A fun experience, a bit off the beaten path in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle…read more We ventured from downtown to check out the troll. Very easy access via a city bus route. After a short stroll down a well-designed dirt path, we found the giant troll. The troll is great for photos and has a sign that describes the history of the troll. My kids enjoyed climbing around the area, too. Facing the opposite direction from the troll is a very cool bridge that creates some awesome cathedral-like architecture. There is lots to do in Fremont, and even though the troll is kind of a one-and-done deal, it's worth checking out simply to explore the rest of the neighborhood and awesome surrounding businesses. Enjoy your troll hunt!

A visit to the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge is a fun and quirky Seattle stop. Sculpted in…read more1990 by four artists after a competition launched by the Fremont Arts Council to help combat the garbage and clutter that had been collecting under bridges, the troll has become one of the city's most iconic public art pieces. It's a great destination to bring out-of-town visitors--like me--to check out another troll! As a fan of the whimsical trolls created by Thomas Dambo, this was a must-see. Street parking is available nearby, making it an easy stop while exploring the neighborhood. I'd personally recommend not climbing on the troll due to safety concerns, although many people were doing so when we visited. Either way, it's a unique photo opportunity and a classic Seattle experience.

I was walking around Pike Place Market when I suddenly remembered that I still had to visit the…read morefamous Gum Wall. Yes, it can be a bit stinky and yes, it can gross out a few people, but I went for the photo ops and the experience. I refused to touch the wall or even add to it. But I definitely took a few pics including a selfie. Iconic staple of Seattle and unique- never have I ever been to a gum wall that people admire for "funskies" Quick visit and off to the next task. Gnarly yet fun to stand there and stare at all the gum collection. Glad I was able to cross this off my list. Must visit for sure.

This popular spot is in Post Alley within the Pike Place Market. The tradition started with theater…read moreactors sticking their gum on the wall outside for good luck and it got picked up by the crowd. Now the alley has all types and colors of gum sticking on the walls. Some are dangling on the utility pipes. As cool as the walls appear as modern art, it feels pretty gross too. It the second most germiest place in the world. Every few years the city cleans about 2,350 lbs of gums from these walls. The alley is dark even on a bright sunny day. There are also no sighs or warnings regarding health hazard it could cause lol!

We were able to purchase timed tickets earlier on the same day to access the observation deck and…read morelounge near sunset. We timed it for a half-hour prior to sunset and wish we'd made it an hour before since it was a wait at times to capture photos due to so many people. The views were incredible and very enjoyable to walk the entire outer deck perimeter and then go inside to the lounge. The interior space was exciting to see clear glass floors with views of the gears working to rotate the outer lounge. It was a disconcerting feeling to walk on the glass, but definitely a memorable experience. We easily wandered around the observatory for at least an hour. Would have liked to maybe grab a drink and sat for a while, but it was fairly crowded. There is also a restaurant space if visitors want a dining experience with a fantastic view.

If you're thinking about going to Sky. View or the Space Needle for the view, I highly recommend…read moreSky View. I (unfortunately) paid $24 for parking right in the Columbia Center although there is street parking and other lots near/around Columbia Center. When I came around 4:30pm on a weekday, the building was dead - the food court was all closed. After scanning your ticket, you get in the elevator that takes you to the 73rd floor. Everything is indoors and you get a 360 view of the PNW. It's great if you're able to catch the sunset on a cloud free day. If you get the cafe voucher, you can combine them together to spend on food, drinks, or souvenirs. The space is a little dated but the views are worth it. Overall, a better option for PNW views than the Space Needle however there's no outdoor area.

The Pergola is an outstanding landmark in Pioneer Square. It was originally built as a shelter for…read morethe Yesler and James St. Cable Car Co. It's located at the intersection of James St. Yesler Way, and 1st Ave. It is made of cast iron and glass. There are a couple of street lamps that also serve as ventilation shafts for the abandoned public restrooms below. These are exquisite restrooms with marble dividers, terazo floors and brass fixtures. A description worth reading can be found here: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=2950. It was knocked down by Pete Benard in his 18 wheeler on January 15th, 2001. He was an inexperienced truck driver working for U.S. Xpress Enterprises of Chattanooga, Tenn. On August 17th 2002 the rebuilt Pergola was celebrated. It took 3.9 million dollars to put it back together again, a task that some believed impossible.

