The Olympic Sculpture Park has been on my list to visit since it was built in 2007 and I finally…read moredid! It is a free oasis of calm, a view of the Sound, the Olympics on a clear day, and an opportunity to wander among world class contemporary sculptures. It is the free part of the Seattle Art Museum along with the original Volunteer Park building and the downtown Venturi-Cloepfil building which charge admission. Like most all museums, the work has been donated by Seattle families. It was a brownfield. The site is sloped and difficult to design to, with roads and rail going under it. It connects to the Eliot Bay Trail. The shoreline by the trail was extensively rebuilt in a natural way. The design is a success. The usual entry is from Western and Broad. Seattle has done well building apartments in the area, so parking can be fierce. The main entry has a large, clean, indoor pavilion with a minimal cafe, restrooms, some tables and chairs, artworks, and events. In rain it could be good for children, but may not have activities. To the Northwest is a narrow amphitheater. The backdrop to the amphitheater stage is a significant Serra. It is a great introduction to the artist, created in 2004, and the first piece installed in the park. The Eagle by Calder is the icon of the park often seen in photos. Seattle has a romance with Calder usually associated with his indoor hanging mobiles. Louise Bourgeois has a fountain and stone benches. A Roxy Paine stainless steel tree holds its own against the sea and mountain backdrop. A favorite artist of mine, Louise Nevelson, has a steel sculpture. They have an artist mini golf. I was especially excited to see Ai Weiwei's Circle Of Animals / Zodiac Heads on loan from the artist. I've seen other variations. Each head is a Chinese zodiac animal. I think kids would love it, but no climbing. The story of the originals is fascinating as is Weiwei's autobiography, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows. With all the art, to me it is primarily a park. People just walk, sit and read, decompress, and children play. It's easy to visit, except for parking, is open 24 hours, has significant contemporary artists, you don't need to know anything about art to enjoy it, and it is free!

The perfect park for a nice stroll…read more I love that you have to go "looking" for the sculptures and that it's not all in one place. It makes it fun and feel like an adventure.

The Bainbridge Island Ferry had me living out my Grey's Anatomy dreams. We traveled between Seattle…read moreand Bainbridge for an afternoon of wine tasting. We drove a car onto the ferry. On the way there, we got in line about 40 minutes early, so we were able to easily get onto the ferry. However, on the way back, there were a lot of cars in line, so we weren't able to get on the first ferry we were waiting for. The ferries were also backed up, so we waited in line for a bit over an hour. We were in great company, so it was not an issue at all, but it's something to be aware of if you're on a time crunch. There's a lot of unpredictability that can come with the ferry, so you have to give yourself enough time! Once on the ferry, we got out of our cars and explored. The ferry gives gorgeous views of the shoreline including the Space Needle and observation wheel. There's plenty of space inside with lots of tables and chairs. We got a little booth and played card games. The ride itself is so short that I actually could've enjoyed a little more time on the ferry. The ferry is a fun way to explore the islands and the ability to bring on a car adds to the accessibility of exploration on the other end!

Please don't miss taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island. It's a short 35 minute ride with great…read moreviews! The ticket is $8.50. There are plenty of snacks you can get on the ferry. Service is great. The ferries run all year.

"The Red Popsicle" by Catherine Mayer located on the corner of Fourth Street and Blanchard Avenue…read morein Downtown Seattle in the Belltown neighborhood. This is one of those public art pieces I heard about and had to go find. We were at Pikes Place and decided to set on a mission to find it and it wasn't to far away. It's a cool sculpture in person and is 17-feet tall. One of those little touristy things I wanted to do and now craving a red popsicle. It's a cool piece to checkout.

Admittedly, there may be better views of the New Year's Eve fireworks show at the Seattle Space…read moreNeedle, but "The Popsicle" on the corner of 4th Avenue and Blanchard Street is where it's at for us. We've celebrated NYE here many times and witnessed many things (including a marriage proposal that included the "fine print" disclaimer of "I will propose to you for real...someday." ‍ While you may or may not witness anything like a sorta/kinda marriage proposal when you visit, the views from this spot of the Space Needle and the fireworks show are only obstructed by a few power lines and tree branches (and this year some lingering clouds). This viewing location is easily walkable from most downtown hotels (our walk was approximately 12 minutes) and has felt safe each year to us with just two recommendations. Be sure to remain on the streets where the largest number of pedestrians are traveling and be sure to completely avoid walking on 3rd Avenue. A brand new year has been christened and hopeful new resolutions abound. Who knows? Maybe we'll meet 'ya at "The Popsicle" next year! And that's...Henry's Take. #seattlepopsicle #seattlenye #happynewyearseattle

Get a picture in front of this popular work of public art. In Pike Place Market there's lots to see…read morebut this is one of the best highlights. Rachel The Pig is considered the market's mascot. Actually was designed based on a real pig the artist knew. The sculpture is a piggy bank and you can actually put money in her, which is used to fund the market and services. Cool history. It was designed by Georgia Gerber and dedicated in 1986. This was to celebrate the market's birthday, and the sculpture is based on a real pig that was a prize winner. Bronze footprints are in front. There's a plaque that says it's the "Market Foundation Piggy Bank," and another one that says the money is donated to local human service organizations. Statue is a life size depiction of a sow, and weighs about 550 pounds, so it's heavy. The statue is always crowded, so it's hard to get good pictures. Has a pretty interesting story about it. It's located in the main entrance after the big sign. The sculpture is in front of the famous fish tossers.

