Very convenient passage down to Queen Anne Avenue from East hill. If you miss them, at Galer's end,…read moreheading east, Highland Avenue is the next through-way, but even that's a little tricky to find if you're north of queen Anne ave as there are so may twisty roads and hills. Ah, the days of exploration and happenstance before GPS. If exercise and cardio is your goal, I recommend these steps, up and down as many times to suit. It's nicely wooded and steps, literally, from 5 Spot if you're inclined to sabotage your health goals or simply earn your calories, well spent. Nice hand rails with several landings to catch your breath.

I am in no way affiliated w/ any store or websites mentioned in this review... Just new to Seattle…read more& wanted to share my "discovery". I have found the ultimate freebie walking/running/cardio workout... and it's like a living Super Mario Brothers game, complete w/ secret passageways & warp zones... plus grand views of Elliott Bay, Rainier, Baker & other distant peaks, depending on the weather. There are something like 120 stairways in Queen Anne. I just picked up a water-resistant map of these stairs at Queen Anne Books for $5 (poster also available, $10, not waterproof). It's helped me explore all the little nooks & crannies of my cool little 'hood & has definitely made getting out for a little cardio, rain or shine, way more fun. The map itself is mostly complete, though a few streets on the edges aren't labeled. Looking forward to filling in the blanks on my own on foot. The map & poster are also available at http://www.qahistory.org/stairs/map.htm You can also read about the Queen Anne Stairs in the following blogs/articles: (super cool, maps out a route w/ elevation gains, drops) http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=172255 http://blog.seattlepi.com/inqueenanne/archives/177381.asp http://www.queenanneview.com/2009/02/20/queen-anne-urban-hiker-maps-hidden-stairways/ http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-recreation-in-seattle/queen-anne-stair-map http://www.queenannebooks.com/map-oft-pedestrian-stairs-queen-anne

The employees here are a real joy. Most of us have forgotten what real customer service feels like,…read morebut here they nail it on the head. This is not a boat rental for anyone looking for speed. But for a leisurely float with some food and drinks with friends! This is the place for you!

A wonderful attraction! Everything about this experience…read morewas lovely. Check in was smooth with friendly & accommodating staff. Being out on the lake on a beautiful sunny day was top. There was a lot of boat traffic but it didnt impact our time. Bring your favorite snacks or finger foods to enjoy on the ride.

My review is of the language classes they offer here. I took three classes a few years ago, using a…read moredifferent instructor each time. They were all native speakers and taught the language well enough that I still retain a lot of it a few years later. If you're looking to learn Japanese, this is the place to go.

I discovered the JCCCW when on my bus commute to work, I spied their sign hanging on Rainier…read moreAvenue, near Weller Street: "Japanese Language Classes Available." My daughter is interested in the Japanese culture. The classes they offer range from young child to youth to adult and each age level has its own skill levels so that a teenager just learning Japanese is not put in class with a 5 year old starting Japanese Language Class. Not only does the JCCCW offer Japanese Language Class, they have a lending library and a museum of Japanese culture. In addition, they host many activities related to Japanese culture and participate in the Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival held in the spring at the Seattle Center. Unfortunately, the people who run the JCCCW seem to live in their own world and do not always use technology to a beneficial result. They also consider, well whatever it is they consider, and fail to consider their students or their students' families in their decisions, when they choose to announce things, and how they choose to communicate. This is a drawback. Frankly, they seem very technological inept and are not helpful or reasonable under the anonymity of using the internet, even when they sign their name. However, when working with them in person or on the phone, they tend to be very nice and helpful. Worth a visit to learn more about Japanese history, and worth the classes if you wish to learn the Japanese language.

Free activity in Seattle, Washington…read more.. When I was at the Post Office, mailing some postcards, the friendly clerk suggested that I go to Kerry Park to view in person, the city skyline as depicted in these postcards... OK! My niece was surprised at the size of "the park". It seems to be more like a strip of lawn instead of a park. Well... we were there for the beautiful view of Seattle and were happy to get a free parking space on the street! There also was an interesting steel sculpture called: Changing Form. It's 15 feet tall and can be used as a nice frame to photograph the Space Needle and its surroundings!

