Seattle has become one of my most frequented places to visit—second only to Sanibel Island. Over the past six years, I’ve visited three times, and each trip brings something new to discover. This time, I had two “basically” solo days to explore while Michael worked at his company’s Seattle office.
Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium is spread across three buildings—historic Piers 59 and 60, and the new Ocean Pavilion. Initially, I hesitated to visit due to the admission price, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much there was to see.
I began at Pier 59, the main entrance, where I was greeted by the 120,000-gallon Window on Washington Waters. This exhibit replicates the seascape around Neah Bay, at Washington’s northwest tip. I watched a diver feed some fish, which was quite fun. Nearby, the Crashing Waves exhibit mimics a Salish Sea shoreline. A word of caution—those waves can actually splash you!
Life on the Edge was next, where I got to touch some of the tide pool creatures native to Washington. As I wandered around, I spotted some familiar-looking glass art—Chihuly’s Puget Sound Forms, specifically created for the Seattle Aquarium. Then came one of my favorites, the Ring of Life, a walk-through habitat filled with luminous moon jellies. But what really stood out was the Giant Pacific Octopus. It was shedding its skin while I watched—a process that only happens every few weeks.
I ventured next to the Pacific Coral Reef Habitat, with its vivid array of colorful fish swimming about. After exploring Pier 59, I headed outdoors to Pier 60. The outdoor walkway offers stunning views of Elliott Bay. This pier is home to the marine bird and mammal habitats, as well as the Underwater Dome. I loved watching the harbor seals swim in their outdoor habitat before stepping into the Dome, where a 360-degree view reveals hundreds of fish from Puget Sound.
The marine bird habitat was also a highlight. The open-air enclosure simulates the rocky shores of Puget Sound. I was especially excited to see the tufted puffins diving underwater! But the cutest mammals stole the show—river otters, fur seals, and playful sea otters. I even got a selfie with the fur seal, which was an unexpected treat.
After several hours at the aquarium, I hadn’t yet explored the new Ocean Pavilion, partly because I kept returning to my favorite spots. After a quick stop at the gift shop, I made my way across the sidewalk to the Pavilion. This building showcases a coral reef ecosystem from the Coral Triangle, featuring mangroves, rays, sharks, and thousands of fish. The most captivating sight was the spotted eagle rays, gracefully gliding around. The Pavilion’s many viewing angles ensured there was always something new to see, and I was lucky enough to catch a diver’s presentation in the tank.
Drinks, Dinner, and Daring Heights with Michael
When Michael finished work, we were able to explore together. First up was Copperworks Distilling Company, where we did different tastings. I opted for the Core Flight, which included Small Batch Vodka, Small Batch Gin, Cask Finished Gin, and Maltsmith Whiskey. Michael got the Whiskey Flight which had the Maltsmith, Farmsmith, Peatsmith and Aquarium Benefit Cask No. 322.
For dinner, we went to Kastoori Grill, an Indian restaurant recommended by my friend Amanda. I ordered the Tandoori Salmon, a flavorful Alaskan salmon dish marinated with ginger and garlic. Michael had the Kastoori Curry Chicken, and both dishes were excellent. After dinner, we took a scenic walk to the pier and rode the Great Wheel of Seattle. The evening was clear, and we could even spot Mount Rainier in the distance.
Salish Sea Tours
The following day, I tried a new cruise company for a one-hour tour aboard a custom-designed catamaran. There were two bars—one above deck and one below. I enjoyed seeing Seattle from the water and listening to the fun, recorded audio tour. They also played music during the cruise, and I ended up dancing by myself on the forward part of the ship. A crew member saw me and gave me some encouragement, which was a nice touch.
Olympic Sculpture Park and Surrounding Parks
After the cruise, I took a long walk to visit Olympic Sculpture Park and picked up two geocaches along the way. Operated by the Seattle Art Museum, the park was a lovely place to stroll through. Later, I found one of the Uber-operated scooters to meet back up with Michael.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
By now, Amber had arrived in Seattle, and as usual, we headed straight for Chihuly Garden and Glass. It’s become our tradition—what’s a Seattle trip without a visit to Chihuly? Even though this was my third time seeing the same exhibit, I’m always blown away by the stunning glass art. We’ve accumulated a lot of photos over the years, but I know we’ll be back again.
Pacific Science Center
Amber and I decided to explore something new: the Pacific Science Center. We started with the Laser Dome, one of the largest in the world, where 10,000 watts of dazzling imagery synced with Disney music filled the space. The show was immersive, and it was fun to hear kids get excited when they recognized a song.
We explored different exhibits with childlike enthusiasm, especially when it came to the interactive elements. Amber's excited anticipation of the dinosaur exhibit earned her a judgmental side-eye from a nearby child. Though that exhibit turned out to be a bit underwhelming. My favorite was Adventures with Sound, where we could "see" and "feel" sound, especially on the laser harp. But the best part was definitely the Pollinator Path—walking through a butterfly room filled with colorful species was pure magic.
Reflecting on Seattle
Once again, Seattle did not disappoint. It’s a city that keeps calling me back, and I already know I’ll return in two or three years. Amber and I first visited on a whim in 2018 to see Tom Hiddleston and Sebastian Stan. In 2022, we came back for Olympic National Park and to show Michael around. Now, in 2024, we made another stop ahead of our upcoming cruise. Who knows what’s next? Maybe a girl’s trip with Beth?
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