Archives > June 3, 2009

May Your Travels Lead You to Seattle

By James Martell

I'm always happy to have a reason to travel to Seattle. It's a beautiful drive to Washington down the I-5 and Seattle is a world-class city full of activities and sights.

This month, Arlene and I are heading to a Mariners game, most likely with Adam and Victoria. Adam loves to take in a baseball game and Victoria is only 13, so she has no choice but to tag along.

Given her age, it's normal for her to pout for the first hour before warming up to the trip.

The Pacific Ocean is beautiful this time of year, with lots of sunshine and warm ocean breezes. Seattle is a wonderful city to visit and home to big names like Boeing, Microsoft and Starbucks.

Before heading to Seattle, I get on the Internet and visit priceline.com to nab a great deal on a hotel. Once that's taken care of, it's time to hit the road for a 2.5 hour drive.

With an outlet mall sitting nearby, Arlene always looks forward to doing some shopping during our quick getaways, each of which lasts about two or three days.

We also like to visit a few attractions while we're in town, like the amazing Space Needle, a 605-foot tower that includes an observation deck and rotating restaurant. The view is out of this world, with downtown Seattle and a variety of mountains nestled throughout.

Pike Place Market offers fresh produce and unique finds, and there are several wharfs that feature both dining and sightseeing opportunities.

Traveling through the city is particularly fun because there are street cars, a monorail, and even underground tours.

The end of the trip is particularly special for us because we usually take the ferry from the downtown area to Bainbridge Island, which I highly recommend to anyone visiting Seattle.

It's just a 30-minute ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island, which has become a popular tourist destination. In addition to the Performing Arts Center and Bloedel Reserve, a 150-acre nature's paradise, visitors enjoy a string of distinctive shops and services.

Once our tour of the Island wraps up, we wind through Port Townsend before heading home.

If you haven't had the chance to visit Seattle, it's a bustling city that is sure to please even the most finicky of travelers.

After all, everyone needs a chance to recharge their batteries.

All the best,

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