{"id":24658,"date":"2026-03-12T19:41:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T23:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aleta.life\/?p=24658"},"modified":"2026-03-13T09:26:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:26:04","slug":"seattle-for-tourists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aleta.life\/index.php\/2026\/03\/12\/seattle-for-tourists\/","title":{"rendered":"Seattle for Tourists"},"content":{"rendered":"
Position: 47\u00b037’11.7″N 122\u00b021’03.1″W<\/a><\/h6>\n

\"Firefighters<\/a><\/p>\n

About halfway through our dogsit with Gus (q.v.)<\/a>, we figured out that getting to and from downtown Seattle required only a short, inexpensive ride on the West Seattle water taxi. The taxi is run by King County public transportation. As a government-run service over-65s sail for half price. Parking downtown near any tourist site costs a minimum of $25 for a couple of hours. For $10 roundtrip the water taxi is not only less expensive, it is healthier. Landing a stone\u2019s throw from Pioneer Square<\/a>, the historical centre of Seattle, you are immediately encouraged to use your feet rather than a taxi or bus.<\/p>\n

Most of the big tourist draws are within a couple of miles, or about a 30-40 minute walk. Pike Place Market<\/a> with its big neon sign is a mile uphill. Around the base of the Space Needle<\/a>, Seattle\u2019s other iconic landmark another mile away, sits a cluster of museums. Given the prices of admission, we opted for a CityPass<\/a>. A half-price combo ticket gives purchasers access to the Space Needle and the Seattle Aquarium along with three of five other attractions. Options include, the Chihuly Garden and Glass exposition, a harbour cruise from Argosy Cruises, admission to the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), the Woodland Park Zoo, or the Pacific Science Centre. It was all we needed to put our heads down and charge at the attractions full tilt.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Pass Chihuly\u2019s Glass<\/h6>\n

\"https:\/\/files.famousbio.net\/upload\/peoples\/88\/NTM4OA-dale-chihuly-4.webp\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Seattle\u2019s original glass-blowing bad boy, Dale Chihuly<\/a>, probably changed glass artworking more than anyone since Abbott Suger<\/a> a thousand years ago. As sailors we feel Chihuly, having lost an eye in a car accident, looks suitably piractical for an artist who delved into Seaforms<\/a>. It was the loss of his eye and a dislocated shoulder that forced Chihuly to set down his glassblower\u2019s pipe and instead hire people to help him realise his expansive vision for what glasswork could become.<\/p>\n

The Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit sits directly underneath the Space Needle and houses an extensive and permanent display of some of Chihuly\u2019s most representative installations. At about $40.00 for a ticket, this was the catalyst for us to dig deeper and buy a CityPass<\/a> for $139, plus tax. Whatever you pay, the visit is worth the price of admission. The flowing, brilliantly coloured exhibits are instinctively beautiful and engaging. You don\u2019t have to think about Chihuly\u2019s work in order to enjoy it. You can simply experience it by being present and drawing it in.<\/p>\n

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