Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park is one of Seattle's unique landmarks. The site was cleared in the early 1900's for a manufacturing plant to convert coal to gas, but later closed in the 1950's. The City acquired the land for a park and opened to the public in 1975. Every year, the park hosts one of the city's Fourth of July celebrations with amazing views of Lake Union and the Space Needle in the distance. The park was a filming location for 10 Things I Hate About You and the finish line in Season 3 of The Amazing Race.

It's definitely worth a visit for any Seattlelite: bike the Burke-Gilman Trail, rent some kayaks on the lake, enjoy some fish and chips at Ivars, or warm up with coffee and pastries at the Essential Baking Company.

   

Christmas Lights

Like everyone, everywhere, we love getting in the car to go see the lights of the season. Here in Seattle we have several opportunities and these are just a few...

1) The most advertised of course is ZOO Lights at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma.

For ticket rates click here. You can pre-order, pay at the door or purchase at Fred Meyer.  Military and Pierce County residents may qualify for a discount as well as Zoo members.  There is a little cafe where you can order coffee and treats to keep you warm while you stroll through the park.  Get warmed up in the toasty aquarium, you may even want to treat the kiddos to a festive camel ride!

2) Last year we learned about Fantasy Lights. This is a park you drive through at less than 5 mph, the kids can get out of their car seats, open the windows, moon-roof, put the top down, there is even a radio station you can tune into to hear Christmas music played by a local high-school band. You can print out a $3 coupon from the Pierce County website. Expect a wait on weekends, and you may want to make a pit stop before entering the park. It's a fun, low key event, and don't forget to pack the car with cocoa and cookies!

3) Okay now I'm just searching the web, so these recommendations are not from personal experience. Garden d'Lights in Bellevue. Check out their website for directions, ticket rates, and even free admission nights! 

4) Clam Lights at Coulon Park runs nightly between 5-9pm with an annual kick off each season full of festivities ending with a visit from the Argosy Christmas Ship.

5) Speaking of which, the Argosy Christmas Ship. This was my first Christmas gift to Jeremy while we were dating. We had a fancy-ish dinner in downtown Kirkland, boarded at Carillon Point, cruised down Lake Washington passing lots of beautiful, lit-up homes including the Gates mansion. Once we got to Bellevue, our destination, we were greeted by a bay full of private yachts all decked out in Christmas lights--pretty cool.

6) Stanwood's The Lights of Christmas gathers more than 40,000 people each season and features 1.2 million lights, pony rides, Polar Express Train Rides, with the option of a gourmet Dinner Theater. I did not even know this existed 5 minutes ago...we have to go!

Other helpful links:

For a regional listing of private neighborhoods and individual homes click here. I grew up going to the Viewpointe at Redondo, a 44 home neighborhood.  One year there was even an open house for the public to attend, I remember getting cider and cookies, kind of a fun memory.

Candy Cane Lane for some reason gets a lot of hype, but we were pretty disappointed the year we went and my sister's family went last year and said it was a dud. My opinion--don't bother.

Kerry Park in Queen Anne keeps coming up, apparently a good view of the City Lights including the iconic Space Needle's Christmas Tree.

Enjoy!

Lake Washington Blvd - Seattle

Probably every Seattlelite has driven, walked or biked Lake Washington Blvd. Seattle: this post is not for you. However, for the Out-of-Towners, if you want a scenic drive close to the city, I would recommend this 8 mile stretch, beginning near the I-90 corridor at the Arboretum and ending at the beloved Seward Park. This is for one of those low-key rainy or sunny Saturdays.  Be sure to stop at the Garage Sales, treasures await! If you need some coffee or lunch, the Madison and Leschi neighborhoods have got your back. Seward Park is a recreational gym for kayakers, hikers, bikers, bird watchers...and anyone seeking fresh air.

The Blvd is packed mid-July during Seafair, Seattle's biggest festival: Hydroplane Races, the Blue Angels, Pirates, a Marathon, Triathlon, Parade and Beauty Pageant are all packed into one crazy weekend. Be prepared for some serious traffic. The rest of the year, is pretty laid back and peaceful, with a number of little parks to stop and share a picnic lunch, sip a latte or meditate on a pier.

Hope you will get a chance to visit!

Madrona Neighborhood, Seattle - Part 1

To really experience Seattle life (and not pay for parking), you have to visit the downtown neighborhoods. One of the smaller, overlooked districts, and home to the late Kurt Cobain, is Madrona. This is an unexpected row of restaurants and shops among a residential area, which is why I love it. How fun it must be to walk to the neighborhood coffee shop in your sweats on a Saturday morning. This is a couple hour trip, but if you would like to make a day of it, drop down the hill to Lake Washington Blvd. There are several miles to drive, walk, hike or bike and gorgeous homes to drool over.

 The Hi-Spot Cafe, located in a 1904 Victorian home, 

 has kept their tried and true menu for 35 years, Zagat rated, 

and serving an average of 250 breakfasts on Saturday mornings. 

http://www.hispotcafe.com/index.html

They serve Fonte', a local roasted coffee.

 Their specialty: plate sized Cinnamon Rolls--yum!

 Cupcake Royale, one of the first cupcake shops to hit Seattle, 

has found their niche somewhere between their pink and brown color scheme, 

and good, old-fashioned cupcakes in a fun variety of flavors.

http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/thecupcakes.html

 Quality, hand-crafted coffee roasted by Stumptown

We ordered the Coconut Bunny** sigh**

St. Clouds, also Zagat rated, features live music on
Monday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
http://www.stclouds.com/

 A Turkish Bistro with a 95% Zagat rating and ...bellydancers!

http://www.bistroturkuaz.com/gallery.html

Guesthouse, a fine vintage/gift boutique and interior design consulting studio 

has that amazing blend of rustic and elegant charm.
http://guesthouseseattle.com/

Parisian flee-market style, hand-crafted pillows from London,

gold-flecked chocolates, you need to visit this store. 

Directions
From I-5 South:
Take Exit 164A: Dearborn St./ James St.
Turn Right on James St.
James becomes Cherry St.
Turn Left onto 34th Ave.

From I-5 North:
Take Exit 165A towards James St.
Stay straight to go onto 6th Ave.
Take the 2nd Left onto James St.
James become Cherry St.
Turn Left onto 34th Ave.

The Arboretum

When visiting the Arboretum, you can see the Japanese Gardens or you may be lucky enough to catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom,  but in any season the waterfront trail is a very unique, very Seattle experience. This three mile loop, begins with a dirt/bark trail, leading to a wooden floating walkway, and heading back to the parking lot is a grassy field, you can explore Marsh and Foster Islands which for some reason feel adventurous. Plan for an hour and a half to enjoy the whole route.

 

 Montlake Bridge

After your outdoor excursion you may want to get a cup of coffee. Depending on which direction home is...

North - University Village
Work your way towards 520
Go North on Montlake Blvd E
This will become25th Ave NE
The University Village Entrance will be on the right.
There are a couple of Starbucks.

South - Madison Park
Head South on Arboretum Dr E
Left on Lake Washington Blvd E
Left on E Madison St
Continue East and you will begin to see gift shops and cafes
There are many coffee shops in the area to choose from; we like The Essential Baking Cafe, who are known for their award winning pastries.