Sightseeing

Area Attractions xploring Seattle area sights is an ongoing endeavor, E even for long-time residents. Many an exciting day or evening can be spent at the various tourist attractions that make the city unique.

ENJOYING THE REGION

Arboretum

The Washington Park Arboretum, located near the University of Washington just south of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, offers 230 acres of exploring possibilities among more than 5,000 kinds of trees, shrubs and vines, plus a waterfront trail and display gardens. Free admission, except for the Japanese Garden, (206) 6844725. Download maps and audio tours at www.depts.washington. edu/uwbg or contact the Graham Visitors Center, 2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle 98112, (206) 543-8800. For a different view of the park, rent a canoe from the University Waterfront Activities Center and paddle the surrounding waterways. (206) 543-9433.

Chinatown-International District

In South Downtown Seattle near CenturyLink and Safeco Fields, this district is home to Seattle’s Pan-Asian community. Neighborhood highlights include the Chinese pavilion in Hing Hay Park, the Wing Luke Asian Museum, Chinagate, community gardens, dragon sculptures, various multicultural festivals and events, and Uwajimaya, one of the region’s largest Asian retail stores. (206) 382-1197, www.cidbia.org.

Chittenden Locks

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks connect the freshwater Lake Washington Ship Canal with the saltwater Puget Sound. Designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Locks have raised and lowered vessels of all sizes from the Lake to the Sound since 1917. An underwater viewing room reveals salmon swimming up the Locks’ fish ladder. The grounds also feature the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens and a Visitors Center with exhibits and a gift shop. Free tours March through November. (206) 783-7059, www. seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm.

Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour

The Seattle area’s largest employer and the world’s largest manufacturer of airplanes offers tours at its Everett plant. The onethird mile walking tour and video presentation showcases the plane building process. Reservations advised, (800) 464-1476. Sales start on-site at 8:30 a.m. for limited number of same day tickets. Tours include admission to The Future of Flight. You can also visit the Future of Flight featuring interactive displays, exhibits, gift shops and café without taking the Boeing Tour. www.futureofflight.org.

8,000 ceramic tiles made in China adorn the Chinatown Gate in Seattle

Museums and Galleries

The Seattle Art Museum, or SAM, is known for its Asian, African, Pacific Northwest and contemporary American art holdings, as well as its diverse line-up of programs. Open Wednesday through Sunday, the first Thursday of each month is free. 1300 1st Ave, Seattle 98101. A ticket to SAM also provides admission to the Seattle Asian Art Museum if used within one week. Renowned for its Chinese, Korean and Japanese collections, this museum is located in Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect. (206) 654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org.

Other Area Museums:

• Bellevue Arts Museum: 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, (425) 519-0770, www.bellevuearts.org. • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture: UW campus, 17th Ave NE and NE 45th St, Seattle, (206) 543-5590, www.burkemuseum.org. • Experience Music Project (EMP): 325 5th Ave N at

Seattle Center, (206) 770-2700, www.empmuseum.org. • Frye Art Museum: 704 Terry Ave, Seattle, (206) 622-9250, www.fryemuseum.org.

• Henry Art Gallery: UW campus, 15th Ave NE & NE 41st St,

Seattle, (206) 543-2280, www.henryart.org. • Museum of Flight: 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, (206) 764-5720, www.museumofflight.org. • Museum of Glass: 1801 Dock St, Tacoma, (866) 468-7386, www.museumofglass.org. • Museum of History & Industry: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, (206) 324-1126, www.mohai.org. • Nordic Heritage Museum: 3014 NW 67th St, Seattle, (206) 789-5707, www.nordicmuseum.org. • Wing Luke Asian Museum: 719 S. King St, Seattle, (206) 623-5124, www.wingluke.org.

