A trip to Seattle will turn anyone into a tourist as you rush from place to place trying to see all there is to see and do everything to you can. It seems as though each time you turn the corner there is something else to do in this fascinating city.

No trip to dowtown Seattle is complete without a look at what’s going on underground. Seattle actually used to be several feet below where the city rests now. For the best tour of the underground give Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour a try. This guided walking tour hits all the highlights and history. You’ll begin in a restored 1890’s saloon and will proceed through Pioneer Square and three different sections of the underground city. It’s a moderately rugged hike with some rough terrain and six flights of stairs so dress appropriately and don’t forget your camera.

As long as you’ve done the underground tour, why not take it to the extreme and hit the sky. Kenmore Air takes you up, up and away in a seaplane. Not only are the views stunning and the trip exciting, you get to travel in a noted plane. In 1967 deHavilland shut down production of its Beaver airplane so Kenmore took over rebuilding the planes and keeping the Beaver alive. If you’re an aviation enthusiast, ask for a trip through the hangar and check out all of the restored beauties. And not to be outdone by the airplanes, take a different view of Seattle from 1000 feet in the air.

If you’re not a huge fan of air travel, how about a boat trip on Argosy Cruises. Argosy offers a cruise for just about every personal taste and occasion. Dining cruises include all three meals of the day, traditional tours take you though some of the highlights of Seattle’s striking coast, theme cruises give you a little extra with your cruise like the very popular murder mystery or the laid back jazz nights, you can even charter the cruise for your own special celebration. View the Puget Sound region from the water on one of the Argosy Cruise ships.

One of the more interesting and unique tours in Seattle is the Private Eye Tours. Where you get a guided tour of the underside of the city (not to be confused with the underground). You can select one of three Private Eye Tours, or keep coming back and visit all of them. The Queen Anne Mystery and Murder Tour takes you to some of Seattle’s most grisly crime scenes. The Capitol Hill Mystery and Murder Tour takes another route through some of the more infamous but true stories of the city. Haunted Happenings: And finally, the Seattle Ghost Tour is exactly what it purports to be, a haunted look at the city of Seattle.

Olympic Sculpture Park is a relatively new sight to visit in Seattle. Construction began on the old industrial area in 1999 and wasn’t finished until 2007. The land has literally been transformed into nine acres green space punctuated by beautiful sculptures and a backdrop of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. This is the perfect spot to stop and enjoy a relaxing picnic.

Pioneer Square considers itself the cultural heartbeat of the Pacific Northwest but those who shop know it’s a haven for little boutique store fans. Spend a day exploring the crafty little stores and picking up one of a kind items you just can’t find anywhere else. Then stop in one of the incredible restaurants for the fresh catch of the day or another delectable delight. And finally, stay in Pioneer Square and enjoy the nightlife and live music.

A great double hit for Seattle is the Experience Music Project which is located in the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. The Experience Music Project is devoted to letting visitors get a hands on interactive experience with different types of instruments and different musical styles. There are also rare artifacts and memorabilia for the consummate music fan. And as long as you’re there, the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame is the world’s first museum dedicated to science fiction.

For an up close and personal look at Puget Sound at the Seattle Aquarium. The aquarium offers visitors a hands on experience with many of the local aquatic creatures and great information for everyone. The Seattle Aquarium is more than just a museum, its main goal is marine conservation and they work tirelessly to preserve the beauty and health of the Sound and to encourage others to work to save oceanic wildlife as well.

No list of sights to see in Seattle would be complete without mentioning the Space Needle. Originally the needle was created to be an entry in the 1962 World’s Fair and was privately funded with a mere $4.5 million. If you have the time, take a break and enjoy a meal in the SkyCity revolving restaurant. If you’re visiting Seattle during a snow, as long as the needle isn’t closed, make this the day to ride the Space Needle’s elevators. The elevators travel at 10 miles per hour, snowflakes fall at approximately three miles per hour, so from the elevator snow appears to be moving upward.

