Function is the key in renovating the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. Visitors are not going to notice much of a change after this four year renovation project is complete with most of the changes focusing on updating the public market’s core infrastructure to take it through its next century. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have been updated and important historic buildings are benefiting from improved seismic stability. Continuing work will improve accessibility to the market with three new elevators and an extensive bathroom remodeling procedure.

Known as “The Soul of Seattle,” Pike Place Market was originally brought to life on August 17, 1907 when farmers brought their produce directly to the people of Seattle who showed up in overwhelming numbers. The farmers’ goods were sold out by 11:00 am thus beginning a supply and demand market that opened its own building with every space filled by the end of that first year. Today, the market is internationally known as America’s premier farmers’ market housing over 200 year round businesses.

“The Market,” as it is known by the locals, pulls in nearly 10 million visitors a year to enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment provided by street performers and musicians. The Market remains open during the renovation and with Phase II of IV wrapping up this month many businesses will be relocated back to their original locations and seasonal vendors returning. Heritage Tours also continue during construction and are offered daily each weekday but must be scheduled in advance. See The Market Foundation for more information on tours that will illustrate The Market in a way many visitors never get to see.  

To get the full experience of The Market, we recommend a multi-day visit. While touring Seattle, stay only minutes from all the shopping and entertainment at Hotel Five, one of the premier hotels in Seattle. With plush mattresses and linens, a breakfast and lunch café, business traveler amenities, and a well-equipped fitness center, Hotel Five is centrally located to be your home away from home while visiting the historic Pike Place Market and the vibrant city of Seattle, Washington.

Pike Place Market photo made possible by Creative Commons.

Welcome back!

Spring is in full swing and so is Seattle Mariners baseball season!  The 35th year in franchise history and only the twelfth year at Safeco Field the Mariners have started off the 2011 season with losing yet promising record. Whether you are an avid Mariners fan or simply a fan of baseball, Safeco Field in Seattle combines sweeping views of the downtown skyline and breathtaking sunsets over Puget Sound with excellent views of the game from all angles that are sure to impress.

Field tours are available at this 19.59 acre outdoor baseball park that includes real grass and a retractable roof. Tours run year round with two tours daily (except Mondays) during the winter months. Three tours run daily during the baseball season except on day-game days. Bring a group of 20 or more to schedule a private tour at a discounted rate. Or bring a child on a birthday tour for access to the Seattle Children’s Playfield, party favors and gift from the Mariners in addition to the tour.

If you are booking a group or company party for 25 or more people, why not take them out to the ballgame? Enjoy group benefits like a scoreboard welcome, discounted tickets, comp tickets, on the field photo and group first pitch! You can organize all the days’ events and send invitations to your group through the Mariners Group Manager online.

A trip to Seattle’s Safeco Field would not be complete without an evening or weekend spent exploring the rest of downtown. Great shopping, dining, museums and the Seattle Space Needle are all family friendly activities to explore. Of course you’ll want to stay near all the action in Seattle’s Watertown unique urban hotel. The hotel offers over 120 modern hotel rooms with amenities that include premium bedding, flat panel televisions, Aveda bath products, free wireless internet, microwave, refrigerator and a coffee maker. A complimentary breakfast, meeting space with business amenities and convenient location to Seattle’s top attractions make this hotel the perfect stop for your group, family, or business travels.

Lynnwood Washington is one of those towns that is perfect for visiting, no matter what you enjoy doing while traveling.  Offering a small town setting within minutes of some of Washington’s largest cities and best outdoor activities, there is no shortage of fun things to do while visiting!

Here are our Top Ten Lynnwood Area Activities:

