World City Guide

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
Seattle was founded in 1869 and did not really blossom until the Alaska Gold Rush of the late 19th century, when the city glittered with racy Wild West ‘underground’ prostitution and illegal drinking dens. As a result, its historic attractions, outside those of Native American culture, are little more than a century old, focused around Pioneer Square and Yesler Way, near the city’s Waterfront. The International District is filled with medicinal herb shops and wonderful Asian restaurants and shops. The Waterfront area is full of unique maritime attractions and is a good place for visitors to enjoy the views and fresh air of Puget Sound from Waterfront Park or to board a Washington State Ferry to local islands.

Pike Place Market, First Avenue and Pike Street, is a now-renowned fish and vegetable market, which also contains open crafts bazaars, as well many trendy bars and restaurants. Continuing north from First Avenue is Belltown, the city’s most rapidly gentrifying neighbourhood and entertainment quarter, full of restaurants, art galleries and nightclubs. At various points, visitors can board the famous monorail to the Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Repertory Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Opera House and Key Arena – a major sporting venue.

Other neighbourhoods of interest include Ballard, in north Seattle, once a Norwegian shipping village and now home to artists’ studios, galleries and a number of live music venues, restaurants and the Hiram M Chittenden Locks. Fremont, Capitol Hill and the University District are equally youthful neighbourhoods, with cinemas, vintage clothing shops, home furnishing stores and coffee bars.

Tourist Information
Seattle/King County Convention & Visitors Bureau
800 Convention Place, Galleria Level
Tel: (206) 461 5840. Fax: (206) 461 5890.
E-mail: visinfo@seeseattle.org
Website: www.seeseattle.org
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700, closed for lunch 1200-1300.

The Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau has recently opened the Citywide Concierge Center at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Located on Pike Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, the new service includes reservation booking such as hotels, restaurants, attraction tickets, transportation and even personal services such as babysitters. There are other visitor centres at the airport, at Pike Place Market and, from June to August only, at Pioneer Square (open in summer through Sep), Occidental Street and South Main Street.

Passes
The CityPass (website: www.citypass.com) offers free admission to five Seattle attractions – Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, Museum of Flight and Woodland Park Zoo and a Seattle Harbor Tour with Argosy Cruises. It costs US$42 (concessions available), is valid for nine days and can be purchased from the attractions on the day or online in advance. Another pass, the G-> Seattle Card (tel: (206) 285 3010 or (800) 887 9103; website: www.GoSeattleCard.com) offers a one to multi-day card for free admissions to over 45 attractions. A one-day pass costs US$49; two-day US$79, and three-day $99.

Check out www.seeseattle.org. Discount coupons can be downloaded from the site for dining, tours, lodging, attractions and shopping.