BIOPHILIA...Sponsored by PRIME.... never heard of it till…read morestumbling across this place. Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, an Amazon Company satellite office (i guess where Amazon Corporate employees can go when the need to connect with nature arises during work day)...cool concept, wish my job offer a green house. -lower level open to the public. Cool display of frogs and crystal shrimp. -Staff was knowledgeable and seem like they like their job and sphere concept. -Verdict: worth checking out when in the area....BIOPHILIA for LIFE......

There were plenty of street parking when we came on a week day. Parking was $1 per hour from 8AM to…read more11AM, $5.50 per hour from 11AM to 5PM, and $5.50 per hour from 5PM to 8PM. Wasn't sure what the place was about. We walked into the room and started looking around. There was an attendant who spoke about needing a reservation for visitors to enter the Sphere. The place was cool as there were tiny, poisonous frogs to look at.

If you're in Seattle, how can you NOT go to the space needle?…read more For this review, let me say I have been to a several observation decks. Los Angeles Istanbul New York Las Vegas London I don't want to say once you have seen one view you have seen them all, but since I have been to several I need something drastic to wow me. So the wow factor here was the rotating floor. It was pretty cool. The views are beautiful, and the snack bar was yummy. Make your visit twice as nice and get the combo ticket for the glass museum too.

What can be said about the Space Needle that hasn't been said already. Iconic landmark of Seattle…read more Don't miss the Chihuly Gardens and the amazing blown glass sculptures on display.

When I was in Seattle for a few days before our Alaskan cruise I loved running back and forth…read moreacross this bridge each morning to keep my marathon training going. Running the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge offers a great view of Lake Washington as you run 1.1 miles each way back and forth from the park to Mercer Island. There is a bicycle and pedestrian path on the north side which I was on. It's a good 2.2 mile run that is easily turned into a 5K running the extra around the picturesque park back on the Seattle side. This is actually a floating pontoon bridge opened on 1989. Pretty cool engineering feat. One of the widest floating bridges in the world.

Cool drive across the floating bridge, what a view on both sides of the bridge. Amazing how…read moreengineering works. It deserves a 5 for design, length, placement, view, surrounding

Beautiful memorial that many come to pay their respects. My friend got me into watching his movies…read moreand I have total respect for the legend. Parking there can be a problem if lots arrive at the same time. We paid our respects and moved on so that others can do the same. Rest in peace and love.

Paying respects to Bruce Lee and his son, Brandon Lee in Seattle, Washington…read more.. Bruce Lee is considered by some as the first international movie star of Chinese descent. He's also known for his outstanding contributions to Martial Arts. He passed away in 1973 at the age of 32. His son, Brandon Lee, rests next to him at the Lake View Cemetery. He passed in 1993 at the age of 28. He was well-known as a Martial artist and as an actor. This site was found with the help of GPS. It was a quiet September morning with no one else around. Rest in peace, Bruce and Brandon...

Cool Landmark in Seattle, Washington…read more.. I've had "The Center of the Universe" bookmarked for a while. It's a good thing to look at the bookmarked items on the Yelp app once in a while. I totally forgot about this novel and unique piece of Public Art! I should have visited it when I saw the Troll and the blue Fremont Bridge yesterday... darn! Anyway... I parked across the street and got a good shot of this directional sign! As I drew closer, I saw places on the sign that I would like to see - such as Machu Piccu and Rio de Janeiro. Other interesting places include The North Pole and The Milky Way. What a fun tourist stop! Check it out when you have time! It's free, quick, and a good break from daily routine!

One of the few photo ops (like the Rocket, dinosaurs, the Troll, etc) in Fremont…read more I saw the sign. It opened up my eyes. Life is demanding without understanding. To reiterate, I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign. No one's gonna drag you up To get into the light where you belong But where do you belong? Now if you excuse me, all that she wants is another baby, and she's gone tomorrow, boy.