Welcome to the Seattle Waterfront

One of the first things people think of when considering a visit to Seattle, is water: in the air and on the ground. Seattle is bounded on the west by Elliot Bay, which gives entry to Puget Sound and on the east by Lake Washington. The Duwamish River curls around the south end of the city and the Lake Washington Ship Canal with the Hiram Chittenden Locks in Ballard bisect Seattle at about its north/south midpoint. Whether it's for fun, food or adventure, the Seattle waterfront on Elliot Bay is one of the best places to explore. From the Washington State Ferry Terminal at the south end of Elliot Bay to The Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park to the north, and with shopping, eating, and everything else in between, the sights are easily accessible on foot. Here are just a few of the highlights.

Washington State Ferry Terminal (Pier 50)

Nothing beats the panorama of the Seattle skyline at sunset as passengers approach on a Washington State Ferry from either Bremerton on the Olympic Peninsula or Winslow on Bainbridge Island. The fares vary from season to season, but a walk-on ticket is a fairly inexpensive date. There are other ferry terminals situated from south in Tacoma to north in Edmonds taking passengers to various Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Canadian destinations.

Ivar's Acres of Clams (Pier 54)

There are numerous restaurants along the waterfront (Elliott's Oyster House (Pier 56), Seattle Aquarium Café, Oceanaire Seafood Room, Anthony's Fish Bar and Bell Street Diner (Pier 66), Steelhead Diner, to name a few), but Ivar's is an institution and even if you just buy some fries to feed the seagulls, it is a fun outdoor place to eat and experience. There's also an inside dining room and bar, but eat outside at the fishbar. Be sure to catch the 4^th of JulIvars fireworks show on Independence Day.

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (Pier 54)

Part museum of oddities like shrunken heads; part souvenir, novelty and Native American art shop, this store is a must see! It's a fun place to get all those gag gift stocking stuffers, but there are also beautiful pieces of Russian folk art. It must be seen to be believed.

Argosy Cruises (Pier 55)

One of the best ways to see Seattle is by boat. Take a harbor tour, a tour of the lakes and locks or a trip to Blake Island for a traditional Native American salmon dinner. (A Seattle CityPass gets visitors into the Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center, Museum of Flight and a harbor tour on Argosy for one low price.)

Seattle Aquarium (Pier 59)

The Seattle Aquarium provides fun play for all visitors. If you belong to a zoo or aquarium at home, you will likely find it on your list of places to visit for free by showing your member pass. We've gone with our twentysomething son since he was a baby and always find something new. My favorite exhibit includes the puffins, birds that swim underwater. My husband prefers sitting inside the domed aquarium watching sea life go by. Our son likes the "touch tank" since he can pick up the little critters and see their various colors and textures.

Olympic Sculpture Park (Just north of Pier 70)

Opened in 2007, the Olympic Sculpture Park transformed nine acres of derelict industrial waterfront into a public greenspace that is open free every day. It is filled with art installations that evoke thoughts of nature as well as industry. My favorite spot is the Neukom Vivarium that displays life on a dead old growth tree.

One final note: unless it is the middle of August, the way to dress in Seattle is usually casual and definitely in layers. There are at least twenty different ways to say it's going to be cloudy in Seattle. Since the gray comes and goes throughout the day, it's best to be prepared for the day to start and end a little cool, anticipating that there could be moisture falling from the sky. Don't bother carrying an umbrella, many of the natives don't, but a waterproof jacket and some sort of hat should do the trick.

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