Seattle is a nice city with many friends. But, as a tourist, what?
Space Needle! The famous silhouette on Fraziers. It costs more than its worth to go up to the observation deck. Capturing the sunset was nice. The romantic can have a some wines or coffees and spend hours surrounded by the bay view. I am, however, on a family-plan. Kids are bored easily with views, no matter how breath-taking they are.
The underground tour is very entertaining. The guide turned a moldy historical artifact into a good story: how early Seattle businesses and government dealt with the simple water-table problems.
Foods are excellent. Elliott Oyster Bar is expensive, friendly, and reasonably tasty. The steakhouse at the hotel is worthy of its franchise name. The Olympic Sculpture Garden consumed a couple of leisurely sunny hours in the afternoon. I cannot imagine being a tourist here during the dark and wet winter days. This June holiday is absolutely agreeable.
The public transportation system is surprisingly well done. All downtown transportation are free. A route 99 runs up and down the water-front without charge. A tunnel that cut through downtown makes buses go faster without congesting the normal traffic. It increases ridership, since they are fast and cheap. The 30-minute ride to the airport, no longer than a taxi, costed only $1.50 per person. Maybe the 9% sales tax is a good deal to get those services.
I must conclude that Seattle is an excellent city for living, but not a tourist destination. Maybe I can fill another day with museums? Or I will just jump off to Banff or Victoria Island?
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