While you may already know that there are many things to do and attractions in Seattle USA and that Seattle is home to many top companies such as Amazon, Starbucks and Microsoft, there are also many attractions that you may wish to visit while you’re here. In this post, we’ll cover the top 8 things to do and attractions in Seattle that you should not miss!
Things to do in Seattle USA
1. Metropolitan Grill Seattle – For the best lava cake ever?!
Located at 820 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States, Metropolitan Grill is famed for its prime beef cuts and this time, Kate made arrangements for us to visit this upscale joint (remember to make reservations to avoid disappointment!) to have a taste of its legendary grills but we left with another recommendation…
The Works Burger – 15 USD (Seattle Metropolitan Grill)8 oz Filet Mignon – 56USD at Metropolitan Grill SeattleChocolate Lava Cake at Metropolitan Grill for 12USD
After having the Works Burger (great tasting American-styled burger btw) and the juicy and flavourful filet mignon, you’d think that we would recommend these at Metropolitan Grill. Well, if you can only drop by for a quick afternoon tea, you MUST try the chocolate lava cake! For details of why we say so, do visit our post covering Metropolitan Grill!
2. Crab Pot Sea Feast – For a “hands-on” experience!
After seeing the recommendation by Adam Richman on Man versus Food, we decided that we HAD to experience the Crab Pot Sea Feast for ourselves. No regrets here. The pictures speak for themselves…
The novelty of eating seafood ONLY with your bare hands at Crab Pot SeattleOur order of the Westport sea feast at the Crab Pot SeattleThe “after math” of Westport sea feast at the crab pot Seattle. All wiped out – every last bit of it!
3. Seattle Underground Tour by Bill Speidel – To know more about the history of Seattle
Seattle Underground Tour started as a conservation effort by journalist Bill Speidel. But because of his style of articulation (usually intertwined with humour and hard truths), the conservation has since evolved into tours of the “underground city of Seattle” today.
In memory of Bill Speidel who revealed the truth behind Seattle Underground ToursHeading to another part of the Underground Tour in SeattleSky light above (Seattle Underground Tour)
We shall not ruin the fun by telling you everything about the tour (which we already did in our post on Seattle Underground Tour by Bill Speidel) but we will tell you this, the Seattle City that we know today, actually re-built upon the former city itself! Why and how? Join this interesting, fun, humorous and informative tour to find out! Yes, it is, in our opinion, one of the MUST DO THINGS IN SEATTLE!
4. Gas Work Park – For the best views of Seattle’s skyline
Besides Kerry Park View Point, you can also check out Gas Work Park for a splendid view of Seattle’s city skyline!
Seattle City Skyline with Space Needle as seen from Gas Works Park
While you’re at it, why not drop by Le Fournil Bakery for some great tasting pastries enroute?
Seattle Attractions
5. Seattle Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass – Seattle’s Top Attractions
Huge glass sculptures at Chihuly Garden and Glass
Both Seattle Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass are iconic attractions in Seattle. If you have the time (and money), these are attractions in Seattle that are not to be missed! Do check out the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle for gourmet food with great views!
6. World’s First Starbucks in Seattle – For a quick touristy shot
Yes, the world’s 1st Starbucks was founded in Seattle and it is located close to Pike Place Market. Do stop by to do a “been there done that” shot of this Starbucks. To ensure that you arrive at the correct Starbucks (there are 2 in the vicinity of Pike Place Market), do check out our post on the World’s First Starbucks in Seattle to find out more!
Entrance of the original (aka very 1st) Starbucks Coffee in Seattle
7. Pike Place Market – To feel the vibe of Seattle!
No other attractions tells of the life and vibe of Seattle more than Pike Place Market, making it one of the must visit attractions in Seattle. Since we cannot show it through mere pictures alone, we decided to video and hopefully you too can experience and feel the vibrancy at Pike Place Market!
Feel the vibe at Pike Place Market Seattle!
