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.

Such a fun little stop in Seattle! My friend and I had a cute photo op here using our phones and…read morethe fisheye lens on my camera, and the pictures turned out great! We also took a walk along the side trail at Troll's Knoll Park, which was a nice little bonus. The mushroom sculptures along the trail added a whimsical touch to the whole experience. The Fremont Troll itself is such a unique piece of public art. I thought it was pretty interesting that it's been sitting beneath the Aurora Bridge since 1990, clutching an actual Volkswagen Beetle! Even cooler, the sculpture was selected through a community vote. Definitely worth checking out if you're visiting Seattle. It's a fun, quirky landmark, completely free to visit, and a great spot for some memorable pictures!

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!

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!

PERFECT DAY FOR VIEWING! 4.7…read more Our visit to Seattle coincided with one of the most beautiful times of the year. By late June, locals were out in shorts and tank tops, soaking up the summer sunshine. Coming from California, we weren't quite ready to break out our tank tops just yet, but a comfortable 70 degrees made for fabulous sightseeing weather. The Space Needle was built as the centerpiece of Seattle's 1962 World's Fair and has since become the city's most recognizable landmark. Today, it is operated by Space Needle LLC, a company privately owned by the Wright family. The adjacent Chihuly Garden & Glass is another must-see attraction (see my separate review) and is also owned by the same family. We purchased combo tickets for the Space Needle Observation Deck and Chihuly Garden & Glass. Despite having a reserved entry time, we still faced a wait of more than 45 minutes just to get into the building on the first floor. The line looked daunting, and we watched some visitors take one look and turn right around. Fortunately, it moved at a reasonable pace, so we stuck it out. After all, we weren't about to walk away from the opportunity to experience Seattle's most iconic attraction. Once inside, we encountered another winding queue that snaked around the perimeter, overlooking the gift shop below. This wait lasted approximately another 30 minutes, but the time passed surprisingly quickly as we browsed the souvenirs from above and mentally shortlisted a few mementos for later. A super-speedy elevator took us to the top, where we were amazed by the picture-perfect panoramic views beneath clear, sunny skies. Seattle's skyline, surrounding waterways, and distant mountain scenery made this trip well worth the wait. Here are a few fun things we enjoyed while at the top of the Space Needle: *Skyhigh Selfie Stations. These stations let you capture fun photos of yourself against the backdrop of Seattle. Some offer creative photo effects, including 360-degree images. You can access your complimentary digital photos through the official Space Needle app, and instructions are provided at the stations. *The Loupe Lounge (additional cost). Located one level below the outdoor observation deck, this is a great spot to enjoy drinks and snacks while taking in the views and experiencing the rotating floor (see my separate review). *The Skyriser glass benches. These tilted glass benches are not for the faint of heart! You know that feeling when you have to trust someone behind you to catch you during a free fall? Thankfully, there's no actual falling involved. As you sit down and lean back against the angled glass, you're placing your trust in the structural engineering beneath you. It's a thrilling way to pose for photos while suspended high above the city. Many years ago, I dined at the Space Needle when it still had its famous rotating restaurant, but the SkyCity Restaurant closed in 2017, and in 2018, the observation experience reopened. Today, The Loupe offers a very different experience, with a rotating glass floor that reveals mesmerizing views straight down to the structure, elevators, and streets far below. It's a fascinating perspective you simply can't get from an ordinary observation deck. On your way back down, the large souvenir shop is impossible to miss. With its generous floor space and extensive assortment of merchandise, you'll find plenty of ways to commemorate your Seattle adventure. Needless to say, we didn't leave empty-handed.

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

"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!

I've been coming to The Pink Door for years, and the food has been amazing every single time. The…read moreseafood and pasta are incredible. I keep coming back for the pescatora with squid ink pasta, the whole branzino, the tuna crudo, the oysters, and the amazing heirloom tomato bruschetta! The romantic ambiance makes every visit feel special, whether it's date night or just dinner with friends. On our last visit we sat on the newly renovated deck, and it was fantastic. Better tables, more comfortable chairs, and upgraded awnings and heaters made it such a cozy experience. The service was fantastic too. Can't recommend this one-of-a-kind Seattle gem enough!

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!