This list just barely touches the amount of exciting things there are to do in Seattle. It seems that on every block there is something new and exciting to see and do. If you want to save a few bucks and hit the most popular sites, pick up a Seattle Go Card which can save you up to 45% off regular admission prices on some of the best museums, tours and attractions that the city has to offer.

Fund these adventures with the savings on your Seattle hotel when booked here.

(cc: photo credit: davesbit)

cc: photo credit: surrealize

It may always be raining, but that’s just a better reason to head on inside and catch some night vibes. Seattle is a happening city with a good number of clubs and hot spots. Almost every taste in music is represented and the level of excitement is adjustable to suit your mood.  From the Sea-Tac Airport, head dowtown Seattle to begin your fun!

A bonus to the younger ones in the crowd, or the older teens to be exact, many Seattle clubs have 18 and over nights so if you fit in that age group you are no longer prevented from seeing your favorite local band play live at the hippest club in town.

And if it’s live music you’re looking for then The Crocodile Café would have been the first place you went. Home to the Seattle music grunge scene, the Croc was THE place to be, that is until 2007 when it abruptly closed its doors due to financial problems. So, why mention it? Because rumor has it that The Crocodile Café will once again welcome bands to its stage and crowds will flock to be one of the chosen few allowed inside. So stay on the lookout because if The Crocodile Café opens it will most likely once again reign in the crowds looking for great live music.

Until then, give The Tractor Tavern a try. With live shows 5-7 nights a week featuring a wide range of local and national acts, you’re bound to find something that gets you up and dancing. The dancing and music is really the highlight at Tractor, but Pabst Blue Ribbon is on tap, several great ales are chilling in the cooler and you can order a TV dinner if you’re feeling a bit puckish.

Another great place to catch live music is Neumo’s . Voted Editorial Winner by Citysearch, this club knows how to book a good act and pack the club. Not big on variety, Neumo’s features mainly indie rock music, but they’ve chosen a popular theme that draws a hard drinking crowd. The balcony seating is great to really view the act, but no matter where you end up, you’ll get a great show.

For a totally difference live music experience, The Triple Door  is a great way to spend an evening. First there is the delicious Asian menu (from Wild Ginger the upstairs neighbor), then there is the full bar and award-winning wine lest. And most importantly there is the music. The Musicquarium and the Mainstage Theater both feature great live music, most of it with a jazz flare. Although the renovated 1920’s era vaudeville is really worth experiencing, you can catch the music on the cheap. The live shows are piped into the bar, so you can save the price of a ticket and experience the live show from the bar.

Okay, one last live music venue, The Funhouse, dubbed Seattle’s oldest surviving punk club, is a great old-school experience. There’s no pretense, no attitude and plenty of good vibes. The Funhouse features great local talent and the crowd is there to listen, drink cheap beers, and enjoy the camaraderie of other patrons.

If dancing is more your speed then head over to The Last Supper Club. With three levels and four bars (not to mention several private rooms) there is ample space for dancing. Most nights feature a DJ but there are live acts booked with some regularity. Most patrons seem to enjoy the lowest bar and its laid back atmosphere, but if you want to see and be seen, then give one of the higher floors a try.

For more multi-leveled fun, give Trinity Nightclub a once – or thrice – over. This three-roomed dance club features different DJs so each room has its own distinct flare. It’s basically three different nightclubs under one roof. The Main Room is the happening spot with a large dance floor and a kicking beat. The Blue Room is a bit futuristic and trendy and draws national acts. For a more relaxed atmosphere, the Card Room offers a taste of elegance and some delectable delights as well.

Maybe the most happening hot spot of the moment, The War Room is constantly packed. If you’re just going for the experience, try visiting on a week day rather than a weekend. Wednesdays feature an 80’s them and have almost the amount of excitement as a weekend night. DJ’s play nightly and the dance floor is almost always rocking. It’s a comfortable hot spot for locals and visitors.

SEE Sound Lounge offers a bit more laid back atmosphere as the guests sip cosmos and nibble on the Mediterranean treats. But the DJs know how to spin a techno groove that often gets the crowd up and moving. The crowd is a bit more upscale but the drinks are still moderately priced. If you’re looking for a good salsa club, try See Sound on Tuesdays.

