Been to Seattle before? Or, its your first time, but you don’t want to go to any of the beaten-track, touristy places? You’re in luck. Seattle has a motherload of ‘underground’ attractions. And we’re not talking The Underground Tour; although that is an institution in itself and I highly recommend it. Start your unique trip to Seattle with a ghost tour. Not the ones in the phone book, mind you, the real ones. I recommend Private Eye Tours www.privateeyetours.com. Featured on this ghoulish trip (in a blood red van, no less) is Maynard Alley, located off of 7th Ave in Chinatown. This is the location of the infamous 1983 Wah Mee Massacre. The Wah Mee Club was a gambling establish- ment that became the unfortunate site of a robbery and mass murder. Some of its victims are said to still ‘inhabit’ the place. Just steps away from the now boarded-up club, in the same alley, is a little-known Chinese pet shop you simply must experience. Words cannot describe is weirdness and charm, so you’ll just have to go see for yourself. Take a walk around Lake Union. Well, maybe not all the way around it, but the south end houses many upscale yachts. There’s a small museum with many cool and historical boating artifacts, and if you’re lucky, you can watch the locals carving wooden kayaks. I’ve found the people here to be very friendly and full of information. For a small fee they will even offer you a boating lesson. For varied night life that’s good on the budget, with minimal walking, take advantage of the Pioneer Square Joint Cover Deal. $10.00 will take care of the cover charge into a number of bars (some with live music) on Friday and Saturdays. Not bad when you consider paying over $50.00 total to get into the same bars otherwise. If your budget is low in the food department, not to worry…you don’t have to eat lobster and crab cakes every night (or at all). This city abounds in diverse culinary choices, many of them cheap. If its burgers and fries you like, go down to the waterfront, where $6.00 will get you a large, home-style burger and a generous portion of fried potatoes (sure, call them French Fries, if you must). There are a few deli-style eating places on the wharf, where good food and atmosphere are inextricably linked. If you do have an eye for seafood, you can get that here too, at budget prices. I recommend Ivar’s, which has quick and friendly line service. For desert, you can grab an old-fashioned, home-made ice cream right next to the Argosy Cruise dock. While you’re on the wharf, I simply must tell you about a shop that’s sure to be in all the other Seattle tourist books, but cannot be left out here: Ye Ole Curiosity Shop. This place is a sort of museum in itself, but is really a gift shop. Some may call it a tourist trap, but it’s the most interesting one I’ve ever been drawn into. Here you will find the only set of actual shrunken human heads kept in civilized captivity. Whether you’re looking for that hard-to-find gift for that certain someone, or just grandma who already has everything, you’re apt to find it here. Devote a whole afternoon to strolling around the Queen Anne District. There are countless unique shops and antique stores to dilly-dally in; for some of the best window shopping to be had is in this historic Seattle neighborhood. You’ll find some wonderful, home-town diners here as well, that serve lunch, dinner, all-day breakfast, and alcoholic drinks at night. My choice is the Mecca Café, 526 Queen Anne Ave. For $6 - $7 they serve a HUGE breakfast that will last you most of the day. For up-to-the-minute attractions, visit the tiny office right in front of the fish market in Pike's Place Market near the Wharf. Not many people know this, but there is a walk-up window, and the guide there will tell you all about the local attractions you won't find anywhere else. |
Underground
Seattle
Seattle
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