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.

A Seattle icon, the Fremont Troll is a must-visit. We went on a weekday and there were still a good…read morenumber of tourists coming around to take photos. Many of them even chose to climb onto the troll itself, but I didn't dare. Parking can be super hard to find as the troll is nestled in a residential neighborhood, but after circling around quite a few times, we finally found a spot. Even with the waves of people visiting, I still managed to capture photos of Newt with the troll without anyone in the frame, and my husband even captured a nice photo of us performing our iconic piggyback trick, as well as the cutest shot of me looking up at Newt as he sat on the troll's hand. Caveat: unless your dog is well-trained and can hold a distance AND duration sit-stay (especially on an elevated, uneven surface), I would not attempt to recreate that shot. When you visit the troll, don't forget to look behind you and admire the architecture of the overpass too. It's breathtaking in itself. While we were there, many of the tourists asked me to take photos of them with the troll with their phones or cameras, since they saw I had brought my DSLR with me. Of course I happily obliged. We did not spend too much time at the troll as there wasn't much to do outside of taking photos with it, and as we were leaving, another wave of tourists showed up. The Fremont Troll is a fun spot to take photos at/with, and a cool art installation. I wish we had something similar in the bay or Sac!

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!

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.

I am always a fan of public art and this floral canopy is easy to see just outside the Space…read moreNeedle. This art installation is more than meets the eye, with it's motion activated harmony, solar panels to light up the blooms at night and energy data motoring system. I wish I had seen them at night! Instead I have visited them 3 different times all during the day. Next time I am in Seattle I will have to do an evening visit to see Seattle's night lights!

There is so much cool, iconic stuff in Seattle, it's great when something new comes on the scene…read more Back in 2012, when the Pacific Science Center put out a call for public art demonstrating solar energy, Dan Corson submitted a proposal that lead to the the humming heliotrope named Sonic Bloom. Found at the foot of the Space Needle, Sonic Bloom is five 40-foot tall, 20-foot diameter flowers inspired by the Australian firewheel tree (Stenocarpus sinuatus). They are made from fiberglass and steel, custom photo voltaic cells, LEDs, sensors, LEDs, and an interactive sound system. Cool stuff! The five flowers are lit up at night by the solar panels within that absorb that day's energy. While at first glance, they all look the same ... look closer (and longer) and you'll see their distinct differences. And at night, the rainbow of LED colors make the distinctiveness even more obvious. It's a Seattle must-see ... and the best part, it's free!

Space Needle was the main event of our day 1 in the city of Seattle. it's located in Seattle…read moreCenter, and u can see the Needle from multiples parts of the city this biiihhhh is over 600 feet tall, and once you fully make it inside, it's worth it. on your way up, there is wait in line, depending on the day u pull up. as it was a saturday, it was packed, so wait was close to 25-30 min, but u have fun things to see and fun facts on ur way up once there, there is a bar, u can walk around the needle and get a full overview of the beautiful city of Seattle. if u buy combo ticket for glass museum /imax experience, they are right next door, after u exit heights aint for me, but needle was littt

