Seattle / Downtown Sights

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• Pike Place Market, www.pikeplacemarket.org. Pike Place Market is not entirely indoors, but nearly. It is comprised of dozens of little shops tucked into a few square blocks downtown, on multiple levels. If you hate shopping you still might like this place, with its quirky atmosphere (including the famous seafood shop where the staff throw your fish from one end to the other). As the weather gets warmer, more artisans set up booths to sell photographs, glass, ceramics, and fresh flowers. Several farmers come to sell their produce, and a vast amount of tiny hole-in-the-wall places offer all kinds of cuisine (french, russian, mexican, seafood chowder, etc...) It is within walking distance of the NCL Cruiseline dock...good if you want to walk from the boat, but making the market rather crowded when their boats are in harbor. Hours are shortest on Sunday: only 11AM-5PM. Look for big blond Johnny Hahn on his portable piano, or one of the other regular street musicians on a more conventional street instrument. Leave the more trafficked areas behind and go downstairs to explore the creepy, dusty corridors full of obscure little shops. The weird, cramped Parrot Store even further downstairs (on 1st Avenue) is worth the $0.50 admission if you like parrots.
• Bay Pavilion on Pier 57, 1301 Alaskan Way (on the waterfront below Pike Place Market), ☎ +1-(206) 623.8600 (fax: +1-(206) 343.9173), www.pier57seattle.com/index.html. A "touristy" destination, with shops, restaurants, and a game arcade and carousel for kids.
• Odyssey Maritime Marine Center, 2205 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, ☎ +1-206-374-4000 (info@ody.org, fax: +1-206-374-4002), www.ody.org.
• Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way (on Pier 59 on the Waterfront), ☎ +1-206.386.4300, www.seattleaquarium.org. Located on Pier 59 on the Seattle waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium showcases native fish and mammals of the Pacific Northwest. The newly opened Windows on Washington (WOW) exhibit is a view into the area Neah Bay, the most northwest point of the "lower 48". There are two touch tanks featuring animals of the inland sea and outer coast, in the main area of building one along with a display of two giant pacific octopuses.The Seattle Aquarium is actively engaged in the study of the six gill sharks, a prehistoric shark that normally lives in waters 500 to 1000 feet deep, but at night comes to within 50 or so feet of the surface to feed. The aquarium's unique location on Puget Sound provides an environment to observe and tag the six gill shark, right at the aquarium. Adult six gill sharks may reach up to 14 feet or more.Also in building one are warm water exhibits, with individual "jewel" tanks surrounding a display of fishes native to areas of Pacific Coral Reefs. A small cafeteria and gift shop is also located in the front part of building one. Building two houses a display of local birds as well as a Harbor Seals, Great Northern Fur Seals, and Sea Otters. All mammals at the Seattle Aquarium were either born in captivity or rescued animals.
• Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St. (at First Ave.), ☎ +1 206 654-3100 (boxoffice@seattleartmuseum.org), www.seattleartmuseum.org. Wed-Sun 10 AM - 5 PM, Thu/Fri until 9 PM, closed Mon/Tue. The museum's recent physical expansion, coupled with an aggressive campaign to expand the collection, now displays an good overview assortment of art from around the world. Though the permanent exhibitions only occasionally delve deeply into a specific subject (such as the enormous variety of pieces in the porcelain room), extensive special exhibitions fill the gap. Suggested admission: $13 adults, $10 seniors (62 and over), $7 students with ID and youth 13–17, Children 12 and under free. Some special exhibitions charge an additional fee. Admission to the museum is free for everyone on the first Thursday of each month.

Safeco Field

• Safeco Field, seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=sea. Just south of Pioneer Square, Safeco Field, home to the Seattle Mariners, is one of the finest ballparks in the country. Right field bleacher seats enjoy a panoramic view of downtown and Elliott Bay, and the stadium offers anything from traditional ballbark dogs and macrobrews to fine gourmet fare and local beers. There couldn't be a better way to spend a summer evening in Seattle.
• Benaroya Hall. An aesthetically and acoustically beautiful new concert hall. Tours available.
• Washington Convention and Trade Center, www.wsctc.com. Major convention centre, straddling the I-5 freeway on the east side of Downtown.

• Seattle Bug Safari, 1501 Western Avenue, Suite 304, ☎ +1 206-285-BUGS (2847) (info@seattlebugsafari.com), www.seattlebugsafari.com. Mo: 11AM–6PM, Tu–Sa: 10AM–6PM, Su: Closed. A bug zoo and a gift shop. Adult (13-64) $8, Child (3-12) $6, Seniors/Military/College Students $7, Toddler (0-2) FREE.