| Seattle came of age during
the early ‘60s, when the honor of hosting the 1962 World's Fair was bestowed upon
us. With the typical lag of West Coast culture, we didn't get hip to the futurism
of the late ‘50s until the extravagant architecture of the Space Needle put us
on the map. Located a short walk from the Marqueen, the Inn at Queen Anne, the
Seattle Center has long been the hub of much of the city's major culture and entertainment.
The beauty of Seattle Center, and the
key to its enduring popularity to the city, comes from its genuine appeal to young
and old. Framed by the Experience Music Project (EMP) , Memorial Stadium, the
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall (opened in 2003 on the site of the old Opera House),
the Intiman Theater , the Key Arena , and Pacific Science Center/Imax Theater
, Seattle Center offers a full range of entertainment in a central location. In
addition to these major structures, there are also several smaller stages that
host more modest events as well as a Children's Museum , food court, amusement
park, and the ever-popular International Fountain. The child in everyone is drawn
to this gigantic water sculpture and the jets of water that shoot several stories
into the air while classical music plays in the background. Throughout
the summer there are also several huge festivals that happen at Seattle Center.
Take note if you are going to be in the area during the Seattle Folklife Festival
, Bite of Seattle , or Bumbershoot . You may want to join in the festivites,
or steer clear and take advantage of smaller crowds at other attractions. There
are other great celebrations taking places all over the city during the summer
months. Seafair , which performances by the Blue Angels and Hydroplane Races on
Lake Washington, includes a big parade through the downtown business district.
If you're staying at the Red Lion on Fifth Avenue or the Roosevelt the celebration
will practically be right outside your door. The Pacific Northwest Art Fair (located
a short distance from both the Red Lion at Bellevue and the Hilton Bellevue),
the Fremont Fair , and the University District Street Fair all offer music, arts
and crafts, delicious food and street performances. The University District also
has a weekend Farmer's Market , very convenient if you are staying at the University
Inn or Watertown. The Waterfront, Pike
Place Market and Pioneer Square are the significant historic districts in the
downtown area. Just a short walk from the Edgewater or the Homewood Suites by
Hilton, the Waterfront has much to offer besides its legendary fish ‘n chips.
The Seattle Aquarium and Omnidome Theater are just the start. Ferry rides, sight-seeing
tours, the Waterfront Trolley and cruises to Tillicum Village on Blake Island
are just a few of the fun attractions in this neighborhood. Walking
through Pioneer Square or the Pike Place Market will give the traveler a glimpse
into the Seattle of yesteryear. Due to a devastating fire that destroyed a significant
portion of the downtown area in 1889, and the drainage problems that caused the
Pioneer Square area to construct a landfill, raising its ground-level one story,
the oldest architectural examples in the city are underground. The best way to
get a quick study of Seattle's history and to see these old ruins is to take the
tour of Underground Seattle . A short
trip north to the Museum of History and Industry will round out the details of
the city's early days. Follow it up with a stroll through the Arboretum , Seattle's
most renowned botanical garden. Visit the Japanese garden and stroll beneath canopies
of mature Rhododendrons or sit along the banks and watch the waterfowl swim around
with their broods. There are quality
museums and theaters located throughout the city, most notably the Seattle Art
Museum (Downtown) and Henry Art Gallery (University District). Take advantage
of the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), if you're in town in late May
or early June. Movies will be shown at theaters throughout the city, so it's a
nice opportunity to take a little break from all that sight seeing. After hiking
around the metro area for a few days, you may want to consider taking a day-trip
outside the city to experience some of the other natural attractions and recreation
that we have to offer. Whether it's
a hike on Mt. Rainier , a game of Golf at the premier Newcastle or Redmond courses,
or a little wine tasting at some of our local wineries , there are plenty of relaxing
ways to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds Seattle. Keep in mind, if you
have a lot of activities planned for your trip that will take you away from the
downtown area, it may be more convenient to book your accommodations at the Springhill
Suites by Marriott or one of the downtown Bellevue hotels. This will give you
a more central location to explore the area from. With
a comfortable pair of shoes and a little planning, you're sure to have a lot of
fun exploring the city and surrounding areas. | 
