trail.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a quick day trip from Seattle and offers a wide range of natural beauty and hiking opportunities. From the Kent KOA, it is less than a 2 hour drive to several sections of the park. Many trails offer excellent viewing of Mt. Rainier’s glaciated peak. For regional hiking opportunities, we use Andrew Weber and Bryce Stevens, “60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Seattle”.
Mount Rainier National Park is a great day trip or a separate destination
One of our favorite hikes follows Sourdough Ridge to Frozen Lake
The trail to Spray Park winds through a beautiful forest
Mowich Lake is located on the Wonderland Trail
