Today, Seattle is the 15th largest city in the United States and one of the most desirable places to live in the country. It is known for its love of music and the creativity of its artists, the natural and architectural beauty of its landscape, and its excessive consumption of coffee. Most residents of Seattle, WA apartments love the city, but many of them don’t venture far from their own neighborhoods very often. If you want to take a day or a weekend to visit the city attractions that most people who pass through Seattle for just a day or two have seen, make sure that the following are on your list.
First Starbucks
Located on the corner of 1st and Pike Street, the original Starbucks is a site that any lover of coffee, design, or entrepreneurship can appreciate. Because it is situated in a historic district, the store has had to retain its original design. This distinguishes it from most other stores of its name and is one reason why it really is not “just another Starbucks.” Picking up a warm cup of morning joe at the world’s first Starbucks is a great way to start a day of Seattle tourism.
Pike Place Market
Due to the extensive popularity of the Starbucks franchise, the first Starbucks store tends to be very busy. You may want to just appreciate the design while you are in line, order your coffee to-go, and head on out once it has been served up. The first Starbucks is conveniently located just a stone’s throw away from Pike Place Market, a bustling public farmers market that has operated without interruption for 106 years. Walk through the aisles, looking at the foodstuffs and artisanal crafts, picking out some fresh produce and fish to use in preparing dinner in your new Seattle apartment.
Seattle Art Museum
Established in 1933, the Seattle Art Museum has been a city treasure for 80 years. Its current collection contains 25,000 works of art, including renowned works from ancient Asia and Africa to Renaissance Italy to modern-day America. If the weather is nice, follow up a visit to the museum’s downtown collection with a visit to the Olympic Sculpture Park, a nine-acre public park that is operated by the museum.
Seattle Underground Tour
Full of humor and scandal, Seattle’s famous underground tour is something that almost any Seattle, WA apartment resident or homeowner would enjoy. It can be spooky at times, but the frightening moments are almost always followed by comic relief. Even if you don’t see any ghosts, this tour will teach you a lot about Seattle’s history–the city’s importance as a center for commerce and shipbuilding during the Klondike Gold Rush. The fact that the Seattle of the 19th century is buried beneath the Seattle of today makes it all that much more exciting.
Space Needle
As Seattle’s most iconic structure, the Space Needle is one structure that every Seattle, WA apartment resident should visit at some point during his or her tenure in the city. The 605-feet-tall structure was built for the 1962 World Fair, and is designed to withstand Category 5-force hurricane winds and earthquakes registering up to magnitude 9 on the Richter Scale. If the weather is nice, dine at SkyCity or at least pay a visit to the structures 520-feet-high observation deck.
The Great Wheel
Parked at Pier 57 on Elliott Bay, the Seattle Great Wheel is the largest observation wheel on the west coast. It is open year round, and runs rain or shine. On nicer days, the Great Wheel affords riders with commanding views of The Emerald City and its many waterways.
When you live in a place as spectacular as Seattle, it is normal for the novelty of the brilliance all around you to wear off. By taking the time to get away from your luxury northwest Seattle apartment and exploring some of what the city has to offer, you will be reminded of how special the city you call home is. The next time you are looking for something to do with a day off work, check out a list of Seattle attractions and events and spend the day appreciating the city by visiting some of its finest visual and entertainment offerings. Live Life + Love Life, both in and out of your Seattle, WA apartment. Be a tourist for a day!