Exploring Seattle: Altitude and Attitude: through History, Art and the Space Needle

I love to explore a city by foot. I feel like I understand a place better. I was thrilled when my friend, Mia, offered to guide me around her hometown and show me the sights. I hope you get to visit Seattle soon because there is so much to see and do.

At Seattle Center, we saw kids playing in the giant fountain in the middle of the park. It was a very sunny Saturday at the end of August and every one was happy to be enjoying the outdoors.

We bought tickets at the Space Needle for it as well as Chihuly Garden and Glass. It is cheaper to buy the combo ticket and the glass museum is Mia’s favorite!

We went to the Space Needle first. We stood in line to take the elevator up and up and up. There is no talking in the elevator for the 41 second ride which is a COVID precaution to minimize any particles spreading. The elevator gets fresh air from the outside which is very unusual for an elevator. There are far-UV-C lights inside the elevator which sanitize the air.

The Space Needle officially opened to the public on April 21, 1962 for the Century 21 Exposition, a space age-themed world’s fair. It used to be that 1.3 million guests would visit the Space Needle per year, and nearly 60 million visitors have visited the tower since it opened in 1962. It is 605 feet tall and has 360-degree views from an indoor observation deck and open-air viewing area. We saw other people in the enclosed/indoor observation deck lie on the floor–I said–I want to do that too. I loved how the floor turned round and round! The views are spectacular!

If you or someone in your family is not sure about going to the viewing deck of the fourth tallest observation tower in the USA, you can test it out by watching the webcam: https://www.spaceneedle.com/webcam

Chihuly Garden and Glass is an amazing indoor and outdoor museum of glass art creations. I really wanted to touch the art but you are not allowed to touch anything. I loved the art in the ceiling and the giant flowers and the enormous boat. It is all very unique and creative. It made me want to learn to blow glass and we did watch the glass blowing demonstrations outside. Mia took me to look at all the collections in the cafe. Next time, I want to go to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma!

We took the monorail from Seattle Center to get back to my hotel, Fairmont Olympic! We could have walked but we were saving our steps for The “Beneath The Streets: After Hours Red Light District Tour” to learn about the underground city. We chose the adults only 18+ tour but during the day there is a family friendly version. The tour explores several sections of Seattle’s historic underground and discusses the history behind these passageways that were constructed in the 1890’s and then abandoned less than 20 years later. I was amazed to learn how the city evolved and to actually walk underground. I loved it!

After the tour, we walked along the water at sunset. The ferris wheel looked beautiful all lit up.

WHERE DID WE EAT?

We ate beignets for breakfast at the iconic Toulouse Petit, had afternoon tea at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and marvelous Mexican for dinner in Georgetown at Fonda La Catrina!

I look forward to visiting Seattle again. I loved my stay before my cruise to Alaska on the Majestic Princess.

THANK YOU MIA

See all of my videos from Seattle and Alaska: