It seems that I have made this list a dozen times in the past, and now I need to pick "the best three" this morning and am struggling to recreate the list. So I'm thinking that if I post it here, maybe the list can be reconstructed for future use.

the troll
thousand cranes statue
old curiosity shop
gorgeous gorge (47.808525, -121.833037)
the fountain at seattle center
the waterfall near pioneer square
columbia tower (see the roof of the space needle)
alki beach at low tide
ballard locks (especially when salmon are running)
post alley gum wall
sculpture garden
museum of flight
teatro zinzanni
ferry ride
theo's chocolate factory
the lady washington?
theater (most stages per capita)
seattle public library
throw rocks at microsoft

restaurants:
brazillian steakhouse
best steak: cutters

found this old image

Try not to miss Alki, my friends took me there my very first time in the Seattle area and it was priceless. I would also recommend hitting up Deception Pass that leads to Whidbey Island if you guys have time, the view off those bridges is breathe taking

Edit: Do not leave the PNW without hugging a Madrona! You will thank me for reminding you

volunteer park conservatory and water tower and cemetery
green lake paddle boats
marymoor velodrome races (Fridays at 7:30, I believe)
left bank books
washington park arboretum and japanese garden
beer

beer tasting at Malt and Vine 5:30 to 7:30 tonight. good prefunk for bicycle races.

Go to the cool EMP museum. That's the Experience Music Project.

Pretend your Jimi or Kurt.

Or there's a sci-fi museum there too.

Check out the Avatar exhibit. (I'm probably the only person who hasn't seen the movie.)

Here is a pic of the Fremont Troll in Seattle.

In all the times I've visited the Troll, I have never seen an event like this, but Paul says that Shakespeare, using the Troll as the stage, is awesome!

From this FB photo.

Across the lake and 20 miles East of Seattle is Woodinville, with a few interesting tidbits as well:

The Herb Farm as discussed in Podcast 229 Gourmet Restaurant Experience

21 Acres center for sustainable living and a local food hub - possibly the first composting toilet at a public facility (?) to receive a permit in King County

a tourist's mecca of wineries, meaderies, craft distilleries and craft breweries.

While this might be another opportunity for folks to throw stones at Microsoft things, I just heard about a new museum in Seattle: The Living Computer Museum.



A place for geeks to be sure!

The Beacon Food Forest is a nice stop - as Paul and I talked about in podcast 291.

I was going to add the Beacon Food Forest.
At 7 acres, it is believed to be the largest food forest in the U.S. on public land.
Beacon Food Forest
They even have their own Wikipedia page

If you cannot visit Seattle, here is a short (4 minute) VIDEO (Vimeo)

A few things.

Throw rocks at microsoft.
Glad Left Bank Books made the list

One thing I see lacking and would make a great contrast to the food forest would be a few hours lounging in Gasworks Park. Of course I don't think they let people crawl around on the rusting jagged collapsing metal edifice of industry like they used to when I was a kid.

Visit one of the dozen (and growing) City Fruit urban orchard sites: http://cityfruit.org/programs/orchard-stewards/

Check out Seattle's foray into managing rainwater runoff with swales, e.g. http://www.seattle.gov/util/MyServices/DrainageSewer/Projects/GreenStormwaterInfrastructure/CompletedGSIProjects/110thCascadeProject/index.htm

Go on an edible garden tour, e.g. http://seattletilth.nonprofitsoapbox.com/-community-events/event/389 (July 12) or http://www.sustainableballard.org/events/ (June 28)

Check out some of the p-patch community gardens: http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/locations.htm
Bradner Gardens is my favorite.

Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands: http://seattletilth.org/about/rainier-beach-urban-farm-wetlands

I highly recommend Radiator Whiskey at Pike Place Market. You know, since most visitors like to check out Pike Place at some point any way.

Thanks to Cameron's recommendation, I took my kids to dine on the roasted pig's head there which was divine! Though you have to order/reserve the pig's head (a couple days?) ahead of time.

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:21 Acres center for sustainable living and a local food hub - possibly the first composting toilet at a public facility (?) to receive a permit in King County

Picardo in 2011 may have been even before 21 Acres, though 21 Acres definitely has the edge in terms of scale: http://clivusmultrum.com/news/clivus-news/picaloo-tours-at-picardo-p-patch-seattle/

In the summer, worth the trip north of Seattle is the City of Everett's Jetty Island.

The island has two miles of shallow, warm water, sandy beach. Highly unusual for the entire state of Washington.



As the video explains, you need to call a week ahead of time (+/-) to reserve free tickets for the parks department ferry service out to the island. Though there is a $3 parking fee at the adjacent lot. There is no road or bridge there and the ferries operate seasonally.

paul wheaton wrote:
restaurants:
brazillian steakhouse
best steak: cutters

The Brazilian steakhouse (was Ipanema?) is no longer there, darn it.
Cutter's is right next to Pike Place Market on the waterfront.

The Stumbling Goat is an amazing restaurant with local, organic fare. Pricey though the quality is commensurate with the price.

paul wheaton wrote:
the waterfall near pioneer square

This is aka the UPS waterfall - a nice little downtown oasis.

Sharla took our advice and stopped by the waterfall that is near the gyro place.

Here is another pic:



219 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104


One block to the east is main street gyros



They have a slightly different flavor of gyro. Excellent stuff! 301 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

This is aka the UPS waterfall - a nice little downtown oasis.

That is at the site where UPS began their delivery service.