By Nicholas Katers
Things to Do in Downtown Seattle
serves as a crossroads to the
United States from
Canada and
Asia. The city's tourism reflects this status with clubs, restaurants and neighborhoods attracting visitors from around the world. Visitors to Seattle learn about the city's cultural landscape and history by touring area museums and parks. Seattle's downtown district is the ideal place for visitors to find out more about local and regional culture.
Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum's permanent collection houses 23,000 works from African, American, Asian and European artists. The museum located on the SAM property is free on the first Thursday of each month. The Olympic Sculpture Park is located outside of the Art Museum's front doors and features dozens of intriguing sculptures set against the Puget Sound. The museum hosts cultural events like the Art of Jazz and SAM World the second Thursday of each month.
Seattle Art Museum
1300 1st Ave.
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 720-7222
www.seattleartmuseum.org/
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour is popular among tourists interested in learning Seattle's unique history. The tour starts with Doc Maynard's Public House, passes by Pioneer Square and ends in the Rogues Gallery. The Underground Tour spans about three blocks of downtown Seattle and runs hourly each afternoon. Visitors over 21 can learn about Seattle's seedier side with The Underworld Tour. This nightly tour includes an alcoholic drink from the Underground Cafe and uncensored discussions of Seattle's history of crime, prostitution and supernatural occurrences.
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
608 1st Ave. # 200
Seattle, Washington 98104
(206) 682-4646
www.undergroundtour.com/
Seattle Food Tours
The Belltown Restaurant Tour run by Seattle Food Tours offers visitors samples from six restaurants including Queen City Grill and Shiro's. The Belltown tour includes a bottle of regional wine and dessert at a Belltown bakery as part of its tour costs. The company's Food & Wine Tour of Pike Place takes visitors through the marketplace with samples from vendors like De Laurenti's and Pike Place Chowder. Seattle Food Tours hires experienced docents with an intimate knowledge of Seattle's restaurant industry for its tours.
Seattle Food Tours
2408 1st Ave.
Seattle, Washington 98121
(206) 725-4483
www.seattlefoodtours.com/
Space Needle
The Space Needle is located in the Seattle Center complex in the city's downtown district. Space Needle visitors view Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and nearby communities from the 520-foot Observation Deck. The Observation Deck features five SkyQ stations with information about the tower, Seattle history and nearby natural attractions. SkyCity is a revolving restaurant in the Space Needle with an international menu and casual atmosphere. The Space Needle's SpaceBase offers models, post cards and other souvenirs to visitors.
Space Needle
400 Broad St.
Seattle, Washington 98109
(206) 905-2100
www.spaceneedle.com/
Resources
About the Author:
Nicholas Katers has been a freelance writer since 2006. He teaches American history at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. His past works include articles for "CCN Magazine," "The History Teacher" and "The Internationalist" magazine. Katers holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in American history from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, respectively.
Photo Credits:
Photo by Andrew Larsen (Flickr)
