The Top Seven Places to Visit in Seattle

What do you think about when you think of Seattle? The movie, Sleepless in Seattle? The coffee? Starbucks was born there, right at the Pike Public Market. Or Safeco Field? The home of the Seattle Mariners, a baseball lovers dream team, maybe. Depends on what team you love.

Depending on your particular interests, your thoughts could run to one or all of these sights, places, or fantasy scenes. Let's say, though, that you have decided to travel to Seattle. Wouldn't you want to get the most bang for your buck. I would guess that your time frame would dictate most of the trip. But, if you have at least two weeks the following should be in place.

All information is advising me that these seven places are central to your experience if you wish to leave the city with a true sense of Seattle, the home of the Klondike Gold Rush, and the Seattle Mariners.

1) Space Needle - Space Needle is the symbolic icon of Seattle, Washington. A significant amount of tourists either send or bring home a postcard with this looming tower on center stage.

Space Needle was constructed for the 1962 World's Fair, and during that fair, 2.3 million people paid homage to this beautiful sight. It was designated a historical landmark in 1999, and no one can go to Seattle without either a trip to Space Needle, or a view of it.

2) The Pike Public Market - Most people who have walked through the grounds of the Pike Public Market know all about Rachel. Rachel is the bronze pig who is the mascot of the Pike Public Market. Opened in 1907, Pike Public Market is the largest such market in America. It is impossible to adequately describe Pike in a short description such as this. Suffice to say, that Pike is the most traveled area for any tourist in Seattle.

3) Underground Touring- Has anyone watched the History Channel and been privy to the programs showing the underground cities? Underground touring in Seattle is a walk through the old downtown area of Seattle. What an experience! But not for anyone who wears high heels, or isn't in reasonably good shape. You will walk up about six flights of stairs throughout your journey.

4) The Seattle Aquarium - Seattle is known for its fishing industry, and the Seattle Aquarium is known throughout the nation for its many displays. Most notably, their fish hatchery. The Seattle Aquarium is the home of over 380 species of fish, invertebrates, birds and marine mammals. The best part? If you are a curious kid, or even a daring adult, you can shake hands with an octopus.

5) Experience Music Project - Seattle is well-known for its musical contributions, and the Experience Music Project is a tribute to American pop music culture. Named for the band of its native son, Jimi Hendrix, this interactive museum is a pop historians dream village.

6) Museum of Flight - This is the largest private air and space museum in the world. It also hosts the largest K-12 educational programs in the world. A walk through the Museum of Flight will take you from the days of Wilbur and Orville Wright to the engines of the Concorde, to learning how Mission Control works at the Kennedy Space Center. Not to be missed.

7) Safeco Field - The home of the Seattle Mariners! You have to visit Safeco Field to take in a game. Safeco Field opened on July 15, 1999 and can hold 46,621 eager fans. It was built to resemble the yesteryear ballparks, but has every modern amenity. You just cannot go to Seattle and not see a game!

Let's face it, the majority of these attractions could take a week or two to appreciate completely. Some, like Safeco Field, are never to be repeated adventures, unless you decide to make Seattle your home. But, taking for granted that you don't, these seven tastes of Seattle should leave you hungry for more, or longing for a cup of coffee. Starbucks, anyone?