Seattle, Washington has a great deal to offer
its discerning visitors. From the ordinary and mundane to the out and out
macabre, you will see it all while visiting Seattle, Washington, if, that is,
you know where to look for them. Seattle has a rich history and it seems an
even richer future. Nestled among some of the most beautiful countryside North
America has to offer, this great city has the best of most worlds-a very mild
climate, access to water, land, mountains, fields, and streams. Seattle is like
every patriotic song you can imagine and in the middle of it all Seattle is a
bustling metropolis.
If you are planning to visit Seattle, I have
one word of warning for you. You will probably want to stay. That is of course,
if you aren't too worried by rain. The only real drawback I can see for living
in Seattle is that your skin will have a difficult time getting that sun kissed
glow that summer brings almost everywhere else in America. But I think I could
sacrifice sweltering heat and sticky humidity in exchange for a little rain. In
fact, I would welcome a little rain right now; it might actually cool things
off.
For those who have tastes that run a little
bit off center of ordinary, Seattle has a great bit of entertainment to offer
you as well. The first bit is a freebie and not of interest to some (yet it
still seems a vastly popular stop for tourists). That place is the Lakeview
Cemetery. This is where the bodies of many of Seattle's founding fathers and
most prominent citizens have been laid to rest. Perhaps most startling is the
fact that Bruce and Brandon Lee receive more visitors than anyone else in the
cemetery. While some may find this fact mildly disturbing, I guess when you
think of all the visitors Graceland receives every year it really isn't all
that obscene.
The next stop on the off center tourist traps
would be Bill Speidel's Underground Tour. This tour takes you to the streets of
old downtown Seattle. The only thing is these streets are beneath the streets
of New Seattle. This is perhaps one of the most interesting tours you will find
in the city-other than maybe the Private Eye tours but that's another
story-because it literally takes you into history. At the end of this tour you
can get access to Rogue's Gallery Museum where you will see exhibits relating
to Seattle's Victorian era and other historical points of interest. The tour
lasts about 90 minutes and costs $11 for adults. If you have the time, this is
one tour that if nothing else, will leave a lasting impression.
If you are in the Pike Place Market area, you
really should check out the Market Ghost Tours. These are one hour walking
tours of the market where those who work in the building share stories of
strange occurrences. You will also get to hear some of Seattle's interesting
history mixed in with the ghost tales. This is a walking tour and might be a
little frightening and/or boring for smaller children. But, if you are looking
for something different to do, this tour should be right up your alley. Whether
you believe in ghosts or not, I would hope that you can at the very least find
tours such as this entertaining.
The city of Seattle has a great deal to offer
those who are adventurous enough to seek the knowledge, fun, and entertainment
that abounds. Some of the tours and exhibits need to be taken with a grain of
salt and a sense of humor. All others should at the very least provide some
degree of information, education, and fun to those who visit. I hope more than
anything that your trip to Seattle takes you off the beaten path at least once.
What on earth would you tell the people back home if you didn't at least have
one extraordinary adventure?
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