Of Sugar And Architects - Gingerbread Village

Every year a special kind of magic happens downtown Seattle around the holidays.  For the last 24 years the Seattle Sheraton bakers and local architects have teamed up to create amazing creations and sculptures in sugar. The level of detail and thought that goes into each structure is amazing. Past themes have included Star Wars, super heroes, video games and many others.  This years theme will take you into the world of Harry Potter!  You can visit these incredible gingerbread designs 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at the Seattle Sheraton from November 22nd 2016 through January 1st 2017.  

The Last Tee Off - Smash Putt

Update:  Smash Putt will be open until April!

If you are a fan of putt-putt, drinking, art and/or laughter Smash Putt is for you.  Smash Putt is an one-of-a-kind golf course created by artists.  In past iterations it has contained an infinite green, a hydraulically controlled impala, 

a Mission Impossible themed hole complete with motion sensors and alarms, 

a skeeball hole 

and a hole that aerates your golf ball with a drill press.

The experience of is like nothing else.  Plan on an evening of golf and fun, but plan on it soon.... Smash Putt is having its End Of Days Finale, closing down after this run.  You can get your tickets here, but get them soon!  Smash Putt's final day is January 1st.  
www.smashputt.com 

Armchair Traveler - Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

I am definitely more of a get out and go type traveler. (to the chagrin of my family!)  On vacation, and in my daily life, I am in constant motion. I want to see everything, taste the local food and take all of the pictures (we are especially fond of tourist traps and odd locations)...to the point that I need a vacation to recover from my vacation.  However, there are some limitations to my explorations: Money and time.  That's why I love Atlas Obscura.  Not only have I gotten new travel locales for future trips, but i have learned about hidden, unique places that are in far flung places that maybe hard for me to visit.  Which is why I was so excited to see that they have compiled a book with amazing, crazy, strange places and activities from around the world.  Broken into regions, the book reads like an encyclopedia of wonders and curiosities that makes you want to go and explore the world.  So sit back, open the book and explore!

Under The Needle - Seattle Center

 If you are going to venture to see the view at the top of the Space Needle, don't neglect the bounty of experiences available to you throughout the Seattle Center.  

 Beyond being home to the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center and EMP, the Seattle Center has a personality all it's own. 

Originally built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Seattle Center serves locals and visitors alike as a major green space downtown as well as hosting annual events such as Bumbershoot, the Folklife Festival, Bite of Seattle and Pridefest. 

The best place to begin is the Armory.  The Armory building was built in 1939 for the 146th Field Artillery unit. It was reconfigured for the World's Fair and became the Food Circus, the first vertical mall.  It's name has changed to the Center House and currently The Armory.  Inside the armory you will find over a dozen restaurants providing a wide variety of food and snacks.  

Located near the restaurants a piece of the Berlin Wall is on display.  

The Armory is also home to the Seattle Children's Museum. Covering 22,000 square feet in the lower level of the Armory, the Children's Museum provides wide assortment of hands-on activities ideal for kids ages 10 months to 10 years old. 

Outside of the Armory, the Next 50 Plaza is home to an incredible play structure that is suitable for kids of all ages.  The structure rises two stories above the ground with a rope webbing surrounding the lower section and two giants slides.  

Check out the interactive art as well!

Down the way from the Next 50 Plaza is the International Fountain. With over 20 spouts, the fountain puts on an amazing show, synchronizing water and music, that makes it a great place to visit year-round, but it is an ideal oasis in the hot summer months. Built for the World's Fair, the International Fountain is a true landmark within the Seattle Center.  When you visit, run the gauntlet by running down and touching the fountain in the pause between displays.  The possibility of the fountain starting up again makes it more fun than it should be. 

The Key Arena sits to the West of the International Fountain.  Also built for World's Fair, the Key Arena is the current host to the Seattle Storm, the Rat City Roller Girls and the Seattle University men's basketball team as well as hosting a variety of concerts and events throughout the year. 

To the northeast of Key Arena lies the Vera Project. The Vera Project is an all-ages music and arts venue.  Established in 2001, the Vera Project moved to the Seattle Center in 2007.  The space includes an incredible music venue, art gallery and screen printing studio along with offering various classes. 

Circling back to the Space Needle, Sonic Bloom reaches to the sky. Installed in 2013, Sonic Bloom is a solar-powered art installation that incorporates sight and sound to provide an interactive experience.

Just remember,  if you're heading to the Space Needle take some time to explore the Seattle Center too...It's just as spectacular. 

To Boldly Go - Star Trek @ EMP

To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.  For Star Trek's 50th anniversary the EMP has opened the Exploring New Worlds exhibit. From the entry, the exhibit draws you in with the iconic opening of the original series along the stairs.

 The exhibit collects together props and displays from the entire Star Trek franchise from the original series all the way through prequel series Enterprise. The exhibit is full of fan favorites including Gorn,

Borg 

and, of course, Tribbles.

 The exhibit also features a transporter room that puts you in the middle of the action, a KHHAAANNN booth that allows you to recreate the classic scene from Star Trek II and a Borg Alcove that you can pose in.  So, whether you are a die hard Trekkie or new to the Star Trek universe, there is something for all people ready to explore new worlds. 

