top of page

Click the images for a larger view

Click the images for a larger view

Click the images for a larger view

Click the images for a larger view

Click the images for a larger view

Washington state photos
Washington Map

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...

Monorail to the Space Needle
Map of Seattle
Monorail to the Space Needle
Westlake Shopping Center in Seattle
Monorail to the Space Needle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
Science Fiction Museum in Seattle
Science Fiction Museum in Seattle
Space Needle & Seattle Center at night
Science Fiction Museum in Seattle

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

Click the images for a larger view

Skyscraper City

Seattle Skyscrapers
Seattle Skyscrapers
Seattle Skyscrapers
Seattle Skyscrapers

 

 

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

Seattle Pike Place
Seattle Pike Place
Seattle Pike Place
Seattle Pike Place
Seattle Pike Place
Seattle Pike Place

 

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!

Click the images for a larger view

Pike Place

Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle
Columbia Center in Seattle

 

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

Click the images for a larger view

Central Library

Central Library in Seattle
Central Library in Seattle
Central Library in Seattle
Central Library in Seattle
Central Library in Seattle
Central Library in Seattle
Central Library in Seattle

 

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 in Seattle
Kinnear Park in Seattle
Kinnear Park in Seattle
Kinnear Park in Seattle
Kinnear Park in Seattle
Kinnear Park in Seattle

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

Myrtle Edwards Park

Myrtle Edwards Park
Myrtle Edwards Park
Myrtle Edwards Park

Myrtle Edwards Park is located northwest of Kinnear Park in lovely Queen Anne Hill

It's a smaller park, but with beautiful views, and worth checking out...

 

The view looking towards Vancouver...

 

Seattle at Night

Seattle at Night
Seattle at Night
Westlake Center at Night
Seattle at Night - Harbor Steps
Seattle at Night

The city is so beautiful after dark -- all lit up, and so colorfully

 

 

 

 

 

A visual treat! I took many more nighttime shots, but unfortunately they came out blurry :-(

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seattle Center - you can see the Space Needle at the center

Very sci-fi...

 

 

Westlake Center at night

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the Harbor steps at night

 

 

Space Center
Skyscraper City
Pike Place
Columbia Center
Library
Kinnear
Myrtle
Night
bottom of page