Things to do in Seattle
Fun Things, Free things, Places to visit in Downtown Seattle - Museums, theaters or theatres, and Seattle’s state of the art library await your enjoyment, or a visit to SAM (Seattle Art Museum), maybe a night at the Symphony. Many fine downtown Seattle restaurants offer a wide variety cuisine and entertainment just waiting to delight your palate and entertain your senses.
Light Rail Is Here
Sound Transit Light Rail Ready for the Puget Sound
Over at least the last one-hundred years there have been efforts to address the traffic situation in our area. During these years there have been a variety of solutions advanced, but in every instance, the failure of money, politics and time coming together have stopped the advance of these ideas.
Now, on Saturday, July 18, 2009, history will be made as the central portion of the Sound Transit Light Rail System is finally ready to carry passengers. There are twelve stations located between Westlake Center and the Tukwila International Boulevard station. Of particular interest will be the SODO station for sports fans and concertgoers who have battled traffic congestion, parking costs and woes for years. Now, they will be able to ride to the SODO station, which is located just three blocks east of Safeco Field, leaving behind traffic and parking problems of the past.
As you ride the Light Rail, be sure to enjoy the 35 artwork dedicated to the neighborhoods through which you pass.
Later this year the SeaTac International Airport section will be put into service. Plans are on the drawing board to expand the Light Rail system as ridership increases. The Light Rail service is integrated with the existing Sound Transit system to provide even greater transportation options for our residents.
As with any new project of this magnitude, there are bound to be wrinkles that will need to be ironed out. If you have an issue that impacts you or need information contact Sound Transit:
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
City of Seattle
The city of Seattle is a collection of many cultural and ethnic neighborhoods. This has given Seattle its diverse and international flavor, along with its rich history of traditions. Seattle offers visitors and locals alike a vast variety of art and cultural experiences, both high and not so high in nature. Whatever your interest, taste and budget in entertainment, you can find it here.
The name Seattle is an anglicized version of the name Sealth (The chief of two local tribes at the time the first white settlers arrived in 1851). The city has come along way since then.
Seattle Art Museum
SAM
1300 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone 206 654 3100
www.seattleartmuseum.org/
Downtown map
Free to all 1st Thursday of each month open until 9pm
Free to seniors 1st Friday of each month
Ogle the 48-foot high Hammering Man Sculpture at the door of the region's premier art museum! Gallery space has recently been expanded by 70%, allowing for a substantial increase in exhibits. Tour an impressive collection of more than 21,000 art objects, from Old Masters paintings to African masks. A magnificent collection of collections. Restaurant on premises.
ACT Theatre
Kreielsheimer Place
700 Union Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone 206 292 7676
www.acttheatre.org
Downtown map
ACT made history as the first theatre in Seattle dedicated to producing contemporary plays, and they’re still making history today. With multiple stages and diversity of work, ACT keeps you intimately involved with new theatre. Since 1998, six of ACT’s world premiere plays have gone on to New York success.
The 5th Avenue Theatre
1308 5th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone 206 625 1900
www.5thavenue.org
map
Escape to a magical world where life is a banquet and Once Upon a Time is just around the corner. The 5th Avenue brings approximately 150 live musical performances to the stage each year. Great shows in a grand theatre. Actor Rex Smith said, “Performing at The 5th Avenue is like performing inside a beautiful jewel box.” The 5th Avenue is incredibly beautiful. One of the most stunning features is the auditorium’s center dome, a replica of a palace’s throne room (only twice the size). The “Pearl of Perfection” chandelier is held in the teeth of a great coiling dragon, which has five toes, each toe representing an evil spirit that must be vanquished. The elaborate proscenium arch that frames the stage features a myriad of Chinese design motifs, including bas-reliefs of the Forbidden City and the SummerPalace. The theatre’s constant residents are a pair of Fu Dogs, which have traditionally stood guard in front of China’s imperial palaces.
The Paramount Theatre
911 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone 206 467 5510
www.paramount.com
Downtown map
The Moore Theatre
1932 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone 206 467 5510
www.themoore.com
Downtown map
The Paramount and The Moore Theatres are owned and operated by the Seattle Theatre Group. Both of these historic old grand dame theatres have been completely renovated and host an eclectic performance season of 40 extraordinary engagements. Something for everyone, from dance to comedy to drama, including Broadway, comedy, dance, jazz, speakers, silent film, music greats and family and community entertainment.
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
200 University Street
Seatle WA 98101
Phone 206 215 4747 or 1 866 833 4747
www.seattlesymphony.org
Downtown map
The Seattle Symphony is a world class symphony orchestra led by a world class conductor and housed in a world class concert hall. The 91 piece Orchestra presents 220 performances annually. Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony, is designed exclusively for symphonic concert music performances. Located on an entire city block in downtown Seattle, the Hall has two spaces for musical performances: the 2,500 seat S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium and the 540 seat Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall.
Seattle Public Library
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone 206 386 4636
www.spl.org
Downtown map
Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 10 am to 8 pm, Fri and Sat: 10 am to 6 pm, Sun: 12 pm to 6 pm
Admission: Free
Move over Space Needle, Monorail, EMP, and Fremont Troll and make room for Seattle’s newest eye-popper. Seattle’s new Rem Koolhaas-designed downtown public library! Take a tour of this radically futuristic building and great library. All eleven stories, floating balconies, and all. Warm in the winter and cool all the time.
General Tours & Architectural Tours: Both types of tours last approximately one hour and will familiarize participants with The Seattle Public Library and the Central Library facility. General tours have a greater focus on the services of the library and the functions of the various levels and spaces. Architectural tours focus more on the the remarkable structure and design of the building (the result of an international competition; Koolhaas is Dutch). Public guided tours are first-come, first-serve and limited to 20 persons at a time. Signup sheets are available at the Welcome Desk on Level 3 when the library opens. Reservations not accepted by phone or e-mail. Self-guided tours are available.
Seattle Glassblowing Studio
2227 5th Ave
Seattle WA 98121
Phone 206 448 2181
www.seattleglassblowing.com
Bell Town map
Hours Open Everyday 10am to 6pm
Admission: Free
Seattle Glassblowing Studio is not just an art studio that produces beautiful works of art and lovely functional pieces like sinks and lamps, but also provides classes and training to the next generation of glass artists. Visit the gallery and hotshop between Bell and Blanchard St. on 5th Ave, under the monorail. Come watch live glassblowing 7 days a week.
Green Tortoise Hostel
105 1/2 Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone 206 340-1222
www.greentortoise.net
Downtown map
If you are a backpacker, or traveling on short change, or you like the idea of meeting a lot of nice people, experience the famous Green Tortoise Hostel, located across from Pike Place Market. Dorm Rooms: Couples for as low as $40, Singles for as low as $25, Private rooms: $80. And that includes: Free Internet Terminals and Wi-Fi, Free Continental Breakfast, Free Dinner three times a week, Wednesday Night Open Mic. World famous for fun and friends.
The Green Tortoise Hostels were inspired by the unconventional success of the Green Tortoise Bus Line. That was one sturdy bus spiriting the Hippie-inclined up and down the West Coast at a paltry fare for several memorable, communal years in the last half of the Twentieth Century. Dude!
