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During your Seattle vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Bellevue Botanical Gardens
Any avid gardener should be sure to make a trip across one of Seattle's two floating bridges to the city of Bellevue and its Bellevue Botanical Garden. Although this 36-acre garden opened only in 1992, it has matured very quickly to become one of the Northwest's most-talked-about perennial gardens. The summertime displays of flowers, in expansive mixed borders, are absolutely gorgeous. You can also see a Japanese garden, a shade border, and a water-wise garden (designed to conserve water).
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.
Museum of Flight
Located right next door to Boeing Field, an active airport 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle, this museum will have aviation buffs walking on air. Housed inside the six-story glass-and-steel repository are some of history's most famous planes.To start things off, there's a replica of the Wright brothers' first glider, and from there the collection of planes brings you to the present state of flight. Suspended in the Great Hall are more than 20 planes, including a 1935 DC-3, the first Air Force F-5 supersonic fighter, and the Gossamer Condor, a human-powered airplane. The new Personal Courage Wing houses 28 World War I and World War II fighter planes. You'll see one of the famous Blackbird spy planes, which at one time were the world's fastest jets (you can even sit in the cockpit of one of these babies), as well as a rare World War II Corsair fighter that was rescued from Lake Washington and restored to its original glory. Visitors also get to board a retired British Airways Concorde supersonic airliner that recently went on display here. An exhibit on the U.S. space program features an Apollo command module. Of course, you'll also see plenty of Boeing planes, including a reproduction of Boeing's first plane, which was built in 1916. The museum also incorporates part of Boeing's old wooden factory building from its early years.While any air-and-space museum lets you look at mothballed planes, not many have their own air-traffic control tower and let you watch aircraft taking off and landing at an active airfield. During the summer months, biplane rides are usually offered from in front of the museum.The Museum of Flight Restoration Center (tel. 425/745-5150) is located north of Seattle at Paine Field, which is near the city of Everett. Here you'll see planes in various stages of restoration. The center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8am to 4pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Call for directions. Paine Field is also where you'll find the Boeing Tour Center. Together, these two make a fascinating half-day outing.
Sorrento Hotel
Crowning the crest of Downtown Seattle's "First Hill" neighborhood is the historic, 7-story Italianesque Sorrento Hotel. This exclusive address offers the finest in hotel accommodations along with the latest in technological advancements. The Sorrento's keen sense of detail is evident within each of the 76 guest rooms and suites. Here, no two rooms are alike. A blend of intimate surroundings and meticulous service await you in an atmosphere reminiscent of a fine residence. No request is too ...
Homewood Suites Seattle-Downtown
The hotel is located in downtown Seattle, overlooking Elliott Bay and four blocks from Seattle Center. Sea-Tac Intl Airport 17 MI, S, Shuttle Express - fee. Greyhound Bus Station 2 MI, SE. Downtown Seattle 1 MI, S. Amtrak Train Station 3 MI, ...
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