8. Gum Wall @ Post Alley – Sweet smell or Disgust?
A side attraction in Seattle near Pike Place Market, would be the Gum Wall @ Post Alley. Whether it is the sweet smell of the gums or the disgusting thought that so many have spat there, it certainly is a sight to behold…
Gum Wall @ Post Alley – An unusual Seattle Attraction
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We hope that you have enjoyed our coverage of the things to do and attractions in Seattle. Don’t forget to check out this post before your next visit to Seattle!
If there is one thing that you MUST do when you visit Seattle, it is the Seattle Underground Tour. The tour was started by Bill Speidel, a journalist who wanted to preserve pioneer square, which was then a run down district on the verge of being torn down for rebuilding. In doing so, he researched and found a series of underground passages which sparked his first underground tour in 1964.
Bill Speidel – The man who started the Seattle Underground ToursIn memory of Bill Speidel who revealed the truth behind Seattle Underground Tours
Since then, petitions and arrangements have been made to use these underground passages to show the “illustrious” history of Seattle to locals and visitors alike. We signed up for the tour and we enjoyed every bit of it. Today, the tour is pretty much based on Bill Speidel’s book – Sons of the Profits (book above), which is also an interesting read.
In this post, we will try to remember everything (as much as possible) that we have learnt during this tour, which was humorous, packed with alot of information and largely entertaining!
About the Seattle Underground Tour
Commencement of Seattle Underground Tour in this pub / tavern
The tour costs $17 for adults for a 75 minutes tour and it all starts in this pub / tavern, next to the counter where you buy your tickets.
If you take a closer look at this picture, you will find 3 portraits – the founders of Seattle. 2 on the top and one (full body) on the extreme left. The top left is Henry Yesler, the top right is Arthur Armstrong Denny and the extreme left with a full body portrait is David Swinson “Doc” Maynard.
So how do they all come together to become the founders of Seattle? For this we have to learn about how they arrived in Seattle in the first place.
Arthur Armstrong Denny. According to our guide Dave, Arthur (the leader of the Denny party) came to Seattle for the cheap lands. During the gold rush era, the government were giving away many acres of land for a measly price and Arthur came here precisely to capitalise on it. When he first arrived, he was pleased with what he saw as there were acres of cedar and fir which he could sell for a profit. But he also wondered to himself why others did not come to claim the land? Well, soon enough, he found out the answer. During high tides, his acres of land quickly reduced to only 8 acres. But to him, 8 acres was still a good deal. So he settled and that place became what we know today as Pioneer Square, the original centre of Seattle.
Henry Yesler. Yesler was a businessman who saw opportunity in the vast fir and cedar that Seattle had. He then built the first saw mill and positioned it such that trees from the hills could slide down the hills right into his mill. This later came to be known as “Skid Road” or “Skid Row”. Because of the tides, Yesler also built his mill such that at high tides, his ships could come directly beside the mill, load up and leave, saving precious time in transportation. With his saw mill, he provided much of San Francisco’s timber needs and became one of Seattle’s wealthiest man.
David Swinson “Doc” Maynard. Doc as he would be referred to during the tour, came from a rich background. He pretty much had success in whatever he did. He bought and sold businesses, was a medical doctor and also provided land to the Denny party. Because of his successes, he decided to try out something new. After hearing about the gold rush of San Francisco, he headed west. Enroute, he treated Catherine Troutman Broshears of cholera but failed to save her husband (what a convenient excuse), came to fall in love with her. Because of their love, Doc diverted from his trail to San Francisco, heading northwest instead to Seattle.
Introduction to the city’s sewage problem – lowlands of mid town seattle (extreme left picture)
If you take a look at the picture on the left, you’ll realise that right in the middle of the town, it was the lowest point in terms of elevation. Remember the tides we talked about earlier? These tides actually came in twice a day. What this meant was that, due to the poor sewage system (more like non-existent sewage system), the tides would bring out the sh#$ twice a day – Yay right? NO! The tides would also bring back the sh#$ twice a day, known as Tacoma’s Revenge!
