I mean, what can be said about this strange abandoned art installation that hasn't been said…read morealready. It's not a great area, there's currently a homeless encampment right behind it. It has a chain link fence surrounding it giving it a 'We haven't torn this down yet' vibe. Being from the Bay Area and having seen pieces created at The Crucible I personally would call it exceptionally lazy art - if you're generous with the word 'art'. It's a sign, with some pointed cylinders around it. In my opinion the painted pieces at Gas Works are more interesting. I personally think it's only a matter of time before they tear it out and make it into another park so all in all, it's an easy skip.

At one point, I'm sure The Wall of Death was a very cool public art installation in Seattle. It's a…read morepermanently sited installation located along the Burke-Gilman Trail under the University Bridge along NE 40th Street. It was designed and built by Mowry Baden and his son Colin in 1993. While the exhibit sounds ominous, it's neither a memorial or some gothic art piece. Instead, it's a tribute to the structure used to perform "the wall of death," a motorcycle and miniature automobile stunt. While it looks like it was initially quite amazing, The Wall of Death has largely fallen victim to time and graffiti and it's really that graffiti that negatively impacts the appeal of the exhibit. The exhibit includes the cylinder itself on the south side of the Burke-Gilman Trail, as well as a concrete ramp to the north of the trail, which includes a "series of stylized metal chairs mounted to the existing concrete bridge columns and serves as the stands from which the stunts were viewed. The exhibit was originally intended as interactive with skateboarders intended to use it. However, after several skateboarding accidents including one involving a head-on collision between a skateboarder and a cyclist the exhibit was adapted, by Baden himself, to include 25 concrete parking stops. At this point, the exhibit is somewhat fenced in and much more difficult to access. However, it remains one of the more intriguing public art exhibits in Seattle and is still free to see. It's listed in Atlas Obscura. The exhibit was also reportedly damaged on 11/15/20 when a homeless camp tent caught fire. The exhibit is made of concrete, steel, and aluminum and measures 16' x 65' x 30'. It's easy to access the exhibit from the Burke Gilman Trail in the University District. It's near University of Washington housing and only a few blocks from Lake Union. The trail itself is wheelchair friendly and accessible quite easily.

It's a famous line from a mediocre movie: "That's not a knife, THAT'S a knife!"…read more The movie of course is Crocodile Dundee staring Paul Hogan. It is utterly forgettable and in fact, I have forgotten everything about it, except when I visit my neighborhood's biggest tourist draw, the Wedgwood Rock. "That's not a rock, THAT'S a rock!" Standing 19 feet tall and deposited by glacial ice sheets tens of thousands of years ago, the Wedgwood Rock is a humbling reminder of just how little control we humans have over our grand Mother Earth. According to Dr. Terry W. Swanson, of the UW Department of Geological Sciences, the Wedgwood Rock has its origins on Fidalgo Island, near Anacortes, about 75 miles north of Seattle. It was carried 75 miles and by ice sheets and then deposited in little old Wedgwood as the most recent ice age ended (source: http://bit.ly/WcjCNQ). Admittedly, the Wedgwood Rock doesn't quite rank up there with Seattle's top tourist draws, but it's always a lot of fun to take visitors on a drive by and watch their eyes bulge as we round the corner to 28th Ave NE and the rock comes into view. Kudos to the neighbors of the Wedgwood Rock who have assumed the role of caretakers for the iconic boulder, from enforcing the climbing ban, to gardening around it, to making sure graffiti gets cleaned up promptly. It's a bit ironic, of course, that the Wedgwood Rock isn't actually in the Wedgwood neighborhood, which is widely considered to encompass the boundaries of NE 95th St to NE 75th St, between 45th Ave NE on the east to a combination of Lake City Way, Ravenna Ave NE, and 25th Ave NE on the west (Source: http://bit.ly/Wcm6vI). Technically I suppose it would be the Ravenna neighborhood that the rock actually resides in. Still, that bit of trivia doesn't detract from the neighborhood's love for its most famous attraction, nor its appeal to young and old alike. Tip: While the Wedgwood Rock may be the neighborhood's largest and most famous glacial erratic, it is hardly the only one. Check out the Wedgwood Rock's modest sibling located in a tiny park known as Wedgwood Square at the corner of 31st Ave NE and NE 82nd Street.

