Obviously, Seattle, like that, doesn't mean much. We know more Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco etc... But Seattle is full of great treasures. On the western tip of the United States, in the state of Washington, the American city of Seattle is a destination to discover. 150 km from the Canadian border, Seattle is a must see and you will be surprised to succumb to its charm. What to see in this setting straight out of TV series such as Grey's Anatomy or films like Into the Wild or the famous Twilight? To help you organize your stay, we give you some ideas for visiting Seattle: what to do in this great American city?
How to get around Seattle?
Seattle has a good bus and tram network, but also ferry! Yes, yes, you read that correctly, ferries are an integral part of the life of the locals. Seattle is surrounded by islands, and in order to avoid traffic jams, many residents of the city take boats to work.
- King County Metro Transit: Do not be mistaken by its name, it is not a metro but an electric bus that will allow you to walk around the city center and visit the different neighborhoods. Go to the Transit Information Center located in the Westlake Center tunnel at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Pine Street or directly to the King county Metro website to purchase your tickets and get information for transit times.
- The day pass: To have a day pass, you must have a regional transport card which costs $ 5. The day pass that you can credit costs $ 8. It’s great if you want to spend more than a day in Seattle. You can buy it from ORCA machines.
- The Seattle Center Monorail: This streetcar departs from Westlake Center in the city center and finishes at the Seattle Center, at the foot of Queen Anne Hill. The trip takes only 2 minutes and one-way costs $ 2.25. Service hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
- The Link Light Rail streetcar connects downtown from the airport
Pike Place Market, Seattle's Historic Center
Pike Place Market is THE place not to be missed during your visit to Seattle, you will understand it pretty quickly. This market was built in 1907 so that local producers could sell their fresh produce to the inhabitants of the big city. This is where you will find everything you need: restaurants, snack bars, souvenir shops and a place of worship like the chewing gum wall. Inside Pike Place Market you will find many stalls ranging from fishmongers to florists, know that this market is one of the last in the United States to be located in the middle of a city the size of Seattle. In the streets around Pike Place Market, you will find a great choice of restaurants, including the most famous Pike Place Chowder and its Seafood which will put you in line for an hour. You will also find French restaurants, such as pancakes and cheese.
Space Needle
The Seattle Tower to discover: from its 184 meters high, it has a platform where you can have lunch and admire a 360 ° panoramic view. A great place to get up high and understand how lucky you are to be in Seattle. The tower is the emblem of the city: it was built for the 1962 World's Fair.
The first Starbucks in Starbucks history
And yes, the first Starbucks is in Seattle. Located at 1912 Pike Place Market, this Starbucks isnt really the first, but rather the second. The first no longer exists today. For the record, it was in 1971 that 3 men decided to open a place to sell coffee made with roasted beans.
The Chewing Gum Wall
Another cult place of Pike Place Marktet: the Chewing Gum wall. This wall is one of the main tourist attractions in the city and what's more, it's free! Located in one of the small streets under the market, the Gum Wall is said to have gradually appeared thanks to the contributions of people waiting in line to enter the improvisation theater. Surely one of the least hygienic places on this earth. For almost 20 years now, it has been welcoming all the chewing gum of passers-by.
Seattle Central Library
Located right in the heart of downtown, the Seattle Central Library is one of the must-see places if you're an architecture fan. Inaugurated in 2004 and designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, this public library is built on eleven floors covered with thousands of glass panels forming a large diamond. This building is clearly distinguished from other buildings with classic tower shapes. Don't hesitate to take a look inside for a coffee and stroll among the tons of books displayed in its enclosure.
Watch the sunset at Kerry Park
Kerry Park is one of the famous spots to watch the sunset over the Seattle skyline. This park is located south of Queen Anne Hill, not far from the Space Needle. Come an hour before sunset to find a good seat. In the distance you can see Mount Rainier on a clear day and the various islands around Seattle. If you are patient, stay until the Space Needle lights up to see the panorama with the night lights.
Take a boat tour at PUGET SOUND
In Seattle, water is everywhere. The city was built around an arm of the ocean, Puget Sound. The City Pass offers a cruise in the port. A great time to see the city from the water. You will have a great view of the Edgewater Hotel, where guests can literally fish from their balcony.
The Experience Music Project
The Experience Music Project (EMP) is housed in a psychedelic building designed by famed architect Frank Gehry at the Seattle Center Business Park. It's a place entirely devoted to rock and grunge, a movement powered by the band Nirvana that started in good old Seattle. After admiring the relics of Nirvana or AC / DC, have fun with the instruments and don't forget to visit the Science Fiction Museum.
Photo by : Chait Goli
Lots of Love, Valerie & Alex
Comments / 1