The rich people like Yesler didn’t really cared about the condition because his mills (and ships) continued to move off on time, everytime the tides came! In addition, the rich people (who could do something about it) usually lived on top of the hills. When they did their “business”, it would be brought downhill through a gravity-pulled wooden sewage system. Guess where that sh$% went? Again to the mid town!
So one day, hope came in the form of this…
Thomas A Crapper’s Flushing System
Much to contrary believe, Thomas A Crapper (Yes, his real name – that’s where the word “crap” came from we think) did not invent the flushing system. But he did improve it and made many modifications to it, having 9 patents to his name which made him very rich. When the flushing system finally arrived in the West Coast (ideas and products then usually takes about 10 years to move from the east coast of USA to reach the west coast), people thought that their sewage problems would magically disappear, they couldn’t be more wrong. After opening the boxes, they realised that the system doesn’t work by itself, it will still need to be connected to a sewage system. Guess what? It was connected to the wooden sewage system (mentioned above), throughout town. Sh#@ geysers started to appear throughout town! Turns out that pressure from the top of the hill and pressure from the tides caused pressure to be built up so much so that if you’re unlucky, when you flush one of the Crapper systems, the crap would literally explode before you!
Yet all these did not cause the people to want to redesign the city until the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 forced their hand…
The Great Seattle Fire of June 6, 1889
On a hot summer’s day in June 6th, 1889, John Bach, who was working in a carpentry shop, overturned a hot pot of glue and started the Great Seattle fire of 1889. To make matter’s worse, there was a paint shop next door and they tried to use water to put out the fire. If you do not know, this was a class B fire (flammable fluid) which if you used water, would spread the fire even more! So on that day, the entire Seattle was burnt down and this in one sense, forced the people of Seattle to rebuild the city on higher ground.
Left – Great Seattle Fire of 1889 wiped out the city of SeattleInside the Underground Tour – mainly left as it was when Bill Speidel found it
Rebuilding of Seattle on higher ground – The creation of “Underground Seattle”
After the fire, the city administration decided to rebuild the city upwards – on higher ground. The plan was to take 8 to 10 years to complete. However, the merchants wouldn’t have any of that. In fact, they rebuilt their shops at the original location within a short span of 3 years. So then, you would imagine that there are some parts of the city on the original lower parts and newer parts of the city on the hills…
Notice the wall behind Dave – Seattle Underground Tour
So in this picture, you will see Dave on the right with a wall behind him. You will have to imagine this…
1. The original street was where everyone’s standing. This is also the original store front where the merchants rebuilt their shops.
2. Above the wall behind Dave, the other parts of the city have begun rebuilding so you will see that there’s a disconnect between the old city and the new city.
The people of Seattle thought. “Hey, no problem, we’ll just place ladders on these walls to connect the old part of the city and the new!”
What a “brilliant” idea!
As a result…
1. Power Shopping. You could be shopping on the main streets of the old town and once you’re done, you’ll climb up these ladders to the top of the walls to go home to the new part of the city! Talk about “Power Shopping!”
2. Dead while Shopping. From the top of the walls, some barrels would be delivered on the streets above. And sometimes, these barrels fell from the top of the wall, right smack into the main shopping street. People sometimes just “go” when the barrels fall. So you literally have to watch out for barrels when you shop!
3. One-step Programme. Sometimes at 2am in the morning, after leaving the pubs drunk, some of these drunkards would walk to the edge of the wall and fall 35 feet and plunge to their deaths! Talk about a “one-step programme” to quit drinking…
So to stop all these, shop owners decided that they will have to be connected to the higher part of the city. So I-supports and arches, like the one you see in the picture above, joined the wall to the buildings. Some owners also started to have 2 separate store fronts. One at the lower level, the original entrance and a second one at the second level in anticipation for the connection to the higher levels.
