Seattle revisited: Experience the Emerald City on the cheap

We just returned from a visit with Seattle friends and the opportunity to revisit some of our favorite haunts. Our days in this lovely city came at the end of a 10 day trip to British Columbia, and, driving, we had the opportunity to visit a couple of small towns just north. Thinking “frugal travel”, you’ll find many of our suggestions are free, or low cost.

First, having lived in Washington for over 15 years, we visited Seattle many times when we were younger; and since, have returned one or two times almost each year. My wife and I are also suckers for anything tied to Seattle’s remarkable waterfronts, as well as destinations providing views of serene waters of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains to the west, majestic Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains to the east. Seattle offers views and wonderful photo ops.

We were driving our personal SUV, but, if flying, SeaTac Airport is just 15 miles south of Seattle. Take the light rail line right into the center city, then use a variety of public transit options to get around town – avoiding the cost of renting an auto (you’ll also avoid the parking and traffic hassles that all-too-often snarl this picturesque city). Seattle has a marvelous transit systems, from Metro bus lines, the Monorail, light rail, streetcars, Uber, Lyft and taxis.

For jaw-dropping views of the city ringed by rugged mountains to both the east and west and fronting on Elliot Bay, skip the pricey ride to the top of the 605 foot-tall Space Needle.  Instead, take in a marvelous, free view from Queen Anne Hill's Kerry Park on W. Highland Drive of the Space Needle, downtown, Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier shimmering in the distance.

While on Queen Anne Hill, stroll Queen Ann Avenue to see stately old mansions and visit the shops and restaurants within a few blocks of the Boston Street intersection. Just north of Queen Anne Hill is a favorite part of Seattle, lining the north bank of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The canal’s Hiram Chittenden Locks allow commercial and pleasure boats to lock up or down, traveling from Lake Washington and Lake Union west to Elliott Bay; the surrounding park offers free boat watching and a fish-ladder allowing viewing of fish as they navigate the locks.

The Burke Gilman Trail heads east from Elliott Bay along the Ship Canal, through Ballard, Fremont and the University of Washington and north up Lake Washington, making Seattle a world-class bicycling or walking destination. Scores of bike shops in the area rent bikes for easy and photogenic cycling adventures. For both wonderful seafood and a fine view of Seattle looking down Lake Union, dine at Ivar’s Salmon House, a lovely and iconic restaurant (split a three piece fish and chips!).

You must visit to the iconic Pike Street Public Market for free street music, flower growers, food and fish vendors, craftsmen extraordinaire and the liveliest place for people-watching. Views of Elliot Bay spread out below. Stop for a bite and something to drink at one of the many eateries throughout the sprawling market. A favorite, the Athenian Restaurant, was also part of the 1993 hit movie Sleepless in Seattle.

Seattle Center, anchored by the Space Needle and the site of the 1962 World’s Fair, offers a surfeit of tourism activities and attractions. Visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass or the nearby Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop), separated by the Monorail with speedy service to downtown retailers and hotels.

The Chihuly Garden and Glass experience features the memorable work of Dale Chihuly, with colorful and stunning art works in eight galleries, a centerpiece Glasshouse and a lush outdoor Garden. Next door, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), anchored by Seattle’s rock and roll history, serves as an entryway museum with innovative galleries such as Sound Lab, Sky Church (a concert venue with the world’s largest LED screen and high-tech lighting and sound) and a huge collection of over 100,000 historical objects; the 140,000 square foot building designed by Frank O. Gehry is an example of stunning architecture.

Explore the film sites of the hit 1993 movie Sleepless in Seattle, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Hanks plays Sam the architect, who moves to Seattle with son Jonah; Ryan plays Annie, a reporter for the Baltimore Sun; their cross-country connection makes for a romantic and scenic movie (perfect for viewing before your arrival).

Those movie locations include the Pike Street Market and the Athenian Restaurant, Sam and Jonah’s houseboat home on Lake Union and Alki Beach Park in West Seattle.  For a roadmap to these and other movie locations: https://www.movie-locations.com/movies/s/Sleepless-In-Seattle.php.

Historic Pioneer Square area, with nearby ballparks home to the Mariners and Seahawks and downtown ferry terminal (with frequent departures to both Bainbridge Island and Bremerton) offers another walking tour option, with antique shops, boutiques, restaurants and bakeries a’plenty.

If you have time and wheels, explore some of the interesting towns surrounding Seattle. Two favorites just north are La Conner and Anacortes (the former is an historic fishing town just off Skagit Bay, with quaint shops and dining on the water, the latter offers ferry service over to Friday Harbor and the nearby islands and delectable seafood at a dozen locations). If visiting late winter/early spring, tour the Skagit Valley for world-class tulip fields in full bloom.

For more information: Seattle, visitseattle.org; Washington State Ferries, wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/; for Washington State tourism, stateofwatourism.com.

Where are you headed? Contact Tim, tviall@msn.com. Happy travels in the west!

Record newspaper blog: http://blogs.esanjoaquin.com/valleytravel;

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving". - Albert Einstein (a regular bicyclist)

This article originally appeared on The Record: Seattle revisited: Experience the Emerald City on the cheap