Seattle’s Waterfront offers unique attractions and views
Seattle’s Great Wheel gives visitors an opportunity to take in the Waterfront’s views. The slow-moving Farris wheel has been an anchor for the area since 2012.
I’m not a Farris wheel fan, so Lisa was shocked when I rode it by myself. To be honest, my daughters had advised me beforehand that the Great Wheel moves at a slow speed and the cars don’t rock when they stop.
The wheel is designed to give people views of the skyline and Puget Sound. Riders can move back and forth on the seats in order to see things in front. I liked the fact that the operators don’t force strangers to sit together during a ride. If there is one person in the party, they get a car by themselves.
I enjoyed the ride, which provides at least three rotations. I saw some close views of the skyline, the Sound, mountains and other areas.
While the Great Wheel provides one type of tourist attraction, the Waterfront offers some eclectic attractions and views.
The Ye Olde Curiosity Shop has been located on the Waterfront since 1899. It is a fifth-generation family-owned business.
The shop is full of oddities and souvenirs. From the mummified bodies of “Sylvester” and “Sylvia.” Sylvester has been confirmed as an actual mummified body.
Most of the “dime store museum” artifacts provide some off-the-wall entertainment. A two-headed calf and four-legged chicken can be viewed. A white-tailed deer’s rear-end is for sale.
When you visit the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, make sure you get face-to-face with the “original” one-armed bandit (an old slot machine in the shape of a bandit).
Miner’s Landing offers visitors the opportunity to try some of Seattle’s local restaurants. We dined at the Crab Pot during our first visit. It’s been featured on national television travel and food shows. Other restaurants include Alaskan Way Sourdough Bakery, The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar and The Salmon Cooker. Miner’s Landing has some neat wood-carved sculptures. It’s also home to a carousel room (closed during my visit).
The Waterfront is home to Argosy Cruises. It offers an hourlong harbor cruise, as well as other themed cruises, including a seasonal cruise to Tillicum Village (where people learn about tribal history and customs).
The cruise allows visitors to get some nice views of the harbor and city skyline. You learn some interesting facts about the Seattle area during the cruise, such as the history of the old Post-Intelligencer globe and the Edgewater Hotel (built above water).
The Waterfront is an outstanding area to walk, taking in nature, city and some people watching. You can hear languages from several countries as you walk along the harbor. I heard Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese as international languages during my walk. Lisa and I are fans of diversity, so we love hearing multiple languages during our trips.
I enjoy walking along harbors. Seattle has some nice nautical art on some of the concrete posts. Boats are docked along the harbor. There’s even a police boat situated in the harbor.
Folks on Segways were practicing on the Waterfront Park. The boardwalk offshoot is often decorated with themed attractions and protests. On this day, people practiced riding Segways.
The Seattle Aquarium is a major attraction on the Waterfront. The aquarium is home to coral and animals from the Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound. Visitors can see harbor and fur seals, otters, Jellyfish, sea anemones, Starfish, octopus and all kinds of fish.
I walked to the southern end of the Waterfront, checking out a small beach. The route seems long, but it’s actually a short walk, maybe a mile or so.
Olympic Sculpture Park is located near the southern edge. The park has about a dozen pieces of unique art, including the Eagle (a red sculpture) and Love & Loss, which is emphasized with an ampersand.
I’m looking forward to visiting the Waterfront again when Lisa and I visit next. It’s an interesting area to walk and check out, so I think every visit can be seen as a new experience. I recommend visiting the area.
For more information about Seattle and its attractions, please visit www.visitseattle.org.
