Seattle: Cool, Hip, And Funky Fun

(Mellow Wanderer, Seattle) The minute you step out of SEA-TAC airport and take a 10 minute walk to Seattle’s light rail, you know you’re in a special city. Seattle gets it, with easy affordable mass transit. Forget the car. You can see all the top Seattle attractions and link to all the unique eclectic neighborhoods with a good pair of walking shoes, bus, trolley and light rail tickets. A 30 minute light rail ticket from SEATAC to your downtown hotel costs only 3 bucks. An autumn weekend during NFL football season in Seattle can be splendid. This town goes nuts over the Seahawks. They take their 12th Man motto seriously, proudly displaying their colors around town days before a game and fly 12th Man flags atop downtown buildings. Seattle autumn weather is typically chilly, with fog and mist in the morning before skies open up to partial clouds or brilliant sunshine. Layered clothing works best, though some locals wear t-shirts and shorts in the afternoon. Mellow Wanderer’s late September four-day weekend visit saw one day of rain- light intermittent drizzle-through early afternoon, but it didn’t hinder any planned activities.

Snoqualmie Falls Park

A visit to Snoqualmie Falls Park that day actually added to the rain forest-like atmosphere. The scent of Douglas Fir feels like you’re in the middle of a Christmas tree farm. Snoqualmie Park is a popular attraction, drawing more than 1.5 million visitors every year. The highlight is the 270 foot waterfall. There are also paved walking trails with some steep inclines. The park also has picnic areas, a gift shop, observation deck and the Salish Lodge.

Lake Union Kayaking

One of the great ways to see the Seattle lifestyle up-close is to take a kayak out into Lake Union. A community of houseboats– small and large, traditional and funky– ring the shores. Just like every tourist, Mellow Wanderer paddled by the Sleepless In Seattle houseboat. It’s rather plain compared to some of the other ornate and elaborate homes on the water, but this lifestyle is obviously not cheap. The Sleepless In Seattle home recently sold for more than $2 million! Other sites to see are Gas Works Park, a 19 acre public park and former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant. Some parts of the rust-laden plant are in full view. The park’s hills and location are also known for great kite flying. Be on the lookout for seaplanes. They takeoff and land frequently on Lake Union. I asked the kayak attendant if we needed to stay out of their way, and he replied that they will see you and stay out of your way! Tip: a two person kayak is easier to control than a single. Also, it’s a good idea to wear water-repellent or quick dry clothing. You will get wet paddling. A hat, sunscreen, water and camera are good to have on hand as well.

Great Photo Ops

Kerry Park is an outstanding perch for beautiful views and snapshots of Seattle’s skyline. Crowds gather at sunset to see the city splashed in golden hues.

This is where many photos and videos are shot and published in magazines and broadcast on television. Some people will gather and sit on the hillside for intimate wine and cheese parties. West Seattle is where you’ll get great water view shots of Seattle. Use the panorama setting on your smart phone to capture the entire cityscape. There is also a lengthy waterfront walking trail.

Fremont is a bohemian neighborhood unlike any other you’ll ever see.

This is a sightseers’ paradise. You’ll discover everything, from the unusual to the bizarre. Consider the oversized troll sculpture under the Aurora Bridge. Then there’s the 7 ton bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin in the art district. If that doesn’t catch your fancy, walk across the street and see the Cold War era rocket fuselage attached to a building, which is next to the building with the planet Saturn sculpture, complete with rings, on the roof. No wonder people who live there call Fremont the “Center of the Universe.”

The Ballard neighborhood dates back to 1853 and sits right on the water. To the west of Ballard is Golden Gardens Park.

You’ll see sailboats, beach goers and the Olympic Mountains in the background. Pike Place Market in the heart of downtown Seattle is a shutter bug’s delight. Tourists jam the narrow walkways of this open air farmers market. There are brilliant colors of fresh fish on ice, produce and flowers. Equally colorful are the characters you’ll run into, such as the accordion player wearing a giant pigeon head jamming to Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball.

The original Starbucks coffee house is also here, where you’ll find the bare breasted mermaid logo you won’t see at any other Starbucks in the world.

Foodie Alert

Seattle is known for great seafood, cafes and coffee houses. Starbucks may rule the roost- its corporate headquarters is here- but there are literally dozens and dozens of equally good or better establishments. Mellow Wanderer had a terrific acorn squash latte at a local beanery. Over in West Seattle, Salty’s on Alki Beach has some of the best local seafood in Seattle. Their chowder with chunks of Dungeness crab is outstanding, as is the waterfront view of downtown Seattle. Some places you can’t forget because their names won’t let you. Case in point, below.