Explore Seattle Through Its Waterways

Seattle, Washington has always welcomed and entertained its tourists through its waterways such as lakes. Ferries, boats, and yachts abound in the area. Water does not only have a historical importance to the city; it also bears significance as a social paradox to the city residents. Maritime activities have long been acquired by the city’s populace as part of their daily lives.

If you’ve decided to take a trip to Seattle, foremost on your to-do list must be a visit to the Pioneer Square Historic District, where the famous Underground Tour takes place. In this tour you will embark on a chronological account of the city’s history with its waterways. A particularly interesting part of the tour is when you get to see cityscapes underground to solve issues with plumbing. You can also learn about how the phrase “Skid Road” became popular and in which context it was originally used.

With the numerous islands that surround Seattle’s periphery, the ferries travel and course through the waterways carrying passengers and freight alike from one spot to another. In Seattle, this mode of transportation is a regular sight to residents and is used by travelers in moving around the city as well.

Part of the tourist attraction requires commuting through the waterways especially during adverse driving conditions, thus everybody is bound to set foot on a ferry at least once on his or her stay in Seattle.

Pier 52 showcases concerts along the ferry terminal during summer. An event called Picnic at the Pier is held at the terminal every last Friday of the month starting June until August. The event starts at 3pm and lasts for 3 hours.

Puget Sound offers 10 highly reachable ferry neighborhoods that excite tourists during their visit. You probably won’t be able to visit all of them, but you can choose one or two and take a day trip instead as this will suffice to make your Seattle trip unforgettable.

The Center for Wooden Boats offers a distinctive travel experience in Seattle. Entrance is free and you can get magically transported to rustic landscape that’s sure to soothe your spirit and calm your nerves. Not only do you get to observe the magnificently designed boats being crafted, you can also enjoy a peaceful ride through one of these sailboats free of charge, particularly on Sunday afternoons.

If you want, you can also rent any of the boats if the weather permits. There are also beginner’s classes for sailing, plus a more advanced training session for those who want more than the basics.

You won’t have a hard time thinking of stuff to do in Seattle if you love being in the water. There are various activities such as boating, ferrying, water skiing, and others which you will absolutely enjoy during your visit.

Take precautionary measures when on the water, but do let loose and enjoy the calm winds and great scenery that Seattle has to offer. Learn more about the city’s rich cultural heritage and traditions with its waterways.

Tourist Spots in Seattle

Seattle, one of the largest cities of United States is situated in the state of Washington. It is a coastal port city which had an estimated metropolitan population of 3.4 million. Emerald City, the nickname given to Seattle is due to the presence of abundant evergreen trees present in the city as well as the areas surrounding it. The city has also other names such as Jet City, Rain City, Gateway to Alaska, Coffee Town etc. The city has a reputation of being the hometown of grunge music. More over the city is also famous for coffee production. The world famous coffee manufacturers such as Tully’s, Starbucks, and Seattle’s Best Coffee etc are Seattle based companies. The city is also an international center for business.

Seattle is one of the major tourist centers of US as the city has lots of attractions to visit. There are a lot of places and sights to visit in Seattle. It is a city where extraordinary is common. Seattle’s temperate climate, lush of evergreen trees, snow covered mountains, lakes and other such nature’s gift drew millions of tourists every year. Apart from sight seeing, Seattle offers you many enthralling entertainment activities such as scuba diving, sailing, rowing, rock climbing, trekking, mountain biking etc.

Though almost all the spots in Seattle are attractive, the most frequently visited places by tourists are listed below.

Space Needle

Space Needle, the 600 feet high building is the major landmark of Seattle. You can go to the top of the building where you can make an aerial view of the city. On the top of the tower, there is a famous revolving restaurant named Sky City which is popular throughout US.

Museum of Flight:

When you think of Flight museum, you may assume it as an average museum. But it is such a big museum that consists of three sections. One section deals with NASA and space programs whereas other two sections are about the two World Wars. The museum also has a wide collection of war planes.

Woodland Park Zoo:

Woodland Park Zoo, the largest zoo in Seattle as well as in the west Coast includes several rare species. It can be assured that children will be excited very much.

Seattle Boeing Plant Tour

The Boeing Plant situated at Seattle is another major tourist spot visited by millions of people every year. Here you can learn the history of Boeing with the help of video representation before entering the factory. The factory is situated in one of the largest building where you can see the assembly line of Boeing airplanes.

Seattle Aquarium

Seattle aquarium which includes a large species of aquatic animals offers you fun as well as education.

Seattle Underground Tour

Visit the underground city and learn the history about how the city was created. The visit will be truly exciting and will be definitely a new experience to you.

