Category: Sightseeing

Super Fun Things To Do In Seattle Washington

Seattle Washington is a great place to visit with or without the family. There are many fun things to do in and around the Seattle area that lend themselves well to both young and old alike. Here are a few fun ideas to get you started.

Pikes Place Market

Near the Seattle waterfront is none other than Pike Place Market. Here you’ll find fresh seafood that will be displayed in perhaps the largest indoor fish market. Young and old alike will enjoy Pikes Place. When someone buys fresh fish you can watch as they throw the fish to other employees or even the buyer in some cases.

Children young and old will enjoy touring this fresh seafood market where any type of seafood can be found. Fresh seafood is fresh off the fishing trawlers out of the port of Seattle and surrounding areas. It doesn’t come any fresher than this folks!

Woodland Park Zoo

Head over to Woodland Park Zoo and you’re sure to have a day filled with adventure. Here you can wander through the various displays and enjoy visiting the animals. Listen in on the monkey’s and visit the wolf den. Don’t forget to stop in at the retile exhibit where you’ll see all sorts of reptiles in all sizes and shapes.

The Bird display is also full of some exotic birds that you’ll enjoy visiting with. Be sure that you’re here during feeding time to enjoy the magnificent display of plumage as the excited birds prepare to dine on their fresh foods. If you need them, they also have stroller rentals and wheelchair rentals so you don’t have to haul so much on your visit. Be sure to take the time to visit the gift shop on your way out and get some souvenirs.

Seattle Aquarium

If you’re into sea life, you’ll enjoy a visit to the Seattle Aquarium. Here you’ll see all sorts of animals that live in the sea. You’ll enjoy octopus and other deep-sea creatures that swim in the ocean. Children will enjoy various exhibits where they can touch and feel some unique textures and creatures.

You’ll enjoy reading about the various sea creatures and their counterparts as well as visit a variety of exhibits that you can read more information on and touch various objects.

Underground Seattle

If you’re into more mystery, you may wish to pay a visit to Underground Seattle. After an earthquake, they built back up on top of the damaged buildings and structures creating a labyrinth of fascinating tunnels.

Here you’ll want to discuss ghost stories and days gone by and let your imagination run wild. Keep an open mind and be sure to take some pictures so that you can see if any “ghosts” pop up in your pictures when you look at them later. Be sure to wear good walking shoes for this visit as you’ll be doing plenty of walking.

Seattle is home to a diverse culture and a variety of different things that you can visit on your trip. You’ll want several days for your visit to Seattle and you still won’t get it all in.

Seattle Sightseeing Tours On The Puget Sound

Sightseeing in Seattle

Here’s a Brief Description Of The Puget Sound Area

In the northwestern area of the state of Washington is a place called Puget Sound. It is referred to as a estuarine system, a complex interconnected cavalcade of waterways and basins that lead out to the Pacific Ocean. Close to major cities such as Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle, it is a location that is very popular with people that like to boat and fish. Here is an overview of this remarkable system of waterways that you could visit if you are ever in the northwest of the United States.

How Did The Sound Get Its Name?

The name of this body of water originated back in the 1700s. It was provided by an individual called George Vancouver. The name Puget is derived from an individual on the Vancouver Expedition, a lieutenant that was there when this was found. There is also a Native American name for this location, Whulge, that is representative of a name for either the ocean or sound. There are three specific entrances to the south, and there is also the Admiralty Inlet which is close to Deception Pass and Whidbey Island.

An Overview Of This Waterway

There is quite a bit of information that has to discovered over the decades, some of which is provided by NOAA. It is a location that comprises five basins or regions, including the Northern Puget Sound area. Included in this definition is the Strait of Juan de Fuca, marking an international boundary. It was created as a result of continental ice sheets that have, over many thousands of years, carved out this entire location.

How The Puget Sound Area Is Utilized In Modern Times

In this area, there are many homes and businesses that are scattered throughout this region. The Washington state ferry system is responsible for connecting many of the larger islands with the mainland. This will include the transportation of not only people but vehicles, and well over 20 million passengers use these systems every year. It is due to this large amount of traffic, and the use of modern equipment that has prompted many environmental issues. This has led to a significant decrease in fish in the waters, some of which have been placed on the Endangered Species Act. Other environmental issues include the dispersal of radioactive material into the water, plus there have been incidents that created toxic contamination, habitat changes, and the minimal as a nation of oxygen in the waters themselves.

Although there are both good and bad points related to the Puget Sound area, in general, it is still a beautiful and iconic region of the United States. As people continue to improve their ability to use these waterways, perhaps adopting more environmentally friendly transportation solutions, it will preserve this area for hundreds of years to come. All of this was made possible through changes in the environment, likely starting over 10,000 years ago with the end of the last Ice Age. Today, it is something to behold, and will continue to be a great location to visit for many years to come.

Weather Around the Puget Sound Near Seattle

The Northern Pacific Ocean is a cool ocean in general. The Seattle area where the Puget Sound is located is known for particularly wet weather. While it does not rain year-round there are periods where it rains more frequently. As you might imagine, the late spring to summer are the times of year that get the least amount of rain. The fall and especially the winter are the times of year that receive the most amount of rainfall.

This is great if you like to ski in the nearby mountains like Crystal Ski Resort. Crystal Mountain receives about 350 inches of snow a year and is only a two hour car ride, or 85 miles from the Seattle area.

The winter storms come barreling off the Pacific Ocean, through the Puget Sound then slam into the Cascade Mountains and dump a bunch of wet snow on Crystal. This makes for great skiing.

Where To Go On Boat Tours

The northern parts of the Puget Sound area are the most popular. This is because of the growing popularity of the San Juan Islands area. The San Juan Islands are beautiful and attract more and more tourists and boats every year. With this increase activity comes traffic, and a general sense of the boating tour not being as awesome as it could be.

If you travel south, you’ll have more boating options. You can even visit the big city and take Seattle sightseeing tour and see the city and Lake Union, all on a Duck Boat. It’s a lot of fun for the whole family.

The undiscovered jewel of the Puget Sound area is the Southern Puget Sound.

Why?

Because no one goes there, at least not yet. You can still have a sense of adventure and peace and relaxation on your boat as you cruise the gentle, uncrowded waters and catch tremendous views of Mt. Rainier.

No matter what you choose, the Puget Sound has plenty of boat touring options. Go out and have fun and just remember to practice the proper safety techniques while on the water.