Seattle Center, 400 Broad St.; 206.905.2100;
www.spaceneedle.com

A 41-second elevator ride takes you up 520 feet to the observation deck of the Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair. Enjoy a meal at SkyCity, the restaurant at the top that revolves 360° while you dine.

www.pikeplacemarket.org

Born in 1907, Seattle's Pike Place Market is the granddaddy of farmers' markets. Today, it's a major tourist attraction with 200 businesses operating year-round, 190 craftspeople and 120 farmer booths - plus street performers and musicians. Flowers by the bucketful, flying fish, fresh pastries and fruit, handmade cheeses, local honey, wine, an assortment of restaurants, import goods, antiques, collectibles and lots of surprises are around every corner.

www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

Traveling by ferry is a state of mind as much as a means of transportation to some of the Puget Sound's most historic and scenic sites. Views of the Olympic and Cascade mountains, the Seattle cityscape and the green shorelines will draw you out onto the deck to feel the salt breeze on your face. The state ferry system takes passengers and their vehicles from Seattle and nearby departure points to Vashon Island, the Kitsap Peninsula, the San Juan Islands and Canada. For privately operated ferries, see the Sightseeing & Tours (page 35) and Visitors Services/Travel & Transportation (page 120) listings in this guide.

Pier 59;  206.386.4300
www.seattleaquarium.org

Meet Alki, the sea otter pup born at the Aquarium. Walk under the water in a glass dome as bluntnose sixgill sharks and other Elliott Bay creatures swim all around you. Touch a sea anemone. Learn about the lives of salmon at the world's first aquarium-based salmon ladder. Marvel at the impossibly bright-colored coral reef fish. And don't forget to wave to the giant Pacific octopus.

Piers 52 to 70 on Alaskan Way
www.ci.seattle.wa.us/tour/water.htm

A bustling collection of attractions, restaurants and shopping, as well as starting points for ferries, cruise ships, the Victoria Clipper and Argosy boat tours are located here. Feed the seagulls at the statue of Ivar Haglund in front of Ivar's Acres of Clams, stroll by the fountains on the wooden piers of Waterfront Park, admire the view or shop for souvenirs.

Between 2nd Ave and the Alaskan Way Viaduct from South to North, between Columbia St. and King St.
http://www.seattletravel.com/pioneer-square-seattle.html

Pioneer Square's historic district of Seattle offers a wealth of art galleries, bookstores, antique shops, cool restaurants, and buzzing nightclubs within easy walking (or free bus) distance of most downtown Seattle hotels. The cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages are a reminder of life a century ago. Pioneer Square is Seattle's oldest neighborhood, adjacent to the new, massive sports stadiums for the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks. The classic red brick buildings give a warmth to the area not found in most sprawling US suburbias. The term "skid row" originated in Pioneer Square -- when timber would be slid down Yesler Way to a steam powered mill on the Seattle waterfront.

Frank Gehry building at the base of the Space Needle
325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109.
www.empsfm.org

Experience Music Project (EMP) is dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. By blending interpretative, interactive exhibitions with cutting-edge technology, EMP captures and reflects the essence of rock ‘n’ roll, its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, as well as rock’s influence on hip-hop, punk and other recent genres. Visitors can view rare artifacts and memorabilia and experience the creative process by listening to musicians tell their own stories.

South Gate: 750 N. 50th St
206.684.4800
www.zoo.org

See more than 1,000 animals of 300 different species, from elephants and gorillas to piranhas and penguins, in naturalistic exhibits at the Woodland Park Zoo. Drop by at scheduled feeding times and talk with the people who care for the animals.

608 First Ave.
206.682.4646
www.undergroundtour.com

After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the city was rebuilt over the top of the ruins. This guided tour takes visitors through the hidden subterranean passages that once were the main roadways and storefronts of old downtown Seattle and tells stories of the frontier people who lived and worked there.

1250 First Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134 http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=sea

Since the Inaugural Game on July 15, 1999, Safeco Field has gained a reputation locally, regionally and nationally as a terrific setting for baseball and a great place for baseball fans. Sweeping views of Seattle's downtown skyline, breathtaking sunsets over Puget Sound, combined with excellent views of game action from all angles give fans at Safeco Field an experience unequalled in Major League Baseball.

1000 Fourth Ave.
206.386.4636
www.spl.org

Designed by world-renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the award-winning glass and steel structure of the new Central Library makes the building seem a little off-kilter and translucent - allowing passersby on the street to look in.

Blake Island
206.933.8600
www.tillicumvillage.com

A short, narrated cruise takes you to an island village, where you'll feast on salmon cooked in the authentic Native American way. A stage show of traditional dances and stories entertains and teaches you about the people who lived in the Northwest first.

 
Tulalip Casino

Muckleshoot Casino

The Emerald Queen Casino

Snoqualmie Casino

... and more casinos

Want to roll the dice, spin the wheel, play the slots, double down, catch some great entertainment, or try to hit the jackpot? In and around the Seattle area, you'll find a wide range of casinos, from the laidback to the luxurious.

516 Broad St, Seattle
206.441.DUCK (3825)
www.ridetheducksofseattle.com

Tour Seattle by land and water on a WWII amphibious landing craft. This 90-minute adventure tour will have you "quacking up" through the streets of Seattle. You'll see the major sights of the Emerald City on land before you head out to the funky Fremont neighborhood where you'll splash into Lake Union.

Pier 69, between Pier 70 and the Edgewater Hotel
800-888-2535
http://www.clippervacations.com

Plan an exciting overnight getaway to Victoria, British Columbia! You can spend your time exploring a new city that is steeped in British tradition and trimmed with aboriginal culture. This picturesque hamlet is just what you need to create memories you'll never forget.

Located on the Seattle Pier http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml

Pack the car and load up the family for a weekend of kayaking in Kodiak, experience the fantastic sites of Prince William Sound, sail to Haines or Skagway and drive the Golden Circle Route to Whitehorse. How about a whale watching excursion to Pelican? The options are endless and affordable! Surprise your family and friends with an excursion right in your own backyard.

http://www.visitrainier.com/

Mount Rainier dominates the Cascade Range and surrounding landscape for 100 miles around, and contains a wide diversity of wildlife habitats from subalpine meadows to streamside corridors and low elevation old growth trees. Everything here is spoken of in superlatives: the glaciers, trails, wildflowers, wildlife and infinite photo ops. Four-season adventure surrounds one of America’s most popular national parks.

www.mountsthelens.com

Mt. St. Helens has been steaming recently providing breathtaking views of America's volcano. Stop by the fabulous Observatory and the Forest Learning Center. These are two must-see destinations at the Volcano. The Silver Lake Mt. St. Helens visitor center is open year round. The Johnston Ridge Observatory and Forest Learning Center are open May through October.