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. 

Go Back In Time - The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire

Knights, mythical creatures, majestic Queens … everyone has, at one point or another, been enamored with these images in their lives.  The charging horses and clash of metal of the joust or the quick wit and merry tune of the bards have been a part of so many of our stories and games throughout our lives.   I’m happy to tell you there is a place to experience these things in person…a sort of time machine if you will.

The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire will whisk you back to the 1570’s where Mary, Queen of Scots, holds court and knights clash in combat for the favor of the Queen.   Beyond the sounds of battle, merchants of all kinds, from clothing and weapons to food and ale, peddle their wares to the various attendees.  The Village of Stonehaven is alive with more than fighting and commerce, bards and traveling troupes of entertainers perform during the course of the day on the various stages throughout the faire and magicians entertain young and old alike with their otherworldly skills.   

Perhaps the best part of the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is the people watching.  Beyond the performers, merchants, knights and the Queen herself is a dedicated group of people who attend the faire to celebrate their passion for all things Medieval.   Many of the fairgoers have created amazing costumes and personas for the faire into which they transform as soon as they cross the castle gates.  Dressing in period outfits and speaking Ye Olde English isn’t necessary to enjoy the fair, but by the end of the day you may have a hard time walking away without envisioning your next visit as a nobleperson from the quaint shire of Seattle.  Huzzah!  http://www.washingtonfaire.com/

Rock Out - The Crocodile Cafe

The Crocodile, previously known as the Crocodile Café and sometimes referred to as The Croc, is one of the oldest music venues in Seattle.  For the last 19 years the Crocodile has played host to an amazing array of musicians including Nirvana, R.E.M., Death Cab for Cutie and the Beastie Boys.  The club received a major renovation in 2008 after changing owners, but I’m happy to say the new layout opened up the stage area and made for a more enjoyable show.  I was lucky enough to catch the School of Rock: Smiths Vs. The Cure show as my first show at the renovated Croc and was impressed with the new digs.  The viewing area in front of the stage is huge and the addition of the loft area w/bar gives an incredible view of the bands. I didn’t get a chance to grab pizza at the Back Bar, but there’s always next time.  http://thecrocodile.com/index.html