No settling in Seattle

Pike Place Market

Attraction | "definite tourist attraction...but still fun"

Quote:

As I was heading down towards the market, it started to rain, in what someone said was a typical Seattle weather. I headed inside out of the rain, and the place was packed with tourists. There are all sorts of shops here from fish, to fruit and vegetable stalls, to second- hand books, to tea and spice shop and touristy shops. Its a colourful and busy place. It has lots of interesting things to see, touch, smell and eat. Lots of the food stalls have free samples of some produce to try and tempt you to buy- but it has to be said that most of the prices reflect it is tourist country. I did buy a few peaches from one of the fruit stands and a muffin in one of the bakeries ( it was a good muffin!) I wasn't...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 5, 2012

Pike Place Market
85 Pike Street
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 682-7453

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Mount Rainier National Park

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Hiking and views"

Views from Rampart Ridge Trail Photo - Mount Rainier National Park, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

Quote:

We arrived on a rather damp evening into Mount Rainier National Park, and headed to Cougar Rock campground. It may have been the end of June, but there were few in the campground, which made it seem so peaceful. Our campsite pitch was under pine trees, and plenty of space around us, with a picnic table. It was a cold damp evening, but unfortunately the wood we bought on the site was damp and didn't burn well at all in the fire pit. The toilet facilties were clean though cold water.Since the night before had been so overcast we hadn't seen Mount Rainier, and got our first glimpse that morning - and we had perfect weather - blue skies and sunshine. Having had breakfast and made picnic lunch ...Read More

We arrived on a rather damp evening into Mount Rainier National Park, and headed to Cougar Rock campground. It may have been the end of June, but there were few in the campground, which made it seem so peaceful. Our campsite pitch was under pine trees, and plenty of space around us, with a picnic table. It was a cold damp evening, but unfortunately the wood we bought on the site was damp and didn't burn well at all in the fire pit. The toilet facilties were clean though cold water.

Since the night before had been so overcast we hadn't seen Mount Rainier, and got our first glimpse that morning - and we had perfect weather - blue skies and sunshine. Having had breakfast and made picnic lunch we headed off to Longmire, and a hike up along the Rampart Ridge trail. It was a nice hike with some good views over Mount Rainier - much of the walk is through forest, firstly with switchbacks up high which then provided occassional glimpses of incredible scenery, and then down including along a wooden boardwalk and a last section with a path parallel to the road. It was a good loop walk that lead us back to Longmire, and we found a picnic table and enjoyed some lunch.

We drove up to Christine Falls and a photo opportunity with the falls throught the bridge, before heading up to Paradise. As we headed higher up the mountain side we saw more and more snow. Then we got up to Paradise and there was some amount of snow. We had a wander into the visitors centre but it didn't impress me, and also seemed really busy. We took photos in the snow and threw a few snowballs.

We headed back down to Narada Falls, with most of us planning to hike down from here to our campsite. There was a steep snow covered section down to the viewpoint of the falls. We had checked out about this trail and we told that it was open and hikable. We presumed that as we continued the snow would disappear as we headed lower...well it did for a bit so we decided to continue. But it got much more worse further down. But is was actually one of my favourite hikes - no-one else was on most of the trail other than at the top and bottom. Walking down along the river in the snow was magical - because it was unexpected. Then reaching the bottom crossing the river we had a view up the boulder strewn river valley up to Mount Rainier peak.

We headed back to our tents and settled down for the night. I did wish that we had more time at Rainier, but the weather rather prevented that. The wet day before meant we decided to delay our arrival to Rainier, and left quicker too due to the weather - but we got one perfect day! And I want to go back ...but probably later than June to really get to enjoy Paradise without all the snow. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 5, 2012

Mount Rainier National Park
55210 238th Ave. East
Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington 98304
(360) 569-2211

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Johnston Ridge Observatory

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Interesting insight"

Damage still seen Photo - Johnston Ridge Observatory, Mount Saint Helens, Washington

Quote:

We drove down from Seattle and as left the main road and started to climb towards Johnston Ridge, the scenery over the river valley was pretty good, and the road itself shows its newness and engineering. It was interesting to see signs that noted the dates of replanted areas of trees and the natural development of other areas affected by the volcanic eruptions.We reached the top, and it was definitely a few degrees colder, and there was still significant amount of snow in June. We parked in the car park, and ate our picnic lunch - not the most appealing place in the carpark. There was a small van in the car park selling a few basic items like hot coffee but no proper food really, so you ne...Read More

We drove down from Seattle and as left the main road and started to climb towards Johnston Ridge, the scenery over the river valley was pretty good, and the road itself shows its newness and engineering. It was interesting to see signs that noted the dates of replanted areas of trees and the natural development of other areas affected by the volcanic eruptions.

