Saturday, February 14, 2009

Get Thee to Seattle

By Chris Linch

Seattle is one of the most beautiful and welcoming cities in the U.S. and well worth a visit, particularly during the summer and early fall, when the rainfall that gives the city its nickname is less noticeable. Bring good walking shoes. This is a pedestrian city and very hilly.

One of the city's major attractions is the Pike Place Fish Market, where employees throw three-foot salmon to each other. When a customer orders a fish, an employee at the Fish Market's picks up the fish and hurls it over the countertop, where another employee catches it and preps it for sale. The fun is in the crowds that gather to banter with the employees and to watch the show.

The place to get that cup of coffee is right across the street at the very first Starbucks Coffee in the world! And despite the high tech ambiance of its franchises, and the fact that Seattle literally has a coffee shop on every corner, this is a great coffee shop. It'sall wood, so it creaks delightfully, and smells like the inside of coffee grinder. In shortparadise for the true coffee lover. The music is good too.

The most easily identifiable landmark in Seattle is the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 Worlds Fair, the Needle is 605 feet high and provides 360 degree views of the city and Elliott Bay. When the weather is fine, you may be treated to a stunning view of Mount Ranier, a still-active volcano that can seem to float over the city like Atlantis.

A museum for rock music fans, the Seattle Music Experience, is located next to the Space Needle in a Frank Gehry designed building. The museum houses music memorabilia and hands on music labs. Particularly interesting is the number of Jimi Hendrix exhibits.

The original city of Seattle was built of wood and often flooded. When the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed 33 city blocks, the city decided to rebuild in brick two stories above the original street level. The seedier elements of the city took to the Seattle Underground. An underground city of bars, brothels and storefronts can be toured several times a day from its starting point under Pioneer Square.

There are two great tour operators in town.

1) Grayline Tours of Seattle has a hop on, hop off Double Decker bus option. The buses depart every 30 minutes from seven different stops around town. Jump on and and off as you please and explore as you please. For information see www.graylineseattle.com. Prices run Adult $19.00/Child $9.50 plus tax. Buses run from 9am to 6pm daily.

Grayline Double Decker Tours Pricing: Adult $19.00 / Child $9.50 -plus tax Times: 9am - 6pm Buses depart every 30 minutes from seven centrally-located stops. www.graylineseattle.com

Since this is the Great Northwest, you have to plan at least one outdoor activity. One great thing to do is to ride the commuter ferry. Familiar to fans of "Grey's Anatomy" the ferries run across Elliott Bay to bedroom communities surrounding Seattle. It's cheap, fun, and if you are lucky, the dolphins will escort your boat.

The grand Fairmont Olympic Hotel is the only Five Star hotel in the area. Built in 1924, this Italian Renaissance beauty has hosted virtually every major civic and private event in Seattle and the ornate lobby is the spot to celebrity watch. The rooms, while elegant, are not large and you may want to opt for a suite. The service and cuisine are everything you would expect from a five star hotel. Try the granola at breakfast. The chef will happily share his famous recipe with you. The hotel is right in the heart of the city.an easy walk to shopping, the Waterfront, Pike Place Market, and the monorail to the Space Needle.

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is the only five star hotel in Seattle. A gorgeous replica of an Italian Renaissance palace, this hotel has the grandest lobby in Seattle. Gilt-and-crystal chandeliers hang from the arched ceiling, while ornate moldings grace the glowing hand-burnished oak walls and pillars. Although many of the guest rooms tend to be rather small (with either two twin beds or one king bed), all are very elegant. If you crave extra space, opt for one of the suites, of which there are more than 200 (however, be aware that the executive suites aren't much bigger than the hotel's deluxe rooms). The service and cuisine are superb. Make sure you try the chef's famousgranola at breakfast. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel also enjoys a perfect location--just minutes from the city's famous Pike Place Market, Seattle Waterfront, and Space Needle. Most of the city's exclusive events and celebrity watching take place at the Fairmont. Seattle is filled outdoor art, friendly people, beautiful views, and vigorous activity. Do yourself a favor and visit soon.

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