As names go, Seattle Center could be seen as a tad misleading as it
is not actually central to Seattle. It is, however, the city's main
cultural hub where many iconic landmarks and points of interest are
located and is an essential stop-off point on any tourist's trip to
Seattle. Located in the peaceful yet vibrant district of Lower Queen
Anne, Seattle Center is spacious, verdant and vital. It's a great
area to stop and take a quiet moment, take photos, or dive right in
to the many events that the Center hosts. The Cener houses so many
attractions and entertainments that it would probably not be possible
to visit all within a week, so I will stick with what I know. For
a full picture do take a look at the Center's official
website:
(EMP Museum)
As many of Seattle's major attractions are located in Seattle Center
it is worth taking this opportunity to mention the City Pass tickets,
whereby you can pay a sum upfront to secure entry to many of
Seattle's top attractions at discounted price. The City Pass is
definitely a worthwhile investment but it does have its limitations
which I will mention later. We opted for the basic pass and took in
the Space Needle, EMP Museum, Pacific Science Centre and Aquarium
(Downtown Seattle), but if you are planning a trip to Seattle check
out the other options available on their website:
Space Needle
The Space Needle, constructed for the 1962 World's Fair, is a strange
attraction in that it doesn't really serve a great deal of purpose or
function, and yet it is the single most famous landmark in Seattle.
Although I was already familiar with its iconic appearance from
sitcom Frasier's famous skyline credits, the Space Needle in reality
is a spectacularly striking structure, and I could probably fill a
lengthy blog post with endless photos and perspectives of it.
What the Space Needle does
have, is a 360 degree observation deck, swanky restaurant and
expansive gift shop. Your City Pass will grant you entry to the
observation deck twice within 24 hours...so we naturally opted for
the morning and
evening views.
EMP Museum
Categorically the best museum I have ever visited! It catalogues an
impressive array of cultural memorabilia from music, television and
film that simply cannot be missed. A towering tornado-like display
of guitars used by Kurt Kobain, Jimi Hendrix and others, and an
impressive collection of Science Fiction memorabilia and props form
part of their standard display and their special exhibitions are
fascinating and lovingly put together by people who really care.
When we visited we were treated to a John Landis supported
celebration of horror films through the ages. Some of the specially
comissioned videos were wonderful, the visual aspects of the
exhibition were diverse and there were some pretty special items on
display.
The EMP Museum also has the best gift shop you will
ever come across. Expect sci-fi themed novelty kitchen tools,
t-shirts galore, themed jewellery, tech gadgets, and more. Truly
this is nerdvana!
Pacific Science
Centre
Our City Pass got us entry to the Pacific Science Centre but it was
probably, for us, the weaker attraction on the roster as the general
exhibits are quite limited and there is an excess entrance fee to pay
for special exhibits, planetarium shows or IMAX cinema tickets, which
are often the more interesting options. There are some very
meticulous model reconstructions on display here though – notably
the dinosaurs – and the butterfly house is breathtaking.
Other
Attractions/Events
Misconception #3: American's don't know good beer (like Europeans do)
Seattle Center is always hosting cultural events and they have a
detailed and busy timetable showing what is on offer so it's always
worth taking a look at their website before planning your visit.
During our stay we were lucky enough to attend Seattle's annual
Beerfest (www.seattlebeerfest.com), celebration of local and
imported craft beers (something that Seattle is known for). The
range of beverages available was diverse and the literature provided
was informative – I actually learned a lot about the kinds of beer
that I enjoy. On top of that there was live music and a range of
cuisines available to try. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly,
beer tokens went further than we'd thought they would, there
were...kittens...courtesy of a local cat shelter. All in the shadow
of the space needle on a scorching summer day. Heaven.
Another favourite of mine was the International Fountain – another
World's Fair attraction that has been restored into a visually
entertaining water-jet show complete with musical backing that ties
in to the centre's weekly theme. We got The Beatles. The
International Fountain is family friendly and on a sunny day you'll
see a lot of young kids running around under the jets. It really
does put a smile on the face and the vicinity is a great one for
resting after taking in one of Seattle Center's museums.
Misconception #4: America has no concern for the environment
The International Fountain is just one manifestation of Seattle's commitment to the environment - all of the water is recycled. The same goes for public toilets city-wide, which have two different settings for flushing your #1 or #2 as a means of saving water. The city also boasts an excellent public transport system to encourage citizens to abandon their cars.
...and speaking of public transport, the Seattle Center is home to Seattle
Monorail, where you can get cheap, fast access to Seattle's Westlake Center – the heart of the city in terms of shopping and public
transport links.
Fremont – coming soon
Belltown – coming
soon
Downtown Seattle –
coming soon
Pioneer Square – coming soon
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