Seattle-Tacoma Airport
Washington adventures begin as you land at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport. Seattle is the gateway to The Evergreen State. It is rightly called The Evergreen State, as it is one of the greenest places on earth. Of course, with all that green, comes the rain. Always carry an umbrella in Western Washington. You just don’t know when it can hit. But all that rain has made it one of the prettiest places to visit in the United States of America. The flowers are just spectacular, and the Rhododendrons are some of the world’s largest. They are in several colors and are magnificent!
Disclaimer: There are a few places still closed in the airport and one of the main restaurants should be open back soon after the renovation is complete.
The Bloedel Reserve
There is so much to discover in the Northwest part of the state. From Seattle catch the Ferry to Bainbridge Island’s most popular garden. The Bloedel Reserve is on Bainbridge Island, Washington. It is an internationally known garden. This public garden and forest preserve is one of the world’s best. It has always provided tranquility and extreme natural beauty. The State Reserve has 150 acres with natural woodlands and second-growth trees. There are many gorgeous gardens including a Japanese Garden, a unique Moss Garden, and the reflection pool is spectacular. The former estate’s home is still on the grounds and is amazing. We encourage you to visit this Pacific Northwest treasure.
At the Bloedel Reserve, there are tours, guided walks, lectures, workshops, and much more. There is an amazing collection of artwork shown during art shows and outstanding musical events. The events are endless and it is best to call ahead to see what is going on during the time you will be in the Seattle area.
The Bloedel Reserve
7571 NE Dolphin Drive,
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Phone 206-842-7631 Fax 206-842-3295
Please do not bring pets, as they can not enter the reserve or be left in cars.
Hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Sunday year-round. Extended hours until 6 p.m. (Thursday – Sunday) from Memorial Day through Labor Day. They are also open on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve.
Highline Seatac Botanical Garden
This gorgeous urban garden is an amazing accomplishment of the city of Seatac. Included in its 10.5 acres are many different display gardens, beautiful green woodlands, and extensive walking trails for your relaxation. This garden was reclaimed from a neglected urban field and now is a garden showplace that is still growing and expanding yearly. Highline Seatac Botanical Garden is a special treasure you will not want to miss.
One of my favorite small gardens in this Highline Seatac Botanical Garden is the Sensory Garden. This mini garden features a spacious central plaza, a unique rain garden, and numerous raised beds, especially for seniors. One of my favorite areas is the collections of blue and purple flowers. What an amazing display! These are all native flowers that grow especially well in Washington and the varieties seem endless. There are several paths with tunnels of beautiful native vines.
One of the newer mini gardens in this spacious garden is the Puget Sound Fuchsia Society Garden. This is a beautiful demonstration garden by the fuchsia enthusiasts of the Puget Sound area. This Fuchsia Display Garden has established shows all the many fuchsia plants that you can grow in the Pacific Northwest. There are many displays of both different upright varieties and many trailing varieties. This garden is extremely spectacular and unusual. This is one of the most complete fuchsia gardens in the country.
The Seattle Rose Society Garden has been a part of the Highline Seatac Botanical Garden almost from the beginning. Here you will find one of the most complete gardens of roses in the Northwest. This is a demonstration garden and there are many workshops and demonstrations. What a fragrant and beautiful public gathering place. There are many areas where you can seat and just enjoy the garden as well as paths through the garden. This garden is especially suitable for celebrations and can be reserved for that special occasion when available.
The next garden is a wonderful heritage bed of daylilies. The Puget Sound Day Lily Club is especially focused on the older and heritage varieties of the daylilies. Their focus is those that grow the best in the unique climate of Puget Sound. This is perhaps one of the largest collections anywhere of this beautiful garden favorite.
The King County Iris Society was the very first garden in this astonishing collection of gardens. The iris is another flower that is extremely well suited to the climate and the varieties are almost endless. In this garden, you will find the newer varieties as well as the older heritage favorites. The original garden included a wide selection of all classes of bearded iris. There were mini dwarfs, dwarfs, intermediates, miniature tall, tall, those that are for borders, and those that are historic. The garden has since been expanded to include many of the beardless varieties as well. If you are a lover of the iris, this is one of the best iris gardens in the Pacific Northwest.
The Seike Japanese Garden is another one of the Pacific Northwest’s treasures. This priceless and unique Japanese Garden can be found just down the hill. The Seike Japanese Garden was previously located in the Des Moines Way Nursery. Due to its nearness to the airport, it was in danger of being sold and lost to the community. This amazing garden was saved by four different local city governments together with the Highline Botanical Garden Foundation. This project to save the garden is believed to be the largest outside of Japan. It is the largest project to be moved in the United States. This garden has the many unique varieties of plants common in a Japanese garden. There are beautiful walking paths and it is adorned with many Japanese garden ornaments.
The last of the completed gardens is Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden. This is a beautiful symbolic re-creation of Elda Behm’s original Paradise Garden which was condemned to allow for the construction of the Port of Seattle’s third runway at the Seatac Airport. This traditional garden is located at the entrance to the Highline Seatac Botanical Garden. It is one of the garden jewels of Western Washington.
Currently, the Highline Seatac Botanical Garden is using less than half of the land that was acquired. Many other gardens will be added as time goes on. This is a delightful garden adventure in the making. Certainly, it is one you will not want to miss.
