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 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.

I don't want to say that I was staying in a weird neighborhood while I was in Seattle, but being…read morejust over a mile away from the Bettie Page House left me no other option one early morning than to head out by wheelchair to check it out. Smack dab in the middle of Seattle's worst heatwave ever, I can still easily say it was worth the effort for a glimpse of this private residence that features an 18' Bettie Page and even more recently has added the one and only Divine. The house is located in the Ravenna district adjacent to the University District (where I was staying). Commissioned by the owner in 2006, the artwork has been vandalized once (it came back better than ever) and has been threatened by the city at one point with $100 daily fines. because of the "graffiti" on the home. Of course, no fine ever happened and Bettie Page is still alongside the home's exterior wall. Interestingly enough, the home is right across the street from a Mormon Temple. Bettie is adorned with her usual black panties and thigh-highs, a gutter conveniently crosses her chest area. The house is a little tricky to get to, though the mural is easily visible from I-5 near the 65th Street exit. As this is a private home, there is no "admission." Essentially, this is public art visible from a sidewalk or street. If you're in the Seattle area, it's definitely worth checking out and most likely a "must see" for true Bettie Page (or Divine) fans.

Add this to your list Roadside America…read more We've been to the usual Space Needle, Pike's Place Market but, if you're up for something new and unusual --- this is it. Welcome to the Bettie Page and Drag Queen Divine house! After driving around the area that Google Maps told us it was without finding it; we realized it might be across the damn freeway. So, might want to consider that if you haven't found it lol

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.

The ambiance here is great. Lots of quirky art and posters, as well as community events posted. One…read morerule though - no phones! The food was super tasty. I got a butternut squash dish and it was amaaaaazing. Had to make sure to try a seasonal dish in case it wasn't there next time I was in town. Staff was super attentive and helped us with any questions we had about the menu.

We were seeking for a good Italian spot and the bartender from a few streets down recommended the…read morespot but warned us there may be a wait because it's that good. This place is makes an impression as soon as you open the door. The funky decorations make you and your date want to play eye spy. The waitress and hostess were friendly and welcoming. Helping with recommendations on the menu. My poblano cannellini dish was incredible. The drunken clams is why I'm leaving a 4 star. Sadly it was really acidic. You could tell they had super fresh ingredients but there was something off with the broth. All in all we had a great time. The drinks were great (Bees Knees and Old Fashion) and the tiramisu was a delicious way to finish our meal.

3.21.2026-Chasing my LOVE for cherry blossoms dreams has come true during this visit to UW, the…read morecherry blossoms at University of Washington and I am super grateful to be able to experience this in real life! Last year when I stopped by the campus, I was bummed as I was too early. It was so hard to plan a visit at time of blooms, due to cost of plane tickets. This year it was truly meant to be. * you can check on- line , there is a social media page to check on the blooms, this is the info. I got when I called the University to get some info. Parking $3. per hour, with park and pay by phone. The bathrooms are closed but portable toilets were available. When we went it was super crowded, expected as everyone is there to see the beautiful blooms, it was really hard to take a pic with others not being in the background but I will have to use vanish mode on my photos. hehe I took tons of photos, loaded about 40+ but not sure only 7 pics made it. Be sure to take all the photos you want in all different angles and different spots, hehe. It was hard to find the perfect spot so this is what I did. OMG, Wow, super happy, content, my heart is filled with joy, seeing the blooms, so beautiful, beautiful campus, I just loved being here. I am so happy, cried happy tears 3 times during this PNW trip.

As beautiful as this place is, it was hard to take good photos as there's too many people! I get it…read moreit's a popular spot and all, and there's not much anyone can do. Wished that cherry blossoms blooming lasted longer than 2 weeks!

First annual Green Lake Food Walk was a home run. This is a public tasting organized by the Green…read moreLake Chamber of Commerce. Participating vendors included: Seattle Athletic Club, Diggity Dog Walk, Woodlands Pizza, Duke's Chowder House, PCC, A Nanny For U, Kitanda, Kinetic Sports, Modo Yoga, Lucia, Roosters Men's Grooming, Road Runner Sports, Lifestyle Chiropractic, Gregg's Cycles, O'Ginger Bistro, zoeyogurt, Teddy's Bigger Burgers, Fix Coffee House, Peets, Shelter Lounge, Green Lake Bar & Grill, Super Jock 'n Jill, Jodee's Desserts, and Rosita's. Lots of delicious free food, treats, snacks, coupons and shwag. The event was from 1:30p - 5:30p. This was a great way to promote and support the local community. Hope to do it again in October!

We had a fantastic meal here. The lamb special was tender and flavorful, the penne vodka was rich…read moreand perfectly balanced, and the lobster stuffed ravioli was absolutely delicious. Everything tasted fresh and beautifully prepared. We finished with dessert and espresso, which were just as impressive. The lemon cake was light, fluffy, and perfectly citrusy, and the tiramisu was creamy and indulgent with a lovely chocolate drizzle. The espresso was smooth with a great crema and paired perfectly with dessert. A special shoutout to our server Manuel, who was outstanding. He was warm, attentive, and made the experience even better. We also loved the small, cozy atmosphere -- it felt welcoming and charming, the kind of place where you want to sit, relax, and enjoy your meal. We'll definitely be back

FOOD POISONING ALERT…read more I'm 8 months pregnant and came here on Mother's Day with my husband and toddler, hoping for a nice family celebration. Unfortunately, it turned into one of the worst dining experiences I've had in a long time. I ordered the seafood linguine special, while my husband had the veal marsala. The seafood in my pasta immediately tasted off -- especially the clams and mussels, which seemed old and likely frozen for far too long. Even my toddler, who normally LOVES seafood pasta at Italian restaurants, refused to take a second bite after trying it. I enjoyed seafood pasta from many other places but could barely finish my food that day. Later that night, I developed severe abdominal pain. At 8 months pregnant, any cramping is terrifying, and I genuinely thought I might be going into labor. After hours of pain coming and going, bloating, gas, vomiting, and diarrhea the next day, it became pretty obvious the food was the cause. Ruined Mother's Day and caused unnecessary stress during pregnancy. I will never order seafood from here again.

What a sweet little spot! The restaurant is cozy and has a very comfortable feel to it. The chef…read moreeven came out to check on us and ensure that everything was tasty. The lobster ravioli and smoked salmon penne were delicious, as was the bread and salad we enjoyed alongside our entrees. Several nice wine options were available at a reasonable price. We ended our dinner with cannolis and tiramisu. The cannolis were not made in house, but the tiramisu seems to be, and was delicious! I highly recommend Zouave!

Always great food. Appetizers, entree, desserts. Went home stuffed with leftovers for lunch for 2…read moredays!!!