Latest posts from our Seattle expert:
FareStart
You might not know it, but great food is one of Seattle's best attractions. Any day of the week, you can fall into almost any local restaurant and have a good meal. If you're after chefs with name recognition, we have those, too. Because of our great eating options, Seattle also has some interesting events that showcase its food and chefs quite well. One of the more unusual programs is the FareStart Guest Chef Night.
FareStart is a restaurant that is manned by homeless and disadvantaged people who are receiving on-the-job-training in the food-service industry. And every Thursday night is the aforementioned Guest Chef Night, where a local chef will come in, work with the students, and prepare a three-course meal to serve to as many as 200 guests. Indeed almost all of Seattle's superstar chefs has done at least one stint at the FareStart kitchen.
Not only is it a great program, but it is one of the best food deals in the city at only $24.99 - all of which goes directly back into the program. Thus, it is not surprising that reservations ("strongly suggested") fill up fast. Visit OpenTable or link through from their on-line calendar.
If you can't get reservations to dinner, stop by for lunch. They serve (and provide carry out) from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
FareStart
700 Virginia Street, Seattle, WA, 98101, US
2062677601
Web Site
Sports Fans' Tours
There are a lot of great tours one can take during their visit to Seattle. Since I'm a history nut and food junkie, I usually recommend the Underground Tour and the Pike Place Market Savor Tour.
For fans of sports and the people who love them, however, there are two additional tours available in the city. These are, of course, the Qwest Field (NFL / Seattle Seahawks) and the Safeco Field (MLB / Seattle Mariners) tours. Both offer exclusive access to the clubhouse, dugout, locker rooms, among other things, as well as the chance to walk on the field itself.
During the summer, times are mid-day 12:30 and 2:30 with Safeco having an additional tour at 10:30 a.m. Both are limited based upon the schedule of the teams that play there, but that is to be expected. Qwest is $7 for adults and $5 for children, while Safeco is $8 and $6.
Since the two fields are across the street from one another, there is potential to book both on the same day.
Columbia Tower
There really isn't a replacement for the Space Needle. It has World's Fair history and a great 360 degree view of the city. It is a little pricey though for a fast elevator ride and a walk around the observation deck ($16). You can avoid the fee and spend your money on food instead by eating at Sky City and enjoying a leisurely spin while you eat. (I recommend the restaurant route, since you can peruse the deck after you eat as well, just don't expect all that much regarding the food.)
That said, the Needle isn't the only high view of the city there is. Aside from wonderful view parks like Queen Anne's Kerry or Wallingford's Gas Works Park, there is also the Columbia Center (formerly the Bank of America tower) located on Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street. Columbia is currently the tallest building in Seattle and at 937 feet is nearly twice as tall as the Needle. Of course the bonus is that it is also less than half as crowded at any given time.
Take advantage of the Sky View (observation deck located on the 73rd floor) by entering via the main lobby and inquiring at the security desk. Admission is $5 per person.
Columbia Center
701 Fifth Avenue
206-386-5151
Web Site
Seafair Opening Weekend
Since 1951, Seattle has celebrated summer with the annual Seafair celebration that lasts for the entire three months of the season. There are parades, community festivals, air and boat shows, pirates, and more. The 2008 festivities kick off during the July 4th weekend with four separate family friendly activities.
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Starting July 4th through July 6th (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) The Center for Wooden Boats (1010 Valley St.) and South Lake Union Park will be hosting The Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival. The festival is exactly what it sounds like all types of boats that are wooden will be on display. There are also children’s activities including a make-your-own boat session.
