Sight-seeing in Seattle

Nestled between the waters of Puget Sound and the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Seattle is a beautifully scenic place. Tourists from all over the globe flock to this thoroughly modern and distinctive city. Visitors to Seattle will not only enjoy the natural splendor of its surroundings, but also find a variety of interesting things to see and do around town.

When people think of the Seattle skyline, the ubiquitous Space Needle always comes to mind. Not only does the Space Needle give Seattle a unique look, it also provides spectacular aerial views of the city and surrounding area. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, it rises 620 feet above the ground; on a clear day, the Olympic Mountains can be seen across the water to the west, while majestic Mount Rainier looms to the southeast. Visitors can take a short monorail ride from the downtown West Lake Mall straight to the Needle. Admission is $13.00 for adults, $11.00 for seniors, and $6.00 for children. Guests who dine in the rotating Sky City Restaurant get in for free.

The world-famous Pike Place Market is another one-of-a-kind attraction. The top level is an outdoor market a couple blocks long. This is where the celebrated fish tossing takes place. In addition to fresh seafood, there are baked goods, jams, flowers and hand-made artworks sold here. Across the street is the very first Starbucks caf�. The lower levels of Pike Place, which are indoors, contain countless small shops that cater to niche audiences. Where else can you find a store that sells items exclusively for left handed people, while across the walkway is a shop that specializes in weapons of war? The market is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am - 6 pm, and Sunday from 11am - 5 pm.

If visitors wish to explore the historical side of the city, the Seattle Underground Tour offers an interesting look at its past. Guides take tourists on a subterranean trip beneath Pioneer Square, where they have the opportunity to roam passageways that were once the streets Old Seattle and hear humorous stories about the early pioneers. Tours are on a first-come, first-served basis, and the price of admission is $11.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors, and $5.00 for kids.

The musical heritage of the city can be discovered at the Experience Music Project. The EMP, as it is known, is a music museum that features the largest collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia in the world, as well as numerous other musical artifacts and exhibits. Many of the exhibits are interactive, as the museum prides itself on having a hands-on approach. Admission is not cheap: $26.95 for adults and $19.95 for seniors and children. Located at the Seattle Center, the EMP also boasts some of the most outrageous architecture in the world.

For those looking to enjoy a sunny day in Seattle, and they do occur, no place is better than the waterfront. Stretching for about eight blocks, the Seattle waterfront is full of piers to enjoy the views of Elliot Bay from, along with several fine seafood restaurants. Visitors can take an up-close look at creatures of the sea in the Seattle Aquarium, or check out the believe-it-or-not type oddities at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. The waterfront is also the place of departure for ferries and Argosy cruise boats, if tourists wish to explore the waters of Puget Sound. Numerous islands are just a brief boat ride away. One of the more popular destinations, Bainbridge Island, can be reached by ferry in about 30 minutes. Ferry fees are about $6 per person. If you wish to see the city by both land and sea, Ducks of Seattle Tours offers sightseeing on amphibious World War II vehicles. Duck tours cost $23 for adults and $13 for kids.

The Northwest is not known for its beaches, but Alki Beach in West Seattle is about as close as you will get to the boardwalks of Southern California. Numerous bikers, runners, skateboarders and roller bladers can be seen along the paved paths adjacent to the water, while sunbathers lay on the grass or sand. On hot days, a few brave souls may be seen swimming, but the salt water is quite cold and quickly gets deep away from the beach. Across the water from downtown, Alki provides a unique view of the city's striking skyline. Many postcard photographs are taken from this location.

The best time to visit Seattle is generally from July to September, when the weather is at its best. Clear skies and warm temperatures are the rule during the late summer months. Late spring can also be a nice time of year to visit, though the weather is cooler and more variable.