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Do you have a free weekend and want to get out of town? There are a lot of places to see. And Seattle is one of them.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit Seattle two times. Even though one of the visits was a business trip, I found some time to take advantage of the city and the beauty it has to offer. The second time I planned a much longer trip to see all the incredible scenery near Seattle.
Being a hilly city, Seattle has a lot to offer. There is a range of activities to get engaged in, both indoor and outdoor. Being known also as the “Emerald City” or “Queen City”, it has a range of landscapes, including mountains, waterfalls and evergreen national parks.
The city is situated between Lake Washington on the east and Puget Sound, a saltwater arm of Pacific Ocean. It is an area that invites people to go hiking, cycling or talking a walk.
I was mesmerized by the beauty of the city. It offers a range of activities and sightseeing buildings. Having just a weekend to visit, it will be hard to prioritize what to see. But there are some hidden gems in the city you cannot miss.
Dive into the “Emerald City” for a weekend and forget your busy life. Let the magic of Seattle capture you and go with the flow. You will not be sorry!
Pike Place Public Market
- Where: 1901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
- How Much: Parking is $4 per hour
No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the world famous Pike Place Market! Here you will see the incredible fish throwing extravaganza where you can’t help but laugh at the throwing and catching of whole Salmon fish. You will also be able to shop in the Farmer’s Market for farm fresh produce. Additionally, you will enjoy a variety of restaurants and tourist shops to spend the rest of the afternoon. The Pike Place Public Market is Seattle must-see!
Seattle Aquarium
- Where: 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle
- How Much: $19.95 (children up to 12), $29.95 (adults), you save $2 if you purchase the ticket online
All I can say is that one of the most impressive things to see is the Seattle Aquarium. It has a wonderful Underwater Dome. Why is it so impressive?
Because you will not see fish and marine animals swimming in a big aquarium. You will actually see them in their natural habitat.
The dome offers you an ever-changing snapshot of the life of marine animals, schools of fish and sharks.
I was impressed by the caretakers and I joined them on fish feeding, which is every day at 1.30 pm. There are a lot of animals you will see. From sea otters and fur seals to jellies and octopuses.
The Space Needle
- Where: 400 Broad St, Seattle
- How Much: depending on what type of ticket you choose, from $28 to $44 (for children) and $38 to $78 (for adults)
When I bought a ticket, I was thinking that all I will see will be Seattle from the top. Well, I was wrong. The Space Needle has a lot of other attractions to offer.
Besides classical sightseeing, you can also step onto the Loupe. The Loupe is the only glass rotating floor in the world, so I had the opportunity to see deep down Seattle.
There are also activities like Strati VR, a virtual bungee jump and interactive games where you can see years of memories. I must admit that the name of Dale Chihuly was not known to me. But I have no regrets I bought that ticket. Dale Chihuly is an amazing glass artist who created masterpieces that were in more than 10 exhibitions around the world. If you expect to see a typical garden, with flowers and calm lakes, you are wrong. I was surprised by the landscape. Instead of those typical flowers, I could see some glass flowers. I saw more than this. The talent and creativity are at their home. I was flabbergasted by the vivid colors and the unusual shapes glass have taken. The Underground tour offers an unusual tour. The marks of the Great Fire from 1889 are still visible. Back then, it left 5000 people without their jobs. It left 25 city blocks burned to the ground and the city losses were estimated to about 20$ million. But Seattle did not have time for mourning. The city you are able to see today is built above the burned one. The Underground tour offers you a tour in the old city. I was intrigued by the storefronts and walk alleys seen there. I deeply love animals and nature. If I have some free time, I love taking long walks and admiring the beauty of nature. Whenever I travel, I try to see not only the amazing state of the art buildings or museums. I also want to spend some time in nature. And so, I discovered Discovery Park, the largest park in Seattle. Having just a weekend to spend in Seattle, you will not have enough time for out of the city trips. But, the good news is that you can admire the Olympic Mountain ranges and the Cascade from Discovery Park. Expect to see from white sand beaches to dramatic cliffs. From sand dunes to forest groves. It is also the sanctuary of wildlife and a place that will instantly make you relax. The Park is big enough to be explored several hours. Even though you have a limited amount of time for this visit, it will be a stress reliever. You will instantly feel more energized and calmer, more at peace and full of tranquility. The most amazing thing about Seattle is its diverse landscapes. While you can choose from a variety of options, in and out of town, remember that Seattle is mostly surrounded by water. And this means that there are beaches to visit and enjoy. Alki Beach is one of them. If you want to spend more time outside, Alki Beach is the perfect destination. I visited it in the morning and all I can say is that it was such a refreshing and calm experience. To begin your day on a white sand beach and with the sound of the waves is such a relaxing start. Of course, if you are in the mood you can play volleyball, you can sunbathe or walk. I remember when I had an assignment writing to do for my project in high school and it was about my dreams of spending my free time. And I talked about Alki Beach without even knowing. It is hard to see many things in so little time. But you can always come back. And you can also save time for planning your trip by delegating some tasks. For example rush my essay and professional paper writers can help you with editing and proofreading. And now you can use this saved time to plan an amazing weekend getaway to Seattle, where you will be amazed by the wonderful activities it has to offer. From the Space Needle which is an important sightseeing point to parks and beaches. And if you have enough time to get out of town, you can visit Olympic National Park or Mount Rainer National Park. No matter what type of visit you plan to Seattle, you will surely be flabbergasted by the amazing glass sculptures and the underwater dome of the aquarium. I can’t wait to go back. So, what are you waiting for?
The Underground Tour
Discovery Park
Alki Beach
Conclusion