If you realise, in doing so, the “Underground” was created!
And now you see that the Underground Tour is not a tunnel that was dug out. It was a rebuilding of the city upon itself that created these underground walkways!
Heading to another part of the Underground Tour in SeattleSky light above (Seattle Underground Tour)
To allow natural sunlight to enter the “Underground passages”, sky lights such as these were sprinkled throughout the city. But because it was constructed with manganese, some of these started to turn purple and rendered it useless. The other interesting that you might want to know is that because of the building and rebuilding over the city, if you take a plan view of the city, it really resembles that of a giant waffle – compartmentalised. This explains why we had to move out of this part of the underground, go above ground and enter another part of the underground, simply because they weren’t directly connected anymore.
Seattle’s Rat Plague of 1907
In the early 1900s, a rat plague started to emerge in the underground passages of Seattle. It started to get out of control and the administration decided to pay 10cents to each rat tail that was given to them. Guess what?
Children started to rear rats in order to claim the bounty of 10cents! Such entrepreneurship! Seattle is afterall the home of Amazon, Microsoft and Starbucks!
So in 1907, the underground passages were shut down in a bid to control the rat plague.
What really went on in Seattle’s Underground
A side story came up during our tour…
Our guide Dave (of Seattle Underground Tours) was humorous and knowledgeable – Thanks Dave!
A population census was conducted on the population of 25,000 then. Of these, 2500 ladies declared their profession as “seamstress”. This was quite unusual for a town of miners and loggers. Alot of “mending” must have taken place.
So they sent a group of investigators to find out the truth and after 2 months of “exhaustive research”, they found out that this group of ladies were not really seamstress and there was not a single sewing machine to be found!
Mdm Lou as seen in this picture – no one’s sure if its her though
In comes Lou Graham, better known as Mdm Lou. She owned the best parlours in the city of Seattle. She was a successful businesswoman who had a keen eye for investments. This made her really really rich. In fact, after she died, she donated all that she had to public education. Even in today’s terms, after adjusting for inflation, her donation is still the single largest donation ever in Seattle! But the sad thing is that not a single school in Seattle is named after her.
At this juncture, Dave introduced about the “Underworld Tour” which is only meant for adults. We did not go for that. But we were told that “advanced stitching techniques” would be discussed in this tour. Do tell us about it if you have attended!
Naming of the City of Seattle after Chief Seattle
Dave told us that if we could only remember one thing from the tour, it was how to pronounce Seattle. Remember Doc – one of the founding fathers above? Turns out that he had a personal relationship with Chief Seattle who was the chief of the Suquamish tribe. Doc then lobbied for the city to be named after Chief Seattle.
The actual way of spelling Chief Seattle’s name is Si’ahl and the actual way to pronounce it is Siak! You will have to pronounce the “ke” with your tongue rolled up as though you’re about to spit. Ghosts were also briefly discussed on this tour and suddenly, the air started to fill cold…
Entrance to our first underground area at door 115 for Seattle Underground ToursMore underground areas seen during Seattle Underground Tours
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The Seattle Underground Tour is definitely something that you must do during your visit to Seattle. It is entertaining and packs alot of information which allows you to understand the city that much better. If there’s one thing that YOU MUST DO in Seattle, it must be the Seattle Underground Tour!
Space Needle Seattle and Chihuly Garden and Glass are probably one of the biggest attractions in Seattle. However, we did only a “been there done that” as we were late for Chihuly Gardens that day and there was a queue for the restaurant at Space Needle. Nonetheless, this post will give you an idea of how a visit to these attractions would be like should you be visiting them in Seattle.