I used to live several blocks away from the Wedgwood Rock and liked occasionally walking by it…read more I wouldn't drive a significant distance to come see it, but it's still pretty cool to have this this huge rock just sitting there in an urban residential neighborhood. I've read that this rock has a pretty rich history as a landmark for native americans, a picnic spot for families, a place for hippies to hang out and do drugs, etc... right now, however, it's just a big rock on the corner with houses all around... and apparently you get fined $100 if you're caught climbing it.

I performed post-construction cleaning at Fire Station 21 through Quality Cleaning Services LLC…read more(hired by the City). I was promised $850, spent $150 on supplies, paid $320 to workers, and drove 90+ miles -- and I've been ghosted by everyone involved. No one from the City will respond, and the contractor has a history of not paying laborers. This is wage theft, and the City of Kirkland is responsible for letting it happen. I've filed complaints and will take this public until I'm paid.

Kirkland has many unique features i've not found in other cities i've lived in or done business…read morewith. One is their vast volunteer opportunities. A good portion of their normal operations are supported by not just their staff..but volunteers. The Juanita Friday Market is 100% volunteer driven. The City Hall receptionist(s)..volunteers. whether you want just a few hours here or there, are looking for a schedule, or want to get involved on a long-term basis, there is positions for you. One time projects, administrative support, events..it's ever-changing and tons to choose from. The City also funds Neighborhood Associations. Through 2 year grants, they allow each defined neighborhood (Juanita, Totem Lake, Rose Hill, Houghton, etc) to establish a volunteer Board non-profit association status to directly improve and support their neighborhoods. There have been great projects founded or carried out by these associations. I've been on the Board of mine for some time now, and it's been a really fun learning experience and a great way to get directly involved in my neighborhood area. I've also been impressed with the City's responses to things like snow removal, clearing leaves from storm drains and various tasks we all love to bitch about when a government isn't doing it to our liking. Their commitment to open space, parks, re-establishing habitats and tree canopies, low-impact development and the environment lifts them above other cities nearby, as well. Sure, there are things I wish they did better, like support small business (I have heard so many nightmare stories from biz owners I know at how difficult it is to work with them), be more transparent and maybe just do things "my way" on a few subjects..but of all the areas I've lived out here..they really do a lot of really cool things and work hard to preserve and support this beautiful area.

The garden is beautiful and it's a nice activity to do end of fall/early winter. It used to be free…read morethen they started tickets and now they've increased the price just like anything else. But it's worth going around the holiday time each year. I suggest going on a week day of you can to avoid lines and parking craziness. The first slot 4:30 is less busy also.

Wonderful, festive and pretty affordable for the holidays. Ticket cost $10 per person over 11 years…read moreold. Kids 10 and your gets in for free. The lights were fun to look at and had many floral and crops themed ones. It was also larger than I thought cause from the outside you can see a portion of it. The cafe was also open and I wish I can try all their drinks. Their white hot chocolate with whip cream was so good for the cool weather. Also very glad it did not rain on that day.

I started doing the stairs when I was 48 years old. A group of us from LLS would meet every week on…read moreThursday night for years, dark or light rain or shine! I don't remember when I quit but an educated guess would be at 59. The reason I started was I wanted to run the Honolulu Marathon, (that brings that educated part into question) but going on I did it that December. After that I went on to do another 16 (again, educated??) Moving on to 2025, I can still do them at 73 with very few issues, I don't run I walk, and I stop a couple of times when my heart and lungs call a meeting with me, but we make it. I really believe I can do today because of what I started 25 years ago. In the words of the late Toby Keith, don't let the old man in!

Whether you do it just to say "we did it", or you do it once, go back down, and do it again a few…read moremore times to get your legs moving and heart pumping- it's a great experience. Seattles longest staircase, 388 steps spanning 160 feet. The history behind the stairs is pretty cool. We walked an hour from downtown, enjoyed the beautiful walk along Lake Union, got to the stairs, did it three times, and then headed toward Volunteer park. A hell of a way to get your steps in! Spring was in bloom, so the beautiful flowers and colorful trees was the icing on the cake.

Rimini Restaurant in Kirkland is truly a standout. This family-owned gem has become one of our…read moreabsolute favorites--not just for the exceptional cuisine inspired by family recipes, but for the entire experience they create from start to finish. From the moment you walk in, Fernando, Cindy, and their genuinely friendly staff make you feel welcome. The ambiance is sophisticated yet warm, with an attention to detail that elevates every visit. Having traveled throughout Italy, we can honestly say dining here feels like being back on vacation. The authenticity, care, and atmosphere all come together in a way that's rare to find. The secrets are in the sauce; the Bolognese and Marsala are remarkable. We live 2 hours away and make the drive because they are just that delicious! If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience with incredible food and impeccable service, Rimini is a must-visit.