Street Address
13735 24th Ave S
SeaTac, WA 98168
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 69384
SeaTac, WA 98168
Telephone (206) 391 4003
The Highline Seatac Botanical Garden is open from dawn to dusk every day of the year. There is no fee to view the garden. Groups can request special tours for a minimum fee of 70.00 or $5.00 per person, whichever is greater.
Clam Chowder With Sourdough Bread
Another must-do event is to try all the different chowder that the Northwest is famous for. The Pacific Northwest must be the chowder capital of the world. So many varieties and recipes to choose from. And of course, it is not complete without Sourdough Bread. The smell of sourdough baking drifts through the market.
Etta’s Seafood is one of the outstanding seafood restaurants in the greater Seattle area. Located in the heart of the Pike’s Place Market, Etta’s is the perfect place for lunch or dinner. Perhaps their best-known item on the menu is their famous clam chowder. Etta’s has some of the best clam chowder, complete with fresh sourdough bread. It is a must-have!
Clam chowder, of course, is not the only famous item on the menu. Be sure to explore the unique and tasty crab cakes. These crab cakes will melt in your mouth. They are delicious! They are fresh!
Another specialty item is fresh salmon. Their salmon is some of the best on the West Coast. The rub that is used before baking is unique and delicious. It is Etta’s special blend. Etta’s is one of Seattle’s greatest treasures.
Not too hungry? Among the many appetizers, you will find Crab Eggs Benny. They are just the perfect snack. They are light and tasty! Combine them with the Vegetarian Home Fries for the ultimate treat.
Be sure to leave a little extra room for dessert. They have some of the best pie at the market! For those who love coconut, check out the Triple Coconut Pie. What an amazing treat! You won’t want to miss it!
Etta’s Seafood
2020 Western Ave (between Lenora and Virginia)
Seattle, Washington 98121
United States
(206) 443-6000 (Phone)
Pike Place Chowder is another one of the spectacular diners at the Pike Place Market. Enjoy the amazing water views and experience chowder to die for. Their clam chowder is paired with their apple bacon for a unique flavor. They are also famous for their salmon chowder. If you are wanting a variety of quality chowder, then Pike Place Chowder is the perfect place for your chowder adventure.
Want a little something on the side? Pike Place Chowder has Crab and Lobster rolls. They are some of the finest in Seattle. Their location in the midst of the Pike Place Market guarantees some of the freshest fish and produce in town. Delicious chowder is waiting. Come on, and discover one of Seattle’s best!
Pike Place Chowder
600 Pine St (between 6th and 7th)
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 838-5680 (Phone)
Pike Place Market
A highlight of any Seattle adventure is the Pike Place Market. The produce is fresh and abundant. The fish is the catch of the day. It is unloaded each morning at this spectacular fish market. Beyond the Fish Market and Farmer’s Market sections are hundreds of local shops. Here at Pike Place Market, there is no middle man. Meet the farmers who grow your produce. Enjoy the families of the hard-working fisherman. And of course, meet all the amazing craftsman who makes all the many hand-crafted items. This is one of the best markets on the West Coast. Savor the market experience!
Seattle Space Needle
An icon of Seattle from the 1962 World’s fair is the majestic space needle. This spectacular observation tower is a landmark of the Pacific Northwest. Built-in the Seattle Center, it is the gateway to Seattle. The view is fantastic! The technology is some of the best. During the World’s fair alone, over 2.3 million visitors came to see this fabulous accomplishment.
The view from the observation deck is astounding! There is nothing in the Puget Sound area that you can not see. It is the perfect beginning to any Washington adventure. Discover the Seattle downtown skyline with all its skyscrapers. Most of these buildings are shorter than the Space Needle. There was a time when it was the tallest building West of the Mississippi! Take in vistas of Washington’s Olympic Range and the Cascade Mountains. Mount Rainier and Mount Baker tower in the distance. Elliott Bay is a nearby treasure. You can see it all from the observation deck.
Seattle Space Needle
400 Broad St
Seattle, WA 98109
The Space Needle is open daily from 8 am till Midnight. Holiday hours can differ.
SkyCity Restaurant At The Needle
SkyCity Restaurant is a famous revolving restaurant with panoramic vistas and a menu with all the favorites of the Pacific Northwest. Discover all that SkyCity has to share. Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner are served daily. Every meal includes a visit to the Observation Deck! Discover Puget Sound! Savor the view! There is nothing like it!
SkyCity Restaurant At The Needle
400 Broad St
Seattle, WA 98109
206-905-2100 (Phone)
Reservations are recommended. Groups of up to 10 people can be handled. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance.
Seattle’s Best Kept Secret
One of the best-kept secrets of the city is the Seattle City Pass. With the pass, you can get into places like the Space Needle, take a harbor cruise, visit museums, gardens, Z00, and other cultural events of the city. By using the City Pass you can save as much as 45% of the cost of admission. You will find all the information you need by going to their website.
This is a perfect year to visit greater Seattle. Discover one of the countries best Zoos! Seek out the Gardens! Cruise the waterways. Visit the Space Needle. There is nothing like a Washington adventure! If you live in the Pacific Northwest, then this amazing city is in your own backyard! See you in Seattle!
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