Spring Break in Seattle

Most people probably don't think about Seattle when considering spring break destinations, but not everyone can go to Miami or Mexico. Many fun and unique things can be found in the area.

One of the must-sees of Seattle is the waterfront. In addition to the spectacular views, the waterfront is home to the Seattle Aquarium, Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center and Myrtle Edwards Park. It's also where you can catch a cruise to Tillicum Village on Blake Island.

The Blake Island State Park is an ancestral campground of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indian Tribes, and believed to be the birthplace of Chief Seattle. The island has walking and hiking trails through the dense woods as well as campsites. Visitors can also watch the stage-show, Dance on the Wind, and then partake in a baked salmon dinner, traditionally prepared on four-foot cedar stakes around alder wood fires. Call 206-622-8687 or 888-623-1445 for more information.

The first white settlers in Seattle landed at Alki Point in 1851. The Alki Beach Park is a long beach strip running from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay. It's a great place to walk, jog, rollerblade, play volleyball or just comb the beach. There are also picnic tables and restrooms, along with many local shops and restaurants. With the water temperature averaging only 46 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit, it's probably not the best place to swim, though. There is street parking on and around Alki Ave SW.

You haven't seen Seattle until you've seen it from a Duck. At least that's what the people who run Ride the Ducks say. DUKWs, or Ducks, are an amphibious landing craft developed by the US Army during WWII to deliver cargo from ships at sea directly to shore. The last official operation of the DUKWs was the Rhine River crossing in March of 1945.

The 90-minute Ride the Duck tour takes in the major sites of the city including the Space Needle, the waterfront, Safeco and Qwest fields, and Pioneer Square before splashing into Lake Union for views of Gasworks Park, the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat, and views of the city skyline. The Duck Dock is located at 5^th Avenue and Broad Street, across from the Space Needle. There are several parking lots and garages around. The Ducks sail rain or shine and ticket prices range from $15 - $27 and some options include a Quacker - a duckbill-shaped noisemaker.

There are also many indoor activities in case the weather isn't cooperating. The Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame are also located near the Space Needle. In addition to traveling exhibitions, the EMP has several permanent ones including Northwest Passage, which traces the history of Northwest music from the little known beginnings to being center of the rock world with the likes of Mother Love Bone and Nirvana. And Guitar Gallery: The Quest for Volume features the work of such guitar innovators as Orville Gibson, Leo Fender and Les Paul.

From March 29 through April 2, students in grades 7-10 can participate in the Rock Band Teen Artist Workshop where they will rehearse songs and work with other students to create original pieces. The workshop ends with a live concert in the JBL Theater. The cost is $235 for non-members and registration is required. At least six months of experience on your instrument is recommended.

The Science Fiction Museum also features many permanent exhibitions like Homeworld, home of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Past exhibits have highlighted robots and Out of this World showcased costumes from Star Wars, Blade Runner, The Terminator, Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica among other movies and television shows.

EMP/SFM is located in the Frank Gehry building at 435 5^th Avenue North, near several parking lots and garages. Admission is free for members and up to $15 for non-members.

An interesting history of Seattle can be heard during the Underground Tour. There had always been rumors of a city under the city, but it wasn't until 1954 that those rumors were proven true. While trying to get the Pioneer Square neighborhood designated as an historic district, Bill Speidel, a local businessman, found the remains of the city that was consumed in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

Seattle had been founded on mostly soggy tideflats and streets would routinely flood when it rained - which it does often. The fire gave the city the chance to change that. Retaining walls were built on either side of the old streets and the space between the walls was filled in and paved over. This basically raised the streets, making them one story higher than the old sidewalks and created the underground.

The tour begins inside Doc Maynard's Public House, an 1890's saloon, and ends in Rogues Gallery, the tour gift shop. Tickets range from $7 - $15 and can be purchased online or in person at 609 1^st Avenue, in Pioneer Square. Call 206-682-4646 for more information.

And what trip to the area would be complete without wandering through the Museum of Flight?

In 1965, the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation, a small group of aviation enthusiasts decided that a place was needed to store and exhibit items related to the evolution of flight. The first Museum of Flight was located at the Seattle Center, but in 1975 the Port of Seattle leased the land of the current location to the Museum for 99 years. The Red Barn, birthplace of the Boeing Company, was saved from demolition, restored and moved to its new home becoming the cornerstone of the new museum. In 1987, the Great Gallery was opened, followed by the Library and Archives Building in 2002 and the J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing and Airpark in 2004.

The outdoor Airpark showcases many planes, including the "Air Force One" used by Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, NASA's Transport Systems Research Vehicle, and the first Concorde. Visitors can board many of the Airpark planes.

The Museum of Flight is located south of downtown Seattle on 9404 East Marginal Way South. There is ample free parking and tickets range from $8 - $13. Call 206-764-5720 for more information.

No matter the time of year, there are always fun things to do in and around Seattle.