Took my Mom and Dad there for my Dads 53rd birthday! Overall, a very welcoming and great…read moreatmosphere. The food mixed with the lively staff and the singer made the experience memorable! Will be coming back!

Came here for Seattle Restaurant Week and this ended up being really, really good…read more The calamari was ridiculous good way. Super tender (without losing texture), especially the tentacles, and the olives were so soft they almost just melt in your mouth. The sauce was so good we basically wiped the plate clean with bread without even thinking. The porcini risotto was fascinating. First bite had me wondering if it was a little to salty, and then it just... opened up. Turned into this really nice earthy, savory, slightly sweet thing. Kept getting better the more I ate. The seafood pasta carried that same sense of layering. It's not just "seafood flavor," but a combination of natural sweetness, umami, and brightness that made each bite feel complete. Our waitress Jennifer was super friendly and made the whole experience really easy and comfortable. We chatted with the owner, Michele, who mentioned he ran restaurants in Italy for 23 years, which honestly explains a lot. He suggested swapping our Aperol Spritz for a Campari version so it wouldn't be too sweet, and he was absolutely right. It paired beautifully with the food and kept everything feeling clean and balanced. Honestly, we're a bit spoiled when it comes to cocktails (we spend way too much time at Kro Bar), but even then we both felt their drinks had real thought and intention behind them. We ended the meal with limoncello, which felt like the perfect reset.

This is definitely a review about the service. I live in the area and I frequent places right next…read moreto this restaurant and I want to order from it more but my last couple of experiences have been tainted a bit because when I visited there a few months ago, there was a young woman working there who has long dark hair and is on the thinner side. My friend and myself walked in and asked her for a table at the host stand. She asked if we had a reservation and I said no, and she immediately acted strangely and almost in a defensive way, and gave some strange glaring kind of look. The restaurant wasn't very busy at the moment and just had a couple of tables. I was very surprised of her reaction. We were kind of confused by this, and then we were seated and had dinner and then had some strange interactions with her in the restaurant during this time. She continued to give glaring looks and acted in an angry and reluctant way if we asked for anything such as a water refill. It's been months since that night, but we haven't forgotten it. Then we decided to give the restaurant another chance recently, and she was working, and we were seated at a table by another person, but she followed us to the table while we were being seated , and she then grabbed the tablecloth from the table next to where we were being seated, and she pulled the it off quickly and effectively whipped me with the tablecloth. She didn't seem to notice as she stormed off. I got the worst feeling about being there after that and we were debating whether to just leave. She was not the one who waited on us, but she proceeded to come back into the area of where we are seated and never smile, or look at us, but do things with the items on the table next to us in a strange way. It almost seems like she was listening to us talk. My friend and I had a horribly weird vibe which I've never experienced before by a service person at a restaurant. We both agreed we'd probably not return there which is unfortunate. We love the location and the food. I would suggest to the owners to reevaluate who has customer facing roles in your restaurant. It's a hospitality/service-oriented business. Treating friendly and paying customers like they're an enemy is not the best approach.

Secret?! i think not. ;) Although it can appear rather secretive if you consider walking through it…read morethe first time (w/o knowing it's a tunnel) and ask yourself upon exiting "I was in an underground tunnel?" Yup. And a super COOL one at that, too. :) Fine shops, great lunch options, and a jackpot of historic Seattle photos - everything from the early days of dumping Pill Hill fill into Elliot Bay to the early Boeing airplanes. Downtown? Take a stroll down this tunnel. It begins/ends in Rainier Square and ends/begins in One/Two Union Square. Happy strolling. :)

I haven't visited enough underground tunnels to know if this one deserves 5 stars or not, so let's…read morework this out, arithmetic-style! 1 star for keeping me out of the rain, cold, and wind and away from motor traffic and waiting for crosswalk signals. 1 star for neat photos of old-time Seattle 1 star for a display of upcoming shows from the 5th Ave 1 star for the convenience store selling cards and snacks. There are also some little deli type eateries, a salon, and an art gallery, though I haven't taken advantage of any of them yet. All in all, this is a pretty spiffy way to get from 7th and Union to 4th and University without having to set foot outside - always a plus when it comes to dealing with Seattle's variable weather.

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.

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.