Tag Archives: Washington

Seattle Aquarium with Kids

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “The ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and contains 97 percent of the planet’s water, yet more than 95 percent of the underwater world remains unexplored”.

Why not explore what you CAN of this important part of our planet!

Seattle Aquarium Art, Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

In April I visited the Seattle Aquarium with my cousins and their two kids, ages 5 and 1 1/2.

We had a blast checking out the variety of sea animals – from octopus to sea stars to harbor seals to sea otters.

While this blog post will touch on “family travel” don’t think it is just for the kiddos!

At 23 I absolutely loved visiting Seattle’s aquarium!

Seattle Great Wheel Ferris Wheel at Pier 57 on Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

Located on Pier 59 on the gorgeous Waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium sits in all it’s glory.

Guests can check out the aquatic wildlife 7 days a week from 9:30am to 6:00pm (last entry at 5:00pm).

4-hour metered parking is available outside along Alaskan Way. There are also two parking garages located across the street.

Seattle Aquarium Tide Pools in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

The aquarium’s mission statement, “Inspiring conservation of our marine environment”, is taken very seriously.

They live up to it by offering a wide variety of educational (but still interesting!) resources about the various species residing within their establishment.

Interesting fact: There is a parasite found in cat feces that can be deathly for sea otters if they come in contact with it. So the aquarium recommends throwing away all cat waste and litter as opposed to flushing it.

Octopus at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Octopus Tentacle at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comExhibits at the aquarium include:

Ocean oddities (unusual creatures of the ocean)

Window on Washington waters (in the entry way of the aquarium)

Birds and shores Coastal animals of the Pacific Northwest

Life on the edge (tide pools — great for all ages)

Searching for Sixgills (sharks!)

Marine mammals (seals and otters)

Underwater dome (wild animals that can be seen through a giant 360 degree glass room)

And more!!

Striped Fish at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Colorful Polkadot Fish at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Colorful Polkadot Fish at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

Another memorable section of the aquarium was the area highlighting one of the region’s most prized animals — salmon!

The aquarium showcases each major stage of the salmon’s life (including a ladder for jumping grown salmon which is used seasonally).

Baby Salmon Fish at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Young Salmon Fish at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comThe kids really enjoyed the underwater dome, which showcases actual wild sea animals from the Puget Sound.

A diver could be seen from the other side of the window as he waved to the kids that watched him handle an eel.

Seconds later a massive (what I believe to be) halibut swam by shocking (with delight) the little faces that practically had their noses pressed against the glass.

Large flounder fish at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comI personally feel that taking kids to an aquarium offers the opportunity to teach about a variety of important subjects – general science, the environment, marine biology, conservation, etc.

Kids have a natural interest and curiosity about the underwater world.

What better way to discover new things than observing and interacting face-to-face with the subjects themselves!

Seals at Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com If you can’t make it to the aquarium right away you can check out these lives cams!

Harbor Seal Cam

Otter Cam

Octopus Cam

View from the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com View from the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comYou can also check out the Google+ hangouts hosted by the Seattle Aquarium.

Students from all over the world can even go on “virtual field trips” to the aquarium!

Those videos can also be seen on their YouTube channel.

Watching the seals at the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

While the cost of entry to the aquarium may seem a little high, just remember that you are contributing to the protection of the sea life and improved sustainability efforts made by the aquarium itself!

Entry prices as of June 1, 2014 are…

Adults (ages 13 & over) – $21.95

Youth (ages 4 – 12) – $14.95

Child (ages 3 & under) – FREE

Seniors (65+) – $2 off adult price

Active military and dependents (ID req’d) – $2.95 off

View from the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com IMG_7334 Traveling with kids -- the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comThe setting to the aquarium is just beautiful and so classically PNW!

With gorgeous views of the Sound and a thorough look into the creatures that inhabit it, I find it to be a can’t miss in Seattle, Washington!

Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

5 Highlights of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington

Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

Seattle. Land of rain, coffee, grunge, Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Costco and Amazon…

Also the closest major American city to my god son’s family.

A Very Brief History Lesson on Pike Place

Located on First Ave and Pike St, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest operating public farmers markets in the entire USA. The market, which opened in August 1907, was built on a steep hill overlooking Elliott Bay with the goal of offering regular consumers the chance to “meet the producer”.

With 10 million visitors a year it is one of the most visited attractions in the Pacific Northwest. It is filled with farmers and craftspeople looking to offer their produce and products to both locals and visitors.

TIP!: The best places to park are Western Ave., 1st Ave., and 2nd Ave.

Main entrance sign at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

These are my highlights from our morning at Pike Place Market. Feel free to add YOUR highlights in the comments below! I’d love to hear them!

