Unusual Seattle Sights: From the Unusual to the Just Plain Bizzare

OK, so you've visited Seattle's Space Needle, Pikes Market, Pioneer Square, both stadiums and the "New York" style downtown area -- so now what? Well, that depends on what you have a taste for. Deep in the heart of Seattle are a few hidden gems that many tourists are not normally aware of. Some are a little unusual and some are ... well, you be the judge.

Sleepless in Seattle, Frasier, Deadliest Catch and other interesting harbor sites:

One of the best ways to see some of the areas used in movies and T.V. is to take a boat cruise. From the boat cruise you will have an opportunity to see the houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle, The apartment buildings where Frasier lived and if you're lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of some of the fishing boats that work the high seas in the show Deadliest Catch.

The harbor has some other interesting sights as well: a neighborhood of house boats and the remains of the old Gas Works to name a few. You can also include a tour of the locks and experience how a boat passes through a real working lock system. The canal is the same design as the one in Panama -- only much smaller, of course.

From the locks, the cruise continues on to the open sea. There you will have a great opportunity to get some city-scape pictures of downtown Seattle. If you're lucky and the weather is clear, you might even get a great shot of Mount Rainier.

More Frasier and The Starbucks -- Things to add while downtown:

Everyone is aware that there are more than a few Starbucks in Seattle, but did you know that the original Starbucks is in Pikes Market (1912 Pike Place)? Not only is it the first Starbucks but it's also the only one that doesn't look like one. Be sure to add this to your itinerary when you are in the area.

While you make your way through Pioneers square, be sure to visit the Elliott Bay Cafe (101 South Main Street, below the Elliott Bay Book Company). This is the cafe featured in the T.V. show Frasier. Don't be too disappointed, though, if the interior does not look the same as in the show; the cafe has gone through many changes over the years.

Follow the Trail of a serial killer -- The college district:

The serial killer I'm referring to, of course, is Ted Bundy. Ted is one of Seattle's most famous citizens and one of the least they are proud of. His killing spree eventually ended in Florida where he was finally caught and executed.

Although there were a few places in Seattle where Ted lived, one of the main residences is on 12th street (I will leave it to you to find the exact address). If you choose to find the house, please respect the residents of the neighborhood and their right to privacy. Get your picture quickly, then leave.

From there it's just a short walk to the fraternity house section of town. There, you can walk down the same alley behind the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority house (4521 17th Avenue Northeast) where Bundy picked up victim, Georgeann Hawkins. Oddly enough, you can walk through this area at night and still see young women walking around alone.

After taking a stroll down the ally, you can take a taxi or walk to Dantes (5300 Roosevelt Way Northeast). Dantes is the small bar where Ted used to have a beer or two and stalk out his victims. It's a great place to end your walk and have a refreshing drink. The place is a little different then it was in Ted's day but you can still get a feel for why he liked it there.

The Lake View Cemetery -- I see dead things:

While in Seattle, why not hang out with the rich and famous? Of course, you won't be able to get any autographs but you can get a few pictures of their final resting places.

The cemetery's two most famous residents are martial artists Bruce Lee and son, Brandon Lee. You shouldn't have any problems finding Bruce and Brandon -- especially if other tourists are present -- practically everyone goes there first and usually in a large group.

The founding fathers of Seattle are also laid to rest there as well as some other notables. Ask for a map at the guest shed if it's open (the guest shed appears to be closed on holidays even though the cemetery may be open).

So next time you're in Seattle and you think you've seen it all, check out the hidden side of the city. Whether its movies, T.V. shows, famous people or killers; Seattle has a enough strange sights to satisfy the whole family.