A chameleon of a bar, Club Noc Noc serves its post work patrons well with generous happy hour prices and comfortable atmosphere, but stay too long and you’ll either get swept away with the partying dancers or wish you had left a bit earlier. The Noc Noc swiftly turns (as quickly as that first DJ starts spinning) into a happening dance club and hot spot. And to add to its chameleon type nature, some nights such as 80’s night or goth night, draw an entirely different crowd. Check the schedule and keep your eye on your watch to catch the transformation.

Seattle is a laid back kind of town that is very serious about its music business. If you’re going for a visit and want to hit the clubs bring something nice to wear, but leave your coolest garb at home. You should also leave the stereotypical grunge gear at home as the residents find that insulting. Instead dress well but not showy, expect to pay a bit in drinks but you’ll get good strong ones, and experience as much of the music scene as possible. Don’t worry if you happen to stay out a little too late, there is literally a Starbucks on every corner.

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Seattle’s aquatic surroundings lend the city its vintage maritime feel, and many of the area’s best attractions require steady sea legs despite being just a short drive from the airport and only a few minutes from downtown accommodations. Enjoy the local seafood, tour a Naval Destroyer, or act out your favorite Free Willy moments in the Puget Sound.

San Juan Safaris

Orca-spotting is a different breed of whale watching: the erstwhile “killer whales” leap into the air and seem to get kicks out of entertaining eager people. Safari patrons can choose to tour the San Juan Islands area in water taxis, kayaks, or, most excitingly, seaplanes. The company reputedly employs a network of whale spotters whose diligence ensures that tour participants have a very good chance of seeing orcas in action. Like many Seattle-area attractions, the Safaris’ peak season is May-September.

USS Turner Joy

This Naval Destroyer participated in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident and extensively in the Vietnam War. It’s now a museum ship, the bastion of the Bremerton Historic Ships Association. Moored in the Puget Sound, it’s regularly open for guided tours to interested visitors. True students of maritime history might want to book an overnight stay in the crew quarters, but for most visitors the 90-minute tour will suffice.

Ride the Ducks

Everyone knows the Ducks, the amphibious World War II vehicles that haunt cities with major waterways. Seattle’s Ducks follow the familiar formula, but the Puget Sound’s sheer abundance makes it a better trip than most. Enthusiastic captains guide patrons through downtown, Pike Place, and Pioneer Square on the 90-minute tour, and they typically encourage a healthy dose of rowdiness. That is, after all, why they hand out those “quacker” noisemakers. This tour is great for kids, though not for curmudgeons.

Chittenden Locks

Also known as the Ballard Locks, these shipping mechanicals are an impressive complex designed to regulate sea levels, salt water content, and guide incoming boats according to the levels of the Puget Sound. Most interestingly for visitors, the Locks include a “fish ladder” where salmon congregate. Interested parties can stop by the viewing room to catch the various salmon varietals on their grueling reproductive journeys. After educating yourself on the birds and bees of the fish community, retire to the adjacent Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens.

Tillicum Village

Summers in Seattle offer visitors the Northwest’s best weather, and Tillicum Village tours run May-September in celebration. In the course of the four hour tour, each guest eats a cup of raw clams and a fire-and-cedar cooked Chinook salmon steak, as well as the dubious-sounding “chocolate salmon dessert.” We’re not sure if it’s a fishy truffle or a salmon-shaped confection, but either way it’s a Northwest original. Dancers in traditional Northwest Native American costume perform while you digest, and thereafter you’re allowed forty-five minutes of recess to watch artisans at work, peruse the gift shop, or walk the beach.

Before you tour Puget Sounds, take an online tour through Hotels Cheap to find the best hotel deals in and around Seattle.

