SEATTLE - ATTRACTIONS

We only spent two days in Seattle, so we didn't see as much as we would have liked, but the following 3 attractions are our recommendations - of course, this doesn't include Safeco Field.

1. Space Needle - Located in Seattle Center, the Needle is obviously Seattle's most famous landmark. It was built 40 years ago for the 1962 World's Fair. It is worth the $11 to ride 605 feet to the observation deck where, on a clear day, the views are spectacular: downtown on the south side, with Safeco Field just beyond; Lake Washington on the north side; and Puget Sound to the west. If you are lucky, you will see Mount Rainier off to the east. Detailed descriptions of each landmark as well as free telescopes on the outer deck add to the experience. 

The space needle from the ground

Seattle Center itself is worth some time, there are a number of interesting attractions for children as well as the Experience Music Project, a new museum dedicated to presenting the history of American popular music.

Once you have seen Seattle Center, take the monorail downtown, getting off at Westlake Center, located at 4th Avenue and Pine Street. From there, walk west to 1st Avenue, where you will see Pike Place Market.

2. Pike Place Market - Located at the corner of 1st Avenue and Pike Street, the market is a great place to get fresh produce as well as to watch street performers strut their stuff. Note the fishmongers at Pike Place Fish Market - they will deliver their fish anywhere in the world. Behind the market is a system of walkways that allows you to get to the waterfront. A great place to have a nice lunch break, before walking down 1st Avenue to Pioneer Square.

3. Bill Spiedel's Underground Tour - The ticket office is located inside the Pioneer building at 1st Avenue and Yesler Way. For $9 you get a very interesting and humorous description of Seattle's early history before being led into underground sidewalks which were created around 1889 when the city raised street levels to improve drainage. For those expecting to see things as they were over 100 years ago, you will be disappointed - the underground was ignored for decades before the tour began in 1965, so things are a bit rundown.
Instead, this is more of a historical tour with an emphasis on explaining why things happened the way they did. If you like history, this is a good tour, but if you are in a rush, you may want to skip this as it takes 1.5 hours.

The tour is not currently accepting reservations; your best bet is to give them a call at 206-682-4646 to find out what time tours are being conducted.

From Pioneer Square, continue walking down 1st Avenue on your way to Safeco Field.

The Underground Tour starts at this building.