Waterfront Scenes

Enjoy the view from the observation deck of the Smith Tower (pictured), or the tallest building in Washington, the Columbia Tower. The 76th floor women's bathroom was once voted the Best Bathroom in the USA.

Seattle's first skyscraper

Large cruise ships and personal watercraft share the parking

utility cover

I took some of these photos just because I was amused by the artistic flavor of the northwest region. Instead of ordinary utility covers, directional signs, lamp posts, and the like, Seattle designers add a bit of culture.

Waterfront Trolley

Looking back from the pier

On any given day, Seattle's waterfront can offer something different from the day before. Summer concerts, various dining facilities from ice cream and oyster shooters to spaghetti, horse and buggy rides, military ships (U.S. and other nations), shopping at the Pike Place Public Market...the list seems endless. It's a great place to start when you're new or just visiting because you can spend all day and never run out of things to do. It's a good bet that you'll be back time after time.

directional signs

My advice: Park in a lot or garage, and walk. Be prepared with good shoes, I've often started wandering at the waterfront, then ended up taking the monorail to the Space Needle, shopping Westlake Center, or taking a tour of downtown. I almost always end up with fresh steamed clams back on the pier, however.