Magical Places - Travel photos of mystical places worldwide

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Seattle - what a great city!

Tucked in the northwest corner of the northwestern-most state (in mainland USA anyway), Seattle has a style all its own: futuristic, worldly, visionary, grounded, artistic and intellectual all at once. It's the birthplace of some of the best music, from bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, to name a few; location of incredibly unique architecture; and home to

To get to the Space Needle at Seattle Center from the city center (without a car, anyway) the easiest way is to take the monorail from Westlake Center.

Walking around the city, the monorail tracks snake through the many skyscrapers...

some of the best international cuisine I've ever tasted.

True, Seattle is rainy, but so what? Just duck inside one of the myriad of stylish indoor shopping centers, or relax with a delicious latte or hot chocolate in one of its countless coffee shops.

I enjoyed Seattle in November of 2008. Though typically one of the rainiest months, luck shone upon me with sunny, clear blue skies...

At Westlake Center (great shopping mall!) ride the escalator up up up...

Here's the platform where you buy your ticket & wait for the train, which runs every 15 min or so

A quick train ride later you arrive at the very cool Seattle Center...

Exit the station to gaze upon the mighty Space Needle! Very cool architecture, and epitomizing the 1960's futuristic style...

The whole time I was there I had the theme from The Jetsons playing in my mind...

Buy your ticket, and walk the circular path toward the glass entrance "hallway"...

Now inside this iconic futuristic landmark

Glance toward your right to see the giftshop - fun shopping with tons of merchandise!

- but for now we continue onward to stand in line for the next elevator (fortunately the lines moves very quickly)

Now at the top! When you first step out of the elevator, you can stay indoors or go outside for amazing views of the city

Looking out at Seattle city center. I was so psyched the skies cleared up!

Walking around and around - one view is better than the next!

Looking Northwest toward Vancouver

Looking down at Seattle Center

The sun is starting to set over the water - so beautiful!

Another shot of the downtown area - this time sticking my camera lens in between the wires

Looking Northeast toward Lake Union

Still looking toward Vancouver

Looking eastward...

Also at Space Center is the Science Fiction Museum, with very unique architecture.

It's definitely worth visiting - I'm not really a sci-fi fan, and even I loved it

The inside is as cool as the outside...

Unfortunately photography is not permitted :-( but I did manage to snap this photo in the restaurant (which has the BEST pizza I've ever tasted!!!)

Walking inside, you can see the monorail tracks above - very cool!

The Space Needle at night, all lit up...

Seattle Center also has an amusement park (notice the ferris wheel at left) so it's a great place for kids!

Seattle Space Needle & Space Center

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Skyscraper City

The view from my hotel (Crowne Plaza). You can see Columbia Center and the Library

Skyscapers loom...they almost look the wise old sages peering down at you

Walking around the city you can't help but look up

I don't remember the name of this buidling but the architecture was beautiful

Columbia Center

Pike Place is a grand indoor shopping arcade - truly a maze of halls, shops, food vendors & restaurants

There is definitely a carnival theme to Pike Place...

Outside, almost across the street from Pike Place, is the very first Starbucks (a grande hot chocolate sounds good right now...)

Walking walking some more...

It almost feels like you're back in the early 1900's...

Also nearby are the Harbor Steps, leading down to the water. Like I mentioned, it was November so the trees are bare - I'm sure this area looks beautiful in Spring!

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Pike Place

The entrance to Columbia Center (or the Bank of America Building, otherwise known as the "Darth Vader Building")

The entrance looks mild enough, but then you look up...I can see why it's know as the Darth Vader Building

- at the very top is an obvervatory offering amazing views

Inside the observatory

Looking down toward the northwestern portion of the city...You can see the Space Needle further north

Looking straight down...don't fall!

Looking down toward the Financial District & Smith Tower

On the 70-odd floor is the observatory, with this model of the building

Looking southward toward Mount Rainier

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Central Library

The Central Library is definitely one of the coolest buildings, and undoubtably worth a visit.

Here are 2 images from outside - its odd angles, sloping planes and blue metallic sheen make it stand out

The entrance - a unique triangular passageway...

Once inside, you won't want to leave...which is perfect given Seattle's rainy climate!

At one of the upper floors, looking down toward the back of the buidling

Looking down from the second floor

- and at the very top floor looking down at the city

Kinnear Park

Kinnear Park lies just north of Seattle, on a high hill. This view is looking up at the park; steps take you all the way up...(but the climb is worth it!)

Ah the lovely view...

Again, this was November so the trees are bare - but how beautiful this must be in Spring/Summer...

Steeping back a bit...flowers appear everywhere

Pausing on the steps to turn around and enjoy the view...

Cool art sculpture

...and looking toward the Pacific...you feel like you're on top of the world here...

What a great place to come to reflect and wind down at the end of the day