Enjoy the Lush Countryside at Seattle State Parks

A visit to Seattle, Washington is an invitation to experience the stunning outdoor views in this splendid city. This is truly among the few areas in the United States that are enveloped by a natural beauty, where tourists and locals alike can marvel at the vast expanse of beautiful bushes and at streets lined by greenery and trees.

Although the populace experience rain during half of the year, it is not a hindrance to an excursion of the natural wonders that surround the city. The cool humid temperature is as enticing as the abundant greens and will encourage even the harshest critic to step outdoors.

With a number of state parks that have been established along the area, it appears that there are already countless admirers of the natural beauty that is thriving in Seattle. Not only are these state parks within reach, going there is effortless and hardly ever complicated. Nature lovers and outdoor adventurers similarly traverse these state parks with a hushed audacity, as these state parks are as awe-inspiring as the rest of nature. For nature aficionados and backpackers, each visit to these state parks is a marvelous treat.

Going through the list of must-see places in Seattle for the adventurous camper in you, the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is among the recommended attractions. Considered more of a memorial shrine than a state park, this 110,000-acre monument was erected after the Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980 to encourage continuous research and development.

Next is the Mt. Rainier National Park. Just a few miles away from Seattle, Mt. Rainier was converted into a state park in 1899 and is considered an inactive volcano. This state park welcomes about 2 million visitors every year. With activities that include camping, trekking, horseback riding, mountain climbing, and fishing, this state park offers a lot of things to do.

Situated around 2 hours beyond Seattle, Washington, the North Cascades National Park offers a striking view of the place. More of a mountain range and popularly called the North American Alps, a wide range of activities is provided to anyone interested in conquering this huge boulder of land.

Aside from the usual outdoor camping, hiking, mountain climbing, and fishing, there are also float trips available to skid through the Skagit and Stehekin waterways. Even a day trek would enamor any visitor to appreciate the wonders of this majestic earthly structure. The best activity for kids though is still a float trip along the rivers. Not only will this encourage children to recognize the natural beauty of Seattle, it will also let them grasp the importance of taking good care of the environment.

Seattle state parks offer such an exciting array of sights and sounds that make it highly recommended for all tourists. The finest vacation is one that offers a tingling of all senses. It is a welcome respite from the industrial chaos of daily city life.

Things to Do in Seattle on a Rainy Day

A trip to Seattle, Washington during the rainy season creates a feeling of warm welcome with its rejuvenating cool atmosphere. Known to be a haven for nature lovers with its great outdoors, tourists and locals alike enjoy the invigorating spritz of the breezy weather. Never mind the umbrella. As long as you’re cozy in your protective boots and your water-resistant clothes, all you need now is a hip headdress and you’re ready to enjoy the natural scenery.

You can enjoy any delightful activity even on a rainy day, as most Seattle folk thrive in these weather conditions and consider having a good time even in the stormiest weather. If going outdoors in this weather appears too adventurous for you, then a backup plan such as indoor recreational activities would do you good. What’s great is that, no matter which activity you crave for, you can always find something worth doing in this great city.

Shopping is an excellent way to pass away time with all the stores full of goodies. Visiting local stores where artists showcase their craftsmanship in exhibits allows you to catch a glimpse of their creativity and skill. Although we do have shopping malls back home, it is refreshing to know more about the city’s culture and history.

A number of indoor tourist spots include the Experience Music Project, the Seattle Children’s Museum, the Pacific Science Center, the Spirit of Washington Dinner train, Redhook Brewery tours, plus the SeaBear Smokehouse tours. And a trip to Seattle is never complete without having the ride of your life in the Space Needle. If these local attractions are a bit expensive for your taste, save up for the tours and bring packed lunch.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, as Seattle offers a different kind of sightseeing in the Boeing Aviation Center, where massive aircraft are designed and constructed. You can also hop over to the Museum of Flight. Rated as among the outstanding museums in the country, this is where you can sift through the vast collection of planes in aviation history. If you’re an avid moviegoer, then gear up your goggles for the IMAX Theater. Or if marine ecosystems are your thing, go and say hello to the sea creatures at the Seattle Aquarium.

Seattle produces delightful flavors and there are numerous eateries to choose from. The Center House in Seattle Center is widely known for its reasonably priced menus with a huge variety of food and drinks. You may also stop over at the Northwest Craft Center Gallery to browse through the assortment of Native American handicrafts and local art pieces.

The Pike Place Market is a gustatory experience, a feast for the eyes as you can experience the joy of seeing your meal prepared right in front of you. And if cooking is right up your alley, then PCC Cooks can teach you a thing or two in preparing classic gourmet meals that’s sure to pique your interest.

Planning your Seattle trip means jotting down your itinerary whether it be your primary destination or a contingency activity. Don’t let the weather spoil your fun. Instead let it be the stimulus of a wonderful stay in Seattle.