Rachel the Pig has been at Pike Place Market since 1986. She stands nearby the fish market famous…read morefor throwing their fish to entertain the tourists. Also, she is by the top of the steps leading down to the Post Alley Gum Wall. So, prime Market Place real estate. You may be interested to know she is the creation of artist Georgia Gerber who has several animal sculptures in the Seattle area. You may also be interested to know Rachel had a cousin, Billie, 25 years younger and located in the newer section, Marketfront Plaza. Bronze pig footprints in the floor helped raise construction funds and lead to Billie. Rachel is a fund raising champ for the Pike Market Foundation. Drop your loose change (or folded dollars) into Rachel's coin slot and support local social services provided by the Market Foundation. The Market foundation was founded in 1982 to save the market from demolition. They support their community and local farmers with initiatives to keep fresh produce costs accessible to those on a fixed budget. They also support a Senior Center, Child Care center, Food Bank and healthcare access through the fund raising efforts of Rachel and her cousin Billie. Stop by to give Rachel a pat and drop some loose change to support Pike Market and all it's community services. She very friendly. ;)

Seattle's most popular piece of public art, Waiting for the Interurban, is cast in recycled…read morealuminum and depicts six people waiting for a train that never comes. Occasionally locals will lovingly decorate the people in outfits corresponding to a special event, the weather, someone's birthday, a Mariners win - whatever. Check out the human face on the dog; it's Armen Stepanian, once Fremont's honorary mayor, who made the mistake of objecting to the sculpture. In 1979 sculptor Richard Beyer created Seattle's most popular interactive artwork. It commemorates the light rail Interurban line that used to connect downtown Seattle with all of its neighborhoods. The piece depicts five people under a shelter and a curious dog, with a human face. About the Dog: Rumor has it that the face on the dog is that of another local legend, Arman Napoleon Stepanian. He was the unofficial Mayor of Fremont in the early years and the "Christopher Columbus" of curbside recycling. Arman's tireless activism and "dogged" persistence pioneered Seattle's highly successful recycling program that has now been copied nationwide.

Often, as I would pass by, my head would turn and I would wonder, what's that? Then, I would get…read moredistracted and forget until it happened again a week later. I've seen some fantastic decorations over the years and must admit that personally, I've only been up close about 3 times even though I'm in Fremont much more than that. I often tend to be across the way on the Peet's side of the street. This review was prompted because I was in Fremont last week (surprise) and for some reason, I felt like having a look. Okay, I lied, I was going over yonder to peer into the windows of the frozen custard shop (they were closed, thankfully, since my lactose intolerance would seek vengeance against me if they were open). Fine. The truth comes out. Wherever I live, I'm always a bit of a tourist at heart. I've heard people say that it's hard to get a picture because of traffic. True, during certain times but the traffic coming that way is fairly well timed so long as it isn't during peak hours. After all these years, I'm still waiting to catch people decorating. I never have. I still have something to look forward to.

I am always a fan of public art and this floral canopy is easy to see just outside the Space…read moreNeedle. This art installation is more than meets the eye, with it's motion activated harmony, solar panels to light up the blooms at night and energy data motoring system. I wish I had seen them at night! Instead I have visited them 3 different times all during the day. Next time I am in Seattle I will have to do an evening visit to see Seattle's night lights!

There is so much cool, iconic stuff in Seattle, it's great when something new comes on the scene…read more Back in 2012, when the Pacific Science Center put out a call for public art demonstrating solar energy, Dan Corson submitted a proposal that lead to the the humming heliotrope named Sonic Bloom. Found at the foot of the Space Needle, Sonic Bloom is five 40-foot tall, 20-foot diameter flowers inspired by the Australian firewheel tree (Stenocarpus sinuatus). They are made from fiberglass and steel, custom photo voltaic cells, LEDs, sensors, LEDs, and an interactive sound system. Cool stuff! The five flowers are lit up at night by the solar panels within that absorb that day's energy. While at first glance, they all look the same ... look closer (and longer) and you'll see their distinct differences. And at night, the rainbow of LED colors make the distinctiveness even more obvious. It's a Seattle must-see ... and the best part, it's free!

Soooo weird but so cool lol This is a must do when visiting…read moreSeattle, as much as it's so gross to think about I just had to come experience it and it didn't disappoint.. We came prepared with lots of bubble gum thanks to my long time friend Emma who lives in Seattle and has been the best tour guide ever!! After looking at all the gum and unique ways people placed there's I decided to blow a bubble and leave it while my hubby left his hanging lol Fun memories made, definitely come see this alley way full.of gum that you won't see anywhere else in the world.

A little bit disgusting but fun at the same time. Lol! It is located on the street below the big…read morePublic Market Center sign. We purchased gum from the window of the shop at the entrance of the gum alley. After a few minutes of chewing, we were ready to add our contributions. Haha! We went on a Monday around noon and it wasn't crowded at all.

South Lake Union or SLU for short is named for it's location at the southern tip of Lake Union. A…read moreneighborhood which has a bit of a downtown feel, without being downtown. Plenty of yup apartments, buildings and hangouts all within walking distance. Very close to the water, it is a choice neighborhood for walks and activities around it, while being very close to well a lot. I-5 is nearby so getting around by vehicle is easy, there is a bus that goes right through the center and Denny Park hosts many activities and events which draw lots of folks. There are some undeveloped patches calling for something to take up the space but overall, it easily is a destination for someone young and wants to be flexible about how they get around in Seattle. SLU is also great for students living or visiting the area for the many schools and centers for science studies of various types.

Lake Union is beautiful place to walk around. Lots of things to do such as go to the Museum, go on…read moreCruises, Rent paddle boat, kayak, or boat.... Enjoy the beautiful Lake Union and park area..