As we were walking up to the Space Needle we could see the fog. At first I thought we should go to…read morethe Chihuly Garden and Glass House first and wait till the fog burns off. Then I thought it opens at 9am and it's probably the least crowed at 9am. We took the chance that the fog would burn off while we were up there. As it turned out the fog only got worse while up there. We were told that fog could last all day and never burn off. I'm glad we went up when we did. At 8:45am we went to the kiosk and purchased tickets. They have around 5 kiosks. If you aren't into a digital environment you can also walk up to the box office. There was no wait to use the Kiosks so we did that. Plus we didn't see the box office till we were already in line. There were only around 5 people in line so it wasn't bad, but the line wasn't moving fast. It's $55 Space Needle ticket; $40 Chihuly Garden and Glass House ticket. Together $74 = save $21. We opted for the combo ticket. It also offered an imax movie, but we didn't partake. There is also a CIty Pass, but it sounded too complicated and we weren't sure what our third event would be. Even getting there at 9am there was still a line to get in, but it went fast until we got to the elevator. There was a gal that stood in line with her party and then ducked out when they got to the ticket booth. That was nice of her. They have a two part ticketing system. When you get up to the walkway they check your ticket, but don't scan it. They don't scan it till the top of the ramp, right before the elevator. Scanning tickets went pretty smoothly and there was really no rush as there was a line to get into the elevator that was at a standstill till the elevator arrived. It arrived every 45 seconds. Even if you buy tickets together on the Kiosk they give you separate tickets so you have to scan each individual ticket at the scanner. Once we go to the top, there was plenty of room so there was not an issue taking pictures with out people in your pictures. I was thrilled about that. I really love pictures and it's so frustrating when you can't get a clean shot. I love all the photo stops. You scan into the Photo Booth via a QR code and then enter your ticket number or your phone number. The only issue I have is I don't know how to look up my photos once I look at them on my phone. I can't figure how to pull up the album again. So, be ware of this or be more tech savvy then me. I was only able to forward the pictures. I couldn't figure out how to download the pictures from the app. I did figure out if I forward the picture I can then go to the sent items and click share and then I was able to download it to pictures. The photo booths were so fun. I think there are 4 of them. Most of them have you look into the camera and it has a little count down screen so you know how long to smile. The pictures have two digital images. A pigeon that is smacked against the glass and some astronaut in the second one. You can retake the pictures as many times as you want just get in line again. The lines were usually on 1 to 3 parties in-front of me. It was so quick. I think I went to each kiosk twice. There is a camera at the top of the line, but it was out of order. I was so sad as that picture was a blue screen that was the Space Needle behind you. That would have been so cool. I stayed on the observation deck and inner part of the space needle for around an hour. I feel that was enough time to get all my pictures. The old walk up cafe is closed. They have a expensive 21+ bar that you can also get food at. You need reservations and there is limited seating and I mean limited. I belive they have a walk up kiosks where you can get non alcoholic drinks as I saw several people with drinks sitting in the indoor seating area. They have few seats, but the ones they have are so cool, you can look out the window on those high boy seats. I believe you have to drink your drinks inside as I didn't see anyone with drinks on the viewing deck. There is a great gift shop at the first level was so vast. It was circular and went all the way around the base of the Space Needle. You can buy glass made during the demo at the Chihuly Garden and Glass House. The glass is so beautiful I resisted getting one of their glass Christmas ornaments as they are too heavy for my petite tree. I'd did get several socks and a cute lavender T-shirt with an artsy rendition of the Space Needle. I loved their selection. I reccomend you visit as early as you can to get the least amount of people on the viewing deck allowing you to get the cleanest shot. The tickets are totally timed. They are in 15 minute increments and don't be late. That being said you aren't limited to the amount of time you stay. As the day on this can cause congestion. With all those selfies cameras you can go alone if you want. Plus people are happy to take your picture. This was the highlight of my trip.

"The Red Popsicle" by Catherine Mayer located on the corner of Fourth Street and Blanchard Avenue…read morein Downtown Seattle in the Belltown neighborhood. This is one of those public art pieces I heard about and had to go find. We were at Pikes Place and decided to set on a mission to find it and it wasn't to far away. It's a cool sculpture in person and is 17-feet tall. One of those little touristy things I wanted to do and now craving a red popsicle. It's a cool piece to checkout.

Admittedly, there may be better views of the New Year's Eve fireworks show at the Seattle Space…read moreNeedle, but "The Popsicle" on the corner of 4th Avenue and Blanchard Street is where it's at for us. We've celebrated NYE here many times and witnessed many things (including a marriage proposal that included the "fine print" disclaimer of "I will propose to you for real...someday." ‍ While you may or may not witness anything like a sorta/kinda marriage proposal when you visit, the views from this spot of the Space Needle and the fireworks show are only obstructed by a few power lines and tree branches (and this year some lingering clouds). This viewing location is easily walkable from most downtown hotels (our walk was approximately 12 minutes) and has felt safe each year to us with just two recommendations. Be sure to remain on the streets where the largest number of pedestrians are traveling and be sure to completely avoid walking on 3rd Avenue. A brand new year has been christened and hopeful new resolutions abound. Who knows? Maybe we'll meet 'ya at "The Popsicle" next year! And that's...Henry's Take. #seattlepopsicle #seattlenye #happynewyearseattle

Ah, yes, The Gum Wall. One of the most exciting and disgusting things to see. And for me, it was…read moreone of the hardest/confusing places to find. Not because it is, but because I had no idea where I was in relation to this place. I was mere feet away from here and still somehow took the long way to get here. When I realized this, I wanted to kick myself. Who knew a wall covered in gum would be such a tourist draw. Located in Post Alley just off of Pike Place Market you will find this Seattle marvel. What started as an unexpected way to discard gum, became a well known city landmark. When the nearby Market Theater would not allow patrons to enter with gum, this became an area where that gum would go. At first, the gum had pennies pushed into them, later being removed, but the gum remaining. This wall extends over fifty feet and is as high as eight feet. It has been cleaned on several occasions. Reasons being to preserve the bricks. Not to worry, it returns after each cleaning. One cleaning it was said that 2 tons of gum was removed from the wall. Some contributors to the wall will put designs in their gum. Others, just push it into a mess that ever grows. Mostly on the wall, but anything near the wall can end up with gum on it, including street posts/signs. Great distraction, and definitely earned the tourist trap honor. One of a kind attraction to see.