Sub Astra - Movies Under The Stars

There is something amazing about watching a movie outdoors.  The sounds and sights are amplified by the openness of the venue.  Add in a crowd that is unfettered by the limitations of the theater and you have a spectacle that is unlikely to be recreated at your local Cinerama.  Luckily in the Seattle area there are several locations where you can watch a film with the sky above you.  The Fremont Outdoor Cinema is the longest running of the bunch with Seattle Parks and Recreation (at both Westlake and Occidental Parks), Magnuson Park, Marymoor Park and  the Seattle Center all hosting their own movies within the last few years. With this many venues, there are movies playing 3 to 4 nights a week. As an added bonus, many of the showings encourage dressing up and several showings have movie trivia or other activities before the show starts.  Make sure to follow the link to see pre-ticket sales option and the rules and regulations of each site. Some of the locations have food trucks, beer gardens and other food and drink options. So gather up your low beach chairs, pack yourself some snacks and spread out a blanket under the stars....

Wednesday, July 6: Back to the Future – Marymoor Park

Thur. July 7: Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Magnuson Park

Wednesday, July 13: Jurassic World – Marymoor Park

Thur. July 14: Labyrinth- Magnuson Park

Friday July 15th:  Movies in the Park: Inside Out - Westlake Park

Saturday July 16th: DEADPOOL | 21+ - Fremont Studios

Wednesday, July 20: Inside Out – Marymoor Park

Thur. July 21: Star Wars: The Force Awakens- Magnuson Park

Friday July 22^nd: Movies in the Park: The Goonies - Westlake Park

Saturday July 23^rd: Pretty Woman 21+ - South Lake Union Discovery Center

Wednesday, July 27: Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Marymoor Park

Thur. July 28: The Incredibles- Magnuson Park

Saturday July 30^th: Mad Max: Fury Road 21+ - South Lake Union Discovery Center

Saturday July 30^th: The Princess Bride Quote-Along - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Wednesday, August 3: Aladdin – Marymoor Park

Thursday, August 4: Guardians of the Galaxy– Magnuson Park

Friday, August 5^th: Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same - Cal Anderson Park

Saturday, August 6^th: Grand Budapest Hotel 21+ - South Lake Union Discovery Center

Saturday, August 6^th: Mad Max: Fury Road - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Wednesday, August 10: Singin' in the Rain – Marymoor Park

Thur. August, 11: Zootopia - Magnuson Park

Friday, August 12^th: Spaceballs - Cal Anderson Park

Saturday, August 13^th: Galaxy Quest - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Wednesday, August 17: Zootopia – Marymoor Park

Thur. August 18: The Sandlot– Magnuson Park

Friday, August 19^th: Dudefest V - The Big Lebowski - South Lake Union Discovery Center

Friday, August 19^th:  Barbarella - Cal Anderson Park

Saturday, August 20^th: West Side Story - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Wednesday, August 24: The Princess Bride – Marymoor Park

Thur. August 25: The Goonies– Magnuson Park

Friday, August 26^th: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Cal Anderson Park

Friday, Aug 26^th:  Movies in the Park: Labyrinth - Occidental Square

Saturday, August 27^th: Life of Pi - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Friday, Sep 2^nd:  Movies in the Park: Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Occidental Square

Come Sail Away - Model Boat Sailing @ South Lake Union Park

Have you wanted to feel the wind in your hair and the sun in your face while commanding your own ship?  Every Saturday and Sunday from May to November, The Center for Wooden Boats rents out model boats for at the model boat pond.  Sailing the boats is as easy as pointing it into the wind and giving it a little push. The hard part is running around to other side after each voyage to sail it back. Pairing sailing with a visit to the MOHAI and a picnic makes for an amazing day out! Boat rentals are a $5 per hour suggested donation and the rentals are open from 11a.m. - 2p.m.

Feel The Speed – K-1 Speed Indoor Go-Kart Racing

Have you ever wanted to test your mettle against other drivers, but the bumper cars aren’t fast enough and you can’t afford the speeding tickets that would come from street racing?  K-1 Speed in Redmond has you covered.  Although these go-karts resemble the miniaturized vehicles you grew up driving at the amusement park, with a top speed of 40mph these are not your parent’s karts.  Add in the 7 turns, including a wicked hairpin, 7 other drivers and the ideal for drifting concrete floor and you have a heart pumping adrenalin ride that will have you racing again and again.  Just remember to leave your new found power slides at the track. http://www.k1speed.com/seattle-location.html

Shop For the Obscure - Archie McPhee

Do you often find yourself in need of a zombie torso, a pink Gorilla costume and alien finger puppets, but you don’t know where to go?  Then you haven’t been to Archie McPhee.  Since 1983 Archie McPhee has been Seattle’s and, through mail-order, the World’s supplier of oddities, unique gifts and little Devil Ducks.  Whether you are looking for the perfect compliments for your Zombie Apocalypse party (Brain-flavored mints, Zombie Finger Puppets for impromptu Apocalypse Theater, Brain gelatin mold, and so much more!) or you just need underwear for the squirrels in your neighborhood, Archie McPhee has you covered.  http://www.archiemcpheeseattle.com/