We reached the top, and it was definitely a few degrees colder, and there was still significant amount of snow in June. We parked in the car park, and ate our picnic lunch - not the most appealing place in the carpark. There was a small van in the car park selling a few basic items like hot coffee but no proper food really, so you need to come prepared.

We headed up to the visitors centre, and with a break in the cloud we could see Mt Saint Helens. We went into the visitor's centre and there was an admission cost. We watched two films about the eruption of the volcano, with its snow you think it looks so peaceful but in reality it poses great danger if it erupts, such as in 1980. It was an unusual eruption as it was lateral rather than vertical, and outside the visitors centre you can see how this horizontal force felled trees, with the remaining stumps. One of the films was about how the area has redeveloped from the destruction and the ash that fell including how small animals survived in their underground warrens and then were instrumental in turning over soil allowing seeds to grow. Equally the new environment meant different habitats and so different species have thrived.. The second film we watched was about geology, the eruption and how volvanoes are now monitored in order to give better interpretation of seismic data. However, both films ended with the screen rising, and the curtians behind it opening, supposedly to give a view of Mt St Helens, but thick cloud ruined that trick for us!

The rest of the centre has a range of displays. There is a wall displaying those who lost their lives due to the 1980 eruption and some of their stories. There is a large model with lights and audio that explains what happened. They also had some seismic equipment set up, and a mat that you could jump on to see what pattern it would create, as well as examples of seismic activity related to various events.

From the visitors centre there is a loop walk back to the car park - a short stroll with several information boards explaining various things and also a memorial. There are other walks but it had started to rain and so we decided just to head back down the mountain. But is was an interesting and informative visit, and slightly scary knowing that we were heading to Mount Rainier for a few days with is also a volcano in the same range as Mount Saint Helens, but hasn't erupted in recent history, and hopefully not any time soon.

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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 4, 2012

Johnston Ridge Observatory
Spirit Lake Memorial Highway
Castle Rock, Washington
(360) 274-2140

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Smith Tower

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Smith tower..."

Smith to Space Photo - Smith Tower, Seattle, Washington

Quote:

Smith Tower, was Seattle's first skyscrapper which opened in 1914, and remained the tallest building on the West Coast for 50 years. I had limited time in Seattle, and someone earlier in the day had said that the queues for the Space Needle were long, so I decided rather than using my precious time in Seattle standing in a queue I'd choose another option to get a view of the city.I arrived in this beautiful building, which is much more elegant than the Space Needle, but it is a building of its time. I had to wait for a few minutes in the lobby for the elevator, but there are some information boards and also the ornate details are wonderful to look at in this elegant marble lobby. Getting o...Read More

Smith Tower, was Seattle's first skyscrapper which opened in 1914, and remained the tallest building on the West Coast for 50 years. I had limited time in Seattle, and someone earlier in the day had said that the queues for the Space Needle were long, so I decided rather than using my precious time in Seattle standing in a queue I'd choose another option to get a view of the city.

I arrived in this beautiful building, which is much more elegant than the Space Needle, but it is a building of its time. I had to wait for a few minutes in the lobby for the elevator, but there are some information boards and also the ornate details are wonderful to look at in this elegant marble lobby. Getting onto the lift, which is original to the building, I was the only one going up at the time. The elevator itself is a work of art, not like the grey modern boxes, with its brass and copper and even has a glass window that allows you to watch as you climb up to 35th floor, and it is still manually operated. It was sad to see so many empty offices though.

You come out on the 35th floor, in the Chinese Room. There are a few more floors, the building has 42 floors but 35th is the one with the observation deck. The deck is open air, with metal bars for safety and it wraps 360 degrees around the building. It means you can get some great views over the harbour and also the Space Needle. The day I was there there was too much cloud to really see the mountains.