Pike Place Market

Created more than a century ago to connect the city’s citizens and farmers, Pike Place Market is a beloved Seattle treasure and remains the bustling center of farm fresh, locally sourced, artisanal and specialty foods. Here you can “Meet the Producer”—the farmers, butchers, fishmongers, cheesemongers, bakers, winemakers and purveyors who bring their bounty to your table. The Market features one of the country’s largest craft markets, more than 225 small independent businesses and a diverse array of restaurants. (206) 682-7453. www.pikeplacemarket.org.

A bounty of fresh produce, crafts, flowers and food are also offered statewide at weekly farmers markets. View a directory at www.wafarmersmarkets.com. For a list of crops, farms and events: www.pugetsoundfresh.org.

Pioneer Square

This historic district at the southern edge of downtown Seattle is the heart and soul of Seattle. Its quaint brick buildings were built atop what remained of the original business district after the great fire of 1889. For a unique view of these buried remains visit www.beneath-the-streets.com. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park also provides a glimpse into the past. (206) 2204240, www.nps.gov/klse. Nearby, the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum is the largest privately operated police museum in the western U.S. (206) 437-3860, www.seametropolicemuseum.org. Vintage fire engines and more are displayed at the Last Resort Fire Department Museum. (206) 783-4474, www.lastresortfd.org. Pioneer Square bookstores, art galleries, antique and specialty shops are perfect for browsing. www.PioneerSquare.org.

Seattle Center/Space Needle/EMP

The 74-acre Seattle Center features year-round activity. Originally the site for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Center’s landscaped grounds are free to visit and include the dramatic International Fountain. Over 12 million visit each year to ride the Monorail or enjoy one of the 30-plus campus organizations offering outstanding arts and entertainment. A “must see” is the 605-foot Space Needle, easily one of Seattle’s most recognizable landmarks. The Experience Music Project (or EMP) is a unique, interactive rock music Museum that also includes the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. The Pacific Science Center and the Children’s Museum offer hours of family fun. The Chihuly Garden & Glass Exhibition Hall has eight galleries housing Dale Chihuly’s work. (206) 753-4940, www.chihulygardenandglass.com. A state-ofthe-art skatepark has features for all skill levels. Concerts and sporting events are held at Key Arena and Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Seattle Center also hosts many of the region’s major festivals and cultural events. (206) 684-7200, www.seattlecenter.com.

Waterfront

Seattle’s waterfront is a hive of activity and sights. Rows of boats, fishing piers, the Seattle Aquarium, hotels, shops and restaurants fill the docks along Alaskan Way. The Coast Guard Museum on Pier 36 is free and has unique nautical displays. Call ahead, (206) 2176993. Ferries to Vashon Island leave from Pier 50, while Bainbridge Island and Bremerton bound ferries depart Pier 52. Pier 57 hosts a waterfront arcade and The Seattle Great Wheel, a 175-ft ferris wheel. On Pier 59, the Seattle Aquarium is a very popular stop, in fact it is the 9th largest Aquarium in the U.S. by attendance. Cruise ship docks are at Pier 66 & 91 and parasailing boats, as well as harbor tours leave from other waterfront piers. Beyond Pier 70, the Olympic Sculpture Park features art in a fabulous 9-acre waterfront setting.

All-Star Sports

Seattle Mariners | MLB Baseball (206) 346-4001, mariners.org Seattle Seahawks | NFL Football (888) NFL-HAWK, seahawks.com

University of Washington Huskies (206) 543-2200, gohuskies.com Seattle Sounders FC | MLS Soccer (877) MLS-GOAL, soundersfc.com Seattle Storm | WNBA Basketball (206) 217-WNBA, wnba.com/storm

Tacoma Rainiers | AAA Baseball (253) 752-7707, tacoma.rainiers.milb.com

Everett AquaSox | A-League Baseball (425) 258-3673, everett. aquasox.milb.com Emerald Downs | Horse Racing (888) 931-8400, emeralddowns.com Pacific Raceways | Motor Racing (253) 639-5927, pacificraceways.com Seattle Thunderbirds | Junior Hockey (253) 239-PUCK, seattlethunderbirds.com

Everett Silvertips | Junior Hockey (425) 252-5100, everettsilvertips.com