• Seattle - Located just 20 minutes north of Seattle, Lynnwood is our favorite (and most convenient) destination for exploring the North Puget Sound area.  A comfortable alternative to staying right downtown without being isolated from the conveniences of city life.
• Wine Country - Does this really need explaining?  The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the country’s most popular wines.  Explore local wineries and choose your favorites to take back home with you!
• Delectable Cuisine – Offering over 100 restaurants, Lynnwood provides a variety of amazing dining options.  The only frustration you’ll have is deciding which places to eat at while visiting, and which ones save for your next trip!
• Great Shopping - The only thing that Lynnwood offers more of than dining is shopping!  The most popular place in town is Alderwood, an impressive combination of indoor mall and outdoor shopping village.  Explore top name department stores along side exclusive boutiques and specialty shops.
• Ferry Rides - A relaxing and scenic way to explore the Puget Sound, and a favorite mode of transportation for both visitors and locals alike!  Hop on the ferry and choose one of the many island communities to explore.
• The Great Outdoors - Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for a rush or prefer a quiet picnic in the park, the area has amazing outdoor opportunities!  Some favorite activities include golf, hiking and biking trails, white water rafting, whale watching, fishing, and beach combing.  Choose your favorite and get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather!
• Festivals - Lynnwood is home to hundreds of events throughout the year.  Choose your favorite and plan your travel around it!  Offering everything from agricultural tourism to music festivals and athletic tournaments, you’ll find something for everyone on your visit to the area.
• Heritage Park - Experience Lynnwood’s history at Heritage Park.  Featuring structures and history from the area’s original Alderwood Manor, guests can tour the park and learn about the town’s beginnings.
• The Arts -  Offering cultural opportunities such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Imagine Children’s Museum, and the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle area is home to a wealth of performing arts.  Whatever type of art you prefer, you’re sure to find something you love!
• Relaxation - Looking to just get away from it all while on your vacation?  Lynnwood is the perfect escape for rest and relaxation!  Without the hustle and bustle of the city to distract you, you can enjoy beautiful scenery, friendly faces, and comfortable accommodations without ever leaving town.

What is your favorite thing about the Pacific Northwest?  We’re thinking it is time for a visit, we’ve got a list of things that we’d like to do!

I’ve never been kayaking. I really want to go – but around my home in Colorado the only opportunities are in the rivers…which – in my opinion – are best navigated in a very large rubber raft with lots of cushion. I’m not sure it’s safe to be kayaking around these rocks and fast water through-fares.

I was looking at some information on sea kayaking..thinking this would be a better introduction to kayaking – calm coastal waters and bays…marine wildlife – no rocks or class-5 rapids.  It looks like there are a few places that are great choices.  Monterey Bay, Ogunquit Maine, or the San Juan Islands in Washington.  I dug deeper into the San Juan Islands idea, as the pacific northwest is my favorite place to vacation.  I found a ton of information and opportunities for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

The one drawback to this plan seems to be the presence of Orcas…you know…KILLER whales?  Could it be safe to float around in a tiny tiny boat when one could just swallow the whole shebang?  After much web-surfing..I found no accounts of tourists being killed by whales while kayaking.  It must be pretty safe.

There are quite a few online resources for the San Juan Island kayaker – and outfitters who cater to the tourist-types.  GoNorthwest has a pretty information-rich section and there are some outfitters with really great websites that list trips, times, dates & rates.  Check out San Juan Kayak Expeditions, Outdoor Odysseys, or Discovery Sea Kayaks.  Some operators offer day trips and some offer island exploration tours that range from 2  to 4-day adventures.  Prices seem to vary greatly – along with inclusions in each package.

I was advised to look for the Whal Watch Operators Association Northwest logo on any operator’s website.  This means the operator has agreed to adhere to proper wildlife viewing standards, provide trained naturalists, and promote responsible stewardship of the whale populations in the San Juan Islands.

While you’re in the area – lodging options are varied.  If you’re looking for deals try Friday Harbor and the Bird Rock Hotel.  They offer San Juan Island getaways packages that include kayaking, room & even a dining credit.  Check their website for details.  If you’d like something a bit more private – try a vacation rental from Windemere San Juan Island.

It’s a given you’re going to have an amazing time in the San Juans – and it looks like kayaking is the perfect way to experience the rich history, calm waters, dark forests and abundant wildlife.

Only by ferry or seaplane can you access the beautiful San Juan Islands and that is what makes this destination so special and pristine. The San Juan Islands are made up of Lopez, Orcas, Shaw and San Juan Island. Orcas Island to many is home to the mighty killer whale and one can watch them cruise the shoreline either by sea kayak and sometimes from land. Lopez Island is the most rural of the three major islands and offers the visitor frequent viewings of bald eagles, otters, seals and the orca whale. Shaw Island is definitely the quietest of all the islands offering the visitor a primitive environment where one can totally detach from reality and let go.

San Juan Island is one of the more popular islands in that the whale watching is a usual event and therefore attracts droves of visitors every year. The ferry will stop at Friday Harbor where one can obtain San Juan Island special lodging packages and take advantage of the walk-friendly town. Dining in Friday Harbor is a pleasurable experience with local cuisine and fresh seafood which always pairs well with local wine. Art galleries and shops adorn the harbor streets as well as rental outfitters waiting to guide you to their mecca of wildlife. Sea kayaking, birding, hiking, biking, fishing, beach-combing and scuba diving can all be done here. San Juan Island is home to the Whale Museum which educates visitors on the orca whale of which there are approximately 90 in the local waters.

With mountains flowing into the sea a visit to the San Juan Islands can be the highlight of your year’s travels.