Today is our full day exploring Seattle! Mom and I got an early start from Burlington and made the drive ack into the city. We listened to an audio book during the drive and time felt like it melted away. We caught a little bit of traffic as we got into Seattle but it was still early and we were able to avoid most of rush hour. We went straight to a parking deck near Pike Place Market to begin the day. We didn’t have a plan so much as we had a list of places and things we wanted to see and the goal of crossing off as many items as possible. 

We wandered around and snapped some photos of the market and various stalls before it all the people crowded in. Visiting on a Monday means that crowds (and cruise passengers) are much smaller but it also means some vendors are not there. We took advantage and perused the seafood, fruit, vegetable, and flower stalls again … the massive sizes and vibrant colors continue to amaze me! One of the lower levels of the market is home to the World Famous Free Range Psychic Chicken and, for $0.50, the chicken will tell your fortune! It is gimmicky in a cute and funny way and my fortune was, admittedly, pretty spot on. 

The weather was beginning to look a little questionable (meaning typical rainy Seattle weather) so we opted to walk from the market to the Space Needle. We purchased double entry tickets for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. The Space Needle queue can get long but the history is told through facts and pictures along the wall which helps pass the time. Arguably one of the most recognized structures in the world, and certainly a Seattle icon, the Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. Following the theme of “The Age of Space”, the tower’s design was inspired by Space Age aspirations. The grand opening occurred on April 21, 1962, and the Space Needle, standing an impressive 605 feet tall, continues to draw travelers to its 520 foot saucer-shaped top for incredible views of Seattle, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. 

The elevator ride to the top is a brisk 40 seconds or so. We walked around the observation deck, taking in the 360 degree views. Obviously, the Space Needle is best experienced on a clear, sunny day but it is worth a stop in any weather. There is a small café at the observation deck though seating is limited. There used to be a restaurant in the Space Needle but it was unfortunately removed during the recent multi-year preservation and renovation efforts, completed in late summer 2018. The Loupe is a bar/lounge offering expensive cocktails and appetizer type food. The best part of The Loupe is the rotating glass floor which offers a never-before-seen downward view of the structure and the surrounding area. Personally, I preferred the restaurant which served good food and had decent prices (a little pricey but not outrageous). The Loupe does not serve during the day but you can walk through the area taking in the views.  Personal preferences for the restaurant aside, it is a worthwhile stop because you can stand on the glass floor and see the structure of the Space Needle base below you! It is a little trippy to have Seattle at your feet but it’s really fun to see! Mom was not a fan of stepping onto the glass floor but I did manage to convince her to sit cross-legged and got a cute picture of her and the ground below. 

Chihuly Garden and Glass is a short walk from the Space Needle and Mom was excited to visit. Dale Chihuly, a Washington native, built an impressive career in the glass world with experiences across the US and internationally. He founded the Pilchuck Glass School in Washington in 1971 and is a leader in the development of glass as a fine art with more than 200 museum collections worldwide. Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases Chihuly’s works including stand alone pieces, indoor installations, and outdoor botanical installations. The scale and bold color choices are incredible to see in glass form and make this a worthwhile stop. The Bar at Chihuly Garden and Glass is a decent lunch stop too, and is a good halfway point when visiting. 

We spent a little more time in the market and were able to see the famous flying fish at Pike Place Fish Market. “One for the YouTube!” We then opted to go back to the hotel to freshen up a bit before dinner. Mom asked for Italian so we found a restaurant called Bistro Baffi Italian Restaurant. The service was good and the food had good flavor though I wish it was served at a hotter temperature. This is a personal, and professional, pet peeve of mine … hot food should be served hot and cold food should be served cold. Watching The Golden Girls in bed was the perfect way to wrap the day and ensure we are well rested for tomorrow’s adventures.