On clear days you can get an amazing view of Elliott Bay and the Central City (with the Space…read moreNeedle of course!), with a backdrop of Mount Rainier. The viewpoint is thoughtfully designed so many people can line up against the railings without too much trouble instead of photographers trying to jockey for space. If you didn't bring binoculars, there's a few coin operated telescopes to help you look at things in the distance. There's also a cool statue here if you're interested, and if you go down the steps there's a small playground. I'm not sure if I've ever seen anyone use the playground though, since there are no bathrooms associated with the park and small kids can have bathroom emergencies. There are businesses nearby where I guess you could technically ask to use the washrooms, but it's just another hassle. Note: street parking only.

Cute little playground and a lot of cool stuff if you're a little kid and even adult. We looked…read moreonline and came during the public hours at least what their website said. It's really cool that there's a lot of chickens and Vanny so you can just go up and play with as well as all the little structures in playground and stuff . I will say one of the most offputting things was while we were looking at the chickens. Some woman next to us was kind of talking about the park, not being open to the public and going on and on about it. I may be thinking too much into it although she was talking to someone else and right next to us, but it did kind of seem like it was directed towards us. I would just recommend checking in public hours as the other hours are for the preschool attendees.

What an awesome playground for ages 1-6! This is a free park but there is also a pre-school here so…read morethe public can come play during certain hours only. We came during Christmas break so there was no one there. After an hour of play we did see about three other families playing all wearing masks. My toddler loved running around the place. There were chickens to say hi to and a cool red truck he could sit in. The musical instruments were fun for him to bang on as well as jumping on the balls and hill. There is actually a basketball court right next to it so you could actually bring older kids and have a game. Wear rain boots as it can get a bit muddy during the winter months. Highly recommend coming here for great imaginative play.

I took a stroll through this park today. What a great little spot. It was really clean with a good…read moreamount of people (but not too many). The water feature are super cool and there seemed to be plenty of seating.

Cal Anderson Park seems to have made some progress in terms of safety and cleanliness, and we have…read morebeen out here a few times. Often there are mostly adults here, respectfully playing sports and sharing the field. However, one day there was a really mean dad yelling at his kid and then he started yelling at another family. Super sad. Come to this park if you want to see the real crust of Seattle.

The staff at this community center is al for supporting the chinatown community. So many year long…read more& seasonal activities, they host trips to the zoo, aquarium, and more for the neighborhood youth, and have a lot of respect for residents of the neighborhood. I hold events here all the time for senior residents and i never leave the place with a bad impression.

This place is awesome! Built in 2004, International District Community Center has a small fitness…read morecenter, multipurpose room, kitchen, a gym, and a music room. They offer a variety of drop-in programs including yoga, Chinese dance, Chinese meditation, and table tennis. We paid $3 to use their gym and it was definitely well worth the price of admission! Inside the small gym, there were a couple of step machines, treadmills, and weights. Perfect for those of us that like to keep the exercise simple! For those of us who are bookworms, check out the Seattle Public Library branch connected to the community center. There is a small collection of DVDs, fiction, and non-fiction to keep your mind fed after working on your body. Check it out!

I went for a private social event. The parking in this neighborhood is practically non-existent…read more But, I got lucky tonight. The location is great - right on the water. (if you're attending a summer event and can be outside, or it's before sunset.) The bar seems to have lots of options, but no prices listed. So, it's a roll of the dice. "Market price" for a wine pour, I guess. Plus, they add an automatic gratuity. (Be sure to read the fine print) THEN, the card swipe machine asks you for an additional tip! This place hasn't been remodeled or updated in what seems like 50+ years. I hope to never return.