Mt. Rainier National Park

Ambitious mountaineers will want to devote a few weeks to hiking the Wonderland Trail, but even weekenders can enjoy the ecologically diverse surroundings of the iconic Mount Rainier. The park’s grounds incorporate waterfalls, wildflower meadows, old growth forests, and 20 to 30 glaciers. Must-see natural wonders include Carbon Glacier, located about 2 miles from camp and accessible by suspension bridge, and the frequently snowy wildflower fields near the Paradise Inn.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

The Trek promotes a more structured approach to Washington oudoorsing: visitors shuttle around the free-roaming animal habitats in comfortable trams. Some of the park’s notable residents include grizzlies, black bears, wolverines, moose, caribou, eagles, and an adorable herd of pygmy rabbits. Young guests are encouraged to explore the Trek’s two visitor centers, where they can view smaller animals, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and learn about the park’s conservation efforts.

Mt. St. Helens

The Northwest’s most famous stratovolcano is a bit of a haul from metro Seattle, but its regular ash and steam eruptions are a sight to behold. Plus, the area surrounding the volcanic monument is well-appointed for outdoorsy tourists, offering designated fishing areas, horseback tours, and elk viewing points. The ultimate St. Helens experience includes a 30-minute helicopter tour, straight over the perilous “blast zone” and surveying the damage of previous eruptions.

Olympic National Forest

Olympic is proof that Western Washington is the country’s most ecologically diverse landscape; the grounds include lakes, wilderness areas, temperate rain forests, and salt water fjords. The Forest encompasses Olympic National Park, which contains glaciated mountains and a rugged coastline. Hikers should plan to undertake the 19-mile trek to the Seven Lakes Basin, and winter recreationists will want to brave Olympic’s Hurricane Ridge ski and snowboard park.

Lake Chelan

This narrow lake is the country’s third deepest. Its surrounding recreation area is one of Washington’s strangest regions; inside Lake Chelan Park’s grounds is an unincorporated town called Stehekin, accessible only by boat and floatplane. It’s a popular destination for winter sports and artistic pursuits, and its attractions include an old-fashioned one room schoolhouse and a three hundred foot waterfall. Lake Chelan itself is a boating Mecca and powers a large hydroelectric dam.

Unless you intend to camp for your entire outdoor Seattle trip, you will eventually find yourselves indoors looking for a hotel room.  Click here for the best rates and availability on hotels in Seattle, or anywhere.

Grab your Diane Dictaphone, lace up your saddle shoes, and get your trusty log out of storage. This tour encompasses all those unforgettable Twin Peaks icons that were the set pieces of a hilarious, wildly disturbing, and ultimately great series.

Peaks Icon: The Great Northern

Destination, Exterior Shots: The Salish Lodge, Snoqualmie

The Great Northern’s body double is the Salish Lodge, a photogenic if precarious establishment in rural Snoqualmie. If the Salish’s website is any indication, it’s imbued with a touch of the creepy decadence that was the Great Northern’s hallmark. The site asks prospective patrons, “Where else can you find a retreat nestled in the Northwest with wood-burning fireplaces and oversized whirlpool tubs in every guest room? Will life ever be the same after you’ve crawled into your featherbed and selected from the pillow menu a perfect cradle on which to lay your head?” We applaud the effort, but we think a stay at the Great Northern might not be life-altering for the featherbeds. And while we’re not sure what a pillow menu is, it’s safe to assume that all those businessmen appreciated the freedom of choice. Also, nice grammar, guys.

Destination, Interior Shots: The Kiana Lodge, Poulsbo

The Kiana’s slogan is “a true taste of the Northwest,” and its walls still display the epic painted paneling of Ben Horne’s den of iniquity. Enticements to visit are plentiful, according to the site: “During your stay you can swim in the zero-entry pool, take a reflective stroll through the Native Art Gallery and pamper yourself in their full-service Angeline Spa.” Native Art Gallery, eh Kiana? Have you got Jerry Horne in his relic glasses hiding in a utility closet? Johnny in a headdress assaulting a doll house in one of your guest suites? Audrey, anywhere, being awesome and freaking out Norwegians? A Ben Horne figure sitting atop a wobbly monument to his own craziness? While we understand that these businesses are legitimate and functioning, we think their viability will only increase in proportion with their embracing of their Twin Peaks heritage. Who among us wouldn’t want to stay an acid-trippy night in a reproduced Great Northern? Oh, what dreams would come.

