Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Thursday from 8am to 4pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Call for directions.
Paine Field is also where you'll find the Boeing Tour Center (see p. 120 for infor-
mation on tours of the Boeing plant). Together these two make a fascinating
half-day outing.
9404 E. Marginal Way S. & 206/764-5720. www.museumofflight.org. Admission $11 adults, $10 seniors,
$6.50 ages 5-17, free for children under 5. Free 1st Thurs of each month 5-9pm. Daily 10am-5pm (until 9pm
on 1st Thurs of each month). Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Take exit 158 off I-5. Bus: 174.
BEACHES, PARKS & PUBLIC GARDENS
BEACHES
Because the waters of Puget Sound stay chilly year-round, the salt-water beaches
in the Seattle area are not really swimming beaches. They are primarily places to
play in the sand, gaze across the water at the Olympic Mountains, and enjoy a
picnic. Seattle is also bordered on the east by Lake Washington , a large lake
with numerous parks and small beaches along its shores. Even though the waters
never get truly warm, the lake is still popular for swimming. There is, however,
one caveat. A parasite spread by geese and known as swimmer's itch is com-
monplace in the waters of Lake Washington. Consequently, you should always
change out of your bathing suit and shower as soon after swimming as possible.
Alki Beach , across Elliott Bay from downtown Seattle, is the city's most
popular beach and is the nearest approximation you'll find in the Northwest to
a Southern California beach scene. The paved path that runs along this
2 1 2 -mile-long beach is popular with skaters, walkers, and cyclists; and the road
that parallels the beach is lined with shops, restaurants, and beachy houses and
apartment buildings. But the views across Puget Sound to the Olympic Moun-
tains confirm that this is indeed the Northwest. Despite the views, this beach
lacks the greenery that makes some of the city's other beaches so much more
appealing. A water taxi operates between the downtown Seattle waterfront and
Alki Beach (see “Getting Around,” earlier in this chapter, for details). By the
way, Alki rhymes with sky not key.
For a more Northwestern beach experience (which usually includes a bit of hik-
ing or walking), head to one of the area's many waterfront parks. Lincoln Park,
8011 Fauntleroy Ave. SW, south of Alki Beach in West Seattle, has bluffs and
forests backing the beach. Northwest of downtown Seattle in the Magnolia area,
you'll find Discovery Park , 3801 W. Government Way ( & 206/386-4236 ),
where miles of beaches are the primary destination of most park visitors. To reach
Discovery Park, follow Elliott Avenue north along the waterfront from downtown
Seattle, then take the Magnolia Bridge west toward the Magnolia neighborhood
and follow Grayfield Street to Galer Street to Magnolia Boulevard.
North of the Ballard neighborhood, you'll find Golden Gardens Park ,
8498 Seaview Place NW ( & 206/684-4075 ), which, with its excellent views of
the Olympic Mountains and its somewhat wild feeling, is our favorite Seattle
beach park. Although the park isn't very large and is backed by railroad tracks,
the views of the Olympic Mountains are magnificent, and on summer evenings
people build fires on the beach. Wetlands, lawns, shade trees, and a short trail
make this beach park ideal for a picnic. Although the water here is too cold for
swimming, the sandy beach is a pleasant spot for a sunset stroll. To reach this
park, drive north from the waterfront on Elliott Avenue, which becomes 15th
Avenue West; after crossing the Ballard Bridge, turn left on Market Street and
follow this road for about 2 miles (it will change names to become NW 54th St.
and then Seaview Ave. NW).
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