Go Back to School
Red Naugahyde benches, wood paneling, and blueberry flapjacks. You’re back in your college mess hall after an all-nighter, right? Nope, it’s just Cyndy’s House of Pancakes (10507 Aurora Ave N, Greenwood, 206-522-5100), but since nostalgia for the hallowed halls of education is so compelling, go with it.
After breakfast, book it to the Suzzallo and Allen libraries (206-543-0242; lib.washington.edu/suzzallo) at the University of Washington. If it’s drizzly, great; books (the grand collegiate gothic structure holds children’s literature, natural science research, Pacific Northwest history) and newspapers (daily editions from Singapore, Rome, Calcutta) are never more comforting than in the rain. Librarians will assist nonmatriculated visitors with rare books, world maps, and Ellis Island arrival date databases—so long as frantic sophomores don’t need pointers in the Dewey Decimal system.
Go Around In Circles
Before you leave home, take off your watch and power down your phone. As you make your way to the Centennial Garden and Labyrinth (15 Roy St, Queen Anne, 206-282-0786; stpaulseattle.org) at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, empty your mind. Pause outside the garden and approach the coil—an always-open arrangement of stained concrete inspired by ancient medieval structures—by meditating on a question or studying something you’re grateful for. Or don’t. Walk toward the center slowly, with intent. Notice what you notice. After you reach the center, pause. When you feel that it’s time to move on, it probably is. If it feels futile, let that go; 3,500 years’ worth of circle wanderers can’t be all wrong. Retracing your steps, be aware that the way in is the way out. Some walk for 10 minutes, some stay two hours. There is no right, no wrong, no beginning, and no end.
Bring History to Life
In April 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Seattle’s Japanese community was ordered to take just what they could carry and imprisoned in internment camps. The stuff they left behind filled basements like the one at the Panama Hotel and Coffee House (605½ S Main St, International District, 206-223-9242; panamahotelseattle.com). There, through a window nicked out of the wood floor, aban-doned packing trunks provide a vivid war story. Little ones get down on their bellies to peer inside; pots of earthy oolong and red-bean-paste cookies complete the living lesson.
But your International Saturday need not be all somber and studious; check out the rare fish tanks at Liem’s Aquarium and Bird Shop (511 Maynard Alley S, International District, 206-624-0537), where the Little Shop of Horrors mood provides all the levity needed for exploring the rest of the neighborhood.
Published: November 2009
Hola and Good afternoon
My name is CESAR AUGUSTO PISCOYA ANGELES from PERU.
I am Architect and work in The Royal Tombs of SIPAN Museum here in my city CHICLAYO.
Visiting Seattle some days in march and i want know if can help me and learn about Seattle (buildings, museums,places, parks, etc) architecture and tecnology in the construction.
I want know how much price is this tour or maybe i can help and change information about me work here.
Thank you very much and hope a answer soon.
Greetings
Cesar
Old Thyme Aviation’s okay, but it’s insanely expensive for what they offer. There are other, better vintage ride options around Seattle for much cheaper.