Having wandered around outside, I went to explore the very elaborate Chinese room. Its ceiling itself is incredible made of wood and porcelian. There are hand carved wooden furniture and art work dating to the 17th century. It was apparently a gift from the last empress of China. There is the story that if a single women sits in the Wishing chair she will be married within a year...still waiting to see if that happens!

Interesting, you actually but a ticket not to get up the tower up to go down in the lift. Its about seven dollars, and you get ticket as a souvenir in the style of the postcards made back in 1914 when the observation deck opened, which I thought was a nice touch.

It was nice to enjoy such a beautiful and historic building. The views were pretty good, but the building itself was beautiful. It was great as well as I think I saw four other visitors the entire time I was there, which meant that you felt you had found this private little gem. It also meant that you never felt rushed in enjoying the views or in anyone elses way. It did feel like stepping back into another age when the building was built. Its elegance and style are beautiful even a hundred years later. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 4, 2012

Smith Tower
Pioneer Square, 506 Second Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
(206) 622-4004

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Clarion Hotel Seattle Airport

Best Of IgoUgo

Hotel | "not great but passable for a night"

Quote:

Landed in Seattle airport...made my way down to the shuttle area and rang from the free phone provided there the hotel...the shuttle arrived in 10-15 minutes. There are a lot of shuttles coming and going from parking and hotels so you need to keep you eyes open. Got to the hotel...the two guys on reception were helpful and jovial, and there was no problem with me checking in three hours before the official check-in time of 3pm.Its only a three storey hotel but has two very long wings with what seemed like an endless corridor after a long flight and didn't seem well lit. They also meant they carried noise, which in an airport hotel of late arrivals and early check-outs didn't seem great. Bu...Read More

Landed in Seattle airport...made my way down to the shuttle area and rang from the free phone provided there the hotel...the shuttle arrived in 10-15 minutes. There are a lot of shuttles coming and going from parking and hotels so you need to keep you eyes open. Got to the hotel...the two guys on reception were helpful and jovial, and there was no problem with me checking in three hours before the official check-in time of 3pm.

Its only a three storey hotel but has two very long wings with what seemed like an endless corridor after a long flight and didn't seem well lit. They also meant they carried noise, which in an airport hotel of late arrivals and early check-outs didn't seem great. But it was made worse at 3am when a group staying further up my corridor were running between rooms knocking on doors, slamming doors and shouting...that was the end of my sleep.

First impressions of the room were fine - queen bed, comfy chair, flat screen tv...but the comfy chair was a mustard yellow colour and showed up various stains. The curtains were not the best at blocking out light....which is often a consideration at airport hotels as guests come and go at slightly odd hours.

Then the bathroom - there was a coffee maker and lots of toiletries...but then round the bath I could see lots of hairs and mould. A closer look around the bathroom revealed it wasn't well-cleaned. Then a look around the rest of the room suggested it was a little grubby and its regular cleaning wasn't up to scratch.

After my flight...my first two concerns were coffee and a shower...coffee in the coffee maker was just about luke warm but the shower was disappointing...no hot water...it was barely tepid. I put it down to that it was just after noon but the next morning the temperature of the water was slightly better at a lukewarm stage.

Then came one of the great advantages of the hotel...its a two minute walk to the light rail system. So I jumped on the train and was in Seattle in under half an hour and had a few hours to sightsee.

But with the time change I was getting tired, and decided that instead of eating dinner in Seattle I'd just get something at the hotel. Big mistake, it was definitely charging for convenience and the food was below par...not a good combination...if it had at least been a decent meal I'd have forgiven the higher price...the soup was worse than what I've had out of a packet. It meant they also lost my breakfast trade...it was a cereal bar from a stash in my case. I think I would have been better having dinner out of the vending machine...or taken a walk down to Dennys on the main road below the hotel.

The pool seemed fine but skipped it...and the gym seemed to be reasonable for this standard of hotel but felt so rough after the flight I never went except to check it out.

All in all...it was okay for a night...the reception staff were great but the cleanliness of the room let down the place. I have no problem for a little wear and tear but it has to be complimented by good cleaning which was missing here. The restaurant is better avoided. To be honest if staying near Seattle airport again...I'd try one of the many other options available in preference...but if this was at the right price in comparison to the others, I might well stay again...but not eat there.
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Member Rating 2 out of 5 on July 13, 2012

Clarion Hotel Seattle Airport
3000 S 176TH ST
Seattle, Washington 98188
206-242-0200

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