| Let's play word association for a moment: Seattle. The first word that pops into your head is rain, right? Then it may surprise you to learn that the average annual rainfall in Seattle is just 36 inches. That means you're more likely to need an umbrella in the Big Apple than the Emerald City.
Seattle seemed to burst onto the cultural scene in the late 80s, when the city gave birth to grunge rock, espresso culture and "Microserfs". For the past decade, it has been busily refining its unique blend of rugged landscapes, quirky neighborhoods and mix-and-match architecture into a decidedly urban city immersed in startling natural beauty. You'll need at least a few days to discover Seattle's many charms, but here are a few highlights not to overlook.
If you're cruising into Seattle on your Tiara, there are plenty of good options for dockage. The Shilshole Bay Marina near the maritime neighborhood of Ballard is close to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, where you can watch the salmon struggling up the fish ladder in March, April and June through October. Bell Harbor Marina at Bell Street Pier is located in the center of the bustling downtown waterfront scene. While you're there, don't miss the waterfall fountains of Harbor Steps, a popular hangout following in the footsteps of one of Rome's most popular gathering spots. For convenience, try the Elliott Bay Marina in order to avoid the locks, especially if you're not staying long.
If you left the yacht at home, head to the rejuvenated Waterfront neighborhood to gawk at the cruise ship crowds ebb and flow from Pier 66. Catch a Washington State Ferry from Pier 52 to glide through the pristine San Juan Islands or to the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. There are also plenty of sightseeing and dinner cruises available around the harbor.
Pike Place Market with Elliott Bay in the background for discriminating travelers, the only place to hang your top hat is the elegant Four Seasons Olympic Hotel - an old-fashioned service hotel where they always remember your name. High-end hipsters may prefer the newish W Seattle Hotel downtown, known for creating the perfect ambiance.
Seattle offers plenty of transportation options, but to see the city like a real native, you have to pedal around. More than a third of residents bike recreationally and thousands commute to work on the extensive bike paths that crisscross the city. If you prefer to take a walking tour of the city, start at the boutiques and galleries of the trendy Belltown neighborhood. Then wander over to the Pike Place Market, an open-air marketplace where you'll find everyone from fish vendors to comics performing against the majestic Olympic Mountains. A few blocks away you can catch the monorail at Westlake Center and zip over to Seattle Center, a remnant of the 1962 World Fair. A must-see for the whole family is the much-hyped Experience Music Project (EMP), a multi-million dollar interactive music exhibit. For a different sort of uplifting experience, head for Seattle's most recognizable landmark, the Space Needle, where you can ride to the top for a jaw dropping view of the snow capped peaks and the city and lakes below.
Find your way to Pioneer Square to sip a microbrew at a free reading in the basement of the Elliot Bay Book Company or wander the endless aisles of this massive independent bookseller in search of literary nirvana. This neighborhood may seem like a sedate historic district during the day, but come back in the evening to check out some of the city's hot nightspots.
The Washington State Ferry glides across the Seattle waterfront
Dreaming of moving into a houseboat a la "Sleepless in Seattle?" You can still find Tom Hanks' fictional digs in the Lake Union neighborhood just north of downtown and ogle at the lucky residents of Eastlake and Westlake Avenues. Another surreal escape is spectacular Alki Drive along the water in West Seattle for postcard views of the downtown skyline floating above Puget Sound.
When you've worked up an appetite from sightseeing, Seattle won't disappoint in the quality or variety of its restaurants. Dan Clark, a broker at Compass Point Marina, recommends Elliot's Oyster House or Palisades, both on the waterfront. For authentic ethnic eats, head up the hill from Pioneer Square toward the dramatic pagoda that crowns the Chinatown/International District. Or book a table at Lush Life in Belltown for a sultry candlelit rendezvous. Afterwards, grab a drink and soak in the exotic scene at ultra trendy Capitol Club. The next day, sleep in and do brunch or lunch at Cafe Campagne, known for its French country cuisine.
The skyline may have changed dramatically in the last century since the prospectors poured in and out on their way to Alaska, but it isn't hard to imagine how they must have felt as they pushed off and watched Seattle melt away into the mist.
RESOURCES:
Local Tiara Dealer:
Dan Clark, Broker
Compass Point Yachts
809 Fairview Place North #150
Seattle, WA 98109
Ph: 206.625.1580
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