On that note, let’s relive one of the GN’s finest moments. Ladies and Gentlemen, Benjamin Horne and his inspired Civil War delusion:

Peaks Icon: The Double R Diner

Destination: Twede’s Café, North Bend

Of all the attractions on this list, Twede’s is the most devoted to its Twin Peaks traditions. A mural of the “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign adorns the building’s side, and the restaurant appeals to its devoted base with invitations for cherry pie and black coffee. Some patrons even report that the servers are Shelley and Norma-esque. Order the Cooper special or sample one of the many beef patty-based concoctions. Through the miracle of Internet menus, we now know what sustained the Double R’s regulars all those years ago. It was “Burgers from A-Z,” and the letter T burger is the Twin Peaks special. Twede’s is by far your best bet for kitschy Lynchiness, and the waitresses won’t brutalize you if you feel the need to announce your affection for your “damn fine cup of coffee.” They understand you’re just paying tribute to a deserving idol, one of television’s all-star B.A.M.F.s, this guy:

Peaks Icon: The Roadhouse

Destination: The Falls City Roadhouse

This Snoqualmie Valley establishment has undergone a series of Peaks-related changes, most notably a reversion to its proper name. Thing is, it’s a really nice restaurant and barely resembles the nightlife epicenter of the strangest little town in the Northwest. We don’t think Bobby Briggs ate Grand Marnier French Toast at the Roadhouse, nor do we think Ed and Norma kindled their clandestine affair over Edamame Hummus and Duck Confit. If, though, you’d like an excuse to eat a gourmet meal whilst doing something undeniably Peaksy, the Roadhouse is your place.

Pro tip: if you want to freak out your fellow diners at the Roadhouse, make like Audrey at the Double R:

Peaks Icon: Laura’s Beach

Destination: Snoqualmie Falls

Laura’s rocky resting place is, in reality, located just down river from the Great Northern. Well, at least, we think “down river” is the correct way to describe the position of the beach at the bottom of the 268-foot falls. Those falls are one of Washington’s most popular vistas, inspiring Lynchophiles and laymen alike with their majesty. Laura’s iconic blue-girl-in-body bag shots were staged near a large piece of driftwood at falls’ end that remains in its place today. Fanatics refer to it as “Laura’s Log,” and presumably you can too.

Speaking of fanatics, you might want to prepare for your TP tour by delving into the bowels of the Peaks Webiverse. That means reading Laura’s “diary” here.

Through its powerful tutelage, we learn that Laura resented her Homecoming Queen title, that she meditated on the subject of Killer BOB with alarming frequency, and that she believed that James Hurley would lead her out of the darkness.

Oh, James:

Peaks Icon: The Packard Mill

Destination: Forks, WA

Remember how frigging weird the Packard mill was? You had mean-ass Catherine, affable Pete, and sybaritic Josie, all entwined in the classical web of deception. Plus, you know, logging is alien and scary to most of us. Why not go and witness the sublime first-hand on a legit logging tour? The Forks, Washington (home of teeny tome Twilight!), Visitor Center offers free mill and forest tours to groups of twelve people on a thrice-weekly basis. The tours depart from the Forks Visitor Center every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 a.m., but unfortunately they’re seasonal and suspended until the spring.

Tour participants rove through an updated logging facility, its surrounding replenished forest, and, most interestingly, through the oft-rocky history of the timber industry. And, as you may have guessed, the burgeoning future has been none too kind to the ol’ lumberjacks. Refer to this diatribe excerpt from an article on the tours: “Computers now run nearly everything at the mill,’ Yanish said.” Doesn’t that sound vaguely sinister, like a Texas Chainsaw-style stance on technology? It’s like logging is a stand-in for animal slaughter and dude is going to send you and your IPhone through the machinery. Or maybe we’re just expressing a healthy amount of dementophobia.

