The Space Needle was built in 1962 for the "Century 21 Exposition". A visit to the 184 meter high observation tower is a must. From the viewing platform at a height of 158.5 m (520 feet) you have a magnificent view on Elliott Bay, Lake Union, the skyline of Seattle and Mount Rainier. The Space Needle was the main attraction at the World Fair and quickly became a landmark of Seattle. The tower was built by the architects of John Graham & Company, but the design came from Art Edwards. The idea for the "Space Needle" came from Edward E. Carlson, chairman of the Seattle World's Fair, when he was visiting the Stuttgart TV tower.
At Hamilton Viewpoint Park you will find the best view on the impressive Seattle skyline. The park is situated on a hilltop above the Bay. The perfect place for great panoramic pictures.
Pioneer Square is the historic center of Seattle. There are totem poles of native americans, the Pioneer Building, the Klondike Gold Rush (National Historical Park) and other buildings from the early 20 th century. On Pioneer Square you should visit the famous Elliott Bay Book Company. Below Pioneer Square is an underground shopping street that emerged after the Great Fire in 1889 when the street level was raised by one floor. There was a market, prostitutes, bars and gangsters down here. The city closed this lawless place and the seattle underground was forgotten, until Bill Speidel rediscovered it and stood up for its protection. Today, the Underground Tour is one of the most interesting city tours in Seattle.
Yesler Way/First Ave., Seattle
The new Seattle Central Library was opened in 2004. The building was designed by the famous dutch Architect Rem Koolhaas of OMA.
The "Smith Tower" was erected in 1914. It was the tallest building at the American west coast with a hight of 140 m (427 feet). From the observation deck you can see Down Town Seattle, the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.
Second Ave/Yesler Way, Seattle
The "Columbia Center" is with 286 m (937 feet) the tallest skyscraper in Seattle. The building was designed by Chester L. Lindsey architects. The skyscraper was completed in 1985 called "Bank of America Tower". On the 73th floor, there is the highest observation deck on the west coast. By fine weather conditions, which is rare in Seattle, there is a breathtaking view over the city and the Puget Sound area.
The Seattle Aquarium is home to fish and other marine life from the Pacific and Washington Sate waters. A perfect place for a rainy day. The Seattle Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions in town.
The Pike Place Market was founded in 1907 when wholesalers drove prices up and citizens demanded a market where they could buy directly from the producer. Today, Pike Place Market is considered the most beautiful indoor market in the United States and is Seattle's main attraction. "Flying Fish" to the delight of numerous tourists, the fishmongers throw the fresh fish to themselves. In front of the market is "Rachel", a bronze sow that serves as a piggy bank. Anyone who takes a picture of themselves and "Rachel" should throw some change into the pig. The money is used to support social projects.
The Tacoma Narrows bridge" became famous when the previous bridge collapsed in 1940. (See like to youtube) The bridge twisted more and more due to the cross wind until it finally fell into the water. Since then, bridge models have been tested in the wind tunnel. The bridge leads to the opposite side of the Puget Sound. You can also get to the other side by ferry. The "Tacoma Narrows" lie west of the city of Tacoma and connect the mainland with the Kitsap Peninsula. The two new Tacoma bridges were built in 1950 and 2007. The bridge is about 55 km south of Seattle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw
ads
Welcome to Seattle
Seattle is the biggest city in the state of Washington, with about 650,000 inhabitants. The city is located at Elliott Bay in Puget Sound. Behind the skyline of Seattle rises the volcano of Mount Rainer, with a hight of 4,392 m (14,411 ft). Seattle is known for Boeing, Starbucks and Microsoft. The IT industry has seen considerable economic growth in the recent years.
The most famous attractions of Seattle are the "Pike Place Market" and the "Space Needle".
ads
ads