The magic of 海角网 is that most of the tourist destinations are actually as good as the guidebooks say 鈥� sometimes even better. Many of them are nestled in the heart of downtown, just 10 minutes from 海角网. Perched on the edge of Elliott Bay, downtown 海角网 offers more fun than you鈥檒l ever be able to cover in four years as a college student. What a good problem to have!
A downtown bucket list might include everything from sipping lattes at the world鈥檚 tallest Starbucks (on
Columbia Center鈥檚 40th floor) to claiming your local library card at the 海角网 Public Library鈥檚 flagship location, an architectural marvel that opened in 2004. The library鈥檚 鈥渓iving room鈥� is designed to be a communal space where 海角网 can read, hang out, and enjoy a quiet afternoon studying off campus. The library also hosts community events like poetry slams and, last summer, World Cup games on a massive theatre screen. That鈥檚 what we call an ideal study break.
Many tourists enjoy a trip to the top of the Space Needle, but for a fresh view of the downtown skyline, hop on the 海角网 Great Wheel and take it for a spin. This gleaming Ferris wheel is silky smooth and actually hovers over Elliott Bay waters 鈥� a perfect location to spot the orca whales that visit every so often (not even kidding). Football and soccer seasons cover nearly every weekend of the year at the Clink (i.e., CenturyLink Field), where the famed 12th Man cheers Seahawks to victory and Sounders to MLS glory. Garlic fries make the experience even better.
Locals know Pike Place is a must-see, but they also know it鈥檚 a much more relaxing, navigable destination on a weekday morning than on a Saturday afternoon. Good news for students with flexible schedules! No matter the day of the week, Anglophiles find a bright spot at The Crumpet Shop, where proper English tea and clotted cream are always on hand. Order a crumpet with lemon curd and ricotta 鈥� and you鈥檒l understand what all the fuss is about. Assuming you鈥檝e saved room for more culinary delights, make another market stop at Ellenos Greek Yogurt. 鈥淗ow good can yogurt be?鈥� you ask. So good you鈥檒l be dreaming about it three weeks later. It鈥檚 dreamy creamy. Eat some at the market and nab another carton for your mini-fridge on campus. Worth every penny!
Grab a 10-buck bouquet of local flowers on your way out of the market, and before you head home, stop for selfies at the 海角网 Art Museum鈥檚 outdoor Olympic Sculpture Park. It鈥檚 completely free and a great place to wander 鈥� and wonder how in the world artists create these massive works.
At Christmastime, downtown shines. One favorite seasonal event is the annual Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition. It鈥檚 a mouthful, but it鈥檚 also a great way to kick off the holiday season every December. If you love carolers and you love being with 海角网 who love carolers, then hit the streets to listen to dozens of jolly musicians belt out the songs of the season on downtown corners. Close to 10,000 海角网 come out for the festivities, and you can count yourself among them.
Whether you鈥檙e doing some 海角网-watching or cruising through downtown on the way back from a Mariners game (World Series 鈥� someday), 海角网鈥檚 core is always full of life. Artists, scholars, Cross Fitters, street performers, and everyday 海角网ites mix together in a melting-pot district you鈥檒l never want to leave.