1. THE ORIGINAL STARBUCKSOutside the Original Starbucks in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com You can’t start your day at Pike Place Market without first stopping at the original Starbucks.

Being a 23-year-old American female I am basically a religious follower of the coffee brand.

Okay… maybe that’s taking it a little far. But barely.

Outside the Original Starbucks in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

Starbucks is one of the largest business chains in the world – with nearly 21,000 stores across 64 different countries!

And it all started in Seattle in 1971. The actual very first location, which only sold coffee beans and not fresh brewed drinks, was closed down and then moved to this location in the mid-70s.

Even if you don’t like coffee, this is still a cool place to visit from a entrepreneurial/business frame of mind.

Outside the Original Starbucks in Seattle, Washington, United States with my cousin Johnny via ZaagiTravel.com

When I landed in Seattle my cousins and I headed from the airport straight to the mecca of caffeine addicts.

Can you tell I was excited?

I was surprised to learn that the original store has been kept in it’s most simple state – only serving certain drinks. And that’s all.

It’s kind of refreshing to enter a vintage version of the mega-coffee-maker. I’m all about bringing things back to basics.
Inside the Original Starbucks in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Fun STARBUCKS facts and a tip:

—  The brand was first going to be called Pequod, after a whaling ship from the book Moby Dick. Instead, it was named after the chief mate on the Pequod, Starbuck.

—  The first Starbucks location outside of the U.S. opened in Tokyo, Japan in 1996.

— If you normally order a latte… stop. Order a cafe misto. It’s very similar to a latte but less expensive (and tastier in my opinion). You can have it plain or add pumps of your favorite flavoring.

View from Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

2. The Fish Market

The fish guys are world famous for their fish-throwing ways.

It apparently all started when the workers grew tired of walking back and forth to retrieve a fish a customer ordered. They decided to keep a worker in the back with all the fish who would toss the order up to the front, saving time and energy.

Seafood for sale at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comFunny sign at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

I particularly liked this sign – “We sell only wild salmon caught by wild fisherman”.

The other fish and produce market’s around Pike Place are impressive also!

Fresh fish being sold in Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Fish being sold in Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Inside of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comInside of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Inside of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com Main entrance sign at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com3. Flowers at the market

Thousands of flowers line the hallways of the upper street level. Flowers of every color and shape. The tulips here are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen!

And when do you NOT need flowers in your life?

Flowers are always a good idea.

Flowers being sold in Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comFlowers being sold in Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

4. The Market Theater Gum Wall in Post Alley

The infamous gum wall is located in Post Alley, just around the corner from Pike Place Market.

The tradition began back in 1993 when patrons would place coins in blobs of gum and stick them against the alley wall. It caught on, and by 1999 the wall was deemed an official tourist attraction.
The Gum Wall outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com My cousins and I couldn’t pass up the chance to make our mark on one of the “germiest” attractions in the world.

We each popped a piece of gum and started chewing away while we scoped out where we wanted to place our sticky artwork.The Gum Wall outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com The Gum Wall outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com This is me placing my piece of gum on the wall as my little cousin Sidney looks on.

How “Seattle” is this picture? Starbucks in hand, scarf around my neck, placing my gum on the gum wall….The Gum Wall outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com That’s my piece in the very center above. That long stretched-out sort-of white piece. Ain’t she a beaut?IMG_7183Outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

5. Food Highlights

A: The ConfectionalPeanut Butter Chocolate Mini Cheesecake from the Confectional outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.comMini peanut butter cheesecake and cheesecake-on-a-stick from The Confectional. No description necessary.
Mini Cheesecake on a Stick from the Confectional outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

B: Beecher’s Handmade Cheese

Beecher's Handmade Cheese Curds being made at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, USA via ZaagiTravel.com I HIGHLY recommend the mac n cheese from Beecher’s! It’s just phenomenal. Big penne-style pasta and creamy flavorful cheese sauce. It’s addicting. I warned you.
Menu at Beecher's Handmade Cheese outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

Macaroni and Cheese & cheese curds from Beecher's Handmade Cheese outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

Cheese curds from Beecher's Handmade Cheese outside Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, United States via ZaagiTravel.com

C: La Buona Tavola

Leek & Potato Soup with drops of Truffle Oil from La Buona Tavola at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, USA via ZaaiTravel.com

Leek and potato soup (with a few drops of truffle oil)

So while I didn’t order an entire bowl of this awesomeness, I should have…

The sample I was given was TO DIE FOR – clearly, I downed it all before I could even get a photo. If/when I go back to Seattle I’m coming back here and getting a big steaming bowl of it!

Leek & Potato Soup with drops of Truffle Oil from La Buona Tavola at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, USA via ZaaiTravel.com

So… those are my Pike Place Market (+ surrounding area) highlights.

What are yours?! Comment below and tell me!