The moral of the story is: chance the logging tour, tread lightly, and leave your handheld devices in their respective holsters. You could end up in a Packard-style ‘splosion:

We leave you with this image of a junior Log Lady, the head officer of the Log Lady fan club, or perhaps the ol’ LL herself before she, um, got old. And back when she was still kinky, by the looks of it. The two-timing slag.

Let that one sink in, and long live David Lynch.

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Traveling to Seattle is a great family experience as there is so much to see, you can literally go from the Space Needle to the secret downtown city underground. From top to bottom, Seattle is full of excitement, fun and educational opportunities. It is also a city that kindly welcomes children and you’ll find a variety of family dining options.

Eats Market Café

Skip the chain restaurants and the grilled cheese and go for something a bit more interesting for both parents and children. Eats Market Café is a great place to pick up some fresh seasonal local concoctions for a picnic in the park of a healthy meal on the go. Eats is the brainchild of two chefs with an extensive background in culinary arts. Their goal was to create a warm friendly environment with nourishing seasonal comfort foods. Be sure to try the pastries.

Agua Verde Café Paddle Club

This is a perfect place to stop and dine because there is so much more to see and do at Agua Verde. Hourly kayak rentals and guided tours give you a first-hand experience in sea kayaking and the surrounding marshes and waterways. This is an educational and visual experience your children will likely never forget. But it’s the dining that’s really the highlight. Casual waterfront dining gives everyone a chance to relax and soak up the environment and it comes at a very reasonable price. The food at Agua Verde is prepared fresh form scratch every day and as is becoming the Seattle custom, local and sustainable foods litter the menu.

Geraldine’s Counter

Filled with small town charm, local delights, retro designs and homestyle comfort foods, Geraldine’s Counter will instantly feel like home away from home. If you’ve got finicky eaters this is the place to go as you can get a no frills burger, mac and cheese and other favorites and familiars. But be prepared, Geraldine’s Counter feels like home to visitors and locals alike and can be jam packed on weekends.

Tutta Bella Pizzeria

Everybody loves pizza right? Well, skip the old standbys that are nothing more than decorated cardboard and go for the most celebrated authentic Neapolitan pizzeria in the Northwest. Tutta Bella is one of the few restaurants in the United States that has received authorization from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana in Italy to make an authentic pizza. This means that the process is governed from the preparation of the raw ingredients, selection of only certain approved ingredients all the way to the cooking method of using an approved wood fired oven. So it’s a restaurant with a bit of a lesson tied in for both parents and children. And if you don’t want the hassle of sitting in a restaurant and watching your pizza cook in the wood fired oven, simply order it to go and take it back to your hotel room.

Atlas Foods

At Atlas Foods its simple foods that are dressed up by some of the finest ingredients gives kids what they want and parents what they want the kids to have. Comfort foods filled with quality. The atmosphere is cozy and full of artistic expressions that keep it exciting and lively. The stroller parking and fully loaded toy box let you instantly know that although this restaurant has a well appointed bar, you’re more than welcome to plop down at a table and have dinner with their children. Let the children play and have a stress-relieving martini at Atlas Foods.

Red Mill Burgers

Known as the best burger joint in town, Red Mill Burgers offers guests a traditional all-American hamburger and malt experience. Family run, this business is all about bringing people together, giving them a great meal at a good price and sending them on their way only to welcome them back again in the near future. Vegetarians in the crowd take note, if you’re missing the taste of a hamburger or just really like the idea, a veggie burger is available that’s almost as good as the original.

Old Spaghetti Factory

Sure, it’s a chain, but the Old Spaghetti Factory is one place you can count on to create one of your kid’s (and your) favorites without changing the recipe so much that it’s unrecognizable. Get the standard spaghetti meal that you have come to trust. Like most chain restaurants of this variety, kids are more than welcome and are expected by other diners. So head to an old favorite for a classic quality meal that you know everyone will love.

