Pike Place Market
Rachel, a giant piggy bank, stands guard over the Pike Place Farmer's Market in downtown Seattle, placed there to raise funds to preserve this National Historic District founded in 1907. The bustling market has provided the local�people with producer-priced goods for decades, and continues to do so today as about 100 farmers and fishmongers tout their wares. They have been joined by more than 150 local craftspeople and artists who have also set up shop here, along with street performers, dozens of restaurants and numerous specialty shops. The world's first Starbucks coffee shop opened here in 1971, and is still brewing up its famous beverage on the original site. At the north end of the market Victor Steinbrueck Park provides a popular grassy place to sit in the sun and escape the milling crowds.
Address: First Avenue, between Pike and Pine Streets
Telephone: (206) 682 7453
E-mail:info@pikeplacemarket.org
Web site:www.pikeplacemarket.org
Transport: Public bus service or the Waterfront Street Car
Opening time: Open daily. Hours vary for different businesses, and Sundays are voluntary opening days so some shops may be closed
The Space Needle
Anyone who has followed the Hollywood movies will be familiar with Seattle’s internationally recognized symbol, the futuristic creative Space Needle building. From afar it looks like a spinning top, with the needle aerial pointing skywards. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair to showcase upcoming architectural development, and proved itself by withstanding an earthquake experienced in the city in February 2001 measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale. Visitors can ascend the 607ft (185m) building as far as a revolving observation deck 520ft (158m) above the city, where high-powered telescopes are positioned to allow you to pick out the city sights. There is also a restaurant on top of the tower.
Address: 400 Broad Street
Telephone: (206) 905-2100
E-mail: info@spaceneedle.com
Web site: www.spaceneedle.com
Transport: Monorail from downtown
Opening time: Sunday to Thursday 9am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to midnight
Admission: $15 (adults), $7 (children 4-13). Day and night tickets allow for 2 visits in 24hrs: $19 (adults), $11 (children)
Experience Music Project
One of Seattle’s most popular attractions is the Experience Music Project, basically a rock ‘n roll music museum with a difference, housed in a huge, colorful psychedelic building, designed by Frank Gehry at the base of the Space Needle. The museum was planned originally by Microsoft entrepreneur Paul Allen as a memorial to Jimi Hendrix, the superstar guitarist who was born in Seattle and died more than 30 years ago. The Hendrix exhibit, featuring artifacts associated with the rock legend, remains the biggest drawcard at the museum, but the collections and interactive exhibits have been expanded to include the general history of American popular music. Exhibits range from the first electric guitars of the 1930s to a rock ‘n roll thrill ride akin to a roller coaster. In interactive rooms visitors can try their hands at mixing on DJ turntables or playing various instruments. The museum is also the venue for numerous concerts.
Address: 325 Fifth Avenue North
Telephone:(877) 367-5483
Web site: www.emplive.com
Transport: Metro Transit Bus and Seattle Center Monorail
Opening time: Daily 10am to 8pm (25 May to 3 September); daily, except Tuesdays, 10am to 5pm (5 September to 24 May)
Admission: $15 (adults); $12 (children 5-17). Other concessions available. Free from 5pm to 8pm on first Thursday of every month
Seattle Art Museum
Seattle's downtown Art Museum is landmarked by the animated thudding massive steel sculpture by Jonathon Borofsky called 'Hammering Man' that stands outside. Inside the remarkable building, designed by Robert Venturi, are a large range of exhibits covering European and American art, from ancient through to a vast 20th-century collection devoted to Northwest contemporary art. Free guided tours of the different collections are offered.
Address: 1300 First Avenue
Telephone: (206) 654-3100
Web site: www.seattleartmuseum.org
Transport: Metro bus
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; Thursday and Friday 10am to 9pm. Closed Mondays
Admission: $13 (adults), $7 (children 13-17); other concessions available. Free admission on the first Thursday of every month
Pioneer Square
Billed as 'where Seattle begins', the historic district of Pioneer Square features more than 20 city blocks of historic buildings, more than 30 galleries, a vibrant retail sector and the city's most exciting nightlife. The district is south of the main downtown area, and encompasses two major attractions. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park recalls the days when Seattle was a jumping off point for hopefuls heading for the goldfields. Another visitor favorite is the unique Underground Tour, taking in the sunken storefronts of the original 'Skid Road', where timber used to be slid down to the steam-powered mills on the shores of Elliott Bay.
Telephone: (206) 667-0687
Web site: www.pioneersquare.org
Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm. The Underground Tour ticket office opens daily 9.30am to 6pm
Museum of Flight
Next to Boeing Field, south of downtown Seattle, the Museum of Flight consists of a six-story high glass and steel construction, which was the original Boeing factory. Inside is a collection of more than 130 aircraft, some suspended from the ceiling, which includes some of history’s most famous airplanes. There is, for example, a replica of the Wright brothers’ first glider and the original Air Force One presidential plane used by Eisenhower. The museum covers the entire history of flight right up to the space programme. The Museum's most recent acquisition is a British Airways Concorde - the only one on America's West Coast. Concorde arrived in true style setting a new world's record time from New York to Seattle.
Address: 9404 East Marginal Way South
Telephone:(206) 764-5720
Web site: www.museumofflight.org
Transport: Metro bus 174 from downtown
Opening time: Daily 10am to 5pm; open until 9pm on the first Thursday of every month. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Admission: $14 (adults); $7.50 (children 5-17); other concessions available. Admission is free on the first Thursday evening of every month from 5pm until 9pm