Seattle Space Needle
The Seattle Space Needle
The Seattle Space Needle is probably Seattle’s most significant landmark. As we drove towards Kerry Park Viewpoint, it was the most obvious sight as we took in the city skyline…
Kerry Park for views of the Seattle Space NeedleView of Seattle City Skyline and Space Needle from Kerry Park Viewpoint
Video taken from Kerry Park Viewpoint
The observation deck, located 520 feet (158.5 metres) above ground, gives a splendid view of the city of Seattle. Tickets costs $11 (for general admission), $17 (for 2 visits within 24 hours) and $21 for both Chihuly Garden and Seattle Space Needle. The other way to visit the observation is through the Skycity Restaurant – though there is a minimum charge of $35 per pax. Opening hours for the observation deck and Skycity Restaurant is as follows
Chihuly Garden and Glass is founded by Dale Patrick Chihuly. He was born in Tacoma Washington in 1941 and is considered a master for glass sculptures, especially in the realm of HUGE glass sculptures.
Huge glass sculptures at Chihuly Garden and GlassAnother view of Chihuly Gardens and its “greenhouse”
Chihuly’s influences are far and wide. Even in Singapore, there’s a restaurant named Chihuly Lounge at Ritz Carlton, seeking inspiration from his works.
To round up the evening, we took the mono rail from Space Needle (by the way the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens are within walking distance of each other) to Westlake Center. There are only 2 stops on the monorail, one to the city center and the other at the Space Needle. A one-way ticket costs $2.25 while a return ticket costs $4.50. We took a one-way ticket to Westlake and had dinner at the food court…
Monorail from Seattle Space Needle to Westlake Center (Downtown Station)Inside the Monorail where the cashier is and tickets can be issuedNot too man people taking the monorail ehArriving at Downtown Station – the one and only stopFood Court at Westlake after alighting from the monorail
At the food court, we went to the noodles stall and ordered the hor fun with satay sauce. Sounds strange doesn’t it? But it was a surprisingly good combination. The hor fun had a springy texture while the satay sauce was quite close to the taste back home, slightly on the creamy nutty side. Shiok.
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We hope you have enjoyed this little account of our visit to the main attractions in Seattle and do let us know if you have any insights to these attractions!
The world’s first Starbucks is located right in the heart of Seattle, opposite Pike Place Market. However, many a tourist alike, often gets confused on which is the actual original Starbucks. This is because there are actually 2 Starbucks opposite Pike Place Market! This post will equip you, our dear readers of 2bearbear.com, so that you’ll be the smart tourist when you visit Seattle to hunt down the very first Starbucks in the world!
But first, we’ll play a little game and introduce you to these 2 Starbucks, while you decide which is the real “slim shady” yah?
Starbucks 1 Opposite Pike Place Market Seattle
Starbucks adjacent to Pike Place MarketCrowded Starbucks adjacent to Seattle’s Pike Place MarketChalk board writings as menu (Pike Place Market Starbucks)Venti Pike Place Reserve – Starbucks coffee that is only served at Pike Place Market’s Starbucks
Starbucks 2 Opposite Pike Place Market Seattle
Entrance of the original (aka very 1st) Starbucks Coffee in SeattleInside the first starbucks coffee of seattle
An interesting story before revealing which is the World’s first Starbucks in Seattle
At Starbucks 1, there was an interesting story that happened. We were wondering outside this Starbucks and thinking to ourselves if it was the real deal. There were many people outside taking photos and there was a plaque (though we did not read in detail) which sort of indicated to us that this should be it. Inside Starbucks 1, there was a REALLY long queue, about 15 people in line – yet another indication…
So just before we went in, we decided to approach a couple, who was also taking pictures outside, to confirm that this was the world’s first Starbucks.
Enthusiastically, they said “Yes!”
So we joined the queue of 15, ordered a Pike Place Reserve and headed out of Starbucks 1. But as we walked outside Starbucks 1, along Pike Place Market, we CHANCED upon Starbucks 2. By now, you should already guess where this story is heading right?
Yup, Starbucks 2 is the real first Starbucks in the World!
We should have guessed really. Businesses usually start with humble beginnings and Starbucks 2 reflected that. There’s perhaps only a couple of seating area and is mainly for people on the go. A different concept from Starbucks of today, where they are really selling a lifestyle, a place to sit, to catch up with friends, to see and to be seen.