Ivar’s Acres of Clams

And who can go to Seattle without taking advantage of the fresh seafood delicacies. Ivar’s Acres of Clams is one of the best offering fresh fish and, of course, clams in the area. Ivar’s has become such a local institution since its opening in 1938 that today there are 27 fast and casual Seafood Bars and three full-service waterfront restaurants. The Seafood Bars are the best choice if your kids aren’t apt to sit still through a dinner service. But if you have older children or some well behaved ones, go for the waterfront restaurant. The atmosphere is great, the view is incredible and the staff is more than happy to have them there.

If you and your family is headed to Seattle for a vacation, use the above family dining guide to help you make mealtime as enjoyable as the rest of your trip. Find restaurants that not only make you feel happy and comfortable but that also make your children feel welcome. And you’ll be happy to discover that Seattle is wholeheartedly embracing the local organic food movement and your entire family can experience fresh healthy meals while on the road.

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(cc: photo credit: IL Bistro Photo Stream)

Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture offers Native American crafts, masks, totem poles, Asian costumes, bugs and birds, oh my.  They have expert exhibits with such interests as fossils, dinosaurs, marine reptiles, wildlife photography, and much more.  It one of the “Top Ten Peoples Pick” for Seattle Museums.  Check their website for current and traveling exhibits.  It’s open every day, except holidays, from 10 am to 5 pm with late hours to 8 pm the first Thursday of every month.  There is a slight admission fee, but it is free on the first Thursday of every month.

Seattle Microbrewery Museum will teach you about the entire history of beer.  Located at Pike Brewing Company in the famous Pike Place Market, you can stop and have a cold one after your tour.  Or better yet have a hearty, wholesome lunch.  You might fancy one of their salads full of fresh vegetables with smoked salmon.

Wing Luke Asian Museum recently moved to a larger location, the East Kong Yick Building.  Explore the history, culture and art of Pacific American Asians.  This museum was founded in 1967 and named for the beloved City Council Member, Wing Luke.  As the first Asian American to be elected a public official in Seattle, Wing Luke is most well known for passing the Open Housing Ordinance which fought against racial discrimination in housing.  Contact the museum for special timely exhibits.  Group tours are available by reservation.  They charge a small admission fee.  However, free admission days are every third Thursday and third Saturday of each month.

The Children’s Museum encourages children to touch.  Their hands-on exhibits help children to garner more interest and learn more easily.  However, they won’t realize how much knowledge they are gaining while having so much fun.  While vacationing, if you have children up to age 10, there won’t be a better stop-off in Seattle.  They will have the option to climb a mountain or jump down into a marmot hole.  They’ll learn cultures of different people as they jump into different locations of the globe.  You can even have the museum all to yourself by renting it after hours.  Plan a birthday party in a special room at the museum.  After birthday cake and presents, enjoy the many exhibits.

Museum of Flight, located on Boeing Field just west of I-5, you’ll see one of the first primitive Write Brother gliders to the Mach 3 “Blackbird.”  The massive flying machine collection of commercial, military and civilian planes is situated over several buildings.  Enjoy the thrill of boarding a retired Air Force One Plane and a Concord or visit the original Boeing Barn.  If you are on a budget, the admission fee of $16 may seem more than you would like to spend, however it is worth the price and then some.

Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) is located on 24th avenue in McCurdy Park.  Opened February of 1952, it is the largest private heritage association in Washington.  The history of Seattle, from the 1800s to today, can be viewed through their many artifacts, images and information.  The hands-on exhibits are a joy for both adults and children.  Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the grounds of McCurdy Park after your tour of the museum.  Then get a little exercise by following the trail at the edge of the museums parking lot.  You’ll find a bridge half way through the trail where you’ll enjoy views of hilltop houses and natural foliage.

Seattle Art Museum (SAM), admission free on the first Thursday of every month, displays nearly 25,000 pieces of art.  This eclectic, non traditional art museum has a very impressive collection of contemporary art.  Their traveling exhibits on the third floor are not to be missed as they are always the showcase of the visit.  The Native Alaskan art is impressive of itself.

Pacific Science Center should be on your list of “several visits” list of vacation spots.  You’ll learn something new every time.  Kids will love the video game history room – they had no idea.  Adults and children alike will enjoy the tic-tac-toe robot, see if you can beat him.  The Pacific Science Center was voted one of the “50 Top Family Attractions.”

