Alki Beach is a real treasure out in West Seattle. The 135.9-acre park includes 2.5 miles (4.02km) of beachline, the Alki Bathhouse, a monument commemorating the arrival of the first white settlers in 1851, and a picturesque view of Seattle. Enjoy the sand and smell of salt water, capture the mountain range-framed city, and explore tide pools. If you don’t make it to West Seattle often, this can also be a great excuse to check out the area.
Alki Beach Park, 1702 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA, USA, +1 206 684 4075
The Seattle Center hosts two IMAX movie theaters with ticket profits supporting science education throughout the state of Washington. The PACCAR IMAX Theater, built in 1979 and renovated in 2011, offers a 35-foot-high (10.67 m) and 60-foot-wide (18.29 m) screen. Used as a theater as well as a lecture hall, it can seat between 218 and 321 people.
The Boeing IMAX Theater is Seattle’s biggest screen at 60 feet (18.29 m) high and 80 feet (24.38 m) wide—that’s a six-story-tall screen. The 373-seat theater has a 14-speaker sound system that is tuned daily. Go on and indulge in your city’s most sensational cinematic experience.
Pacific Science Center IMAX theaters, 200 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA, +1 206 443 4629
In Seattle, museums are interactive. Beyond the “no-touching” museum etiquette, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is an experience that engages audio, visual, and tactile senses. Their Sound Lab is a cool place to jam out. Instruments including guitars, drums, mixing boards, and keyboards are available as well as 12 soundproof rooms. Guests can take automated lessons or opt to explore on their own. The Jam Studios even allow people to record their music. “MoPOP provides the tools; visitors bring the creative spark.”
Museum of Pop Culture, 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA, +1 206 770 2700
Nordstrom started in Seattle in 1901 as a shoe store on Fourth and Pike called Wallin & Nordstrom. Over the years, ownership was passed down through the generations of Nordstroms and expansion turned the original location into the company’s Seattle flagship store. In 1963, the flagship store moved to Fifth and Pine. That means that technically the current downtown Seattle Nordstrom location is two blocks away from the original Nordstrom location. Conceptually, however, people can still shop at the original store—or the evolved version of it that flourished into a 100-year-old international chain.
Nordstrom Downtown Seattle, 500 Pine St, Seattle, WA, USA, +1 206 628 2111
As a green city, Seattle is indeed a promoter of bike usage with bike lanes and bicycle options on public transportation. Though the most recent public bike-share program has closed, the city is testing out some privatized bike-share programs. The pilot will last through the end of 2017. Between then and the official implementation of the companies’ programs (or if they never take root), there are also some stores from which people can rent bicycles. Ride around the city without worrying about parking or cross the 520 bridge to stop for a picture of Mt. Rainier. Whatever you do, just be prepared for the hills!
The Seattle Pinball Museum—does anything else need to be said? The merely seven-year-old museum features over 50 games, which change regularly, from as early as 1934 to the present. The best part? Once you pay admission (no more than $20), you can play the games—all day. Though this is an exciting place to get sucked into on your own, it can also be rented out for events.
Seattle Pinball Museum, 508 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA, USA, +1 206 623 0759
