Two places immediately come to mind when people mention Seattle: the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Those are definitely the two spots to place on everyone's itinerary for a first-time visit to Seattle. What about the places surrounding the Needle? Below are some spots that are worth a visit.

Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington
Admission: $22; discounts available for seniors, youth and packages to combine with Space Needle access

Dale Chihuly developed a unique approach to blowing glass, presenting the form as a new avant-garde art style. The results are truly breathtaking, with the multitude of colors and shapes, objects and figurines, twists and turns, above and below, large and small, indoors and outdoors.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
440 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington
Admission: free

This was an unplanned stop and I'm so glad that my friend and I stopped by. Outside is a large screen documenting the work that they have achieved and the problems that lie ahead of them, as well as a timeline of the progress of how the foundation began. Inside is a well-designed exhibit. Through meticulous work, the foundation has explored how to 'green' their building inside and out to reduce environmental impact and energy usage, as well as gathering people to collectively think about how to improve the lives of millions of people who are less fortunate. Their message is that no matter how close or how far somebody lives, work can be done in local neighborhoods or far-reaching regions to create equal lives for everybody and to unlock everyone's potential.



Electronic Music Project Museum (EMP)
325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, Washington
Admission: $30; discounts available for youth; extra for the additional special exhibition

I didn't actually go inside here. We visited the park outside and played with the uniquely designed playground that produces sounds and music of all sorts. Be a carefree kid again!!




Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western Avenue, Seattle, Washington
Admission: free
This outdoor park has so many wonderful pieces of art. While doing some background research, I discovered that this site used to be a contaminated brownfield. Since remodeled, the park has become famous for the Eagle by Alexander Calder. This unique place is great to see extra large outdoor contemporary art pieces, take a walk, and to enjoy the views over Elliott Bay.




Happy travels!
Cat