Center for Wooden Boats Museum, located in the heart of Seattle on Valley Street, is a hands on maritime heritage experience.  They will take you out onto the water, every Sunday, in a restored historic sailboat or rowboat, originally handcrafted.  Enjoy Tug Boat Story Time aboard the Arthur Foss, a tugboat near 100 years old.  Here’s your chance to learn how to sail, tie a sailor’s knot or navigate by the stars.  It’s located on Valley Street, admission is free.  A good choice for the family if you are trying to stay on a budget.

Seattle Museums

We’ve touched on just a few of Seattle’s fun yet educational spots to visit.  After you’ve stop by each of these museums, you may want to look into Rosalie Whyle Museum of Doll Art, the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, the Klondike Gold Rush Museum or even the Nordick Heritage Museum.  There seems to be something for everyone’s interest.

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(cc: photo credit: anadelmann)

Not sure where to start? Here’s 50 things to do in the Emerald City:

1. Visit the famous Space Needle for the most amazing views of the city.
2. Watch out for flying fish at Pike’s Place Market.
3. Catch an exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum.
4. See what’s getting grilled at “The Met.”
5. Let your imagination take flight at the Museum of Flight.
6. See native wildlife at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
7. Experience a slice of Northwest life at the Northwest Folk Life Festival.
8. Enjoy the sites, sounds and attractions of the Ballard District.
9. See the world-famous Mt. Ranier National Park.
10. Take a tour of lesser-known Seattle with a Seattle Underground Tour.
11. See some breathtaking views at Smith Tower.
12. Take the kids for a ride at Fun Forest Amusement Park.
13. Take in some smooth sounds at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley.
14. Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the Pioneer Square area.
15. Be stunned by the beauty of the Puget Sound aboard an Argosy Cruise.
16. See the spot where Tom Hank’s flew a kite with his onscreen son in Sleepless in Seattle at Alki Beach.
17. Visit the Seattle China Town International District.
18. Shop ’til you drop at Pacific Place mall.
19. Curl up with a good read at Elliott Bay Book Company.
20. Look through the displays at the Museum of Glass.
21. Hang out with the marine life at the Seattle Aquarium.
22. Get in touch with your Nordic side at the Nordic Heritage Museum.
23. Sip on a one-of-a-kind cocktail at The Capitol Club.
24. Take a break from the rat race at Olympic Sculpture Park.
25. Pay your respects to the late Bruce Lee and his son Brandon at the Lakeview Cemetery.
26. Revel in artistic talent at the William Traver Gallery.
27. Be impressed by the young stage prodigies at the Seattle Children’s Theatre.
28. Grab some spectacular seafood at Ray’s Boathouse.
29. Talk to the animals at the Woodland Park Zoo.
30. Taste the international delights at Uwajimaya.
31. Visit the Shops at Fisher Plaza.
32. Explore your inner scientist at the Pacific Science Center.
33. See a performance at the Seattle Center.
34. Take in a show at the Seattle Repertory Theatre.
35. Spend hours browsing antiques at Pike Place.
36. Check out a Seattle Supersonics game at Key Arena.
37. Let your soul be stirred by the music of the Seattle Symphony.
38. Experience the eruption of Mt. St. Helen or a fierce shark attack at the IMAX DomeTheater.
39. Go for the gold at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
40. See the ships at the Hiram M. Crittenden Locks.
41. Amuse the kids at the Children’s Museum.
42. Take a break at the GameWorks center.
43. Laugh yourself silly at the Jet City Improv comedy club.
44. Meander through the many displays at Frye Art Museum.
45. Get inspiration and feel scholarly at the stunning University of Washington Campus.
46. Bask in the Pacific Northwest Glory of Seattle’s largest city park, Discovery Park.
47. Experience The Way of Tea at the Japanese Tea Garden.
48. Lose track of time at the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum.
49. Indulge your senses at the Washington Park Arboretum.
50. Take a tour at the Boeing Space and Flight Center.

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(Photo via flickr cc)