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On Saturday the 5th, The Milk Carton Derby will take place at Green Lake. In its 37th year, the derby features five different race categories and a boat parade. Prizes and fun abound. (http://seafair.com/events/mcd/)
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On Sunday, Hispanic Seafair will be at the Seattle Center from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. “The day-long festival will feature live music & entertainment, various food, craft and information booths, art exhibits and children's activities all reflecting the diverse Hispanic community in the Seattle area. The festival also serves as a venue for the scholarship presentation to the Hispanic Seafair Queen and her Court.” (http://www.hispanicseafair.com/)
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Also on Saturday, is the Pirate Landing on Alki Beach. Even though Seattle is nowhere near the Caribbean and has never really known the true scourge of pirates, this family friendly event attracts many. There is usually a mock sea battle before the pirate’s ship turns towards shore and lands. There are also booths, contests, and live music at the beach the whole day. Finding parking on Alki is often difficult, so either take the #56 metro bus straight from downtown to the beach or ride the Water Taxi across the bay and take the free shuttle to the beach. (http://seafairpirates.org/)
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Seeing Seattle's Fireworks
Seattle loves the Fourth of July. We must, since there are two distinct fireworks shows in the city: WaMu's Family Fourth show that happens at dusk over Lake Union Park and Ivar's 4th of Jul-Ivar's show that takes place over Elliott Bay at 10 p.m. Not to mention all the other shows from nearby cities (eg Redmond) that are visible from town.
If one were in a taller, north and/or west facing hotel room, both Seattle fireworks displays would be visible from one's window. Barring that, the best fireworks viewing is from rooftops around town.
One place that will be open during Friday's holiday is The Pink Door (1919 Post Alley, (206) 443-3241). The Pink Door is an Italian restaurant located in the Pike Place Market vicinity. There is no sign, but there is an actual pink door that opens up into a charming restaurant. More importantly, they have a wonderful rooftop deck and if you can get seated out there, a view of the bay which is perfect for the Ivar's fireworks viewing.
As far as views of Lake Union show without actually going to Gas Works Park, well, there are plenty of restaurants that border Lake Union. On the southeast side is BluWater Bistro (1001 Fairview Ave N # C (206) 447-0769), which is also known for its incredible view. Since it's sitting right on Lake Union, there can't be a better view of the WaMu fireworks. Pair that view with a cocktail and it might be a great night.
City Hall: Seattle Presents Concerts
Now that it's finally nice and sunny outside, it's time to start thinking about how to spend as much time out of doors as possible. You could eat lunch at a restaurant with a patio or tour the city's very eclectic architecture. Also, you can listen to music.
Every summer, City Hall hosts a series of lunchtime concerts that are located on their front porch (aka the Civic Plaza) called Seattle Presents. The bands are from a wide array of genres - including some "hip" local bands - so there is always something for everyone. The shows are the first and third Thursday of the month from July to August, with a few special shows thrown in.
The City festoons Civic Plaza with folding chairs and invites a couple of vendors to sell lunches so you can eat whilst you listen. However, it does fill up fast with the local business crowd settling in, so if you must have a chair, make sure to get there early, say around 11:30 a.m. Perhaps after checking out two of the most interesting buildings in the city: the Arctic Club (located across the street at 4th and Cherry) and/or the Seattle Central Library (three blocks down on 4th and Madison).
This year's Seattle Presents starts Thursday, July 3rd with Jamaican Reggae Band, Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band.
Seattle Pride
Seattle may not have the same reputation as San Francisco regarding their annual Pride festivities, but since Seattle has the second largest GLBT population (per capita) in the US, the pressure to have an incredible, all-out bash is high.
After a couple of years of disagreement over where the Pride parade belongs in Seattle, the community has come together and finally agreed to support the downtown parade. With everyone's backing, the 2008 Weekend looks to be a lot of fun for attendees. Events begin as early as Friday morning (this morning!) through Sunday's after parade parties. Look to The Stranger for the comprehensive and continuously updated listing throughout the weekend.
The main event, the parade, begins Sunday at 11 a.m. and will be Grand Marshalled by Governor Christine Gregoire. The route goes right through the middle of the downtown core on Fourth Street from Union to Denny (near the Seattle Center). As with any parade, you'll have to get there early to get a great spot. Best bets are around Westlake Center or further down the route near Lenora.
Please note that although metro buses will run during the parade, there will be extensive rerouting.