WAWeekend: Seattle Sidewalk Tours

I spent several days of our perfect summer being a ‘tourist in my own town’.  I’d catch the METRO bus in Kirkland and a 20 minute ride later, I was in downtown Seattle.

The award-winning Central Public Library Building

Each day, for a week, I’d set out in a new direction to experience the city just as tourists might: on foot. I was researching an article for the Seattle Times. 

The Giant Wheel that towers over Elliott Bayy

I have to say that our “Emerald City” does sparkle in the summer. I was again reminded of many of its amazing features and its quirky ones, as I hiked up and down its hills on sidewalks that lead from city center to Elliott Bay. 

Along my travels, I visited. . .

the International District’s Panama Hotel, made famous in the book, 

“Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet”

the longest continuously operating restaurant in town in Pioneer Square ~

I strolled through parks that stretched along the waterfront ~

I wandered through the vendor stalls at the iconic Pike Place Market.

I took a Public Art walk tour through the heart of town and the Central Library

and, oh so much, more!

Close up view of "The Gum Wall" - yes, it really is a chewed gum wall!

I scribbled notes and drew maps keeping track of where I’d been. Those same hand-drawn maps, when turned over to the creative talents of the newspaper’s production staff were turned into the maps used in the article.

Last Sunday, when the article appeared, we were in Sydney, Australia. A friend’s email alerted me to its publication and thanks to technology I read it while “Down Under”. 

Many of you followed my summer travels as I did the research, so for those who didn’t see the link on TravelnWrite’s FB page, here’s a link to the article:  Seattle Walks.

By the way, if you get to Seattle and need an enthusiastic tour guide, just give me a call!

Have a great week ~ hope you'll come back soon!