Sharing a perspective as a member…read more... My husband and I joined the College Club this summer and have nothing but great things to say about our experience. I was initially attracted to the idea of the social club. The lounge, which has a traditional college pub feel, includes a pool table, shuffleboard, a large flat screen, and lots of seating - a great space for hanging out. The venue which consists on two floating vessels has a large dock off the back. We were blown away by how much fun the dock has been. On nice summer days, we would come down for a couple of hours and lounge/lay out on the dock or hop in the water and swim for a bit. There are number of singles, couples, and families so it brings a nice balance of people. (We don't have kids but I've always thought this is the perfect club for those who do - without being too annoying for those of us who don't.) Also throughout the summer, they do Wednesday happy hours and a fun outdoor Thursday night concert series on the dock. I've talked to a number of serious rowers who enjoy the club for the boat access. My husband and I aren't rowers but to our surprise, we've had a lot of fun taking out kayaks (and paddle boards) - both with free access as a part of the membership. The gym isn't fancy but it's clean and has some good equipment (stationary bikes, rowing machines, weights). There are never more than a few people in the gym at once. I've liked it so much that I canceled another gym membership and only come here now. I wasn't sure if this would be a better "summertime" club but we've enjoyed into the colder months. In addition to my ongoing use of the gym, they offer fun social events like college football viewing parties and wine tasting events. Lastly, I have nothing but great things to say about the staff. They genuinely care about their members and have helped create a warm and welcoming environment. They really help set the tone for the overall feel of the club, especially for the social events. I'm glad we made the choice to join. It's been a great addition for us.

If you feel like shopping, come to this mall -- there's a UNIQLO as well as Nordstrom and Nordstrom…read moreRack nearby! The Christmas decorations this year are actually quite nice and create a great festive atmosphere!

"Excuse me, how do we get to the ocean?"…read more I was standing at a corner near Westlake Park waiting for the light to turn when a lady and her daughter came up to me and asked me this question. I pointed them towards Elliott Bay. We were definitely nowhere near the Pacific Ocean but I was pretty sure they wanted to get to the waterfront. I chuckled a little after they went on their merry way. It was an organic, human connection that happened during my lunch break. This wasn't the first time someone came up to me and asked me for directions. I kinda expect it when I'm around the retail/hotel district. I'm ok helping folks out; it's a test of my own navigational skills. When my cousins and I were kids we used to run through the park's water fountain. They shut the water off years ago though. They say it's broken but I think people bathed in it or used it as a toilet. Blech. Supposedly they're going to remove this art piece and make way for a redesign. Westlake Mall used to have an outdoor patio overlooking the park. You used to have an aerial view of the Salish basket weave pattern. Then the mall got rid of the top floor food court and decided to close off the patio section. Unless you work in a nearby building it's hard to view the public art's entirety. Kitty corner from the park on 4th & Pine is a building where The Bon Marché used to be. Every winter they would install a giant star on the SE corner of that building. It's lit up to brighten the dark days. Walking past this building always reminded me of the Day-O, One Day Sale jingle. They hold special events and activities year round. They also host food trucks during the workweek. It's easy to get here. Just take the bus to Westlake Center or the light rail to Westlake Station. Side note: If you have time, check out the 80-foot Sequoia Tree a block away. Man In Tree made it popular :) Also, if you're looking for free brochures and visitor guides they have stands at the Convention Center Arch Building, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Ferry Terminal, and King Street Station.

This place rocks! In addition to having a free museum and docks to browse, this is the best free…read moreway to get out on the water in Seattle! The Center for Wooden Boats is most well known for its free wooden rowboat program. It's a first-come, first-served program offering a completely free way to get out on the water. As a family visiting the area, this was an awesome activity to keep us busy for an hour and save us some dough! Make your way to the docks and find the boat house. Check in with the staff, and if a boat is available, they will get you set up quickly with life jackets and some oars to take one of their magnificent wooden rowing vessels out on the open waters for a full hour. Even if a boat is not available, you'll only have to wait a bit to get out in your own rowboat. The staff was ultra-friendly and knowledgeable. They even have a little gift shop located in the main museum building. Highly recommend checking this place out as a tourist or a local.

We decided to make a visit to CWB for Mother's Day. Three generations in tow included…read moregrandchildren 4 and almost 8 years old. Our first stop at the boat making activity was so impressive - a great activity for kids and their volunteers were incredible. Child focused, so positive, enthusiastic they made it a great creative experience for the kids and a family bonding experience for our group. We were impressed with how much there is to see and do there. While walking around looking at boats we were invited to join a sailing outing after they had a cancellation. We had another great experience - all of the volunteers went out of their way to make it a positive experience and our 'captain' was engaging and patient with the kids. He made an experience they will always remember. I encourage anyone near Lake Union to make a visit part of their day. If you have the means to support them your help is put to very good use making great memories for anyone who visits!