A little bit disgusting but fun at the same time. Lol! It is located on the street below the big…read morePublic Market Center sign. We purchased gum from the window of the shop at the entrance of the gum alley. After a few minutes of chewing, we were ready to add our contributions. Haha! We went on a Monday around noon and it wasn't crowded at all.

We couldn't get a reservation a month ahead, so we decided to walk in around 3:30 on a Friday and…read moregot seated right away. Desiree was so friendly and explained the menu really well. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the halibut and linguine. We also loved the cozy Western vibe. Definitely a must-try if you're in Seattle!

DUOMO PINK! 4.8…read more The restaurant can be a little tricky to find, tucked away in an alley with no signage to guide you. It felt a bit like hunting for a hidden restaurant or speakeasy, with both of us keeping our eyes peeled for the elusive "pink" door. I had imagined a bright, eye-catching pink, but the actual door was a soft, milky pink set against a gray building. I later learned that its color was inspired by the tiles of the Duomo in Florence, Italy. We had reservations and arrived early, just before the restaurant opened for lunch. Two lines were already forming: one for guests with reservations and another for walk-ins. As the minutes passed, the walk-in line grew exponentially. I distinctly remember thinking, 1) This place must be really good, and 2) Thank goodness we made reservations! Once inside, I was surprised by the restaurant's sheer size and variety of dining spaces, each with its own personality and vibe. The options included a lounge and bar area featuring a rotating lineup of scheduled performers/musicians, several indoor dining rooms, and an al fresco dining area on the view deck overlooking the bustling street below, Pike Place Market, and Elliott Bay. We dined in one of the indoor dining rooms, which was bathed in natural light. Seated beside one of the large hopper windows, we opened it slightly to let in the fresh ocean air. Our order included: *Hot Lemon Tea ~ A comforting beverage to start our meal. *La Fettunta ~ Crispy, buttered garlic bread. We hadn't realized that complimentary bread and butter were included with the meal, so we ordered this as an extra. We're certainly glad we did! The irresistible crispness was perfect, and it paired beautifully with our pasta dishes. *Antipasto of the House ~ An assortment of prosciutto, Tuscan bean salad, fresh mozzarella, tapenade, grilled vegetables, and salumi. A lovely medley of flavors to begin our Italian lunch. *Linguine Alle Vongole ~ Baby clams in their shells, pancetta, garlic, chilies, and white wine. So fresh and absolutely delicious! The clams, paired with garlic and white wine, made this dish especially memorable. *Pappardelle al Ragù Bolognese ~ Slow-simmered meat sauce finished with Parmigiano-Reggiano. I sampled my husband's dish and especially loved the broad ribbons of pappardelle, cooked to perfection and ideal for catching every bit of that rich, savory sauce. Between the sweeping views, delicious food, attentive service, and lively, upbeat energy, this restaurant has so much to offer. The atmosphere was every bit as memorable as the meal itself. It's places like this that make traveling such a joy, turning an ordinary lunch into a delightful experience and another memorable chapter in our adventures!

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.

What a lovely tribute to Seattle legend Chris Cornell! We stumbled upon this statue and plaque in…read morefront of the Museum of Pop Culture on the way to Chihuly - definitely worth seeing, especially if you're a fan! It's small and doesn't take up too much time - there's a small plaque on the ground right in front with a nice dedication. Very fitting but still doesn't seem enough, given his contributions to the musical arts. Chris Cornell was my first celebrity crush lol - I had just become a teenager as the grunge movement started really taking off - so the first music albums I ever bought (all at the same time lol) were Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger, Nirvana's Nevermind and of course Temple of the Dog - his one-off band that was a tribute to a friend of his! He was so talented and had an incredible voice - He did some solo work which was great and was also the frontman of another excellent band, Audioslave. He did a cover of Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares To You" and if you haven't heard it, go listen to it rn!! It's phenomenal!! This statue was commissioned and donated by his wife Vicky - such a sweet tribute!

I've loved Chris Cornell for so long! My teenage years I played those songs over and over. When I…read moreknew I'd be in Seattle a while back it's one of the first stops I made. It was in walking distance of not only my hotel, but right in front on the pop culture museum and Piles Place. Such an amazing statue to the grunge king!