Top Vacation Destination

Seattle offers some lovely sights and a great deal of bustling urban activity. This port city – incidentally the largest along the Pacific Northwest – is part of the Washington state. Initially known as New York Alki, it came to be known by its current name in 1853. Mainly an industrial town, Seattle is home to well-known technology companies such as Amazon.com, Microsoft, and RealNetworks, to name just a few.

Going around Seattle, you will get drawn into its active urban scape replete with tall buildings and wide boulevards. A microcosm of the bustling urban activity is evidently perceptible in Seattle Downtown’s Pike Place Market. A celebrated icon of the city, this is one of the oldest wholesale markets of the United States where farmers are known to sell their fresh merchandise. Constructed along the edge of a steep hill, you’ll come across fresh fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, also antiques and comic books.

Interestingly, Starbucks Coffee – the international coffeehouse chain – was founded here way back in 1971. Visible from the market are some ancient buildings like the Alaska Trade Building dating back to the early 1900s. Art lovers should not miss going to the Seattle Art Museum where you get to see African, Asian, and Native American works of art. The museum also has two shops where you can buy souvenirs and memorabilia.

If you like browsing bookshops and art galleries, Pioneer Square is a must-visit. You would definitely want to visit the Klondike National Historic Park in order to get a taste of the city’s great history. This marks the famous Yukon gold strike of 1897 when news of gold in Alaska brought thousands here on their way up north. Quite a few stayed back to build the city. There are interesting exhibits here that tell the story of the gold rush of two centuries ago.

There are quite a few things to do in Seattle. For instance, you can go on this wonderful cruise to the Blake Island National Park. Or, you can go on top of the Seattle Space Needle Observation Deck and get a sweeping vista of the city. And how can you possibly miss a trip to the Boeing Factory? It might interest you to know that Seattle used to be the corporate headquarters of Boeing. When you go on this tour, you start by entering the largest building in the world with regard to volume. Once there, you will get to see various versions of the Boeing airplanes in various stages of manufacture.

While in Seattle do pay a visit to the Seattle Aquarium with its plethora of marine life. Chief among the aquarium’s attractions is its underwater dome where you can watch fishes and mammals swim and play. For those with a love of the outdoors, you could travel down to the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville. A tram will take you through 715 acres of land housing all kinds of wild animals including cougars, bears, lynxes and bobcats. You can dismount at the Fir Bough Café for a bite before you resume your journey. And the list doesn’t end here as there’s a lot to do and lots to see. Just take your pick.

Washington District of Columbia or Washington D.C. as it is better known, is not only famous for being the capital of the United States, it is also home to some of the greatest monuments, scenic spots, and a rich culture. When you visit, don’t miss the Lincoln Memorial located in the legendary National Mall. When you enter this stupendous Greek monument, you will be stepping into history. For it was here that Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech in support of civil rights for blacks, “I have a dream…”
Another must-visit is the Smithsonian Institution with its vast array of museums. Founded by the British scientist James Smithson, the Smithsonian museums include the Anacostia Community Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of African Art, among a host of others.

Votaries of the fine arts will never tire of soaking up the visual treats on display courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, The Philips Collection, or the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Culturally well endowed, Washington D.C. is home to the word-renowned Shakespeare Theatre Company as well as the Arena Stage, one of US’ first not-for-profit theatres. Aficionados of music might be interested to learn that the city gave rise to the genre of music known as punk rock. The city’s post-funk music called ‘go-go’ is peculiar to its ethos.

Yet the capital of the world’s number one super power is not simply known for its cultural wealth and history, it has some truly great picturesque sights. On a warm Sunday afternoon, you can go with your family on a picnic to the Constitution Gardens with its 5,000 species of crabapple, maple, dogwood, and oak trees. It is here that you will get to see the Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial.

If, on the other hand, you prefer a spot that is slightly more formal, you should try the Dumbarton Oak Gardens with its rose garden, an English-style country garden, and an imposing bamboo stand surrounding a grand mansion. And, of course, how can you forget US Botanic Garden with its tropical forest and its myriad variety of orchids?
Washington D.C. has some great eating-out joints too. In order to sample something truly exotic, you should visit Chinatown. Or, for some sumptuous chili dogs and great-tasting milkshakes you should go down to Ben’s Chili Bowl.

You’ll also find reasonably priced fare at family eateries such as Brasserie Les Halles, Pizzeria Paradiso, Daily Grill, etc. If you are a seafood fan, you just have to try crab cakes at Philips Seafood on the Southwest Waterfront. You must also sample, at the same time, the absolutely luscious blueberry buckwheat pancakes at the Eastern Market in Capitol Hill.

If Washington D.C. appears enticing during the day, it is no less alluring during night time. Bars in the city are truly inviting some of which include Shelly’s Backroom with its great food and Scotch selections. Other places of nightly interest include Ugly Mug with its enormous selection of beers, and the laid-back and somewhat veiled Dietie’s Tavern. So, go out there and have a great time!