The original Starbucks on the other hand, started out as coffee bean roasters and traders. Brewed coffee was merely samples then.
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So there you have it! With this piece of information, we hope that you’ll be the smart traveller and not be confused, as you do your search for the first Starbucks in the world – located in Seattle WA, USA @ 1912 Pike Place Market!
Seattle’s Pike Place Market is the main tourist attraction in Seattle. After walking through the market, we’re not sure what’s there to introduce really. But it’s just the vibe and the feel that you’ve got to be there to enjoy the sights and smell! And because we can’t depict the sounds through mere pictures, here’s a video that show’s the bustling Pike Place Market in Seattle!
Facade of Seattle’s Pike Place Market
View of Pike Place Market, Seattle Great Wheel and the Bay from Inn at the Market’s Roof Top GardenPike Place Market at Night
Feel the vibe at Pike Place Market Seattle!
Map of Seattle with Pike Place Market in the background
Fresh produce at main level of Pike Place Market Seattle
Seattle’s Pike Place Market has a mission for customers to “meet the producers”. Hence, the first level are filled with shops that sells fresh produce, flowers and also the freshest catch of the day (Pike Place Fish Market) which can be delivered to any part of USA within 24 hours!
Fresh sea food at Pike Place Market SeattleFlowers sold at Pike Place MarketFresh produce of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables at Pike Place Market Seattle
There are also shops where you can grab a bite and enjoy some local flavours. Restaurants include The Pink Door,Place Pigalle, Steelhead Diner, Matt’s in the Market, Le Pichet, Café Campagne, Marche, Maximilien and Il Bistro and if you’re here during the day, there are even more places from which to choose. Sometimes it’s fun to eat while you stroll through the Market. Locals call this “Market grazing.” You stop from place to place. You can get a piroshky, then a hom bow, then a gyro, then a crumpet….
Seattle Bagel Bakery Pike Place MarketWe had the Calzone (6USD! SO EX!) with view of the ferris wheel in Seattle
Shops at the Lower Levels of Pike Place Market
On the lower levels (you’ll understand the concept of ‘lower levels’ once you read our post on Seattle’s Underground Tour), there are quaint little shops that sells a variety of stuff such as comics, magazines, art, music and little craft shops…
Old Seattle Paper Works which has covers of Life MagazineAnother view of shops at the lower levels of Pike Place Market
Around Pike Place Market – The Original Starbucks Cafe aka The World’s first Starbucks Cafe
Diagonally across the road, you will be able to find the Original Starbucks Cafe which started right here in Seattle! But here’s a funny story to tell…
While we were searching for the location of the original Starbucks, we chanced upon this one…
Starbucks adjacent to Pike Place Market
There were lots of people around taking photographs of it and the entrance with that signage looks as though this might be it. PLUS, we approached a couple taking photos of it whether this Starbucks is the original Starbucks.
They said “Yes!”
So with much excitement, we entered and the crowd inside confirmed for us that “This must be it! Let’s grab a coffee from the original starbucks!” And so we ordered the Pike Place Brew…
Crowded Starbucks adjacent to Seattle’s Pike Place MarketChalk board writings as menu (Pike Place Market Starbucks)Venti Pike Place Reserve – Starbucks coffee that is only served at Pike Place Market’s Starbucks
As it turns out, THIS WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL STARBUCKS! The couple we approached were equally lost!
This, is then the original starbucks cafe that started in Seattle
Entrance of the original (aka very 1st) Starbucks Coffee in SeattleInside the first starbucks coffee of seattle
Well, the truth is, even this is not the original starbucks. The original starbucks was located at 2000 Western Avenue from 1971–1976 and was since relocated to this current location at 1912 Pike Place Market.
BUT they only started to brew coffee here. So technically, 1912 starbucks (not the year it started) is the original starbucks that brewed coffee!
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