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During your Seattle vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Nordic Heritage Museum
Housed in a former school building, this is primarily a neighborhood museum that focuses on the experiences of Scandinavian immigrants in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. However, it also mounts exhibits of Scandinavian and Scandinavian-inspired art, and these temporary exhibits are what make this little museum worth seeking out for those who aren't of Scandinavian heritage. The Dream of America exhibit on the first floor does an excellent job of explaining why Scandinavians began immigrating to the United States and how they ended up settling in Ballard. Up on the third floor, each of the Nordic countries gets a display room of its own. In mid-July each year, the museum sponsors the Tivoli/Viking Days festival, which includes booths serving Nordic foods.
Children's Museum
The Children's Museum is located in the basement of the Center House at Seattle Center, which is partly why Seattle Center is such a great place to spend a day with the kids. The museum includes plenty of hands-on cultural exhibits, a child-size neighborhood, a Discovery Bay for toddlers, a mountain wilderness area, a global village, and other special exhibits to keep the little ones busy learning and playing for hours.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
There is something oddly fascinating about locks. No, not the locks on doors -- the locks that raise and lower boats. Locks don't provide panoramic views and aren't nearly as dramatic as waterfalls, but for some strange reason, a lot of people are intrigued by the concept of two side-by-side bodies of water on two different levels. Consequently, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in the Ballard neighborhood are among the most popular attractions in the city. These locks, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, consist of a small lock and a large lock. The latter accommodates barges, commercial fishing vessels, and the like, while the small lock stays busy shuttling small private boats (including sea kayaks) between the saltwater of Puget Sound and the freshwater of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which connects to both Lake Union and Lake Washington. It's a slow process locking boats back and forth, but none of the onlookers seem to mind, and people onshore and those on the boats often strike up conversations.When the gates of the lock are closed, it's possible to continue to the far side of the ship canal to the fish ladders and fish-viewing windows that provide opportunities for salmon viewing during the summer months. The chance to see salmon in a fish ladder is as much of a draw as the locks themselves, and in the past the fish runs have also attracted hungry sea lions that at times become regular salmon-swallowing pests.Also here at the locks, you can stroll the grounds of the Carl S. English, Jr., Botanical Gardens, a city park filled with rare and unusual shrubs and trees. There are free tours of the grounds Monday through Friday at 1 and 3pm, Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 1 and 3pm.The locks are located a 10- to 15-minute drive north of downtown. Follow Elliott Avenue north along the waterfront from downtown Seattle; after crossing the Ballard Bridge, drive west on NW Market Street.
Ramada Seattle Downtown
The Ramada Seattle Downtown hotel is located in the heart of Seattle's beautiful and bustling downtown on the corner of 5th Avenue and Blanchard Street. The Ramada is on the downtown Free Transit Bus Line, and the Seattle Center Monorail line. Seattle is great city for walking and downtown restaurants, attractions, and world-class shopping are all just a short stroll away. The Seattle Waterfront is just 6 blocks from the Ramada and includes excellent seafood restaurants, the Seattle ...
Econo Lodge Seatac Airport
Minutes from SeaTac Airport. FREE Continental Breakfast. FREE local calls. In-room refrigerator, coffee and hair dryer. Interior corridor, elevator, whirlpool suites, spa and exercise room available. Park/Fly Package available. Parking Limit: Length of Stay ONLY. (unless Park and Fly). Pet accommodation: 20.00 per night/not to exceed 40 pounds/2 pets per room. Verify Hotel Name and Address for Guest. Others in ...
Inn at Queen Anne
The accent is on value at the Inn at Queen Anne, where its quaint and comfortable surroundings, affordable pricing and little extras like free continental breakfast provide a pleasant yet inexpensive stay. All rooms feature kitchenettes, voicemail and large closets. Complimentary wine is served on select evenings and the hotel offers courtesy van transportation around the downtown area.PHOTO IDENTIFICATION AND A VALID CREDIT CARD ARE REQUIRED AT ...
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