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 

Race To The Top – Space Needle Alternatives

If you talk about Seattle landmarks there is one pointy feature that people think of first.  As a striking contrast to the city skyline and providing unique views of the area, the Space Needle is as synonymous with Seattle as salmon. Thousands of people are drawn to the flying saucer shaped viewing deck every year.  But what if I told you there are a couple of amazing alternatives to the Space Needle that will give you much different views with a less expensive ticket cost to boot!

View of the first viewpoint from the second

The first observation deck is also the oldest.  The Smith Tower, once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, has been providing amazing views of the ever changing Seattle Skyline for over 100 years.  Walking through the front doors of the Smith Tower takes you back decades with elaborate woodworking and marble.

 To get to the observation deck you will be whisked up the original, manually-operated, brass and copper elevators.  The Chinese Room is the landing point for the observation deck. 

  From this 35^th floor perch you have a unique view of downtown Seattle including a peek-a-boo view of the Space Needle.  

The outdoor walk almost runs completely around the perimeter, giving incredible views of the area.  The Smith Tower has been under renovation since 2014, but will be reopening August 25th, 2016. The new renovations brought two options for getting to the observation deck: An interactive tour that shows the history of the area starting in the roaring 20's and a "Straight Up" option that takes you directly to the observation deck.  The Straight Up option is about half the price of the tour. So if you are looking to save some money (and don't mind being your own history professor) it is a great option to get directly to the views.

The second viewpoint is the tallest.  Standing on the 73^rd floor of the Columbia Tower, the Skyview Observatory gives unobstructed, 360° views of the entire Puget Sound region. 

The modern elevator banks whisk you up to the observation room in two stages, giving you a chance to grab a beverage and snack at the Starbucks between elevators.  Once you arrive at the top, the area is open with spectacular views at every turn.

Hamilton Viewpoint Park also gives you the chance for a Puget Sound Trifecta: Space Needle, Ferry and Seaplane

The third alternative doesn’t sit high in the sky, but gives an incredible view of the entire skyline all at once.  Hamilton Viewpoint Park in West Seattle is an excellent alternative to the traditional top of the city view.  The panoramic skyline reveals the city from the Space Needle to the stadiums.  It’s well worth the drive, especially from the twilight and well into the night.

The fourth location gives you an spectacular view of the cityscape featuring the Space Needle front and center. Kerry Park, located near the top of the Queen Anne neighborhood, has amazing views of the city, Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier.

Early evening and night are the most crowed and parking can be tricky so walk, ride a bike or park a few blocks away to avoid the crowd.

Cost Per Location -

(2016 Prices)

Space Needle  -

Adult -  $22

Senior  65+ $19.00

Child 5-12 $14.00

Columbia Tower –

Adults: $14.75

Children Ages 6-12: $9.00

Children Ages 5 & under: FREE

Students & Military with ID: $9.00

Seniors 55+: $9.00

Smith Tower –  
Guided Tour-

Adults: $19.14
Seniors (60+): $17.00
Children (5-12): $14.00
Children (4 & under): FREE
Straight Up Ticket- $10.00
Hamilton Viewpoint Park and Kerry Park - FREE!

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

A Bit Of The Mountains In The City - Waterfall Garden Park

Hidden in the heart of the city is a park that allows you to take a break in the mountains...if only for a brief moment.  The Waterfall Garden Park was created at the location where UPS had it's first headquarters.  Now the park (technically a pocket park) is lined with tables and chairs for those who use it as an escape on their lunch breaks.  One of the best parts about the park is that, even with it's proximity to the busy streets around it, it still has an aura of tranquility around it.  

Side Trips - Market Theater Gum Wall

Each region has its locations and events that are common knowledge, but some of the more interesting locales fall off the beaten path with only the local population reveling in their quirky, uniqueness.  The Market Theater Gum Wall is one of Seattle's hidden, albeit slightly gross, gems.  The wall, located mere footsteps from Pike Place Market,  began around 1993 when Seattle theater goers began to stick gum to the wall and press coins into it.  The wall was initially seen as a problem and scraped clean twice only to have the city change gears in 1999 and declare it an official tourist attraction. The wall continues to grow as new visitors add their slightly masticated mark on one of Seattle's walls. Pike Place Gum Wall

Be A Tourist - Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is alive.  Just standing on the edge of the pathways you can feel the ebb and flow of the people around you moving like a pulse.  The quantity and quality of merchandise is what draws both local and tourist alike.  From the legendary flying fish and the unique shops and stalls on the main floor to the boutique stores in the Down Under area, the market is a shopping oasis in an urban desert.  With the press of humanity all around you, people watching is an ideal way to take a break between browsing. The best part is that, after you peruse the multitude of venders’ goods and exhaust your people watching urges, you can grab some fresh fruit, cheese and sweets for an impromptu picnic.   http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/