Six New Seattle Tourist Attractions
May 20, 2013
Bainbridge Museum of Art
On June 14, the Bainbridge Museum of Art will open on Winslow Way, just a short walk from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. The museum is dedicated to local and regional contemporary art—specifically artists from the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. Best part: Admission is free.
Bullitt Center
Tour the Bullitt Center, otherwise known as the greenest building ever, on free excursions led by experts from the Urban Ecology Partnership. Only 20 people per weekday get a peek at the groundbreaking mechanical room and "irresistible" staircase; reserve far in advance by emailing [email protected] at bullittcentertours.brownpapertickets.com.
Corrected 9/19/13 to reflect updated contact information.
Heronswood
Gardeners consider Heronswood Nursery the best garden int he northwest, but the owners, the Burpee seed company, closed the Kingston spot in 2006. Now owned by the Port Gamble S'Kalallam tribe, it's opening for periodic seed sales and tours on July 6 and September 7. Admission to the sale is free, but garden tours have a fee.
King Street Station
It's not new, but it's better than ever: The King Street Station waiting room reopened this spring with some of its original 1906 glory. Now the re-plastered walls and elegant light fixtures match the glory of the exterior tower, modeled on the famous one in Venice's Piazza San Marco.
Sea Shepherd Gallery
The Sea Shepherd Gallery just behind Pike Place Market is operated separately from eco-activist group Sea Shepherd, but it's all about the now-famous organization and Animal Planet's show Whale Wars. The free center includes a retail store and tons of sea charts and wet suits from the campaigns that harass and block Japanese whaling vessels. The gallery is still trying to figure out how to get a Sea Shepherd helicopter into the two-story space. It's open now but will have a grand opening celebration in August.
Emerald City Trolley
The new hop-on-and-off service from Emerald City Trolley includes an onboard tour guide and trips to Ballard, Fremont, the Museum of Flight, and more. Tickets start at $45 for two days, though King County residents can get a one-day pass for $30. Half the vehicle is devoted to outdoor seating, ideal for the trolley's May-through-September season.
