Seattle: The Waterfront and The Beatles Suite
Now that cruise ship season is officially over, it’s the ideal time of year for locals like ourselves to enjoy the more touristy parts of the city. The Seattle Waterfront is a popular port of call perfect for fresh seafood, fun, and conversation stopping views. And did you know the Beatles stayed here?
Fun & Games
The Great Wheel’s overall height is 175 feet off Pier 57. And I don’t dig heights. I opted out of the VIP option — Amongst other “perks,” the VIP gondola has a glass floor. Glass floor = Hell no. There’s a sign inside each cell warning passengers not to stand or dance while the wheel is in operation. Danny did both, causing our cell to sway. You can imagine how much I loved that. Each cell or gondola fits 8, but there weren’t many people there this morning, so we had it to ourselves which meant the ride was longer, like 20 minutes, which you wouldn’t get with crowds. After a rotation of two (and once we stopped swaying), my anxiety became manageable and I was able to enjoy dramatic views of the city and Elliott Bay.
Wings Over Washington is the most efficient way of experiencing the whole state in about 5 action-packed minutes. It’s an ariel theater similar to Soarin’ Around the World at Disneyland or Vancouver’s Flyover Canada. You’re strapped in and raised in front of a giant domed screen for a virtual experience. It feels like you’re getting a tour in a helicopter while you’re really safely seated inside a theater. Accompanying smells are piped in like flowers and the forest. I’ve been to Wings Over Washington three times and still can’t bring myself to keep my eyes open when it feels like you’re actually flying right over a waterfall, mist included. It is so realistic.
Seafood Lover’s Paradise
For lunch, we hopped on the 35 minute ferry to Bainbridge Island. The ride is gorgeous and relaxing, plus the return ride is free. Our favorite fish and chips truck just opened their first brick and mortar and we needed to check it out. Proper Fish has the best fish and chips I’ve had out of England and according to Danny, the best lobster roll on the west coast. If anyone were to ask if it was worth the time to venture out and eat there, the answer would be an unequivocal yes.
Some of the best oysters come out of Washington state. My favorites are the smaller variety like Kumamoto, Olympia, and Shigoku. Elliott’s Oyster House at Pier 56 has a selection of 21 west coast bivalves. They also make a mean spicy crab and corn chowder.
Six-Seven is another solid choice, located inside the Edgewater Hotel. I timed it so that we could have dinner at sunset. A romantic idea, but sunset turned out to be at 4:32pm. With Danny’s morning radio hours, we’re familiar with early bird dinners. We dined on seared scallops, Dungeness crab, and more oysters with a perfect Pacific Northwest backdrop.
Room 272
Built on Pier 67, the Edgewater is Seattle’s sole waterfront hotel. The panoramic views are astounding and the same sight the Beatles saw when they stayed here in 1964. The Edgewater was the only hotel in the city willing to host the boys due to rabid fans, some of the most zealous tried swimming up to their window. You might recall those famous shots of the fab four fishing out of the windows of this very room, now the Beatles Suite. At 750 square feet, it’s much larger than your average hotel room.
You can’t fish from your window anymore, but (I’m sure this is frowned upon) you can feed the birds. We ordered the bread basket at dinner specifically for them. It’s a simultaneously fun and terrifying experience.
Rumor has it that as soon as the Beatles left, the carpet was removed and squares were sold at a local department store. Flash forward 55 years and people like me are just as fanatic. I’m scared to tell you what this cost. Brace yourself: It was $1,079.29 for one night. (Don’t tell Danny. He doesn’t read this blog.)
This summer a mural was unveiled on the side of the hotel called ‘Orcas of Puget Sound.’ One of the orcas is named after Eddie Vedder, who assisted the artist known as Wyland with a small portion of the painting.The Edgewater, proud of their rock roots, also has a Pearl Jam suite.
And now that Danny has stayed here, we are waiting on the Partridge Family suite.
