Iconic Seattle Skyline

I’m heading to Seattle for the very first time on Thursday. I’ll be in the city for less than 48 hours, which isn’t a lot of time to explore any major city, but I’m excited just the same. And not just because I’m a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan. Seattle has given the world so many great things, from grunge to computers to overpriced coffee. I’m excited to feel the vibe of the city for myself.

I have a short list of things I’d like to do while I’m in Seattle, including:

• Visit Nintendo headquarters (ok, that one was decided for me when Nintendo invited me out to Seattle)
• Take the requisite picture of the Space Needle
• Watch the fishmongers at Pike Place Market
• Eat fresh seafood (hopefully at Anthony’s at Pier 66)
• Ride a ferry
• Take pictures at The Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park
• Checkout the fish ladder at the Hiram M. Chittenden locks
• Take a free bus ride on Metro Route 99 through downtown Seattle and Pioneer Square

Naturally these are all very “touristy” things to do, but I’m OK with that. I always figure it’s safe to follow the crowd first and then make up your own mind about what’s a trap and what’s popular with good reason.

I also think it’s a good idea to take suggestions from people who have gone before you. So, what say you? What are the must-do and must-see things in Seattle?

Photo Credit

Said the Giving Tree.

Valentine’s Day, in case you didn’t get the memo, is all about romance. It’s about couples courting and expensive ways to say I love you. Also, scoring.

Hey, I’m a romantic.

Turns out I’m not the only one. In a very unscientific study conducted by the bloggers of UpTake we surmised that more wedding proposals take place on Valentine’s Day than any other day of the year. Possible runners-up included Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Birthdays and the Super Bowl. Last on the list were Arbor Day and April, 15.

We, and by “we” I mean “I” because everyone else went on with their lives, decided to make a list of the most romantic spots in America to propose on Valentine’s Day. There are no numbers to back this up and the ranking is based solely on my idea of what everyone else should be doing. I have lots of lists like this.

That said, here they are:  Read More »

A tree grows in Seattle.

Downtown Seattle offers everything you could hope for in a big city Christmas. Just wetter.

In addition to such great shopping as the Nordstroms flagship store, you can catch the monorail over to the Seattle Center (home of the Space Needle), listen to street musicians or ride the holiday carousel. Also, coffee.

Have a great holiday from you friends at UpTake!

World music, cold water and lots of sunshine. Welcome to the International Fountain.

The Seattle Center (in Seattle, WA, duh) is home to the Space Needle, the Center House (home of the Seattle Shakespeare Co.), the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, a fairly shady amusement park and the Pacific Science Center, among others.

Pictured is the International Fountain which was built in 1962 for the World’s Fair. It shoots music timed to a programed soundtrack that is changed monthly.  The fountain is open all year, but the summer months (which in Seattle stretch through September) are all about the kids. Also, naked bicyclists. Seriously.