Let’s get started right next to the Space Needle! The landmark Seattle is best known for, the Space Needle, was a prominent feature of the 1962 World’s Fair. But, the World’s Fair involved setting aside a large parcel of land that has evolved into Seattle Center, your first stop on the “haven’t seen” tour.

Also in Seattle Center is the new Experience Music Project, or the EMP as Seattleites often call it. This innovative museum, built by Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft), and designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, is home to one of the most extensive collections of contemporary music memorabilia in the world. Even better, in the Sound Lab can learn about the instruments by playing (guitar, keyboard, drums, and so on). The EMP offers frequently changing talks, workshops, and films – for example, the dance moves used by the Motown greats in their stage shows. See www.emplive.com for what’s happening there during your visit.

If you’re traveling with your kids, don’t miss the Fun Forest – an amusement park right at the base of the Space Needle. It has water rides, roller coasters, and many other attractions.

By now, you are probably hungry, so walk up to the Center House, a few short steps away, and choose among various cuisines from around the world. Prices are reasonable, and the food is great. Alternatively, you can eat at the Turntable Restaurant in the EMP or the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle (reservations suggested).

Before leaving Seattle Center, be sure to see the International Fountain just north of the Needle. Kids absolutely love the fountain, and I shouldn’t say this, but a strategically-placed Dixie cup on one of the fountain jets provides endless entertainment! Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes because kids always come away happy but soaked.

Ready for a change of venue? How about the very best view of Seattle? When the national news crews are filming pieces on Seattle, they always choose Kerry Park, and you shouldn’t miss it. Drive north up Queen Anne Avenue until you reach Highland Avenue. After making a left turn, Kerry Park is on your left about a block and a half later. This park has a sweeping view of Seattle Center, the entire city, Elliott Bay, and on a good day, you’ll have a perfect view of Mount Rainier and Bainbridge Island – it’s the best sunset location in town. Kerry Park is consistently rated as one of Seattle’s most romantic places, so don’t be surprised if there is a wedding taking place when you are there.

Tip: Don’t forget to buy an Entertainment Book (www.entertainment.com). A couple of meals and you’ve paid off your investment! There are numerous 2-for-1 specials, including many of the restaurants and attractions mentioned in this article. These books are also useful for suggestions when you are looking for a place to eat or something interesting to do.

Kerry Park is on Queen Anne Hill, which is a popular neighborhood because it is conveniently located to downtown but at the same time is quiet and has spectacular views. Toward the top of the hill, on Queen Anne Avenue, are several distinctive restaurants, among them the “5 Spot,” whose food is as eclectic as their clientele. This restaurant is right on top of what is commonly referred to as the Counterbalance. The name derives from the days of a gravity-driven trolley system that brought people up and down the hill. A huge counterbalance once existed right at the top of the hill. Further up the avenue are casual and fine dining establishments such as the Paragon Restaurant and Bar and the “Firefly Lumette.”

As you might expect of the “coffee capitol of the world,” there are Starbucks and Tully’s coffee shops everywhere. You’ll also find lesser-known cafes that make incredible lattes and cappuccinos as well.

The next stop is Fremont, a somewhat Bohemian neighborhood that has a distinctive flavor not found anywhere else in Seattle. You’ll need a map to get there, even though Fremont claims to be the “Center of the Universe.” Look for the cross streets, Fremont Avenue and Leary Way. When planning your route, be sure to cross the Fremont Bridge, a colorful bascule bridge designed to allow tall boats and ships to pass through. Fremont is home to a number of microbreweries. During a stop at any of the taverns in Fremont you’ll find either a menu or a chalkboard with a huge array of local beers. Or… if you prefer, there are many antique or thrift shops where you can find unusual items – glassware, vintage clothing, and other esoterica.

Heading west on Leary Way will bring you to Ballard, a neighborhood that started out as a separate city from Seattle. Ballard was, and still is, a Scandinavian fishing town, as you can tell from the accents of folks you meet there. As you continue west, you’ll find the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (or the Ballard Locks, as they are more commonly known).

Set aside at least half an hour for this stop. You’re going to be near the water and it can get a little chilly even in the summer, so bring along a sweater or jacket.

These locks connect the salt water of Elliott Bay with the fresh water of Lake Union and Lake Washington. Maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers, the locks are a wonderful spectacle – you can watch everything from small inflatable boats to tugs with barges being raised from the lower waters of Puget Sound up to the level of the lakes. The lock tenders are amazing at packing the most boats into a small space that can possibly fit. On the south side of the locks is the fish ladder, that was built to allow salmon to swim upstream, unimpeded. You can watch through a series of windows, as the salmon make part of the journey to their spawning ground. Informational plaques help you identify the species of salmon and give insight into the life cycle of the Pacific Salmon.

Within 30 minutes drive of Seattle proper, you’ll find many wineries, from boutique all the way to the largest: Chateau Ste. Michelle. These wineries, clustered around the town of Woodinville, northeast of Seattle, offer tastings and you can purchase private reserve wines not available in stores. The most accessible wineries are Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest, which are across the street from one another. The grapes are actually grown across the Cascade Mountains, in Eastern Washington; however, the wineries are conveniently located to Seattle. You’ll find the grounds of Ste. Michelle to be worth the trip. Modeled after a French chateau, the buildings sit on a slightly rolling terrain with splendidly maintained lawns and gardens. In the summer, Ste. Michelle hosts concerts and other events. Check their Web site’s “Classes & Special Events” section to see what is going on at the Winery when you are in town.

A visit to Seattle is an all-around great choice for everyone, from families with children to wine connoisseurs to those looking for the cultural and eclectic.

Some Seattle Firsts: Wallin & Nordstrom shoe store founded, 1901 Bill Boeing founds his aircraft company, 1916 Eddie Bauer opened an outdoor clothing store, 1920 Lloyd Anderson starts REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.), an outdoor equipment cooperative, 1938 Starbucks opens first location in Pike Place Market, 1971 Bill Gates and Paul Allen found Microsoft Corporation, 1975

Lodging The Marriott Waterfront 206/443-5000 Hotel Vintage Park 800/853-3914 Seattle Homewood Suites 206/281-9393

Other Places to Eat Elliott’s Oyster House 206/623-4340 Ray’s Boathouse 206/789-3770

Nancy & Steve Ross are a dynamic duo and work side by side photographing, writing and editing their work. When they are not on location photographing, they are editing their images and words. Some would say that this wife/husband team are joined at the hip! Their work has appeared in many publications as well as in galleries.

They have made the move to digital photography, but still use film on occasion. They are members of North American Travel Journalists (NATJA) and write a bi-monthly "Photo Tips" column for Travelworld Magazine.

One of Nancy's photographs was selected as a winner from over 12,000 entries in the 2004 Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest.

© 2005

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