The Space Needle is definitely the most recognizable landmark in Seattle. The Needle was built in 1982 1962 (Helena pointed out that the Needle was built in 1962, not 1982. Amazing, over 40 years old!) as the central showcase of the Expo. We had been up on the Space Needle before and so did not go up there again on this trip.
At the Seattle Centre (where the Space Needle is located), there is a dome shaped fountain called the International Fountain. It was a pretty hot day and there were a lot of people cooling off near the fountain.
No visit to Seattle is complete with making a visit the Pike Place Market. This is the place where the first Starbucks shop was opened. We tried looking for it in the Market but could not find it. We found one across the street but I don’t think it’s the original one. Do you know where that original Starbucks is?
The purple coloured cauliflower caught our attention.
There were all kinds of stalls selling fruits, jam, food, crafts, flowers of all kinds.
Pike Place Market is perhaps most famous for their seafood. The Lobsters below were really big. I think it’s $20 per lb!
The Alaskan King Crab were huge … about two feet long. We have never tried this before but would be fun to try cooking it at home. Anyone has any idea how this is normally eaten? The sign sak=ys that they’re pre-cooked … do you eat it just like that?
One of the major attraction of the Pike Market is the Pike Place Fish located just right in front of the main entrance. This is where the employees throw fishes around instead of pass it by hand. There are a lot of tourists milling around with cameras to catch them in action. There were too many people and I did not get a chance to get a shot of the fish throwing.
Seattle is also a major cruise port serving tours to Alaska. Seattle has been steadily taking more cruise ships than Vancouver over the past few years. Seattle is also known as the Gateway to Alaska.
We got this shot from the Gasworks park. This is about the best view of the city skyline across Lake Union.
The Space Needle again … from Gasworks Park.
Oh yeah, we also went to the Experiment Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum. Gosh, that was a complete waste of money if you ask me. It costs $93 for the entrance and they don’t even have exhibits of the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Sam Hui, Bee Gees, Barry Manilow and all my favourite singers!! If you like Jimi Hendrix, go … otherwise, spend your money else where!
I used to live in the Seattle area. These pictures were a pleasant way to come back for a visit. Many thanks 🙂
There’s several good eating/drinking establishments in Fremont district. My fave there is The Red Door Ale House, their chicken fried steak is to die for.
Seattle and the UW/Fremont/Wallingford districts are our home away from home !
I’m a Seattle resident and it’s so great to see pictures of my city on your site! But, I do have to mention that the Space Needle was built in 1962, not 1982.
The Worlds Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opened in March 1962 in Seattle. The Space Needle and the Monorail were built as part of the exposition. Almost 10 million people attended the fair. In comparison, the Expo ’86 in Vancouver attracted 22 million visitors.
Well it seems only fair that since I was visting your neck of the woods (well 2 year visit anyway…) that you would come visit what I consider “home”.
I could have told you not to got to EMP. It is cool and all, but WAY too expensive!!
I used to live 4 blocks up from GasWorks park and it was, and still is, one of my favorite parks in Seattle.
I love Seattle and hope you enjoyed your visit!
I have wanted to visit the EMP for years. I’ve heard the same impression you had from others, but I’ve also heard great things. Did they still have the Bob Dylan exhibit there? I’ll be down in Seattle twice in September, once for a wedding and again for a football game and I may try to make it one of those times. (I never have been very good at taking the advice of others!)
I really disliked Seattle the first few times I had been, but over the past couple of years, it’s really grown on me.
Did you get to any of Tommy Douglas’ restaurants?
Hi Dave: You’re welcome.
Hi Lotus Rapper: I always get all these advice AFTER I return home. Next time I make a trip, I will post and try get some ideas from you all!
Hi Matt: We had a great time in Seattle, even though we had made many trips before. Seattle is one of the best cities I have visited in all my travels.
Hi QueenieCarly: Tommy Douglas? Never heard of them. This name goes into my to-visit list!
Just lurking here, but anyone who is a barry manilow fan is a friend of mine, besides i love your blog…