PlanetEye

Sure, one can see a movie in their own hometown, but sometimes when you're traveling it's nice to kick back and relax in a theater for an hour or two.

In addition to a couple of really neat cinema drafthouse style theaters in the area, Seattle also boasts its own IMAX theater.  Located at the Pacific Science Center at the Seattle Center, the IMAX regularly shows shot for IMAX nature/adventure films and special laser shows...but that's not all. 

One can also catch first-run films there.  Often they are action adventure - such as Spiderman 3 - or movies made specifically to play at local IMAXs - like the latest Harry Potter in 3D! The current film is Kung Fu Panda, but coming up on July 18th, the newest Batman film, The Dark Knight, will be showing there as well. 

Tickets are $10.75 for adults and $8.75 for children 6-12 years of age, which is pretty comparable to non-matinee shows at regular theaters.

The Can Can is one of those places in town that really captures the true flavor and nature of Seattle. They claim to invoke Paris at the turn of the 20th century, but seeing as I wasn't alive at the turn of the century, I'm going to insist it's more like Seattle.  That is to say a little dark, super quirky, and cool.

The place is hidden in plain sight.  It is located behind the Left Bank books and the 1st and Pike flower shop directly in front of Pike Place Market.  And I do believe it is technically part of the underground, as part of the ceiling has glass blocks that are a part of the sidewalk above.

There are burlesque shows almost every night around 9 p.m., but the real prize of the place is it's amazing bar and its tenders.  The Scotch selection in particular is quite extensive if you're interested.  The signature drinks are also very delicious. Belly up to the tiny little bar and ask for Zach's own Ringmaster.  This might be my favorite drink in all of Seattle.

The daily (well, Tuesday through Sunday) Happy Hour (4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.) features drink and appetizer specials, so a couple of cocktails and snacks are very affordable. I can recommend the flat breads as well as the three cheese macaroni and cheese.  Yum.

The Mayflower Hotel isn't quirky or uber fancy like some of its competitors. It is a conservative boutique hotel with a "classically styled" lobby and rooms.  The reason one stays at the Mayflower, however, isn't because of the décor.  

Nor is it because of their location, even though it is conveniently located. In fact, the hotel is connected via the lobby to Westgate mall, which is in turn home to the downtown Monorail station. Access to Seattle Center and the Space Needle (and Queen Anne for that matter) does not get easier. It is also walking distance to Belltown and Pike Place Market and is smack dab in the middle of downtown's shopping center.

It isn't even because the food and drink are good.  Although, the hotel restaurant, Andaluca, will offer you an excellent meal. Executive Chef Wayne Johnson focuses on Spanish and Mediterranean cuisines for lunch and dinner, but the breakfasts at Andaluca are quite delicious in their own right. On Wednesdays at 4 p.m., guests are invited to a free wine tasting in the restaurant. Oliver's, the hotel bar, offers complimentary snacks during happy hour and is well-known for their take on the classic martini.

Nope, the real reason people stay and return to the Mayflower is due to their spectacular customer service.  Perhaps it is because the hotel is a boutique hotel and they pride themselves on the length of service employees have, but every single person you encounter in that property from the GM to the bellhop is friendly, accommodating, and good at their jobs.

One could pay over twice as much to stay at a Ritz-Carlton for the same level of service, but why would you?

Getting presents for the folks back home can sometimes be a real chore. It is very hard to sort out the wheat from the chafe, especially in and around a city's main attractions. However, if you find yourself lost in the million t-shirt and do-dad shops around Pike Place Market, there is a better option just across the street.

Look for the coffee man outside and you will find, nestled in yet another t-shirt shore, the fairly recently opened, Seattle Coffee Works. More than just an independent coffee shop, SCW bills itself as a "microroast café." Perfect for the true coffee aficionado on your list, the shop features freshly roasted coffees (no more than 5 days old) from local micro-roasters (think micro-brewers for coffee beans) that you won't be able to get anywhere else...or at least not in one convenient place.

Try out the coffees in any form - espresso to drip - before you purchase.  The staff is friendly and ready to share its extensive knowledge. Buy beans and ship home right from the store - else your suitcase will be permeated with freshly roasted coffee beans, not too bad of a consequence if you ask me. The New Seattle sampler is a fantastic option for gifting and will be way more appreciated than that McDreamy tee you just saw.

Looking for something that you'll never find anywhere else?  Look no further than the Greenwood neighborhood in Seattle.  Located at the intersection of Greenwood Avenue and 85th Street NE, you'll find the Greenwood Space Travel Supply store.

With rocket parking on the roof and an interplanetary atomic transporter located in the store, it's very easy to get to even from as far away as Pluto.  Inside you'll find astronaut food, clothing, blasters, and diversion equipment.  Any little doo-dad your universal travel might need.  In fact, their motto is, "If we don't have it, you don't need it."

The best part of the place isn't really the items you purchase, but the hilarious copy on the packaging.  For instance, you can purchase a Near Death Ray which asks, "Why kill when you can be stunning?" and whose features include, "Stockholm-syndrome compatible" and "Sleek yet undeniably intimidating design."  Any of these items are a must have for the gift giving traveler.

Part of the growing Dave Eggers empire, Greenwood Space Travel Supply is the storefront to 826 Seattle, a writing and tutoring center for children aged 6 to 18.  Manned entirely by volunteers, all proceeds from the store go directly to the non-profit.